Pres. Kinnaman called the meeting to order at 11:42 am.

 OPENING: Rev. Hellwege opened with prayer.

 APPROVAL OF THE PREVIOUS MINUTES: The minutes from the meeting on March 28^th were distributed prior to the meeting.

 REPORTS-CONGREGATIONAL OFFICERS

Vacancy Pastor’s Report: Rev. Hellwege

• On Wednesday, May 13^th, we held our Ascension service. This service was augmented by the bell choir from our Homeschool group.
• The Homeschool co-op finished the school year on May 26^th with a bell concert and a play based on the book of Ruth.
• Last Sunday, June 13^th, the Homeschool co-op gathered one last time this year at the school building to clean up. They left the background from the play still up, with the thought that we might use that again next year. Otherwise the first and second floors of the school building got a fairly complete cleaning, including an attempt to repair the tiles in the upstairs bathroom (the one off the small room, not the one off the gym).
• On Wednesday, June 9^th, private Confession and Absolution was held here at 5:30 pm.
• Following the private Confession and Absolution, a pot-luck was held at 6:00 pm in the school building with the first of our monthly prayer services held at that time.
• Looking ahead, the next monthly prayer service is planned for Wednesday, July 7^th. Denise and Pr. Hellwege will host it at their house. Children are welcome. All are invited to join us for these times for prayer.
• Pr. Hellwege would like to request that all members take time each day for prayers for the mission of the Church at large, for the mission of Emmaus, for opportunities for us to share the Gospel, and for Pr. Hellwege.

 After his report, Pr. Hellwege left the meeting.

 President’s Report: Scot Kinnaman

• Pres. Kinnaman will be in Houston, TX, during the week of the synodical convention.
• All other business will be addressed under New Business.

 Bookkeeper’s Report: Kathy Landskroener, by written report

YTD Total Operations Receipts: $22,933.81

YTD Total Special Funds Receipts: $1,636.50

YTD Total Operations Disbursements: $24,893.62

 YTD Total Special Funds Disbursements: $100

YTD Overall Cash Flow: -$323.31           

 Secretary’s Report: Rebecca Mayes

• Emmaus held two rummage sales recently, in cooperation with the homeschool basketball teams. The total amount raised was over $1,100. 
• Rebecca is in the process of transferring over the Emmaus phone service in order to reduce costs. It appears that we will not need to change our phone number.
• Our garbage service will be cancelled as of July 1^st in another effort to reduce costs.

 REPORTS-BOARDS AND STANDING COMMITTEES

Stewards’ Report:  Rev. Mayes

• The recent published Council minutes contain the details of the stewards’ activities.
• Dr. Mayes will begin organizing this month for the school supply giveaway in August.

 Trustee’s Report: Dr.. Mayes

• The recent published Council minutes contain the details of the trustees’ activities.
• Dr. Mayes is getting estimates for repairing the air conditioning.

 Education

No report.

 OLD BUSINESS

No old business.

 NEW BUSINESS

Last year the Voters directed the Council to look at the future of Emmaus, including the possibility of calling a pastor. As a result of this, in the past few months a Ministry Plan was created and a Call Committee was formed.  The following resolutions are the response to the Voters’ requests.

 RESOLUTION #1: The Council recommends to the Voters that we call a pastor. Motion passed.

 RESOLUTION #2: The Council recommends to the Voters the revised budget of $59, 001.16.

 There was discussion following the motion which clarified these points:

• In order to call a pastor, it was necessary to reduce costs, move around some expenses, and use some of our cash assets. We will continue to use a portion of our cash assets until the giving and gifts to the congregation increases enough to cover the pastor’s salary.
• We are continuing to work with Pr. Landskroener for visiting shut-ins. This will allow the part-time pastor (“worker priest”) that we call enough time to pursue another source of income.
• The budget includes $6,000 that will be set aside for the pastor’s family’s medical deductible. This amount might or might not but used, depending on the health needs of the family.
• The revised budget is for all of 2010. Therefore, some line items will be over since the budget will only be in effect for the second half of 2010 (the budget does not reflect what has already been spent). However, since the salary amounts in the revised budget have not been paid out in the first half of the year, the overall budget should not be affected negatively.

