Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Aurora, MN
Council Meeting, Tuesday, May 18, 2021
The meeting was called to order: at 6.31 pm May, 18, 2021 by Vice President M Hess
Opening Prayer/Devotional: Pastor Greg Anderson
Opening Remarks by M Hess with Agenda Topics:
Agenda Topics:
- Select Chairman and Secretary for each Board
- Do we wish to have meetings in June and July
- Masks/Social Distancing
- Resume singing of Liturgy & Hymns
- Communion
- Extension of Pastor’s Contract
Council Meeting 6:55 PM In attendances were VP M Hess, Pastor Greg, P Peterson, J Salo, M Castle, K Undeland, M Mulari, T Salo, K Norman, D Barstad, and D Peterson.
Approve Minutes of April 20, 2021. No minutes were available for approval and will be approved at the August 17th, 2021 Council Meeting.
Approve Treasurers Report for April 20, 2021the treasurers report was presented by T Salo, a motion was made by P Peterson to accept the treasurers report as presented, 2nd by D Peterson. Motion approved.
Board Reports
Deacons Report: J Salo reported for the Board of Deacons indicating that J Salo will serve as Chairman and P Peterson will serve as Secretary for the ensuring year; D Shuck will serve as Deacon of the month for May and M Hess will serve as Deacon of the month for June; July Deacon will be C Worshek and August Deacon will be P Peterson.
The Eucharist Committee for May is Y Trowbridge and L Ekman; June will be K Undeland and K Baxter.
Discussion took place regarding an updated Pulpit Replacement List, J Salo will follow-up on this; also we need a current copy of the Pastor’s Schedule, J Salo will follow-up. Discussion took place on Holy Communion; since we have an abundance of pre-package communion elements we should continue to use those cups. Lastly an updated deacons Schedule will be posted on the bulletin board in the Narthex.
Board of Education:No one present
Stewardship and Fellowship:M Castle reported for theSF Board indicating M Castle will serve as Chairman and M Mulari as Secretary for the ensuing year.
The SF Board will resume Coffee An’ beginning May 23, 2021.
Board of Trustees: D Barstad reported for the Trustee Board indicating D Barstad will serve as Chairman and K Norman will serve as Secretary for the ensuring year.
Don Barstad reported that the church roof needs repair. How much will done depends on estimates and budget?
The Lawn mowing schedule needs to be posted. R Salo will provide.
Lawn treatment needs to be done, usually R Salo does this.
Old Business:
The Mutual Ministry Committee consisting of D Maki, J Dickinson, M Boback, C Worshek and T Salo will be in discussion with Pastor Greg regarding his extension of contract. M Boback indicated through correspondence that the Synod will approve an extension. Pastor’s contract ends on the last day of Sept. 2021. Pastor Greg commented on the extension and indicated some terms may be discussed: Housing Allowance, Insurance, etc.
A motion was made by T Salo and 2nd by D Peterson for the committee to proceed with the negotiations. Motion approved.
New Business:
A motion was made by P Peterson and 2nd by J Salo to have no Council Meetings in June and July but resume Council Meetings in August. An August meeting is necessary to act on Pastor’s Contract. Motion approved.
Changes in Covid Restrictions took place; the general consensus was no mask requirement, allow singing of hymns and liturgy, continue communion with pre-packaged element cups, continue to place our offerings on the table in the Narthex, and resume Coffee An’. A motion to the affect was made by D Barstad, 2nd by T Salo. Motion approved. (Basically following the State of MN Regulations).
D Barstad brought up discussion regarding Communion at the Communion Rail; Pastor Greg offered input on how this could be done using prepackaged communion cups. A motion was made D Barstad and 2nd by D Peterson to go to the Communion Rail beginning June 1, 2021. Motion approved.
A motion to adjourn by P Peterson, 2ndby Pastor Greg. Motion approved
Next council meeting date is August 17, 2021
Adjourned with the Lord’s Prayer
Respectfully submitted,
Vice President M Hess, (filling in for D Maki’s absence)
The council asks for your prayers, guidance and support, that by our faithful service we will see faith abounds and God’s kingdom increase. The council invites all members to attend council meetings. “You are our church” and your input is valuable.
Council meetings are the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6:30.
All members are welcome to attend.
