Community Lutheran Church, Rancho Santa Margarita, CACommunity Lutheran Church, 30322 Via Con Dios, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, 949-858-0307Map and Directions to CLC

Council Minutes

Meeting: Jan 2010
January 19, 2010

Call to Order: 6:00 P.M.

Dinner provided by Barb Krouse and the Parish Life committee. Thank you.

In attendance:

Pastor Greg, Allison Conrad, Dave Skinner, Mark Totman, Mike Bisnar, Bruce Atkinson, Pat Elliot, Barb Krouse, Kevin Peterson, Jane Wielenga, Ashley Notthoff, Tracy Cantin, Pastor Peterson, assistant to the Bishop,

December minutes were reviewed and motion to approve by Barb Krouse, Second by Kevin Peterson. Vote: passed

Devotions were provided by Pastor Greg

Presentation by the Rev. Dr. Gordon Peterson, assistant to the Bishop, addressing the mission of the church, council duties, expectations and exploring different generations. Thank you.

Pastor report:

 Pastor Greg’s Report

January 19, 2010

1. New member class has begun and there are 4 families in the class. They will be brought in as new members February 7

2. I will be attending the Earl Lectures and Leadership Conference 2010 up in Berkley at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. The conference is entitled: ³Spiritual but not religious² which includes those who glean inspiration solely from nature and the physical world around them, as well as those who prefer to divorce themselves from institutional structures. The phrase also refers to some who are alienated from organized religion‹-refugees from a church that has not accepted or affirmed them.

³Spiritual but not religious² can also describe those who find church irrelevant or who prefer to worship in individual and private ways. I will be gone from Sunday afternoon through Thursday afternoon.

3. The constitution committee no report at this time.

4. Lent begins Wednesday, February 17. The theme for Lent will be “Hands of

Lent”. I will use the hand as a metaphor for the experiences in life and

how we believers respond to them. Some of the themes will include “Serving hands”, “Seeking hands”, “Angry Hands”, etc.

5. LWR (Lutheran World Relief) has begun reaching out to the people of Haiti. We are supporting the effort of LWR by donating monies to the relief effort. Those who are Thrivent members and donate will receive 1 dollar of matching funds for every two dollars given.

6. For the family in need we needed $2000 and we collected $2000 and change.

They were very grateful.

7. No action items

Allison Conrad Youth Report:

Youth Report

January 2010

- Yes, the rumors are true... Matt and I are expecting again! Baby #2 is due end of July/ early August. Clearly, backpacking is out (I know, I know...Sacagaweadid it... but I prefer epidurals). I've been talking with Mary, Pastor and Dave about what kind of summer event to plan, as my activities will be slightly restricted. Trying to lay out a plan asap.

- As if a new baby isn't excitement enough, we've also purchased a home and will be moving before February 11th. As such, I am planning to take a week off in February once we've moved in to get all settled. Most likely it will be the 15th-21st, but I will certainly keep you posted!

- Service Saturdays have been a great opportunity so far and I'm looking forward to this year of service!

- Confirmation Retreat will be held January 29th-31st up in Big Bear at the Tveit's vacation home. We're very blessed to be given the ok to use their home. I will be there Friday-Sunday, and Pastor Greg will be returning home Saturday evening. We have a good group attending!

- I'd like to get the youth involved with Kriskening in a special way this year... perhaps Kriskening new members, members we haven't seen in a while, elderly members at Park Terrace... just something that gives back a bit. I know this has been discussed a bit, but I'd like to tie in the youth as well.

Mary Stohlman’s Report:

Lent Starts tomorrow.............and the Lenten projects have begun with the voting on the Super bowl game!  The concert on February will be a special service and offering for world Vision.  I hope you have checked out the rest of the projects and plan to participate in some way during this Lent season.

The Prayer Shawl ministry started in January and we have had a very good response, with 8 knitters/crocheters coming that night and probably 6 more that have talked to me about the project since then!  I think we will be able to care for those suffering or hurting very easily.

VBS planning has started!  The dates are August 16-20.  Ant the theme is High Seas. about Paul's travels.

