Walker Church Council
November 12, 2017
Present: K C Bretzke, Greg Garman, Kent Eklund, Walter Lockhart, Ed Ed Mueller, Jennifer Gahnstrom, Mary Parker, Howard Krantz, Nancy Larsen, Lulu Philips, David West, Kristine Smith.
The agenda for the meeting was approved as augmented.
The minutes were approved as read.
K C gave the Financial Report. We are $11,000 in the hole, but we expect November and December to improve this situation because they are our biggest months for fundraising and contributions. Walter stated that the 2018 Budget is in process. We are looking at recalculating our cost sharing with The New City Church. Thus far they have been our tenant rent free, but that will change. The contribution from New City will give us a balanced budget except for apportionments. There will be a Church Council Meeting in early January to pass the 2018 budget.
We discussed whether or not to pay our apportionments. David asked what the advantages are. K C said that, if we pay in full for the current year, the Minnesota Conference forgives a significant percentage of past debt. Walter stated that, in the event of the disintegration of the Minnesota Conference, they may demand back payment. Lulu added that we are at their mercy with regard to the choice of a pastor. K C said that they supported us in the building of the new Walker Church building. It was moved, seconded and passed to pay our apportionments and delegate this to the Finance Committee.
We looked at the Council restructure for 2018. We moved, seconded and passed that the Trustees should continue to be subsumed in the Council, but that the Staff Parish Relations Committee Should be its own committee, with the chair reporting to and serving on the Council. The Council will meet every month except June, August and December, nine times.
It was agreed to have an operating fund in the 2018 Budget for the Building and Grounds Committee. Kristine submitted a draft of the Safety Policy. There will be locks for the bathrooms, a new baby changing table for the upstairs bathroom, and an elevator lock for the basement. It was moved, seconded and passed to authorize these expenses out of the Capital Budget. The Council authorized Ed Ed to research a new or used snow blower for Walker. Ed Ed added that the new Safety Policy is subject to revision.
Kristine, the chair of the SPRC, presented the committee report [ confidential]
Mary discussed plans for the Celebration Committee, Tony Wenterdorf’s skit for Christmas Eve, the Santa Lucia/Yule Celebration on December 17, and a Celebration on Palm Sunday for the spring equinox.
Kent stated that he has an idea for an evening service. Lulu said that that was up to the Celebration Committee and the pastor.
The next meeting of the Church Council will be Sunday, January14 after the service.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Larsen
Church Council Secretary
