Congregation Meeting, February 21, 2010

Congregation President Gary Wolfe called meeting to order at 12:15pm.  Pastor Embree gave Devotion on the Apostle’s Creed and opened the meeting in prayer.

Gary Wolfe announced that we would need a Quorum of 71 in attendance (10% of the congregation).  A total of 111 members were in attendance and Gary declared that a Quorum is present.

Approval of the February 2009 and  November 2009 Congregation Meeting Minutes  .  Minutes were reviewed and a motion made to adopt the meeting minutes.  Motion was seconded and carried.

President’s remarks.  Gary Wolfe discussed that the year was challenging;  we said goodbye to Pastor Brown and Joyce; Pastor Dan and Shirley Myers; and an opportunity to welcome Pastor Embree as Interim Pastor;  Peter Tuff as Music Director and Georgianna Askoff as our new organist.  The transition went as smoothly as possible, but it is a change and we all react to it.    We see different people with different faces, some little changes in the liturgy, which makes us “squirm,” but with God’s love we will continue.”  We also faced challenges from the 2009 Churchwide Assembly vote which was discussed later in the meeting.

Gary also informed the congregation that church council has met monthly and committees have continued to meet.  Much of our work is done by our committees and Gary expressed his deep appreciation for all the work they do.  “We do some amazing things – God’s Work but Our Hands.” Our outreach and various committees do some amazing things in making sure that we do what we are here to do for.  Many of us serve on committees or volunteers or participate in our life here.  Gary expressed his thanks to the congregation, “thank you for being here, thank you for all you do”.  Some of you volunteer regularly or time-to-time, or just coming to church, which makes family here all the more special and loving.  Gary thanked the congregation for their support and with God’s help he was able to provide leadership to the congregation.

Committee Reports.  Committee reports were discussed by the following:  Worship and Music – Debra Gruttadauro; Evangelism – Jean Alexander; Church in Society – Wyman Ketterling; Stewardship and Finance – Dave Kretzmann; Treasurer’s Report – Pat Mitchell; Youth – Karen Gorman; Education – Kim Legard; Property – Roger Lundquist; Women of the ELCA – Jane Kretzmann; Personnel Committee – Dave Kretzmann; Audit Committee – Roger Lundquist; Webmaster – Duane Meneely discussed the purposes of the church website; and Call Committee – Duane Meneely.

Stewardship and Finance.  Dave discussed the approval of the balanced budget for the first time in several years in the November meeting.  He discussed the contingency plan for the 2010 budget that will take effect if our income is less than anticipated or if we running a deficit.  The council has approved a contingency plan to further reduce staffing, and/or operating expenses should our income fall short of what we expect and hope for.  The plan will be put into effect in April if our total General Fund income in the first quarter is less than $85,000, or if our year-to-date expenses for that period exceed our total income.  The most significant element of our budget contingency plan is to reduce church office hours from 40 to 35 hours per week; reducing office manager’s salary and pension contributions by a proportionate amount.  Other elements of the contingency plan include renegotiating landscape maintenance contract; eliminating AT&T yellow pages advertising; reducing support to monthly youth events and summer mission trips; and eliminating general fund support to Women Alive.

Old Business:

Ratify council appointment to an existing vacancy on council.  Gary made a motion to elect Robin Lindquist as a representative to the Youth committee on council.  Motion seconded and carried.

New Business: 

Two weeks ago, Gary distributed two letters regarding a memo for council action to help provide leadership and continue our relationship with the ELCA.  There are two motions:

First Motion:  The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd supports the change in the ELCA ministry policies allowing for the rostering/calling of individuals in publicly accountable life-long monogamous same-gender relationships.

After congregational debate, congregation voted by ballot.  Motion failed, Yes 34, No 77, 3 Abstain

Second Motion:  The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd continue its mission partnership with the Sierra Pacific Synod and the ELCA churchwide expression

After congregational debate, congregation voted by ballot.  Motion passed, Yes 75, No 35, 4 Abstain

Pastor Embree – Pastor Embree gave a brief summary of his report.  He concurs with Gary’s comments of congregation support for various ministries.  He expressed his gratefulness to the congregation for their support.  Pastor Embree expressed his thanks for the congregation calling him to be interim pastor.  He closed his comments with Psalm 27, verses 1and 2.  He again thanked the congregation for their love and support.

Gary thanked the congregation for their attendance and hard work.

Pastor Embree gave closing prayer.  Meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                                //SIGNED//

Mark Nelson                                                                                      Council Secretary