My update, I am trying to come to the office 2 days during the week and on Sundays.  This is not full time at the office, I have to work at home some still. Just the drive wears me out, I still have very little energy or stamina. Not sure when the energy or the hair come back!  And so I can be at Ash Wednesday service tomorrow I am not planning to stay for council on Tuesday. 

Tracy Cantin:

COMMUNITY LUTHERAN CHURCH

Financial Statement Notes

For Month Ended 12/31/09                                         

Balance Sheet Cash December, 2009

Current cash balances are as follows:                                                    Net Income/(Loss)

                        Bank Accounts (unrestricted):           ($   44,341.61)              ($      9,621.39) 

                                                                                                            Year-to-Date 2009

                                                                                                            Net Income/(Loss)

                                                                                                                     ($    59,992.78)   

Income Statement

Income

Total offering income was $14,409 less than December’s budgeted $55,000.  2009 offerings were $53,501 less than budgeted.

Total preschool income was $12,406 less than December’s budgeted $74,100.  Due to decreased enrollment, the preschool's anticipated receipts for the 2009-2010 school year are $65,000 per month, not $74,200.

Total Contingency Reserves Used includes $6,541 from the Third Chair Fund transferred to cover specified benevolences.

Total other income was $415 less than December's budgeted $1,020.  

Expenses

Total expenses for December were $1,780 less than budgeted.  All categories were within $1,000 of budget or under the budgeted amount.

                       

Comparative Income Statement (2009 versus 2008):    

  • Offering income was$15,765 less than offering income in 2008 (-4%).
  • Preschool tuition/registration income was $24,434 less than in 2008 (-3%).   
  • Total expenses (excluding building fund transfers and contingency transfers) were $12,589 less than in 2008 (-1%).

Committee Reports:

Parish Life: Parish Life Committee

January 17, 2010

Members Present:  Barb Krouse, Lynn Bisnar, Laura Borgschatz, Cindy Hilburn

  1. Kriskening

So far we have 12 families signed up to participate.  In addition to our regular Kriskening, we will be having an “alternative Kriskening.”  This will involve members of the congregation Kriskening the church by donating items needed in the office, by the choir, preschool, etc.  Members will be able to pick an item from a list being generated and bring it to church sometime during the month of February.  The potluck will be held at church on February 28th at 5:00.  We will be setting up right after the late service.

  1. We started planning for Easter.  We will do the egg hunt similar to last year where the different age groups go at different times.  We are also looking for ideas for something to distribute to the congregation on Easter Sunday.

  1. We are again looking into hosting a day at Angel Stadium maybe late in May. 

  1. Another event we would like to sponsor this year is a Progressive Dinner.  We are looking at mid to late August for this event.

Next meeting:  Friday, February 12th at 8 am at Starbucks.

Property Report:

CLC Property Committee accomplishments – January 2010

Helpers present on 1/16/10:  Rod Anderson & Ken Notthoff

  • Several minor fixes done around church & preschool.

  • Several fluorescent bulbs replaced in classrooms & offices.

Yet to do in 2010:

  • Start assessing what needs to be done around the property.

(immediate, short-term, long-term) – one thought we should consider is the parking lot condition and how we could get it repaired sometime this year (fundraising, special donations?)

  • Weather stripping to be replaced on all double doors in conference room, church offices and sanctuary.

Next property committee meeting scheduled for 8:30am Saturday 2/6/10 in the conference room to address “to do” items listed in the red notebook.  Will email several CLC members to get small group together for next meeting.

Prepared by Mark Totman 1/18/10

Forward Planning: Forward Planning Report

January, 2010

Meeting took place on Tuesday January 12, 2010.  Present at the meeting was Pastor Greg, George Gaskell, Erika Jelovsek, Jim Wright, Mike Bisnar and Ellen Skinner.

SWOT comments were put onto a spreadsheet and totaled up. Someof the commentsreceived included potentially upgrading the sanctuary, future construction of a fellowship hall, and upgrading/refurbishing the property overall.  The committee will reviewexisting plans for appropriateness to current conditions and make recommendations to the Council.

Many of the comments and concerns were regarding staff/personnel.  As part of the SWOT process, the committee decided to form a Staff Relations Committee This committee will be formed based on existing ELCA models and guidelines to address these important issues.