{"id":3910,"date":"2022-05-10T14:14:03","date_gmt":"2022-05-10T14:14:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cascademagazines.com\/?p=3910"},"modified":"2026-01-22T20:40:05","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T20:40:05","slug":"april-19-2022-council-minutes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cascademagazines.com\/index.php\/2022\/05\/10\/april-19-2022-council-minutes\/","title":{"rendered":"April 19 2022 Council Minutes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Council Meeting Minutes\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>April 19, 2022<\/p>\n

Council Members Present<\/strong>:\u00a0 <\/strong>Deb Ruedinger, John Macho, Pastor Kevin, Wayne Ludkey, Pam Ulness, Jan Olson, Kristen Bjornstad, Apryl Brantley,\u00a0 Amy Penza (guest)<\/p>\n

Opening Prayer:<\/strong> Pastor Kevin<\/p>\n

Devotion<\/strong>:\u00a0 Amy. Excerpt from book,\u00a0 \u201cGrace\u201d by Bob Lenz<\/p>\n

May Devotion:<\/strong>\u00a0 Deb Ruedinger<\/p>\n

Approval of March Minutes<\/strong>:\u00a0 Motion made by Wayne Ludkey to approve the March council meeting minutes.\u00a0 John Macho seconded.\u00a0 Approved.<\/p>\n

Reports Summaries <\/strong>(discussion\/questions beyond submitted written reports):<\/p>\n

-Pastor Report<\/strong>: See April Team Reports Document.\u00a0 Pastor Kevin.\u00a0 A lot of mental illness issues are going on right now.\u00a0 Pastor Kevin was just at a conference and said that people are having trouble just getting in to meet with counselors.\u00a0 Events like Easter are important because they remind us of the hope that\u2019s still there and we should not get sucked into the darkness.<\/p>\n

Jan was just at a meeting and noted that healthcare has lost 40% of the nurses and are relying on travel nurses.\u00a0 Stress is hitting hard.<\/p>\n

Pam added that Mayo Clinic is down 800 staff members and can only take in-network patients.<\/p>\n

Jan said that sometimes staff were the only contact when family\/visitors weren\u2019t allowed.\u00a0 Patients were\/are relying on caregivers for so much more than they used to.<\/p>\n

Pastor Kevin is asking for prayers and reminds us to check in on family and friends.<\/p>\n

Wayne asked about having a listening session, but Pastor Kevin said that can get difficult, and there\u2019s a reason that counseling is one on one.\u00a0 There are things that can\u2019t be told to a group.<\/p>\n

Apryl said that the cards Amy sent out to youth were well received.\u00a0 Amy said youth is also sending out cards to others, so if there\u2019s a need somewhere, she can have the youth help.<\/p>\n

-Treasurer's Report<\/strong>: Apryl<\/p>\n

The Operating Budget Total Net Deficit YTD as of March 2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 ($24,339)<\/p>\n

The Operating Budget Total Net Deficit for Month of March 2022 ($15,064)<\/p>\n

Total Cash in Operating Checking Account as of March 2022 is $61,502.67<\/p>\n

Total Cash in Designated Fund Checking Account as of March 2022 is $78,382.26 (this includes the $29,500.00 in Holding)<\/p>\n

Total in Fortifi Investment Account as of March 2022 is $37,493.07<\/p>\n

Operating Budget Explanation:<\/p>\n

Our YTD income for Church Operations is lower than budgeted by ($17,196).\u00a0 Our Regular Envelope\/Vanco\/Credit Card giving is lower than budgeted by ($15,888) our Loose Offering is higher than budget by $74.<\/p>\n

We received Scrip proceeds as of March 2022 $1,000 of our Fiscal Year.<\/p>\n

Summary<\/p>\n

We did budget for a ($7,965) Deficit YTD and our Actual Deficit YTD is ($24,339)<\/p>\n

Deb addressed questions about details of the financial report.\u00a0 Apryl sent out additional explanations (see treasurer\u2019s report\/financial notes on the April team reports document).<\/p>\n

Apryl, noted that, as a council, we will need to watch as the year progresses to see if we need to change anything as the monthly deficit continues to be much greater than budgeted for.<\/p>\n

