Tag: Council

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FELC Council Highlights: March 2024

At the Church Council meeting on Monday, March 18, reports were received from the ministries of our congregation.

The Child Development Center is growing with students and staff, including two former, long-time CDC staff members returning to our ministry. We are grateful for the steadfastness of our CDC Board of Directors and our Director, Dr. Paullette Clemons.

We are grateful for the significant effort of the Learning Ministry Team, Worship Ministry Team, and Property Committee, among others.

The Transition Team reported that six small group meetings were held in February, with each meeting had 6 to 10 attendees in addition to two Transition Team members. Discussions included reactions to “The Leader We Seek” survey that went out in late December, desired leadership qualities of our next pastor, important focus areas for our next pastor’s first year, and the ways in which the congregation can help support the new pastor in their first year. The Transition Team continues to carefully complete the Ministry Site Profile in anticipation of presenting it to the Council for conversation.

The Council received a report from Treasurer Allen Jesen, which indicated a few minor changes to the 2023 report that allow us to proceed this year with greater clarity. 

The Congregation received a $20,000 gift from the Estate of H. D. Butler. H. D. and Evelyn Butler were active in our congregation many years ago. The Council moved, discussed, and voted to place $10,000 in the emergency borrowing fund, and $10,000 in the general operating fund. We are grateful for all who give in many ways, including those who provide legacy financial gifts that empower our current and future ministry and community engagement.

The Council appointed a Benevolence Task Force for 2024: Claudia Barlow, Merrily Porter, Teresa Ringness, and Ben Rode. The congregation will be asked to engage with the task force soon.

The Council passed a resolution of recognition and appreciation to Vic Winter, P.E., for his work. Licensed professional engineer Vic Winter, of Winter Engineering, coordinated and conferred with the Property and Door Restoration Committees, reviewed the original (1935) structural plans, visited the site, performed engineering calculations and designs, and provided signed and sealed structural plans suitable for permitting and constructing, and declined remuneration for his professional services and provided them gratis. The next set of restored narthex doors should arrive soon.

The Council received the resignation of our Church Office Administrator, Randi Ladolcetta. We are grateful for her work with us, and we wish her well in her health and future endeavors. Randi has graciously agreed to assist with the transition during her final month. The Administration Committee of the Council and the Cantor are perusing the next steps toward another Office Administrator.   

Everyone is encouraged to attend and invite others to worship services during Holy Week and on Easter Sunday.

The Council will hold a day retreat on Saturday, April 20.

The Council meets next on Monday, April 15 at 7 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Nancy Baden

CouncilSecretary@felcaustin.org

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FELC Council Highlights: February 2024

At the Church Council meeting on February 20, 2024 newly elected members Margaret Bruesch, Mari Ward, Charlie Boas, and Leigh Northcutt-Benson were welcomed! 

A new slate of officers were elected. Officers for 2024 include LaRu Woody/President, Leigh Northcutt-Benson/VP, Nancy Baden/Secretary, Allen Jensen/Treasurer, and Gwen Flory/Financial Secretary.  

Small group meetings are commencing, lead by the Transition Team, to gather additional input into our Ministry Site Profile document in preparation for our next called pastor. 

The Council approved the Child Development Center’s request to change its bylaws to allow for child care beginning at 6 weeks of age. We are excited to support this ministry.

The Council appointed Trish Karli as the Worship Ministry Team chairperson for 2024. We thank Shannon Aguirre for her service last year!

The Council approved the transfer of Kris Franke Hill to our membership from Shepherd King Lutheran in San Antonio. 

The Council received a positive January financial report from Treasurer Allen Jensen.

The Council meets next on Monday, March 18 at 7 pm. The Council will regularly meet on the third Monday of the month. 

Respectfully submitted, Nancy Baden

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Council News: 2024 Welcome and Installation

Council Welcome & Installation 

On Sunday, February 11, we welcomed and installed the 2024 council members of FELC.

Congregation council members are sought through a discernment process by the nominating committee, which is appointed by the congregation council. Candidates are submitted by the committee to the council for approval, and they are offered to the congregation at its annual meeting in January for election as members-at-large. Members serve three year terms, unless elected or appointed to serve a shorter term due to a departure of an elected council member. 

