by debbie | Jul 23, 2019 | Council Minutes
Meeting called to order at 7:05 P.M. by President Bob Lechner
Members present Bob Lechner, Skip Knudsen, Diane Wages, Pastor Karin Boye, Pastor Alicia Saenz, Michael Marquez, and Sherri Coughlin (Gabby Gutierrez is temporarily excused from Council meetings while serving on the Transition Team)
Guests: Tom Goellrich (Assistant to the Bishop),
Transition Team members: Chris Lewis, Gabby Gutierrez, Francisco and Maria Lizzaraga, Jean Lewis
Opening Prayer Watch Word and Prayer led by Pastor Karin.
Presentation Pastor Tom Goellrich asked for introductions from Council and Transition Team members. He gave greetings from Bishop Andy. He shared his history with the Synod and some of his background with the church. He passed out a Vitality Survey to share with Council and the Transition Team.
The survey is designed to measure 3 areas for the Congregation: 1. Strong relationship with God. 2. Relationship with each other, support of one another. 3. How well is the Congregation doing in relationship with the community. If we decided to use this survey, he would preside over one of our services. Surveys would be distributed and collected from members and sent to Baylor University for scoring.
He passed a sample report of a survey to be reviewed by Council and Transition Team. Surveys would be provided in English and Spanish. Report would be in English.
Questions to be considered: Why do we want to do Survey ; Do we want to do survey? ; When would we want to do survey?; During Transition? Pastor Tom proposed a tentative date of September 22nd, if we choose to have survey done.
Motion was made (Chris Lewis) and seconded (Jean Lewis) to proceed with the Vitality Survey on September 22nd, with a joint service @10:00 a.m. Unanimously approved.
Pastor Tom and the Transition Team members excused themselves from the meeting.
Action Items June Council meeting Minutes were not available for review. They will be emailed to Council members for review and approval at the next Council meeting.
Treasurer, Diane Wages reviewed the June Financial reports with Council. She advised that we are behind in Synod Benevolence payments. Discussion held on whether to make one or two payments at this time. Motion was made (Pastor Karin) and seconded (Skip) to make one payment at this time, and unanimously approved.
Diane distributed Envelope and Loose Offering charts for 2012-2015 and 2016-2019 to Council members for review.
Motion was made (Sherri C.) and seconded (Skip K.) to accept the June Financial report, and unanimously approved.
Raidel C. has resigned from Council. Pastor Karin suggested that he be recognized for his time spent on Council and at the Spanish Ministry church services.
She also advised the Council that per our Constitution, Council has the authority to elect a new Vice President.
Motion made (Diane W.) and seconded (Michael Marquez) to appoint Skip Knudsen as Interim Vice President until next term elections.
Unanimously approved. Discussion was also held on adding additional members to the Council.
Motion made ((Pastor Karin) and seconded (Diane) to make the Current Council members the Nominating Committee to elect 2 Interim Council Members. Unanimously approved.
Other Reports/Items Ordering of the tables and chairs is still in process. Alicia, Gabby, and Esmerelda will now order them.
Summer Camp. WELCA promoted the camp. 20 kids attended, 3 volunteers assisted, and all participants paid tuition. Question came up on whether we should hold the camp next year.
Pastor Karen advised that backgrounders checks were not run on the volunteers, which should have been done.
Bob L. Reported that there was graffiti (numbers) painted on the generator. He will report the incident to the Police Department.
Pastor’s Reports
Pastor Alicia Reported attendance at 2nd service is now fluctuating between 30 and 40 people. She advised that a Quincinera (only the Worship service) was held here at the church last Saturday. Bible studies are being held every other week. 2nd service members are attending the Transition Team meetings.
Pastor Karin Pastor attended two area events: “Live well to age well” in San Diego, and a German Evangelical conference in San Francisco, which was paid for by the German church.
Discussion/feedback on the Transition Team Wednesday night discussions. She requested feedback to take back to the Transition Team.