Next Council Meeting, August 17, 2021
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Aurora, MN
Council Meeting, Tuesday, April 20, 2021
The meeting was called to order: at 6.30 pm April 20, 2021 by President M Boback
Opening Prayer/Devotional: Pastor Greg Anderson
Agenda Topics:
- February is our reorganizational meeting where all boards are to pick chairpersons and secretaries and give the new names to the church secretary by placing it on her desk or by sending it by email.
- Under Old Business: Approve the minutes for the 2020 Annual Meeting Minutes.
- Mutual Ministry Committee and Pastor Greg will begin discussions whether to extend his contract or offer him a settled call.
Release to Boards:
Because of low attendance at individual board levels the chairman and secretaries were not able to be picked for the 2021 year and will be done at the May council meeting
Council Meeting 6:45 PM In attendance were President M Boback, T Salo, D Barstad, D Maki and Pastor Greg Anderson, J Salo, D Shuck
Approve Minutes of March 9, 2021 Executive council meeting a motion was made by D Barstad, 2nd by T Salo. Motion approved.
Approve Treasurers Report for March 9, 2021the treasurers report was presented by T Salo, a motion was made by D Maki to accept the treasurers report as presented, 2nd by D Barstad. Motion approved.
Board Reports:
Deacons Report: J Salo reported for the Deacons stating D. Shuck is the Deacon for the month of May the Eucharist Committee is back visiting our members in April, D Maki Is doing April and the month of May it will be Y Trowbridge and L Ekman.
Board of Education:
Stewardship and Fellowship:
Board of Trustees: D Barstad reported work will begin as soon as it warms up abit, they will be putting together the lawn mowing schedule, servicing the lawnmowers and cleaning up the dirt clods from snow plowing.
Old Business: At the Annual meeting for year 2020 held on March 28, 2021 the wrong annual meeting minutes were included in the 2020Annual Report. A motion was made by D Maki to approve the minutesdated January 19, 2020 and inserted in the 2020 report, 2nd by D Barstad. Motion approved.
New Business: President Boback informed the council the Mutual Ministry Committee made up of D Maki, J Dickinson, M Boback, and C Worshek would be entering into discussion with Pastor Anderson about whether to extend his contract or offer him a settled call. M Boback will seek advice from the NE MN Synod.
Discussion was held in regard to adding families who attend our church but are not members but their children are members by Confirmation and is felt that their families need to be added to the church directory and receive the monthly Eye Opener; In addition we have young families who attend church, their children attend Sunday School it is also felt those families need to be added to our directory as friends of the congregation so they too can receive our Eye Opener; by doing this we are being evangelical and living out our affiliation with the ELCA; D Maki will work to get families added and the information to our church secretary.
Discussion was also held regarding concerned members who feel social distancing and mask wearing is not being followed in the church. Some small groups who are fully vaccinated are able to meet without wearing masks if all in the group agree. The small group guidelines come from the ELCA, CDC and State guidelines.
The council will continue in service worshiping where everyone is required to wear a mask, social distance and sanitize their hands upon entering the church. The council will relook at all the CDC and agency guidelines again before the next council meeting on May 18th, until then if you are feeling ill please stay home and remain safe.
A motion to adjourn by M Boback, 2nd by D Barstad. Motion approved
Next council meeting date is May 18, 2021
Adjourned with the Lord’s Prayer
Respectfully submitted,
D Maki, Council Secretary
The council asks for your prayers, guidance and support, that by our faithful service we will see faith abounds and God’s kingdom increase. The council invites all members to attend council meetings. “You are our church” and your input is valuable.
Council meetings are the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6:30.All members are welcome to attend.
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Aurora, MN
Special Executive Council Meeting, Tuesday, March 9, 2021
The meeting was called to order: at 1:00 pm March 9, 2021 by President M Boback
Opening Prayer: Pastor Greg Anderson
In attendance were President M Boback, T Salo, D Barstad, D Maki and Pastor Greg Anderson, M Hess, K Baxter, J Moore, P & D Peterson, L Loeffler
Agenda Topics:
- Discuss and evaluate returning to in service worship
- Update on Fundraiser for Barb Swanson who lost everything in Apt. Building fire Feb. 28, 2021
In Service Worship- President M Boback called for input from each of the meeting attendees with their thoughts and concerns about returning to worship, after hearing their thoughts it was decided that it was safe to return to church. The phone and text survey from members showed most all the members age 65 and older have had 1 or both of the Covid vaccines and the variant strains of the virus have not been an issue in our area.
