Members Present:  Sheri Barker, Mark Bacerra, Frank Carson, Mike Collins, Pastor Ron Hovick,  Karl Larsen, Mark Lechner, Pat Milliken, Ann-Marie Pering

Members Absent:  None

Non-Voting Member Present:  Brett Perkins, Diane Flint-Wages

The meeting convened at 6:15 p.m. with a prayer from Mike Collins.Continue reading→

Members Present: Sheri Barker, Mike Collins, Pastor Ron Hovick, Karl Larsen, Mark Lechner, Ann-Marie Pering

Members Absent: Mark Becerra, Frank Carson, Pat Milliken

Non-Voting Members Present: Brett Perkins

Guest:  Karen Martin, reporting for Diane Flint-Wages

Council President Karl Larsen convened the meeting at 6:10 p.m. and called on Pastor Ron Hovick for prayer.Continue reading→

Members Present: Sheri Barker, Frank Carson, Mike Collins, Pastor Ron Hovick, Mark Lechner, Pat Milliken,   Ann-Marie Pering

Members Absent: Mark Becerra, Karl Larsen

Non-Voting Members Present: Brett Perkins, Diane Flint-Wages

Council Vice President Sheri Barker convened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. and called on Brett Perkins for prayer.

Motion by Frank, seconded by Mike: To approve the Minutes of the June 16, 2011 meeting. Motion passed unanimously.Continue reading→

Members Present:  Sheri Barker, Mark Becerra, Frank Carson, Mike Collins, Pastor Ron Hovick, Karl Larsen, Mark Lechner, Ann-Marie Pering

Members Absent:  Pat Milliken

Non-Voting Member Present:  Barb Atwood, Brett Perkins, Diane Flint-Wages

Pastor Ron convened the meeting at 6:34 p.m. with prayer.

Motion by Mike Collins, seconded by Frank Carson:   To approve the minutes of the May 19, 2011 meeting.  Motion passed unanimously.

Treasurer Diane Wages provided the financial report as of May 31, 2011, noting the Net Income to date is at -$20,727.08 as compared -$15,029.96 last year at this time, a difference of $5,697.12.  Diane also reported that to date we have spent two times the budget on worship materials which was due to the purchase of three digital microphones at the low cost of $600.00 each (74400).  Insurance has been paid in the amount of $13,020.34 (54200).  Utilities are down again by $1083.72 (57400).  Loan balance to date is $590,000.00.  The alter flowers was down $141.70 and Mike Collins offered to pay the amount (32030).  Currently there is still $9,346.00 in the designated for loan repayment (49902).  There is $101,898.16 in assets in the church bank account.

The Council heard reports from the Strategic Planning Action Teams, Council Representatives, as follows:

Frank Carson reported on his team, Expand Outreach and Service.  The team came up with fourteen ideas. Some of them are to expand Project Hand to include families with children, serve a weeknight meal for both the congregation and community, revitalize the care teams (greeters, welcome new visitors, in-home visitation for visitors, etc., fully staff coffee hour, offer support for a week-long, half-day, VBS during the summer, etc.  (Report documents are maintained by secretary for review.)

Sheri Barker reported on her team, Expand Marketing and Communication. Some of the ideas that were brought up were to develop an active website, receive member feedback, schedule two family ministry events per year and provide t-shirts to increase visibility and awareness, improve our public image (appeal and clarity) via signage and paper documents, etc. (Report documents are maintained by secretary for review.)

Karl Larsen and Barb Atwood reported on their team, Expand Worship Opportunities.  Karl spoke first about the opportunity of having a Spanish Language Service at St. Mark’s Lutheran, and Barb spoke about the proposal of having a more thriving and rich children’s music program. (Report documents are maintained by secretary for review.)

Mark Becerra reported on his team, Enhance Support for Children and Youth.  His team came up with a number of ideas such as providing a relevant and meaningful Sunday school program, interchurch sports teams, music ministries, a weeklong VBS program, etc. (Team report to follow.)

Mike Collins reported on his team, Strengthen Membership.  A few of this teams ideas are to provide invitations for members to hand out to potential visitors/members, revise the member packets, develop small groups for activities, foster a welcoming environment for our church with the opportunity for member comments, etc. (Report documents are maintained by secretary for review.)