Motion passed.

  RESOLUTION #3: The Council recommends to the Voters that we call Rev. John Hellwege, of Chesterfield, MO, to be our called pastor, with details laid out in the call documents.

 There was discussion which clarified that while Rev. Hellwege is currently on “non-candidate status”, that does not mean that he is ineligible to receive a call. If he accepts this call, he will be back on “candidate status.”

 The Voters agreed to vote on Resolution #3 by a show of hands. The motion passed unanimously.

 A copy of the call documents will be filed with the official minutes.

 RESOLUTION #4: The Council recommends to the Voters that we elect Barb Szofran as the head of the Evangelism Board.  Motion passed.

 Having no further business, Kurt Rolland moved to adjourn at 12:15 pm. Karen Rolland seconded. Motion passed.

 Respectfully submitted,

 Rebecca Mayes

Secretary

Present: Rev. Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes, Rev. Scot Kinnaman, Mrs. Karen Rolland, Mr. Kurt Rolland.

Began meeting at 11:08.

Pastor’s report (Rev. John Hellwege, written report)

“On Saturday, April 17 we had a private baptism at the church for Michael Jamari Mullen son of Stacey Marie Shubert.  We held the baptism as a private ceremony since Stacey and Michael’s father, Jeffrey Mullen, are not married.  Since we did not want it to appear that the church was condoning this situation, yet Michael, as all sinful human beings, is in need of God’s grace, President Kinnaman and I decided that a private ceremony was appropriate.

“On May 2 and May 23 I will be gone, Rev. Dr. Mayes has agreed to take these Sundays for me.

“The Homeschool co-op will finish this school year on May 28.  We are planning on having an end of year celebration that will include a play of the book of Ruth and a second hand bell concert.

“The Patriettes basketball season is over, and they are very thankful for the use of the gym.  Plans are in the works to have a monthly “hoops night” at the gym when the girls can get together and keep their skills from getting too rusty.  No dates have been set yet.  The team is also interested in keeping the same practice schedule for next year, namely Thursday nights and Saturday mornings, if that is acceptable to the congregation.”

President’s report (Rev. Scot Kinnaman)

Pres. Kinnaman is working with Apple of His Eye ministries; contact is Ivan Petersen. They are discussing the possibility of moving their offices to Emmaus’ school building. They would take over the principal’s office and the adjoined classroom. They would need to add electrical. Rev. Kinnaman has been talking with Volz Electric and Crown Electric, to get bids to add 220V lines to handle heating/cooling, and to expand receptacle service in classroom from 2 to 6. He has received two very different plans from the two contractors. He also called Randy Caress (formerly with JR Heating Cooling).

Kurt: Make sure they are licensed and bonded, and have city permits.

Rev. Kinnaman will make sure. In the electrical room, the fuse box at corner of room has water damage. This was a cause for concern with the contractors. Volz wants to take off main box and put in a new panel. Crown wants to upgrade panel outside of church office and run new stuff off of there. Both contractors talked about mini-splits. These are AC units that require only a 5” hole in the wall, and connect with a unit on the inside. They are more expensive, but more cost efficient. Those are permanent installations. Rev. Kinnaman was thinking that electrical upgrade would be the investment we would require of Apple of His Eye. In the first year, they would have to pay only minimal rent (for example, $100/mo.). In the xecond year, the rent would go up; we would re-negotiate.

Kurt: We want a zero-net-cost situation. All are agreed. Rev. Kinnaman will ask why not Mt. Olive.

The court case against the vandal of our AC units has gone forward. The vandal has been convicted and will be sentenced May 19. After he’s sentenced, we’ll let insurance know.

Secretary’s report (Rebecca Mayes, written report)

“The Trinklein family purchased some items from the school basement for $30.

“Thrivent sent us a $300 check last November since they had extra money in 2009 to distribute among the congregations in our chapter. The check went to Larry Seidenstricker, who just recently passed it on to us. I checked to make sure we could still deposit it and they said yes. We need to let Thrivent know what we decide to do with the funds and them publicize to the congregation that the money came from Thrivent. Please discuss what the money should be earmarked for.

