Council Notes: August 14, 2019

Council was called to order by President Debbie Hollenbach and commenced with devotions from Sharon Hood from Psalm 111.

New Business:

• Monetary Donation from Piligian Family – Faith has received a memorial in the amount of $2500 from Rob Piligian in memory/honor of his parents, Pat and Hiag. He requested that the funds be used to spread the word. Pastor G sent a thank you to the family
  
• Community Outdoor Movie Nights – This is a wonderful ministry which is attended by community members and church members alike. Council discussed what procedures must be followed when proposing community events.
  
• Families in Need – the question was asked regarding the church’s response to requests for families asking for financial help.
  
• Church Picnic at Little Farm Estates – Sharon is hosting this event and inviting the residents of her community. We have secured Thrivent funds to cover some of the costs, but sides and desserts will be needed. More discussion about the picnic (including possible games to get folks interacting) will be held during a Fellowship meeting on August 25.
  
• Process for new ideas for events, projects, expenditures:
  
  • What Ministry team does it fall under? o Who has ownership?
    
  • Council asks the Ministry team to make a decision/recommendation.
    
  • If funding is involved, where would funding come from?
    
  • Ministry team reports back to council.
    
  • Council approves. If not, reasons are provided back to the Ministry team.

Secretary’s Report: The June and August meeting notes will be reviewed for approval in September.
Treasurer’s Report: Council reviewed the July report with Denise. President’s Report: See ministry budget process under Finance.

Pastor’s Report: Since the topic of LBGTQ in the ELCA and our church has been coming up frequently, now is the time for a discussion with the congregation. Pastor G is planning a 6-week Bible Study (between services) that will cover the ELCA’s stance, how this was derived, and the biblical scholarship behind it.

Transition Team:

• The transition team has been meeting regularly and making headway with incorporating the congregation’s feedback into the MSP. We are still hoping to have it submitted to the Synod before the Dean’s meeting in September. Before this can happen, the congregation needs to approve it
  
• We will need to have a “Call Team” in place shortly. This is chosen by Pastor G based on recommendations from council and those that have expressed an interest. Note that those on the Transition team are not eligible.
  
• The call committee’s work is:
  
  • Call Committee receives names of candidates, along with their paperwork, from the Synod. They are required to keep all of the information, including the names of candidates, confidential.
    
  • The Call Team determines which (if any) of the presented candidates they wish to interview. They arrange the interview times and conduct interviews.
    
  • If the committee wishes to continue with any candidates, they then arrange a time to attend worship led by the candidate.
    
  • Following this interview process, the committee may recommend one name to the council. Any other candidates are released from the process. This is done in conversation, and with the assistance of the Office of the Bishop representative. The Interim pastor is not involved in this process.
    
  • Council interviews the candidates and makes the decision to recommend one to the congregation. If candidate is recommended to the congregation, steps are taken to arrange for the candidate to meet the congregation, lead worship, and a congregational meeting is called for the purpose of a call vote.
    
  • This entire process occurs with the call committee working with the representative from the Office of the Bishop.

Ministry Team Reports:
Christian Education:

• VBS was a huge success with 57 children (86% were from the community and 14% from our church) and 28 teachers/helpers. Thanks to all those who worked so hard and donated their time, talent, and funding to teach our littlest disciples.
  
• Note for next year – move the VBS fund-raiser night to Wednesday to allow the students and their families more time to plan.
  
• The Christian Education team will be calling a meeting, including all current teachers, to get a proposal for changes to the current Sunday school schedule. Parents were asked for their opinions for the best timing, but we received no feedback.

Communications: No report.

Evangelism: Denise received an invoice from Compassion International, which she called them about. In the past, we have proactively sent them a check for $1000 to cover our two children. Since this is more than what is required, it had accumulated, but now our funds have run out. Denise paid the minimum amount due $54. The following action items will be taken:

• As liaison, Sharon will talk to Doug about the next steps.
  
• A meeting of the Evangelism Team is to be called to discuss if we will continue with this project. Options include keeping the same program (then how much do we send), try something different, etc.

Finance:

• The finance team will be meeting in September.
  
