Council Secretary's Report- November 22, 2011

St. James Lutheran Church
Council Minutes
November 22, 2011

Attendance- Jill Bowen, George Bowen, Ellen Zawislak, Jack Zawislak, Gail Feeney, Mike Nadeau, Kim Bergstrand
Devotions- Jill Bowen
Last Month’s Minutes- Error noted, Evelyn Johnson was mistakenly named, line was changed to Ethel Johnson-  minutes approved with correction

Pastor’s Report- To be posted

Presidents Report- To be posted

Treasurer’s Report- George Bowen reported that the expected deficit for the year is below estimate. Books have been reconciled thru 10 months. Report accepted as presented.

Secretary’s Report- Report accepted as presented.

Committee Reports:

Communications- As posted

Cultivating Community in Christ- No Report

Pat Sousa will take care of “Giving Tree” again this year. Discussion about delivery of altar flowers after service.

Finance and Stewardship- Discussion of Eldercare Fund and the criteria for projects that could apply for funding. Ted Zimmerman will work on a written document outlining criteria. Pledge cards collected on 11/20/11. George explained how the committee processes the pledges and how the numbers are worked into the budget. Accumulated surplus is down 14% to $17,774- hoping for pledge increases in 2012. Ethel Johnson estate update- almost out of probate and St. James will receive between $20,000-$22,000 in funds after legal fees.

Outreach- Received a large donation of food items from Sheri Dumas’ Zumba class. Items were donated to Mobile Loaves and Fishes and the soup kitchen. Money was donated for the purchase of a new refrigerator for the downstairs kitchen, will try to sell the old one. Thrivent will supply personal hygiene items and Christmas stockings to decorate and fill for the Intergenerational Advent Workshop. Video from Thrivent will be shown and the stockings will go out on the December Mobile Loaves and Fishes runs. November Mission Collection totaled $300.00- those funds will purchase grocery cards. Celebrated the 1^st anniversary of Mobile Loaves and Fishes. December runs will be on the 10^th (Woonsocket), 11^th (Providence), and 19^th (Providence). Grateful to St. Luke’s who supplied 2 large turkey breasts for sandwiches for the November runs. Church bazaar netted $250.00 in profit and the knitting group will also donate their proceeds to Outreach.

Property- Gas hooked up to stove in basement (OK by Fire Chief) - 6 burners operational, oven still not operational. Fire inspection: Fire marshal found that the emergency exit lights were not working, batteries were dead- batteries and bulbs replaced. Bronze doors at the front of the church need panic bars installed- if unable to install bars on those doors the doors will have to be replaced. Door near the signer’s station also needs to have a panic bar installed. The clothes stored near the stairway to the loft have to be moved- that area must be kept clear. Large evergreens in the courtyard need to be removed. Jack is putting together a crew to take down the trees. Preschool across the street wants to use the community room for an event on December 23^rd. 

Youth Ministry- As posted. JIF adopted a family for Christmas but since the class is small they are asking for donations to help with the purchase of gifts. They will shop on the 3^rd. Pasta dinner netted $878.00, George put in a request for matching funds in the sum of $200.00 from Thrivent- request to be discussed at the Jan. Thrivent meeting. KFC and TFC will coordinate meeting dates. 12/17 will be the next meeting. Kids Club is rehearsing for the pageant. Christmas pageant will be on 12/18 at 10:00am- there will only be one service. Intergenerational Advent Workshop will be on 12/4. There will be activities and rafts for kids and adults. Acolytes- Advent season scheduled then there will be a quarterly rotation.

Worship and Music- Will be posted.

Motion to accept committee reports approved.

Old Business:
Calumet Campaign- Held until next meeting
Household Giving- Held until next meeting
Election of a new Secretary- Held until next meeting
Columbarium Planning Committee- Survey’s mailed - due back by December 15^th

New Business:
Mark David Johnson-seminary support- Held until next meeting
Annual Meeting - Meeting scheduled for 2/05/12,
Committee Report Deadlines- 1/15/12

Closing Prayer

Respectfully Submitted
Kim Bergstrand