​COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
 
 


 
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
April 11, 2023
 
Attendance – Gail Rolseth (R), Vicar Kristen, Pastor Ben, Mark Lamb, Debbie Lewis, Sam Kitchens(R), Matthew Breitenstine, Karen Morton, Michael Claussen, Cathy Barr, Stephanie Varnum, Lisa Nelson,
 
7:05 called to order.
 
Pastoral Prayer – Vicar Kristen
 
New Business

1. Administrative Delegation – Mark Lamb

1. President – Lisa Nelson
2. Vice President -Debbie Lewis
3. Treasurer – Greg Smith
4. Secretary – Gail Rolseth
5. Financial Secretary – Mark Lamb
6. Nominations from the floor – Stephanie will work with congregational life, and Michael will work with the community life committee.

1. Constitution update – meeting Sunday, 4/16
2. Congregational Life events – Clean-up Day went well, 5/13 North Dallas Shared Ministries.
3. Research Flock Note for alternate communication to members – refer to the communication committee for review.
4. Mark Lamb - Outreach for a person in need
   1. This should be taken off Pastor’s plate.
   2. We should ask donors where they would like to see it.
   3. What are the parameters?
   4. Definition of a “Person in Need.”
   5. Delegate to Financial Secretary and Community Life
5. NT-NL ELCA Synod Assembly – Shreveport LA
   1. April 28/29
   2. Pastor Ben will be nominated for the committee to rewrite the ELC constitution.
   3. Pastor Ben will go and would like one or two others to attend – registration closes on April 16.
6. Homiletics Conference – need to approve the budget for Pastor to attend in MN with Vicar Kristen. The approximate cost will be about $1000 over the current budget for this year. Mark Lamb motioned budget not exceed $1500 second by Debbie Lewis.
7. Vicar Kristen – update to housing allowance as there was an error due to a local intern last term and the budgeting of the previous intern. We will not have an intern next year.
   1. Mark Lamb moved to cover the housing allowance; Sam Kitchen seconded it. July 15- December 31. present, which is about $6,000, amended by Debbie Lewis. There will be a check to Kristen.

      The meeting adjourned at 8:07 PM.
      Prayer


 
PASTOR
May 2, 20223 
“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the one who is first over all creation because all things were created by him: both in the heavens and on the earth, the things that are visible and the things that are invisible. All things were created through him and for him.”
            Colossians 1:15-16 (today’s reading at Morning Prayer)
 
Priorities for 2023 (from November 2022 report, updated monthly) 

1. Preschool outreach and partnership. This month’s tasks have been more problem-oriented than in the recent past. Parent feedback and concerns have been a challenge. I intend to re-engage more directly with staff. Regular CLC staff chapel participation is ongoing, and we have a family worship event planned for Pentecost.
2. Welcome and outreach to visitors: With two identified leaders, we are ready to make more concrete plans for welcoming visitors and following up with them. An initial meeting is being scheduled.
3. Statement of welcome: nothing to report.
4. Sanctuary accessibility/inclusion: I contacted Teri Kuhlmann and connected her with Lisa Nelson to brainstorm a process.

 
Synod Assembly Key Points 
On April 29-30, Lisa and I attended the Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod annual assembly in Shreveport. While the gathering was light on formal business (no contested elections and no resolutions to be debated), a few exciting topics were addressed that I'd like to follow up on:
 

1. The Synod has a youth network that organizes area and synod-wide events for youth from all ELCA churches. One is a Junior High/High School youth gathering scheduled for February 16-18, 2024, in the DFW area. We plan to participate in this rather than attempting to create our D-Camp event. There is also a Peer Ministry group with training coming up in Richland Hills on January 5-7 for youth in 9th-12th grade. This is an excellent opportunity for some of our highly involved youth.
2. The Parish Lay Ministry Academy is ongoing and would be an excellent resource for some active participants. I want to identify 1-3 people ready for additional learning in worship, teaching, pastoral care, and associated roles.
3. The keynote from the leaders of The Neighborhood Church in Bentonville, AR, had some exciting ideas. The main point I took away from their presentation was the importance of presence and engagement with the broader community, not with the goal of pulling people to Sunday worship but out of a desire to lift up what’s good and help where there are problems.

