2. The December 23, 2014, meeting minutes were reviewed. John moved and Shar seconded to approve the minutes. Motion carried.

Transcription

1 MINUTES CHURCH COUNCIL Bethesda Mennonite Church Henderson, Nebraska January 27, 2015 Bethesda Mennonite Church Mission Statement A community caring for all God s people, being transformed by Christ s love, serving others as a witness of God s grace and peace. PRESENT: Steve Michel, Church Council Chair; Arlyce Friesen, Church Council Secretary; Arlin Hiebner and John Huebert, Board of Deacons Representatives; Shar Doell, Board of Business Representative, Royce Janzen, Board of Education Representative and Pastor Andrea Wall. Also present was Penny Buller, Church Treasurer. ABSENT: Gary Buller, Board of Service and Outreach Representative; Norm Yoder, Congregational Moderator and Jeff Peters, Church Council Vice Chair. 1. Steve called the meeting to order. Pastor Andrea Wall shared devotions based on keeping our eyes missional in the midst of change are we following God s call to be missional. She led us in Living in the Word by reading Luke 10. What is God up to in our neighborhoods and community? Pastor Andrea then led in prayer. 2. The December 23, 2014, meeting minutes were reviewed. John moved and Shar seconded to approve the minutes. Motion carried. 3. Agenda: No additions to the agenda. 4. Quarterly Treasurer s Report: Penny reviewed the Annual Report financials. Ashland Fellowship money was discussed. We have a policy saying Bethesda pays Ashland $1000/month for pastor support. It was an agreement that was made with the Central Plains Mennonite Conference. This was to be a four year commitment; it has been nearly eight years now. David Quiring and Arlin Hiebner will contact CPMC and ask how they want us to continue. Should we take it out of our CPMC offerings, stop entirely, or decrease it by paying only what our offerings for the Ashland support is now? We have a negative balance in the fund now and we will decide how to proceed after that conversation with CPMC. Shar will talk to Monroe and Jill and let them know that the chairs are scotch guarded now and can be used for funerals. If we proceed with the after school program we could use some of the estate funds we have for those costs. 5. Determine use and allocation of estate funds (CC-045): We reviewed the estate funds list as prepared by Penny and determined that Church Council will designate how the remainder of Emma Epp s Estate funds should be used. The Susie Buller Estate money is being allocated to Bethesda Women s Ministries. Ken R. Bergen s Memorials will be designated by Shar Doell for disbursement. The Windows/Door Repairs fund will be transferred into the Facilities Account. The Cemetery Directory funds will likely be used when the directory needs to be redone. Youth Room Upgrade funds will hopefully be used for Powerhouse room lighting. The General Maintenance Fund will also be transferred into the Facility Renovations account. Technology

2 Improvements fund will be used for future projects in that area. We have received word that a gift of $4,000 will be coming to Bethesda shortly. 6. Approve Pastors Housing Allowance: Both Pastor Jim and Pastor Andrea have asked for the same figure as last year. Pastor Jim s allowance is $20,000 and Pastor Andrea s is $22,740. Arlyce moved and Royce seconded to approve those housing allowances. Motion carried. 7. Health Plan Adjustment as a result of the Affordable Care Act: MC USA sent an telling all the churches how to handle health insurance for staff. In 2014 we did not do our health insurance correctly. We currently have only one pastor on the group plan as Pastor Jim went off the group plan in March 2014 when he went on Medicare. Church Council approved to reimburse Pastor Jim for his out of pocket Medicare insurance costs. We have to report that as bonus wages on the W-2. We have since found that Monroe Sawatzky and Cindy Friesen qualify for the Corinthian Plan. According to the Affordable Care Act guidelines, every full time employee who is eligible for the plan needs to be offered that insurance package. In order to be in compliance with the Affordable Care Act, Church Council approves putting Cindy Friesen and Monroe Sawatzky on the Corinthian Plan, if they choose to accept that insurance. They may stay on their current insurance if they choose, and we would reimburse $500 per month towards that premium. Church Council will pay the first $500 of their insurance costs and they will pay the remainder. Carrie and Penny each receive $400 towards their health insurance costs, but it will be reported as bonus wages. Pastor Jim will be given a compensation adjustment to help cover his Medicare and Barb s insurance. John moved and Arlin seconded to approve adding Cindy Friesen and Monroe Sawatzky to the Corinthian Plan and that Bethesda pays the first $500 of their insurance cost and they pay the remainder, to pay Carrie Bergen and Penny Buller $400 towards their insurance costs and that it be reported as bonus wages and to pay Pastor Jim bonus compensation towards insurance costs. Motion carried. Bethesda will continue to contribute annually to pastors HSA s. At this time, Andrea is the only one eligible to have one. Pastor Andrea is now eligible for the Cafeteria Plan at Bethesda to help with child care. Royce moved and Shar seconded to approve Pastor Andrea to take part in the Cafeteria Plan. Motion carried. 8. Decide delegates for Central Plains Conference: Arlin Hiebner, Pastor Andrea, John and Adeline Huebert, and Carol Janzen will be attending. Arlin said some people would like to go to conference but is too expensive for them. We talked about using MIE funds for people going to conference. We have $37,000 in the account now. Board of Service and Outreach is in charge of the MIE fund now. We could recommend this to the Board of Service and Outreach. We would like to see Kurt Goertzen stay involved, but requests should go through the Board of Service and Outreach. We could ask the board if MIE funds could be used and make an announcement that people could apply for these funds. Steve will talk with Gary Buller and ask him to talk to the board. 9. Reports: a. Board of Deacons: Several people attended a seminar in Hesston, Kansas, last weekend. Pastor Andrea s ordination was such a meaningful event a few weeks ago. The Deacons are exploring another interim possibility in the future. The Search Committee has several possibilities in front of them at this time but would still be looking at six months out. Pastor Jim s sabbatical is coming up. b. Board of Education: We were so happy with Michelle Hershberger as our Bethesda Bible Series speaker. They worked on the budget; keeping up with Daycare possibilities and are communicating delegating duties. Several grants have been applied for the Daycare, we need a bid, and goal is to have an after school program for sure by August but hopefully more than