Mark Lechner reported on his team, Fiscal and Infrastructure Sustainment.  A number of the teams ideas were to identify the costs of the proposed core strategies, update budget to reflect core strategies, conduct property inspection, obtain a property line-of-credit, etc. (Report documents are maintained by secretary for review.)

Old Business:

Brett reported that the personnel committee had completed the background check on Angelica Garcia and family. 

Motion by Frank Carson, seconded by Mike Collins: To offer a job of nursery aide to Angelica Garcia.  Discussion followed and it was decided that Angelica and her family would provide nursery services on Sundays from 8:45am-10:45pm. Motion passed unanimously.

Pastor Ron reported on the Spanish Speaking Ministry and that he has not spoken to Alicia in weeks.  He has been waiting for more concrete information and to get more buy in from the St. Mark’s Lutheran Congregation.  It was then discussed by the Council that there needs to be more information provided to the congregation regarding bringing a Spanish Language Service to St. Mark’s Lutheran.  Pastor Ron also reported that if Alicia came to St. Mark’s Lutheran and wanted to be ordained, it would take approximately six years for her to be ordained and then the Church would have to decide if we would want to call her into service at St. Mark’s Lutheran.

Pastor Ron reported that the $500.00 a month support that St. Mark’s Lutheran is providing, for a total of four months, is helping the Church tremendously.   He has been meeting and coaching the interim Pastor at College Lutheran Church and that the congregation is meeting with a strategic planner and is experiencing a 180 degree shift in motivation to keep the Church open and thriving.

The Clear Wire cell tower proposal has been put on hold by Clear Wire.

Brett reported that in light of the Charter School’s decision to not start operations until next year, he will be meeting with the Charter School people next week to discuss the use of the office space.

New Business:
Mark Becerra discussed the possibility of having a Boy Scout Troop Chartered at St. Mark’s Lutheran.  He reported that the Troop would be a re-starting of Troop 855, which was at St. Mark’s Lutheran until the mid-1970’s.

Motion by Sheri Barker, seconded by Pastor Ron: To approve Chartering Boy Scout Troop 855. Discussion followed and the motion passed unanimously.

Pastor’s Report:
Pastor Ron informed the Council that he will be going on vacation from July 31-August 11, 2011.  He will be traveling to Norway.

Director of Operations Report:
Brett reported that employee evaluations and job descriptions are being written and will be ready for the Council to review in October.

Brett also reported that he was approached by Nancy Dreesen regarding an internet safety presentation that her and Bob attended and the possibility of it being presented to both the Congregation and the community.  A discussion was then held regarding the need for a process in which proposals can be submitted and approved without having to wait for the next Council meeting.  The discussion is ongoing and a process will be proposed in the future.

Committee Reports:
A report from the Property Committee was discussed about Ricky wanting to have the wall in the youth center torn down to make the room more open.  A look into whether the wall is load bearing or not is taking place and it will be decided in the near future as to whether we will be able to remove the wall.  Thanks were expressed for the Committee’s hard work.

Motion by Mark Becerra, seconded by Frank Carson:  To adjourn at 9:17 p.m.  The meeting closed with the Lord’s Prayer.

Respectfully Submitted by, Mark Becerra (Substituting for Pat Milliken)

Council Minutes

May 19, 2011

Members Present:  Sheri Barker, Mark Bacerra, Frank Carson, Karl Larsen, Mark Lechner, Pat Milliken, Ann-Marie Pering

Members Absent:  Mike Collins, Pastor Ron Hovick, Eddie Ochoterena

Non-Voting Member Present:  Brett Perkins

Non-Voting Member Absent:  Diane Flint-Wages

Council President Karl Larsen convened the meeting at 6:35 p.m. with prayer.

Motion by Mark Bacerra, seconded by Mark Lechner:   To approve the minutes of the April 28, 2011 meeting.  Motion passed unanimously.

Brett Perkins provided the financial report in Treasurer Diane Flint-Wages’ absence.  Although income is $23,000 below budget, expenses are keeping pace with budget.   The rental fee from theAreumdaunChurchis included in the Facility Use Fees, line item (41100).

Karl noted that a column has been added to the Attendance Report to include attendance at the youth meetings.

Karl reported that Pastor Ron received a recommendation from another Pastor for a Nursery Aide.  Brett met with her and provided her with an application.   A background check will be run.   The Personnel Committee will meet with her when the background check has been completed.

