Church Council Arlington Hills United Methodist Church

MINUTES
Tuesday, December 9, 2003

ATTENDANCE: Karen Johnson, Carole Morter, Steve North, Michele Gorden, Kathy Carlson, Betty Phillippo (recording secretary), Linda Oberg, Karen Skogen, Karen Desens, Janet Ricci, Liz Jones, Donna Gapinski, Bruce Larsen, Pastor Greg Iverson, Marsha Froehle, Todd Levig, Jim Watson, Bill Morter, Mark Youngstrom, John James, Beth Thompson, Chairperson Ron Phillippo

SUMMARY OF ACTION TAKEN:
a. The minutes of the 9/9/03 were approved.
b. Approved the preparation of a resolution commending Greg Schlichting for
his years as Scoutmaster of AHUMC Boy Scout Troop 187.
c. Ratified Carole Morter as a new deacon.
d. Determined the following important dates:
(1) Church Council Planning Summit - Sunday, January 25, 2004
(2) UMW-led service - Sunday, January 25, 2004
(3) Approved a called meeting of the Church Council for Tuesday, January 27
to act on the 2004 budget
(4) Church Conference - Sunday, February 1, 2004
e. Approved the "Accountable Reimbursement Policy"
f. Approved the AHUMC Leadership and Team Ministry Handbook
g. Accepted the Treasurer's Report (November).
h. Approved a maximum of $6,000 be paid of the Missions commitments for 2003.

1. OPENING/Ron Phillippo: Ron welcomed everyone and expressed appreciation
for everyone's ongoing leadership and participation in our quarterly council meetings.

2. DEVOTIONS were given by Bruce Larsen, Deacon.

3. OPENING PRAYER was given by Pastor Iverson.

4. ACTION ON MINUTES: The minutes of the previous Council meeting (9/9/03)
were approved (motion by Karen Johnson, seconded by Michele Gorden;
motion carried).

5. "BRAG TIME" - Committee heads and ministry team leaders briefly shared
recent accomplishments and plans:

Bill Morter - Boy Scout Troop 187 has two new Eagle Scouts, with four more
pending. Longtime Scoutmaster Greg Schlichting will be "retiring" at year end.
Great appreciation was expressed for his outstanding service.

Jim Watson - Requested prayers for AHUMC financial shortfall.

Todd Levig - There is a great amount of effort going into a dinner and party for
Emma's Place residents; there will be a church talent show early in the new year.

Pastor Iverson - Expressed deep appreciation for all of those who are making
extra effort for the many Christmas-related activities now and in the coming weeks.

Bruce Larsen - Team Leaders Kathy Carlson and Liz Jones are the Greatest!!!

Donna Gapinski - Operation Christmas Child is a meaningful project for the youth -
contributions totaling $450 have been received for the Giving Tree gifts. Donna
is looking to add a senior high program for Sunday mornings.

Liz Jones - The Alpha program is wrapping up, and "Letters from a Skeptic" will
continue - the Alpha group has included some people from outside AHUMC. A
study on racism will start soon.

Janet Ricci - Remarked that "Alpha" has also reached some "marginalized" AHUMC
members. Anne Kaese will be leading a study on "An Ordinary Day with Jesus."

Karen Skogen - Centerpieces for the Emma's Place dinner are being prepared. Her
team is discussing and thinking about what approach to take regarding evangelism.

Karen Desens - The new pictorial directories will be shipped to us on January 5.

Linda Oberg - UMW program on Saturday (12/6) was well attended.

Kathy Carlson - A "Prayer Warrior" team is being formed which would include (1)
individuals who are willing to commit to pray for our church on a daily basis for
one year, and (2) 2-3 people each Sunday to pray for our worship service and
all of its aspects. Her team is also discussing types of music used during our
worship services.

Karen Johnson - Thinking of ways to recognize Greg Schlichting's years of
exceptional service. A motion was then passed to prepare a resolution to
officially honor Greg (motion by Karen, second by Bill Morter) at a date and
in a manner yet to be determined.

6. LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT/Mark Youngstrom: A number of open positions
for 2004 are being filled. Carole Morter was ratified as a new deacon (motion by
Mark Youngstrom, second by Karen Johnson; motion carried).

7. CHURCH COUNCIL PLANNING SESSION - to be held on Sunday, January 25,
12:00 noon - 6:00 p.m., with input from Cindy Gregorson, District Superintendent,
from the Days of Listening.

8. Bill Morter moved to ratify the Accountable Reimbursement Policy (having to do
with IRS regulations related to reimbursed business expenses of employees NOT
being included in gross income); second by Bruce Larsen; motion carried.

9. The Leadership Handbook, prepared by Adelle North, was presented by Carole
Morter in the form of a motion; second by Bruce Larsen; motion carried.

10. PLANNING AHEAD:
a. The date of February 1, 2004, was set for the annual church conference.
b. Karen Skogen, membership secretary, distributed the text of draft letters to
be sent to inactive members regarding their desire to affirm/decline their
membership. Marsha Froehle and Michele Gorden spoke in opposition
to the proposed letters, especially to college students (and some others,
for a variety of reasons). Pastor Iverson reviewed the standards which are
used for sending letters. A more positive, inclusive letter was suggested.
Council members are asked to contact Karen within a few days with ideas.
c. The suggested format for ministry team leaders' and committee chairs'
annual reports was distributed.
d. Brag in the Builder!!! - Chairperson Ron stressed using this excellent
communications vehicle enabling all teams and committees to share
accomplishments with the congregation.

11. Chris Bewell requested that the 4th Sunday of January (which is the 25th, in
2004) be set aside for the annual UMW-led service. The Council agreed, by
consensus, to continue this time of observance.

12. TREASURER's REPORT/STEWARDSHIP/Linda Oberg, John James: The first
Sunday in January will be the deadline for purchase orders going into the 2003
budget. Linda has stopped sending apportionments. Linda indicated that
December is typically a good month for income.

$422,000 was the total budget for 2003; anticipated income should be $410,000-
$415,000 ("best-case scenario").

Past unpaid Conference Apportionments can be "forgiven" by 25% per year if
the current "past unpaids" (accumulated over the past 10 years) are paid this
year ($3,200).

John and Linda asked for help in determining 2004 priorities, i.e. a new furnace,
multiple new roof leaks. Trustee Chair Marsha Froehle estimates that a new
furnace may cost $20,000 and the roof repairs, $15,000. Stewardship Team
Leader John said that we can hope for the "best," but there's a reality we
must prepare for.

A number of questions were asked - "Why don't we borrow from Music
Endowment to cover the shortage resulting from organ repair?" John James
admonished the Council to put our money into what we value most - tough
decisions have to be made!!

Regarding 2004 Budget "Askings" - A committee (Linda, John, John Nentwig,
Thelma James) has met for the purpose of reducing insurance costs. After
considerable "tweaking," and after the insurance cuts, approximately $451,000
is the total level of proposed spending for 2004 - John listed three possible
options: (1) no program changes - "status quo" - $451,000
(2) cannot spend more than we have spent this year - $425,000
(3) match spending to revenues - $400,000
Bill Morter made a motion to defer all apportionments and mission spending;
seconded by Jim Watson; motion was defeated.

There was considerable discussion regarding the change several years ago when
a unified budget was adapted, and the possibility of going back to that (missions,
operations, and building).

Steve North spoke to this issue, and suggested paying either missions or
apportionments. Inquiries were made concerning the amount presently in
Memorial Funds; answer, $7,800.

Linda made a motion that we pay a maximum of $6,000 mission commitments as
directed by the missions committee, and that we see how the rest of the year
goes (re: income) before deciding about apportionments; seconded by John
James; motion carried.

In an effort to determine when a final budget for 2004 could be reviewed and
acted upon, Linda indicated that the bank statement should arrive by the 10th
of January, and that she will need a couple of days to examine it, and the
Stewardship team will meet on Tuesday the 20th to finalize the '04 proposed
budget. It was concluded that the Council will meet on the 27th to act on the
Stewardship team's recommendation.

ADJOURNMENT at 9:10 p.m.

Betty Phillippo, Recording Secretary

NEXT MEETING - Tuesday, January 27, 7:00 p.m.