Forward in faith!

 

Gratiude, health, mission focus mark annual meeting

 

Nearly 200 persons (a record number in recent years) packed Fellowship Hall on Sunday, June 21, for the annual meeting of the congregation of Central Lutheran Church.  The remarks of our pastors and elected lay leaders all focused on gratitude for the people of Central and its thriving mission, the current spiritual and financial health of the congregation and a call to stay focused on mission.

 

Lay leaders elected

A slate of candidates put forth by the 2009 Nominating Committee, chaired by John Hagman, was elected at the annual meeting.  Elected to the Congregation Council were Kristin Schoephoerster, president-elect; Karl Starr, secretary; Emilie Brunsvold Anderson, council-at-large; John Bogard, council-at-large (second term); and David Johnson, council-at-large (second term).  Bruce Nimmer was elected to the Audit Committee.  Elected to serve as voting members of the 2010 Assembly of the Minneapolis Area Synod of the ELCA were Maryon Lee, Judy Erdman, Sid Berg and Chris Stensaas.  Allison Winblad and David Sand were elected Assembly alternates.  Bruce Ellingson, Karen Hinz and Sara Stensaas were elected to the 2010 Nominating Committee.

Pictured after the annual meeting with pastor rick nelson (right) are four persons who either have served, are serving or will serve as president of the congregation.  They are (from left) Dick shinofield, president during the past year who will now serve as past-president, an ex-0fficio position on the congregation council; bill Masche, current president; kristin schoephoerster, president-elect; and joyce anderson, who completed three years of "presidential service" at the annual meeting.      photo by joe bjordal

 

Good financial health; budget passes unanimously

Treasurer Mark Forsberg told those gathered that despite the uncertain and challenging global financial conditions of the past twelve months, “the financial state of Central is good.”  He reported that income for the past fiscal year was short of budgeted projections by five percent due to a decrease in revenue from the parking lot and ramp and from the Central Lutheran Church Foundation, which together provide approximately half of the income to the general operating fund.  Operating expenses, however, were $75,000 less than projected, so that Central was only two percent short of its budget for the past year.  “In these days,” said Mark, “that’s pretty good!”

 

Mark also presented the proposed 2009-2010 operating budget, totaling $2,621,500, which was approved unanimously.

 

The congregation also approved the expenditure of up to $90,000 for completion of “the rain leader” project, which is mandated by the City of Minneapolis and will redirect rain water from the sanitary sewer system to the storm sewer system.  Work on the project began on June 22 and will be completed well before Lutherans from around the world begin to arrive for the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, which begins August 17.

 

Don’t get distracted, stay focused on  mission, says senior pastor

In his report, Senior Pastor Rick Nelson said that when things are going well it is possible that we can get distracted, and he does not want that to happen.  He said there are “two possible distractions in the coming year to watch out for.”

 

The first is the controversy that is expected at the Churchwide Assembly over proposed resolutions about human sexuality.  He said there are likely to be “some volatile reports and controversial discussions that will keep many people busy with the wrong things.”

 

“My hope is that we don’t get distracted from what we do, from what God wants us to be, by how we differ from the way we see this world when there is so much to agree on.  I hope you will come with me and not be distracted by the things that will distract so many,” said Pastor Rick.

 

“Keep in mind our calling to serve this city and world with grace and dignity.  Let’s live out our welcome statement, let’s live with some differences and move forward.”

 

Pastor Rick also said we can get distracted by complacency “when things are calm and lovely.  We can get distracted by the good times, and I don’t want that for us.  I want to keep the inertia going.”

 

He said Central has a vision of being a thriving downtown congregation that “can show the church how to get it done, how to stay faithful and how to stay focused.  I think we are on track for that, but it will take attention.”

 

“We will attend to it.  We will attend to God.  We will ‘major in the majors,’ let the minor things go, and move forward.”

 

Central’s ninth senior pastor also told the congregation that “we have a great opportunity to reinterpret ourselves as a player in the city again—which is a big part of our legacy.”

 

He said that the new Restoration Center is expanding our community ministries and “making a great name for Christ in the city” and that he feels it will be a significant part of the heartbeat of our congregation in the year ahead.

 

“Re-imagining ourselves in the context of this city excites me.  I love the idea of reaching new people. This is our mission field; this is why we are here.  We are going to be a player in the city again—one that plans to stay for generations to come.  And we’re going to thrive, not just survive,” said Pastor Rick.

 

Great days now

In his closing remarks newly-installed president Bill Masche said that many have spoken to him lately saying that “the greatest years are ahead.”  But, he said, “the preaching, music, worship, ministry, fellowship and stewardship say one thing to me:  that the greatest years are now.  The great dedication of members, the faith, the spirit of Central tells me that the great years are back.” 

 

“In this great 90th year, lets us all work together with joy, telling others about Central and expressing to God our gratitude for allowing us to be part of this time and this place.”

 

 

333 South Twelfth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55404
Infoline: 612-767-9101
Main line: 612-870-4416