• This year’s budget process will be as follows: Each mutual ministry team will be given their current spend for this year. They will be asked to provide what they think they need. They must also provide an explanation of what their team does (not just how the money was spent, but why and what return is expected).

Fundraising:

• Pretzels netted $14.
  
• June Scrapbooking on June 7-8 netted $650.
  
• Redner’s Register Receipts netted $57.30.
  
• Remember to buy your GIANT gift cards!

Property/Building Usage:

• Dale relayed a request from Marty and the Garden Club. She would like to have their team clean up all the fallen branches and wood from the back of the parking lot, cut them to size, let them season over the winter, then offer them free for firepit wood outside the church. As long as they have willing hands, this is fine to do; however, a time limit needs to be set for how long it sits out before the Prunkels take it.
  
• The potholes are back at our entrance. Dale will be coordinating the repair, possibly with the help of the Elder Daycare next door.

Social Ministry: August’s project is fruit cups for Manna on Main Street.

Stewardship: We will discuss presentation of the 2020 budget and pledging at September’s council meeting.

Transportation:

• Dale had asked for guidance on the “2 person” rule when providing transportation. It was recommended that the person receiving the ride be asked of their needs.
  
• Since we may not always be able to fulfill each request, it was suggested that we provide information on medical transportation available in our area.

Worship & Music:

• Adam has provided a proposal for a new wireless microphone since the old one is no longer working. It was approved by council. The funding will come from the new Piligian Memorial Fund – no better way to “spread the word” than with a microphone.
  
• Discussions were held regarding the Music Team move. It was noted that there was a proposal from W&M team, but the council did not review or approve (a slight misstep in the process since we did not meet in July). The process is underway to turn the adult forum room into the music team room.

Mutual Ministry:

• Pastor G will meet with Lauren, Debbie, Teri Apgar, and Marc Erskine to determine a path forward (since Teri and Marc’s two-year appointment has ended).
  
• Reminders from June:
  
  • The Transition team will be working on the job descriptions for a part-time and full-time Pastor. o We also need job descriptions for the sexton, secretary, and organist/choir director. For these, the Mutual Ministry team and Pastor G should meet to write the descriptions. Then council will need to approve them. Then they will be provided to the employee for acceptance.

Old Business:

• E-giving Update – Jack reported that the system is finally in place. He will send the links to Lauren. Some will be asked to “test” the process before the launch on September 15.
  
• Constitution Review – Linda and Lauren met with Pastor G on two occasions to compare our constitution (which has not been approved by Synod since the 90s) and the Synod template that has sections that must be included, word-for- word.
  
  • The council was provided the marked-up version and we asked for questions/discussion.
    
  • The bylaws were not modified (this can occur, if needed, with the new Pastor).
    
  • After a few clarifications were made the council approved.
    
  • Next steps: Lauren will clean up the edits and provide the file to Pastor, Pastor will forward to the Synod, Synod will come back with approval or changes necessary.
    
  • If approved by Synod, the congregation will vote to adopt the revised constitution at the January congregational meeting.
    
  • Note that we would like to request to move the Annual Congregational Council meeting (off a holiday weekend), which can be suggested at the next congregation meeting.

​Next Meeting: September 11 at 7pm.

Dear Friends,

In the past few weeks I have mentioned a few of the actions of the Churchwide Assembly in mysermons. I hope that you will visit the ELCA website for more information about the important work done at those meetings. You can also read the National Bishops comments there. If you do not have access to the internet and would like more information let me know and I will provide copies.

It is important during a congregational transition to be linked to both the ELCA and to the Synod. The candidates for call come from those bodies and have been trained and served in them. Being linked means having an idea of what the ELCA and our synod are about. What do we teach, what do our church documents say, how do we talk about social issues like racism, justice, health care, immigration, gender and sexuality, among others? I know that there is significant interest about many of these issues in our congregation. 

To help in our congregational understanding of how the ELCA forms policy and social statements, and to give us a place to talk about the ELCA stance on issues - particularly issues of sexuality - I would like to invite all of you to Adult forum this fall, where I will lead a discussion/bible study to open up our knowledge and conversation regarding these challenging issues, the ELCA, and our self-understanding. 