“There was a truck parked next to the school last week so I called the towing company. They came out and started hooking up the truck, but then the owner of the truck, who is the son of the guy who runs the shop across the street, came over and offered to move his vehicle. I told him to let everyone at the shop know that we are serious about the no parking signs, and we’ve notified them before not to park there. He agreed to pass this on and was appreciate that I let him off the hook. Hopefully this will help get the message across.

“I’m in contact with one of the basketball moms and we’re discussing when to schedule the rummage sale.

“The student group from Lutheran High South visited on April 16th and did a good job of cleaning the school building. They also helped Pr. Hellwege remove two bushes outside the church.

“I’m looking for the best way to advertise our fall homeschool co-op schedule and opportunities to the Lutheran churches in the area. We’d like to make sure the word gets out within the next few weeks.”

Rev. Kinnaman requests that Rebecca make sure our Thrivent representative has been changed.

RESOLUTION #1: Dr. Mayes moves to apply the $300 from Thrivent to the capital improvements fund, for the altar wall. Karen seconds. Approved.

Bookkeeper’s report (Kathy Landskroener, written report)

“Reports for March were e-mailed earlier and printed copies were placed in the Council Secretary’s mailbox in the office. 15 Pledges have been received, for a total of $39,485.00. One response was received from a member who declined to make a pledge but promises to continue to support the congregation. If Council would like more details, please tell me specifically what you would and would not like to know about the pledges.

“In March, we had to ‘hold’ a check for the insurance premium until after the Easter and Holy Week deposits were made. This has since been resolved, and all the bills are paid and all the checks mailed. The balance in our Commerce Bank checking account as of April 17, 2010 is just over $2000. This points out two issues: Deposits need to get to the bank as soon as possible, and if the need arises to transfer money from the Commerce savings account to the checking account, may the bookkeeper do that at her discretion, or do we need approval by another member of Council, or the entire Council, or do we just juggle the bills until the cash flow improves? Please let me know your thoughts and decisions on this.

“Organ repairs were made in April. Do you want to move money from the Organ Repair Fund to help pay this expense? The repairs were $686, the Fund has $100 in it.”

Rev. Kinnaman: We want to know how many member pledges we’ve received. Give us updates on further pledges received. We need a list of names of who responded, so that Rebecca and Dr. Mayes can call and encourage a response. Also, bookkeeper should not be able to transfer money between accounts. Requires a signer.

Discussion on organ repairs. Dr. Mayes: Zero out the organ fund and pay for the rest out of the budget.

Karen: At the last tuning, the organ was completely tuned and nearly all problems were fixed. Bent organ pipe: St. Louis Pipe Organ says it was due to heat, but Gerhard Mueller says that lead melts at 400º. It can’t be due to heat; more likely human accident. Last time organ was tuned, this bent pipe would have been found. Karen will get a few more opinions.

Board of Education report (Karen Rolland)

“1. Sunday school class continues to grow with nearly regular attendance of 10+ children.  DJ Barger (college student at SLU) regularly prepares the lesson in Spanish so that the Spanish-speaking children will better understand.  Rebecca Mayes says that she is not sure how much of a help this is but it is good to have DJ so willing to help and give of his busy time.  Also, Amanda and Rachel Hellwege are always ready lend a hand with the young children so that Rebecca can teach them God’s Word.

“2. Home school co-op continues to meet every Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 4:45 p.m. in the Emmaus school building.  This semester, during the lunch hour, we have added prayer and encouragement time for the parents.  During this time the children do assigned chores and then play in the gym.  We are preparing music for the Ascension Day worship service on Thursday, May 13.  We are also preparing for the spring play and concert which will be on Friday, May 28.

“3. Several Emmaus home school families attended the Greater St. Louis Home School Expo on April 8-10.  Pastor Hellwege and Karen Rolland made 40 brochures and many Emmaus business cards.  Karen took both to the registration tables at the Expo having received permission from the head of the Expo.  All the brochures were gone by the end of the Expo.  Karen made several (5+) contacts with families from Providence Christian Academy who are now wanting to start home schooling.  We look forward to being able to serve these families.

“4. Karen talked with Cathy Mullins of the Home Link co-op.  This co-op serves ~150 middle school and high school home schoolers and has a large lending library.  Cathy stated that they are losing their current meeting facility and are looking for a new place.  Denise Hellwege is in the process of arranging a time for Cathy to come see what we have to offer at Emmaus.  We want to understand clearly why they are losing their facility.  We also want to make sure we maintain the Christ-centered focus of our co-op.  Karen suggests that we form a steering committee to do so.”

Rev. Kinnaman and Dr. Mayes: The Board of Education with the pastor is the steering committee. People who are not Emmaus members can assist the board, having voice but not vote.

“5. Caleb Barger, one of our home school teens, has asked to be able to do his Eagle Scout project in a way that will help Emmaus.  We are suggesting that he and his fellow scouts do the digging, designing, and sprinkler installation of the community garden that we would like to have in the grass area just north of the eastern part of the parking lot.  Pastor Hellwege has offered to guide Caleb in the sprinkler installation as he has experience in this.  Karen is thinking that the eastern edge of the garden would be lined with roses so that the Jefferson Avenue view would be lovely.  Behind the roses would be the vegetables that the home schoolers would grow to help feed and make contact with the people in the neighborhood.”

Dr. Mayes: This will be discussed under Trustee’s report.

“6. Cami Barger, another home school teen, has asked if her American Heritage project might be one that could help Emmaus.  Karen has suggested that she help build a piano ensemble room so that we might be able to offer music lessons to more people at one time.  This idea would benefit the home schooling families in that the cost would end up being reduced and that the children would be able to have lessons while siblings are attending other classes in our co-op.  This will also open doors to reach out to the community children by offering music lessons in a controlled environment.  Cami is coming up with fund-raising ideas to help pay for the keyboards that we will need for this venture.  One fund-raiser is a pie auction which we are thinking of having during the intermission of the spring concert on May 28.

“7. The home school families are in the process of determining next year’s course offerings.  We hope to continue with our focus on history, philosophy, literature and music.  With the projected growth, we are ready to divide into the 3 levels that follow the classical model:  grammar (K-6), dialectic (7-8), and rhetoric (9-12).  We are hoping to add logic and Latin to our course offerings for 2010-2011.  We are ready to start charging for classes but have not yet determined what the rate will be.  We want to make sure that Emmaus gets a fair amount for the use of the building.  We also want to make sure that the teachers get an amount that is due them.”

Trustees (Dr. Benjamin Mayes)

“Dislocated guard rail at church parking lot is not damaged, according to Frank.

“I replaced the lock in the parish office closet. The same master key still opens it.”

Rev. Kinnaman needs a new office key.

“Cynthia and Dave Barger are the new church cleaners. Has Judy been in contact with them?”

Rev. Kinnaman: Judy needs e-mailed list of cleaning responsibilities from Becca. Tell Bargers to keep side door locked.

“Should we ask the homeschool basketball team to contribute a monthly amount toward heating and maintenance at the school? Our annual utilities and maintenance budget for the school is $11,290. That’s about $31 per day. Could Pr. Hellwege find out if the team could afford to pay us $31 per day for rent? How many families are on the team? If $31 per day is too high for the team, then we could negotiate.”

Rev. Kinnaman: When the basketball team came in, the understanding was that they would pay a set amount. Have they not paid?

Kurt: We need a separate ledger line to track how much they have paid.

Dr. Mayes: I’ll talk with Kathy to find out what they’ve paid.

“Ollit Howell (next door neighbor upstairs) says that a permit is not required to hold a yard sale. She held one recently on the front part of our parking lot.”

Rev. Kinnaman: Ask Howell for contact info to landlord. Dr. Mayes will then ask landlord to either remove the gate or let us remove it.

“This week I plan to contact JR Heating and Cooling for an bid to fix AC.”

Kurt will give info on a few other contractors from Angie’s list to Dr. Mayes.

