Church Council Minutes October 25, 2021

by debbie | Oct 25, 2021 | 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, October 25, 2021 – LIVE, IN-PERSON meeting in Lower Level
   

Participants: Congregation Council
Time: 6:00 – 8:30 PM
Facilitator: Sheri Barker
Materials: Agenda 10-25-21, Minutes 9-27-21, Personnel Policy 2021, Annual Report guidelines

Members Present: Pastor Karla Halvorson, Pastor Alicia Saenz, Sheri Barker, Melissa Hernandez, Mari Lizarraga, Bob Lechner, Michael Marquez, Rachael Perez, Oscar Uribe (*Strike-through absentees)

Visitors: Diane Wages, Meredith McCall

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
• Begin preparation for Annual Congregational Meeting, January,2022

AGENDA
TOPIC COUNCIL MOTIONS
Program -Servant Keeper Bob L. made a motion to approve the Purchase of Servant Keeper program. Mari L. 2nd the motion.
Latino Ministry Grant Sheri B. made motion to approve application for Latino Ministry Grant for 2022. Pastor Karla seconded. Grant will be used to begin preparation for potential Child Care or Preschool tenant. Pastor Karla recommended potential grant of $10,000 be used to purchase required patio fencing and seed money for play structure on patio.

TIME Topic Activity Lead
6:00 PM Call Meeting to Order Sheri
6:00–6:10 Meditation and Prayer Pastor K
6:10-6:20 Introductions & Check-in (1 min each) Best thing in the last month? All
6:20-6:25 Time Keeper? Agenda Review All
6:25-6:30 Review and accept 9-27-21 Council Minutes Pastor Karla approved, Bob L. 2nd the approval of minutes from 9-27-21 Rachael
6:30-6:40 Review and accept September 2021 Financial Report Bob L. approved the Sept. 2021 financials, Pastor Alicia 2nd the approval. Diane
6:40-7:00 BUSINESS:
 Welcoming Conversation: Oct. 17
 Budget Needs for 2022 – proposals for Nov 15 Council mtg
 Stewardship Season – feedback?
 Nominating Committee for 2022 Council elections – positions needing to be filled?
 2021 Personnel Policy update/ tabled Jan 2021 (vote in Nov.)
 Constitution ByLaw update for 2022 Congregational Meeting – Executive Committee
 Hilltop Drive sign bid
Discussion:
Budget for 2022:
Budget Meeting Next week for 2022.
Budget draft done in Nov. to prepare for Council to preview in Dec.
Stewardship Drive:
$15,000 Pledged so far for 2022
Positions to be filled:
Bob L= Position open
Michael M.= Position open
Richard R.= Position open
Rachael P. = Position open
2021 Personnel Policy:
Each council member reads thru before the Nov. 15th meeting. Sheri
7:05–7:25 Decisions:
 Latino Ministry Grant application
 Servant Keeper 2022 purchase Decisions:
• Latino Ministry Grant Application is due by 10-29-21
• Approved purchase of Servant Keeper update Sheri
7:25-7:30 Updates:
 Hiring Nursery Attendant & current plan Discussion:
 Placed an Ad in Care.com for Nursery Attendant
7:30 PM
TIME CERTAIN REPORTS
• Pastoral Reports Pastor Alicia provided Report
Pastor Karla provided Report Pastor Karla
Pastor Alicia
7:40 TIME CERTAIN • Legacy Committee & Visioning Update On 11/7 Sharon Martin will do a Temple Talk. The Legacy Committee would like to place envelopes in pews so anyone could donate money in honor of a loved one. Meredith M.
7:45-7:55 • President’s Report • Sacristy Safe on order
• Next month meditation & prayers – Pastor Alicia Sheri
7:55-8:00 • Property Committee Possible purchase of Rain Barrels to catch run off from roof Bob L.
8:00-8:05 • Children & Youth • Jan 2022 Start planning VBS
• Send kids to Confirmation camp. Planning a pancake breakfast to help pay for camp.
Pastor Karla
8:05-8:10 • Member Care Team Meeting on Wed. will be about teaching members how to bring communion to those at home.
8:10-8:15 • Fellowship or Social Action
8:15-8:25 Feedback & Closure Check out: 1 word or phrase – how did the meeting go?
8:25-8:30 Closing Prayer Pastor K
8:30 PM Motion to Adjourn Meeting Sheri

TASK LIST Reminders:
TASK By Whom? By When?

UPCOMING:  

• * Next Council Meeting, Monday, November 15, 2021, (NOTE DATE!) 6:00 PM – meditation & prayers Pastor Alicia.
• New Member Class: Saturday, October 30, 10 AM – Noon (Council asked to participate)
• Reformation Sunday: October 31, Bilingual Service @ 10 AM – Bibles to kids, wear RED
• Endowment Fund/Legacy campaign: November
• Sunday, November 7: All Saints’ Day
• Sunday, November 14: Honoring our Active Duty and Veterans- Bring pictures of those in the service either active or retired to honor them.
• Saturday, November 20, 3:00 PM: Community Concert and Organ Fundraiser

Upcoming issues:
• End-of-Year Ministry Reports – due to Office by Friday, January 7

Church Council Minutes August 29, 2021

by debbie | Sep 28, 2021 | Council Minutes

Church Council Minutes August 29, 2021

Date:                    NOTE:  MONDAY, August 29^th, 2021, Mid-Year Annual Dinner

Participants:   Congregation Council and Families

Time:               5:00 – 7:15 PM   

Facilitator:      Sheri Barker

Materials:      

