Peace Lutheran Church
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, October 7, 2008

In Attendance: Chuck Mercer, Rick Hellard, Elsie Schweitzer, Deb Price, Pastor Bjornstad, Susan Crosbie and Adella Decker.

The meeting was called to order by Chuck M. at 7:10 p.m. and Pastor followed with prayer.
Minutes from the September Council Meeting were prepared by Kevin Woolverton but were unavailable. Need to obtain copy of minutes and present them to council.
Business Resulting From the Minutes: None
Treasurer's Report for September 2008 were prepared & distributed by Deb P. 1. The $1,500 memorial donation for the organ fund in memory of Ethel Schweitzer needs to be deposited. It was noted that a motion was made at the last council meeting to deposit the memorial donation for Ethel Schweitzer into the mission fund however the family had actually requested for the donation to go into the organ fund. 2. The investments in the Thrivent Mutual Funds have decreased due to market conditions. 3. Chuck & Adella reported that an emergency loan for $1,565 was made to Beverly Gedrimas on Sunday, September 21st after church because of back taxes owed on her property which was going up for sheriff's sale the next day with the agreement that she would pay $400 every two weeks to pay the loan if full in 60 days. She made one payment of $75 this past Sunday. Adella will draw up a contract letter for Beverly to sign regarding the repayment for the one time only emergency loan. Rick H. made the first motion to approve the Treasurer's report as presented & Jim C. made the second motion. Approved.
Pastor's Report: 1. The Sunday morning Bible Study has had good attendance the past three Sundays. 2. The fire set in the church garbage cans next to the church on September 15th was put out quickly resulting in damange only to the garbage can. 3. Ken Jergens needs to know what we want to do about his stock gift at the end of the year. Adella reported that a brokerage account needs to be set up with PNC Investments and will obtain the application. 4. Pastor proposed a church work internship for Fritz Fowler who plans on going to the seminary in St. Louis next year. The internship would be for 6 months from July 2009 to December 2009 and would be for educational credit at Bethany Bible College where Fritz is currently majoring in Religion/Pastoral Ministry. Jim C. made the motion that we pursure negotiations with the college and Fritz for the internship. Rick H. made the second motion. Approved. 5. A gift of $300 was given to the congregation for the purpose of serving the needy. Discussed possibly using the money for the CHAIN Thanksgiving Dinner or for Thanksgiving/Christmas Food Baskets. 6. The Broton family has join St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Dickson City. 7. Sponsors are needed to cover expenses for the "Singin Boys of PA" when they are scheduled to perform during Lent next year. 8. Briefly discussed ways to improve our music program. 9. Pastor asked about installing a fire insert into the fireplace/chimney at the parsonage to save money on winter heating costs. Rick H. made a motion to install the fireplace insert and Jim C. made the second motion. Approved. Jim will follow up with obtaining the measurements and installation.
The Lutheran Academy: Pastor reported that unfortunately 2 older students (2 boys in the 7th grade) left the school. The academy is now providing a facility for 21st Century internet school however the students are still considered public school students. A girl in the 10th grade will be starting this Thursday. Another boy was tested today by Roger Borchin, the principal, to deem if the child would be accepted to the program. Five students are enrolled in the internet school plus the girl starting this Thursday. The Bi-laws were passed this summer for the Lutheran Academy Board of Directors. Council has been considered as serving as the interim Board of Directors with the understood guidance of Pastor Bjornstad, Pastor Mandile, Pastor Vomhof and Roger Borchin. Pastor sent letters to Immanuel and St. Stephen's to appoint representatives to sit on the board. Monica Bjornstad, Susan Crosbie & Edie Hudack have expressed interest in representing Peace Lutheran Church on the Lutheran Academy Board of Directors.
Elders' Report: No report.
Trustee's Report: 1. The garage window was fixed. 2. Discussed neighbors parking in the parking lot. Discussed getting a sign stating "No parking during church services". Agreed that Elsie will get a sign stating, "No Parking without a permit". Chuck will put flyers on the parked cars. Discussed allowing neighbors to pay an annual fee for parking. 3. Jim talked about the radon test at the Lutheran Academy in the Immanuel Lutheran Church Basement. He reported that the test is completed over a 4 day period with no movement in the testing area. 4. The spotlight of the crosses was supposed to be fixed. 5. T Spall will be providing maintenance on the heating system next month.
Parish Nurse: Susan Crosbie  the following: a need to identify storage space for donated medical supplies ie. walker, crutches, commode for future use of those in need but items not covered by their insurance company;  
Sunday School Report: An outing is scheduled to Miller's Orchard on October 26th..
Youth Group: No report.
Ladies Guild Report: Fall Harvest Pot Roast Dinner and Arts & Crafts sale is scheduled for Saturday, October 18th from 3 - 6 pm.
Old Business: None.
New Business: 1. Adella D. made the motion to appoint Susan Crosbie, Monica Bjornstad, and Edie Hudack as representatives of Peace Lutheran Church to the Lutheran Academy Board of Directors. Eslie S. made the 2nd motion. Need confirmation from those named for the appointment. 2. A financial review/investments meeting is scheduled for next Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. with Torie Yoder, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans representative. Following the meeting will be a preliminary budget for 2009 meeting.
The next meeting is a Congregational Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, November 11th at 7 p.m. Deb P. made the first motion to adjourn the meeting and Adella D. made the second motion. Closed with the Lord's Prayer.
Minutes submitted by Adella Holzman Decker, Peace Lutheran Church Council Secretary

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PASTOR’S REPORT FOR OCTOBER, 2008
Rev. Kristian Bjornstad

CALLS: Home: 2 Office: 0 Hospital: 2 Homebound: 4
PUBLIC WORSHIP: Sunday Worship: 4 Att:243/61 average Sat: 3 (0 att.)

TEACHING: Confirmation: 3 Bible Study: 4
MEETINGS: Church/Academy: 4 Circuit/other: 1
OFFICIAL ACTS: Weddings: 0 Baptisms: 0 Funerals: 0
COUNSELING SESSIONS: 0 VACATION DAYS: 0 Sick Days: 0

OTHER EVENTS OF NOTE:

GOOD NEWS TO PRAISE THE LORD FOR:

IMPORTANT OTHER NOTES:

BUDGET NOTES: