SALEM LUTHERAN CHURCH COUNCIL MINUTES

The Salem Church Council met on November 13, 2003 in the Lounge.

Those present were: Pastor Dykstra, Pastor Mackey, Deb Bachman, Mark Alphs, Doug Bruhns, Bruce Adams, Dianne Gardner, Margaret Okland, Scott Helgeson, Wayne Nyguard, Lori Westcott, Bill Georgia and Kathy Gilbertson. Absent: Keith Helland, Rhonda Charlton. Guests present were Kathy Timmerman and Kathy Borgmeyer.

Pastor Dykstra led us in devotion and prayer.

Each council member individually read the Secretary's Report. Motion to accept the minutes was made by Wayne Nyguard and seconded by Bruce Adams.

Kathy Timmerman and Kathy Borgmeyer presented the SON Shine Preschool annual and budget report for the 2003-2004 school year.

Board Reports:
Board of Education: Lori Westcott reported the second rotation Sunday School is beginning November 23rd and the theme is the birth of Jesus. The arts and crafts room will be making fleece tie blankets and sending them to the baby corner at Mercy Hospital in Mason City. The Christmas story will be read by Pastor Mackey on December 14 for all to attend. The Christmas program is scheduled for December 14 at the 10:30 service. It was requested that their budget be raised to $1500.00. A motion was made by Dianne Gardner and seconded by Doug Bruhns to have a special offering on December 14 to be given to the Board of Education fund and a portion will go to the Baby Corner organization.

Board of Life and Growth: Margaret Okland reported the hanging of the greens will be November 29 at 9:00 AM. For anyone interested, the movie "Luther" will be at the Forest City theatre and the board is making plans to attend it on December 14 in the afternoon. Watch for more information in the newsletter. The worship bags have been a great success. Thank you to Gwen Thorson for making the bags.

Board of Stewardship and Social Ministry: Wayne Nyguard reported the annual fall campaign in going on. Stewardship Sunday is scheduled for the weekend of November 22-23. A report next month will be given on the results.

Board of Worship and Music: Bill Georgia reported the thanksgiving service will be at the Asbury Methodist church. The board is checking to see if there is any interest in a Salem children's choir. A concert given by Robert Robinson is scheduled for March 28, 2004.

Board of Youth: Deb Bachman reported on Sunday, November 16 a turkey dinner is planned to raise money for the WOW scholarship fund. Deb will be attending a recharge weekend in Okoboji with 7 of our youth.

Board of Property and Management: Bruce Adams reported they have locked in our gas prices for the next year. The tuck pointing on the bell tower and the north wall is finished and the cost was $5590.00. The board is working on finding a company to do the stained glass work.

Treasurer's Report was given by Doug Bruhns. As of October 31 we have a balance of $8267.64.

The Financial Secretary's Report was given by Dianne Gardner. The amount of $39,738.53 was deposited in the month of October. Statements were sent out this month and the postage cost was $99.00. It was requested that statements will be sent out only to those members that have contributed during the year.

One In Christ Parish Council: Scott Helgeson reported on the 2004 budget and the amount will be $372,006. Salem will be responsible for $196,632.00 which is 52.86%. There was discussion on the health insurance premiums and the board would like to have the parish council check into other options to cut the cost of the premiums.

Old Business: The Dan Skogen seminary support has raised $615.00. The staff and Pastor Dykstra will be meeting with Myrna Langerud to discuss guidelines for the seminary scholarship fund. The kitchen/sidewalk/tuck pointing/World Hunger project has raised to date $33,586.46 of the $35,000.00 needed to start the projects. The final date is Sunday, November 16. Pastor Dykstra gave an update on the Guatemala mission trip. They are selling t-shirts to help raise money for materials needed for their work.

New Business: The first draft of the proposed budget will be presented at the next council meeting. A motion was made by Bruce Adams and seconded by Doug Bruhns to accept Robert Zabel as a new member of Salem. Those requesting transfers: Sara (Helgeson) Pederson, Amber (Hanson) Tubre', Traci (Monson) Shirkey, and Abby (Beenken) Jerome. Associate members: Randy Chose, Laura Gardner, Merlin, Jennifer & Lee Morgan, Doug & Jeannine Thompson, Patti Bitker and Jill Morehead. Margaret Okland requested permission for WELCA to display a quilt and sell raffle tickets at the turkey dinner on Sunday. A motion was made by Bruce Adams to display the quilt in the kitchen and sell the tickets. The motion died due to lack of a second. After discussion another motion was made by Bruce Adams and seconded by Wayne Nyguard to display the quilt in the kitchen and advertise in the bulletin to purchase tickets from WELCA members. After a display of hands, the vote was a tie and Mark Alphs voted no to break the tie.

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday; December 10, 2003. A motion to adjourn was made by Dianne Gardner, seconded by Margaret Okland.

We closed with the Lord's Prayer.

Kathy Gilbertson,
Recording Secretary