Ministry Council
September 27, 2005

Present: Dave Cupp, Roy Palmer, Mike Ramsett, Randy Dunn, Jim Wolff, Janet Forbes, Sandy Larson, Jenita Rhodes, Martha Boon, Lynda Fickling, Scott Wesson, Jim Ramsey, Marie Fornof

Martha opened with the Prayer of Jabez

Finance Report
Dave Cupp reported an increase in giving in September of approx. $25,000. $12,000-13,000 of this was in Special Gifts, generated from the Letter that went out last month asking for a recommitment of pledges. 780 Letters were sent out, 156 responses 4 Increased their pledge 17 new pledges This reduces our estimated deficit at Dec. 2005 to approx. $47,000, which is down from last month’s estimate of $79,000.

Dave reminded us that he would like all budget requests for 2006 by Oct. 3. Please call him if you have questions or need assistance.

Mike Ramset reported on the plans for offering automatic withdrawal for pledges. Our District has a program we can tap into that does not require a fee and the cost per hit is $.0.10 less. Dave Cupp plans to apply for use of this service.

Roy Palmer reported that Finance Team and Dave Cupp are evaluating our Financial Systems and establishing Financial Controls. Dave is working on developing three teams to count money on Mondays. There will also be a Volunteer Treasurer who will be primary check signer.

Plans to continue to increase Income Letter from Janet in quarterly statement that goes out next weekend Statement again the 1st week of December to allow people time to “catch up” Thanksgiving “Thank “ Offering, Please come to the next meeting with ideas for specific areas that we could focus on with this campaign.

Stewardship
Scott Wesson reported that the theme this year is “Share the Abundance.” October 23 will be consecration Sunday, with a brunch. Scott will be speaking next Sunday and Janet will do two Sermons, one to teach issues of Stewardship and the other about witnessing and the invitation to give. This model of a campaign focuses on the “goodness of being generous.” It was suggested that the Dream ideas coming from the Appreciative Inquiry process be incorporated into our Stewardship message.
Stewardship Goals: 400 pledges
                          50% of our congregation pledges

Worship Team
Jim reported for this team. Fiddler on the Roof tickets will go on sale in a few weeks Spiritual Retreat is scheduled for Oct. 21-22 Working on putting on a concert in July in conjunction with the HR Community Assoc. This would be a combined effort with St. Andrew’s. Nearly all the puppets have been adopted Two benefit concerts coming up: Oct. 9 Jazz at St. Lukes Oct. 15 Littleton Choral Proceeds from both of these performances will go towards Missions.

SPRC
Randy reported that the Team is working on the final configuration of our custodial services. They are working in conjunction with Little School and Trustees on providing these services.

Pastors Report
Janet has scheduled a preliminary meeting with Jennifer Tyler, a possible consultant for our Debt Reduction campaign. Representatives from Executive Board will meet with her on Oct. 6.

Pam Rowley is now a certified candidate for the Ministry. She is waiting on licensure from the Bishop and an assignment to St. Lukes.

Missions
Fiddler on the Roof proceeds will go towards International Missions-Poland, Cambodia, Guatemala and Africa. Trip to Guatemala planned for spring. Giving Tree will go up sooner this year and probably with fewer families, so as not to use as much of the Mission budget to support this project. Last year, the Mission Team used $1000 of their budget to fill in with missing gifts. Project with Colorado Coalition for the Homeless next month.

Fellowship & Support
Women of St. Lukes raised $800 towards the carpet project at the breakfast. They are also working on a plan for leadership succession.

Ministry Development
Danny McIntosh is soliciting feedback from Ministry Fair participants. Comments from the Ministry Council were that the food was great and the Ministry Fair tables had a lot of activity.

Operations
Working on rekeying the building.
Following up on Eagle Scout projects.
Playground project is nearly finished

Education
Youth Pumpkin Patch coming in October Youth Leadership Team has decided on a Senior High Trip to Gulf Coast area. Junior High Trip to Buckhorn Camp. Youth Disciple has started Suggestion was made by MC, for the youth to apply to “Extreme Make Over’ or similar show for redo of the youth room.

Children
Will be distributing 3rd grade Bibles soon Kristina Linn- ChildCare Coordinator, has done a great job with coordinating the nursery. Jenita reminded us that Small Group leaders can request to be on the Child Care list, however individuals need to make a reservation. We are losing money by having more staff in the nursery during evening activities than we need. Small group leaders can get a form where members of their group and sign up for child care.

Jenita is also posting reminders for all to be “responsible for your children”. Children must be supervised by an adult or in childcare. They cannot be on their own, in the church, while parents are in a meeting.

The next SS rotation will focus on Stewardship.

Adult Ed
Explosion of people in Disciple classes. New Sunday morning adult Ed class has started as well.

Interpretive Inquiry
Janet & Jim reported that there were common themes in the answers, some of which were:. Quality of sermons Diversity, Openness, Acceptance Missions, Youth children, Acceptance Caring- people are there for them when they need it

Next steps- Vision Team is summarizing results Will interview others in demographic areas that we lacked in first round of interviews.

Meeting ended at 9PM

Respectfully yours, Martha Boon