 
I also tentatively planned to have Bishop Gronberg in worship on August 20 for Back-to-School Sunday.
 
Where is Pastor Ben? 
I'll be in Minneapolis for the Festival of Homiletics with Vicar Kristen from Monday, May 15, until Thursday, May 18.
 
I will be in Wisconsin for the memorial service of a lifelong family friend on Sunday, June 18. The Rev. Kerry Dueholm will preach and preside.
 
I will be on vacation with my family from July 20 until August 9. I have asked Vicar Kristen to stay a few weeks past the end of her internship (with pay) to preach and cover pastoral care.
 
Pastoral Activities 
April 9:            Drop off flowers/cookies for an injured member
April 11:          Follow up with Easter visitors (phone/text/email/notecard)
Preschool team
                        Church council
                        Outreach to guests (text)
April 12:          Meeting with Eliana
                        Staff meeting
April 13:          Internship supervision
                        Pastoral care outreach to visitors (text)
                        Pastoral care check-in (phone)
April 16:          Preside at Holy Communion
                        Receive new members
                        Lead adult education
                        Pastoral care contact (text)
April 17:          Call Churches for Middle East Peace
April 18:          Visit SMU/Bible
                        Preaching Bible study (Zoom)
                        Deliver past-due checks for member/family landlord
                        Spiritual Life Team (Zoom)
April 19:          Meeting with Eliana
                        Visit to SMU/Bible
April 20:          Premarital counseling
April 21:          Conversation/organizing new member (phone)
Scott Kludt remembrance gathering
April 22:          Frisco Rough Riders outing
April 23:          Preach and preside at Holy Communion
                        Lead adult education
April 24:          Deliver past-due check to nursery attendant
Premarital counseling
April 25:          Internship supervision
                        Preaching Bible study (Zoom)
April 26:          Staff meeting
CPR/First Aid training
April 27:          Meeting with Hando
April 28:          Synod assembly
April 29:          Synod assembly
April 30:          Preach and preside at Holy Communion
                        Lead adult education
May 2:             Conference meeting (Gloria Dei, Garland)
                        Internship supervision
                        Meeting with visitors (office)
May 3:             Hospital/ICU visit
                        Meeting with Eliana
 
Respectfully submitted,
 
Pastor Ben Dueholm
 


 
MUSIC DIRECTOR
April:
 
Services/rehearsals
Preludes, hymns, liturgy, offertory and communion music, postludes
Weekly music/hymn selection for services
Soloists - accompaniment parts (preparation, arranging)
Choir - rehearsal, and repertoire
Rehearsals with soloists
One License, CCLI - online reporting
Soloists/Cantors/Choir schedule - May/June
Guest singers/musicians - scheduling, rehearsals, communication
New soloist videos - editing/production
Music director photo wall at CLC - preparation and planning
CLC concert series 2023 - planning
Scott Kludt remembrance event - April 21
Youth Music Concert - April 30
Christ Notes article
Music Ministry monthly report
Meetings: Staff, Spiritual Life, Pastor Ben
Communication with members
The following soloists and groups led worship with various repertoire in April: Sanctuary Choir, Colleen Oates, Romali Fernando, Brad Spellicy, Betsy Lintel, Don Rowland, Suzanne Dunkleberg, Julia Smith, Brandon Parsons, Ashley Mahon, and Samantha Morton.
 
