Minutes of the Annual Congregational Meeting

January 27, 2003

Annual Congregational Meeting
St. Anthony Park Lutheran Church
January 27, 2003

President Jon Schumacher called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.

Pastor Glenn Berg-Moberg led devotions and prayer.

Acceptance of Minutes from the May 20th Congregational Meeting was moved by Blaine Thrasher, 2nd by Linda Morlock and approved by vote.

Pastor's Report: Pastor highlighted some items from his submitted written report.

Stained Glass Windows: Ann Stout reported that all windows on the Luther Place side of the sanctuary are now in place and work will soon begin on the next row of windows. We may be short of funds for one pair of windows, Ann is still checking on this. She thanked the Luther Place Fund for financial help with a booklet about the windows. Ann is working on the booklet and additional costs above and beyond the grant will most likely be covered by selling the booklets for a small fee.

Delegates to Synod Assembly: Glen Skovholt and Kristin Sperry will be our delegates to the Synod Assembly May 2nd and 3rd, 2003 with Ahna Strand as alternate. The Ending Poverty Initiative for St Paul will be a feature at the Assembly. Glen Skovholt and Hob Weiss have been very active with this Initiative.

President's Report: Jon Schumacher reported that Betty Lockhart and Joan Nolte are volunteering to share the job of Financial Secretary. Dan Morlock is our Interim for Youth, and Caroline Berger is our Interim for Education. A special thank you was given to Christine Seppanen and Barb Burke, Commission heads of Education and Youth respectively, for the extra work and responsibility that they have taken on since Barbara McCauley's resignation and departure. Also thanks to Carol Koepke and Pam Klenz for added responsibility in the office since our Church Administrator's departure, and to those volunteers answering the phones in the office.

Special Ministry Grant Presentation: This is what is commonly known as the Luther Place Funds. $15,000 to $20,000 is usually available, with a Friday, March 28,2003 deadline for applications this year. There are three areas of focus: (1) Capital Improvements to the church; (2) Special Ministry and New Ministry endeavors; (3) Benevolence projects.

2nd Century Appeal Update: Ahna Strand reported pledges of $490,887 to the Capital Fund and $303,000 for the 2003 Budget. The campaign was very successful.

Budget Benevolence Recommendations: Jon Schumacher reported that our level of benevolence has been set at 10% of the total proposed income for 2003, the same as last year. This recommendation does not have set numbers because we give a percentage of the money that comes in. Generally we end the budget year having given an actual amount of 3-10% over this budgeted 10%, because of specific designated benevolence and memorials given through the year. Actual giving to benevolence last year was 18%; we gave $70,000 to $72,000 for the year (including Mission Fellowship Money). This next budget year we will also have a percentage of the 2nd Century Appeal money going to benevolence above and beyond the regular 2003 budget amount. Thus we have two separate areas of benevolence in 2003.
Ahna Strand reported that the 2nd Century Appeal benevolence will be divided equally among the four benevolences as the money comes in.
David Christianson reported that the Investment Committee would like to take a critical look at the beneficiaries of the money with possible letters from them each year and/or site visits to evaluate these programs.

Permanent Fund and Investment Committee Report: David Christianson reported that the fund is at $16,841, and most of the money is in mortgages earning a good rate of interest for this fiscal environment.

Treasurer's Report: John Berger reported that last year we basically broke even with our income and spending. A summary of the 2002 income and expenses was submitted.

Presentation of 2003 Budget: Kristin Sperry presented the proposed budget. Jon Schumacher offered information about our two key staff positions open at present. Our top priorities right now are to replace the Youth/Education Director and the Church Administrator. Then when those positions are filled we will have a better view of what our needs are, and can look at hiring to fill other needs. For these reasons the Cabinet has not yet taken action on a recommendation put forth by Pastoral Affairs Commission to hire a 2nd Pastor. Included in the budget is funding for the re-instatement of a paid Parish Nurse Ministry Program. This year we still receive joint funding from Lyngblomsten for this program.
Glen Skovholt raised the issue of having an outside audit done. Cabinet will investigate options for an audit and come up with a recommendation for if and how often we would like to have an outside audit done. Carl Albing moved and Kent Eklund seconded that The proposed 2003 budget be passed with Total Ministry Income and Total Ministry Expenses to read $402,000, with the difference of $266 as printed to go to the Archives line item. Motion carried.

Other: Cabinet will proceed with plans to form a Call Committee to search for a new full-time Youth/Education Director.

Motion to adjourn at 9:05 p.m. by Carl Albing, seconded by Blaine Thrasher.

Prayer and Doxology.

Submitted by
Joan McCord
Cabinet Secretary

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