St. John Lutheran Council Meeting Minutes
Date: 12/14/14
Attendees:
Dennis Steinke
Ed Kidston
Pastor Paul
Carol Eriksen
Chase Henry
Holly Miller
Amy Eriksen
Nathan Baker
Wanda Henry
Jason Luke
Jeanne Willson
Merlin Wright
Matthew Luke
Dave Deetz
Susie Mick
Joan Becker
Sharon Deetz
Julie Carlson
Chris Whitis
Dave Jaessing
Ric Clark
Various Issues and Objectives
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Dennis Steinke called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m.
Sharon Deetz read devotion followed with prayer. Deacons will read devotions next meeting.
Motion approved the reading of the minutes from previous month by Nathan Baker and seconded by Amy Eriksen.
Financial report beginning balance of $35,885.01, deposited $23,717.89, withdraw $23,510.48 ending balance of
$36,062.42.
Motion approved financial report by Joan Becker and second by Chris Whitis. Motion carried.
Deacon’s report: Jason Luke , Nathan Baker, and Dave Deetz
o Updated Sunday’s service attendance in November.
 Early
 Average 27
 Late
 Average 110
o Set up tables and made coffee for meeting
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Deacons have been asked to replace two lights; spotlight on nativity and south door.
Deacons have been helping bringing in and taking out the nativity pieces for Wednesday night service.
Pastor report
o Services:
 Ten Sunday services
 Five sermons
 One worship service at Evergreen
o Visitations:
 Six homes, nursing home, and hospital
 Five office or elsewhere
o Meetings:
 Five
o other events attended:
 Eleven
o Classes taught:
 Seven
o Other:
 Other media: telephone, emails, Facebook
 Pastor updated that he averages 6-7 personal Facebook messages a month.
o Pastor is working on getting Pastor Riak from South Sudan to come visit us Jan. 19th.
o Andy Brigle has offered to do any promotions that St. John’s may need for any upcoming events.
o Pastor Paul announced that we have been increasing our number of bulletins, and that we will be raising the
number even more since children’s program is this Sunday.
Elders Report: Jeanne Willson, Joan Becker, Susie Mick, Merlin Wright, Matthew Luke, and Pastor Paul
o Schedule set for Holy Communion and assisting elders.
 12/24 Susie Mick and Joan Becker
 12/28 Merlin Wright and Joan Becker
 1/4 Matthew Luke – early service
 Jeannie Willson – late service
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1/25 Matthew Luke – early service
 Susie Mick and Joan Becker – late service
o Pastor Mike Tamorria will be supply pastor for Dec. 28th and Feb. 15th for the late services.
o Pastor Paul will be at 1st NALC pastor conference Feb. 10th – 12th, an on vacation Feb. 13th - 16th.
o Jeanne Willson will continue to be lead Elder and Joan Becker will be secretary.
Parish Ed: Julie Carlson, Chris Whitis and Sharon Deetz
o Sharon Deetz will make the year end summary for the congregational meeting.
o Everything is set for the children’s program next Sunday, Dec. 21st.
o Gifts/cards are ready for the shut ins when we carol on Dec. 21st.
o Need to determine a date for 3rd grade Bible Sunday.
Trustee report: Carol Eriksen, Pastor Paul, Dave Jaessing, Ed Kidston, Amy Eriksen, Dennis Steinke, Ric Clark, Merlin Wright,
Wanda Henry, and Chase Henry
o Paid and unpaid bills reviewed and approved, Motion by Dave Jaessing seconded by Wanda Henry, motion passed.
