Council Minutes May 22, 2023

by | May 22, 2023 | Council Minutes

Our Mission: 

Celebrating God’s Love and Forgiveness, We Serve Others

 

Our Vision:

Following Jesus’s example we feed the hungry, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, nurse the sick and visit the imprisoned as we see Jesus in the faces of those we serve.

 

Our Core Values:

·        PRAYER

·        ACCESSIBILITY

·        SERVICE

·        COMMUNICATION

·        EDUCATION

·        WORSHIP

·        YOUTH

·        HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS

 

Purposes of Church Council:

1.       The Council is responsible for the general oversight of the life and activities of this congregation, especially its worship life. All decisions are made to ensure that everything is done in accordance with the Word of God, and the faith and practice of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

 

2.       The Council taps into the guidance and wisdom of the Holy Spirit to inspire and lead St. Mark’s into God’s future.

 

3.       The Council monitors, guides, and supports the ministries of St. Mark’s.

 

4.      The Council monitors and adjusts operational activities in accordance with the Constitution, By-Laws, God’s Word and good business practice in order to ensure efficient and effective management and growth of St. Mark’s ministries.

    Date:       MONDAY, MAY 22, 2023 : IN PERSON  

                    ZOOM ACCESS:  (For member emergency & congregational access) – For all 2023 meetings!

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88280885362?pwd=dzZoWTRPWm5QYjczbXBBSGh1dnA0UT09

                    Meeting ID: 882 8088 5362                     Passcode: 006465

    Participants: Congregation Council

Time:                6:30 – 8:00 PM  

Facilitator:      Chris Lewis, President

Materials:       Agenda 5-22-23, Minutes 4-17-23, Council Binder with agenda & April financials

Members Present:   Pastor Karla Halvorson, Pastor Alicia Saenz, Chris Lewis, Sheri Barker, Erick Posada, Krystina Torres, Margarita Alvarez, Dennis Coughlin, Dorothy Geier, Melissa Hernandez, Skip Knudsen , Robert Nava, Gerd Pfeiffer (*Strike-through absentees)

Visitors:   Dick Bolin, Legacy Committee

Meeting Purposes: 

·         Ensure smooth and effective functioning of St. Mark’s Church to serve God’s purposes

·         Monitor and refine the financial operations of St. Mark’s to ensure God’s mission is fulfilled

·         Build our capacity to lead and work as a team to guide St. Mark’s to fulfill God’s plan

AGENDA

TOPIC COUNCIL MOTIONS
April Minutes and Financial Reports Consent Agenda: Approve April Minutes and Financial Reports in one motion.   Motion: D. Geier. Second. S. Barker. Approved.
   
   

                                               

TIME Topic Activity Lead
6:30 PM Call Meeting to Order   Chris
6:30-6:35 Meditation and Prayer  ·         1st Corinthians 12:12 Margarita
6:35-6:55 Check-in (1 min each) & Leadership Training. (Definition of Leadership) From the 4 corners, which kind of leader do you most identify with and why? Sheri
6:55-7:00 Agenda Review, Time Keeper     Erick
7:00-7:05 Review 5-22-23 Council Minutes ·         Consent Agenda: Approve April Minutes and Financial Reports in one motion.  Motion: D. Geier. Second. S. Barker. Approved. Erick
7:05-7:10 Review May 2023 Financial Reports ·         33% through the year. Currently at $2,900 net income. 

·         Maintenance reserve running low. Need to rebuild the reserve fund by reimbursing from grants.

·         Budget adjustment needed for staff salary. Currently at 60%. of budget

·         Utilities higher than usual due to tree crowning as well as March and April electricity bills both paid at once.

 Krystina
7:10-7:20 

 

 Pastor Reports ·         Pastor Alicia will be ordained by unanimous approval as associate Pastor on the 10th of June.  

·         Lots to prepare for upcoming VBS.

·         Pastors encourage filling in the community with all the events at St. Mark’s as word-of-mouth works.

·         One service on June 18th for Father’s Day.

·         Pastor Alicia will be covering for Pastor Karla on June 25th and July 2nd.

 Karla 

Alicia
7:20-7:25 

Time Certain

 Legacy Committee Report ·         The Legacy Committee is reaching out to the congregation to discuss planning to leave a legacy with St. Mark’s. 

·         Will talking with Jason to consider a proposal with music.

 Dick Bolin
7:25-7:50 Discussion Items 

·         Property Updates

·         Pastor Alicia ordination

·         Fire code maintenance and declutter

·         Renter’s assisting on property

 

 ·         Campus appearance needs to be brought up to shape for Pastor Alicia’s ordination.  

