 |
| 725 Pine St. Winnetka, Illinois 60093 847-441-3400 |
|
Councilors absent: Georgie Geraghty, Steve Huels, Brek Peterson, and Sarah Woodburn. Pastors and Staff present: Joseph Shank, Connie Stewart, Jenny Gleichauf and Floy Schrage.
Gathering and Opening Prayer Before the beginning of the business portion of the Council meeting , Council members, pastors and staff gathered in Little Chapel for worship and prayer at 7:00 p.m. Preliminary Matters Steve Dyer, Chair , called the business portion of the Council meeting to order at 7:15 p.m. then asked for approval of the September 11, 2007 Council minutes. Susan Gillette moved, seconded by Kimberly Brya, to approve the September 11th minutes. Approval was unanimous. Kimberly Brya, Treasurer, reported that as of September 30, 2007 75% of the budget has been expended. She pointed out that the fall quarter is often the most intense in terms of expenditures. She called attention to the large expenditure for Council expenses in the Variance report explaining that it includes expenses related to the audit, the church survey and the search for an Associate Pastor. Kimberly announced that Steve Huels, Georgie Geraghty, Brek Peterson, Bob Linn and Sarah Woodburn will represent their respective groups on this year’s Budget Committee. Again, she asked councilors to remind their committees to turn in their expenses as they occur. Jack Jadel said he would like to see a quarterly balance sheet. All agreed it would be helpful to have one. Business Bob Linn, Support Councilor, gave an update on the activities of the Canvass Committee. They have been working to develop visuals, brochures and testimonials as a way of urging the congregation to support the work of the church by making a financial commitment. The goal of this year’s Loyalty Pledge Campaign is to raise $1 million from all 400 member families. Pledge income covers approximately 85% of the annual expenses with the remainder of the needed funds coming from the investment reserve, plate offerings and special gifts. Steve Dyer asked for a motion to approve the Council resolution (previously circulated electronically) whereby the church approves the loan payment offer of Harkness Outreach Center. (A hard copy of the resolution resides in the Clerk’s file). Bob Linn moved, seconded by Kimberly Brya, to approve the resolution. Approval was unanimous. Steve then reported that he had received a letter from Jay Dempsky, President of Harkness Outreach Center, regarding the purchase of additional securities maturing in 2014 as part of HOC’s loan repayment to the church. Betsy Holden moved, seconded by Susan Gillette , that the HOC letter be referred to the Financial Management Committee and that the Financial Management Committee, on behalf of the Council, be authorized to approve future remaining loan payment offers made by HOC . Approval was unanimous. A discussion of the Fall Leadership Meeting and the notion of “call” followed. At the meeting it was hoped that each group would come up with a call for the group as well as individuals doing likewise. Vice-Chair, Susan Gillette, commented that we all know everyone is busy but we need to think of the church as a calling, not a to-do list like going to the grocery store, soccer, etc. Church is different. It is not a social experience and we need to find a way to make WCC a more nourishing place. A comment was made referring to past incidents in the church that have caused some lingering unhappy feelings. Rev. Shank reminded us that we can rehash past history or move on and make new history. The chair reminded councilors that it is time for the quarterly meetings of groups and that each group should be thinking about what its calling is as well as how to involve more people. Groups can report back in November as to where they are. Kimberly Brya then gave a brief report on the progress of the covenant to be installed in Tolman Hall. It will be a wood carving with marble pieces from the covenant in the chancel as part of the design. It will hang horizontally over the kitchen opening in Tolman Hall. Rev. Shank reported that worship services will resume in the sanctuary Otober 14th with a special service that Sunday. He reminded everyone that not everything will be in place (cross, baptismal font, etc.) right away as we need to live into the space first. Our church will be hosting one of the Center for Christian Leadership fall courses beginning this Thursday, October 11. Lasting for six sessions, it is being led by Professor Andre LaCocque, entitled “The Genesis of Evil”. Associate Pastor Jenny Gleichauf reported that Mission Doing is gathering information to see if our area (Evanston, Wilmette, Skokie, etc,) has any need for a service like those provided by the Interfaith Hospitality Network, a national organization operating in Boston, that assists needy families in finding housing. Brek Peterson worked with this group while living in Boston. The program involves local churches working together to assist needy families find housing. The search for an Associate Pastor continues. The next meeting of the Search Committee is October 14. Closing Prayer and Adjournment The Council expressed its heartfelt appreciation to Connie Stewart for her time with us as Interim Associate Pastor. Her calming presence and many gifts have been a blessing to our church. She will be missed. After a closing prayer, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted, Peggy McNamara, Clerk
|
