St. Mark’s Church Council Minutes August 20, 2019

Meeting called to order at 6:41 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)

Opening Prayer

Watch Word and Prayer led by Pastor Karin.

Action Items

  • June Council Meeting Minutes were reviewed by Council members.
  • Motion was made (Diane W.) and seconded (Skip K.) to approve the June minutes as presented and unanimously approved.
  • July Minutes were reviewed and the following corrections were made:  
    • Add the last name of Lizarraga to Francisco and Maria, under Guests.
    • Correct the  Motion, “ Motion made (Pastor Karin) and seconded (Diane) to make the Current Council members the Nominating Committee to elect 2 Interim Council Members.   Unanimously approved.” to read “Motion made (Pastor Karin) and seconded (Diane) to make the Current Council members the Nominating Committee to elect 2 Council Members for the remaining term.   Unanimously approved.”
    • On the second bullet item under “Other Reports/Items”, add the words “all of” between “on” and “of”  in the fifth sentence.

Motion was made (Diane) and seconded (Skip) to approve the July Minutes, as amended, and unanimously approved.

  • August 13, 2019 Special Council Meeting Minutes were reviewed with the following correction:
    • Add Bob Lechner’s name to the list of attendees.

Motion was made (Diane) and seconded (Skip) to approve the August Special Council Meeting Minutes, as amended, and unanimously approved.

  • Treasurer, Diane Wages, reviewed the July Financial reports with Council.   She distributed updated “Envelopes and Loose Offerings” charts for 2016-19.

Motion was made (Skip K.) and seconded (Sherri C.) to accept the July Financial report, and unanimously approved.

  • The formation of Committees was discussed:
    • Property Committee to include:   Dennis Coughlin, Bob Lechner, Bob Briggs, Oscar Uriba, and George Stallard.
    • Bob L. will announce that we are looking for volunteers to serve on the Worship Committee at the first Service this Sunday.   This committee will include one rep from the Altar Committee.
  • Jackson Salvestrini is being replaced as our Audio Visual person by Richard Mac Elroy.  Deb Lechner, and Sheri Barker will continue as Substitutes. Bob L. will organize a Thank You recognition for Jackson at an upcoming service.
  • Bob L. shared that Billy Cox is willing to serve as a Council Member for the remainder of the term.   Pastor Karin has spoken with Bob Petrin, who has agreed to fill the other Council position.

Motion was made (Skip) and seconded (Diane) to appoint and invite Bob P. And Billy C. to serve on Council for the remainder of this term, and unanimously approved.

  • Sherri C. asked about the ordering of Pew Envelopes and cards.  She advised Council that Betty Vest has volunteered to continue to stock the Pews, once we have the supplies.   Pastor K. advised that Esmeralda will order the needed supplies.
  • Sherri C. also advised that she had been approached by Tom Larsen regarding the need for additional volunteers to count the Offering on Monday mornings.   Bob L. will look for additional volunteers.

Pastor’s Reports

  • Pastor Karin
  • Pastor K. has met with Cindy Jones to discuss Disability issues.
  • Tri-Annual Assembly- Congregational
  • She met with Joel Wudel from Mission Investments.   They discussed what happened with St. Mark’s attempt to have a preschool here on our campus.
  • She advised that the Thrivent representative suggested that the Legacy committee should come to a Council meeting.
  • She discussed an upcoming LEAD (Living Every Day as Disciples) Webinar.
  • She attended  a Pastor’s conference at Our Savior’s Church.
  • She reported on Full Communion Partners, our Main Line neighbors in Chula Vista.  She distributed a chart with contact and Service information. These Partners are willing to work with us.
  • The Personnel Committee met after church on Sunday to discuss a staff issue.   The committee will meet again tomorrow at 4:00.
  • She distributed an Average of Service Attendees comparison chart for 2018-19 for both services. 
  • She advised that our Visitation pastor, Pastor Kate, needs to step down after 4 Years with us.   Pastor Karin has reached out to find a replacement.

▪ Pastor Alicia

  • Reported attendance at 2nd service has stayed the same.   People are leaving, but new people are attending
  • A First Communion was held two weeks ago at Sunday Service.
  • The movie, “All Saints” was shown to 15 members of the Spanish Service.
  • 2nd service members are welcoming and appreciating the translations being done by Alicia at the Transition Team meetings.

Other Reports/Items

  1. Transition Team meeting scheduled for tomorrow night.
  2. Discussion held by Council on last week’s Special Council Meeting.   How do we proceed going forward?
  3. Pastor K. suggested that Council members alternate leading devotion (Opening Prayer) each month.   Diane volunteered to lead next month, September.

  • Pastor Alicia closed the meeting with the Lord’s Prayer.

Meeting adjourned at 7:58 P.M.

Next Council meeting is scheduled for September 17,  2019, at 6:30 P.M.

Submitted by S. Coughlin, Secretary