“When I can finally find a free Saturday, I plan to investigate the attic over the sacristy area. I’m looking for inside access to the apse over the altar. My guess is that there is no access. The vent on the east side of the church allows rain to come in when the wind is especially strong, and therefore we have cosmetic damage to the wall above the altar. After I have investigated the attic, I’ll get a bid on repairing the altar wall.”

Kurt will give info on a few other contractors from Angie’s list to Dr. Mayes.

Caleb Barger’s Eagle project.

RESOLUTION #2. Dr. Mayes moves that Caleb Barger be allowed to turn a portion of the church lawn into garden under supervision of Pr. Hellwege. Karen seconds. Motion accepted.

Kurt wants to look into stump removal. Also parking lot: Kurt will spray Roundup.

“I talked with Steve Seidenstricker and told him of our budget for lawn care. I also told him about that we will be seeking volunteers to take care of the lawn.”

Stewardship

“Barb’s suggestion to advertise with Issues, Etc. for $1000.” Dr. Mayes suggested this not be a budget item, but that Barb get donations from individuals, to be given “through” Emmaus. All agreed.

“Lent is now past; let’s schedule the prayer meeting. Pr. Hellwege suggested the first Wednesday in the month.” Rev. Kinnaman: When not in Advent and Lent, let’s do it: Emmaus fellowship building. Preface with meal.

“Tried to get Peace LCMS’s chant choir for Ascension, but it didn’t work out.”

“Shall we charge $10 for official copies of church and school records?”

RESOLUTION #3: Dr. Mayes moved that Emmaus charge $10 for official copies of church and school records. Kurt seconded. Approved.

“Ascension Day is Thursday, May 13. A service is planned.” Kurt and Karen: Pick a few congregations and advertise. Karen and Dr. Mayes will do this.

Rev. Kinnaman: Contact Gerike and Resch; Emmaus as a venue.

Next meeting 5/22 at Rollands’. First call committee, followed immediately by council. June meeting will be 6/12.

Meeting adjourned at 1:00.

President Kinnaman called the meeting to order at 12:07pm.

 OPENING: Rev. Hellwege opened with prayer.

 APPROVAL OF THE PREVIOUS MINUTES: The minutes from the meeting on January 24^th were distributed prior to the meeting.

RESOLUTION #1: Rev. Mayes moved to change the minutes so that resolutions  #8 and #9 were combined, change the heading under #8 to read, “The Council recommends to the Voters assembly the following slate for synodical 2^nd through 5^th vice-presidents:”, and renumber the remaining resolutions. Rebecca Mayes seconded. Corrected minutes were approved.

 REPORTS-CONGREGATIONAL OFFICERS

Vacancy Pastor’s Report: Rev. Hellwege

• On Thursday and Friday of this week our Holy Week services will begin at 7pm. The Easter Sunday schedule will be the same as usual.
• Thanks to Rev. Mayes and Kurt Rolland for being cantors for the recent services.
• The worship committee discussed having an Easter Vigil this year, but decided to wait on this. The desire is to add this service in the future as part of the Holy Week services that Emmaus offers.
• We need to schedule our monthly prayer meetings. The Council will take this up.
• Planning for the homeschool group for next year is in progress. The goal is to expand the classes offered and to bring in more families.
• Rev. Landskroener continues to visit our shut-ins.

 President’s Report: Scot Kinnaman

• It is probably covered in Pr. Mayes’s report, but we seem to have resolution to the primary issue concerning our heating system. JR Heating has finished the installation and we have been able to achieve a comfortable 68 degrees on Sunday morning.
• I was subpoenaed both in January and February to appear as a material witness in the criminal trail against the person accused of vandalizing our air conditioning condenser units last February 12, 2009. One of the police officers was on vacation in January so the trial was moved to February. I testified on Monday February 8, 2010, the jury went into deliberation on Tuesday afternoon, but by the following Thursday morning the jury was hung with 11 for conviction and 1 against. With no willingness by the dissenter to participate in deliberations, the judge dismissed the jury. I’ve been informed we will “go at it all again in a couple of months.”
• Karen will work with Pr. Hellwege to develop a 1-, 2-, and 5-year plan for the education board. Barb will volunteer to be a member of that committee, once the call committee closes.

