Meeting Minutes 2021

Congregational Meetings 2021

Council President, Ashley Lathrop, called the meeting to order and declared a quorum. The meeting began with a prayer delivered by Pastor Fred Marcoux.
Business
Pastor’s Report – as written.
Pastor shared his focus on leaving St. Luke in good hands. He expects a new pastor will be in place by this time next year.
Director of Music – as written.
Richard Barnett expressed how much he misses everyone. He thanked Marty Witthoefft, Vince Reedinger, and Sim Austin for their help providing weekly services via YouTube and Facebook. Lesley Marcoux voiced her thanks for the music provided during the recorded services.
Handbells Report – as written.
Membership Report – as written.
OFFICER REPORTS
President’s Report – as written.
Financial Secretary’s Report – as written.
Ludi Webber recognized and thanked Vince Reedinger, Ashley Lathrop and Brenda Reedinger for completing the teller work each week and making deposits. She shared that the 2020 statements are ready, and the pledge letters are being compiled. Ludi asked that any member planning to have pledges sent through a banking service let her know to avoid ordering unneeded envelopes. Information will follow to the congregation regarding how and when to pick up envelopes.
Treasurer’s Report – as written.
Marty Witthoefft thanked the congregation for their support.
Financial Stewardship Summary – as written.
Vince Reedinger thanked Ludi Webber and Marty Witthoefft for their service. He also thanked the congregation for continued support.
MINISTRY REPORTS
Worship and Music – as written.
Vince Reedinger thanked everyone who worked to make the services possible.
Attendance Report – as written.
The Worship Attendance report provided a detailed breakdown of in-person and online attendance.
Call Committee Report – as written.
Vince Reedinger reported that two candidates have completed the initial interview, and another is scheduled. He expects more paperwork to be received. Barbara Kipps thanked Pastor Fred Marcoux for helping St. Luke prepare for the call process and Pastor Fred commented that we all worked together.
Learning Ministry – as written.
Betty Walker talked about the Advent Devotionals sent out to everyone in the church including children. Dana Wiggins and Lenee Pennington shared how much their children enjoyed the materials.
Adult Forum – as written.
Evangelism – as written.
Ann Witthoefft thanked Evelyn Henson for maintaining our web site. She also expressed a desire to update the signage in front of the church to electronic. Sim Austin shared that a few years ago bids were obtained for electronic signage, and he found that $10,000 per side would be the cost. He will check prices currently to see if there has been a change. There was some conversation about how someone can join St. Luke. It was suggested that Pastor Fred Marcoux be contacted.
Outreach – as written.
Stephen Ministry – as written.
Ludi Webber shared that it has been a busy year. Pastor Marcoux asked that they consider reaching out to all members again. Vince Reedinger advised that the Call Committee is ensuring support of this ministry as candidates are interviewed.
Interiors and Memorials – as written.
Brenda Reedinger thanked everyone for their help this year.
Mission Endowment Fund – as written.
Ron Diamond brought the donation of $12,000 to Feed More to the attention of the congregation. Also shared that the fund began in 1999 with $114,000 contributed. Since that time $125,000 has been distributed for outreach and capital improvements. The congregation voted to approve the motion to elect Kay Wason to the Mission Endowment Fund Committee. This will be a second term for Kay.
Property – as written.
Sim Austin shared that no major expenditures were needed this year. The focus was on the maintenance and appearance of the church. Work continues to improve the sound system and Sim noted some funds were received from the Mission Endowment Fund for this purpose.
Women of St. Luke – as written.
Millie Olson pointed out the Soles for Souls collection box now located in the parking lot beside the garden shed. They are looking for shoes and clothing in any condition. January 2021 the groups began meeting again via Zoom. During one meeting Lesley Marcoux suggested a food drive. On February 6th a food drive will take place. More information will be distributed. This event will also be an opportunity to pick up offering envelopes.
Council Approval of 2020 Annual Meeting Minutes
Ashley Lathrop motioned that Church Council review and approve minutes from the annual meeting at the next Church Council Meeting. Motion was seconded and approved.

