GLORIA DEI LUTHERAN CHURCH

COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

April 20, 2008

PRESENT:  Craig Bluemlein, Denise Bosma, Rebecca Brode, Shelley Dick, Doug Ebert, Pastor Vicki Garber, Walda Helvie, Jennifer Hegna, Amy Honnerlaw, Todd Kuhse, Hansel Ramathal, Don Shattuck, and Kelli Sittason.

ABSENT:  Steve Kieffner

Todd called the meeting to order and Doug led the opening prayer.

Todd presented the agenda. Doug moved, and Shelley seconded, to accept the agenda, and the motion carried.

I.                   APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

Todd presented the minutes from the March 9th meeting. Hansel moved, and Jennifer seconded, to accept the minutes, and the motion carried.

II.                PRESCHOOL UPDATE

Peggy and Dolores asked Council to encourage the Preschool Task Force to give them frequent, thorough communication through the transition process so they can give preschool parents accurate information.                     

III.             RENOVATION UPDATE

Dennis Huber updated Council on the status of bids and contracts. Bids were obtained from three contractors and Ashley’s bid was most competitive. The skylight has been redesigned to realize a $50,000 cost savings. Other small items were changed to bring costs down to within budget.

After discussion, Pastor Vicki made a motion to move $4,000 from the Outdoor Worship Furnishings/Storage Materials budget to the Concrete Work budget. This will allow the upgrade to stamped concrete for the Outdoor Worship area. Craig seconded the motion and it carried.

Egbers should begin relocating the playground equipment around 4/23.

The building permit was initially rejected due to sprinkler/fire safety issues. All other aspects of the project seem acceptable for permitting. An appeal was filed and a decision should be known around 4/30.

Don made a motion to authorize Todd to sign amended contracts not to exceed $43,000 with Egbers Landscaping and not to exceed $705,000 with Ashley construction. Denise seconded and the motion carried.

After a lengthy discussion regarding proposed changes to the office areas, Todd withdrew the motion to ratify the electronic vote that was recently taken on this issue. Council decided that the proposed changes should be further analyzed by all interested parties since time allows for this.

The Finance Committee authorized Todd to sign a commitment letter for a 25 yr loan at 5.75% for $850,000 with Thrivent. The loan commitment expires 5-15-08. There is no prepayment penalty unless refinanced by another lender. The church has opened an interest bearing deposit account at The Bank of Kentucky to receive the pledges from the “Come and Follow Christ” campaign. The church has also opened an escrow investment account at Thrivent Bank to receive the proceeds from the Thrivent loan. Money will be transferred periodically (like draws) from Thrivent Bank to the Bank of Kentucky to make payments to the contractors and for other building renovation and expansion expenses.

Bob Frey reported to the congregation that pledges to date equal about 95% of our goal. There are still a few outstanding pledges, and in addition there will be some giving that is not part of a pledge. Therefore we should be able to meet the loan obligation without any problems.

IV.             DISCIPLESHIP TEAM UPDATE

Recent electronic votes for the co-chair positions for HR and Property were ratified.

The Finance Committee is concerned about the work load on the Treasurer, especially since this is a volunteer position. Todd moved to nominate Kurt Freyberger as Co-Treasurer for 2007-2008. Don seconded and the motion carried.

Doug gave a brief update for the HR Committee. The new co-chairs met recently. They will soon finish the HR Handbook to present to Council for approval. They will also continue with the search for the Pre-School Director. The process of reviews will begin in June. It was also discussed among Council that as the congregation grows, there may be a need to change some volunteer positions into paid positions (i.e. Treasurer).

V.                OLD BUSINESS

The Pre-School Task Force held a second meeting this week. The members are divided into several sub-committees to accomplish the significant amount of work before them. In all areas they are still gathering information.

Todd made a motion to allocate $1,000 to be spent at the discretion of the Co-Chairs of the Pre-School Task Force for advertising, legal fees and other necessary expenses related to their tasks. The motion was seconded by Pastor Vicki and the motion carried.

VI.             NEW BUSINESS

Pastor Vicki invited everyone to the Evangelism Session this Friday at 6pm at Immanuel Lutheran in Lawrenceburg, IN.

Todd made a motion that Council approve Pastor Vicki’s vacation from 6/30 – 7/17. Don seconded and the motion carried. Pastor will have additional time off later in the year as well.

After discussion, Rebecca made a motion to establish a Youth Board, with the leader to serve on Council as a “Voice/No Vote” member. Pastor Vicki seconded, and the motion carried.

Don gave some updates regarding Fellowship. The Annual Golf Outing is June 22. We are again considering a hayride in September or October. The Fellowship Committee is trying to energize these and other events since attendance has been falling off lately. Any new ideas for fellowship are welcome.

VII.          ADJOURNMENT

Doug led the closing prayers and Todd adjourned the meeting.

Council Prayer Session – May 5^th at 7am.

Next Council Meeting – May 18^th, lunch by Walda Helvie.

Next Committee Night – June 2^nd at 6pm.

We are saved by Grace through Faith and are called by the

Holy Spirit to make Christ known. In joyful response, we strive to…

o       Love God

o       Love others as God loves them

o       Live as disciples

o       Grow Spiritually

o       Share the good news

Respectfully submitted,

Amy Honnerlaw

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