Dr. Hando Nahkur
Director of Music
 


 
CLP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Christ Lutheran Preschool Executive Director’s Report-May 2023
The Family Maundy Thursday Chapel was well attended. It was such an inspirational time for all who were there. The service began with a joyful Parade of Palms as the children entered the sanctuary, waving their palms and singing. Pastor Ben and Vicar Kristen led us in prayer, singing, and worship. As Eliana told the story of the Washing of the Feet, the oldest class of Cardinals had the opportunity to wash one another's feet following the example of Jesus. It was so moving to witness the willingness of children to love and serve one another (and to be open to being served by one another) as Our Lord has commanded us. 
Planning has begun for the Pentecost Family Chapel to be held on Thursday, May 25.
Current enrollment remains at 77 for the 22-23 school year. We currently have 83 children enrolled for the 23-24 school year, with a healthy waiting list. Work continues to meet our goal of 86 children by August 2023.
We currently have three openings for Center Assistants (floater). 
The Accreditation Self-Study process continues. During May, CLP teachers and the Admin Team are starting work on Standard 2: Curriculum. We are reviewing assessment items related to teaching mathematics. Classroom observations will focus on these assessment items. Feedback gathered from these observations as well as input from the CLP staff regarding our strengths and weaknesses in meeting this Standard, will be shared with the Accreditation Committee to inform the development of action items to address any needed improvements.
The Accreditation Committee met on April 27 to review feedback gathered on Standard 1: Relationships. Policy clarifications and targeted training opportunities were identified, and an action plan will be implemented to address these items.
Dalila Carbajal has been accepted into the Campfire Early Education Apprenticeship Program, on track to earn her bachelor's degree. We are excited to serve as a host site for this program to allow our staff to grow professionally.
Respectfully submitted,
Joanne Osterland
CLP Executive Director


 
PRESCHOOL BOARD
 


 
YOUTH AND FAMILY MINISTRY
 
The Youth & Family Committee decided there was nothing urgent to discuss, so we elected to forego our April meeting. Our next meeting is scheduled for May 25. In the meantime, the Y&F group (and in particular Eliana) has been working on preparing for VBS, planned for the week of June 5, and the Youth Mission Trip, which will be going to Nashville the week of July 3. Otherwise, the Youth and Children have been working on First Communion, which is scheduled for May 28, and upon choosing a target for the Youth offering being collected during service. On April 30, the Youth and Children selected Foster Care to Success as their goal.
 


 
ADMINISTRATION MINISTRY  
 


 
COMMUNICATIONS MINISTRY
 


 
COMMUNITY LIFE MINISTRY
 
Meeting:                           May 2, 2023
Attendees:                        Connie Uhri, Madge Earnshaw, Sharon Karol, and Mike Claussen
Not in Attendance:    Mark Stein, Barbara Bierman, and Michelle Lamb
 

1. New Business:
   1. North Dallas Shared Ministries
      1. May 13 has been scheduled as a congregational service day at NDSM (North Dallas Shared Ministry) headquarters from 9 AM to 12 Noon. There were approximately 27 volunteers signed up as of Sunday.
      2. Adult Forum – We are trying to schedule an NDSM adult forum for Judy Rorrie, the Director, to speak during Adult Sunday School before the summer break.   
      3. Vicar Kristen led a successful children’s diaper, and baby wipe drive with CLP during the first few weeks of Lent to benefit NDSM clients. Approximately 2200 diapers were collected, and $1,200 in donations. We want to make this an annual event.
   2. Attitudes & Attire – Saturday, May 20 – Saturday Shopping Session – They need volunteers to act as personal shoppers from 9:30 AM to 12 Noon.   There is a sign-up sheet in Narthex, and Barbara Bierman will present a Ministry Minute at this event on Sunday, May 7.

1. Texas Ramp Project – Ron Palomares is now coordinating the events for CLC. Seven CLC volunteers at the April project were building a ramp for a young, disabled girl.   The fall project is scheduled for October 14.

1. Mt. Olive Food Pantry and Blessing Bag Ministry  
   1. Monthly Pantry offering on the third Wednesday (suspended temporarily since January to re-assess viability)
   2. Semi-weekly Blessing Bags (Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM) – Suspended temporarily for May due to the director's health and financial assessment. The distribution numbers continue to grow, and prices of goods are up 20-30%. CLC will continue to support with volunteers, collection of snack packs and hygiene items, and clothing donations (primarily men’s clothing and shoes) for this ministry, as needed. Note: Almost 14,000 Blessing Bags were distributed to Fair Park neighbors in 2022 as part of this ministry. 

1. Lenten Offerings – Turkey/Syria Earthquake Relief will benefit from CLC's 2023 Lenten offerings and will be processed through ELCA's Lutheran Disaster Response. Waiting for Finance to advise you of the amount of these contributions to inform the congregation of the results. Determine (and promote) next year's recipient of the Lenten Offerings a month or so ahead. 

 

1. Future Potential Projects

 
Section c. Community Life Ministry Team, Item 6 of the Bylaws provides:
This team shall: “Provide an effective outreach program to invite residents in our neighborhood
and community to unite with and participate in our ministries.”
 