Members Present:   Pastor Karla Halvorson, Pastor Alicia Saenz, Sheri Barker, Melissa Hernandez, Mari Lizarraga, Bob Lechner, Michael Marquez, Rachael Perez, Richard Roy, Oscar Uribe  (*Strike-through absentees)

Visitors:  Chris and Jean Lewis

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

UPCOMING: 

• Next Council Meeting, Monday, Sept. 27, 2021, 6:00 PM
• Meditation and Prayer for Sept. 27^th meeting Oscar Uribe
• Oct. 2nd , 2021 Church Council will host a Thank You dinner for the congregation.
• Nov. 20, 2021 Organ Fundraiser

Church Council Minutes, September 27 2021

by debbie | Sep 27, 2021 | Council Minutes

Church Council Minutes July 26 2021

by debbie | Jul 26, 2021 | Council Minutes

Church Council Minutes June 28, 2021

by debbie | Jun 28, 2021 | Council Minutes

Meeting called to order at 6:07 P.M. by Sheri Barker

Members present

Bob Lechner, Melissa Velasco, Sheri Barker, Mary (Maria) Lizarraga, Richard Roy, and Rachael Perez

Pastors: Pastor Karla Halvorson and Pastor Alicia Saenz

Treasurer: Diane Wages 

Absent: Oscar Uribe, Michael Marquez

Visitors:  Diane Wages, Meredith McCall, Debbie Lechner

Opening Prayer

Devotion and Prayer led by Sheri Barker

Action Items

• May 24th, 2021 Council Meeting Minutes were reviewed by Council members.    

The May 24th, 2021 minutes Accepted

• Treasurer Diane Wages reviewed the May Financial reports with Council.
• The May 2021 Financial Reports Accepted

• Approval to Open New Bank Account for Endowment Fund:

It was moved, seconded, and approved to open a new checking account at Union Bank.  The authorized signers will be Meredith Anne McCall, Karl Auden Larsen, and Sharon Lynn Martin as the Chairperson, Treasurer, and Secretary of the Legacy Committee, respectively.  This account will be used solely for the purpose of the Endowment Fund and will maintain the separation of Endowment Fund monies from the church’s general fund.  The new Congregational Financial Reports will include Endowment Funds monthly and annually as recommended by the ELCA.

New Business:

• Pastor Karla’s Contract:  Pastor Karla is requested an increase in her 2/3 contract to a ¾ contract in order to allow her more time to provide more consistent leadership, more time ministering to our members, and increased attention to growing St. Mark’s.
• An 9% increase in her contract will allow her to be in the office three full days a week—Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.  Pastor Karla currently works Monday, Tuesday, 1/2 day Wednesday from home, every other Saturday, and Sunday.  The hours are based on a normal pastoral 5-day, 50-hour work-week.

• Personnel Committee Approved increasing hours for Melissa V. so she can devote more time to all the preparation she does for Sunday School.  Her responsibilities have expanded to include providing a children’s message for each worship service and leading Sunday School volunteers.
  • Sunday morning Re-opening plans: Debbie Lechner, Pastor Karla and the Safe-Re-opening Committee continue to research the best and safest ways to have a grand re-opening:
  • Masks are needed for all those attending services that are not vaccinated.
  • The pew section directly in front of the organ will be designated a

Mask-Free Zone. Masks will be required in all other parts of the sanctuary to ensure continued safety of our vulnerable children and others who have not been vaccinated.

• We will continue to review CDC State Guidelines, and Bishop Andy’s recommendations for a successful reopening with the safety of all our the priority.

Motion made by Sheri B, and Seconded by Bob L. to adopt the policy that the Safe Reopening Committee has suggested to have a safe re-opening: To always maintain a 6 feet distance inside and outside of church and all unvaccinated must wear masks.  Richard abstained from the vote.

• CPR/First Aid Training will be planned for September

• Brick Fundraising campaign from April 1 – August 31, 2021.  Members and community can purchase bricks that will be tax deductible during this 1^st Annual campaign. Two different sizes are offered:  4 X 8 brick can provide space for 3 lines of print;  an 8 x 8 brick can provide space for 6 lines of print.

Reports:

            Pastor Karla

• Preparing for the Grand Re-opening celebration on Sunday, August 1
• Preparing for the Festival on Saturday, August 7
• Christian Education/Fellowship begins Sunday, August 8
• Member care team and Pastoral care continues
• Bible Studies continue via Google
• Children Youth and Ministry team – planning, meeting, brainstorming new ideas

            Pastor Alicia

• Keeping connected with people
• Checking-in to see what people need
• Praying for People
• Planning Melissa’s Wedding
• Attending meetings with different church groups
• Planning for Christian education

            Property Committee

• Door sweeps have been added to all upper campus doors
• Safety lights complete

• Oscar U. is helping with lighting for upgraded street signs
• Possibly look into a “Ring Security System” to keep our campus safe.

Personnel Committee

• The Church will need a sound & video technician/Camera technician, this position will be needed by Sept. 2021.

            Member Care Team

• On Sunday 7-11-21 all are invited to write invitations to those members that have not attended for a while to welcome them back to service. And write thank you notes for those that have contributed their time to keeping St. Marks running over the last 4 years.

Community Outreach Team

• Mari invites people to church during the food distribution. Print post cards or hand out water bottles with printed information about ST. Marks English and Spanish services during food distribution.

Sheri Barker closed the meeting with Prayer.

Meeting adjourned at 8:30 P.M.

Next Council meeting will be Monday July 26,  2021 6:00pm – 8:30pm

Submitted by Rachael Perez, Secretary