Central Lutheran Church
Annual Congregational Meeting
January 27, 2008

President Randy Senf opened the meeting at 12:38 p.m. with readings from Ephesians, 1 Peter and prayer.

Minutes of the April 29, 2007 meeting were corrected to include the slate of elected officers. President, Randy Senf; Vice-President, Mo Galasso (appointed); Treasurer, Gary Moon; Recording Secretary, Marie Little; Financial Secretary, Nelda Shick. The minutes were unanimously approved.

Pastor Tim’s Report:
• The membership list is a priority. The congregation is a part of the process to invite people back, not accept complaints. In accordance with Central Lutheran Bylaws and Constitution, Pastor Tim will begin the difficult and uncomfortable task of contacting people that have been absent.
• Pastor Tim stated that his style is not to micro-manage. But when he believes safety is at stake he will act. When he tripped over a wrinkle in the carpet, he took care of it, with accomplices, getting it re-stretched and glued. This was done without following the rules and getting committee and council approval.
• Committees are responsible to do their work. He requests that we maintain a positive attitude and ask how we can help rather than complain.
Gary Moon’s statement that he believes Pastor Tim is doing a wonderful job and “I don’t think you hear that enough” was followed by a round of applause.

• Council Report:
  Randy Senf recognized each of the council members.
• Highlights for 2007 include:
  • Thousand Quilts – 350 were made and all were distributed locally.
  • Mission Sewing
  • June Council Retreat resulting in five goals:
    • Be more dedicated to mission, both internal and external.
    • Have a fixed, accurate infrastructure of value to members
    • Be a visible and known presence in the community
    • Develop financial trust: Be dept free.
    • Have an expanded, dedicated core of volunteers
  • Vacation Bible School
  • Sunday School for all ages
  • Men’s and Women’s Bible Studies
  • KIDZ Club
  • Angel Tree
  • Sunday worship
  • Ushers, acolytes, nursery, choir, assisting ministers, communion distribution, recording and distributing service to shut-in
• Building Project
  • Dick Little gave updated remarks and recognized construction volunteers for the last phase completed.
  • Jobs needed before finalization: East balcony interior railings, doors in the education wing, and striping of the Rose Street parking lot
• Custodial Report: Wendy Galasso read the list of dedicated volunteers who give of their time and talent to keep the church clean on a weekly basis.
• Randy praised the music leadership of Carol Reppun. Mo Galasso pointed out that Carol refuses to take remuneration.
• Randy recapped that Central Lutheran is about mission and we are making headway towards accomplishing the five stated goals.

Audit Committee: The report will be given at the April Voter’s Meeting

Treasurer’s Report: Gary Moon suggested after this morning’s sermon that we change “We Say Yes” to “Come follow me to Central Lutheran Church”
Expenditures in 2007 were more than income. Gary explained that the savings is used up. On 12/31/06 there was a cash balance of $71,016.35. General Fund total was $56,996.48 and $14,019.87 was in the Building Fund. General Fund of $7,116.42 and $10,258.09 in Building fund have been combined for an ending cash balance of $17,374.51 on 12/31/07.

In order to pay-off the remaining debt to Pearson Construction, a 48-month second mortgage from Whatcom Educational Credit Union was taken in December. (The 18 months Pearson allowed Central to pay off the unpaid balance of the Building Project at zero interest was up). Please consider giving the tax rebate we have been promised to help pay down our church loans.

The Treasurers Report was unanimously accepted

There were no other reports.

Annual Budget-
• A printed unbalanced Council Budget was presented with detailed expenses to support each committee’s predicted needs. (Projected income of $275,000 and projected expenditures of $302,246)
o Committees are being very careful and expect to come in under budget.
o Bob Hollister outlined some of the needs of the Intern House, Rose Street House, and general maintenance of the church building.
o Gary explained his thoughts about members choosing to pay for items rather than giving to the general fund. When we make such decisions, it diverts the ability to pay existing bills. The church no longer has credit cards or charge accounts at places like Hardware Sales, Cash and Carry, or Lowes. All expenditures must be approved by committee and council.
• A question about the Youth account was raised. The youth have their own account but Central pays chaperone expenses up to $4,000 when they exist. It doesn’t mean it will be spent.
• John Webber asked where the $275,000 income would come from? The budget is a Faith budget and it’s always a guess.
• Council is asking the congregation to pass the budget knowing committees will curtail spending. Council President, Randy Senf, emphasized that Council will monitor the budget monthly and committee wants won’t happen if the money isn’t available. Council Vice-President, Mo Galasso, stated that the budget is an estimate that includes deficit spending but we will not deficit spend.
• The motion carried and the unbalanced budget passed.

Unfinished Business:
• Mo Galasso presented parking Lot Project information.
o Randy, Gary, and Mo (an adhoc committee) met with Tim Abell of Pacific Housing N.W. to hear about a condo project to be built in our existing parking lot.
o Central has entered into a 90-day letter of intent to allow Pacific Housing N.W. to do studies.
o Gary showed some artist rendering slides on his computer
o The adhoc committee members are sensitive to reservations about covered parking
o This is an introduction only. No specific details are available at this time because there is not enough information until the studies are complete.
o Gary commented that the hope would be that Central would get a new parking surface and become debt free.

New Business: None

The meeting adjourned with the Lord’s Prayer at 2:05 p.m.

Submitted by:

Marie A. Little
Recording Secretary