Redeemer Lutheran Church - Great Falls, MT

Pastor’s Message
Text Box: Redeemer Lutheran Church Annual Congregational Meeting 18 Jan 2009 MINUTES Call to Order: Wayne Thompson, Council President, 12:37 p.m. Determine of Quorum: Ingrid Callahan, Council Secretary Opening Prayer: Led by Pastor John Allen Approval of January 2008 Annual Meeting Minutes: Lacey Gallagher moved to accept the minutes. Dave Warner seconded. Motion carried. Presentation and Approval of the Treasurer’s Report: Pastor Allen first thanked Georgene Robison for her 18 years of dedicated service as the treasurer. She has resigned but will certainly not be forgotten. He also thanked those who never ask for recognition but are always available and always give of their time, money, and prayers. Before introducing Georgene for her final report, Pastor Allen reminded us to focus on reaching out in the love of Christ. Remember what Bishop Crist said, “Offer out of hope and faith, not fear.” We can do anything the Lord wants us to. Georgene presented her report and explained that in 2008, the church was still able to pay more on the mortgage principal versus the interest. Furthermore, we did succeed in meeting our budget for all of the missions except for Estonia, which received only a partial payment. Finally, Georgene thanked the Finance Committee for all their assistance throughout her years as treasurer. Genia McElroy moved to accept the treasurer’s report, and Karen Wolf seconded. Motion carried. Church Council Elections: Recognition of Outgoing Council Members: Ryan Edwards, Kory Larsen, Dave Peterson, Rita Smith, Virginia Turner Introduction of Council Nominees – Biographies: Dr. Bill Gertson (3 yrs.), Cheryl Laveson (3 yrs.), Chuck Wrigg (3 yrs.), Delores Seay (3 yrs.), and Merleen Bergstad (2 yrs.). Wayne called for further nominations. None forthcoming, Wes Novak moved to accept the slate of nominees as presented. Genia McElroy seconded. Motion carried. Election of Synod Assembly Delegates: Wes Novak moved and Genia McElroy seconded to make Tom Gossack and Karen Wolf this year’s delegates to the assembly this summer in Great Falls. Presentation and Approval of 2009 Budget: Jannie first thanked everyone, especially the committees, for acting responsibly in 2008. She then stated that the proposed 2009 budget is also a responsible one but reminded the congregation that they are the final voice. After going through every line item, discussion focused on employees salaries. The Finance Committee and Council proposed freezing all salaries in 2009. Pastor Allen proposed freezing only his own; however it was felt that if one has to freeze, all should. Genia expressed disappointment in the salary proposal, reminding everyone that the staff works 24/7, frequently working late and taking on tasks beyond their responsibilities. A 3% increase would only amount to about $1500 more in the budget (minus Social Security and benefits). Sherri Carl, Education Director, declared that she didn’t mind her pay frozen but urged that those staff working day in and day out should receive more compensation. Georgene stated that she doesn’t necessarily agree with the same percentage of increase across the board and suggested that each staff member be considered individually. Pastor Allen then spoke up and stated that since his own salary is a large part of the budget, the congregation should consider his proposal to freeze his and increase the others. Jannie reminded everyone that not only does the 2009 budget proposal freeze employee salaries, but it also cut most everything else, too. If the church can raise the $1500+ necessary to increase the salaries, the congregation has the power to do so. Dave Warner applauded the pastor’s offer and also urged the congregation to raise the other salaries by, for example, increasing personal pledges. Genia moved to accept the budget proposal as presented but with a 3% increase in the base pay for the Youth Director, Adult Choir Director, Organist, Secretary, Custodian, Education Director, and Pre-School Director. Dr. Gertson seconded the motion. Motion carried. Old or Unfinished Business: None New Business: Laura Mays suggested that the members write down our annual and/or monthly pledges on our offering envelopes. Pastor Allen applauded this suggestion and stated that he plans to work with the Stewardship Committee in an effort to accomplish such a pledge drive. Elect Endowment Committee Members: Wayne called for anyone who would like to serve. Marilyn Clinger moved and Genia McElroy seconded to elect John Rupp and Pete Mountan to the committee. Motion carried. Closing Prayer: Led by Pastor John Allen Adjournment: Wayne Thompson, 1:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Ingrid Callahan, Council Secretary Text Box: Random Thoughts from Intentional Interim Pastor, Larry Quanbeck Dear friends, Thank you for acts of kindness shown to one another during times of illness, sorrow, bereavement, and uncertainties. I