We discussed ways to reach out to the residents in the neighborhood and community, as follows.

1. Blood Drive – Schedule a blood drive on a Sunday in the fall and advertise to the neighborhood.
2. Christ Lutheran Preschool – continue to explore ways to jointly work with CLP on projects and events.
3. Electronic Sign – Re-explore erecting an electronic sign in front of the church to advertise church events. 
4. Explore ways to utilize print promotions – Madge Earnshaw to follow up with Tom Earnshaw for suggestions.
5. Update and promote the “Time and Talent” Sheet to new (and existing members) and visitors. Congregational Life will be working on this initiative. Also, the Welcome Ministry plans to use it as a promotional tool.

 


 
CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
 
Events completed since the last report:

1. Weekly Fellowship Coffees with donuts, cookies, and other event/reception leftovers; Attendance 30 or more per week.
2. April 21, CLC event honoring Scott Kludt’s music and humor. Hando put together a lovely series of videos, and CLC members offered their reminiscences from Scott’s many years at CLC. We provided lots of cookies, lemonade, and tea during the break in the program.
3. April 22, Saturday, 7 PM: CLC trip to Frisco Roughriders. We had almost 50 attendees, including Paul Kludt and his cousin Donna. It was a chilly night, but most of us made it through the 7th inning before escaping to the warmth of our cars and homes.
4. April 29: I hosted a brunch meeting for the Congregational Life Team to brainstorm ideas for summer and fall.
5. April 30: We provided cookies and lemonade for the music recital Hando organized for several outstanding young musicians.

 
Upcoming Events:
Here is the proposed schedule for the CLC 2023 calendar. Please advise me ASAP if any of these creates a conflict with an event your committee is planning.
 
Events in bold are essential gatherings for our whole congregation, and I hope all Council members will prioritize attending them.
 

1. Several of our members (especially the children!) like to have a donut on their way into the sanctuary, so we need more to meet the demand when coffee begins. Donut orders have been increased to ensure we will not run out. I added another four dozen to our standing order of 6 dozen. This will increase my budget for this event by about $15 a week, so I must transfer funds from another category to cover this cost.

 

1. May 28: First Communion (one family). Reception with cake during coffee time.

 

1. June 11: NEW event-Congregation-wide Summer Picnic following Sunday service. Indoors if too hot. Invite Mt. Olive (WHO can make contact there?)  CLC will buy chicken; the rest of the menu is potluck. Games, hymn singing?? Congregation to submit favorites in advance and top 3 or 4 (Hando to accompany). A VBS presentation by kids??

 

1. August 13: Vicar Kristen’s farewell at 10:45. We will have a Texas-themed brunch with breakfast tacos.

 

1. August 20:  Bishop visit and Blessing of the School Year. Coordinate with CLP and Youth & Family. Invite Mt Olive? Coffee and expanded baked goods at 10:45; consider repeating goodie bags or T-shirts with a new logo.

 

1. September 10: CLC Ministry Marketplace at 10:45. Like in 2022, each volunteer group provided decorations and food at its table. Have special children's activity area?? Could it be used as a kick-off to youth Sunday School?

 

1. October 21: Fall Festival with CLP families invited (date avoids Bremer Wedding 10/28). Saturday early evening event. Include Oktoberfest and Trunk or Treat.

 

1. Nov ??: Back on Their Feet/CLC Thanksgiving Lunch. Melissa to organize it.  

 

1. December 10:  CLC Youth Christmas Program and Congregational Luncheon.

 
 
Hando is planning a few more music events, and I hope to add some new member receptions and baptisms as the opportunity arises. I wanted to schedule the significant events now. 
 
 
Respectfully submitted,
Pam Stein
Chair, Congregational Life Ministry Team
 


 
FINANCE MINISTRY
 
The meeting held on April 18 at 6 PM
Attendees: Nici Bremer, Greg Nelson, Steve Reichmuth, Greg Smith
CLP finances 
YTD: 

• Tuition and other fees: Tuition continued to lag, but registration fees remained well above the budget forecast, resulting in income below the budget forecast by just $3,000.
• Expenses: Total expenses were $52,000 below budget, nearly all attributable to salary and related payroll tax savings.
• Net income: Over budget by $49,000 because of the final $77,000 of the final installment of the pandemic-related childcare funds.