3 just that. We could only have 12 clients right now without doing any extra remodeling. If we can get the major costs paid for the remodeling we could make it a viable outreach. c. Board of Business: We are planning to paint the downstairs halls this February. One of the priorities is pricing for Sanctuary carpeting. We will get bids to replace the center aisle and front carpets now and also price carpeting the walk ways. Carey Friesen and Mike Friesen will attend the retreat on Saturday. d. Board of Service and Outreach: Worked on the 2015 Priority Goals. e. Technology: Will be working on getting bids on the sound speaker system. Lincoln Lighting has not come out yet to identify the dead spots in the sanctuary. Gary will inform the congregation of the work being done by this board at the Annual Meeting. f. Policy Gathering Committee: No report. g. Congregational Priorities: The board retreat will be held Saturday, January 31, in Aurora. h. Financials: Will be presented at the Annual Meeting on Sunday, February 1, Pastor Andrea closed with prayer. Steve Michel, Church Council Chair Jeff Peters, Church Council Vice Chair Arlyce Friesen, Church Council Secretary

4 MINUTES CHURCH COUNCIL Bethesda Mennonite Church Henderson, Nebraska February 23, 2015 Bethesda Mennonite Church Mission Statement A community caring for all God s people, being transformed by Christ s love, serving others as a witness of God s grace and peace. PRESENT: Steve Michel, Church Council Chair; Jeff Peters, Church Council Vice Chair; Arlyce Friesen, Church Council Secretary; John Huebert and Blaine Friesen, Board of Deacons Representatives; Gary Buller, Board of Business Administration Representative; Royce Janzen, Board of Administration Representative; Ron Goertzen, Board of Service and Outreach Representative and Pastor Andrea Wall. ABSENT: Norm Yoder, Congregational Moderator. 1. Steve called the meeting to order and also led in a short devotional based on gifts and talents of each one of us God has given these to us. Steve appreciates what we each bring to this board. He referenced James 1:17- whatever God does is perfect and right; 1 Peter 4:10 - each of us is given a gift, we are to find our gifts and use them; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 - we are called to different kinds of service; Ephesians 4:16 - He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. The church suffers when one of us doesn t use our gifts. How do we get people to discover their gifts? Steve led in prayer. 2. The January 27, 2015, meeting minutes were reviewed. John moved and Royce seconded to approve the minutes. Motion carried. 3. Agenda: Approved as sent. 4. Devotion sign-up sheet was passed around. 5. Reorganize for 2015: Church Council Chair, Steve Michel; Church Council Vice Chair, Jeff Peters; Church Council Secretary, Arlyce Friesen; Board of Education Representative, Royce Janzen; Board of Service and Outreach Representative, Ron Goertzen and Board of Business Administration Representative, Gary Buller. Royce moved to accept the appointments and Gary seconded. Motion carried. Jeff explained that the intention is for each board representative to attend the regular meetings, but not be a voting member of that board. Church Council has 6 elected members and 3 board representatives, all voting members. The Pastors and Church Treasurer are ex-officio members to Church Council. Jeff explained that the various boards have the flexibility to meet at a date other than the 3 rd Tuesday of each month, just need to meet ahead of the Church Council. This could help board attendance since there are school activities, etc. that are also scheduled on the 3rd Tuesday. 6. Review Church Council Duties: This was completed.

