President Sanders called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.  Pastor Timmermann opened the meeting with prayer.

 

Attendance:

President Neal Sanders

Vice President – Scott Weiss

Pastor Norman Timmermann

Treasurer – Steve Roloff

Board of Christian Education – excused

Board of Church Properties – John Mueller

Board of Evangelism – Betty Dahm

Board of Lay Ministry – Bob Mathison

Board of Missions – Joanne Wolfgram

Board of Parish Fellowship – Sharon Mueller

Board of Stewardship – Bill Arps

Board of Young People’s Work – Melissa Kittredge

Recording Secretary – Joan Sanders

 

The minutes of the June 13, 2007 meeting were approved.

 

President’s Comments

President Sanders distributed copies of names, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of the PPC.  He also distributed copies of the names of church officers and board members.

 

The pros and cons of joining Thrivent were discussed.  President Sanders will contact the Thrivent representative to gather more information.

 

Treasurer’s Report

The treasurer’s report was discussed and approved as presented.

 

Board of Missions

During the entire month of September, the Board of Missions will be collecting warm clothing for the African Mission congregation that we aided last winter.  It was decided that it would be better to provide warm clothing before the winter weather comes, rather that in the midst of it.

 

On September 27^th, Prince of Peace is again responsible for cleanup at the Community Meal Program.  The youth group will be involved.

 

On Sunday, October 14^th, the Rev. Paul Kienker from LC-MS World Relief will speak.  He will share information about this program which is our church benevolence for that month.

 

The Mitten Tree will again be put up for the holidays.  Donations will be sent to Pastor Baker’s mission in Kazakhstan.

Beginning in January, our congregation will become more involved with the F.A.C.T. Pantry.  More details will be given out at a later date.

 

Steve Roloff asked if the board has discussed whether or not our church should stay involved in the Community Meal Program.  It was noted that the board has decided to remain involved for one more year.  Our involvement will then be re-evaluated.

 

Board of Parish Fellowship

The church picnic held on July 8^th was a great success.

 

The board continues to try to fill up the schedule for after church coffees.  The sign-up schedule through December is on the kiosk.

 

The board’s next meeting is on September 10^th.  They will discuss a possible fall activity, the Advent dinners, and tree trimming.

 

Board of Stewardship

The board is looking into procuring a loan to help finance the new organ.  M&I Bank has offered a financing rate of 7.15%.  Three memorials, in the amount of $7,510, have been turned over to the Organ Fund.

 

Board of Young People’s Work

The youth group is currently planning a summertime picnic to be held this Thursday from 4p.m. till dark. The picnic is going to be held at the Wagner’s home in Germantown.  Anyone can attend.

 

The youth group is planning to sell 2008 calendars as a fundraiser.  This project is still in the planning stage.  The calendars should be available sometime in October.

 

Also in October, the youth are planning an outing to a local corn maze.

 

On September 27^th, the youth group, in collaboration with the Board of Missions, will be helping with clean up duties at the Community Meal Program.

 

The board is exploring the idea of entering the 2008 Fourth of July Parade in Menomonee Falls. A notice for help and/or ideas has been placed in the Messenger.

 

The next youth group meeting is set for September 6, 2007.

 

Pastor Timmermann suggested that flyers for VBS might be passed out during the Fourth of July Parade.

 

Board of Church Properties

The board has been doing many projects this summer.  An exterminator was hired to spray for the ongoing ant problem inside of the church.  The floors in the sanctuary were stripped and waxed.  The carpets in the narthex, coatroom, workroom and office were cleaned.  Welcome signs for visitors were installed in the parking lot.  Two rotting beams on the outside of the church were repaired.  Signs with our service schedule have been made and will be installed.

 

The preschool play area was weeded and sprayed for weeds.  Five yards of wood chips were spread in the preschool playground.  Aluminum was put over the bad wood at the preschool entry. 

 

The pew in the northwest classroom has been installed in the sanctuary anticipating the installation of the new organ.  The board is looking into purchasing shelving for this classroom for additional storage.  The pew in the adjacent classroom has been moved to the preschool entry so as to give the children a place to sit as they remove boots, coats, etc.  There is an unused pew that will be given to someone who is interested, since there is no place to store it.

 

The dartball team has requested permission to serve beer at dartball games, and permission has been granted.

 

The sidewalk cracks will be fixed when the weather gets a little cooler.  The work required for the new organ will be done soon.  Exterior paint will be touched up on September 7^th and 8^th from 8:00a.m. till noon.

 

Gross Heating has been contacted about the problems with the boiler.  These problems have been corrected.

 

A policy for emergencies has been written and will be sent to Mike Schmainda the Director of Aquinas Academy.  In this policy agreement, Aquinas will house our preschool in an emergency, and we will likewise house their children in the event of an emergency at their academy.

 

A donation of a used wheelchair is needed as the wheels on the church wheelchair are in poor repair, and they cost too much to replace.

 

Board of Evangelism

The Cradle Roll children who will be turning three years old will be contacted about starting Sunday School.  Other children who turn three during the Sunday School year will be contacted at the appropriate time.

