September 5th, 2002

Members Present: Chuck MacDonald, Claude Paradis, Susan Sell, Deb Meyer, Janet Brown, Roger Dick, Steve Boyle, Mark Abeln, George Buchok, Ray Spack, George Wertin, Peter Eichten.

1. Opening Prayer:
   Was led by Chuck. Prayer was followed by sharing: “What in the past month or so has had an impact on your spirituality, or what is something that you have been reflecting on in the past month?”
2. Mission Statement: Was read by all.
3. Approval of Minutes
   
   Minutes of the Aug. meeting were approved, and corrections made to the members list.

   Guest: Ruth Shriver, Chair, SJA Finance Committee
   Susan introduced Ruth by giving a brief report of the 5-Chair meeting that took place a couple of weeks ago - the purpose of that meeting was to help communications between these committees, and as a result of that meeting Ruth was invited to come to the Pastoral Council meeting to meet the Council.
   Ruth shared her insights into the workings of the Finance Committee. She talked about some of the Finance Committee’s goals which include: keeping one month’s expenses in reserve; keep income at a healthy level; communicate financial information well to the parish. The Finance Committee looks to the Pastoral Council for guidance in financial issues to make sure that what the Finance Committee proposes or does is in line with the vision and mission of the parish.
   Ruth gave a brief synopsis of the building of the budget: there’s staff input, the Personnel Committee works to set salaries; some line items based on history; and the goals set by Council. The budget process begins in the spring and is usually finished at the June Finance Committee meeting.
   Ruth made an appeal that the person from the Council that serves as the liaison is committed to attending the Finance Committee meetings.
   The Council thanked Ruth for coming to the meeting tonight.

   New Business:

   1. Liaison: Peter led a brief description of each of the 9 areas. Susan then asked for volunteers for each of the areas, and all 9 areas were filled with great ease and guidance by the Spirit.
   2. Staff/PC Retreat: This is scheduled for Thur. Sept. 19 - Janet and George B. volunteered to help plan this event.
   3. Selection of Vice-Chair and Secretary: Chuck agreed to serve as Vice-Chair, and Steve as Secretary.
   4. Insights from the Pastor: George led a brief discussion on recent happenings at St. Joan’s: fall programming is starting to get under way; staff had their planning day which went well; and the big news was that George along with Julie and Mike Madden will be part of a Peace Delegation going to the Middle East. They leave Sept. 28 and return Oct. 11. The Council supported this effort and will keep this delegation in their thoughts and prayers.
   5. Envisioning the Future: The Council spent considerable time discussing the issues of importance that they felt needed to be addressed in the coming year. These included:
      • Women in the Church - ordination and a larger role for women.
      • How do women fit into the sacramental life of the Church?
      • SJA needs to be a place of spiritual growth.
      • Dealing with the growing chasm between the people and the hierarchy of the Church?
      • Need to promote non-violence and peace better here at SJA.
      • Better communication about the many activities that SJA parishioners participate in here and in the larger community.
      • How is Christian leadership present in the secular world?
      • More exposure of the goals of the staff - perhaps staff doing homilies that talk about the many programs and things that they do.
      • Create a liturgy that celebrates and recognizes the many ministries that happen here at SJA.
      • Transformation of the global economy!
      • Move to reduce individualism - our concern should be about “us” not “me.”
      • Reinforcement of the SJA Strategic Plan and Collaborative Ministry - how do we create partnerships that help in transforming the world?
      • Taking more seriously that the function of the Church is to transform the world, not just taking care of itself.
      The Council agreed that the issue of the developing Collaborative Ministry and what that is about, coupled with a spirituality that goes hand-in-hand with Collaborative Ministry should be the topic that begin with next month.

   Handouts & Preparations for Next Month:
   Revised Ministry Manual was handed out and Council members asked to review and to come prepared with questions and comments for next month’s meeting. Document on Consensus was handed out, and the Council was asked to review that also. Document that listed the goals of the staff for the coming year was distributed.

   Closing Prayer:
   was led by Chuck.

   Meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Peter Eichten