A. Families who earnestly desire to raise their children to love and obey their Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.

B. Families who believe it would be beneficial to have help in educating their children, especially in areas where

1. the parents are weak in a certain subject matter , i.e.

a. upper level mathematics

b. foreign languages

2. the students would benefit by being in a group setting, i.e.

a. history classes with discussion groups

b. debate classes

c. musical ensembles

C. Families who want their children to master important concepts

1. in their intellects in preparation for higher education,

2. in their hearts in preparation for life as God’s joyful and willing servants here on this earth and into eternity.

II. Why support home school families?

A. While all parents want the best education for their children, home school parents have made the commitment to invest their personal time and energy to see that it happens.

B. Many home school parents take seriously the Lord’s command to teach the children about what He has done. These parents recognize that training them when they rise up, when they sit down, when they are walking… is best done all day long on the fresh slate of their children’s minds rather than having to undo the false teaching received in schools that do not recognize God as Creator and Redeemer.

III. Should we be available to support any home school family?

No. Not all home school parents recognize Jesus as Lord of their lives or of their children’s education. I suggest that we focus our efforts on like-minded families whose primary concern is that the education their children receive is Christ-centered and cross-focused.

IV. What do we at Emmaus Lutheran Church have to offer?

A. Faith in the true Creator God, given by the power of the Holy Spirit, to believe unto salvation that Jesus Christ, true God and true man, died and rose again to pay the penalty for our sins.

B. Members already experienced in and committed to raising their own children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord via home schooling and earnestly desiring to pass this on to more families.

C. Several well-educated members with training and teaching skills in such areas as

1. Lutheran theology

2. history

3. foreign languages

a. Greek

b. Hebrew

c. Latin

4. music

5. upper level mathematics

6. upper level science

D. An empty but quite usable facility which is currently being a blessing to 6 home school families.

E. A desire to serve more neighbors, whether they be

1. nearby in the Fox Park neighborhood,

2. in the downtown St. Louis area where home school support which is currently lacking, or

3. in the greater St. Louis area where a Lutheran-focused, quality, classical home school support system has yet to be developed.

V. How will offering to help these families help the congregation at Emmaus?

1. Emmaus has an extremely high percentage of well-educated teachers who could be using their gifts towards eternity in this venture.

2. Emmaus will grow because there are Lutheran home school families who are looking for a congregation where

a. the home built around the crucified and risen Christ is central,

b. the authority of Scripture is affirmed,

c. the headship of the father is mandated,

d. wisdom is found because they are rooted in the fear of the Lord,

e. Truth remains Truth, in spite of current fads,

f. like-minded parents will encourage and edify them as they teach their children in all knowledge and wisdom, and

g. home school children will be encouraged because they will see that they are not alone but have many other home school friends learning the heart and wisdom lessons that they are learning.

VI. How can we let people know what we have to offer?

1. Conventions – Attend the upcoming St. Louis home school conventions with materials about what we are currently offering and what we could offer.

2. Advertising: Use every possible available advertising venue, i.e.

a. Talk/invite – People are interested!

b. Community bulletin boards, Starbucks

c. St. Louis LCMS church bulletins/newsletters

d. Partners in Chime handbell choir – Play at various interested Lutheran churches to share what we are doing.

e. Open house – Share our music, our spring play, examples of this semester’s work

f. Website – Build it, maintain it

g. Real estate agents – Many families don’t consider moving to the city because they want quality education for their children. Realtors would benefit knowing about us and they could let clients know we are available.

We at Emmaus have an incredible opportunity. The Lord is the only One who knows how big this could be as we continue to trust Him and serve Him.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen Rolland

Dear members of Emmaus Lutheran Church,

After much prayer and consideration, not only since receiving your call, but in the months leading up to it as well, it is with joy and thankfulness to our LORD and Savior that I announce that I am accepting the call to serve  you as your pastor.

I have enjoyed serving you as vacancy pastor and, through this, getting to know you. Now as I look forward to a fuller and more permanent form of service, I do so with hope and expectation of what our LORD is planning to do at Emmaus.

…I don’t think I can put into words just how much your onging love, support, and belief in me has meant to me. I pray for God’s blessing for each of you and for the work at Emmaus.

In Christ,

Pastor John Hellwege

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

 CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 10:30am.

 REPORTS-CONGREGATIONAL OFFICERS

Vacancy Pastor’s Report

No report.