5 7. Complete Delegate Slate for CPMC. Cindy will put list on the bulletin board for people willing to attend. 8. Select Auditor: Larry Cox did not get the full audit done this past year. Jay Dee has done the regular audit in the past few years. Larry will get together with Steve and Penny after April 15 and decide what we want him to look at. Jeff moved and Gary seconded to accept having Larry Cox do a full audit this year. Motion carried. 9. Name liaisons from Church Council to Policy Gathering Committee: Gary moved and Royce seconded to appoint Jeff Peters, Daphne Hall and Cindy Friesen to serve on this committee. Motion carried. The policy now will be to meet only when a policy is changed to assure there is not a contradiction between boards. This committee is approved by Church Council. 10. Plan for Board Chair and Secretary training to fulfill Congregational Priority #2. We would like to have this completed by April 1, Andrea said Sherm had some ideas on this and we could ask him to supply the materials and said she could help facilitate it. We would like to develop a manual that we could use every year and also do the training. Steve would like to see this done in February every year. We could say it s for the chair, vice chair and secretary and anyone else of the board who wants to come. Steve was appointed to contact Pastor Sherm to ask if he would work on this and see if he can put a program together for us, then we can plan a time and decide who would attend. 11. Reports: a. Board of Deacons: Money was transferred from the Search Committee to cover expenses for the banquet, for the ordination. Pastor Andrea asked about spacing the front benches a little further apart. We will refer this item to the Board of Business. We discussed the asbestos problem this could present and what can be done. b. Board of Education: Child Development Center was reviewed. It is a long process, and is something needed in the community but we feel it could work. Brad met with the Fire Marshal, and Brad, Kori and Connie met with several Heartland Community School s personnel. The committee is now in the process of getting bids so we know what to ask for in grant money. Next year s Bible series was discussed. c. Board of Business Administration: See report. d. Board of Service and Outreach: There was discussion of where to store an electric wheel chair. Ron will check on the status of the wheel chairs we have now, what condition they are in and do they fit the needs of our members. e. Technology Management Team: A site survey was done by Midwest Sound and Lighting. He took detailed measurements of the sanctuary and will get back to us in mid-march about the needs for better loud speaker results. They took our blueprints and will enter all information into the computer to give us an estimate of what needs to be done. Another Omaha company will come out in March to do the same. It could cost from $20,000 to $30,000 to supply the speakers we will need. Site surveys will come back with options and bids. We want information from the congregation in the form of a survey telling us where they sit in the sanctuary and where they feel they can hear the best. We want it to meet our needs. The Sound Team will be involved when they meet with the companies again. This team plans to write a Policy and form an action plan. f. Policy Gathering Committee: No report. g. Congregational Priorities: Pastor Andrea said she and Cindy are working on an updated 2015 priorities list with the Child Development Center included and also include a list of the 2014

6 priorities we want to continue working on # 1, #2 and # 4. We will wait to work on #3 (PCRC Committee) until we have our third pastor in place. Priority #4. Pastor Andrea encouraged how do we do mission and how are we being missional? Local church mission is different, how are we walking with people in their life? We plan to get all boards to meet on the same night at their March meetings to begin conversation about what does it mean to be missional. This would be the Board of Education, Board of Service and Outreach and Board of Business. What are we trying to accomplish? The Chairs and Church Council representatives were the only ones at the retreat, so a lot of people now on those boards were not at the retreat. These three boards all meet on the third Tuesday and Laura, as Board of Deacons Chair could make contact with the current board chairs and meet with them the first 45 minutes of their joint meeting and then they would go on with their regular board meetings. Pastor Andrea would facilitate. What discussions do we want to have? To grow in our understanding of what it means to be missional. To engage in discussion around what this means for us and to begin to identify activities that will help us begin to connect to our broader community. Missional means being relational; we need to develop relationships too. How do those ideas fit in our context? Church Council and Board of Deacons are not removed from this conversation, but our representatives to those boards will come back to report to Church Council. This is a way to empower these three boards to make recommendations. Does there need to be groundwork done before this board meeting takes place? Pastor Andrea said in this proposal it would not take away from their own meeting; it would be a starting point only. This will help us all get on the same page and decide why the congregation made this a priority. We want to keep this conversation going throughout the year. This is deep change and will not happen immediately. Laura will make the contact with the chairs to get on their March meeting agenda. h. Financials: There was no printed report this month. We need to have direction concerning the Ashland Christian Fellowship support. Arlin was going to talk to David Quiring about his understanding of our original agreement and we need to have conversation with CPMC about their expectations. We committed to sending $1,000 per month initially but were sending an additional $1,000 per month for their pastor support, but they do not have a pastor now. We haven t budgeted for this amount of $1,000 per month. There is a negative $2, in this account. Steve will talk with Arlin to be sure this this is being addressed. Steve closed in prayer. The next meeting date will be March 24, 2015, at 7:30 p.m. Steve Michel, Church Council Chair Jeff Peters, Church Council Vice Chair Arlyce Friesen, Church Council Secretary

7 MINUTES CHURCH COUNCIL Bethesda Mennonite Church Henderson, Nebraska March 24, 7:30 p.m. Bethesda Mennonite Church Mission Statement A community caring for all God s people, being transformed by Christ s love, serving others as a witness of God s grace and peace. PRESENT: Steve Michel, Church Council Chair; Norm Yoder, Congregational Moderator; Arlyce Friesen, Church Council Secretary; John Huebert and Blaine Friesen, Board of Deacons Representatives; Gary Buller, Board of Business Administration Representative; Royce Janzen, Board of Administration Representative; Ron Goertzen, Board of Service and Outreach Representative; and Pastor Andrea Wall. Also present for part of the meeting was David Quiring. ABSENT: Jeff Peters, Church Council Vice Chair. 1. Steve called the meeting to order. Royce Janzen led in a short devotional based on Pastor Max Villatoro, Pastor of a Mennonite Church in Iowa City who was being processed for deportation to Honduras in New Orleans and Royce asked for prayers for him. He referred to a quote by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who stated the arc of the moral universe is long and it bends towards justice. He read Psalm 46, God is our fortress and connected this scripture with the Honduran Mennonite Church. Perhaps God had a plan to take him. We pray he can survive. Royce led in prayer. 2. The February 24, 2015, meeting minutes were reviewed. Gary moved and Royce seconded to approve the minutes as presented. Motion carried. 3. Agenda: Approved as sent. 4. Update on Ashland, Montana Church by David Quiring: The Ashland Mennonite Church is looking to invite 1, 2 or 3 churches to be sister churches with hopes of getting monetary help up to $2,000 per month. David asked if Bethesda could contribute from $1400 to $1500 per month and then try to get the rest from other churches. They have a new pastor and are happy for that. We want to keep the church going. Doug and Lori did a fantastic job while they were there. Currently we are just barely getting donations of $1000. We are a sister church to them and we are the only church at this time contributing toward the pastor s support. Conference pastor, Tim Detweiler, will try to get the remainder up to $2000. We sent up to $2000 a month when funds were available. Consensus of Church Council was to table the issue until we hear from Tim Detweiler. David will get back to us with more information before next month. 5. Review Church Council Policies: CC-51 SPECIAL PROJECTS: Special projects shall be presented to the committee most closely involved. Gary moved and Norm seconded to change the wording from Board of Business to committee most closely involved. Upon recommendation of that board or committee Church Council will approve. Motion carried. CC-122 CLOSELY RELATED PERSONS SERVING ON BOARD OF DEACONS: The question was asked if this policy should be in the Church Council section or only in the Board of Deacons Policy. It was 1