- The decision was made to return to in person worshiping beginning Palm Sunday, March 28, 2021at 10:30 am.
New Business/Discussions
Annual meeting will be held directly after worship service in the fellowship hall on Palm Sunday, March. 28th
Discussion was held regarding possibilities of supplemental computerized organ music as a back up to our organist. Discussion/research will continue to be looked at in the future.
A motion to adjourn was made by M Hess 2nd by D Peterson. Motion approved 2:15pm
Closed with the Lord’s Prayer
Go in Peace and Serve the Lord. Amen
Respectfully submitted,
D Maki, Council Secretary
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church
Council Meeting, Tuesday, October 20, 2020
The meeting was called to order: at 6:35 pm Oct. 20, 2020 by President M Boback
Agenda/Opening Remarks by President M Boback;
• What did you think of worship on Sunday? How can we do it better? What would you change? Next Sunday is confirmation. There are eight confirmands. Ideas on social distancing with extra people in church.
• With Covid rising at an alarming rate we need to be very careful as we worship. Please help the rest of the members to remember to wash hands, social distance and wear masks. I am quite leery of the short term future.
In attendance were M Boback, T Salo, R Salo, D Barstad, K Baxter, J Salo, K Norman, D Barstad, D Peterson, C Worshek, K Baxter, M Mulari, M Hess, P Peterson and D Maki.
• Open Discussion was held regarding the topics listed above the consensus was the social distancing with mask wearing went really well; sanitizing stations are placed at the east and south entrances, temperatures were taken, people social distanced when greeting each other, people passed by a table where they picked up their bulletins, picked up individual communion sacraments and dropped their offerings into a basket before entering the sanctuary where pew rows were roped off to allow social distancing; the service was spoken, hymns were played but no singing, it was discussed we could hum if you’d like. After the service we were ushered out nodding and greeting one another. It was good to be with one another again! We enjoyed Pastor Greg’s first service with us and look forward to getting to know him more and more each week!!
• The second question “With Covid rising at an alarming rate we need to be very careful as we worship. Please help the rest of the members to remember to wash hands, social distance and wear masks. The consensus after discussion was that we base our decision to gather in worship by paying close attention to the rise of Covid cases within our community and school; we are doing our best to provide a safe place of worship and follow safe practices. We recommend that each family and individual make their own decision to attend worship, in the mean time we will be sending out the weekly bulletin and sermon by either email or US mail to all households, “if we have proper email addresses.” We ask that you please contact us with your updated email address if you are not receiving emails.
Approve Minutes of September 15, 2020 council meeting. A motion was made by D Barstad to approve the minutes, 2nd by D Peterson. Motion approved.
Approve Treasurers Report as of September 30, 2020 the treasures report was presented by T Salo and approved by the Board of Trustees a motion was made by P Peterson to approve the treasurer’s report as presented, 2nd by D Barstad. Motion approved.
Board Reports
Board of Deacon’s: K Baxter reported that J Salo will be the November Deacon of the month and the Eucharist Committee is not able to visit members in assisted living because of the Corona pandemic. K Baxter informed us we have 6 confirmands being confirmed on Sunday, Oct. 25th there will be no celebration after the service because of the Corona Virus.
Board of Ed: By phone call J Dickinson reported to Pres. M Boback that no weekly Sunday school is planned at this time but the Board of Ed is working on things that could take place as the Covid Pandemic allows. C Worshek informed the council we have 6 students in Confirmation class this year 2 of which have chosen to return to confirmation for a 3rd year.
Board of Stewardship & Fellowship: D Maki reported the board members are working together to reach out to our church members with needs that come about, we ask anyone with needs to contact the church office and leave a message. The survey to attend church during the Covid turned out that over 50% would attend church “if” the pandemic numbers allowed for save worshiping.
Board of Trustees: D Barstad reported the preparation for winterizing the church is complete; the snow shoveling list will be published in the November Eye Opener.
Old Business:
New Business: Shown above under Opening Remarks.
Motion to adjourn was made by M Boback 2nd by D Barstad. Motion approved.