The 2024 congregation council is: Jerry Don Aguirre, Nancy Baden, Paul Barlow, Charlie Boas, Margaret Bruesch, Kristin Mondy, Nancy Neuse, Leigh Northcutt-Benson, Benjamin Rode, Mari Ward, Anne Wiebe, and LaRu Woody.

At its meeting on February 20, 2024, the Church Council elected the following officers: President: LaRu Woody, Vice President: Leigh Northcutt-Benson, Secretary: Nancy Baden, Treasurer: Allen Jensen, and Financial Secretary: Gwen Flory.

The president, vice president, secretary, and the pastor constitute the executive committee of the congregation council. The treasurer and financial secretary do not need to be members of the congregation council to serve. All these officers are elected by the council at its first meeting together in February. The council regularly meets on the third Monday of each month. These meetings are open to any congregation members or visitors. 

We are grateful for each of these leaders, we will pray for them regularly, and we ask God’s continued blessing in their witness to the gospel. A complete list of council members’ bios will be published later this month. 

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2024 Church Council Nominees

Church Council Nominees

The Nominating Committee is pleased to announce the following nominees to serve as First English Congregation Council Members beginning February, 2024: Leigh Northcutt Benson, Mari Ward, Charlie Boas, and Margaret Bruesch, each for a full three-year term. The entire slate of nominees will be presented for a vote at next Sunday’s congregational meeting. We thank these members for their willingness to serve on the church council. See their bios below:

Leigh Northcutt Benson

Leigh Northcutt Benson is a native Austinite and a lifelong Lutheran.  She is devoted to her faith, husband, son, extended family, cats, and garden. As a child, she attended Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, until the entire Northcutt family moved to First English in 2003.  Leigh was a public educator in AISD for 23 years, serving in teaching and administrative roles and specializing in civics education and equity work at Title 1 schools.  She has always enjoyed singing in church and community choirs. Leigh is grateful to use her administrative and leadership experience in the service of FELC. 

Mari Ward

“I joined FELC about five years ago when my husband and I moved to Austin from College Station to be closer to our grandkids. My father was called to be pastor at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in College Station when I was three years old, and I grew up in Bryan, College Station’s “sister city.” After marrying a TAMU math professor in 1977, we settled in College Station and raised our family there. We attended Peace Lutheran Church in College Station for several decades, where I sang in choir and played piano and organ regularly. At FELC I’ve enjoyed singing with the choir and working on the Racial Justice and Care Ministry teams, and I look forward to getting to know my fellow church members even better now on the church council.”

Charlie Boas

“I was born and baptized into the LCA (predecessor to the ELCA). I was married in the LCA. I have been a member of FELC for about 25 years, and have been on our Council once previously. During worship I can be found filling such roles as Assisting Minister, Lector, Crucifer, Usher, and Live Stream Operator. I serve as the Chartered Organization Representative for our Scouting units, help coordinate the Game Night Outreach Ministry, and have recently started leading children’s Faith Formation classes again. I have been known to trim branches, replace ceiling tiles, do ad-hoc electrical and plumbing repairs, and even lead theatrical endeavors on our stage.

Beyond FELC’s walls, I volunteer heavily with Scare for a Cure, a charitable fund-raising organization supporting the Breast Cancer Resource Center of Austin, where I do construction, special effects, electrical work, and performing. I also do design work for local theatrical performances, and volunteer with the Scouting Organization in various roles. I am retired now, but my career history includes being a Geospatial Analyst, a Research Analyst, a Code Compliance Officer, a Living History Interpreter, a Retail Hardware Store Manager, a Theatrical Technical Director, a Short Order Cook, and a Circus Ringmaster.

I am not afraid to politely share my opinions and to get my hands dirty.  I look forward to serving again on Council.”

Margaret Bruesch

“I found First English in 2008 after deciding to get back to my Lutheran roots. I find the worship experience here deeply satisfying and challenging in turn.  Outside of FELC I am a soon-to-be retired software engineer.  I share my home with a kind-hearted border collie mix named Comet. (Yes, I have pictures.). I look forward to serving on FELC council during this exciting time of transition.”