8 decided that it should be in Church Council Policy since Church Council is overseer of the Board of Deacons. CC-125 CLOSELY RELATED PERSONS SERVING ON THE CHURCH COUNCIL: We want to delete some of the language because it refers to the old language of five boards. The recommendation is to change CC-125 to read The perception of leadership by the public is as important as the capability of leadership, therefore the following policy is adopted. For our purpose Closely Related means brothers, sisters, spouses, parents and children. Those Closely Related shall not serve together on the Church Council. John moved and Gary seconded to approve this change. Motion carried. CC-200 AUDITS: There is a conflict between the policy and the Church Council calendar. Audits take place in summer months but the calendar says in February. Both say choose auditor in December. We would like to not make it so specific. Change B.3. to say Audit will take place before the end of summer. The calendar should refer to CC-200, not CC-205. Take Audit will take place in February out of the Church Council calendar and add Appoint auditors for church audit on the calendar in December and refer to CC-200. Blaine moved and Ron seconded. Motion carried. CC-230 VOUCHER FORMS FOR EXPENDITURES: Should change The voucher will be signed by the Church Council Secretary to Church Council Chair. Norm moved and Royce seconded. Motion carried. CHILD PROTECTION PLAN is included as a policy on Page 123 and the question was asked, If we adopt it as policy then it should be written as policy. If it s just a plan, it should not be listed as policy. We intended it to be a procedure rather than policy so it is in here because we don t have a procedure book. The Board of Education is working at implementing this plan, however, they know this is not all happening at this point. It will continue to be worked on. Steve will contact Jeff and have the Policy Committee work on this. This might need to be in our policy book because of Preschool and for sure with the Day Care. 6. Historical Committee Report: They are in need of a tech person. Steve will let Kathy know if they need help to call on the Technology Team. 7. Update on Board Chair and Secretary training: Andrea, Steve and Sherm are working on getting this done. 8. Affidavit signed by Steve Michel: Holly and Shawn Bailey are in court case concerning custody of their children. Steve has signed an affidavit prepared by Holly s attorney stipulating that Holly Bailey is a current church employee, works approximately 17 hours a week, that she has a flexible work schedule with a set of jobs to be done, but that she can do them on her own time and has been employed since 2002 with a salary of $1160/month. Steve signed as Church Council Chair. 9. Reports: a. Board of Deacons: The board is in the process of doing Pastor Jim and Pastor Andrea s reviews. Maundy Thursday we will be having a Communion Service. We have extended Pastor Sherm s Memo of Understanding to continue as consultant with the same salary and responsibilities until our third pastor is hired. He would discontinue 6 weeks before hiring; this is beyond the February date of the original memo. The Deacons have discussed the spacing of benches in the front of the sanctuary and the asbestos issue, and wondered if Church Council would consider having an outside consultant come in and see how it could be more spiritual for 300 people instead of 1000 people. Is there something that could be done to make it a more meaningful worship space? The spiritual part is the deacons, and the facility would be the Board of Business responsibility. How 2

9 could we redesign it? If we are serious, then we shouldn t go ahead with carpeting the front of the church. We need to involve the congregation in the process, so that we all have a voice and can be part of the process. How do we creatively use the space we have? Our building is an asset. Todd Brown from Kearney is designing the Countryside Church. Norm said he would talk to someone from Sauder Mfg. as they build church pews and also do the designs. The consultant coming in could facilitate the conversation as well. Our sanctuary is so beautiful, how do we have conversation in changing how it looks now? We need to step forward with wisdom and grace. The Board of Business suggested taking some of the pews out in the corners going toward the Fellowship Hall. Also two pews on the south side ahead of the short pew. The plan now is to replace the carpeting down the center aisle. Norm will contact a Sauder Mfg. representative and Gary suggested having the Board of Business wait and see if this is a serious discussion. b. Board of Education: Day Care is their biggest discussion as they continue to gather facts and figures. They will start getting the congregation involved in the concrete areas, the price, etc. It s good to involve the other churches and the community to be supportive of this effort as well. We need people who know of grants available and want the church on board with the idea. c. Board of Business Administration: Will be selling surplus items in the Fellowship Hall; some will be a silent auction, some take as you want, with a few items taken to the MCC Sale. Items such as tables, chairs, benches, etc. will be set up in the Fellowship Hall for a few weeks beginning the following Sunday after Easter. The office requested more storage space, fire proof filing cabinets, etc. The board will work on digitally storing, properly scanned items so we don t have to store the physical documents. d. Board of Service and Outreach: Working on a community garden, with food raised to be given away. A motorized scooter was discussed but the cost could not be justified and who would be responsible. Dayspring requested using MIE funds for Simplice to attend World Conference in Harrisburg, PA. He would then come to Bethesda following the conference to introduce them to the pastors and the Dayspring Board. The committee approved the request for $2500-$3000. Dayspring is also requesting $4000 for the next 3 years for travel and other expenses. The mission field workers can come here to speak to us instead of us sending our people out. Thrift store still pending. e. Technology Management Committee: Waiting on proposals at this time. This committee will help the office find people who could help with digitizing documents that need to be saved. f. Policy Gathering Committee: No report. g. Congregational Priorities Review: Priority #4 joint meeting with boards. All the boards meet on the 3 rd Tuesday so plan to have a joint meeting the 3 rd Tuesday in April, before their regular board meeting. h. Financials: We are encouraged that our receipts are $79,101 compared to $60,000 last year at this time. Hoping this is a sign for increased income for local ministry. We have so many people watching our live streaming that Taylor Siebert with Striv is increasing his fee for this service. We will be over budget on this item. People are feeling more connected by being able to watch it on live streaming. 10. Royce closed in prayer. The next meeting date will be April 28, 2015, at 8:00 p.m. Steve Michel, Church Council Chair Jeff Peters, Church Council Vice Chair Arlyce Friesen, Church Council Secretary 3

