Minutes of the 2008 Annual Meeting
(to be approved)
Thursday, June 19, 2008
The annual meeting of Central Lutheran Church was held on Thursday, June 19, 2008. The congregation gathered for dessert and social hour at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. The Annual Report had been available previously at Sunday service, and was also distributed at the Annual Meeting.
Business Meeting
Council President, Joyce Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and declared that a quorum of 100 people were present. Pastor Rick Nelson opened the meeting with prayer.
The agenda for the 2008 Annual Meeting was approved as amended.
The minutes from the 2007 Annual Meeting were approved as presented by a voice vote of the congregation.
Senior Pastor’s Report: Pastor Nelson referred the congregation to his written report. He highlighted his enthusiasm for ministry at Central. He encouraged members of the assembly to think about who we each might invite to join us in ministry. He recognized the work of Pastors Peterson and Thorsen as they have recently retired and gave thanks for their ministry. He reported that the Call Committee for the Associate Pastor position is moving along and in the final stages of interviews. He reported that he is excited about the Forward in Faith service component as well as an initiative of Hospitality. He noted that we continue to have challenges that include the need for increased giving so we can become less dependent upon the parking lot revenues and foundation monies and use those monies for ministry and outreach. Another challenge is an increased number of “shut-ins” in our congregation and the need to provide pastoral care to them. We will soon need more than two visitation pastors.
President’s Report: Council President Joyce Anderson referred the congregation to her written report. She thanked the congregation for the opportunity to serve Central in the role of council president. She gave thanks for the beginning of Kristen Jacobson’s ministry among us, the restoration of our organ, the opportunity to clean up our membership roles and many other initiatives this past year. She also thanked the members of the Facilities Revitalization Task Force and the Mission and Vision Implementation Task Force.
Central Foundation Report: Director of Development, Pastor Mark Halaas, referred the congregation to his written report. He thanked the congregation for the opportunity to serve in ministry at Central through the Central Lutheran Church Foundation.
New Business:
Election of Council and Committee Members: Patrick Egan, chair of the Nominating Committee presented the following candidates for positions on the congregation council, audit committee and the synod assembly:
President-Elect Bill Masche 2008-2010
Treasurer Mark Forsberg 2008-2010
Council-at-Large Lynn Erickson 2008-2010
Simon Husbands 2008-2010
Chris Lyle 2008-2010
Audit Committee Bruce Ellingson 2008-2010
Nominating Committee John Hagman 2008-2011
Jim Heintz 2008-2011
Susan Troselius 2008-2011
Synod Assembly
Voting Members Deborah Bauknight
George Holtan
Karl Starr
Kris Stedje
Chris Stensaas
Barbara VanDrasek
Alternate Voting Members David West
Leon Tibben
Judy Erdman
Patrick Egan
Maryon Lee
Joyce Anderson
Approval of the 2008-2009 Budget: Council Treasurer, Leon Tibben, moved that the congregation approve the proposed budget of $2,601,588.00 for the 2008-2009 fiscal year as outlined in the Annual Report. This includes the use of one-half of undesignated Congregation Bequests up to $100,000.00 and the use of part of eight related designated funds to offset disbursements. The motion was seconded and carried.
Facility Revitalization Expenditures: Council Member at-large, Lynn Erickson, moved that the congregation release $100,000 from Community Ministry Designated Funds for the renovation and development of designated space for community ministries.
After the motion was made, Pastor Nelson reported to the congregation that this motion evolved out of a desire to provide dedicated space to our Community Ministries program. Currently the Community Ministries program is affected (shut-down) by other programming in the building such as funerals, congregation events etc. By creating dedicated space to this ministry, programming can be provided uninterrupted. The expenditure proposed will allow the congregation to clean up the lower level of the education building, provide permanent clothes closet space with drop-off and sorting spaces, establish dedicated space for women and children only and continue to provide a drop-in center among other things.
The congregation approved the motion.
Council Treasurer moved that the congregation release $35,954 from Capital Improvement Designated Funds to replace two flat roofs on the east side of the sanctuary, butting up to the church and bell tower.
After the motion was made, Fiscal and Property Committee chair, David Gregg, reported that there are tears in the rubber roofs over two flat roofs on the east side of the sanctuary. The need to replace these two roofs was unexpected but we do have the money to replace them in a capital replacement fund.
The congregation approved the motion.
Forward in Faith Mission Expenditure: Council Member at-Large, David Johnson moved that the congregation authorize the Congregation Council to expend 10% of the December 1, 2006—November 30, 2007 Forward in Faith receipts in service to others via the following:
1. $56,345.00 for use in partnership with Jordan New Life Community Church
(an ELCA congregation located at 26th and Newton Avenue North, Minneapolis)
for facility project needs.
2. $56,345 be used for a domestic Lutheran Disaster Relief project, specific location to
be determined by the Council.
After the motion was presented, David Johnson shared that he and fellow council members Simon Husbands and Dick Shinofield together with Pastor Rick Nelson visited Jordan New Life Community Church five weeks ago under the encouragement of the Minneapolis Area Synod. Jordan New Life has been identified by the synod office as a congregation in need. They have great facility revitalization needs. Jordan New Life also can serve as a place for outreach by our members and our staff as well as an opportunity for reciprocal outreach from their congregation to ours. They all came away from their visit with a conviction that both Central and Jordan New Life would benefit from a partnership in ministry.
Pastor Nelson spoke to the Lutheran Disaster Relief component of the motion by re-stating the congregation’s commitment to get involved in a human and personal way. He hopes that 50 members of the congregation will commit to a 5-day disaster relief work effort in October 2008.
The congregation approved the motion.
Council Member at-Large John Bogard moved that the congregation authorize the expenditure of Forward in Faith funds up to $100,000 for the redevelopment of the South Commons restrooms and hospitality area.
The congregation approved the motion.
Announcement of Election Results: All of the proposed candidates on the ballot were elected.
Introduction of the New Council President: Outgoing council president Joyce Anderson thanked all members of the church council for their work. President Anderson then introduced incoming council president Dick Shinofield. In-coming president Shinofield thanked President Anderson on behalf of the congregation for leadership, hospitality and efficiency.
Pastor Nelson offered a closing blessing and led the congregation in the doxology.
President Shinofield adjourned the meeting at 9:06 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kathryn Holum
Council Secretary
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333 South Twelfth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55404
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