am grateful especially that you pray for and empathize with the newly bereaved. At a recent Washington, DC ceremony, Greg Mortenson, an ELCA member in the Bozeman area and co-author of the best-selling book, Three Cups of Tea, was one of four recipients honored with the Jefferson Award for Public Service. Greg developed a nonprofit organization called “Central Asia Institute” that since 1993 has established more that ninety schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan. A news article about that event is posted on the Narthex bulletin board. Please avail yourselves to the Mayo Clinic alcohol-addiction printouts located in Redeemer’s Narthex. Even among Lutherans, addiction to chemicals and destructive behaviors (e.g., alcohol, nicotine, prescription and illicit drugs, gambling, pornography and other sexual obsessions) are common ailments, and need to be addressed for health to have a chance. A few in-patient treatment centers are available here in Montana, and I can recommend some out-of-state options, as well. Plus, of course, regular participation in twelve-step recovery meetings is crucial, both for the addicted person and his/her family. Such meetings are listed in the local newspapers and on-line. Our local Lutheran Social Service office also can be of assistance in this regard. The Cypress, California, congregation where I served as interim some years ago sits directly across the street from a very active mosque. Recently the mosque’s exterior was vandalized with hateful, threatening phrases. I am thankful that Mount Calvary Lutheran and the Pacifica Synod publicly expressed both solidarity with its Muslim neighbors and rejection of all forms of bigotry and hatred. Also available in the Narthex are copies of “Church-based hate,” a recent Christian Century magazine article that focuses on the pervasive rejection of homosexual persons. Examples are easy to find; many so called “Christian radio” station broadcasts in Montana offer a steady stream of attacks against non-heterosexual persons. I am thankful that voting members at the recent Montana Synod Assembly engaged in a civil, thoughtful discussion regarding both the denomination’s proposed human sexuality teaching document and proposed revisions to the church’s rostered-staff-eligibility policy. Copies of the teaching document are available in the Narthex; please take and read; it is really a wonderful, helpful piece. We voted, though by a slim majority, to encourage the ELCA’s biennial Churchwide Assembly which meets this August in Minneapolis to allow the rostering of otherwise-qualified persons who live in monogamous long-term same-gender relationships. A small number of congregations located in metropolitan areas, mostly on the east and west coasts have requested this policy change so that those congregations, in consultation with their synod bishop, can call ministry-qualified persons who live in monogamous, long-term relationships. Neither the ELCA nor any of its predecessor church bodies has ever prohibited the rostering or calling of homosexual persons, but celibacy has been demanded of all non-married persons, whether straight or gay. I voted in favor of the proposed policy change because I believe that gay people do not choose their orientation but are simply wired to be homosexual. I also believe that few persons are given the gift of celibacy, and that for the sake of human decency, the church rightly should encourage those of same-gender orientation to live in monogamous, long-term relationships. Persons of good faith and deep theological understanding have come down on differing sides of this issue. I welcome reasoned conversation regarding this important societal concern. Certainly another commonly-debated topic is that of abortion. The ELCA has a fine social statement in this regard, noting that abortion on demand is not ethical, but that abortion sometimes is an acceptable treatment option if the life and health of the mother is at stake. Again, Lutherans traditionally are not black-and-white in their thinking but rather take situations one at a time and weigh available alternatives. I mention this because of the May 31 assassination of Dr. George Tiller in Wichita, Kansas. Dr. Tiller, a physician who specialized in late-term abortions, was shot and killed just before worship began at the ELCA congregation where he and his family were longtime, beloved members. The accolades expressed by many of Dr. Tiller’s patients, little reported by the press but many of which are available on line, counter the hateful, judgmental rhetoric of the stringent anti-abortionists. Again, people of good faith and intentions arrive at differing positions on the issue of abortion. Personally, I believe that we can live together as Christians, even when we differ on certain social concerns. However, thoughtful conversation and grace-filled attitudes are crucial for that to happen. May such always be so here at Redeemer. Peace always. --ldq