 
CLC finances 
YTD:

• Revenue: With $222,000 in income received, we are running $47,000 ahead of budget YTD. The main driver remains the regular envelope contributions, which are ahead of budget by $43,000. 
• Expenses: Expenses are over budget by about $4,000.
• Net income: $38,600 (compared to a budget projection of a $4,500 loss)

 
Other discussion topics 

• Vicar-related – We will not host a Luther Seminary-sponsored vicar for 2023-2024. This will allow us to determine whether we need additional funds in light of the higher housing costs before we take on another Vicar. We will seek Council approval to pay Vicar Kristen an additional $6,000 towards her housing between the start of her assignment at CLC and December 31, 2022.
• Pastor’s education budget allowance will be exhausted by the Homiletics Assembly he and Vicar Kristen will attend in Minneapolis in May.
• Mark Lamb and Mike Classen will work on methods and procedures/rules for dispensing from the Good Samaritan Fund, with the goal of taking Pastor out of the middle of the process.
• Stewardship proposal by Pastor about bringing in an estate planning expert, someone who could educate interested congregants about making legacy gifts. To be further discussed.

 


 
SPIRITUAL LIFE MINISTRY
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
 
Members Present: Pastor Ben, Vicar Kristen, Rev. Joan Copeland, Dr. Hando Nahkur, Karen Morton, Cheryl Kowalczik, Suzanne Dunkelberg, Cathy Barr.
 
The meeting was called to order at 7:07 pm. Pastor Ben led us in prayer.
 
1. Ash Wednesday and Holy Week Review
 
Ash Wednesday services: 34 and 36 attendees. The services were outstanding. Next year these services need to be promoted more, possibly with a sign.
 
Maundy Thursday: Same as before. More people had their feet washed than last year. Pastor Ben loves the liturgy. Cheryl asked if the ushers should move the chairs for communion, and Pastor Ben said it was okay for the presider to take them off.
 
Good Friday: Cheryl loved all the songs. Cathy felt that the prayers at the end with the cantor and congregational responses were too long and might be spoken instead. She said the heaviness and length could be difficult for a visitor. Pastor Ben said the solemnity is heavy and can be an emotional rollercoaster, not a seeker-friendly worship. Let's think about being more editorial about it next year.
 
Saturday Vigil: It went smoothly. Pastor Ben warned people that it would be extended. The attendance was 32-35, lower than last year. Emmanuel and Mt. Olive were not with us. Suzanne did a great job pulling the sled. We could find another piece than the Isaiah piece for next year. The youth are getting into their role and taking ownership. We can continue to cultivate that.
 
Easter Sunday: Kind of an anti-climax after the holy week. The story is about confusion over the empty tomb, misunderstanding, and fear, but the music is trumpeted. Cathy felt the service was very joyful, perfect for welcoming occasional visitors. Next year, Easter is the 5th Sunday in March. Hando was asked to have the whole choir for that service.
 
2. Review By-Laws
Our recommendations were sent to Ginger Hagens.
 
Discussion over #4. Leave it as is. Adult Education should be on Spiritual Life. Pastor Ben said it is ad hoc with pastors, Interns, and volunteers. We should consider dividing the calendar year. Do we want to delegate that to a working group for oversight?
 
#5. The whole community should be responsive to helping members of the ongoing presence of God's grace in their lives and work. This was eliminated from Spiritual Life.
 
#6. Financial stewardship is not our realm. Finance works on budgets, and a stewardship group encourages pledges. This was eliminated from Spiritual Life.
 
Name: Spiritual Life. We can change this, which will be discussed at the May meeting.
 
3. Other Business
Cheryl asked that we write a newsletter to thank those who participated in a clean-up day.
 
Hando is waiting for the design committee to decide on a Music Ministry Photo Wall location. It could be close to the Music Minister's office or by the Library.
 
4. Next Meeting:
May 16 at 7 pm  
 
8. Closing Prayer – Vicar Kristen
 
9. Adjournment: 8:06 PM.
 
Thank you to Joan for assistance in note-taking for these minutes.
 
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Barr, SLM Chair