Congregational president June Johnsen called the meeting to order at 11:15 a.m.
Pastor Todd Bertani welcomed everyone and offered a prayer.
Approval of Minutes
Stu Reid moved that the congregation approve the minutes from the annual meeting held on January 30, 2011. The motion was seconded and was passed.
Pastor’s Report
Pastor Todd submitted a Pastor’s Report. (See pp. 6-7 of the Annual Report.) He reported that the congregation has made good progress toward accomplishing the five-year goals that were set in late 2010. He reported that two of the major accomplishments were the development of the Welcome and Witness Team and the development of the Volunteer Coordinating Team.
He reported that the focus in 2012 will be “Being and Making Disciples.” The Welcome and Witness Team will lead an effort to develop and implement an evangelism outreach strategy. This will include a new convalescent home ministry.
Pastor Todd asked the congregation to consider letting St. Mark’s become a member of a new alliance of area churches and other nonprofits that are working together to address community problems. The alliance is being coordinated by Sister Judy Donnovan, who has been a guest speaker at St. Mark’s and who will be leading the Adult Sunday School class on February 6. Pastor Todd is presently seeking financial pledges to support this effort. There was a discussion about the cost of becoming a member of the alliance and about whether this is a political group. Pastor Todd invited members to learn more by attending the class on February 6 and by attending a program at 2 p.m. on Sunday, February 12, at First Presbyterian Church, 1350 Amador St., Vallejo. This matter will be discussed at the mid-year congregational meeting in May.
Finance Report
Finance Chair Janelle Jolley submitted a Finance Report. (See pp. 8-9 of the Annual Report.) There were questions regarding our facilities use income. Janelle said that Flames of Fire had fallen behind in its payments in 2011, but it is now catching up on what is due. The House of Prayer had also fallen behind in its payments, and it is no longer using our facilities. June said that the Council had not found out about this problem with facilities use income until late in 2011, and now it is getting monthly reports on facilities use income. Church staff are attempting to generate more facilities use income.
Janelle reported that we are obligated to pay $1500 each month to repay our building improvement loan, but we paid $2500 per month for ten months and $1500 for the last two months of 2011. At the end of 2011 we owed $69,921.42 on the loan.
Nominating Committee Report/ Election of Leaders
MaryAnne Jordan submitted a report from the Nominating Committee. (See pp. 10-11 of the Annual Report.) She reported that the committee nominated the following persons: Bette Noll, Council Member at Large (term to expire Jan. 2014) Adrianne Eichenberger, Financial Secretary (term to expire Jan. 2014) Linda Frogget, Treasurer (term to expire Jan. 2014) Stu Reid and Gerda Reid, delegates to Sierra Pacific Synod Assembly She reported that the following will continue to serve in their current positions: June Johnsen, President (term to expire Jan. 2013) Jeff Thoma, Vice President (term to expire Jan. 2013) Carole Greeley, Secretary (term to expire Jan. 2013) Janelle Jolley, Finance Chair (term to expire Jan. 2013) Barbara Nelson, Council Member at Large (term to expire Jan. 2013.) Diane Metz, Personnel Chair (term to expire Jan. 2013) Les Johnsen/Chris Moore, Property Management Co-Chair (term to expire Jan. 2013.) She reported that the Nominating Committee is looking for people to become members of the Nominating Committee for 2012. Two must be members who have recently served on the Council. These positions will be voted on at the May congregational meeting.
The Nominating Committee will have a big job in 2012, since many terms will expire in January 2013. An elected person can serve for four consecutive years in most of these positions, and most of these elected persons will be eligible for reelection in 2013, so there should be continuity in leadership.
The Nominating Committee is also looking for a person to represent St. Mark’s at the Vineyard Conference. This position will be voted on at the May congregational meeting. Sam Mullin moved that the nominees be elected by acclamation. The motion was seconded and was passed.
Budget Report/Adoption of Budget
Blair Aas submitted a budget that had been approved by the Congregation Council at its January 19 meeting. (pp. 13-18 of the Annual Report) He also submitted a revised budget that had been approved by the Congregation Council on January 28. (attached) He also submitted a report to explain the budget. (attached) There were questions about why a revised budget had been approved and submitted at the last minute. It was explained that an apparent error in the budget regarding the hours for the Children’s Music and Education Coordinator had been discovered a few days before the annual meeting. In June 2011, the Council had approved 15 hours per week, but the budget only authorized payment for 10 hours per week. On January 28,after a motion by Pastor Todd, the Council voted to authorize paying the Children’s Music and Education Coordinator for 15 hours per week and to reduce the previously approved raises for Pastor Todd and other staff members by the amount of the additional expense for the Children’s Music and Education Coordinator.
There was a question regarding the line item for staff food and beverages. Pastor Todd moved that we delete that item. The motion was seconded, and there was a discussion. The motion was passed with a vote of 32 for and 20 against.
There was a question regarding the line item for church leadership. It was explained that this is to pay expenses for representatives to the Synod Assembly. There was a question about the line item for staff gifts. It was explained that this refers to things like Christmas gifts to the staff from members of the congregation. MaryAnne Jordan moved that we take this out of the budget, since the money never belongs to the congregation. The motion was seconded and after a discussion, it was passed.
There was a question about why the Council had decided to lease a copier instead of buying one. June explained that we could not afford to buy the kind of copier that we need. There was a question about why our telephone costs are so high. It was explained that this includes internet and fax. June said that she would look into whether we can reduce this expense. She encouraged everyone to look for other ways to reduce expenses. Bette Noll moved that we approve the budget approved by the Council on January 28 as amended at the annual meeting. The motion was seconded and was passed.
President’s Report/ Building Fund Campaign
June Johnsen reported that St. Mark’s will begin a building fund campaign with the goal of raising $100,000 within three years to pay off the building improvement loan ahead of schedule and to provide a cushion for future needs. The effort will be headed by Pastor Todd, June, Bob Evans, Diane Metz, and MaryAnne Jordan. Two families have each pledged $10,000 if the remainder of the $100,000 can be raised. There was a question regarding whether there is anything in the budget that is directed at paying down the building improvement loan, and the answer is no. This campaign is expected to raise enough to make the required monthly payments.
Pastor Todd thanked Blair, the members of the Budget Committee, and the members of the Council for their hard work. June led a prayer, and the meeting was adjourned at 12:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Carole Greeley, Secretary