THE BALSAM BRANCH January 2019 1115 Mains Crossing Amery, Wisconsin 54001 Pastor Dan Watland Church Website: www.balsamlutheranchurch.org Church Phone: 715-268-9291 Pastor s Phone: 507-459-1141 Church email: balsamlutheran@amerytel.net Balsam Branch Editor: Bonnie Corcoran A Message from Pastor Dan Watland People keep asking me this question: So, are you ready for the New Year? What does this mean exactly? It could mean; So, have you returned unwanted presents and then exchanged them for something different? Have you put away the Christmas decorations and taken down the tree? And have you also decided on some resolutions to work on in 2018? Or does the question So, are you ready for the New Year? mean So, are you fully prepared to receive the one who brings God to humans and humans to God by being both human and God? The answer to the first is No. I haven t had time the answer to the second is I m not sure I really can be Am I prepared for the coming of the Christ into the world? No. Am I ready? Absolutely. 1 Some things we are never prepared for. They happen anyway. Am I ready to pastor this worshipping community? YES! Am I prepared? Not at all. Oh yes, I ve read all the books and have completed my seminary training and have spent endless hours in other churches collecting ideas, I have an amazing group of people here who are committed to doing ministry in this parish together etc, but I m not prepared because I think prepared implies that I am aware of what will happen and know how to deal with it all. Seriously, I have no idea what will happen, which is as exciting as it is daunting. I m ready for the New Year because during this season of Christmas (yes we are still in the season of Christmas on the church calendar) I really need to hear the story of Christ s birth again. I need to hear about how God enters fully into the messiness of
our existence and brings new life. I m ready for that because I know that I need it. Approved Minutes of the Church Council November 13, 2018 In Attendance: Bob LaBathe, Marlyn Bottolfson, Dawn Costello, Gail Peterson, Betty Collins, Michelle Stone, Sue Fougner, Vicki Hammer, Pastor Dan, and Sue Albright. Bob LaBathe called the meeting to order, determining a quorum. Michelle Stone led in devotions. Secretary s Report: Accepted as submitted. Treasurer s Report: Accepted as submitted. Committee Reports: Finance: See New Business. Memorial Fund: Did not meet. Property: The sprinkler system has been tested. There was an air leak in the pipes in the ceiling above the fellowship hall that has been taken care of. There are some issues and costs that will we need to plan for in the future. The projection system is up and running on both sides of the church. A huge thank you to everyone that helped get it running. Social Ministry: A casserole Sunday is being planned for sometime in January. We have three families for the Salvation Army this year, these need to be returned to the church by December 1st. The tree/tags are in the fellowship hall. We will give a gift card to Dicks Market to each family. Stewardship: Nothing to report. Worship & Music: Planning the Christmas Services. Staff Support: Did not meet. Witness & Outreach: We will hold a craft and bake sale before and after the Salvation 2 Army concert that is on December 9th at 3:00 pm. The doors will open at 2:30. WELCA will also be involved with this. Youth Education: Nothing to report. Adult Education/Prayer Partners: Carol Whitman has joined the group. The Prayer Partners will go caroling on December 2nd following the Potluck Dinner. WELCA: Will help Witness & outreach with craft and bake sale on December 9th. We are collecting items for the Baby Care Kits. We have enough diapers for 24 kits, please bring other items that are on the list to church by November 18th. we will pack the kits on November 25th being at 9:30. We have a Thrivent gift card that we can use to purchase any items we do not have after your donations. These kits go to Lutheran World Relief. Pastor s report: Reviewed as submitted. OLD BUSINESS: 1) Thank you cards were sent to George Sigsworth and Neil Pickard for their help with the projection system. 2) Council members that have terms that are up are Gail Peterson, Sue Albright and Marlyn Bottolfson. NEW BUSINESS: 1) Communion in December will be on the 2nd and the 9th. 2) Pastors salary for 2018 was $46,953 with 11 years of experience, we compared this to the Synod Salary Standard for 11 years of experience. It is 2% more in 2019. The amount for 2019 would be $47,893, and we would like to stay at 11 years of experience for 2019 with the increase in the salary, and then increase the years of experience to 12 in 2020. Pastor is okay with this proposal. A motion was made and seconded for this change. Motion passed.