Pastor Kevin said that in past years there used to be an update posted in the bulletin during lean times.\u00a0 He may end up addressing this in his newsletter write-up.\u00a0 Also, this time of year is always lean and then it usually starts building back.<\/p>\n

Deb commented that times are different now.\u00a0 Inflation is having an effect on people's ability to give.<\/p>\n

Jan said that the church she attends in Florida prints a financial update right in the bulletin.\u00a0 Wayne thinks that people may not look at it if they see it every week.<\/p>\n

Apryl added that the message should be kept simple.\u00a0 Pastor Kevin said it should be\/used to be a one sentence update.<\/p>\n

Jan asked about the Fortifi Investment Account and wanted to know what is all in there.\u00a0 Apryl confirmed that the account contains the seminary student money and a few donations\/gifts to the church.<\/p>\n

Apryl said that Gail has been getting a lot of financial questions.\u00a0 It has been a little overwhelming with her other duties in office, so she asked if questions could go through the treasurer (Apryl).\u00a0 This process needs to be streamlined.\u00a0 Questions can go to Apryl, otherwise Gail would need more hours in order to complete everything.\u00a0 Wayne said that the office staff becomes the point person for many things.\u00a0 Pastor Kevin noted that it\u2019s also been a very busy time in the church (specifically Lent, which just ended, is busier).\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jan suggested that maybe Gail would be able to set aside some of her time to do finances\/budget and we could get Becky in to help with the office portion of duties.<\/p>\n

Pastor Kevin and Apryl agreed that all questions regarding finances, from council, should go to Apryl through email for now.<\/p>\n

Jan proposed that, when the new council term starts, someone should give a tutorial on how to read the financial notes that come out each month in the financial report.\u00a0 Apryl suggested that, additionally,\u00a0 maybe Gail could come to a council meeting to answer questions.<\/p>\n

Wayne confirmed that he will put something in the bulletin regarding the lower giving numbers, but if giving remains way down, we will have to assess \u201cwhy\u201d and may have to reach out to people who may have stopped\/reduced their giving.<\/p>\n

Kristen added, \u201cspeaking of giving,\u201d the offering plate new pattern [for collection] was not working.\u00a0 Deb said it works at 8:00 service, but it\u2019s not working at 10:00.\u00a0 This process will be evaluated.<\/p>\n

John Macho motion to approve treasurer\u2019s report.\u00a0 Kristen Bjornstad seconded.\u00a0 Approved<\/p>\n

-Buildings and Grounds<\/strong>: See April Team Reports Document.\u00a0 Jan.\u00a0 Jan just got a bid from a 3rd company for blinds yesterday.\u00a0 Bids range from $4200 - $8100.\u00a0 Jan does not think they\u2019ll be looking at motorized blinds at this time (too many issues). Quality, usability, aesthetics and warranty are all factors in the decision for which to purchase.\u00a0 Jan asked if B&G could just decide and make a purchase.\u00a0 Wayne said the council still needs to give approval\u2014even with gifted money.\u00a0 Council approval can be done via email though.<\/p>\n

Spring clean-up date is 5\/15\/2022.\u00a0 B&G sold the portable sign for $100.\u00a0 Jan had 28 responses on the first day posting on Facebook marketplace.\u00a0<\/p>\n

-Stewardship<\/strong>: See April Team Reports Document.\u00a0 Wayne.\u00a0 Sign installation date is approximately 5\/12\/2022.\u00a0 Wayne would like to have a dedication for the sign.\u00a0 He feels this could be done between services shortly after it goes in.\u00a0 Pastor Kevin agreed that this would be OK.<\/p>\n

-Youth Report<\/strong>: Amy.\u00a0 Everything is great!\u00a0 The Easter egg hunt went well.\u00a0 The mission trip is right around the corner.\u00a0 The High School trip dates are June 11-17 and the Middle School trip dates are July 24-29.\u00a0 HS is going to Ohio and the MS is going to Lake Traverse, SD.\u00a0 Amy does not have all info yet on how they\u2019re doing on funds.\u00a0 Two payments are still coming in from kids.\u00a0 She won\u2019t have an update until the next council meeting.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Deb asked about the youth money in the designated funds for youth ($4000).\u00a0 Apryl said that\u2019s for Amy to use as she needs.<\/p>\n

Amy said that she would like to update playground equipment and will be looking to use gifted money to the youth for that.<\/p>\n

