Current Annual Report

Welcome and Introductions

Following the 10:30 worship service, the congregation gathered in the multi-purpose room, where lunch was provided. Council President Susan Stapleton thanked all who helped prepare, set up and clean-up the lunch. She called the meeting to order at 12:10 with a review of the blessings and accomplishments in our church over the past year. She also thanked the congregation for their support throughout the transitions of the past two years.

Tellers, Parliamentarian, and Establishment of a Quorum

A quorum was confirmed with more than 80 persons present, (minimum of 69 required). Tellers were Michael Bierema, Gary Bischof, Rob Boulis, Ann DiJulio, Linda Smith, and Paul Guthrie. Tom Askew served as parliamentarian.

Opening Devotion

Bev Dirkin read Proverbs 3:5-10 and led the congregation in an opening prayer.

Acceptance of the Agenda: Julianne Rethwill moved and Sue Jones seconded the acceptance of

the agenda. Motion carried.

Approval Congregational Meeting Minutes

a)   Don Jones moved to approve the minutes of the Annual Meeting held January 22, 2006. Motion passed.
b)   Orville Smith moved to approve the minutes of the June 4, 2006 congregational meeting regarding the 2nd half-year budget. Motion passed.
c)   Mary Clyne moved to approve the minutes of the June 18, 2006 congregational meeting calling Reverand Paul Nuechterlein to serve as our new senior pastor. Motion passed.

Report of the Pastor

Pastor Paul thanked the congregation for the support and generosity they have extended his family. Prince of Peace is still in a period of transition and he intends to establish a staffing task force to look at various models, identifying what would work best for Prince of Peace. He publicly thanked the call committee, President Sue Stapleton, Vice President Bev Dirkin, members of council and the church staff for their support.

Pathways of Giving

Julianne Rethwill explained the Pathways of Giving concept. The Extended Ministries Endowment Fund was established to provide for ministries beyond the operational budget of the congregation. The committee serves as custodian of the fund. The committee encourages and thanks gifts of any size, including bequests, memorials, estates and other assets. In conjunction with the council, the committee will identify two or three specific ministries to support and bring them to the congregation. This does not preclude members from supporting other ministries of their choosing.

Introduction and Election of Candidates for Open Council Positions

President Sue Stapleton thanked outgoing members of the Church Council for their service: John Ablao, Heidi Bremer, Tammy Olsen, Shelby Morris and Tom Smith. John Ablao introduced candidates for the five open positions, including: Tom Palarz, Kathy Schuen, Sheryl Swodzinski and Larry Wentzel as the adult members for three-year terms, and Karen Clyne as the youth representative for a one-year term. Paper ballots were distributed and members of the congregation voted. All candidates were elected to the 2007 congregational council.

Introduction and Election of Nomination Committee Candidates

Orville Smith introduced six candidates for the nomination committee who will seek nominees for the 2008 Church Council. He moved to accept the nomination committee candidates, including Gary Bischof, Mark Clyne, Bev Dirkin, Carole Nelson, Orville Smith, and Susan Stapleton. Motion carried.

Mortgage Update, Budget Review and Vote

Mortgage: Michelle Eldridge reported that Prince of Peace paid $228,503 toward the mortgage as a result of our Forward in Faith campaign in 2006, leaving us with a balance of $159,844.

2007 Budget Review: Brian DeVries reviewed key changes to the budget. The Finance Committee has agreed to return to a one-year budget for 2007. They learned a great deal from the two six-month budgets last year and thanked the committees for their diligence in monitoring their expenses. The 2006 budget year ended with a $20,992 surplus. Council approved $8,000 from the surplus to replace the carpet in the lounge and the lights in the sanctuary. Additionally, Council allocated $6,000 to be used for a telephone system, including voice mail for all staff and cordless phones in the new sanctuary, and technical upgrades to the office computer systems, including PowerChurch software and the corresponding training.

The total budget for 2007 is $428,845; $10,000 less than in 2006. It is presented with a one pastor staffing model. The Finance Committee did not include a line item for additional staff at this time. They will revisit the need to adjust the personnel expense after the staffing task force has made a recommendation to the congregation.

Significant changes to the 2007 budget include a 3% increase to staff salaries (they received no adjustment in 2006) and a return to 10% support to missions.

Steve Bigelow moved and Julianne Rethwill seconded the acceptance of the 2007 budget as presented.

During discussion, Dick Penhallegon recommended that the line item for ELCA Benevolence
be reduced from $43,000 to $42,000 and that the line item for Mission (several groups) be increased from $10,000 to $11,000. This would provide more money for local missions. Julianne Rethwill called the amendment. The amendment was defeated by a show of hands.

Craig Rethwill moved, Tom ___ seconded to end discussion and vote on the acceptance of the 2007 budget as presented. Budget approved.

Other Business

Don Jones concluded the meeting by expressing thanks, on behalf of the entire congregation, to Sue Stapleton for two years of exceptional leadership as our council president. He thanked Pastor Paul for accepting the call to become our new pastor, and finally thanked Pam Cochran and our youth for their service during the annual meeting.

Meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted by
Gail MacNellis, Council Secretary