We have planned 6 weeks beginning September 8th, 9:15-10:15am. We will meet in the "round room" upstairs.

I know that there are often strong feelings when social issues and issues regarding sexuality are discussed. I ask that you come with an open heart and spirit, and with an attitude of respect for the varied opinions and experiences that people have. I am confident that when there is open study, conversation, and exploration of a topic, we all learn and grow. 

I look forward to your participation in the Christian Education opportunity.


Blessings,
Pastor G

Council Notes May 1, 2019

Council was called to order by President Debbie Hollenbach and commenced with prayer led by Dale Foster. Devotions and Mission Statement were read.
New Business:

• Stewardship e-giving. Jack relayed the information he had on a company that is used by other in the ELCA. The Finance Team needs to meet to formulate the next steps with set up and presentation to the congregation. Note that we will present this as another option, not a push for change.
• The Korean church has requested meeting at an earlier time. Pastor G will call Pastor Shin to discuss further.

Secretary’s Report: The minutes of the April council meeting were approved as submitted to the council via email.

Treasurer’s Report:
Denise Bailey was kind enough to provide us with a draft of the April report (month had just ended the day before) and asked for any feedback on the set up of the report.

Pastor’s Report:

• It was requested that Pastor announce kneeling, standing or sitting during the prayer.
• A donation to the ELCA in-gathering project was discussed.

President’s Report: There was discussion about how to make accommodations for Laura to be able to do her job with her mobility handicap. The Worship and Music Team will meet and discuss options and present a plan to council.

Transition Team:

• June’s Mustard Seed will start with Transition Team topics. First will be regarding the “rules of engagement.”
• The next team meeting is in May.
• Pastor G hopes that we could have our “profile” completed by August for a congregation review, prior to sending to Synod.
• The team will put together a timeline on a bulletin board in
• the hallway.
• There was a suggestion to label some mailboxes for the Transition Team suggestions/complaints.
• It was suggested that for the next full congregation event the congregation be told in advance what to expect so that they can gather their thoughts beforehand.

Ministry Team Reports

Christian Education:

• “Summer Thing at Faith” for the kids was discussed.
• A VBS meeting is coming soon. Volunteers are still
• needed. Advertising should start now.
• It was suggested that there be a meeting of the parents of the Sunday School-aged children to get their thoughts on the timing of Sunday School for the Fall.

Communications:
Lauren began publishing Pastors’ Mustard Seed articles on Facebook and the church website.

Finance:
We had a good month. Vince Hill stopped in to report that some of our solar energy credits had been sold. The funds will be directed to the general fund.

Fundraising:

• Remember Giant gift cards!
• The total for the Palm Sunday (including matching funds) birthday gift to the church was $420. This will be discussed in 2020 to see if this fundraiser should be continued.
• The Spring Fling team will meet again on May 5. Thrivent funds have arrived, vendors are signed up, we have a menu, signage is going up and volunteers are being recruited.

Property/Building Usage:

• A lot was accomplished on workday.
• Dale will ask Marty Boland for a plan of what comes next
• for landscaping.
• Marty is collecting aluminum cans for funds for the landscaping costs. A portion will be tithed to an ELCA program.

Social Ministry:

• A meeting is scheduled for May 7.
• There is a flowerpot out for monetary donations for
• the church’s landscaping, with a tithe back to an ELCA program.

Transportation:

• There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board for drivers needed for doctors appointments.
• A possible social ministry project to raise funds for medical transportation was discussed.

Old Business:

• Gary and Sharon will be attending Synod on May 3-4.
• Linda and Lauren will be helping with a Constitution review.

Next Meeting: June 5 at 7pm.

Dear Friends,
​
For the next several months I thought that I would use this space to talk about “topics of transition!” I’ll formulate the topics from things that often come up during pastoral transition and from questions and topics that you bring to my attention. This month’s topic falls under the category of questions that I have been asked.  And the topic is saying goodbye. 

