Council Meeting Highlights

April 2004

* Voted to approve nine persons for membership. They will be received into membership on Sunday, May 2.

* Approved request from Nancy Shutika and Stephanie Sipe to volunteer their efforts to provide some organization and clean-up care to the nursery. The nursery toys will be checked for age and appropriateness, safety and cleanliness and repaired if possible. The nursery has some needs, and if you are interested in assisting and/or donating some items, please discuss with Nancy and Stephanie.

* Pastor Gwenn provided some information on the program for History Night on Saturday, May 1 [History Night has been cancelled]. The program is designed to celebrate the past and present and begin looking to the future. Moderator Pastor Liz Polanzke will help us journey from the memories of our past to the vision of our future. In preparation for this program, Council agreed to appoint a committee of four to six persons who will become a mission/vision/long range planning committee. This committee needs participants that are willing to go down memory lane to discuss the history of the church (our beginnings, our foundation, our growth, development and changes). These same participants also need to be dreamers as we formulate our future development wish lists for our continued growth in the life of the Zion Lutheran Church. Whether participation on this committee is in your future or not, it is hoped that we have many Zion members attend the May 1 event, as we need the involvement of the congregation to understand this process and to be willing to share their Zion stories.

* Voted to send letters to appropriate members regarding their inactive membership status. It was agreed that a written procedure should be in place. This will be discussed at the May meeting. In recognition of the need to review our membership annually, Council voted that at the February council meeting each year, council members will be provided with a list of members who have not communed and contributed (per our Constitution) in the last two calendar years. It is essential that the church be aware of its congregational members, as the shepherd is of their flock.

* Social Ministry Committee reported on the success of the distribution of Easter Food Baskets and indicated appreciation for the congregation's generous donations and involvement. The Ronny Powley Center provided the names of families selected to receive the baskets. Apparently, we were the only church in the area providing Easter baskets. The recipients were very appreciative.

* Under the report of the Worship and Music Committee report, discussions were held regarding the possibility of expanding to two worship services and/or moving to an earlier worship time in the summer because of the heat. It was decided that no changes will be made for this summer, but the Worship and Music Committee is being asked to continue to consider offering a variety of worship experiences for members and to attract those currently non-churched. The Worship and Music committee would be open to your comments.

* Approved a recommendation from the Property Committee for cleaning, waterproofing, caulking, and masonry repairs to the exterior of the church building. This is not a beautification project. This is a needed project to ensure the structure of the building is strong, and to avoid further deterioration caused by age and weather. The congregation will be hearing more details shortly regarding this project, as it will require congregational approval. (Note: Congregational Meeting is scheduled for Sunday May 16.)