She attended the Pacific Synod’s Interim Pastor’s meeting.
She advised that the Thrivent representative will talk to the Legacy Committee after the Aug. 4th service.
She reported on Full Communion Partners: they include Episcopal, Methodist, Presbyterian,and United Church of Christ. She is meeting with them in their Chula Vista locations.
The Property Action Team met today with Ann Gerrietts from Mission Investments Fund to get an assessment of the needs for our property. She advised that a conference on “Vital Signs of a Healthy Steward” and “Real Tools for Real Ministry” will be held on September 30-October 2nd at the Catamaran Resort. The Synod will provide scholarships. Pastor and one (or more) lay person could attend.
Pastor Alicia closed the meeting with the Lord’s Prayer.
Meeting adjourned at 9:18 P.M. Next Council meeting is scheduled for August 20th, 2019.
Submitted by S. Coughlin, Secretary
by debbie | Jun 18, 2019 | Council Minutes
Meeting called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Vice-President Raidel Cubero
Members present
Skip Knudsen, Raidel Cubero, Diane Wages, Pastor Karin Boye, Pastor Alicia Saenz, and Sherri Coughlin
Absent: Bob Lechner,
(Gabby Gutierrez is temporarily excused from Council meetings while serving on the Transition Team)
Guests: Sheri Barker
Opening Prayer
Prayer was led by Pastor Karin.
Action Items
- May Council meeting Minutes were distributed and reviewed. Pastor Karin requested that the following statement be added to the minutes under her report: Discussion was held on the removal of the Flags with differing opinions.
Motion was made (Diane W.) and seconded (Skip K.) to accept the Minutes of the May, 2019 Council Meeting, as amended, and unanimously approved.
- Treasurer, Diane Wages reviewed the May Financial reports with Council.
Motion was made (Sherri C.) and seconded (Skip K.) to accept the May Financial report, and unanimously approved.
- Sheri Barker addressed Council on behalf of the Transition Team.
- She reviewed the progress the team has made so far; History of St. Mark’s, Wednesday night soup suppers.
- Pastor Karin discussed the various sizes of church’s congregations and how they are run
- Family Size ((0-50 attendees)
- Pastor Size (50-150- Pastor Ron)
- Program Size (150-350- Pastor Chuck)
What type of church do we want to be?
- The next Soup supper is scheduled for June 26th.
- Sheri advised that the last transition for our church took one year. Our current transition could take two years or more.
- The movie. “All Saints” will be shown at one of the upcoming Soup suppers. It is the story of one church that came to the point of possibly closing their doors.
- Sheri distributed copies of the following sections from the Transition Binder;
- Appendix 9 – Review of the Congregation Constitution and Policies
- Appendix 11 – A Review of Staffing Needs and Resources
- Appendix 13 – Stewardship of Property Inventory
- Transition team has discussed having an appraisal/assessment of the property be done to determine what expenses and maintenance may be required to sustain the property for the next 10 years. Discussion was held on what would be the best use of this property for the next 10 years.
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- The team will write a report to review/present all of the data/research they have been studying on the community around us, which will be given to Council, and to the Call Committee.
- The team is requesting the participation of Council Members at the upcoming Soup Suppers. They are also looking into holding some of the Wednesday conversations on some Sunday mornings to accommodate members of the congregation who are unable to attend Wednesday evenings.
- Ordering of the tables and chairs is still being looked into. Bob Briggs has been researching and will provide Pastor Karin with Quotes, which she will review.
- Action Teams- Discussion was held on the best way to update our Constitution. Pastor Karin recommended that we set up an Action Team, led by Herb Geier. Member Care and Worship committee Action teams have met. Facilities is scheduled for this Sunday, June 23rd.
- Discussion was held on the pattern of giving during the church year. Diane volunteered to prepare a comparison chart – 5 years, not to include 2016 & 2017.