·         Need to find a way to get low mobile congregants into the church. The walk across the parking lot and up the hill is too much for some members.

  
7:50-7:55 Reports: (Top item only, if any) 

·         Children & Youth

 ·         33 kids signed up so far for VBS. Can take up to 40. 

·         Lots of helpers ready to assist with VBS.

 Melissa
  ·         Member Care ·         August 27th will hold a meeting for funeral planning where people can discuss which hymns and verses will be said at their funeral. Dorothy
  ·         Music ·         There will be a message in the bulletin informing members how to request old hymns they would like to see played.  

·         Want to lower altar by one level and remove pulpit to make it more ADA compliant.

Skip
  ·         Security Training ·         Preparing for a security presentation on the 25th of June. Need to determine how long the video will take to present along with discussion after. Rob
  ·         Campus Revitalization Task Group ·         Suspended regularly scheduled meeting and moved to only meeting as necessary. All members are active and doing their part.  

·         Sheri met with Celine from EES (largest child care provider in the county) and will explore the possibility of bringing in infant care on campus.

 Gerd
  ·         President’s Report & Visioning ·         Sanctuary lighting to be far less expensive than anticipated. Chris
TBD Executive Session (optional)    
7:55-8:00 Closing Prayer Who will lead meditation & prayer for JUNE Council meeting?  Alicia
8:00 PM Motion to Adjourn Meeting   Chris

 

TASK LIST Reminders:

TASK By Whom? By When?
     
     
     
  UPCOMING Calendar Items:   

·         June Executive Committee Meeting: 6/13/2023

·         Next Council Meeting:  Monday, June 19, 6:30 PM

·         Pastor Alicia Ordination: Saturday, June 10

·         Pastor Karla out of town from Wednesday June 21 to Saturday July 7.

 

 

Council Minutes April 17, 2023

by | Apr 17, 2023 | Council Minutes

Our Mission: 

Celebrating God’s Love and Forgiveness, We Serve Others

 

Our Vision:

Following Jesus’s example we feed the hungry, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, nurse the sick and visit the imprisoned as we see Jesus in the faces of those we serve.

 

Our Core Values:

·        PRAYER

·        ACCESSIBILITY

·        SERVICE

·        COMMUNICATION

·        EDUCATION

·        WORSHIP

·        YOUTH

·        HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS

 

Purposes of Church Council:

1.       The Council is responsible for the general oversight of the life and activities of this congregation, especially its worship life. All decisions are made to ensure that everything is done in accordance with the Word of God, and the faith and practice of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

 

2.       The Council taps into the guidance and wisdom of the Holy Spirit to inspire and lead St. Mark’s into God’s future.

 

3.       The Council monitors, guides, and supports the ministries of St. Mark’s.

 

4.      The Council monitors and adjusts operational activities in accordance with the Constitution, By-Laws, God’s Word and good business practice in order to ensure efficient and effective management and growth of St. Mark’s ministries.

    Date:       MONDAY, APRIL 17, 2023 : IN PERSON  

                    ZOOM ACCESS:  (For member emergency & congregational access) – For all 2023 meetings!

Participants:   Congregation Council

Time:                6:30 – 8:00 PM  

Facilitator:      Sheri Barker, Vice President

Materials:       Agenda 4-17-23, Minutes 3-20-23, Council Binder with agenda & March financial              

Members Present:   Pastor Karla Halvorson, Pastor Alicia Saenz, Chris Lewis, Sheri Barker, Erick Posada, Krystina Torres, Margarita Alvarez, Dennis Coughlin, Dorothy Geier, Melissa Hernandez, Skip Knudsen , Robert Nava, Gerd Pfeiffer (*Strike-through absentees)

  Visitors:   Dick Bolin, Legacy Committee

  Meeting Purposes: 

·         Ensure smooth and effective functioning of St. Mark’s Church to serve God’s purposes

·         Monitor and refine the financial operations of St. Mark’s to ensure God’s mission is fulfilled

·         Build our capacity to lead and work as a team to guide St. Mark’s to fulfill God’s plan

AGENDA

TOPIC COUNCIL MOTIONS
March Minutes & Financial Reports Approve March Minutes and Financial Reports in one motion. Motion: S. Knudsen. Second. D. Geier. Approved 
   
   

                                               

TIME Topic Activity Lead
6:30 PM Call Meeting to Order   Sheri
6:30-6:35 Meditation and Prayer    Rob
6:35-6:55 Check-in (1 min each) & Leadership Training. (Definition of Leadership) From the 4 corners, which kind of leader do you most identify with and why? Sheri
6:55-7:00 Agenda Review, Time Keeper     Erick
7:00-7:05 Review 3-20-23 Council Minutes Consent Agenda:  