3) The third Sunday pay was also addressed, along with additional pay for the Lenten services. Pastor agreed to the amounts that were presented to him. A motion was made and seconded, for the third Sunday payment and the additional pay for Lent. Motion passed. 4) Pastor Dan has documented $557.59 in mileage expense from January through July of this year. He has been paid an allowance of $1,898.40 up to this time, leaving an excess of $1,340.81 to be reported as taxable income. We overestimated the mileage allowance amount. We would like to switch to the IRS mileage rate reimbursement in 2019, which would correct this and is the most equitable way to deal with business travel according the Synod Salary Standard. His mile reimbursements would come before the council for approval. Pastor is okay with this change. A motion was made and seconded to use the IRS mileage rate reimbursement, beginning in 2019. Motion passed. 5) Life Touch Photography would like to create a new directory for Balsam in 2019. This was tabled to a later date for consideration. 6) It was suggested to change the council meetings to Sunday following church service. Council members were in agreement of this change. The new meeting time will begin January 13th. 7) Volunteers Tim Jergenson and his wife from Luther Point came to the council meeting to give us an update and to thank Balsam for their financial gifts to the bible camp. They stated that the fees for the campers only cover about 60% of the cost to run the camp per year the rest of the cost comes from other sources, such as our yearly contribution to them. They also commented that we were very generous in send 10 campers there. There are many 3 opportunities for young and old to utilize the camp year around. They left a few handouts at the church if any one is interested in LPBC. There being no other business a motion was made and seconded to adjourn. Motion Passed. Meeting adjourned. We reviewed area prayer concerns and closed with prayer. Respectfully submitted, Sue Fougner. Church Council Secretary. Unapproved Minutes of the Church Council December 11, 2018 In attendance: Bob LaBathe, Marlyn Bottolfson, Dawn Costello, Sue Fougner, Gail Peterson, Betty Collins, Sue Albright Vicki Hammer and Pastor Dan. Absent: Michelle Stone Bob called the meeting to order, determining a quorum. Marlyn Bottolfson led devotions. Secretary s Report: Accepted as submitted. Treasurer s Report: Accepted as submitted. Committee Reports: Worship & Music: Did not meet, will meet in January. Stewardship: Nothing to report. Finance: See new business. Staff Support: Did not meet. Property: Thank you to Rick Ashley for doing some touch up painting in the church. Working with General Sprinkler on the 10 year inspection of the sprinkler system. Prayer Ministry/Adult Education: The confirmands and their prayer partners visited three places for their caroling outing, they went to Sophies Manor, Marlys Kromreys
apartment complex and Gayle Knutsons apartment complex. Witness & Outreach: In conjunction with WELCA they sponsored a craft and bake sale at the Salvation Army Concert. Social Ministry: Set the date for the casserole Sunday, it will be on January 20th with an alternate date of January 27th if the weather is bad. Youth Education: The Christmas Program will be on December 16th with treats before the program. No classes on the 23rd, the Confirmation class will lead the service on December 30th. The youth will serve the fellowship time on December 30th. Classes will resume on January 6th. WELCA: We made 15 Baby Kits for Thrivent and sent them out. Memorial Fund: Did not meet. Pastor s report: Reviewed as submitted OLD BUSINESS: Council elections, There are three positions to be filled. NEW BUSINESS: 1) Gordy Hansen will continue to pay for the add in the Balsam Lake Magazine. He would also like to look into a sign for the Church possibly at Highway 46 & Highway 8. We will need to look into this as it has to go through the State. 2) Pastor Dan will be doing the Christmas Eve Service. 3) Discussed the possibility of putting an ad in the Amery Visitors Guide. The cost $150.00. A motion was made and seconded to place the ad. Motion passed. 4) Request to transfer $8,000.00 from the Krier Gift to the general fund to pay down the debt. Request approved. 4 Request to move any monies from the 2018 budget for Maintenance & Repair into the Church Maintenance Saving Account in 2019. Request approved. 5) Received a thank you note from Angela Moulton, for the efforts, organizing and hosting the Salvation Army Concert. 6) Received a letter from a member with some ideas and concerns. We need information like this to help us grow and improve we are and what we are about. 7) Just a reminder that this is a Tobacco Free building. 8) The next Council Meeting will be held on January 13th 11:30 following the worship service. There being no other business a motion was made and seconded to adjourn. Motion Passed. Meeting adjourned. We reviewed area prayer concerns and closed with prayer. Respectfully submitted, Sue Fougner. Church Council Secretary. 01 Connie Fredrickson 14 Nancy Ashley 16 Bernice Fox January Birth days 22 Jeff Johnson 23 Merle Bergren 29 Brad Fougner THANK YOU to all the Sunday School students, to Barb Friese and to all the others who helped make the Sunday School Christmas worship so wonderful! It was both very meaningful and very enjoyable!
Thank you for all the baked goods and crafts donated to the craft and bake sale for the Salvation Army. We had over 100 in attendance at the, the bake sale/quilt brought in $661 and red kettle donations were $831, so it was a total of $1492.00 for the Salvation Army!! Thank you to everyone who supported our adoption of Amery area families for Christmas. A total of 101 families received gifts for their children. Your generosity was overwhelming. This is such an indicator of Balsam's mission to minister to the community. Gail Peterson Thank you to everyone that has donated to the Turn Up the Heat Fundraiser! We have gotten $3,542.00 in donations so far. I want to give a huge thank you to all that have given. Vicki Hammer Annual Meeting Balsam s Annual Meeting will be held after worship at 11:30 AM on February 4, 2018. All confirmed members who have communed and made a contribution of record to the church during 2016 and 2017 are welcome to attend. Annual Reports Needed It s time to put together your Annual Report information. All committees and church organizations should submit a report to Bonnie Corcoran no later than January 17. If you are able, please submit your reports via e-mail (balsamlutheran@amerytel.net). Thank you for your attention to this. SUNDAY YOUTH SCHEDULE 06 8:30-9:45 Class Sessions 13 8:30-9:45 Class Sessions 20 8:30-9:45 Class Sessions / Youth participation in Worship 27 8:30-9:45 Class Sessions CONFIRMATION SCHEDULE 02 6:00-7:15 Class / Law Office 09 6:00-7:15 Class / Law Office 16 6:00-7:15 Class / Law Office 23 6:00-7:15 Class / Law Office 30 6:00-7:15 Class / Law Office FIRST COMMUNION CLASS SESSIONS January 20 11:15-12:30 Education Session February 17 11:15-12:30 Education Session March 24 11:15-12:30 Education Session / Acolyte Training April 07 11:15-12:30 Education Session / Bread Making Casserole Contest Join us for a casserole contest after worship on January 20. This will be a tasty fundraiser by Social Ministry for helping the needy in our area. Start looking for our tastiest hot-dish recipes! Information for Auditors Treasurers of the following: WELCA, Cemetery Board, Social Ministry, Youth Ministry, Scrip: Please get all this information to Nancy Ashley by January 10. Please keep in mind that your books will need to be audited before annual reports are printed. As you assemble your materials for audit, please remember to include: Your 2065 Financial Report Your check register 2018 Bank Statements & Reconciliations 2018 Savings Account Statements 2065 Investment Account Statements Receipts for all expenses 5