 President’s Report: Scot Kinnaman

• He’s in contact with Pres. Mirly regarding the call process and has been unsuccessful at contacting Rev. Marth, the circuit counselor. He’ll keep trying.

 Bookkeeper’s Report: Kathy Landskroener

May Budget Receipts:        $5,226.21

May Special Funds Receipts:     $1,106.50

TOTAL MAY RECEIPTS:          $6,332.71

 May Budget Disbursements:        $5,025.75

May Special Funds Disbursements:  $0

TOTAL MAY DISBURSEMENTS:        $5,025.75

MAY CASH FLOW:   $1,308.96

Secretary’s Report: Rebecca Mayes

• The second rummage sale is taking place today.
• The trash service will be cancelled as of July 1^st.
• The Homeschool BBQ raised over $100.
• Still looking into phone service. There will be a month overlap with AT&T and postcards will be sent out to our “friends” and members announcing the change. An announcement will be put in the newsletter as well.
• The Council approved the printing of postcards to send to our visitors, which will include contact information for the church and pastor, and a thank you for their visit.

REPORTS-BOARDS AND STANDING COMMITTEES

Stewardship Report: Dr. Ben Mayes

• Will be working on the school supply giveaway soon.
• Pledgers have not been called yet.
• The parenting class is still planned for the fall.

Trustee’s Report: Dr. Mayes

• We have three companies who will give us estimates on the AC repairs.
• Planning to ask JR about the possibility of doing zoned heating with the radiators in the school. Paul Brendel had some suggestions already.
• The mowing schedule seems to be working well.
• Kurt sprayed for weeds at the church and school.
• Kurt received a quote of $8,700 from the insurance broker regarding our property insurance. This is still $2,000 above what we had aimed for. He will continue talking with them about how much higher our deductible would need to be in order to decrease our premium closer to our goal.

 NEW BUSINESS

RESOLUTION #1: Dr. Mayes moved to elect Barb Szofran as the head of the Evangelism Board. Kurt seconded. Motion passed.

The meeting adjourned at 11:10am.

 Respectfully submitted,

Rebecca Mayes

Council members present: Rev. Scot Kinnaman, Rebecca Mayes, Rev. Ben Mayes, Kurt Rolland, Karen Rolland, Kathy Landskroener.

CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 10am.

APPROVAL OF THE PREVIOUS MINUTES: Available online for review. Minutes approved.

REPORTS-CONGREGATIONAL OFFICERS

Vacancy Pastor’s Report (written and submitted prior to meeting):

• We will begin to have regular prayer services on the first Wednesday of each month.  The plan to is meet for a pot-luck supper with a prayer service to follow.  However, the schedule of June is a little out of whack, so we will have it on the second Wednesday, June 9.  We will meet in the school building at 6:00 for supper with the prayer service to follow.  Tentative plans are to have the July meeting at my house, on July 7.
•  Our quarterly private confession and absolution will also be moved to June 9 at 5:30 at the church in order to simplify schedules.
• The Friday Homeschool co-op had its final class day yesterday, Friday May 21, 2010.  This next Wednesday we will have a closing program that will include both a hand bell concert and a play based on the book of Ruth.  The schedule is dinner at 5:00 (a nominal fee will be asked to pay for the meat), bells at 6:30, break for dessert at 7:30, and the play at 8:00.
• We are moving forward with plans for next year.  The plan is to transition from a co-op to a form of a school where students will pay for classes.  In light of this we are presently attempting to finalize a new name.  The present ideas are: Didaché Institute, Emmaus Classical Institute.  We are leaning towards calling this an institute since this is sufficiently generic that it works not only for the school effort, but also could cover other activities that we might choose to run out of the building as well. (The Council approved “Emmaus Classical Academy.”)
• You may see the other attachment for our plans for the schedule as well as costs.  The plan is for the students to pay tuition that will pay the teachers.  We are also asking for a yearly registration fee of $25 per family that will go to Emmaus for use of the building.  On top of this, we are asking all to participate in one service project for Emmaus and one fund-raiser each semester.  Dr. Mayes suggested that we make the first service project be to assist with the school supplies give away.  (There was discussion on the state laws regarding homeschool education, and how Emmaus is in no way violating any laws by offering a one-day-a-week supplemental education opportunity. These classes will also be available to other students, especially in the neighbor. This needs to be publicized. The academy will be in session on Fridays from 9:30am – 4:30pm.)

 President’s Report: Scot Kinnaman

• President Kinnaman will contact President Mirly this coming week.