 Bookkeeper’s Report: Kathy Landskroener

YTD Total Operations Receipts: $7,668.29

YTD Total Special Funds Receipts: $505.00

YTD Total Operations Disbursements: $10,318.85

YTD Total Special Funds Disbursements: $0

YTD Operations Cash Flow: -$2,650.56

•  There were $275 collected for Haiti relief. Per direction from the donors, part of this went to Lutheran World Relief and part went to LCMS World Relief and Human Care. These funds will be matched by the Lutheran Foundation.
• The YTD charges for gas for the school seem higher, but we will recover some of that in the coming months due to overbilling.
• There have not been any bills from Ameren UE recently because they overcharged us last year.

 Secretary’s Report: Rebecca Mayes

• Lutheran High South kids will again be coming to Emmaus on April 16^th to assist with clean-up projects. They will be cleaning the school building. Kurt suggested they assist with some yard work. There was discussion on the need to remove some bushes around the church. Rebecca will notify the LHS to ask that the kids bring proper gloves.
• A donation-in-kind letter was given to JR Heating and Cooling for the $4,500 in labor that they donated while fixing the heating system.
• Synodical position nominations have been sent off.
• Rebecca will work with the homeschool basketball team, who still want to conduct a rummage sale.

 REPORTS-BOARDS AND STANDING COMMITTEES

Stewards’ Report:  Rev. Mayes

• Pledge letter was sent out and should have arrived yesterday. This is necessary for planning how much salary we can offer a pastor.
• Sent out flier advertising Holy Week services.
• Planning an Ascension Day service, May 13, 7:00 p.m.

 Trustee’s Report: Rev. Mayes

• New neighbor in downstairs apartment south of church seems to keep the gate closed more often. I moved the dumpster to hopefully keep traffic off of the boiler room roof.
• Neighbor in upstairs apartment south of church (Ollit Howell) asked to use part of our parking lot for a yard sale, and I granted permission, as long as she first shows us her permit.
• New towing service; new signs installed by Frank.
• New church cleaner: Cynthia Barger.
• Basketball team families are planning to man the rummage sale in the basement of the school. We are planning to sell only the items in the bowling alley, plus the school desks. A date for the sale has not yet been set.
• There was discussion on what the plans are for repairing the AC units. There is no plan so far. The Council will discuss what our priorities are financially for this year and what we think the extent of the repairs might be.

 Call Committee

The Call Committee met formally for the first time on February 4. A brief report appeared in the bulletin on February 7:

a.         Call Committee. Acting upon Voters’ Assembly action from last summer, President Kinnaman has appointed a Call Committee of the following members: (Council:) Rev. Kinnaman, Kurt Rolland, Rebecca Mayes, Rev. Mayes, (Congregation:) Barbara Szofran, Karen Rolland.

b.         The committee met informally a couple times over the past holiday and then met formally in February and March.

c.         The committee’s first goals were to construct a Ministry Plan for Emmaus that will be used in the calling process to faithfully communicate the direction of our congregation. The initial part of this ministry plan was printed in the newsletter, in the bulletin on 3-14 and 3-21, and available in the narthex for three weeks now.

RESOLUTION #2: The Call Committee, through the Council, recommends the approval of the Ministry Plan, as has been published. Motion passed.

 d.         Pledge cards were mailed on the 21st. We’re looking to have pledges returned by April 12. (There was discussion on the need to keep pledges confidential. All pledges received through the mail or otherwise should be turned over to Kathy unopened.) Per Karen, pledges went out to the following groups: Emmaus members, alumni, those who attended when Wallace Schulz preached, and those who attended the anniversary celebration and Christmas program. If you can think of anyone else who should be on the list, let Karen or Rebecca know.

e.         The committee has also been working to draft a pastoral care description that will set out the congregation’s expectations (a job description) of a pastor.

f.          Currently working toward a call for a Pastor: June 2010

 OLD BUSINESS

• The organ will be tuned the week after Easter.

 NEW BUSINESS

RESOLUTION #3: The Council nominates Karen Rolland for the chair of the Board of Education. (This board will oversee the Sunday School and our relationship with the homeschool co-op.) Motion passed.