New Business
o Pastor recommended adding Jodi Grime’s name to Luther League checking account. Motion to approve by Wanda
Henry, seconded by Dave Jaessing, motion passed to remove Carol Eriksen and add Jodi Grime to checking account.
o Considered giving offering envelopes to youth who have been confirmed. Motion made by Dave Jaessing, seconded
by Wanda Henry, motion approved.
o Credit card for Pastor Paul or Holly Miller to order supplies. Motion to approve by Wanda Henry, seconded by Dave
Jaessing, motion passed to get two credit cards for church use.
o Report of budget by Carol. Transfer of various accounts from Huntington Bank to First Federal Bank.
o Discussion on Money Market accounts at Huntington Bank. Leave for the present time.
o Motion to close out general checking, capital improvements, savings, mission fund checking, youth checking
account, memorial savings, and youth savings.
o Ric Clark and Chase Henry, effective Jan. 15, 2015, able to sign checks. Carol Eriksen’s name will be removed.
Motion made by Wanda Henry, seconded by Dave Jaessing, motion approved.
o Quote from Owen’s for new lights tabled until Jan. 2015.
o WIFI contacts unable to assist with installation until Jan. 2015.
o Who will purchase Pastor’s microphone batteries, janitorial supplies, etc. after Carol retires?
o Approved use of social room on Dec. 27th by Dave and Sharon Deetz.
o Direct deposit of payroll checks beginning in Jan. 2015. Please submit necessary banking info to Chase Henry by
Jan. 1st.
o Pastor Paul asked Chase Henry if he would be providing the paper work and he stated that he would get us what we
need.
o Motion to approve all reports by Jeanne Willson and second by Susie Mick. Motion carried.
New business
o Amy Eriksen announced she received a letter from Bryan Sanctuary homeless shelter. They are requesting a
donation. A letter was received stating the urgency of collecting donations at this time of year. Amy stated that we
have used all our local benevolence money from the budget.
o Dave Deetz requested approval for updating the shelving in northeast room. The men’s group would turn the
closets into shelving. The group would supply all materials needed. Motion approved to update shelving by Nathan
Baker and second by Amy Eriksen. Motion carried.
o Dave Deetz also bought to the council that the flooring needs to be updated, tiles are not sticking down to the floor
and they need to be updated and replace. Sharon Deetz was concerned on safety issue but the tiles that were loose
have been removed. Ed Kidston made a motion to use Capital Improvements fund to replace tile and to have the
Trustees decide on installation and cost. Motion made by Ed Kidston and second by Sharon Deetz. Motion
approved.
o Disbursement of Thrivent Dollars was discussed.
o Dave Deetz suggested using it for the flooring in the northeast room.
 Motion made, but defeated.
o Dave Jaessing suggested donating it to the Youth group for their Chicago trip.
 It was voted against giving Thrivent dollars to youth group for Chicago trip.
o Amy Eriksen suggested using it for the Bryan Sanctuary homeless shelter.
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Motion to donate all Thrivent Dollars to Bryan Sanctuary by Ed Kidston and second by Chris Whitis.
Motion carried.
o Council discussed dates for the yearly congregation meeting. Motion made by Ed Kidston to have the meeting on
Feb. 8, 2015 second by Amy Eriksen. Motion carried.
o All committee reports are due to the Secretary Holly Miller by Jan. 11, 2015 so she can get them ready for the Feb.
8th congregation meeting.
o Council set a date for installation of officers for Jan. 11, 2015.
o Carol need two resolutions voted on by council for Pastor Paul’s reimbursement policy. A copy of the “Full
Accountable Reimbursement Policy” is in permanent record.
 Pastor expenses of $3,800.00 for 2015.
 Pastor housing allowance of $16,480.00 for 2015.
 Motion to approve resolution for expenses by Nathan Baker and second by Amy Eriksen. Motion carried.
 Motion to approve housing allowance by Nathan Baker and second by Amy Eriksen. Motion carried.
o Ed Kidston has offered Pastor Riak housing at the Ramada Inn when he comes to our congregation Jan. 19, 2015.
Dennis Steinke thanked everyone for all they have done this past year, everything they did was appreciated.
Next council meeting Jan.11, 2015.
Ric Clark moved to adjourn and second by Jeanne Willson, ended with Lord Prayer.
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