Walker Church Council
September 29, 2015
Present: Greg Garman, Allyson Hayward, Mary Parker, Walter Lockhart, Jan Werness, Debra Ramage, Al Hildenbrandt, Wayne Bailey, Nancy Larsen.
Walter presented the Finance Report. Our donations are behind. The parsonage money has been put in a certificate of deposit. Our rentals are ahead. A $10,000 deficit is projected for the end of the year, plus we need to pay $14,000 apportionments. However, we are pay8ing only half of Walter’s housing allowance because Simpson is paying the rest. The Trustees need to sit down with an insurance agent to see if what we are paying in insurance premiums is appropriate. We have $15,000 in the operating fund. We have $38,000 in the capital fund, controlled by the Trustees. There is $138,000 is in the parsonage fund. There is $90,000 in the reserve fund, controlled by the Church Council. We are heading toward a balanced budget because of rentals.
Debra spoke for the Peace with Justice Committee. The following resolution was moved seconded and passed by the Church Council:
Walker Community Methodist Church will approach 15 Now Minnesota and offer to endorse their campaign. It is our understanding that, on our part, this will constitute a commitment to solicit donations from our community to try to turn out attendance at rallies and other 15 Now events ( including coalition events), to offer church space rent-free, if available, for meetings, public events, and other appropriate uses, and to lend our name as endorsers, to share social media messages, and to have representative speakers, if needed, at speaking events. Debra Ramage, as Peace with Justice chair, and Joe Hesla, as a current active member of15 Now Minnesota, will approach15 Now to offer our endorsement, and to work out specifics if accepted.
Al spoke for the Trustees. They will consult with an insurance agent per Walter. Parking spaces of 16th Street for weekends are in progress. The gas fire is working fine. Kent Eklund got a noncommittal response from the Trustees about buying his house.
Greg spoke for the kitchen cabinet. He gave high praise to Rick Carlson for his help the Tuesday meals.
Mary spoke for the Celebration Committee. There will be a guest speaker on October 11 for Indigenous Peoples Day. Day of the Dead is the first Sunday in November. Janet Skidmore’s friend wrote a script we will use for the Christmas play on Christmas Eve.
Al spoke for the Staff Parish Relations Committee. Personnel policies have been updated. At the November Church Council meeting we need to set salaries for staff.
Walter presented the Pastor’s Report. Survey results will be mailed to the Church Council. There were 50 respondents. Results formed a Bell curve with 60% positive on each question. There was no definite groundswell for change.
The meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Larsen
Church Council Secretary