•  Barb Szofran inquired about available funds to possibly advertise Emmaus through the Issues, Etc. radio show. She will research the cost for this kind of advertisement and will report to the Council.
• Karen and Rev. Hellwege will be attending a homeschool conference on April 9^th in order to advertise the co-op we have. They request permission to pass out fliers and business cards with information about the co-op and Emmaus. The Voters approve.
• The next Voters’ meeting will be June 27^th.

 Having no further business, Kurt Rolland moved to adjourn at 12:50pm. Rev. Mayes seconded. Motion passed.

 Respectfully submitted,

Rebecca Mayes

Secretary

President Kinnaman called the meeting to order at 12:03pm.

 OPENING: Rev. Hellwege opened with prayer.

 APPROVAL OF THE PREVIOUS MINUTES: The minutes from the meeting on November 15th were read.

RESOLUTION #1: Kurt Rolland moved to approve the corrected minutes. Rev. Mayes seconded. Motion passed.

 REPORTS-CONGREGATIONAL OFFICERS

Vacancy Pastor’s Report: Rev. Hellwege

• The Advent and Christmas services, and the homeschool choir and bells Christmas program all went very well. Thanks so much to Karen Rolland for all her work on those.
• A prayer meeting was held at the Rollands on January 7^th. There is a need to continue these meetings, perhaps monthly.
• February 17^th is Ash Wednesday.
• Rev. Hellwege will work with the “worship committee” to discuss plans for this year’s Lent services.
• Rev. Hellwege will talk with the basketball team parents to see about helping with a rummage sale in the spring.

 President’s Report: Scot Kinnaman

• The 2010 budget has been prepared.
• A Call Committee has been convened. The members are President Kinnaman, Rev. Mayes, Barb, Kurt and Karen, and Rebecca. The first meeting will be February 4^th.
• President Kinnaman has been asked to be available to the District Attorney’s office in regards to the trial for the perpetrator of the HVAC unit vandalism. He is scheduled to appear as a witness on Feb. 12^th.
• There has been continued contact with JR’s Heating and Cooling regarding the heating units. See Trustees Report.

 Financial Secretary: Rebecca Mayes

• Giving Statements are going out at the end of the month.
• 2010 envelopes have been distributed.

 Bookkeeper’s Report: Kathy Landskroener

2009 Total Operations Receipts: $51,080.54

2009 Total Special Funds Receipts: $11,345.00

2009 Total Operations Disbursements: $65,344.46

2009 Total Special Funds Disbursements: $10,770.20

2009 Operations Cash Flow: -$13,689.12

 Secretary’s Report: Rebecca Mayes

• Giving statements will go out by January 23rd.
• A new church directory was distributed.
• Rebecca will work with Rev. Hellwege to identify members of the homeschool basketball team who may be willing to assist with a rummage sale.

 REPORTS-BOARDS AND STANDING COMMITTEES

Stewards’ Report:  Rev. Mayes

• Growing Kids God’s Way Class is almost finished. We need to finalize what will be offered next. The Rollands are discussing offering a class for parents of teens.
• Call committee has a number of items to deal with: Ministry plan documents from Stu Brassie. Documents from Barbara re. health insurance.
• We have closed the “tuckpointing” fund, but still need special gifts for capital improvements, as well as Emmaus memorial fund moneys for events, outreach, etc.

 Trustee’s Report: Rev. Mayes

• Sandy Colvin (NSO) says that the city can’t do anything about the open gate. Rev. Mayes’s next plan is to complain to the landlord. Then in the spring to move the bumpers and put up some kind of a decorative fence.
• Progress has been made with heating the church. Air handlers move too much air for the heating units, so during the heating season, we need to restrict air intake. Need to come up with covers for the air intakes. In-line extra heating units will be installed soon.
• Covered broken window, southeast corner of school basement.
• Graffiti on the school building has been reported to the police. Many properties in the neighborhood have been tagged, so this is not aimed at us specifically. We’ll contact Operation Brightside to get the graffiti removed.
• Thanks to Rev.’s Hellwege and Trinklein for continued repairs at the school.
• JR Heating and Cooling repaired a pipe in the school basement for $567. They capped off a pipe to eliminate further issues, so there is now no heat coming from the west stairwell and the west upper classroom.