Pastor’s Reports
- Pastor Karin met with Tom Goellrich, Assistant to the Bishop. He asked if redevelopment was an option for St. Mark’s. She explained the purpose of a Redevelopment Pastor, and that there is training being held in August for this type of Pastor. Our Transition team has expressed concern at changing the direction of the church at this time.
Tom Goelrich would like to attend a Council meeting and present a “Vitality Study”.
- Pastor Karin discussed issues still involving worship service. Communication still needs to be improved.
- She said that while the service for Betty Cunningham went well, she would like to see some changes:
- Council President should open/welcome at Memorial Services.
- Kleenex should be provided in pews
- Reception plans need to be better organized, communicated.
- Ushers need to be provided.
- Everything connected to Baptisms, Weddings, and Memorials should go through the Pastor’s office to avoid communication issues.
- While there were positive responses to the Pentecost Sunday Bilingual Service, there were still some communication issues.
- Reported attendance at 2nd service is fluctuating between 19 and 45 people.
- Pentecost Sunday went very well
- 1st Communion and a Baptism were held last week.
- She informed Council that there have been requests for child care/nursery services be provided during the Soup Suppers. Melissa is not able to work on Wednesday evenings. Discussion held on how we can provide this service.
- The Seminar on Pastoral Care, which she attended in St. Paul, MN, went very well.
- Pastor Gloria is now her Mentor for her classes.
- Pastor Alicia closed the meeting with the Lord’s Prayer.
Meeting adjourned at 9:00 P.M.
Next Council meeting is scheduled for July 23, 2019.
Submitted by S. Coughlin, Secretary
by debbie | May 16, 2019 | Council Minutes
Meeting called to order at 7:00 P.M. by President Bob Lechner,
Members present
Bob Lechner, Skip Knudsen, Raidel Cubero, Diane Wages, Pastor Karin Boye, and Sherri Coughlin.
Absent: Pastor Alicia Saenz
Gabby Gutierrez is temporarily excused from Council meetings while serving on the Transition Team)
Opening Prayer
Prayer was led by Pastor Karin.
Action Items
- April Council meeting Minutes were distributed and reviewed.
Motion was made (Diane W.) and seconded (Skip K.) to accept the Minutes of the April, 2019 Council Meeting and unanimously approved.
- Council members reviewed the April Financial reports prepared by Treasurer, Diane Wages. Discussion was held on the Adopt A Bill program. Diane reported that a Benevolence payment in the amount of $4,812.50 was made to the Synod on May 5th.
Motion was made (Sherri C.) and seconded (Raidel C.) to accept the April Financial report, and unanimously approved.
- Ordering of the tables and chairs is still being looked into.
- Action Teams- the Member Care team met on Sunday. There were 9 participants who brainstormed ideas. There was also a
Worship Team meeting, but only Pastor Karin and Diane W. attended.
Discussion was held on improving communication within the organization/congregation. Council needs to work on
setting goals, defining the “big picture”. The next Action Team meetings are Stewardship, scheduled for June 2nd at 11:30, and Facilities scheduled for June 23rd at 11:30.
- The Legacy Committee would like everyone to know that they’ve awarded their first grant in 2019 under the Legacy Committee by-laws with the new Grant Application form! They have awarded 2 grants to campers planning to attend the Lutheran Retreats Camps and Conferences summer camp at El CaminoPines. Grant applications are available on our website or can be emailed upon request to Marcia Salvestrini.
Discussion was held on presenting revised By-Laws to be approved by the Congregation. Bob will talk to Chris Lewis to devise a schedule to present the revised By-Laws to the Congregation for vote.
Pastor’s Reports
- Pastor Karin reviewed the events held during Lent and Easter.
- She attended a Mayor’s breakfast. Topic of discussion was on Homelessness.
- She advised that Doug and Linda Nerat attended the Synod Assembly and found it informative and interesting.
- Services for Betty Cunningham are scheduled for Saturday, June 8th.
