Present:  John Bibby, Larry Coltrin, Dave Johnson, Ken Olson, Pastor Thad Fisher, Lori Schaar, Marsha Einhorn, Barb James, Herm Scharm

Others Present:  Dan Behrens

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Ken Olson.  The devotion was shared by John Bibby, and the opportunity was given for personal sharing.  Ken Olson mentioned the excitement in the church with the arrival of Pastor Thad.  Pastor Thad added that he was excited about the amount of students enrolled in this year’s Communion Class.

Conversations with Pastor Thad: Over the next month and a half, ‘get acquainted’ meetings with Pastor Thad will be held to help Pastor get a better sense of where the congregation is and what their needs are.

Pastor Thad’s Priorities:

1. Worship:  He would like to get a sense of where we are and where we would like to be in terms of worship.  He would like to see the services to be liturgically strong.  He is going to work with all involved as this process evolves.
2. Natural Church Development: Pastor would like to understand where our church is in this process and to help further us in the process
3. Education:  Pastor Thad feels that Education is an extremely valuable element in the growth and development of the church.  Additionally, the ELCA is releasing a draft of 2 new social statements on  education and human sexuality.  Drafts (one of which is 60+ pages) can be found on the ELCA website (www.elca.org)
4. Other issues on his agenda include developing the broad spectrum of youth and families ministries and the efficient, yet important, use of door to door ministry.  It should be noted that Pastor Thad’s day off will be Mondays, but that he is available for emergencies.

Natural Church Development: There is a Leadership Guide available from The Three Colors of Ministry workshop.  Items from this workshop could be easily incorporated into Hot Topics Group on Sundays. 

Legend Park Update: Lutheran Church Charities can be another resource to contribute to Legend Park families affected by the recent fire.

Business
            Consent Agenda: Larry Coltrin moved to accept the minutes from 2/19/08.  Herm Scharm seconded the motion.  Motion carried.  A Treasurer’s Report was not presented at this time.  Larry Coltrin did express his concern over deficit spending.  John Bibby addressed this concern and voiced that we are financially healthy at this time but that we need to have discretionary spending.  All members are responsible for church growth.

Committee Reports
            Finance:  No report was presented.  John Bibby highlighted noteworthy points.  A discussion of use of an elevator vs. a chair lift was briefly held.  The committee does have information on this topic for future consideration.  Marsha Einhorn moved to receive the report with a second by Barb James.  Motion carried.

            Worship & Music:  A written report was distributed.  Marsha Einhorn moved to accept the report with a second by Dave Johnson.  Motion carried.

            Endowment Committee:  No report presented. Approval was given for funds to have Pastor Thad’s family travel to the Installation Service on Sunday, 4/13/08.

            Personnel Committee:  A written report was distributed.  The committee recommended to change the wording of the job description for the Asst. Director of Music.  Dave Johnson moved to accept the change with a second by Herm Scharm.  Motion carried.  Lori Schaar then moved to accept the committee report with a second by John Bibby.  Motion carried.

            Property Committee:  No written report presented.  Ken Olson signed the contract for seasonal lawn care.  The committee is looking into various projects involving Annex door, basement door, and light sensors.  John Bibby moved to receive the report with a second by Barb James.  Motion carried.

            Education Committee: Pastor Thad encouraged having an Education Committee up and running again soon.

Old Business:  Ken Olson and Kim Puchalski completed Pastor Fred Hill’s exit interview, and it was submitted to the Synod.

New Business
Life Source: will be out again to conduct an at risk screening  (e.g. strokes, osteoporosis, etc…) on 6/17/08.

Transition:  The amount previously determined for Pastor Thad’s Housing compensation was discussed.  Barb James moved to accept the definition and amount for housing allocation.  A second was given by John Bibby.  Motion carried.

Installation: Pastor Thad’s Installation Service will be held on Sunday 4/13/08 at 3PM.  Pastor Nancy Fisher will give the sermon that day.  Local clergy will also be invited.  A reception will follow the service with details to be determined at a later time.

Annual Meeting:  The date for the Annual Meeting will be Sunday June 8th between services (approximate starting time of 9:15 AM).  Marsha Einhorn will contact committee chairs to give them a timeline of things that need to be completed prior to the meeting.  Herm Scharm moved to accept the date and time of the Annual Meeting with a second by Dave Johnson.  Motion carried.  Also, Ron Brandt has been voted back as Chair of the Property Committee.  Bob Faust will be the Co-Chair. 

Voting Members for Synod Assembly: Jim Shepherd will be one member, and another member is considering the second position.

Narthex Use: Ken Olson has drafted Guidelines for Narthex Use.  Guidelines will be presented to committees for feedback.

Suggestion Box Items: none presented

Other Items:
Temple Talks:  Pastor Thad would like to know ahead of time when Temple Talks are to be given.  He would also like to have Temple Talks at the beginning of services.

El Salvador Program: to be held on Saturday, 4/12/08 from 3-5 PM

John Bibby moved to adjourn the meeting with a second by Marsha Einhorn.  Motion carried.  Meeting adjourned at 8:40PM.  All present joined together in the Lord’s Prayer.

Respectfully submitted,
Lori Schaar