RESOLUTION #2: The Council recommends authorization to pay JR’s Heating and Cooling from JR Heating and Cooling up to $700 to repair the pipe in the school basement. Motion passed.

•  JR Heating and Cooling has made adjustments in the airflow of the heating system and we’re already noticing an improvement in the temperature. They ordered secondary heating strips for our ductwork and should have everything finished within the week.

RESOLUTION #3: The Council recommends approval of payment to JR Heating and Cooling for $5,370 for repairing the heating systems. Motion passed.

•  JR also noticed a lot of heat leakage in both the church and school buildings, which could easily be resolved by sealing up the leaks with caulk. There is plenty of caulk leftover from the tuckpointing. Please talk to Rev. Mayes if you’d like to volunteer to assist with this. JR noted that the sewer traps were dry in the school and recommended servicing them monthly by filling them or flushing toilets.
• Thanks to Frank Szofran for fixing the faucet in the ladies’ bathroom at church.

 Budget Committee

• Kurt Rolland presented an explanation of the 2010 budget, which was distributed last week for review. The budget committee agreed that we need to move to having a balanced budget this year, instead of planning on a deficit, as had been the case in years past. The estimated income needed to meet the new budget is $63,230.00, compared to $44,100.00 from 2009.

 NEW BUSINESS

RESOLUTION #4: The Council recommends approval of the 2010 budget. Motion passed.

•  There was discussion on whether the budget can be amended, especially considering what the outcome of the Call Committee might be. The budget can be amended by calling a Voters’ meeting.
• The monthly figure needed for income for each month ($3,927.40) will now be listed in the bulletin, along with the amount received in the previous month.

 RESOLUTION #5: The Council recommends that Emmaus should maintain two funds in which to received designated funds: a Capital Improvement Fund (to receive donations for all capital improvements) and an Emmaus Memorial Fund (to receive all other designated gifts). Motion passed.

• Current open funds for designated gifts will remain until the balance is zero. Any future appeals will include an explanation of these two funds. This allows for greater flexibility to use funds as we needs them and not have extra funds laying around that can’t be used.

 RESOLUTION #6: The Council recommends to the Voter’s assembly the following slate for synodical president :     1. Matthew Harrison                        2. Herbert Mueller

Motion passed.

 RESOLUTION #7: The Council recommends to the Voter’s assembly the following slate for synodical 1^st vice-president :   1. Herbert Mueller                2. Matthew Harrison

Motion passed.

 RESOLUTION #8: The Council recommends to the Voter’s assembly the following slate for synodical 2nd- 5th vice-presidents :   1. John Wohlrabe                2. Daniel Preus                       3. David Adams                    4. Scott Murray

Motion passed.

 RESOLUTION #9: The Council recommends to the Voter’s assembly the following slate for synodical vice-president :         1. David Adams                    2. Scott Murray

Motion passed.

•  Kathy Landskroener noticed that our Lutheran Foundation primary delegate is still Rev. Baker, with Barb Szofran and Rev. Hellwege as alternates.

RESOLUTION #10 9: Rev. Mayes moved to elect Barb Szofran as the primary delegate. Karen Rolland seconded. Motion passed.

•  The Lutheran Foundation is matching donations to Haiti from congregations dollar for dollar. This program is open until February 28^th. 

RESOLUTION #11 10: Karen Rolland moved to announce to the congregation the matching opportunities for Haiti from Thrivent and the Lutheran Foundation. Any funds received by the congregation for Haiti will automatically be sent in to the Lutheran Foundation. Rebecca Mayes seconded.  Motion passed.

• Thrivent is matching $.50 on the dollar for members. These donations can be made through their website.
•  The next Voters’ meeting will be April 25^th.

 Having no further business Rev. Mayes moved to adjourn the meeting. Rebecca Mayes seconded. Motion passed.

 Respectfully submitted,

 Rebecca Mayes

Secretary