First Lutheran Church Council meeting
Wednesday, April 16, 2008 @ 8:00 p.m.

Evangelism Committee:
*Will send cards to those visitors that provide addresses that sign the Sunday worship guest register. Discussed ways to increase church attendance, welcome new church members and sponsorship.  Looking at ways to get feedback from active and inactive members.  Will ask for volunteers to serve summer coffee fellowship following services June-August. Reviewed upcoming church events-special roof project meeting, confirmation dinner and review, Senior recognition Sunday and Baccalaureate service at First Lutheran on May 28.

Worship Committee:
*Due to error on church calendar/newsletter, no meeting. Rogation Sunday is May 4th, special prayers and blessings for the planting season. Red geraniums are requested to decorate the chancel for the first Sunday of Pentecost, May 11th.  

Education Committee:
*Pastor will be meeting with committee on April 23rd.

Stewardship Committee:
*Discussed the special congregational roof project meeting with all votes positive.  Reviewed committee responsibilities.  Tentative date for visit from our missionaries the Bencke family is Wednesday, Ausust 6th for worship service preceded by supper.  Transportation and lodging will not need to be provided as they will stay in Hastings while in the US. Discussed holding another yard sale on August 16 during Rose Fest weekend. Fall Stewardship festival is tentatively set for October 5th if the school is available for use. Planning World Hunger drive in November. Discussed ways to increase offerings.  One suggestion is Thrivent' SIMPLY GIVING program for automatic withdrawals from your bank account.  Applications are available on-line or from Treasurer Don Herrlich.

Property & Management Committee:
*Report from structural engineer showed the new roof would be 8/10 of a pound per square foot too heavy and he could not approve the construction. Committee decided to go with 40-year shingles instead of 50-year ones to meet with the weight requirements. The shingles will be ordered before May 1 when prices will increase. Repair to the East Hall entrance will include a rubber roof, new flashing and tuck pointing, removal of old ceiling insulation, 2 x 6's, plywood and sheetrock of ceiling.

Youth Committee:
*Discussed summer activities for all grade levels, way s to involve parents in ASK and KFC.  Discussed date for the summer mission trip to Milwaukee. Looking for ideas for summer learning experience since GEV Day camp will not be held locally.

FLCW Report: Co-President J. Berg, M. Spidahl
*FLCW constitution has been updated to allow Nominating committee members to be elected. Bobbi Mathsen and Cindy Trapp were elected at the quarterly meeting. Kitchen committee Karen Fountaine, Carolyn Walker, Kayo Kirchhoff, and Kathy Ersland will look into purchasing new dishes, glasses and silverware.  Spring cleaning of the church began on April 8 , 11 & 12 and will be done again on the 18th & 19th of April . Cannon River Conference was held on April 5 at Trinity Lutheran in Wanamingo. Six attended from First Lutheran.  Planning for June Tea, Linda Cordes will contact possible speaker.    

Pastor Mathsen's Report
*Confirmation supper at 6 p.m. and review at 7 p.m. will be held on May 7. Confirmation will be held on May 11 at the 11 a.m. service for Kari Boyum, Amanda Chicos, Lauren Mallery and Jackie Story. KW Ministerium will hold High School Baccalaureate on May 28 at 7:30 p.m. at First Lutheran. Pastor Meline will preach. Discussed summer worship schedule that will begin on May 25. It was decided to hold one Sunday service at 9 a.m. and a 6:30 p.m. Wednesday service.  Education committee is short at least one committee member.  Pastor will meet with them at their next meeting to discuss. Pew Report-report from Pope Benedict shows church attendance issues are concerns are the same for Catholics as for Lutherans.

Youth Director's Report: C. Nesseth
*7th & 8th grade Sunday School class viewed Jesus Christ Superstar and discussed the resurrection of Christ.  ASK-talked about the risen Lord and the weekly gospel text. Last ASK is Monday, May 18.  ASK/KFC activity March 19, grades 1-7 met for snacks, devotions, games, crafts and assembled and delivered 21 Easter fruit baskets to shut-ins. Easter Breakfast involved 29 youth grades 7-12.  Upcoming Events-30-hour Famine will be held Friday night April 25. Youth in grades 8-12 are invited to raise awareness to World Hunger by having people sponsor their "Fast".  There will be bowling, devotions and end in "breaking the fast" meal. Sunday May 4 Ditch cleaning service project for grades 7-12.  This is a required confirmation service project, and service project for high-schoolers also. May 7-7th graders and parents will plan and host the confirmation meal.  May 18-Senior Recognition Sunday.  Senior class and parents have been invited to breakfast being planned and hosted by the Junior class and parents.  Seniors will help lead the 8:30 a.m. worship. May 21-Veggie Tale movie "Jonah" for grades 1-4 (and friends) in the fellowship Hall. Snacks will be provided.

Other Business
 *Linda Cordes read special congregational meeting report results on the roofing project.  Council will ask for suggestions from the Worship committee for dispersal of the WOV blue supplemental hymnals. Pastor reported a request for support from the Gideon's and suggested a monetary gift. We will provide envelopes for those wishing to contribute. Jim Malloy asked for opinions about the new lighting in the Fellowship Hall.

Treasurer's Report: D. Herrlich
* We are behind —$14,959.79 (income vs. expenses) at the end of the first quarter of the year. This information will be highlighted in the next newsletter.  Synod payment will be mailed next week. Maundy Thursday collection will be allocated as follows: $200 toward new hymnals and $180 to World Hunger,  the $173. collected in the glass jar during the Lenten season will  also go to World Hunger.  Treasurer has applied for a long term loan from the Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA at 6.5% interest for the roofing project. Presented a request from GEV for contributions to summer camperships. Council decided to give monetary support as needed to our own campers.

Endowment Committee:
Committee approved $3000 from fund to pay for structural engineer costs for the roof repair. Request for funds are available in 5 categories-1. Capitol Improvements 2. Community Outreach 3. Scholarships 4. ELCA missions and 5. Other.  Committee encourages requests for funds.  Forms are available.

President's Report:  C. Lozon
*Jim Fountaine, Pastor and Carol Lozon will attend the Synod Assembly in Rochester next weekend. Kenyon's current Habitat for Humanity House will be available in June. Need to find a new family for that home. Contact the church office if we know of interested families.

Linda Cordes, Secretary

The April budget shows we are behind -$14,959.79 (income vs. expenses) and have already borrowed $6000 from budget reserve.   Please give this matter your prayerful thought.

Pastoral Acts for the month

Baptisms:
Noah Jacob Grose
Son of David & Roberta Grose     4-6-08

Funerals:
Jasmin Cruz                                  4-25-08

Weddings:
None