Walker Church Council
July 27, 2006

Present: Walter Lockhart, Jesse Watkins, Paulino Brener, Nancy Larsen, Bonnie Beckel, K.C. Bretzke, Mary Burns, Jim Feldman, Jennifer Gahnstrom, Julia Phillips, Sally Kuehn, Steve Sandberg, Wayne Bailey.

Bonnie Beckel opened.

The minutes were approved as read.

Parsonage Plan Progress, Task Force
The new mortgage is signed and sealed.  Thanks to Kristine Smith we have
paid off the old mortgage and secured a new one with a 5.1% interest rate
with no payments required until three years from now.  The next part of the
plan is to rent the parsonage to Simpson housing.  The "task force" who have
volunteered to negotiate a rental rate on a lease (minimum of 24 months) is
Wayne, Julia, Paula Gilbertson (if she agrees) and Rev. Walter.  The council
voted to approve a lease that first is approved by both the Stewardship
Committee and the Trustees.

Song Books
Paul McHugh notes that a lot of our song books are missing or shabby.
PLEASE RETURN ANY SONG BOOKS YOU HAVE BORROWED!  Replacing song books is not
in our current budget.  Paul and/or others are welcome to come up with ideas
to raise money for song books.

National Night Out
Those not attending National Night Out events on their own blocks are
encouraged to come to Walker, as we are hosting for our block.

MSP that we offer Paulino Brener free space for a puppet perfromance and knitting classes for children.

MSP that Jennifer and a representative of the Minnesota Welfare Rights Coalition negotiate terms so that Walker can serve as fiscal agent for the Coalition.

Walter said there is a fund drive for Reconciling Congregations to cover the expenses of a strategically placed hotel suite for the 2008 General Conference. We agreed to have an offering on Homecoming Sunday for that purpose.

Walter wanted to get wireless DSL from Qwest for the computer internet connection at Walker Church and charge renters $10 a month for access to it.
MSP to aprove this plan.

Sally gave a report about Outreach. Allina gave a $500 grant. Campfire Girls is going well. Urban Servants will be working with kids this summer. She also gave a report about Children’s Education. Sunday School will be starting again on Homecoming Sunday.

Jeanne Ritterson has donated her canoe to Walker. It will be stored behind Walter’s garage.

K.C. reported about progress on the Church Planning Retreat. She will be offering half hour slots to the committees to sum up what they are doing and why. A mailing will go out August 1.

Mary Burns noted that she, Pat Watkins and Dianne O’Donnell will take charge of the wreath sales this year.

MSP that we grant Bonnie Beckel and 12 minute extension of the meeting to give a report on the Peace with Justice Committee. Bonnie reported that the committee has decided to support the formation of a union for the workers at the Walker Methodist Nursing Home by connecting with workers to encourage leadership

There will be no Church Council meeting in August.

The meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,
K.C. Bretzke and Nancy Larsen