Adjourned with Lord’s Prayer
Respectfully submitted,
D Maki, Council Secretary
The council asks for your prayers, guidance and support, that by our faithful service we will see faith abounds and God’s kingdom increase. The council invites all members to attend council meetings. “You are our church” and your input is valuable. Council meetings are the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm.
CHECK THE SYNOD WEBSITE FOR CURRENT FACTS ON COVID 19
www.nemnsynod.or
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Aurora, MN
Special Council Meeting, Tuesday, September 15, 2020
The meeting was called to order: at 6:35 pm Sept. 15, 2020 by President M Boback
In attendance were M Boback, T Salo, D Barstad Baxter, R Salo, J Salo and D Maki.
Agenda/Opening Remarks 6:30 PM Sept. 15, 2020 by President M Boback;
- Letter of Termination was sent to PR Barb effective10/10/2020.
- Confirmation, when and how many?
- Rippers and Strippers request to start up?
- Three hour meeting with PR Greg At this point, we will pretty much follow order of worship. 1st and 3rd Sundays will be Holy Communion. PR Greg is enthusiastic about visiting as soon as possible. He said he will “try” to make phone call to all members. I asked about emailing or USPS mailing the bulletin, similar to what PR Barb has done to those not able or wanting to attend worship. He was open to the idea, but said the spoken sermon may vary from the published one, seeing that the published one must be done early in the week to accommodate USPS delivery and Kelly’s schedule. We talked about Mutual Ministry Committee and quarterly meetings.
- We will need ushers to do a number of tasks for worship, bulletins, take temps, and supervise social distancing.
- Approve Minutes of the last two special meetings Aug. 6th and 25th. Also July 21, 2020
Approve Minutes of the last two special meetings Aug. 6th and 25th. Also July 21, 2020. A motion was made by T Salo, 2nd by D Barstad. Motion approved.
Approve Treasurers Report as of August 31, 2020 the treasures report was presented by T Salo a motion was made by M Boback to approve the treasurer’s report as presented, 2nd by K Baxter. Motion approved.
Board Reports
Board of Deacon’s: K Baxter reported that M Hess will be the October Deacon of the month and the Eucharist Committee is not able to visit members in assisted living because of the Corona pandemic.
Board of Ed: Absent Council members will contact the Board of Ed to find out the number of confirmation students and their plans on Sunday school.
Board of Stewardship & Fellowship: D Maki reported that the committee is working on contacting members with cards, calls, emails and texts. They will be surveying members on whether they will attend church services during the pandemic. The Board of Stewardship will have information in the October Eye Opener about the survey to attend church; they will ask you to return a call to D Maki.
Board of Trustees: D Barstad reported he worked removing the wood chips from the stump that was ground; he leveled it and seeded it. A big “thank you” to Don for the big removal project! Don informed the council the furnace is checked and running and the air conditioner covers are on and ready for cold weather. Don reported we received a renewal insurance policy from Grinnell and asked we make a motion to approve the renewal policy. A motion was made by D Maki to approve the Grinnell Renewal Policy, 2nd by M Boback. Motion approved.
Old Business:
New Business: M Boback informed the council cluster flies are especially bad this year, Jeff Eidola sprayed today. Discussion was held regarding the Rippers and Strippers starting up and it was decided they could start the week of October 11 with the group following all safe guidelines by wearing masks and social distancing. The group will be responsible for sanitizing and cleaning their work area.
The head ushers are working to accommodate the needs and tasks for worshiping, the needs are: folding and setting out bulletins, take temps, and supervise social distancing.
There will be no coffee an served during the pandemic.
Motion to adjourn was made by M Boback 2nd by D Maki. Motion approved.
Adjourned with Lord’s Prayer
Respectfully submitted,
D Maki, Council Secretary
The council asks for your prayers, guidance and support, that by our faithful service we will see faith abounds and God’s kingdom increase. The council invites all members to attend council meetings. “You are our church” and your input is valuable. Council meetings are the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm.
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Aurora, MN
Special Council Meeting, Tuesday, August 6, 2020
The meeting was called to order: at 6:35 pm Aug. 6, 2020 by President M Boback
In attendance were President M Boback, T Salo, R Salo, K Norman, D Peterson, M Mulari, M Castle, D Maki, K Baxter, C Worshek and T Honkola.
