Peace Lutheran Church
416 Wellham Ave.
Glen Burnie MD, 21061
Bringing Christ's love to all people and all people to Christ's love.
Parish Planning Council
Congregational Meeting Recap
Thank you to all who came and participated in the semi-annual Congregational Meeting. We are trying to improve the lines of communication so we’re offering this recap for those who were unable to attend!
After calling the meeting to order with a Gathering Prayer, Peace Council President Debbie Groff introduced Dave Hulteng for the Report of the Treasurer. Since we are not yet at the end of our fiscal year, Dave provided a snapshot status of current operating funds in lieu of a complete report for 2007. The good news is despite being a congregation in transition, our giving-to-date has been slightly higher than our budgeted expenses for the year. The bad news is we face several uncertainties and a slight decrease in previous income in 2008. These were covered later in the meeting under the 2008 Budget discussions.
Next, Pastor JMe Lowden provided the Report of the Interim Pastor. Pastor JMe thanked the congregation for allowing her to serve with us during this time of transition and expressed her appreciation to Deacon Gail for her unwavering support and constant attention to detail. Pastor thanked the members of the PPC for their leadership and work to ensure that things are in proper order as we look ahead to calling a new pastor.
After thanking Pastor JMe, Debbie introduced Deacon Gail Wilson who provided the Report of the Parish Staff. Deacon Gail thanked the paid staff and the volunteer staff for their outstanding support this year. She also encouraged all members of Peace to prayerfully consider their continued support of all of Peace's activities and ministries.
Tina Rodriguez, Call Committee Chair, shared an update from the Call Committee (Jack Smith, Sara Moore, Kirk Madsen, and Debbie Groff). After surveying the congregation earlier this year, the Call Committee assisted in the completion of the Congregational Profile which is used by potential candidates to determine interest in particular churches. The Profile, used by potential candidates, basically paints a picture about the church's history, congregation demographics, worship habits, ministries, resources, facility, special activities, etc. as well as information about the surrounding community's population, transportation, schools, etc. A copy of the Profile will be posted to the bulletin board and made available to all who express an interest in receiving a copy. The Call Committee has completed its initial work and is now awaiting names of several potential candidates. They have prepared a list of questions and are ready to start the interview process. Tina closed by asking the congregation to keep the members of the Call Committee in prayer as they continue their important work.
Jane Hudgins, Coordinator for Facility and Finance Ministries, reviewed the proposed 2008 budget. She highlighted how difficult it was to develop a budget without benefit of pledges from the majority of the congregation. While this year's proposed budget is almost $250,000, this year's pledges totaled only $80,000. She asked all to prayerfully consider completing the pledge cards next year, even if anonymously submitted. The proposed 2008 budget increases are as follows: a modest 4% raise for most of the paid staff; slightly higher raises for Deacon Gail (given that she works far more hours than she is paid for) and Joey Hudgins (given that his pay was not commensurate with that of our substitute bass player); and anticipated increases in utilities expenses. Details regarding income we expect to lose in 2008 included – pledge to offset Associate Minister of Music salary, a donation from Salem Lutheran Church for outreach, a secretarial grant from the Synod for work done by Pastor Bill and Deacon Gail for the Bishop, and a direct donation from Pastor Bill toward New Ministries. These lost incomes total approximately $15,000. Grant monies of $16,000 for the Latino Ministry was moved from our benevolence budget and placed in a committed fund for the Latino Ministry. An adjustment of the benevolence percentage from 16% to 12% when coupled with the removal of the Latino grant money from the budget to a committed line, actually results in a significant increase in financial support to each of our mission partners. After discussion and amendments of a $200 increase to Worship-Choir Music of $200 and a change to 12% for benevolence, the 2008 budget was unanimously approved. The final approved budget will be posted to the bulletin board and made available to all who express an interest in receiving a copy. Jane concluded with a special thanks to Dave Hulteng for his incredible dedication and support as Peace's long-time and significantly underpaid treasurer.
Following the budget discussion, Debbie presented the 35 revisions to the Constitution necessary to align it with the ELCA model constitution. After much discussion on the correctness of the procedures, the amendments recommended by the PPC to update the Constitution as required by the ELCA were approved in totality. Future recommendations of amendments to the constitution (those that fall outside of the updates required by the model constitution) and to the by-laws will be mailed to the congregation at least 30 days in advance of the meeting.
Please join us in congratulating and thanking the following people for stepping into or continuing on in leadership positions for the upcoming year.
Nominating Committee - Lisa Crowley, Joanne Hudgins, Diane Trepanier, and Debbie Groff
Council Vice President - Patrick Trepanier
Worship & Fellowship Co-coordinators - Nancy Wagner and Nancy Bryant
Equipment & Facilities Co-coordinators - Jack Smith and Steve Reiner
Finance & Administration Co-coordinators - Jane Hudgins and Lisa Stokes
Education & Youth Co-coordinators - Freddie Fontz and Sandy Snyder
Outreach & Missions Co-coordinators - Lynn Archer and Darlene Revis
The meeting was adjourned with a sending prayer.
If you didn't have a chance to read the board and staff reports, please do as they are filled with important information of interest to all.