MINUTES of Light of the World Congregational Council Meeting Date: July 29, 2015 Location: Barker s House 3806 143 rd Street West, Rosemount Summary: I. Call to order: A standing council meeting of the Light of the World Congregational Council was held July 29, 2015. The meeting convened at 6:30 pm, President Ben Barker presiding and acting secretary. II. Prayer III. Roll Call a. Council Members in attendance: Ben Barker, Mitchell Weers, Rian Greseth, and Kathy Felch b. Council Members not in attendance: Peggy Swearingen, Jon Sahlin, Jeanne Schwartz, and Pastor Jenny Mason c. Others present: none. IV. Adoption of the Agenda Motion made by Rian Greseth to approve the agenda, seconded by Kathy Felch. No discussion. Motion carried. V. Consent Agenda Items a. Reading of and Approval of the June 24, 2015 Council Meeting. Motion made by Rian Greseth to waive the reading of the June Minutes and approve as written, seconded by Mitchell Weers. Motion carried. VI. Treasurer s Report a. June was a good month. Regular contributions for the month of June were $4,754 more than forecast. b. We showed a net income for the month of $3,529 compared to our forecasted net loss of $81. b. YTD (end of June) net loss is currently $6,737. VIII. Unfinished Business a. Audit Committee i. Kathy delivered the file cabinet to the church office. ii. Jon Sahlin is in the process of scanning the documents that were in the file cabinet. ii. Rian Greseth will prepare written policies on specific procedures. b. LOTW 3 Goals i. Closing out fiscal year positive 1. Rian Greseth is finalizing fiscal year end numbers. Preliminary numbers show LOTW reducing our deficit from $10,226 to approximately $5,000. ii. Net 8 households 1. We re up a Net 1. iii. 11% financial growth 2015-2016 fiscal year 1. We re on target for the projected growth based on financial commitments c. Mission Work Plan i. Continue to update the congregation during community time.
ii. Shared the committee assignments iii. Added Faith and Family Night under Passing on the Faith Mitchell Weers will coordinate Faith & Family Night. d. Joint Council meeting with Lord of Life i. Wednesday, August 12th at Lord of Life IX. New Business a. Summer Musical Letter from Shelli Mann i. Council appreciated the letter from Shelli. ii. The musical is a great opportunity to invite our children s friends to participate in the musical. b. Marketing Committee Audience and Message i. Marketing Committee recommended the target Primary Audience Families with younger than confirmation age living in Farmington, east Lakeville, Apple Valley, Eagan, and Rosemount. ii. Council agreed with the primary audience, but doesn t want to limit our focus. iii. Council like the Marketing Committee s message: - A modern ELCA church welcoming of people with all backgrounds and lifestyles - A place where children are welcome, respected, and loved - Opportunities for people of all ages to act in the world - A community to connect with others and form relationships iv. Council also tasked the Committee to craft a TAG line. v. Council is considering new sandwich board signs that have a simple message with vibrant/contrasting colors. The signs need to be visible from a vehicle traveling 50mph. c. Music Team i. There is some miscommunication occurring between staff and the music team. ii. Mitchell Weers and Ben Barker will meet with staff and the music team to discuss the issues. d. Power of Community Council Position i. Liz Chermack resigned from her Power of Community Council position. ii. Mitchell Weers will lead the search for a new council member. X. Reports a. Vice President (full report attached) b. Power of Community no report for this month c. Member at Large (full report attached) d. Pastor no report for this month e. Acting in the World no report for this month f. Passing on the Faith - no report for this month g. President (full report attached) XI. Council Meeting Bullets for Congregation a. Marketing Committee is crafting our message and establishing our target audience. Next meeting is in August. b. Opening on the Council for the Power of Community position c. We re having a joint council meeting with Lord of Life Church on August 12 th to get to know our neighbor and explore any ways we can and/or should expand our relationship.
d. Deficit update Treasurer is finalizing the fiscal year end numbers. Thank the congregation for their prayers and contributions. XII. Announcements/Recognition a. Thank you to Mike Huff and Cathy Perigrino for chaperone our youth on the mission trip. b. Thank you to the Marketing Committee for their leadership and creativity. c. Thank you to Pastor Alexandra George for preaching on July 19 th. d. Thank you to Pastor Paul Galchutt for preaching on July 26 th. XIII. Closing a. Next meeting August 26, 2015, 6:30pm b. Thanks to God c. Adjournment Motion made by Rian Greseth to adjourn the meeting at 8:36 pm, seconded by Mitchell Weers. All in favor. Motion carried. Secretary Date of approval Light of the World
Light of the World Leadership Council Report From: Kathy Felch Current Role: Member at Large Reporting Dates: June 24-July 29 2015 Relationship Building: Met with 6 LOTW congregation members/families Goals for the Next 30 days Continue to have conversations with congregation members Work with Jenny to keep our net gain matrix updated Meet with Jenny to clarify the plan for grades 9 12 during Spark time Goals for the Next 30-60 days Continue to meet with congregation members Work with Jenny to update our net/gain matrix Goals for the Next 60-90 days Same as above Items to report or discuss from conversations with LOTW members: Some people involved in music/set up would like to see the praying before worship implemented again. (I can ask Jenny about that) Missing the question/discussion before church. The thought is that it eases new people in informally. (another question for Jenny) Any chance of sharing an updated directory? What is going to be the curriculum/format for Young Voices for Change? Any chance of getting an intern to help Jenny with.8 position? Question about what the high school Spark/Confirmation time will look like in the fall? Question about who will be in charge of the family faith night organization piece to make sure there is a family each month to plan meal/activity? Could we merge ideas and programs with other churches?
Light of the World Leadership Council Report From: Mitchell Weers Current Role: Vice President Reporting Dates: June 24, 2015 to July 29, 2015 Recent Activities: Attended June council meeting Attended Vibrant Stewardship team meeting on 6/30 Team wants to continue, but could use a couple new members as Becky is moving and John is stepping down Will meet again in the fall to review the calendar of stewardship opportunities in 2016 Work Plan Updates: Helped at the Marketing Committee mtg since it was in my house. :-) Just suggested that the committee formulate their thoughts and send them to Ben for stamp of approval and direction My goals for the next 30 days: Help with Goal #2 - Eight Net New Families My goals for the next 30-60 days: Connect with two congregational members My goals for the next 60-90 days: Connect with congregational members Learn the formal council meeting format - Robert rules of Order
Light of the World Leadership Council Report From: Ben Barker Current Role: President Reporting Dates: June 24, 2015 to July 29, 2015 Relationship Building: Three 1:1 Action item updates: Attended June Council Meeting Met with musicians - there still appears to be some communication breakdown between staff and musicians. Discussed the timesheet review process with Pastor Jenny and Mitchell Weers Provided congregation with weekly updates on the budget deficit via Outlet Message from the President via e-blast on July 6th Mission Work Plan Council Leadership/Operations: We determined the timing of the communication and the means of communication to the congregation. Prepared a list of Committee assignments Marketing Committee met on July 15th My goals for the next 30 days: Connect with one congregational member Follow-up on Work Plan Action Items Meet with Lord of Life Meet with Staff and Musicians Update congregation on Goal #1 Focus on Goal #2 - Growth My goals for the next 30-60 days: Focus on Goal #2 - Growth Follow-up on Work Plan Action Items My goals for the next 60-90 days: Connect with congregational members Follow-up on Work Plan Action Items