Church Council Corner November ‘21
The FELC Council met 11/09/21 with one member absent, and 1 guest, Office Administrator, Carly Chamberlain.
Our business meeting always begins with prayer by Pastor and closes with the Lord’s Prayer by all.
Treasurer Report
Indicates we are $11,000 negative for the year, though an improvement over the projected deficit.
The finances have recently been audited by Lise Ryden, an accountant who also services Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, with findings of good practices and results, though cumbersome.
Dave Hulin proposed changing from QuickBooks for payroll services to Ministry Works, a system designed for use with church finances, that includes a streamlined, complete payroll system. This was MSA’d unanimously.
Pastor Report
includes the usual Pastoral activities, plus planning more Worship services, and activities related to our Call process.
Pr. sarah also included 11 items of repair needed on campus, the priorities being Chapel roof repair and shade structure repairs at Office and Faith Place.
Advent Soup Suppers and accompanying Worship are planned for Wed. evenings at 5:00 in Parish Hall, 12/01,08,15, & 22. Blue Christmas service will be 12/21, 7:00PM; Christmas Eve Worship services will be 5:00 & 9:00PM.
Vicar Report
Veronica reports that Spanish (11:00 AM) Worship has seen an increase in attendance with 18-29 people.
They have continued to meet for fellowship time after Worship in Convivio, and anxious to resume the food part of that relational time.
The meal part was given a green light, in keeping with resumption of C-time with snacks and plans for Advent soup suppers.
Bible Studies will be conducted by Judi Tyler for the next few weeks to allow Vr. veronica additional time to concentrate on her Seminary studies.
She set up Live Streaming on facebook for both Services successfully, for those unable to join in-person Worship.
Re-Formation
update includes that there were 36 people from 09:00, and 18 from 11:00 who made commitments for at least one of Faith’s 4 major Ministries during the “blitz” on Reformation Sunday.
Individual Ministry tables will continue to be available each Sunday during Nov. to allow people to answer the call to choose an effort to support.
Faith Preschool
the Executive Team from church Council and Preschool continue with virtual meetings for direct communication re: working together on issues we share as a part of Faith’s ministry.
Call Process Update
The MSP has been submitted to the Synod Office, and will be taken to the next step,
Churchwide web site, ONLY after the Call Committee has had their 1st meeting for their own organization.
We must appoint 3 new members from Faith in order to fulfill our Constitution stipulation.
A slate of names were presented, and those individuals will be contacted ASAP by Council Exec. Team asking for their prayerful consideration to serve.
Erik Rehms serves as temporary chair of the Call Committee.
LSS-SW refugee Update
Faith is providing temporary, transitional housing for refugee families in our Faith Place (originally the Parsonage), we are not a Co-Sponsor.
Our role is that of “Landlord”. Co-Sponsors must attend formal training, and meet government stipulated vetting.
We extend welcome to our temporary occupants, neighborly gestures and human kindness, though not daily living needs.
New church management system
“Breeze” is a management system that will replace “Servant Keeper” to track events and personal information kept on each Member.
Once in place, it has proven to others to be more complete and less cumbersome in maintaining records and accounts for each parishioner.
It allows a “portal access” privately available to each member to see and update personal information.
Once in place, Faith members will be oriented to the process so that there is familiarity and not be misunderstood as a scam or a phishing scheme…this will be after the New Year!
APS Electric Light Parade
this annual passes by our main intersection of 7th St & Camelback, and presents as an opportunity for us to let crowds know who, where, and what we are.
This year there is a plan to do just that, so. Watch for banners and our electronic sign to lightup and proclaim our presence!
Alternative Worship styles
explorations are underway to determine an occasional alternative style and time Worship.
No our familiar traditional, high liturgical Worship is not going away! Simply, there are requests for other choices to be available, so that is being honored.
Make your own requests known, and stay tuned! Offer to assist, too!
Remember, there is room at the table for EVERYONE!!
Respectfully submitted, Gail Turner, Council Secretary.