Faith Lutheran Church Mission Objectives
- Provide a comprehensive ministry to members’ spiritual and social needs at critical moments of their life cycle: Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Learn-ing, Worship, Crises Care, Death.
- Provide a liturgical worship experience using traditional and nontraditional forms and music.
- Support specialized ministries for families and their children.
- Provide a facility for philanthropic community self-help groups to meet.
- Repair and remodel our existing facility to maintain our present ministries.
- Sharing our ministry,welcoming others through public relations and publicity.
Approved by Faith’s Church Council, February 19, 1996
MINUTES OF THE 44TH ANNUAL
Call to Order
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
SUNDAY, November 21, 1999The meeting was called to order at 12:30 p.m. by Council President Michael Chaffee. Pastor Sneeringer led us in devotions. Mike declared a quorum present, which allowed the meeting to begin.
Mike thanked the women of WELCA for the lunch that they provided. Adoption of the 1998 Annual Meeting Minutes
Bill Pope moved to accept the minutes of the 1998 Annual Meeting. The motion was seconded and passed. Elections
Nominating Committee representative Ken Macro introduced the candidates for Church Council, Audit Committee, Northeastern Ohio Synod Assembly, Nominating Committee, and Endowment Committee. Mike asked for nominations from the floor. There being none, the ballots were distributed by members of the committee. The election results were as follows:
Church Council
Ann Snyder Britton (3 years)
Lois Chaffee (3 years)
Northeastern Ohio Synod Assembly
Barb and Don Dillahunt
Endowment Committee
Lowell Unger
Nominating Committee
Rich Doncaster
Betty Huston
Lou Sullivan
Audit Committee
Mike Carano
Reception of the Report of:• Pastor- As printed in the 1999 Annual Congregational Meeting report. Pastor thanked Mike Chaffee and Bill Evans for all their years of great service to Church Council. He also thanked outgoing Council member Joyce Vasilev for her work.
He noted that the business of a church is transformation, such as becoming disciples of Christ. We are accomplishing this by helping with Open M, visiting the homebound and making soup for Hospice. Transformation is measured in the hearts of its members.
He extended thanks to Debbie Gottas, Karen Mallison, Becky Strimple, and Dana Singer for their dedication and work with the Faith Explorers Club. John Maroni was commended for his work with the youth.
He reported that Faith also provides outreach and service ministries such as Mothers Together, Preschool, and Twelve Step Programs.
Life Groups such as the Home Communion Team, ELCA, Choir and Bible Study groups have evolved and grown during the past year. These small groups meet for a purpose and the members of these groups have developed close relationships with one another.
The Sunday attendance has increased over the past two years, which is the first time since 1983 that growth has occurred. Many people from the Celebration Service are now attending the Light Service, and, because the third service has lost people, some changes have been made. The Celebration Service now has a lay leader, more hymns, and the leaders strive to keep the service to a one hour time frame.
Pastor presented the Mission/Vision/Values statements, which were voted upon later in the meeting.
Our church is financially sound at this time. The Audit team is reviewing the financial report and will be presenting the findings to Church Council.
On January 14th and 15th, Faith will be hosting a Synod Conference regarding transformation of congregations which have between 90 and 300 members. As we are one of the few mid-sized congregations to show growth, we were asked to host the conference.
Pastor asked for questions regarding his report. There were none at the time.
• Minister of Discipleship and Outreach- Accepted as printed.
• Church Council President- Accepted as printed.
• Treasurer- Accepted as printed. New Business
Ken Rosebrock moved to accept the Amendments to the Model Constitution of the ELCA. The motion was seconded and passed.
Ken Rosebrock moved to accept the Mission/Vision/Values Statement as printed in the Beacon of Faith. Randy Cole seconded the motion and it passed.
• Adoption of the 2000 Operating Budget- Mike Chaffee thanked Hal Wilson, Randy Cole, Ken Rosebrock and Bill Robinson for their hard work during the Stewardship campaign.
Ken Rosebrock moved to accept the budget as printed. The motion was seconded. Much discussion followed. Finance Committee representatives Randy Cole and Bill Robinson were asked if the non-pledges were close to the estimated 1999 amount. They answered yes. Randy noted that it is difficult to keep track of operating funds when only 145 pledges were received. The congregation seems to like the new ministries and funds came in to help the savings grow. We need to adopt a budget fully funded to continue our programs.
Ken Nouse requested that more money be allocated to the Youth program. John Maroni and Bill Robinson stated that the Youth have also participated in some fundraising activities to help supplement their budget. The consensus was to make sure that the Youth program continues and grows.
DuWayne Hansen asked if we will need to dip into the savings account next year. Bill stated that the answer at this time is "I don't know."
The question was called and the budget passed. Adjournment and Prayer
Pastor showed the document of the joint declaration of justification, which was signed by both Father Gordon Yahner of Saint Hilary Church and himself. It was a most significant event in the history of the Lutheran and Roman Catholic churches. The document will be signed by Bishop Anthony Pilla and Bishop Marcus Miller of the Catholic and Lutheran churches respectively. The document and pictures of the event will be displayed in both Faith Lutheran and Saint Hilary churches.
There being no further business, the meeting was closed with a prayer. Respectfully submitted,
Kit Scheetz
Council Secretary