A check was sent toCollegeLutheranChurchto help support it during its time of transition.

A Town Hall Meeting will take place on Sunday, May 22.   Topics to be discussed are the Spanish ministry, the nursery, a vacancy on Council, and the Strategic Plan.

Motion by Mark Lechner, seconded by Frank:  To remove Eddie Ochoterena from Council until he can return.   Motion passed unanimously.    It was noted that Eddie has be absent four consecutive months, and efforts to reach him by phone have been unsuccessful.

Brett reported that because theCharterSchool’s options are too far in the future, it would not open this year.

A report from the Property Committee was reviewed, and thanks were expressed for the Committee’s hard work.

Strategic Plan Action Planning Team leaders and members were discussed.

Motion by Frank, seconded by Sheri:  To adjourn at 7:35 p.m.  The meeting closed with the Lord’s Prayer.

Patricia Milliken

Secretary

St. Mark’sLutheranChurch

Council Minutes

April 28, 2011

Members Present:  Sheri Barker, Mark Becerra, Frank Carson, Mike Collins, Pastor Ron Hovick, Karl Larsen, Mark Lechner, Pat Milliken

Members Absent:  Eddie Ochoterena, Ann-Marie Pering

Non-Voting Member Present:  Brett Perkins

Non-Voting Member Absent:  Diane Flint Wages

Guests:  Karen Martin, Fred Curtis

Council President Karl Larsen convened the meeting at 6:35 p.m., and called on Pastor Ron for prayer.

Motion by Mark Lechner, seconded by Pastor Ron:  To approve the minutes of the March 17, 2011 meeting.  Motion passed unanimously.

President Larsen introduced Karen Martin, St. Mark’s Bookkeeper and Praise Band Leader, and Fred Curtis with Cub Scout Pack 580.  Mr. Curtis presented Pastor Ron with the official charter recognizing St. Mark’s as the charter organization for Cub Scout Pack 580.

In Treasurer Diane Flint Wages absence, Karen Martin provided the financial report.  March year-to-date income was $104,510; expenses exceed revenue by approximately $15,000.   The annual insurance premium will be paid in April; however, expenses will level out as the year progresses.

Brett reported that due to logistical, physical space, and financial issues, the charter school would not be compatible with St. Mark’s.  The Nursery Aide agenda item was tabled until after the implementation of the Strategic Plan.  The blood drive scheduled for May 1 was cancelled at the request of the San Diego Blood Bank.

Pastor Ron reported that the interim pastor at College Lutheran had asked him if St. Mark’s would be willing to help with a $500 stipend while they make a decision about calling a new pastor or closing their doors.   Discussion followed.

Motion by Frank, seconded by Mark Becerra:  To direct St. Mark’s bookkeeper to write a monthly check for $500 to College Lutheran for no more than four months to support College Lutheran, and to consider that money as part of St. Mark’s benevolence to the Synod.  Passed unanimously.

Pastor Ron reported on his discussions with individuals at the Synod and on the possibility of the Spanish language ministry at theLemon GroveLutheranChurchmoving to St. Mark’s.   An in-depth discussion followed.

Motion by Mark Lechner, seconded by Pastor Ron:  To support the idea of a Spanish ministry at St.  Mark’s.   Discussion continued.   Motion passed unanimously.

Motion by Sheri, seconded by Mark Becerra:  To take the Lemon Grove Hispanic Ministry proposal to the congregation at an informational congregational meeting in May.   Passed unanimously.

Brett reported that an Al-Anon group has started meeting twice a week at St. Mark’s.  They are paying rent, but have not signed a contract.  Council approved the arrangement by consensus.  He is working with the insurance company for a Directors, Officers and Trustees insurance rider.

Karl called attention to a youth event taking place April 29 and 30 and that the Personnel Committee will meet to discuss employee evaluations.

Karl nominated Barbara Atwood, Chair; Tom Larsen; and Nancy Dreesen to serve on the Audit Committee.

Motion by Sheri, seconded by Mark Becerra: To approve the Audit Committee slate as presented.  Passed unanimously.

Sheri reported that the Strategic Plan Action Planning Teams would meet on Sunday, May 15.

Motion at 9:10 p.m. by Mark Becerra, seconded by Frank:  To adjourn.   The meeting closed with the Lord’s Prayer.

Patricia Milliken

Secretary