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| April 11, 2006 Council Meeting Minutes |
Back to Council Main
Councilors present: John Bausch, Kimberly Brya, Cynthia Churchwell, Steve
Dyer, Carol Fessler, Rich Franklin, Susan Gillette, Heidi Law, Will McLean,
Peggy McNamara, Jodie Stewart and Janet Van Zuiden.
Councilors absent: Chris Hurley and Joanne Miner.
Pastors and Staff Attending: Joseph Shank, Connie Stewart, Jenny Gleichauf and
Floy Schrage.
Guest: Harry Grace.
Call to Order and Opening Business
Cynthia Churchwell, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Council then
recited the Church’s Mission Statement after which Interim Associate Pastor
Connie Stewart shared the cares and concerns of the congregation. She then
offered the opening prayer.
A motion to approve the March 14, 2006 Council minutes was made by John Bausch,
seconded by Steve Dyer. Approval was unanimous.
Will McLean, Treasurer, reported that one-half of the 2006 pledges have come in
and that the Outreach budget will even out when accounting for the Servants
Mission Trip is completed.
Continuing Business
Harry Grace, Chair of this year’s Nominating Committee, presented the WCC Lay
Ministry 2006-2007 slate. The slate will be posted and updated as the remaining
positions are filled. Nominations from the floor will also be accepted at the
annual meeting
The Chair complimented the Worship Councilors on their leadership role in
overseeing the transition of our worship space from the sanctuary to the Alsdorf
Activities Center. To date the music room has been moved, and painting, wall
treatments, banners and flowers are transforming the Alsdorf space. Cynthia also
expressed her thanks to Steve Huels and Suzanne Danilek for their work and
dedication in making the transition happen. She also commented that leadership
is more than nuts and bolts. When we respond to the call and function as a group
to accomplish a mission, we are also ministering.
The Sanctuary Renewal Project is moving ahead. The organ has been removed with
the exception of the blower. Letters of intent between the church and Pepper
Construction Company are being reviewed by Betsy Hurley before the final
contract is signed. Pastor Joseph Shank met recently with both the organ builder
and John Cook regarding making some modifications in the design of the organ
case. The organ builder, Martin Pasi, is sensitive to the concerns of the
congregation.
Council was reminded by the Chair that all annual reports are due by Friday,
April 14. Reports from the Search Committee and the Sanctuary Renewal Committee
are also due for inclusion in the Annual Meeting report.
New Business
Letters of recommendation for the Helm’s award need to be received soon in order
for Council to decide on this year’s recipient.
There were no questions regarding Group reports sent out earlier to Council
members. However, as Education Councilor, John Bausch urged everyone to attend
Fiesta del Sol on Sunday, April 23. He told everyone what a great job the
Servants did on the Mission trip (as did John, who was part of the group) Also,
he urged Council members to attend the May 16 Council meeting to hear the
statements of faith made by this year’s confirmation class.
Commenting on the pastors’ reports previously circulated, Connie Stewart
mentioned how well this year’s Peer Study group and the Taize service she did
both went. Joseph Shank said that the Guatemala trip went well and that the baby
kits made by the Woman’s Society and the books donated by Hubbard Woods School
were greatly appreciated. He also shared a thank you card that he had received
regarding the memorial service conducted at WCC for a New Trier student and how
great it felt for our church to be able to reach out to the community in the
face of such a tragedy. Joseph also said that he and Randy have been reassuring
this year’s confirmation class that church is the people, not the building.
Although they have been hearing this message since they were little, nonetheless
they are disappointed that they will not be confirmed in the sanctuary. Thus,
every effort is being made to make this year just as special as it always has
been for Confirmands and their families.
Closing
Before closing this month’s Council meeting, Cynthia Churchwell thanked retiring
Council members, Rich Franklin, Heidi Law, Joanne Miner and Janet Van Zuiden,
for serving on Council. She also stated that she will be sending thank you notes
to Mary Pons, Woman’s Society President, and those retiring from the Harkness
Outreach Center Board of Directors for their service.
As this was the Cynthia’s last Council meeting as Chair, Steve Dyer, Vice Chair,
said what a pleasure it had been working with her and that he didn’t know of
anyone in the congregation who cared more than she about the church. He then
quickly reviewed upcoming dates for Council to be aware of, listed at the bottom
of the agenda.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned after a closing
prayer by Connie Stewart.
Respectfully submitted,
Peggy McNamara, Clerk
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