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Message from Council Executives

Shared with the Community on September 3rd, during worship, reprinted here for wider communication.

We want to share some exciting information with you: the Council has agreed on, and extended, our transitional ministry covenant with Pastor J for another 6 months. The Bishop signed it, and our strategy for these 6 months, this past week.

Pastor J has reached out to the Bishop’s Office to schedule orientation for the Council and Transition Team. To that end, the Council is ratifying a slate of us to consider as the Transition Team; we are thankful for all of you who have expressed interest in serving with Transitional Ministry in this way.

For each of us in this transitional time, the Council, with Pastor J, has put together a schedule of learning opportunities that will be made available to the Congregation soon and in time for you to schedule your partnership to strengthen our present and vision our future.

I invite each of you to look at these opportunities and determine where you might find time to tune in and absorb, allowing each of us to become teachers, better partners, better welcomers.

First English is a community of many gifts and we have a long history of which to be proud. We are always invited to keep learning. And so as we move through the coming weeks, hearing, discerning, learning and changing, I ask each of you to offer space to one another. This is a challenging time, for sure, and by offering space to another that we wish for ourselves, I believe we can transition as a community in ministry.

I love and appreciate each of you for who you are. No two are alike. We all have different fears and concerns. Let us invite one another into the possibilities these fears and concerns offer. Let us unite together and recognize that together we can transition as a ministry. God is inviting us into the future, I have no doubt. Let us come together, bringing our gifts together, as one body, in Christ. ~Your Council Executives

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Council News

Please join with the Council in welcoming Terry Porter and Paul Barlow, both of whom will be filling unexpired terms until our Annual Meeting in January 2024.  Terry is a familiar face, having grown up at 1st English.  Both Terry and his wife Merrily have served on the council in the past, and Merrily is currently serving as Vice President of the newly constituted CDC Board.    Paul and his wife Claudia transferred membership from Palm Valley in the Fall of 2022.  Paul served on the council at Palm Valley as well as volunteering at Vacation Bible School and on the Stewardship Committee.  Claudia is currently serving on the Admin Team overseeing the hiring of our office administrator.  Welcome to both Terry and Paul.  We are looking forward to working with you in the coming months as 1st English continues on this exciting journey.  

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Council Minutes in Email

Miss the Council minutes posted to the bulletin board? Did you know that was a thing in ages past? Rather than bring that back, Council is offering you an opportunity to consume the minutes from the comfort of your own email. If you’d like a copy of the approved minutes from the month prior, contact the Office to be placed on a mailing list to have the minutes of every meeting shared with you as soon as they’re approved. We intend to share the June Minutes from the June Council Meeting on July 25th. Don’t delay letting office@felcaustin.org know that you would like a copy.

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Council Executive Updates

  • Office location for the Music Minister
  • Fellowship Hall and Education Wing renovations
  • HVA/C to Parish House
  • Micah 6 Proposal

Council continues to assess available space near the sanctuary for our Music Ministry. Once a decision is finalized the location will be announced. The location remains under discussion due to HVA/C issues. Council will be meeting Thursday evening, 13Jul, to discuss this topic in earnest for a solid solution and plan.

Demo of existing ceiling in the Fellowship Hall is completed. The new grid is in place, and lighting work is complete.

Demo and grid work is continuing in the Education Wing. The CDC Directors Office is complete and ready for Jenn to move in.

Work is complete on the lighting in the hallway of the Education Wing. Plumbing work began in the bathrooms serving the CDC in the Education Wing. Updates include a new water heater, doors on the stalls so that the facilities can be truly inclusive and offer gender-neutral privacy opportunities.

While the Education Wing (aka Parish House) is vacant and while contractors are in the building retrofitting the Parish House with HVA/C ductwork seems advisable. The Council has authorized the spending of roughly $1,000 – $1300 to provide HVA/C to the Parish House offices. This money is coming from the 2022 capital campaign. That work is to be completed on Thursday, 13Jul.

