The meeting was called to order at 6:02 PM in the Large Fellowship Hall. Pastor Nettleton shared an opening devotion and prayer. Eric made a motion to approve the August 10 minutes as submitted. Second by Jim. Motion approved. Pastor Nettleton reported attendance was down a little in August. Wednesday Divine Services (limited-attendance masked services) will continue once a month. Received Garth and Meta Nelson (and their adult children) into membership from Redeemer Lutheran. Eric reported no big or out-of-budget expenses. The preschool collects no income during the summer, so is down $10,000, but will begin recouping the shortfall now that class has started. We are running an $11,000 deficit so far this year, which compares positively to the $18,000 deficit we reported this time last year. Water and electricity use for the mid-summer were up; we will keep an eye on both.

Board Reports

June (Older Adult Ministries) reported the Elderberries had a full van of fourteen for their summer Rockies game trip.

Jim (Human Needs) reported that Kevin Seiler has agreed to serve as the board’s chair.

Brandon (Outreach) reported that the board is still in hiatus, but planning to resume meeting in late 2021 or early 2022.

Stephen (Preschool) reported that Audrey (board member and secretary) has stepped down from the board, and the board is shuffling leadership responsibilities and hoping to find another board member. The Bike Rodeo fundraiser will be back this year at the end of September.

Parish Administrator’s Report

Tom reminded all that board budget requests are due to him by the end of September. He will be preparing the first draft of the 2022 budget for presentation at the October Council meeting.

Old Business

Council reviewed the Columbarium documents: the brochure and application, the rules and regulations and the certificate of inurnment. All were prepared by Tom Miles using templates provided by the columbarium manufacturer, Eikhoff, with input from Pastor Nettleton and Ron Young. Discussion followed. Motion by Jim to approve the the documents as presented but with item III.3.b of the rules and regulations stricken. Second by Eric. Motion carried. Tom noted that he will be writing an article for the upcoming newsletter on the Columbarium and then distributing brochures, including to those who have already made reservations.

Dale asked for feedback on the revised outside group room-use restrictions put in place by Council at the September meeting. Tom noted the large recovery group that had been using the church on Wednesday evenings and meeting at nearby church found a third location where they can meet every night, so will no longer be using space at Saint John’s. In addition, a Saturday morning recovery group moved to a location better suited to their hybrid remote meeting needs. Otherwise, we haven’t had any groups requiring a space larger than what Council is allowing.

New Business

Tom presented a memo with information on various employee health insurance plans offered by Concordia Plans, who administrate Saint John’s benefits. He recommended staying with the current plan, with an 8% premium increase, as it best fits the needs of our insured employees and their families. Discussion followed. Zach made a motion to approve Tom’s recommendation. Grant seconded. Motion carried.

Council discussed possible dates for the fall congregation meeting, which is typically held the second or third Sunday of November. The meeting was set for November 21.

The bylaws require that a nomination committee be appointed in September of each year. Council reviewed the terms and elections sheet. Stephen and Dale volunteered to serve as members of the committee in addition to Pastor Nettleton. Pastor Nettleton will ask RoxAnn Karkhoff-Schweizer, Linda Funke and Tracy Young to serve as the board/at large members.

Open Agenda Items

Council noted that the new south landscaping looks great, and extended their thanks to the anonymous donor who funded the project.

The meeting adjourned at 6:56 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.