Agenda for the evening:
- Discuss and finalize the financial package for our candidate of choice for a ½ time pastor position for a 12 month term; after the 1 year term if the pastor and our church are happy with the arrangement we can turn it into a called position.
- Set up a Mutual Ministry Committee who will work with the Pastor
- Discuss returning to worship
President Boback and K Baxter Chairman of the Call Committee presented all in attendance with revised financial packages for our candidate of choice, after discussion we found one that seemed to work. A motion was made by C Worshek to accept the financial package for the 1 year term ½ time position beginning Oct 1, 2020, 2nd by M Castle. Motion approved.
President Boback asked that we find members who would serve on a “ Mutual Ministry Committee” who would work with the Pastor in getting to know the goings on of our church; those who volunteered are: C Worshek, D Maki, J Dickinson, T Honkola and M Boback.
Returning to worship was discussed and agreed on; we will be opening our doors for worship beginning October 11th our service time will be 10:30 am, our term Pastor serves a church prior to our service at 8:30 in Soudan.
A motion to adjourn was made by C Worshek 2nd by M Boback. Motion approved 7:45 pm.
The council asks for your prayers, guidance and support, that by our faithful service we will see faith abounds and God’s kingdom increase. The council invites all members to attend council meetings. “You are our church” and your input is valuable. Council meetings are the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6:30.
Adjourned with Lord’s Prayer
Respectfully submitted,
D Maki, Council Secretary
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Aurora, MN
Council Meeting July 21, 2020
The Council meeting was called to order: at 6:35 PM July, 21, 2020 by President M Boback
In attendance were President M Boback, T Salo, R Salo, D Barstad, K Norman, D Peterson, M Mulari, P Peterson, M Castle, D Maki, K Baxter, J Salo, C Worshek, J Dickinson,
Agenda for the evening: Information regarding Pastor Barb’s contract with us; Call Committee Update: Covid 19 Emergency Preparedness Plan.
- President Boback informed the council: Pastor Barb has been told by the UMC that she can’t enter into a pastoral contract with us after Dec 31. 2020 and that we need to reimburse Pastor Barb for postage. Many thanks to Pastor Barb for providing worship services to our congregation through email, Facebook and mail!
- President Boback informed the council: Covid 19 Emergency Prepared plan has been written and rewritten and is ready to be published and sent out to members. Discussion about when to resume worshiping is still up in the air as the Covid continues to spread more locally every day and continues to be very risky to resume worship. The Corona Virus will not go away until a vaccine is proven and safe. For now our church will continue to suspend church activities held in our church with the exception of council meetings and necessary meetings.
- Call Committee Chairman K Baxter updated us on the progress of our candidate of choice, our candidate was presented a ½ time financial package and we are in the process of negotiating the package. The council had a very long discussion and found we needed to rework the financial package to meet the pastor and our needs. A motion was made by C Worshek, 2nd by P Peterson to table the motion to call our candidate at this time. Motion approved; K Baxter will keep in contact with the Synod, the candidate and the council as we prayerfully consider our candidate.
D Maki informed the Council of the Virtual Blue Grass Festival, our church will have a basket for us all to bid on. Our basket is called “Enjoying Life with the Covid” bidding opens July 23 and ends July 25, go to this link to bid on the MANY baskets and items to support the Voyagers Lutheran Ministry and our Camp Vermilion that provides “Christ-centered spiritual growth, leadership development, and outreach in God’s great Northwood’s”. Go to vlmcamps.org click on calendar of events then Bluegrass Festival. Kelly has emailed you a like that connects you automatically.
Eye Opener will be printed after each month and sent out by email, mail or can be picked up at the church on the table in the Narthex. As always we encourage you to email Kelly in the office any articles or news you have. It’s important for us to keep in touch!
Motion to adjourn by M Boback, 2nd by M Castle. Motion approved. 8:15 pm.
The council asks for your prayers, guidance and support, that by our faithful service we will see faith abounds and God’s kingdom increase. The council invites all members to attend council meetings. “You are our church” and your input is valuable. Council meetings are the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6:30.
Adjourned with Lord’s Prayer
Respectfully submitted,
D Maki, Council Secretary
CHECK THE SYNOD WEBSITE FOR CURRENT FACTS ON COVID 19
www.nemnsynod.org