10 MINUTES CHURCH COUNCIL Bethesda Mennonite Church Henderson, Nebraska April 28, 2015 PRESENT: Steve Michel, Church Council Chair; Arlyce Friesen, Church Council Secretary; John Huebert and Blaine Friesen, Board of Deacons Representatives; Royce Janzen, Board of Education Representative; Ron Goertzen, Board of Service and Outreach Representative and Pastor Andrea Wall. Also present for part of the meeting was Church Treasurer Penny Buller. ABSENT: Norm Yoder, Congregational Moderator; Gary Buller, Board of Business Administration Representative; Jeff Peters, Church Council Vice Chair. 1. Steve called the meeting to order. Arlyce Friesen led in a short devotional based on time. 2. The March 24, 2015, meeting minutes were reviewed. Ron moved and Blaine seconded to approve the minutes as presented. Motion carried. 3. Approve Agenda: Add 6. Bereavement Leave for Employees. The Agenda will be approved as amended. 4. Update on Ashland, Montana Church. Steve reported that David Quiring has no more information at this time. Penny said she had wanted to get a feel for how the Ashland, Montana financial fund was being handled. Previous minutes were reviewed. Central Plains made a request with David Quiring, to see if Bethesda would be a sister church with Ashland Christian Fellowship. The February 24, 2009, Church Council minutes state that Bethesda will pay $1,000 a month to help with the Ashland Christian Fellowship as a sister church for a 2 year period. Penny said they couldn t find a copy of that contract but reference has been made to a contract. The contributions for Ashland went into our Central Plains Conference account, so Ashland got paid the first $1,000 of the Central Plains offerings, and then the remainder went to Central Plains. A few years after this the conference asked Bethesda to contribute another $1,000 per month. At that time David Quiring made up the difference to go up to $2,000. Our Church Council minutes never did say that council had approved this. February of 2013, Penny came to Church Council and wanted on record that it was alright to pay the extra $1,000. When Pastor Bishop left the Ashland Christian Fellowship, David was no longer interested in paying the extra $1,000, so we went back to sending $1,000 per month. At this time the offering designated for Ashland was not enough to cover the $1,000, so this resulted in a negative balance of $2,200 in this account. Penny will begin gradually reducing the negative $2,200 out of Central Plains offerings so this can come to a zero balance. We re not ready at this time to stop the $1,000 to Ashland but will talk to the conference about this. Willis Busenitz told Pastor Andrea about the new pastor who is coming to Ashland and hopefully he can come for a visit. Church Council minutes of February 26, 2013, say we will save anything that is given to the Ashland account. We will continue to pay the $1,000 monthly and if the offering designated to this fund is short, the remainder will be taken out of the CPMC offering on that Sunday to make up to the $1,000. Dayspring offerings are given from the church and the check sent to Dayspring. No further action will be taken; we will use the same formula as the February 26, 2013, minutes state.