January 10, 2021
Vince Reedinger presented the annual budget for 2021. The budget was approved by council. It will be presented to the congregation at the annual meeting on January 17, 2021 for approval. The Ministry Site Profile was approved and published by the Virginia Synod in December 2020. Two candidates have submitted paperwork and the Call Committee is working through the process.
Officers of the Congregation and Council for 2021 were elected as follows:
Ashley Lathrop, President
Debbie Washburn, Vice-President
Barbara Kipps, Secretary
Marty Witthoefft, Treasurer
Ludi Webber, Financial Secretary.
February 14, 2021
St. Luke is in a good financial position. The Call Committee has interviewed six applicants. The Food Drive was successful and will be repeated. We will try to do a financial audit in the last half of 2021. We accomplished our last 5-year plan and will prepare a new one.
March 14, 2021
Spending is in line with the budget. The Call Committee has identified two good candidates. Plans for Holy Week and Easter Sunday were announced and discussed. We will reopen Easter Sunday with two services for 45 members each. This allows us to admit 15 walk-ins per service. Members will be asked to sign up for their preference. If total signups are less than the maximum number allowed for one service, we will hold only one service. After asking Easter attendees about comfort levels, we probably will reopen on April 18th. The church remains closed to outside groups, with one exception given for the Retired Educators that contains two of our members. Spring cleaning will be April 1st at 9:00am. Three social ministry projects were discussed.
April 11, 2022
Expenditures and Contributions are in line with the budget. The Lenten Challenge and Spring Clean up were very successful. The new 5-year plan is in the draft stage. A primary pastoral candidate will likely be selected this week and will meet Council on April 20th. The following week, Council will discuss and decide whether to ask the Congregation to vote in May. Reopening in-person worship decision was deferred to next month. Luci Hughes will be given another $1000 for her musical solos.
May 16, 2022
Items were stolen from the Memorial Gardens and will be replaced. Outside groups may resume using the church on June 13th. Pastor Josh Menke will lead the May 23rd service. A special congregational meeting will be held afterwards to discuss calling him to serve St. Luke. Members who are not comfortable attending in person may do so and vote by Zoom. Guidelines regarding attendance during this stage of the pandemic will be drawn up and emailed to the congregation. Tammy Hammond, Church Administrator, will return to a Monday – Friday in office schedule and will work towards transitioning the office for the new pastor. She will resume publishing a monthly newsletter and put together a new photo directory. We can send two delegates to the June 12th Synod Assembly.
June 13, 2022
Spending and contributions are favorable to the budget. Pastoral transition begins July 10th, with Pastor Fred Marcoux’s last Sunday on July 25th, and Pastor Josh Menke’s first Sunday on August 1st. Membership decreased by one. Ideas were discussed to jump-start the committees. To discourage theft, a security camera and signage have been installed and Richmond police have increased area patrols. A watering system was put in the Memorial Garden. Farewell and welcome events will be planned for Pastor Fred Marcoux on July 25th and for Pastor Josh Menke on August 1st. There needs to be communication by Christian Education with parents to make sure materials are age and level appropriate for children. The church office is open Monday – Friday again.
July 11, 2021
Spending and contributions are favorable to the budget. Membership increased by one. Nominations for next year’s council will be solicited. The kitchen refrigerator needs repair. Plans are shaping up well for Pastor Fred Marcoux’s farewell luncheon. We need to start fund raising for Rise Against Hunger if it’s feasible to do this year. Committee chairs and Rich Barnett, Director of Music, will be invited to the next council meeting.
August 8, 2021
Spending and contributions are favorable to the budget. Membership increased by one. Nominations for next year’s council are being solicited. Rise Against Hunger meal packing event will be done on September 11th. Starting in September, offerings will be brought forward during the service and envelopes and prayer cards will be placed back in the pews. Tammy Hammond needs member’s photos for the directory to be submitted to the office. Committee chairs and Rich Barnett will be asked to attend a meeting September 26th after church. The Fall Clean Up Day is October 7th. Pastor Josh Menke’s installation service will be on October 24th at 3:00pm.
September 19, 2021
Spending and contributions are favorable to the budget. Special guest John Mocko described ways to help the Pastor Menke with his student loans. Council election will be held October 10th. Tammy Hammond has made postcards to mail to members to remind them of Pastor Menke’s installation service. A presentation/ panel discussion on safety will take place after church on November 14th.
October 17, 2021
Spending and contributions are favorable to the budget. Membership dropped with two deaths this month. Luann Andreadis, Ron Diamond, Linda Luebke and Thom Kostenbauder were elected to serve on church council. Communion will be around the altar after Reformation Sunday. Council and Committee Heads have started discussion on forward planning and goals. We will have an informational meeting on November 14th about safety at church.
November 21, 2021
Spending and contributions are favorable to the budget. The Mission Endowment Fund committee will disburse $14000 equally amongst the Virginia Synod Disaster Response Fund, Feed More, St. Luke Capital Improvements Fund, and Pastor Menke’s seminary loans. Rich Barnett will be paid for the three weeks vacation he didn’t take this year. The costs for sound system updates, HVAC repair, and fall cleanup related charges from outside companies were approved. Ashley Lathrop and Sim Austin were nominated for the Mission Endowment Fund committee. We will revisit the mask issue in January. The Annual Meeting will be held January 16, 2022 after church.
December 19, 2021
Spending and contributions are favorable to the budget by $12,946. Pledging is behind at this point, however, giving toward outreach has been very generous this year. Pastor Josh Menke and his fiancée Sarah Derrick plan to marry at St. Luke on September 3, 2022.
The next council meeting, annual meeting, and installation of leaders will take place on 01/09, 01/16, and 01/23/22, respectively.
Respectfully Submitted,
Barbara Kipps, Council Secretary