Annual meeting acts with unanimity;
hears challenge to stay outwardly focussed
It was “standing room only” in Fellowship Hall on Sunday, June 20, as members of Central Lutheran Church gathered for the congregation’s 91st Annual Meeting. The comments and reports presented a picture of a healthy congregation, united in mission and giving boldly and sacrificially to support the work of this mission outpost we call Central.
In his report, Senior Pastor Rick Nelson said “It hardly seems possible that four years have passed since I came to Central” and that “they have been good years.” But, he said as we get used to “being in a good run” it is very easy to return to a place where we, as a congregation, are not captive to the Spirit of God—to get distracted by things; to return to old behavior; to begin to turn inward. “It’s very tempting when things are going well to get inwardly-focussed,” he said. “I really want us to do battle with that temptation—to continued to be focussed ‘out there.’”
Pastor Rick said that in the coming year he hopes we “will continue to do with excellence all that we excel in” and “live even deeper into our welcoming statement.” We are doing very well with our hospitality, he said, “but it takes a long time for everyone to be convinced of that—to be convinced it’s not just a little trend, but the real deal.” He said he hopes we will figure out even more ways of being welcoming to all people.
New leaders elected
All the business actions of the meeting were carried out unanimously, including the adoption of a $2.4 million budget for the current fiscal year (which began June 1); the official calling of Pastor Judith Stone, as visitation pastor, and Mark Sedio, as associate in ministry; and the elections of the following to leadership positions:
President-elect: Christopher Lyle
Treasurer: Leon Tibben
Council Members-at-large: Myron Just, David Sand and Allison Wynblad
Synod Assembly Voting Members: Judith Bogard, Elizabeth Evert, Janet Freitag,
Lance Olson and Richard Stegall
Audit Committee Member: Richard Shinofield
Mark Sedio’s calling, adding him to the roster of the Minneapolis Area Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, comes nearly ten years after he began his ministry of music at Central.
Mark explains and offers a word of thanks:
“A very sincere and heartfelt thank you for the call you extended to me at our annual meeting last Sunday!
Several have asked about the details concerning my status as an Associate in Ministry (AiM). Briefly, I was rostered by the Lutheran Church in America, predecessor church body to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in October 1980 (almost 30 years ago), then grandfathered into the ELCA when it came into being in 1987. I accepted the position here at Central with the stipulation that a call be extended sometime in the near future. Due to various circumstances, time passed and extensions of my “on leave from call status” expired.
Recent events in the ELCA cleared the way to reinstatement. A huge thank you also to Pastor Rick, Pastor C and Barb Brown who were instrumental in fulfilling Central’s portion of the process.
It has been an absolute joy serving this congregation for the past (almost) 10 years. Soli Deo gloria!”
In his report, outgoing president Bill Masche said he believes the people who are Central Lutheran Church have reached a new milestone of unity in purpose and spirit and have arrived at a new landmark where showing respect and valuing each other as individuals is now really who we are.”
“As a congregation—and in the great tradition of Central—let’s continue to work together with faith and joy in service to others. God has richly blessed us in so many ways. Now, let us be a blessing to others,” he said.
In her remarks as incoming president, Kristen Schoephoerster said that Central has been “an enormous part” of her life for the past 22 years and that she is now thrilled, honored and humbled to serve as Council president “at this church that means so much to me and to my family.”
hears challenge to stay outwardly focussed
June 21, 2010
It was “standing room only” in Fellowship Hall on Sunday, June 20, as members of Central Lutheran Church gathered for the congregation’s 91st Annual Meeting. The comments and reports presented a picture of a healthy congregation, united in mission and giving boldly and sacrificially to support the work of this mission outpost we call Central.
In his report, Senior Pastor Rick Nelson said “It hardly seems possible that four years have passed since I came to Central” and that “they have been good years.” But, he said as we get used to “being in a good run” it is very easy to return to a place where we, as a congregation, are not captive to the Spirit of God—to get distracted by things; to return to old behavior; to begin to turn inward. “It’s very tempting when things are going well to get inwardly-focussed,” he said. “I really want us to do battle with that temptation—to continued to be focussed ‘out there.’”
Pastor Rick said that in the coming year he hopes we “will continue to do with excellence all that we excel in” and “live even deeper into our welcoming statement.” We are doing very well with our hospitality, he said, “but it takes a long time for everyone to be convinced of that—to be convinced it’s not just a little trend, but the real deal.” He said he hopes we will figure out even more ways of being welcoming to all people.
New leaders elected
All the business actions of the meeting were carried out unanimously, including the adoption of a $2.4 million budget for the current fiscal year (which began June 1); the official calling of Pastor Judith Stone, as visitation pastor, and Mark Sedio, as associate in ministry; and the elections of the following to leadership positions:
President-elect: Christopher Lyle
Treasurer: Leon Tibben
Council Members-at-large: Myron Just, David Sand and Allison Wynblad
Synod Assembly Voting Members: Judith Bogard, Elizabeth Evert, Janet Freitag,
Lance Olson and Richard Stegall
Audit Committee Member: Richard Shinofield
Mark Sedio’s calling, adding him to the roster of the Minneapolis Area Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, comes nearly ten years after he began his ministry of music at Central.
Mark explains and offers a word of thanks:
“A very sincere and heartfelt thank you for the call you extended to me at our annual meeting last Sunday!
Several have asked about the details concerning my status as an Associate in Ministry (AiM). Briefly, I was rostered by the Lutheran Church in America, predecessor church body to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in October 1980 (almost 30 years ago), then grandfathered into the ELCA when it came into being in 1987. I accepted the position here at Central with the stipulation that a call be extended sometime in the near future. Due to various circumstances, time passed and extensions of my “on leave from call status” expired.
Recent events in the ELCA cleared the way to reinstatement. A huge thank you also to Pastor Rick, Pastor C and Barb Brown who were instrumental in fulfilling Central’s portion of the process.
It has been an absolute joy serving this congregation for the past (almost) 10 years. Soli Deo gloria!”
In his report, outgoing president Bill Masche said he believes the people who are Central Lutheran Church have reached a new milestone of unity in purpose and spirit and have arrived at a new landmark where showing respect and valuing each other as individuals is now really who we are.”
“As a congregation—and in the great tradition of Central—let’s continue to work together with faith and joy in service to others. God has richly blessed us in so many ways. Now, let us be a blessing to others,” he said.
In her remarks as incoming president, Kristen Schoephoerster said that Central has been “an enormous part” of her life for the past 22 years and that she is now thrilled, honored and humbled to serve as Council president “at this church that means so much to me and to my family.”
In the photo: Pastor Rick Nelson (left) is pictured with “the presidents” (left to right):
Chris Lyle, president-elect; new Congregation Council president
Kristin Schoephoerster,and now past-president Bill Masche.
Chris Lyle, president-elect; new Congregation Council president
Kristin Schoephoerster,and now past-president Bill Masche.
The 2009-2010 Annual Report is here:
Part One: Leadership, Ministries and Standing Committees
Part Two: Foundation, Financial Reports, Budget
Part Three: Annual Meeting Information
Part One: Leadership, Ministries and Standing Committees
Part Two: Foundation, Financial Reports, Budget
Part Three: Annual Meeting Information
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