Joining together at Micah 6 Ben Rode, Pastor J, Nancy Neuse, and Andy Maclaren have been discussing prospects for the Council volunteering at Micah 6 in the coming months, the better to engage with the realities of the need that the food pantry serves, and to help improve our understanding of the requirements of this vital ministry. The date would be on a Thursday afternoon/evening, 4 – 8 pm or Saturday morning 8 am – noon, as determined from the Micah 6 volunteer schedule at https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/258298624032/true#/invitation. Right now Thursday August 17 seems like a promising date as per the number of slots available. We will need to poll council members for their availability, and it will also be advisable to consider carpooling arrangements, as construction on San Antonio Street around the pantry limits access.

There are a limited number of slots and they may start filling the closer we get to that date. Right now it looks like there are 23 open for pantry assistance on 9 open for receiving, so that should be enough but it can change quickly.

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Congregation Officers & Council Members

On February 20, the council elected congregation officers for 2023:

President Nancy Neuse

Vice President: LaRu Woody

Secretary: Elizabeth Zimmermann

Treasurer: Allen Jensen

Financial Secretary: Gwen Flory

The president, vice president, secretary, and the pastor constitute the congregation executive committee. The treasurer and financial secretary do not need to be members of the congregation council to serve.

The 2023 congregation council is: Nancy Neuse, LaRu Woody, Elizabeth Zimmermann, Jerry Don Aguirre, Nancy Baden, Derek Bridges, Gwen Flory, Todd Jermstad, Andrew Koepp, Mary Lou Larson, Kristin Mondy, and Benjamin Rode.

These leaders were installed into leadership on Sunday, February 26. We are grateful for each of them, will pray for them regularly, and we ask God to bless them in their witness to the gospel.

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Congregation Council Meeting Summary

The congregation council gathered at its monthly meeting on February 20. Here are some highlights:

The council elected congregation officers for 2023:

President Nancy Neuse

Vice President: LaRu Woody

Secretary: Elizabeth Zimmermann

Treasurer: Allen Jensen

Financial Secretary: Gwen Flory

The president, vice president, secretary, and the pastor constitute the congregation executive committee. The treasurer and financial secretary do not need to be members of the congregation council to serve. The 2023 congregation council is: Nancy Neuse, LaRu Woody, Elizabeth Zimmermann, Jerry Don Aguirre, Nancy Baden, Derek Bridges, Gwen Flory, Todd Jermstad, Andrew Koepp, Mary Lou Larson, Kristin Mondy, and Benjamin Rode. The 2023 council will be welcomed and installed on Sunday, February 26.

The council appointed two ministry team leaders: Shannon Aguirre for the Worship Team Ministry and Betsy Appleton for the Learning Ministry Team Lead. The council is grateful for these servants. These leaders will begin the work of forming the ministry teams and setting goals. Other ministry team leaders are currently being identified and will be offered to the council for approval.

The council approved the Benevolence Task Force: Nancy Baden, Claudia Barlow, Lois Holck, and Merrily Porter. The task force will identify organizations or agencies for the congregation to support in 2023. The task force will submit its work to the council for discussion and approval.

The council approved Charlie Boas and Nancy Baden as FELC representatives to our Scouting Ministry and authorized them to transact business on the scouting bank accounts.

The council approved the scope of work and compensation package for the transitional pastor for FELC. The transitional pastor is expected to be announced next week and begin ministry on March 20.

The council received a report from the treasurer ending January 31. We had a loss in January due to adding $10k per month to a reserved fund for transition ministry (approved at the annual meeting) and also distributing the final compensation to the former pastor in the same month.

The council received reports about the ministry transition, the operations of our congregation, the upcoming Micah 6 Amplify Austin fundraiser, the Move-In Ministry needs for housing insecure neighbors through Austin City Lutherans, and the upcoming Caring Ministry trainings and information meeting. The council is grateful to many who are serving in leadership during our ministry transition, including our supply pastors Brad Fuerst, Bob Karli, and Tim Lincoln.

The next council meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 20 at 7:00 PM.