We all know that the very fact that a congregation is in transition means that they have had to say farewell to a pastor who has lead and loved and served them for a significant amount of time. This is not a small thing! To say farewell can mean celebration, as was the case here at Faith as you celebrated Pastor Nelson’s retirement with her, but behind celebration is the loss. You have gone to this person for spiritual guidance and support, you have shared joys and sorrows, you have developed deep ties, you have been part of one another’s lives. So, yes, we celebrate a new chapter in of life- the pastor’s and ours- but the former pastor is missed, especially at times of deepest sorrow or celebration. And our habits and our hearts we may want to reach out to that person for comfort and in joy.

These deep ties are the reason that our denomination and synod, along with many other, has set guidelines to assist in this part of a congregation’s transition. Denomination and synodical leaders have learned that having a process for moving forward benefits both the congregation- as they prepare to call new leadership, and the pastor who is leaving- as they move on to the new chapter in their life.
In all congregations in our synod (and in most if not all other synods), when a pastor leaves a congregation, for any reason, they sign a covenant agreement to separate themselves from the life of the congregation and all of its members. This covenant is signed with the church council prior to the assignment of an interim and bridge pastor.

There are reasons for each part of this process: It is done prior to the assignment of the interim or bridge pastor because the agreement is not something requested by another pastor, it is part of the synodical process of guiding congregations through healthy transitions. And it is part of the process because we know that when this separation doesn’t occur it makes moving forward complicated for both parties.

But we need to acknowledge that this is challenging! It sometimes feels artificial, or unnecessary. Sometimes it is even seen as punitive. But, in reality, it is a process that we know works.

As pastors we know, from the time that we are ordained, that part of our life in ministry will mean learning to say goodbye. The goodbyes are not forever, but they are for a time. We miss the congregations we leave, we hold them in prayer, but we know that they, and we, need to move to the next place to which God will call us.

As congregations, we know that the work of ministry that God calls us to do, and the people of faith that God calls us to be, spans through all manner of time and change. Pastoral transitions are one of those changes. We give thanks for the faithful leadership we have received, and we open our hearts to the faithful leadership that is to come.

Please feel let me know if this letter is helpful. Do you have other concerns or questions about this topic? Please give me a call.
What other questions or concerns do you have about this transition time? Email them or jot them down and put them in my mailbox. More to come next month!

Council Notes April 3, 2019
Council was called to order by President Debbie Hollenbach at 8:15 p.m. and commenced with prayer led by Gary Apgar. Devotions and Mission Statement were read.

New Business:

• Stewardship e-giving. Jack relayed the information he had collected to date.
• Council will be providing breakfast for Easter morning. The congregation is providing food for the Palm Sunday luncheon and Maundy Thursday dinner.

Secretary’s Report: The minutes of the March council meeting were approved as submitted to the council via email.
Treasurer’s Report:
The March report had not yet been completed.
Pastor’s Report:

• Pastoral acts for March included a baptism, first communion, and three funerals. Madolyn Marvel’s funeral will be at 11 AM on Saturday, April 13.
• Vacation days are April 24-28 and May 19. At synod May 3-4.
• The transition team’s first event was held March 31. Feedback was provided.

Ministry Team Reports:
Christian Education: Missy is working on a Kid Event for April 14.
Communications:

• There is a new banner to advertise for the Holy Week services (see Worship & Music).
• Lauren has been advertising Holy Week services on Facebook.
• Lauren will also publish Pastor’s Mustard Seed articles on Facebook and the church website.

Finance: Theteammettoreviewtheelectricratesand information about the solar panels. We have switched back to PECO for our energy purchases as of March 25.
Fundraising: Remember GIANT gift cards! The Spring Fling team met and has started planning. Sharon has contacted previous vendors, and we have seven so far. Anne and Beth are working on the menu of sale items. Lauren has started advertising through Facebook, and signs are available for hanging on community boards.
Hospitality: The anniversary luncheon will be held on Palm Sunday (April 14) with the congregation providing the food. This is also when the collection will be out for funds for the furnace (with matching funds up to $500.) Funds collected will go into undesignated funds.
Property/Building Usage: Adam has proposed to council to remove some bushes from the property. Dale will have Adam speak to Marty so that she can incorporate this into her overall gardening plan for the property. The stump from the magnolia tree will be ground out at no charge.
Social Ministry:

• In March and April, we are encouraging people to shop at Laurel’s Loft to help support victims of domestic abuse.
• We also have a prayer jar in the foyer for people to put in prayer requests and pray for each other.
• There has been a change for the month of May – we will now be putting a flower pot out for monetary donations for the church’s landscaping, with a tithe back for seeds (still looking into organization).

