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| 725 Pine St. Winnetka, Illinois 60093 847-441-3400 |
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Councilors present: John Bausch, Kimberly Brya, Steve Dyer, Georgie Geraghty, Susan Gillette, Betsy Holden, Steve Huels, Chris Hurley, Heidi Law, Clyde McGregor, Peggy McNamara and Jodie Stewart. Councilors absent: Will McLean and Sarah Woodburn. Pastors and Staff present: Joseph Shank, Connie Stewart, Jenny Gleichauf and Floy Schrage. Preliminary MattersSteve Dyer, Chair, called to the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Associate Pastor Jenny Gleichauf offered the opening prayer after which the cares and concerns of the congregation were shared. A motion to approve the September 26, 2006 and October 10, 2006 Council minutes was made by John Bausch, seconded by Jodie Stewart. Motion to approve was unanimous. Clyde McGregor, Assistant Treasurer, circulated the Variance Report for the period ending October 31, 2006 noting that this year’s pledges are still running behind. BusinessThe Chair welcomed Sam Fifer and Jane Huels, Co-Chairs of the Pastoral Search Committee, to the meeting. They reported on the status of the committee’s progress so far, who is serving on the committee, a brief history of their efforts to date, where the search stands today and what the next steps will be. Established in the fall of 2005, goals for the committee included conducting a national search for the associate pastor position after specific criteria were set for the person the committee wanted to recruit. The committee then listed the position with national registries, advertised in The Christian Century, networked using “word of mouth” and posted an announcement on the WCC web site. More than sixty- five candidates contacted the committee. After conducting telephone interviews the committee decided to interview six candidates. In September of 2006 the goal was to narrow the search down to three serious candidates and then interview them and hear them preach. In the meantime two of the six pulled out for personal reasons and another candidate withdrew for economic reasons. Currently there are two candidates still “in the hunt”. The committee is now in the process re-evaluating their next step. John Bausch, Support Councilor as well as liaison member of Council to the Search Committee, commented that the search has been conducted in a very professional manner. Steve expressed Council’s thanks to Sam and Jane and all the other committee members for their work on the Search Committee. Kimberly Brya, Support Councilor, gave an update on canvass. To date 177 member families have pledged $590,000. She then circulated the leadership roster showing what pledges are still outstanding at the leadership level. Reminder phone calls will be made to those individuals. A Question and Answer sheet received from the Sanctuary Renewal Design Construction Committee regarding replacement of the sanctuary floor was circulated by the chair. Council members were asked to take it home for review. If anyone has any questions or feedback they should contact Kimberly Brya. Steve Huels, Worship Councilor, gave an update on the Focus Group Meetings. Six sessions have been held so far with approximately thirty participants. These sessions confirmed “known issues” (two service format, contemporary vs. traditional music, time of service, etc.) as well as identifying other issues of concern like theological bent, focus on younger membership vs. older, outreach and programming. (The full report is attached to the hard copy of the minutes.) A discussion as to how Council should proceed followed. It was agreed that we should proceed with a survey of the congregation but there was a difference of opinion as to whether or not we should hire professional support to do so. There was concern about spending money on a survey at the present time expressed by some. Others felt that money spent to get a good questionnaire developed by an independent person would be money well spent. After an airing of opinions, it was agreed let the Worship committee decide how to proceed. Steve Dyer reminded Council members that there are still leadership positions to be filled: Worship Councilor, Music Committee, Children’s Ministry, Adult Education and Mission Doing. The Nominating Committee would welcome names passed on to them. Also, it will soon be time to select next year’s Nominating Committee so Councilors need to start thinking about that. Steve also reminded Council to read the pastor’s reports and mark their calendars for the Small Group Holiday Dinner on December 1st. Senior Pastor Joseph Shank urged everyone to attend Youth Sunday this coming Sunday, November 19. Also, he reminded everyone of the Thanksgiving Eve service November 22 at St. Faith, Hope & Charity as well as the December 3 Gift Fair at WCC. He also announced that worship services in the sanctuary will resume on Sunday, December 17. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. after a closing prayer by Pastor Shank.
Respectfully submitted, Peggy McNamara, Clerk
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