Walker Church Council Minutes
March 23, 2006

Present: Jesse Watkins, Michael Bellanger, Pat Shepard, Bonnie Beckel, Jennifer Gahnstrom, Diana Richie, Nancy Larsen, Sally Kuehn, Paris Dunning, K.C Bretzke.

Bonnie Beckel led the opening ritual.

The minutes were approved as corrected.

Michael Bellanger asked for fiscal agent status for the Native American Rainbow Network, which will be sponsoring Indigenous Music Awards. MSP that Walker Church become the fiscal agent for his project.

Pat Shepard also made a presentation about Honor the Youth, the organization for which she wants fiscal agent status with Walker. MSP that Walker Church becomes the fiscal agent for her group. Pat and Jennifer will work out a contract which will be brought back to the Council for review.

Paris reported about the Peace with Justice Committee progress in getting the Health Care Amendment on the ballot. There will be a rally at the Capitol about this issue Tuesday, March 28 at 12:30pm.

Jesse noted that it would have been Seth’s birthday today. He noted several bequests from Becky Hanson. She plans to empty the parsonage over her spring break the first week of April and do some painting.

There was a discussion about the retreat we are planning with Chuck Lofy. Should we do a retreat about welcoming the new pastor before or after the new minister gets here? KC thought we should do a retreat with Larry before the new pastor gets here and then have a retreat with Chuck after the new minister is here to welcome him. Other disagreed. The Staff Parish Relations Committee will ask Larry.

Jesse reported for SPRC that a candidate for the position of minister was presented to the committee last Monday.

Jennifer gave the financial report. We really need a $10,000 cushion for our operating budget, but we are keeping our head above water.

KC Bretzke volunteered to organize the August retreat. August 19-20 will be the target date, subject the availability of Kingswood.

Jennifer did her staff reports, summarizing the many things she has squeezed into the past month. Sally gave her staff report. There will be a $1000 grant coming in soon. Thursday April 6 will be a fundraising breakfast for Outreach. She is planning on a summer youth program, although she doesn’t yet know whether there will be funding for it. She also discussed the satisfaction of knowing that, though we are small, we help people who might otherwise fall through the cracks.

The meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Larsen
Church Council Secretary