Stewardship: See new business on e-giving.
Transition: The first event was held March 31 during the service at 9:30 AM, in the sanctuary, with breakfast. Information was collected on the like and dislikes of the various pastors throughout our history. The team will meet again after Easter and surveys will be going to the congregation.
Worship & Music:

• The team met and planned Holy Week services. A reusable vinyl banner was purchased with donated funds ($100 anonymous and $70 from Sharon Hood) to advertise the services. This was approved during a short meeting of council on March 24.
• Passing of the Peace: As this is getting very time- consuming, we’re looking for ways to improve – Worship and Music will discuss, possibly changing the placement to right after announcements, etc. Pastor will be writing an article for the May Mustard Seed.

Old Business: Gary and Sharon will be attending Synod on May 3-4. If Sharon is unable to attend Friday, we may be looking for a back-up.
​
Next Meeting: May 1 at 7pm.

This month’s article will be the first in what I hope will be a series of articles addressing questions and concerns from you! This one addresses the “sharing of the peace”. And the concern that has
been raised if it has become a distraction (some say yes, some say no), and what is the purpose (originally and for us now). So first, as a bit from the ELCA about the original intent of sharing of peace as part of the liturgy, and then some thoughts about how it has evolved.

In an article regarding the Peace, the ELCA first reminds us that the original placement of this part of the Liturgy (where it is placed in the ELW) is after the Prayers of Intercession and before we gather for the Meal. This placement is important to the original intent. The article states:

“Sharing God’s peace is not simply offering a friendly hello to those sitting around you. Sharing God’s peace is not a time for catching up on news with your neighbor or for reminding someone about an upcoming meeting. Sharing God’s peace does not require each worshiper to offer a sign of God’s peace to every other worshiper present. The “exchange of peace” (also commonly called “sharing the peace” or “passing the peace”) is an act of reconciliation that serves as a transition point between the Word and Meal portions of the liturgy.

As stated in The Sunday Assembly:
"The exchange of peace is a ministry, an announcement of grace we make to each other, a summary of the gift given to us in the liturgy of the Word. This ministry we do to each other is far greater than a sociable handshake or a ritual of friendship or a moment of informality. Because of the presence of Jesus Christ, we give to each other what we are saying: Christ’s own peace. Then, having been gathered by the Spirit around the Risen One present in the word, we turn to celebrate his meal (p. 173). Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, as recorded in Matthew’s Gospel, lays a foundation for the practice of sharing God’s peace. ‘So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to you brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift’. (Matthew 5:23-24)."
​
The article continues to teach that the practice of sharing the peace in liturgy dates back to Christian writing dating as far back as some portions of the New Testament.

Placement of the Sharing of Peace has changed over the centuries. Some congregations moved it to just after the Lord’s Prayer linking the action even more profoundly to the Eucharist. And some, like Faith, have combined this Liturgical element to welcoming, moving it to the beginning of worship. Worshippers also state that placement at the start of the service make it seem less like a disruption in the flow of the service. This element of disruption is especially profound is congregations like Faith where the greeting becomes lengthy.

So, are we doing it wrong? Of course not. Liturgy is at its heart the work of the gathered Body of Christ. It has form and purpose but it also takes on the needs and the traditions of those who are gathered. However, looking at the liturgical purpose may be good way of thinking about this part of our worship. What part of the conversation might be better suited to before worship, or during coffee hour? What are you saying to your neighbor when you say, “the peace of the Lord”? What does it mean to you when you hear it? How are you better prepared to hear God’s word after giving a receiving the peace of the Lord?
A few things to ponder. Please share your thoughts! And, what else is on your mind? Send me the questions or concerns you would like to see me write about.