May 4th, 2006

Members Present: Ray Spack, Vicki Underland-Rosow, Christopher Hermann, Susan Sell, Steve Boyle, Pat Murphy, Mark Abeln, Mike McClosky, Peter Eichten, Jim Cassidy, Jim DeBruycker.

1. Opening Prayer:
   Was led by Mark. There was a brief check-in by all. Mission statement was read by all.
2. Approval of Minutes: Minutes from the April meeting were approved.
3. Old Business:
   1. Liaison Reports: Susan reported on the Stewardship Gathering that took place at St. Joan of Arc on April 27. There were 25 people from 5 parishes that shared stewardship experiences, and came away with a tentative plan to look into working together as a coalition of parishes. Vicki reported on the Lako family open house that took place last Sunday, and she reported that it was an excellent experience. Peter reviewed the youth program issues and the work the Personnel committee is doing in regard to this issue. There is an adhoc committee that is being created that will look at the program and make recommendations for the program and also establish working goals and objectives for the youth ministers to accomplish. Janet Brown, Norine Larson, and Mike McClosky from the council will all be part of that committee. Jim D. committed to being available for a Sunday evening mass for the youth if that is a direction they wish to go. Mike added he felt the Sunday evening mass would work if it were grassroots from the youth and they own it.
   2. Pastor’s Report: Jim reported that all is set for the installation with Bishop Pates this coming Sunday. He said that he has asked Norine Larson to be the Trustee replacing Susan and Norine has accepted. That means there will be two people leaving the Council, Susan and Janet. Steve asked Jim what his experience of Lent and Holy Week were like. Jim responded by saying that he felt it went really well. He was pleased with all of the services. The council then took a minute to discuss their involvement in the celebrations this Sunday. Council members will be involved with being liturgical ministers and with helping in serving cake after the masses.
   3. Discernment: The agenda for the discernment for May 11 was discussed and tasks for that evening were distributed
   4. Other: Peter gave a brief update of the Solar Panel/AC project. The solar panels will be installed this summer and we are continuing to study passive cooling for the gym. Peter also gave a brief update on the status of King’s Christian Academy. He said that they have been able to raise some money and they will end the year in the black, but there is still some concern about their future, and it is not clear at this time if they will be back in the fall. Peter will keep the council informed about this issue.
4. New Business:
   1. Goal Setting Process: The Council did considerable and very excellent discussion on the goals. Communications seemed to be evident in many of the goals that were submitted, and this continues to be a critical issue. It was agreed that it would be good to have Julie at the next Council meeting to discuss the progress of the new Communications Committee. Peter will invite her to the next meeting. Besides communications the topics of hospitality, what it means to be a prophetic community, the idea of doing some strategic planning, and youth involvement were all discussed. There was also a discussion about making the goals more available to the staff and to the parish, and to be more connected to them as we move through the year. And to be more concerned with seeing that the goals are being implemented. Five goals were agreed upon:
      • Continue to live as a prophetic community.
      • Begin a process of creating a 3-5 year strategic plan.
      • Evaluate how St. Joan of Arc is being a hospitable welcoming community.
      • Establish goals, objectives, and standards for the youth religious educational programs.
      • Continue to improve internal and external SJA communications.
      The Council recommended that we sit with these 5 goals for a month and then come back next month and make adjustments as we see needed.
   2. Summer Dates: We will have a party on July 20 at the Underland-Rosow residence, 5:30. Significant others invited. And we will tentatively schedule a Council/Staff retreat with Marie Manthey for August 24, also at 5:30. Peter will check out this date with Marie and with the staff.
5. Mark led a closing prayer. Meeting adjourned at 7:10 PM.

Next regular meeting is at 5:00 pm in the Upper Room. June 1, 2006.

Respectfully submitted,

Peter Eichten