- June 9th is Pentecost Sunday. There will be one service for both congregations @ 10:00 a.m. Both Pastor Karin and Pastor Alicia will lead the service.
Motion was made (Skip K.) and seconded (Raidel C.) to hold the Joint Service on June 9th @ 10:00 a.m. and unanimously approved.
- Pastor Karin will attend the Interim Network Ministry annual conference, being held in Baltimore, MD. on November 11-14.
- She will be meeting with Tom Goellrich, (Assistant to the Bishop) from ELCA on the Redevelopment of the Church.
- The Transition Team will be meeting tomorrow night at 6:00 p.m
- Pastor Karin closed the meeting with the Lord’s Prayer.
Meeting adjourned at 9:01 P.M.
Next Council meeting is scheduled for June 18, 2019.
Submitted by S. Coughlin, Secretary
by debbie | May 13, 2019 | Council Minutes
St. Mark’s Church Council Minutes
Meeting called to order at 7:00 P.M. by President Bob Lechner,
Members present Bob Lechner, Pastor Alicia Saenz, Diane Wages, Skip Knudsen, Pastor Karin Boye, and Sherri Coughlin.
Absent: Raidel Cubero
(Gabby Gutierrez is temporarily excused from Council meetings while serving on the Transition Team)
Opening Prayer
Prayer was led by Pastor Karin.
Action Items
February Council meeting Minutes were distributed and reviewed.
Motion was made (Skip K.) and seconded (Diane F.) to accept the Minutes of the February 19, 2019 Council Meeting and unanimously approved.
- Treasurer, Diane Wages, distributed and presented the Financial Report for February. She included a corrected Financial Statement from the Memorial Endowment Fund. She also advised that she is putting together an Audit team for 2019.
Motion was made (Sherri C.) and seconded (Skip K.) to accept the February Financial report, and unanimously approved.
Pastor’s Reports
- Pastor Karin –
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- Discussed ground improvements; Tree trimming, Tenting. She said that neighbors had commented positively on the improvements, and that it reflected on the Leadership of the Church.
- She said that Jason will be replacing Margaret and Dan for now .
- On Sunday, March 17th, the Legacy Planning workshop was held by Lisa Higgenbottom. Attendance was poor and disappointing.
- The volume of visits by our Visitation Pastor, Pastor Kate, continues to increase.
- She reported that she and Esmerelda have been working on updating the Church Roster (hard copy).
- She distributed copies of the section pertaining to Council Duties under C12.04 of St. Mark’s Constitution and reviewed with Council. She asked Council members to list what they believed were their top three duties as members of Council
- (a) Long range planning – “how are we doing?” Evaluate in light of mission and goals.
- (d) Maintain support of staff.
- (g.) Discussed how to arrange Pastoral Service during absences.
- Discussion was held on “Where are we in the larger picture?). She suggested that we form “Action teams” to set goals.
- Pastor Alicia
- She advised Council that Melissa still needs help with Sunday school. Volunteers are needed.
- Annual Easter egg hunt is scheduled for Saturday, April 20th from Noon to 2:00. Would like to request donations of plastic eggs (filled).
Other Reports/Items
- Confirmed who the members of the Personnel Committee are: Bob, Raidel, Diane and Sherri.
- Signatories have been changed on our checking account at Union Bank. They are now Diane, Skip, and Sherri.
- Council agreed with Pastor Karin that Barb A’s council position would remain open for now.
- We are waiting on bids to fix the plumbing issues in the Men’s room by J. Hall.
- Pastor Alicia reported that we are still in the process of ordering chairs and tables for J. Hall. Council is waiting for Esmerelda to email Council Members with recommendations on where to order, upon review.
- Pastor Karin discussed who would be attending the Synod Assembly on May 10-11. Council to recommend two members of the Congregation.
- Discussion was held on the 65th Anniversary celebration which was held on Sunday, March 3rd. It was agreed that the event was not well organized. Better communication is needed to organize future events.