 

The supply of crosses, visitor brochures and tract rack pamphlets continue to be monitored by board members.

 

Lynn Pawelski has volunteered to be on the board.

 

As part of the Ablaze program, the board has prepared bulletin inserts for the month of September.  The inserts will give parishioners ideas to help them invite others to our services.

 

As soon as all bills have been received, the board will begin to work on their 2008 budget.  They will be preparing a report for the September Congregation Meeting.  They also continue to call on all visitors.

 

Scott Weiss, who is the chairman of the Pictorial Directory Committee, noted the company that has been chosen to do our directory offers bonuses for the number of pictures that are taken.  One type of bonus that is offered is the printing of welcome packets.  This may be something that the board could consider.

 

Board of Lay Ministry

The job description for the substitute organist has been completed.  Both Lindsey Otto and Cindy Simon have expressed interest in the position of part time organist.  The board has decided to offer a shared position to both of them.

 

All contributions for hymnals have been spent on hymnals.  All contributions for support materials have been spent for that purpose.  There is still a need for $1,200 in contributions ($400 for hymnals and $800 for support materials).  The board will make one more appeal to anyone who still wants to contribute.  John Mueller asked if we need to address this at the September Congregation Meeting.  President Sanders noted that any shortfall would be addressed in the 2008 budget.

 

Pastor’s Report

There will be two students in first year confirmation class and three students in the second year.

 

The Lutheran Service Book is slowly being introduced.  The choirs will soon be able to assist in this effort.

 

Two nearby congregations have new pastors.  Robert Goodwin will be a new assistant pastor at Grace in Menomonee Falls.  Tim Lamkin will be installed as the new pastor at Zion in Menomonee Falls.

 

The Pastor thanked everyone for the prayers and support for his wife Karen during her illness.

 

Unfinished Business

The Yearly Action Plans for the months of September and October were reviewed.

 

The problem with discrepancies between our deposit records and the bank’s records was discussed.  Treasurer Steve Roloff noted that we have an occasional adding mistake by our counters.  Bob Mathison thought that the Board of Stewardship needs to keep track of discrepancies, and help counters who are having trouble.

 

President Sanders has contacted Richard W. Breitzmann, a certified public accountant, on the correct use of the cell tower funds.  Mr. Breitzmann has written an opinion that we can use this fund in any way.  There are no restrictions.  He also noted that the funds are not taxable.

 

The contract for the new organ is being prepared.

 

Pictorial Directory Committee-Scott Weiss

Members’ photographs will be taken on September 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th.  If members are unavailable on these dates, they may have their pictures taken at another church in the area.  Sign-up sheets are posted in the narthex.  If things work out, it might be possible to sign up on line.  If this becomes available, the Pastor will announce it in church, and it will be printed in the Messenger.

 

Rose Bayer has volunteered to be the director of the Board of Christian Education.

A member for the Board of Stewardship is still needed.

 

 

 

New Business

Bob Mathison moved and John Mueller seconded the appointment of Lynn Pawelski to the Board of Evangelism.  The motion was passed by a unanimous vote.

 

The Council discussed whether to recommend becoming involved in the Transforming Congregations Revitalization Program.  It was decided that the program would be too time consuming, would require too great a need for volunteers, and be somewhat redundant of the Ablaze Program in which we are already involved.  The general consensus was that we would not recommend the program at this time.  The discussion was tabled until the November PPC Meeting where it will be readdressed.

 

Bill Arps of the Board of Stewardship discussed a possible financing program for the new organ.  The total cost of the organ is $52,800.  With $21,120 of Cell Tower Fund money authorized to be used to make the initial down payment, a balance of $31,680 needs to be raised.  $26,400 needs to be paid on delivery of the organ which should be in about 6-8 weeks after the contract is signed.  The remaining $5,280 will be due after the organ installation is completed and accepted by the congregation.  M&I Bank has offered a two year program at 7.15% with a $100 loan fee.  This rate might even be lower once the financing package is completed.  The board recommends borrowing $31,680 for two years.  There will be an appeal to the congregation for donations.

 

The PPC discussed the financing of the organ.  John Mueller suggested that we begin a funding drive before we borrow any money.  Because we need money quickly, we could also take as much as possible from the Cell Tower Fund, ask congregation members for loans at 5% interest, or borrow from our own accounts.  Because of the immediacy, the PPC thought that borrowing from our own accounts would be the quickest and cheapest way to garner funds.  Fundraisers would then be necessary to pay back our own accounts.

 

The PPC decided to put a motion on the agenda for the September Congregation Meeting that will authorize borrowing not more that $31,680 from our own accounts and/or via a commercial loan.  This would cover any monies needed.  At that same meeting, the Board of Stewardship will present their suggestions for raising the necessary funds.

 

President Sanders will prepare the agenda for the September Congregation Meeting.

 

The next PPC Meeting will be on Tuesday, November 13^th.

 

John Mueller moved and Bill Arps seconded that the meeting be closed.  The motion passed. 

The meeting adjourned at 8:45p.m.

 

Pastor Timmermann closed with prayer.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Joan Sanders

Recording Secretary