The February 9, 2016, meeting was called to order at 6:02 PM. Pastor Nettleton opened with a devotion and prayer. The prior meeting’s minutes were approved as submitted.

Official Acts and Treasurer’s Report

Good attendance in January with all five Sundays. Official acts included transferring out two members. Ended the month $2,169 in the black despite the annual licensing expenses.

Board Reports

Children’s Ministry: Kids are enjoying the Sunday School format and will be singing this Sunday.

Elderberries: Met on January 13. Have planned the lunch meals for Lent. There will not be Third Thursday Potlucks in February and March due to Lent.

Fellowship: Had about thirty in attendance at the February Meet and Greet Potluck. Faith Day at the Rockies is on August 7. Church has purchased forty tickets for the event.

Finance: Met and went over the January budget and noted that there were no red flags. Board chair, Greg Bruny, agreed to handle any stewardship issues. Keeping the previous year’s books open into the current year was discussed. It was determined that this is not allowable and Saint John’s will discontinue the practice.

Human Needs: Working on the Baby Kit Project for Lutheran World Relief and will be collecting items through Lent. Currently, nine people are potentially going to Peru this summer. The Heseders will be providing two of the evening Lent meals.

Outreach: Working to line up guest speakers for 2016 and 2017.

Parish Education: Have not met recently and are working to arrange a new meeting time.

Preschool: Preschool Fair went well and invited many to the Open Arms Open House on February 18. Looking into a new preschool evaluation program called Colorado Shines. This may give the Preschool further accreditation and encourage more potential families to choose Open Arms.

Parish Administrator’s Report

Coffee Maker: Have purchased a new coffee maker for the Church.

Newsletter Report: Council will continue publishing meeting minutes in the newsletter once those minutes have been approved.

Organ: Has been serviced and we will continue to follow up on any other issues.

Old Business

Memorial Garden: Architect is drawing up the plans. These will be done by March 15. We will have about a month to get construction bids that we can present at the congregation meeting. Bruce suggested having the drawings available for the congregation to see prior to the meeting.

Wente Estate: Have not yet received our first check, but it should be coming soon.

Open Agenda Items

Watoto Choir: This is a choir of orphaned children from Africa. They are looking for performance venues while they are in the US in June. Nelly Sanford has asked Council to approve the use of our Sanctuary for a fundraising concert. Council unanimously approved.

The thirteen members of the Church Council are the “Board of Directors” of the congregation, tasked with general oversight of the life and activities of the congregation to the end that everything be done in accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws.