The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM in the Small Fellowship Hall. Pastor Nettleton read a passage from Psalm 57 followed by an opening prayer. Following a spelling correction of Brandon’s name the minutes were approved as circulated. The August 18 funeral for Lucille Ruth Takes was noted in the Attendance and Official Acts summary. Pastor Nettleton commented on the growth in Sunday worship attendance figures as well as the favorable participation for both the morning and afternoon Wednesday services. In addition he indicated that Bible Study will resume the following Sunday and that plans are underway to navigate the resumption of Sunday School following worship. In Eric’s absence Tom provided an overview of the financial documents circulated with the Council meeting agenda. He also mentioned particular expenses related to routine website software purchases paid for out of the Outreach budget. Income from preschool tuition has resumed with classes almost full for both the Monday/Wednesday/Friday and Tuesday/Thursday school programs.

Board Reports

Given COVID-related circumstances there were not any formal board reports. Dorothy indicated that she has been reviewing the past three years of Education Board-directed budget activity in preparation for submitting a proposed budget for the coming year. Grant mentioned the culmination of the sale of property adjacent to Saint John’s and the need to consider options to replace the lost garage space that the Church has been renting for ladder and equipment storage. Plans are underway to design and build a shed on the permanent easement concrete pad that the Church has adjacent to the former garage storage rental. When completed the structure will be designed to hold necessary equipment like the Church’s snow blower, secure ladders and provide a fenced-off area for the dumpster. As part of the discussion a motion was made followed by a unanimous vote to decline a verbal offer from the new property owner to purchase the Church’s easement for $5,000.

Parish Administrator’s Report

Tom’s report began with a discussion of options for the COVID-related reopening of certain group meetings and events in the Church facility. A lengthy discussion ensued that included making distinctions between internal and external groups with regard to Larimer County’s current expectations for and restrictions on group size, cleaning schedules and social distancing guidelines. After voting down one reopening proposal and having another motion withdrawn two subsequent motions were proffered and passed unanimously. The first motion was to authorize the resumption of internal Saint John’s groups consisting of ten or fewer persons to begin meeting in Church facilities in abidance and conformity with all social distancing, cleaning and other guidelines and protocols currently being followed for Worship services. The second motion authorized Tom to submit a proposal to the appropriate Larimer County department seeking approval for the resumption of internal groups of more than ten persons to resume using the facility for meeting purposes within the same health and cleaning schedule constraints. Tom will monitor the reopening efforts and, at a later date, the Council will revisit the possibility of reopening the facility to external groups on a case-by-case basis.

Old Business

As planned the Council revisited a discussion from earlier in the spring related to current security and safety practices. Don indicated that he had circulated a copy of the existing policy via email to Council members in April. Following a brief discussion the Council concurred that there doesn’t appear to be anything in need of modification at this time.

New Business

The first new business agenda item was an overview of financial reports and the budget preparation process. Given other agenda items being discussed the Council agreed to table the financial and budget topic until the next scheduled meeting.

The second agenda topic involved the upcoming fall Congregational meeting. Discussion covered the need for 35 voting-eligible participants to comprise a quorum, virtual streaming options and meeting location for those in actual attendance. November 15 was selected as the date with the meeting to begin following that morning’s worship service. With streaming in place participants will have the option of voting via a requested absentee ballot following the meeting.

The next agenda item was the appointment of a Nomination Committee to develop a slate of candidates for elected offices and Council membership as a whole. Pastor Nettleton, Jill and Grant agreed to represent the Council on the committee, and other names were suggested to round out the other committee roles.

Open Agenda Items

There were no open agenda items.

The meeting adjourned at 8:21 PM with everyone standing for the Lord’s Prayer.

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.