·         Approve March Minutes and Financial Reports in one motion.  Motion: S. Knudsen. Second. D. Geier. Approved 

Erick
7:05-7:10 Review March 2023 Financial Reports ·         Income is 2% short of where we need to be 

·         Building maintenance over budget due to tree removal

·         Running low on Reserve funds

 Krystina
7:10-7:20 

 

 Pastor Reports ·         Pastor Alicia ordination: Finalizing Letter of Call, job description, and compensation package. Will have a Q&A day on May 7th between services. Congregational vote to call Pastor Alicia will be on May 21.  

·         Pastor Alicia’s ordination on June 10th. Will begin as half-time through remainder of the calendar year.

·         Moving towards having all renters and ministries contribute equitably to the upkeep of St. Mark’s and works together in harmony.

·         Moving forward would like to train new lay ministers.

 Karla 

Alicia
7:20-7:25 

Time Certain

 Legacy Committee Report   Dick Bolin
7:25-7:50 Discussion Items 

·         Property Updates

·         Tree removal and crowning

·         Fire code maintenance and declutter

 

 ·         Process to get loan pre-approval has started. 

·         S. Barker interviewed potential renter from Christian elementary school. The school’s board will also visit St. Mark’s campus to view the property.

·         YMCA will visit the campus again as they are interested in talking about the property.

·         St. Mark’s will ask current renters if they can assist with the yard-work and general clean up.

·         Horizontal paperbark tree removed from property, standing tree needs to be crowned ($2,500). D. Coughlin reports that SDGE says tall pine tree is not endangering power lines.

  
7:50-7:55 Reports: (Top item only, if any) 

·         Children & Youth

 ·         Melissa to promote VBS on Sundays. Will also get kids ready for Confirmation Camp.  

·         SeaWorld trip planned on April 29th.

 Melissa
  ·         Member Care   Dorothy
  ·         Music ·         Concert series scheduling change: Organist will play in November 

·         Violinist has agreed to play on May 24th

·         Piano and Organ duet on July 7th playing patriotic pieces.

 Skip
  ·         Security Training ·         Will show the congregation a training video on what to do in case of an active shooter. Planned for the summer in Jacobson Hall. Rob
  ·         Campus Revitalization Task Group   Gerd
  ·         President’s Report & Visioning ·         C. Lewis out of town Chris
TBD Executive Session (optional)    
7:55-8:00 Closing Prayer Who will lead meditation & prayer for APRIL Council meeting?  Rob
8:00 PM Motion to Adjourn Meeting   Sheri

 

TASK LIST Reminders:

TASK By Whom? By When?
     
     
     
  UPCOMING Calendar Items:   

·         May Executive Committee Meeting: May 8

·         Next Council Meeting:  Monday, May 22, 6:30 PM

·         C. Lewis will not be here on April 13-18 as well as May 11-16.

 

Council Minutes March 20, 2023

by | Mar 20, 2023 | Council Minutes

Our Mission:

Celebrating God’s Love and Forgiveness, We Serve Others

 

Our Vision:

Following Jesus’s example we feed the hungry, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, nurse the sick and visit the imprisoned as we see Jesus in the faces of those we serve.

 

Our Core Values:

·        PRAYER

·        ACCESSIBILITY

·        SERVICE

·        COMMUNICATION

·        EDUCATION

·        WORSHIP

·        YOUTH

·        HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS

 

Purposes of Church Council:

1.       The Council is responsible for the general oversight of the life and activities of this congregation, especially its worship life. All decisions are made to ensure that everything is done in accordance with the Word of God, and the faith and practice of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

 

2.       The Council taps into the guidance and wisdom of the Holy Spirit to inspire and lead St. Mark’s into God’s future.

 

3.       The Council monitors, guides, and supports the ministries of St. Mark’s.

 

4.      The Council monitors and adjusts operational activities in accordance with the Constitution, By-Laws, God’s Word and good business practice in order to ensure efficient and effective management and growth of St. Mark’s ministries.

    Date:       MONDAY, March 20, 2023 : IN PERSON

Participants:   Congregation Council

Time:                6:30 – 8:00 PM  

Facilitator:      Chris Lewis, President

Materials:       Agenda 3-20-23, Minutes 2-27-23, Council Binder with agenda & Feb financials   

Members Present:   Pastor Karla Halvorson, Pastor Alicia Saenz, Chris Lewis, Sheri Barker, Erick Posada, Krystina Torres, Margarita Alvarez, Dennis Coughlin, Dorothy Geier, Melissa Hernandez, Skip Knudsen , Robert Nava, Gerd Pfeiffer (*Strike-through absentees)

Visitors:   Dick Bolin, Legacy Committee

Meeting Purposes: 

·         Ensure smooth and effective functioning of St. Mark’s Church to serve God’s purposes

·         Monitor and refine the financial operations of St. Mark’s to ensure God’s mission is fulfilled

·         Build our capacity to lead and work as a team to guide St. Mark’s to fulfill God’s plan

 

AGENDA

TOPIC COUNCIL MOTIONS
Accept February Minutes and Financial Reports Approve all in one motion. Motion: S. Knudsen. Second. E. Posada. Approved
Personnel Policy Changes to Holiday Pay Changes made to holiday pay policy to ensure that employees are accurately receiving their holiday pay. Motion: D. Geier, Second: G. Pfeiffer. Approved.
   

                                               

TIME Topic Activity Lead
6:30 PM Call Meeting to Order   Chris
6:30-6:35 Meditation and Prayer    Dorothy
6:35-6:55 Check-in (1 min each) & Leadership Training. (Definition of Leadership) From the 4 corners, which kind of leader do you most identify with and why? Sheri
6:55-7:00 Agenda Review, Time Keeper     Erick
7:00-7:05 Review 2-27-23 Council Minutes ·         Consent Agenda: Approve all in one motion. Motion: S. Knudsen. Second. E. Posada. Approved Erick
7:05-7:10 Review February 2023 Financial Reports ·         Budget on track so far this year, at 16% of both income and expenses.

·         No rent from Glory Lutheran this month as check was torn. Cindy talked to them and Pastor Karla will follow up.

 Krystina
7:10-7:20

 

 Pastor Reports ·         No smoke alarms in sanctuary. Fire inspector performed inspection on site, Pastor Karla will ask for extension in order to meet fire codes. Every electrical panel needs 3 feet of free space around it in order to meet codes.

·         Sarah Choy of Areumdaun personally checking doors to make sure they are being closed.

·         Trifold brochure created for members and visitors to St. Mark’s which has the contact information of the Pastors and the Council.

·         Pastor Alicia approved for ordination which will take place on June 10th.

 Karla

Alicia
7:20-7:25

Time Certain

 Legacy Committee Report   Dick Bolin
7:25-7:50 Discussion Items

·         Property Updates

·         Easter updates

·         Personnel Policy update – need approval

·         Roberts Rules of Order pdf

 

 ·         Property: Revitilization and construction of childcare facilities will require a loan of $300,000 (up to $500,000 for contingency). The goal is to have the facilities leased to the tentant, the income of which will offset the cost of the loan and eventually pay the costs of operating the church.

·         Easter: 2 services will be held. Pancake breakfast between services.

·         Personnel Policy: Changes made to holiday pay policy to ensure that employees are accurately receiving their holiday pay. Motion: D. Geier, Second: G. Pfeiffer. Approved.

  
7:50-7:55 Reports: (Top item only, if any)

·         Children & Youth

 ·         Zoom meeting on Monday March 27 to discuss and plans this year’s VBS. Melissa
  ·         Member Care ·         Greeting cards will be made for home-bound members on Sunday March 26 between services.

·         Went to Norman Center and god information on senior services available to the community including legal services for writing wills.

 Dorothy
  ·         Music ·         New microphones providing clear sound.

·         More churches will be invited to attend concert series at St. Mark’s.

·         Members would like older hymns to be played as well as for the organ to be utilized more often.

 Skip
  ·         Security Training ·         R. Nava will contact police department one more as current liaison has not been communicative.

·         R. Nava and C. Lewis will reach out once more to Church Mutual (insurance company) in order to obtain video safety training.

 Rob
  ·         President’s Report & Visioning ·         Campus Revitilization Task Group is ready to get to work and meet biweekly as the childcare center is built. Chris
TBD Executive Session (optional)    
7:55-8:00 Closing Prayer Who will lead meditation & prayer for APRIL Council meeting?  Rob Dorothy
8:00 PM Motion to Adjourn Meeting   Chris

 

TASK LIST Reminders:

TASK By Whom? By When?
     
     
     
  UPCOMING Calendar Items: 

·         April Executive Committee Meeting: April 3, 2023?

·         Next Council Meeting:  Monday, April 17, 6:30 PM

·         C. Lewis will not be here on April 13-15 as well as May 11-16.

·         May Council meeting moved to Monday May 22.