St. John's Council News

Our officers for the next twelve months are:

     Susanne Burkhart - President

     Keith Peterson - Vice President

     Theresa Smith - Secretary

     Betty Moller - Treasurer

Along with Pastor Joe, this group functions as the Executive Committee, making decisions for the congregation at times when the Council does not meet.

Each Council person is responsible for an area of congregational life, both to report on what is happening in the area, or to be sure that something is happening in their particular area. Here are the newly configured Council responsibilities for each person.

1. Caring -         Betty Moller

2. Fellowship -    Theresa Smith

3. Evangelism -   Sharon Castellon

4. Stewardship - Keith Peterson

5. Property -     Bruce Fullmer

6. Music and Worship   Phil Bacon

7. Mutual Ministry SusanneBurkhart

8. Christian Education -Walt Sampson

9. Finance -     Jo Foley

10. Youth        June Kelsey

Perhaps some of you noticed and/or actually missed the Council   Corner summary of the December council meeting.   7:14 PM on the 3rd Thursday of the month (the standard time & day of a St. John’s monthly council meeting) was 5 days after the standard newsletter deadline of the 15th of the month.  Not to worry, a meeting did occur.  All council members present were in good cheer and looking forward to the upcoming holiday (Christmas.)  A few agenda items were tabled; some pending the outcome of the Congregational Budget Meeting, and some because we were awaiting further information.   Much of our time and most discussions involved preparing the 2008 St. John’s Budget Plan for presentation.    

And so, that January 13th meeting occurred.  And, the 2008 Budget Plan was approved.  Thank you for your attendance and, even more so, thanks for your participation in the Stewardship Drive.  The final figure, with 124 pledges received, totaled $244,319.00.  That amount is the best pledged giving St. John’s has reported in the past 4 years or maybe more.  Thank you for your generosity, and may we be good stewards of those funds during 2008.   

The January council meeting was held on the 17th at 7:14 PM and took place in the narthex.  The usual meeting area of the chapel looked like a Rummage Sale was about to occur.  Council members Phil Bacon, Sharon Castellon, Susanne Burkhart, Jo Foley, Bruce Fullmer, June Kelsey, Betty Moller, Keith Peterson, Theresa Smith, and Pastor Joe were in attendance; council member Walt Sampson had a scheduling conflict and was excused from attending.

Having no Period of Study scheduled, we briefly reviewed the events of the previous Sunday’s Congregational Budget Meeting.  Followed was a review of Pastor’s and other written committee  reports.  We then addressed the previously tabled business items.  First discussed was the signing of our Congregational Covenant (the benevolent support we pledge to the ELCA Grand Canyon Synod).  Synod benevolence will be paid monthly, in 12 equal    installments of $2,250 for a total of $27,000 (10 percent of the 2008 Budget Plan envelope offering line amount of $270,000. 

 The Missionary Sponsorship Covenant was signed, with the 2008 amount being $1000.  There was some discussion about our active participation in this program and whether or not we should continue.  Pastor Joe will push to refresh our involvement this year.  Joshua & Olga Auchenbach (in Bratislava) are the current ELCA missionaries that benefit from your support.  In prior years we sponsored missionary Cristal Churchill.  You participate in this program with a donation of $25.00.  Sign up on the missionary chart (next to the flower chart) in the narthex. 

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM with wishes for a good night’s sleep to those participating in the next morning’s rummage sale.