Amy said that the youth are dealing with a lot of mental health issues now as well.\u00a0 She continues trying to keep the kids engaged.<\/p>\n

-Communication<\/strong>: See April Team Reports Documentl.\u00a0 Wayne will reach out to Sarah about the web page.\u00a0 Kim [Radtke] took a lot of pictures at Easter.<\/p>\n

Deb said she had someone fill out a time and talents sheet with WEB design\/maintenance as a skill.\u00a0 She will get the info to Wayne.<\/p>\n

-Volunteerism<\/strong>: See April Team Reports Document.\u00a0 Debbie.\u00a0 Volunteer schedules are set for the next 4 months.\u00a0 Deb puts them into order\/rotation and if someone is unavailable she tries to keep them off those dates.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Life & Growth team had 8 or 9 names for those interested\/volunteers.\u00a0 Deb wanted to know if she should get them together.\u00a0 Pastor Kevin asked who will head up the team?\u00a0 Wayne suggested getting them together and seeing if someone steps up.\u00a0 Jan will set up a meeting.<\/p>\n

Deb asked if women\u2019s ministries would fall under Life & Growth?\u00a0 Council is unsure at this time.<\/p>\n

-Refugee resettlement<\/strong>: John.\u00a0 The group of volunteers was assigned a family from the Congo.\u00a0 This is a couple with 5 children.\u00a0 Volunteers are getting the property ready.\u00a0 World Relief pays rent for the first few months. The school is only \u00bd block away for school-age kids and has a summer meal program.<\/p>\n

John doesn\u2019t have too much background info.\u00a0 He is trying to get food from the food pantry ahead of time, but will take the father shopping as well.<\/p>\n

-Worship Team<\/strong>: Pam.\u00a0 May 24th is the next meeting.\u00a0 There may be new members who volunteered.\u00a0 Pam said that the kitchen could use a good functioning stove.\u00a0 She thinks they could really use a commercial range.\u00a0 Jan has some info because it\u2019s been looked into before. She thought there may have been extra cost\/requirements if we get a commercial stove.\u00a0 The current stove takes a long time.\u00a0 This can be looked into again.\u00a0 Wayne said that Heidi [Ludkey] could help in this research too.<\/p>\n

New Business<\/strong><\/p>\n

- Lent\/Holy Week\/Easter services recap:<\/strong>\u00a0 Wayne commented that all were fantastic and well attended.\u00a0 Jan wrote a thank-you for the newsletter to thank volunteers\/people who donated food etc.<\/p>\n

- Offering<\/strong>.\u00a0 See above.<\/p>\n

- \u201cHow are we doing?\u201d task force<\/strong>.\u00a0 Wayne wants to gauge the congregation for what they like\/don\u2019t like\/suggestions for things they\u2019d like to see\/do differently.<\/p>\n

Jan had a handout from an interest survey that was done in 2007\/2008.\u00a0 Council members should read this survey before the next meeting. Wayne suggested doing a council retreat.\u00a0 Pastor Kevin said that retreats are usually best planned for Fall as there are too many activities and vacations to plan around in Spring\/Summer.<\/p>\n

- Office space<\/strong>.\u00a0 Keep thinking about solutions\/ideas.\u00a0 Amy is working around it in the meantime.\u00a0<\/p>\n

-Business Management Team<\/strong>.\u00a0 Jan said that the BMT needs to be reestablished.\u00a0 There was always trouble because nobody wanted to head it up.\u00a0 Gail is interested in heading it up now, and there were a good number of people who volunteered through time and talents.\u00a0 BMT meets once a quarter.\u00a0 Gail, Andy, and Apryl have been the only ones so far, but now there are more people interested in joining.\u00a0 Jan said the original intention was to have 5 members with the treasurer just sitting in.\u00a0 Jan wanted to make sure that if Gail does lead, is it appropriate because she is a member AND an employee.\u00a0 Wayne reminded council that the purpose of the team is to have other eyes (who are not involved with the money) to look at things.\u00a0 Gail may just have to abstain from voting on certain issues. Jan will get the names to Apryl and she will meet with Gail.<\/p>\n

- Other<\/strong><\/p>\n

Closing Prayer\u2026Pastor Kevin<\/p>\n

Next Meeting:\u00a0 May 17, 2022 at 6:30 p.m.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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