The meeting was called to order at 6:04 PM. Most attendees were in-person in the Large Fellowship Hall, with two connected online. Pastor Nettleton shared a devotion and opening prayer. The minutes from the February 9 meeting were approved as circulated. Pastor Nettleton reported that people continue to return to in-person Sunday worship. Several are shifting back from the Wednesday Divine services, and last Sunday we even had a couple of people back who had not attended in-person since last March. Peak recent attendance has been 93, and ninety were in attendance last Sunday. Pastor Nettleton is hoping to gradually reduce the number of Wednesday Divine services until they are no longer needed. Eric reported that income was $1,200 over expenses for February, leaving the church with only a $700 deficit year-to-date. There were no out-of-the-ordinary expenses in February. Jeannie Benson prepared a report comparing January and February numbers for the last few years, and Council discussed whether it would be useful to get that information presented in graph form.

Board Reports

Steven shared that Open Arms Christian Preschool received a grant of $3,000 as part of Colorado’s late-2020 COVID19 relief package. The Board voted to put the money in the Financial Aid fund, which is set up to be available for the preschool’s bottom line if needed. Stephen also reported that the preschool has received its first Colorado Shines score, after much preparation. The school has been given a 4-star rating (out of 5), the only non-Poudre School District preschool in the area with a four or better. The school received fives in two categories and mid-fours in the remaining three. The Board will use the evaluation and a “Quality Improvement Plan” that Kandy prepared for the rating process to develop and prioritize a project and goals list.

Grant reported that the Trustees will be doing a cleanup day March 27.

Parish Administrator’s Report

Tom reported that he had submitted the first year of utility data to the city to be in compliance with the new Building Energy and Water Scoring ordinance.

Tom mentioned some online viewers were reporting freezing video on the worship stream. He fixed the issue, but at the cost of video quality. He intends to look into alternate internet solutions to see if we can find a provider with better upload speeds at a similar cost to what we currently pay. Council discussed the stream quality, with several Council members mentioning that audio quality has been very good and the video quality, even diminished, is sufficient.

Old Business

Pastor Nettleton requested Council re-evaluate the decision made at the last meeting concerning Easter services, given rising attendance. After consulting with fellow area pastors, he suggested we offer services at 9:00 and 11:00 AM, with no sunrise service. Presumably most people would attend the 9:00 AM service, with the 11:00 AM a lower-attendance service for those more comfortable with a smaller crowd. Discussion followed about whether to cap attendance, offer overflow and hire security. Motion by Jim to switch to 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM services for Easter. Second by Zach. Motion passed.

Pastor Nettleton reported that over 90% of churches that participated in the vote to postpone the LCMS synodical convention approved rescheduling it to 2023. The Rocky Mountain District convention scheduled for 2021 will be moved to 2022.

New Business

Council discussed possible dates for a Spring Congregation meeting, and determined it would be best to look at scheduling the meeting for a Sunday in May. Pastor Nettleton requested the decision on which Sunday in May be tabled for the April council meeting, so he has time to finish making Confirmation Sunday plans with our 2021 confirmands’ families.

Open Agenda Items

Dale requested input on the possibility of adding a presentation from Jason Jones, LCMS Foundation Gift Planning Counselor, to the April Council agenda. The Foundation has retained Jason’s services through 2021. Most Council members indicated they have been through the Gift Planning process with Jason, so another presentation is not needed. Dale encouraged all to continue promoting the program.

The meeting adjourned at 7:10 PM with everyone saying 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.