11 5. Quarterly Church Treasurer s Report: The Scholarship Committee needs to communicate better to the congregation the need to support our College Scholarship Account. At this time, we are not receiving the amount needed, but we are supporting the remainder through the general budget. Letters could be sent to parents and grandparents and there could be more things done to bring in funds. Royce will tell the Board of Education and remind them of their responsibilities. This is Bethesda s way of saying we re happy our students are staying in the church and attending our church schools. A fund transfer of $36,400 was made from the Bethesda Equity Account to the General Operating Fund per our Fiscal Management Plan to cover a similar shortage from the 2014 year. There has been an increase in giving in 2015 and Steve s announcement in church about our shortage in giving a few months ago and the presentation at the 2015 Annual Meeting were well received and is reflected in increased giving. Penny said that we forgot to budget for Pastor Andrea s Ordination expenses so had to move these expenses from the Pastor Search Account. Pastor Salaries Account will be under budget because we did not have the third position filled in February as earlier planned. Penny said a change in the Wedding Policy saying janitors will be paid for hours put in for the wedding was well received by the custodians. We feel the congregation is supportive of Bethesda s Mission Statement and the congregational priorities that the boards and committees are implementing. Our practice of informing the congregation of each Board and Committee s projects and needs during the Sunday service announcement period is being well received. 6. Bereavement Leave for Employees: We ve had an employee asking if bereavement leave can be taken if the funeral service is held weeks later. The policy does not state the time frame. Steve said the board that supervises that employee should be the board to make the decision. The Board of Business covers when one of the janitors is gone. It was felt that Bereavement Leave should be granted no matter when the funeral service is held. 7. Reports: a. Board of Deacons: We discussed changes in the church sanctuary but the deacons want to slow down this process because we want the congregation to be involved. The Board of Deacons could make suggestions and we would want their input, but Church Council and the Board of Business Administration should begin the process. Church Council is here to help other boards. Changes to the sanctuary will be hard. Steve said we ve had good results with congregational meetings and we need to let the congregation know what we re looking at. Pastors Jim, Andrea and Sherm talked this afternoon. Sherm said there is the physical change as well as the adaptive change. We want to be closer together; we feel it is better to worship closer together. We need to look at the emotional and technical change and how to incorporate the emotional and the sacred change. How do we create what we want to do? The Child Development Center is also something to consider in our conversation. Then how do we take this to the congregation? Sherm said he knows of two architects, Denny Weaver and Randy Seitz, who do the congregational conversation as well as the architecture. We could invite these people as well as the representative from Sauder Mfg. that Norm suggested. These firms are all connected in the Mennonite church. How do we experience community in the larger space after we have the intimacy in the Fellowship Hall? We will have to have a smaller group get together first, a meeting outside of our regular meeting, and then meet before our next Church Council meeting. The appropriate boards should make decisions in each of their areas of responsibility. Church Council is here to help where needed. Representatives from Church Council, Board of Business, Board of Deacons and the Pastors should be in this group. As we move forward, how do we use our space in the future? How

12 do we get our services to draw the younger people? We should have Sherm skype in on this meeting also. Steve and Ron Goertzen would represent Church Council at this meeting. Norm Yoder should meet with this group. The carpeting for the sanctuary will be put on hold at this time. Sabbatical for Pastor Jim: He is looking towards September or October. We are excited for the Pastoral Candidate this weekend. b. Board of Education: The committee is moving forward with VBS, Graduates breakfast; BMC Talks like the Ted Talks. The Child Development Center continues to move forward and is looking for grant possibilities. We will put together an all board meeting on Sunday afternoon, June 14 to discuss the Child Development Center. Once this leadership group is in support of moving forward we will bring this to the congregation. All representatives of our various boards will ask their board members to discuss the Child Development Center and after the leadership group is supportive of the venture we will bring it to the congregation. c. Board of Business Administration: No report. d. Board of Service and Outreach: The Time and Talents Survey is nearly completed, an update on the community garden and work at Pilger, Nebraska, was given. There will be 14 youth attending Mennonite World Conference. They will fly and use MIE funds to help with this expense. e. Technology Management Team: No report. f. Policy Gathering Committee: No report. g. Congregational Priority Review: Pastor Andrea will put together an agenda for the board training. Andrea said the Board of Education is becoming aware of needs in the community. This would connect to building community and being aware of community needs and being transparent with our priorities. The Deacons talked about the priorities and moving forward with the leadership training. A suggestion is to have Pastor Robert Yutzy who works with Kipkor come for our training. h. Financials: No additional report. 8. Arlyce closed in prayer. The next meeting date will be May 26, 2015, at 8:00 p.m. Steve Michel, Church Council Chair Jeff Peters, Church Council Vice Chair Arlyce Friesen, Church Council Secretary

13 MINUTES CHURCH COUNCIL Bethesda Mennonite Church Henderson, Nebraska May 26, 2015 PRESENT: Steve Michel, Church Council Chair; Jeff Peters, Church Council Vice Chair; Arlyce Friesen, Church Council Secretary; John Huebert and Blaine Friesen, Board of Deacons Representatives; Ron Goertzen, Board of Service and Outreach Representative; and Pastor Andrea Wall. ABSENT: Norm Yoder, Congregational Moderator; Gary Buller, Board of Business Representative and Royce Janzen, Board of Education Representative 1. Steve called the meeting to order. John Huebert led in devotions based on Luke 9:3-4. Peter is so like us; Jesus was God s chosen one. Jesus deserves our worship and response. John led in prayer. 2. The April 28, 2015, meeting minutes were reviewed. Blaine moved and Jeff seconded to approve. Motion carried. 3. Approve Agenda: Add as #7. Setting up collaborative conversation about the Child Protective Plan. The reports will be #8. The Agenda was accepted as amended. 4. Update on Ashland, Montana Church: David Quiring has not been able to get in touch with David Boshart to discuss what s happening. How is the church being supported and is this something the conference still wishes us to be involved in? We are giving $1,000 per month at this time. 5. June 14, 2015 Meeting of all Board Members: The meeting will take place Sunday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall, and could take about 1 ½ hours with all board members to discuss the possibility of a Child Development Center at Bethesda. Brad Janzen and Kori Lewis are crafting a proposal and structural changes. This meeting is being held because the proposed Child Development Center will involve all boards; the congregation also needs to be involved. We want to have all the boards on board with it. Kori and Brad were going to meet with the Susan Buffet Foundation. Hopefully the Child Development Center could be self-sustaining. Are we on board to go forward? Staff should also be informed before this meeting of the proposal by Brad and Kori. We want to have a conversation with the congregation as they appreciate having a say in these ventures. Daycare is a need in our community; hopefully we could fill this need as a church and be an outreach as well. There will be conversation with Pastor Andrea, Sherm Kaufman and Steve Michel prior to the 14 th to review the proposal and plan how to organize this meeting. Sherm will probably not be present, but will Skype since we will be six weeks out from Seth Miller s coming and our contract with Sherm will have ended. 6. Seth Miller Vote: The congregational vote last Sunday to call Seth Miller as our pastor was positive, something we want to celebrate. Laura was going to send proposal to Seth Miller. 7. Child Protection Plan: Jeff said the Board of Education should decide how this plan fits into the Policy and Procedure Manual and bring it to Jeff Peters and Cindy Friesen. Jeff and Brad Janzen could get together after planting to discuss. We don t have a manual of procedures but want to get direction from the people in charge of this plan. Pastor Andrea said the Board of Education

