Walker Church Council
February 22, 2007

Present: Julia Philips, Walter Lockhart, Bonnie Beckel, Sally Kuehn, Nancy Larsen, Al Hildenbrand, Joe Hesla, Janet Court.

Bonnie led the opening.

The minutes were approved as corrected.

Sally talked about outreach. She has been working 15 hours per week, although lately she has been taking some vacation time. Outreach plans to participate in Project Learning Tree as led by Janet Court and James Livingston. This summer kids will be paid to water trees in Powderhorn Park. Sally is looking at sources for funds to pay for summer programs. There are four open cases in the Restorative Justice Program. There will be a neighborhood hip hop jam and dance on Friday, March 30. Soon Sally plans to have a table at Global Market with flyers about upcoming events. Also, there will be a meeting March 4 to publicize these events. Walter added that Walker brochures will be ready for this.

Joe reported for the Peace with Justice Committee’s Walker Methodist Health Center union project. The door knocking afternoon was very successful. There were 63 door knockers, 18 from Walker Church. Next on the agenda is to collect 1000 signatures to send to the health center board. There will be a rally or public meeting in May. It was moved, seconded and passed to present the following petition to the Annual Conference from Walker Church.

Be it resolved that: The Conference Secretary of the Minnesota Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church shall send letters to the CEO of Walker Methodist Health Center and to all members of their board of directors stating that: The Minnesota Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church calls upon the management and board members of Walker Methodist to immediately withdraw the appeals to the outcomes of the 2003 elections and negotiate contracts in an expedient and fair manner. A copy of this entire resolution will be included.

Be it further resolved that: The Minnesota Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church commends our bishops for their work to find fair and just resolution to this issue. We ask Bishop Dyck to continue work with AFSCME and Walker Health Center directors to bring justice to the workers of Walker Health Center.

Walter will provide publicity for this petition in the Plumbline.

Bonnie and Walter discussed signing or not signing a petition to block the George W. Bush presidential library from being built at Southern Methodist University. No consensus was reached.

Al gave the Trustee report. The insurance policy is being reevaluated.

Julia gave the Stewardship Committee Report. We are doing well. The parsonage and Outreach can pay Walker for rent and clerical support. We are in the process of planning fund raisers such as silent auctions, scheduled for Sunday, April 22 and Saturday October 13. Bonnie said that we should once again designate a Sunday on which to appeal for funds for Outreach.

Walter gave the pastor’s report. Wesley Church has its last Sunday May 20, 2007. It will reopen as a 12 Step Church. Walter plans to write a letter of support to Wesley members.

Julia gave the Sunday School report for Mary Parker. Mary is busy planning the Easter pageant. Steve Gehrenbeck-Miller will be leading the children in a song as part of the Easter service. Julia mentioned a plan to have a special greeter for children on Sunday mornings.

Janet Court outlined the plan for Project Learning Tree that she and James Livingston are leading. Full details about this project will be provided in the upcoming Walker Talker.

The meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Larsen
Council Secretary