- Pastor Karin shared a flyer she had received from a Solar company (green.com/CoolSolutions) for our consideration. Council members agreed that this would be a good item for a Facility Action Team to look into.
Pastor Alicia closed the meeting with the Lord’s Prayer.
Meeting adjourned at 9:20 P.M.
Submitted by S. Coughlin, Secretary
by debbie | Apr 16, 2019 | Council Minutes
Meeting called to order at 7:00 P.M. by President Bob Lechner,
Members present
Bob Lechner, Pastor Alicia Saenz, Skip Knudsen, Raidel Cubero, and Sherri Coughlin.
Absent: Pastor Karin Boye, Diane Wages
Gabby Gutierrez is temporarily excused from Council meetings while serving on the Transition Team)
Guest: Chris Lewis – Legacy Committee
Opening Prayer
Prayer was led by Pastor Alicia.
Action Items
- March Council meeting Minutes were distributed and reviewed.
Motion was made (Skip K.) and seconded (Raidel C.) to accept the Minutes of the February 19, 2019 Council Meeting and unanimously approved.
- Council members reviewed the March Financial reports prepared by Treasurer, Diane Wages.
Motion was made (Sherri C.) and seconded (Raidel C.) to accept the March Financial report, and unanimously approved.
- Chris Lewis addressed Council on behalf of the Legacy Committee: He distributed handouts of “Endowment Fund By-Laws”, “Congregation Gift Policy “, and the “Endowment Fund Grant Application”.
- There has been a Memorial Endowment fund since the 1970”s. It’s purpose has been mostly scholarships for Congregation Members children and grandchildren.
- Chris reported that the committee met with Lisa Higgenbottom , reviewed the bylaws, and condensed them. They are looking at better ways to utilize the funds, and help the General Fund support ministries.
Motion was made (Sherri C.) and seconded (Skip K.) to approve the Endowment Fund Bylaws as presented and unanimously approved.
- Chris also reviewed the Congregation Gift Policy with Council.
Motion was made (Skip K.) and seconded (Raidel C.) to approve the Congregation Gift Policy as presented and unanimously approved.
- Chris also advised Council that future workshops to educate the Congregation on the Endowment Fund will be better communicated by the Legacy Committee.
- She reported that there has been better attendance at the second service during the past 3 weeks.
- Annual Easter egg hunt is scheduled for Saturday, April 20th from Noon to 2:00. They distributed 500 flyers in the community, and Posters were also posted in the area.
- She advised that she has received an email form the Synod to attend a “Pastoral Care” class being held in St. Paul, Minnesota on May 20th & 21st.
Motion was made (Sherri C.) and seconded (Raidel C.) to authorize reimbursement of funds, not to exceed $2,000, from the Hispanic Ministry Grant #30340 for Pastor Alicia to attend the class and unanimously approved.
Other Reports/Items
- Bob stated that he wanted to thank Pastor Karin for the discussions that were held at the Lenten services on the History of St. Mark’s and where we are going.
- Council would also like to thank Glory Lutheran for the projection screen they donated for Jacobsen Hall.
- Discussion was held on negative feedback received from members of the Congregation on the flags that are on display in front of our offices.
Motion was made (Raidel C.) and seconded (Skip K.) to remove the flags due to the overwhelming negative feedback received and unanimously approved.
- Pastor Alicia reported that we are still in the process of ordering chairs and tables for J. Hall. Council requests an update on the status of the pending purchase.
Pastor Alicia closed the meeting with the Lord’s Prayer.
Meeting adjourned at 8:18 P.M.
Next Council meeting is scheduled for May 21, 2019.
Submitted by S. Coughlin, Secretary
by debbie | Apr 11, 2019 | Council Minutes
We are in the process of digitizing the 2016 changes to the St. Mark’s Constitution and the current By-laws. Here is the model constitution on the ELCA website.