14 had conversation about the plan. Last year the Board of Education implemented a Leadership Team as a group that supervises the policy. They would be the ones we would go to in case of a problem and would be a resource to staff. The original team who developed this plan is not ready to commit to implementing the plan (ie: checking the sex offender web site and helping to implement the forms). This month, the Weekday Christian Education Committee was having trouble getting forms in for VBS. They re the only group doing this at this point and are frustrated with the process. The Child Protection Plan form that parents fill out to say they will participate in activities at church, permission forms, etc., are examples of forms that will be implemented. The Leadership Team with the pastors will work at implementation, bring awareness and talk about implementing this as a collaborative team. Can Church Council help with all boards represented here, to have a joint conversation and to get policies made? There is not an active Leadership Team at this time. Pastor Andrea contacted two individuals on the original team and they would be willing to work on this team now. Each board would take a piece of this implementation. The Child Protection Plan has a responsibility sheet for each board. Pastor Andrea would like to have these resources available for everyone, all boards, Pastors, Child Protection Leadership Team, Deacons, Office Manager and Office Assistant. Jeff thinks the entire plan should be located at the back of the Policy Manual, even if each board is responsible for different portions of it. Every board should review the plan annually. A meeting could be held in August because Pastor Jim would be here before his sabbatical and Pastor Seth would be here as well as Pastor Andrea. We want to get other people involved in this Leadership Team, people who are passionate. Each board needs to specify a volunteer to be a liaison back to the boards to tell them what pieces they need to pay attention to what their responsibilities are. Jeff would be Church Council representative to this board. We could call it a resource team will have to keep up on laws, etc. to be current. Pastor Andrea will talk to Cindy to have each board appoint a representative. Ron Goertzen is willing to represent the Board of Service and Outreach. Pastor Andrea will invite Weekday Christian Education Committee to be present representing Midweek and VBS. Later we will decide how to communicate to the congregation and how to implement it. 8. MC USA/CPMC Delegates: Jeff moved and John seconded to approve the following people as delegates: MC USA - Laura Steingard, Blaine Friesen, Arlyce Friesen; CPMC - Laura Steingard, David Quiring, John and Adeline Huebert, Blaine Friesen, Carol Janzen, Jan Friesen, Pastor Andrea Wall, and Pastor Jim Voth. Motion carried. 9. Reports: a. Board of Deacons: the Deacons are excited about the congregational vote of calling Seth Miller. They are talking about issues concerning the homosexual issue that will be addressed at CPMC in June. CPMC has a document saying how to move forward and will be providing resources. One of the MC USA resolutions will be to continue to uphold the current documents but find ways to be in community with the LGBTQ community. MC USA suggests that we do not make a change for another four years and try to live within these parameters and not be divided. The CPMC covenant relationship would shape Bethesda; this would be decided on at the conference level. We are covenanting the practices of Christ s love, Jesus is at the center, we come, we want to follow Him, and the Holy Spirit will work within us. Our pastors will be represented at both conferences and Pastor Andrea is taking 13 youth to Mennonite World Conference. The board is hoping Seth will be coming the first part of July. b. Board of Education: Items discussed were Daycare/After School Program and the Bethesda Bible Series.

15 c. Board of Business: New file cabinets have been ordered and received for the office. d. Board of Service and Outreach: Changes to the sanctuary have been discussed by both Church Council and the Board of Deacons. We are looking at the possibility of interest in booking a week for MDS sometime this winter. e. Technology Management Committee: No report. f. Policy Gathering Committee: Church Council policies have been updated. They will also work on the Child Protection Policy. g. Congregational Priorities: We will plan to have the next Board Training in place after next year s board is in place. The Child Protection Policy will then be in place. h. Financials: We were short $7,500 in April and short $16,600 in May but we are well ahead of previous year s giving. We have received $156,400 in offerings this year. 10. John closed with prayer. The next meeting date will be June 23, 2015, with Ron Goertzen leading in devotions. Steve Michel, Church Council Chair Jeff Peters, Church Council Vice Chair Arlyce Friesen, Church Council Secretary