 Bookkeeper’s Report: Kathy Landskroener

April Budget Receipts:        $6,365.19

April Special Funds Receipts:     $25

TOTAL APRIL RECEIPTS:          $6,390.19

 April Budget Disbursements:        $3,093.50

April Special Funds Disbursements:  $      100

TOTAL APRIL DISBURSEMENTS:        $3,193.50

 APRIL CASH FLOW:   $3,196.69

 The latest pledges total is $43,405. Several people have said that they can’t pledge but will continue to give as they are able. 

• The organ fund was zeroed out.
• The Council agreed that if Kathy needs to move any funds from our savings to our checking she should get verbal approval from a signer on the account.
• There was discussion on estate planning and how we can communicate opportunities to Emmaus supporters. Rebecca will look into publications from the LCMS Foundation, including a consistent blurb to include in the newsletters, and also something we can include on our website.
• The basketball team didn’t actually pay anything all year. After the call has taken place the Council will address this in a letter to the coach asking that we return to our original written agreement for some payment next year.

 Secretary’s Report: Rebecca Mayes

• The first rummage sale was May 15^th. We brought in over $1,000. The other two are scheduled for June 12^th and 26^th. The basketball team is donating 10% of their proceeds to us.
• A letter of thanks was sent to “Apple of His Eye” ministries to thank them for considering our property for their offices.
• Laclede removed the gas meter from church.
• There was discussion on a new phone service for church. Rebecca has found that T-mobile seems to have the best plan. We would move to using a cell phone only and will notify members and newsletter recipients of the new number prior to changing it.
• Judy Kinnaman has agreed to serve as our congregational advocate for Thrivent.
• Rebecca asked for permission to put up bulletin boards at church with photos of what’s happening at Emmaus. Permission was granted.

 REPORTS-BOARDS AND STANDING COMMITTEES

Stewardship Report: Dr. Ben Mayes

•  Servant event from NE not coming to us.

    Need mailing list for pledges; can start calling soon.

•  August school supply event: needs to be planned by end of June.

•  Parenting class in the fall. Kurt: Need to more effectively advertise (e.g. Breadco). Kurt and Karen may offer the class about teens. Ben and Rebecca will continue offering the beginning class.

 Trustee’s Report: Dr. Mayes

  Getting a bid from JR Heating & Cooling on the AC. Will get other bids soon.

•  Lawn mowing schedule. (Kurt, me, Andrew/Chad = 3; later Frank)

•  Recommendations from Diane Hayes’s company have already been implemented at Emmaus, except for insulation. There was discussion on whether the radiators in the upper floors of the school could be separately regulated since we don’t need to heat those rooms. Dr. Mayes will ask JR Heating and Cooling.

•  Bumpers have been moved by the school. Still need to paint and seal the asphalt in that area.

RESOLUTION #1: Dr. Mayes moved to approve changing the phone service to a T-mobile cell plan. Rebecca seconded. Motion passed.

 This change (and the new number) will be announced prior to ending service with AT&T.

 Education: Karen Rolland

• As heard in Rev. Hellwege’s report, the homeschool co-op is ending next week. Cami Barger is manning a dessert auction to raise money for keyboards for next year’s music class.

 RESOLUTION #2: Karen moved to name the homeschool group the “Emmaus Classical Academy.” Kurt seconded. Motion passed.

 The meeting adjourned at 11:20am.

 Respectfully submitted,

 Rebecca Mayes

To God alone be the glory!

+Scot Kinnaman
President, Emmaus Ev. Lutheran Church U.A.C

Potluck and Prayer: At Emmaus we are sincerely seeking God’s will and blessing for our people and congregation. Our Lord urges us in Matthew 18:19-20 “If two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I among them.” In faith, we are going to take our needs to our God in prayer, planning on meeting this Wednesday at the school. We will meet at 6:00 with a pot-luck supper and then gather for prayer. Please join us as we raise our voices in prayer to our gracious God.

Emmaus Garage Sale – The parents of the basketball team which has been using our gym are running a second garage sale to help us clean up our school basement. We greatly appreciate their efforts! The next sale will be held this Saturday and and again on June 26 from 8-2. If you have items you would like to donate, time you would like to offer to help, or items you would like to buy, please talk with Rebecca Mayes (rbmayes@gmail.com, 229-1134) for further information.

Theological Discussion will be Thursday, June 17 at Gelateria del Leone on Grand Ave. just north of Wyoming. This month’s topic is confirmation and first communion and will be led by Rev. Dr. Benjamin Mayes.