Ministry Council
October 25, 2004

Present: Kathy Balu, Dale Balu, Ralph Lawrence, Ken Fong, Sandy Larson, Doug Wagner, Fred Venable, Lynda Fickling, Jenita Rhodes, Cheryl Wolfe, Janet Forbes, Laura Kuhl, Martha Boon

Martha opened the meeting in prayer.

Reports:

Stewardship-Bill Lee could not be present, but Lynda reported that 203 pledge cards had been returned.

SPRC- Kathy reported that all was running smoothly and they that have been working on the 2005 budget.

Finance-John reported first on our current situation. Giving was down 20% in September, which still puts us ahead of expenses for 2004 at about $38,000. Other news is that we are loaning up to $50,000 for the purchase of a church bus. This is a five year loan at a 1.25% annual rate. The funds for repayment will come from the Annual Golf Tournament and Pumpkin Patch.

2005 Budget- John reported that he still needs budget figures from Nursery, Stewardship and Churchwide Teams. The total budget expense from all the other groups totaled $1,186,088. The 2004 budget is $968,500. The increase includes but is not exclusive to: SPRC

-4% market adjustment

-increased staff- Janet, Fred returning, Pam increased hours

-increase in staff benefits costs

-Pastor retirement benefits as dictated by the Conference

Trustees

-$10,000 decrease in St. Mark’s income

-10% insurance increase

-Repair of entry

-33% gas increase

Drama

- $5000 for expenses to do Fiddler on the Roof

Missions

-$4000 in Cambodian aid

-$2000 in Zimbabwe aid

Apportionment’s

-Full payment, $38,000 increase

Worship & Membership Ministries did not have budgets in 2004 and do in 2005

Teams also identified Next Step spending they felt was important. These figures are not included in the $1,186,088, but are listed below. They would add approximately an additional $28,000.

Trustees

-Paint building

-Reseal & stripe the parking lot

-$20,000 for new carpet in Fellowship Hall

Adult Education

-Christian Believers class $1200

-Training for disciple & Jesus in the Gospel class instructors $4000, $350/each

-2 additional TV”s

Missions

-Guatemala aid

-Rock Mountain cancer Society support

A discussion ensued regarding the need to determine Mission giving by all groups in the church, so that we aren’t duplicating our efforts and will allow Missions to free up funds for additional projects. Missions made an effort to collect this information from groups but did not get much response. Groups that raise funds for Missions include, UMW, Children’s Ministry, Youth, Home Improvement Class, Drama and Music. There may be others. No conclusion was reached as to how to collect this information prior to budgeting.

Evangelism Team Report- Laura Kuhl reported that the new Guest Service Center is finished and in place. Great thanks go to Dave Cupp for all his work! Other activities include a Team working on Name tags, meeting with the Little School Board to coordinate efforts, meeting with Bread Bakers, Greeters and others to hopefully coordinate our Hospitality efforts. Plan to position greeters and Guest center for use at Jesus Christ Superstar performances.

Ken Fong distributed Evangelism expense records and requested permission to spend an additional $1000 for:

-$250 of wood for Guest Services Center

-sleeves for new CD’s

-materials for signage

Dale seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Ken also announced that they will be making a 10-minute video to use in the New Membership classes and he will be contacting the Advocates to schedule a time for them to talk about their team and its small groups.

Ministry Team Reports

Worship- Cheryl reported that Diane Stephens is interested in doing a Bible drive. We have only 35 Bibles in the sanctuary. This idea was well received and additional suggestions and comments include

- encouraging people to buy both personal Bibles and Bibles to give to St. Lukes,

- -suggested the drive occur during Advent

- thought we should gather Bibles that have scattered throughout the church and return them to the sanctuary

It was also reported from Drama that JCS ticket sales are going well and should be sold out this week.

Missions- Dale reported that they have 19 signed up to go on the Guatemala Trip in March 2005. He also reported benefit from attending the Cambodian Initiative n. Dalai preached at the event. Missions wants to concentrate on putting efforts towards international projects we have supported in the past. It was suggested that the congregation hear more often what is being done for these areas where we have sponsored Mission Trip in the past. It was suggested that we use the Web and Chronicle.

Fellowship & Support-Lynda reported that MDT is working with some of their struggling groups.

Ministry Development- Doug reported on the Ministry Fair. They were please with the participation of small groups which was more than in previous years. Everyone felt that the sack lunches and fried chicken was a success. Next year they would like to communicate sooner with small groups and offer more help and guidance in their booth preparation. MDT is also working with some struggling groups: Singles, Business Forum, Parent of Kids with Special Needs, Current Topics.

Doug reported that the 2005 budget reflects plans for increased efforts in recognition and a small group leader gathering.

Operations-

Communications- Ken reported on the Advent calendar and asked for any futher updates.

Directory updates are scheduled as follows:

Thursday, November 4 - for those who would like to order photos in time for Christmas

Friday, December 10, 3 p.m. to 9:20 p.m.

Saturday, December 11, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Trustees- Ken reported on the Vandalism to the Pumpkin Patch and that American Monitoring has donated a 24 monitoring system for the rest of the month. As mentioned in the Finance report they have purchased a van. Hoping to have 5-6 lay volunteers to obtain the extra driving training and license required to drive it. If interested please contact Dan Raap.

Education- Jenita reported that the PEAK SS theme is now “People Who Make A Difference.” Junior SLY lock in will be the first weekend in November. They distributed 46 Bibles to 3rd graders.

Chris joined us to report and show us some DVD’s that he is looking at to use in Senior Hi SS classes for curriculum. He plans to offer confirmation to 8th graders and older in Jan or Feb, running through May. He will be holding a Parent’s class at the same time. Pumpkin Patch has grossed about $25,000 so far.

Church Conference

Janet said we hope to present a process for Visioning. Pam has been declared as a candidate for Ministry and this will be announced at Church Conference. Reports will come from Finance, Trustees and SPRC.

Pastors Report

Janet wanted to affirm and say how pleased she was with out Stewardship Leadership this year. Bill Lee, Mark Speedy and team did exemplary work and are an exciting team to with which to work As we see the response, we can begin to track the process in order to plan for next year.

The theme for Christmas is “ Keepsake Christmas” using the image of Christmas memories. Hope to look at the heritage of Christmas and the memories that help us keep it.

Janet also mentioned that her hope for St. Lukes is to move toward a full Apportionment payment but we probably would not be able to reach that goal this year.

Respectfully submitted,

Martha Boon, Chairperson