16 MINUTES CHURCH COUNCIL Bethesda Mennonite Church Henderson, Nebraska June 23, 2015 PRESENT: Steve Michel, Church Council Chair; Jeff Peters, Church Council Vice Chair; Arlyce Friesen, Church Council Secretary; John Huebert and Blaine Friesen, Board of Deacons Representatives; Royce Janzen, Board of Education Representative; Gary Buller, Board of Business Administration Representative and Pastor Andrea Wall. ABSENT; Ron Goertzen, Board of Service and Outreach Representative; Norm Yoder, Congregational Moderator. 1. Steve called the meeting to order. 2. The May 26, 2015, meeting minutes were reviewed. Blaine moved and Royce seconded to approve. Motion carried. 3. Approve Agenda: Approved as received. 4. Approve additional MC USA Delegates: John moved and Jeff seconded to approve the complete slate of delegates: Laura Steingard, Arlyce Friesen, Marlene Ott, Leah Friesen, Blaine Friesen, Pastor Jim Voth and Pastor Seth Miller. Motion carried. 5. Community Day Offering: We will be losing our offering for our local church on July 12 because of the community churches meeting in the park. On the 5 th Steve could announce we have been doing well financially but now have our 3 rd pastor coming on and will need extra money coming in. Bulletin announcements will also be made. Steve will make an announcement in church the mornings of July 12 and 19 to encourage members to give to the local church in addition to the specified offerings on those Sundays. 6. Monroe Sawatzky Health Insurance Request: This is the first year we have asked full-time employees to take the Everence Health Insurance policy thru the church. The cost is $700 and we pay $500 towards it. Monroe found a policy for $550 that is a better fit for him. The church will pay the premium directly and debit the payroll deduction for the $50 difference. Arlyce moved and Blaine seconded to allow Monroe to purchase his own insurance. Motion carried. 8. Review status of CC-030 and CC-032: We will ask Penny at the July meeting if we are still using the Reach International Flora Mae Account. For now this fund will remain on the approved offering list. Jeff moved and Royce seconded. Motion carried. 9. Treasurer Applicants: We have had several applications; we would like to have this person be a member or at least a regular attender at Bethesda. Steve will let people know of the cut off in next few weeks. Only one of the four inquirers is not a longtime regular attender or member, so Steve will inform her of the Church Council s preference that the Treasurer be an active participant in the life of the Bethesda congregation. Steve, Jeff and Norm will interview all applicants. 10. Worship space discussion and proposal from Arkos Design: Sherm recommended this firm. A group has been put together to help review: Steve Michel, Laura Steingard, Norm Yoder, Ron Goertzen, Pastor Jim, Pastor Andrea, Brad Janzen. Gary Buller would be willing to represent the Business Board and will call their chair to see if someone has been appointed from their board. The scope of this project includes worship space and the Child Development Center. Could they also draw up the plans for the Child Development Center? When this group has a proposal they will bring it to Church Council.

17 11. Bethesda Child Development Center Project: Church Council will help other boards to do their jobs. The Board of Education has done a great job. Kori Lewis has such a wide scope of education for this area. Brad Janzen, Kori Lewis and Connie Bechtel will look for an architect so we can get some truer numbers for what this will cost. We will present this to the congregation and see if we have their blessing. New Ministries Fund thru CPMC for Faith development, Showalter Foundation and Everence are suggestions for possible grants. Once we have information of the cost, we will go to the congregation. Pastor Andrea will suggest to Brad that he consider hiring Arkos Design to do the initial cost estimate. 12. Reports: Board of Deacons: The deacons are recommending that we do not allow funerals on Saturday afternoon or Sunday. Pastor Jim s Sabbatical will be September, October and November, The deacons will help out during this time. Pastor Seth will be here to unload his household furniture tomorrow, then will fly back and drive on to KC with his family to be one of our delegates at MC USA. Board of Education: Time was spent on presentation of the Child Development Center, TED Talks, and reviewed VBS. There will be a change in the summer Sunday school hour. On July 5 there will be an introduction explaining the procedure. High school thru adults will meet at round tables north of the kitchen, sharing different TED talks, missional style topics, doing some discernment thru scripture, read the scripture and reflect on it by Dwelling in the Word. We want to video record these sessions and Andrea said different versions of the Bible will be used so will want the scripture listed to correspond with the different versions. We will be working at forming a leadership team for the Child Development Center and hopefully meet on August 2 to continue the implementation. Board of Business Administration: No report. Board of Service and Outreach: See report Technology Management Committee: Gary said Live Streaming is going well, as we have about 50 people watching live on Sundays and more on the recorded side. One Sunday there was no internet service over which we have no control. We have had requests to live stream funerals but the tech team is not sure they will do it. If the Deacons really feel the need to be doing it for the nursing home sake, they would consider it. It s hard to have a team available for doing it. We are waiting for several proposals on revamping the sound system. Worship space issue and the sound system should work together. Policy Gathering Committee: No report. Congregational Priorities Review: No report. Financials: The May 31, 2015, General Operating Fund YTD showed a negative balance of $32,942. Andrea spoke with David Boshart about the Ashland Fellowship and he said there is an ongoing need for a minimum of $2,000 extra funding for Ashland each month. David is contacting several other churches to commit to $1,000 per month and would like Bethesda to continue their current commitment of $1,000 per month. They would like this to be a separate commitment and not have it taken out of our CPMC offering, as that would be a significant portion of that annual total. Andrea will continue in conversation with David concerning this issue. Deacons and pastors will work on building a relationship with the Ashland Fellowship pastor. David Boshart said the conference leadership will work on building this relationship as well. Blaine closed in prayer. Steve Michel, Church Council Chair Arlyce Friesen, Church Council Secretary