Walker Church Council Minutes
October 25, 2007

Present: Walter Lockhart, K.C. Bretzke, Bonnie Beckel, Janet Court, Beth Richards, Mary Parker, Sally Kuehn, Wayne Bailey, Nancy Larsen.

Bonnie led the opening.

The minutes were approved as read.

Bonnie said that financially we are doing well. Walter added that no fall rummage sale took place and no one has stepped up to take charge of wreath selling.

We discussed the table in the cry room, whether we should get rid of it or not. It is useful for meetings, but in the way on Sunday morning when the kids are playing more. We decided to replace it with a folding table and stackable chairs.

Mary said the Sunday School children will sing for the Day of the Dead. They are also working on a Christmas pageant about Mary the mother of Jesus.

Sally reported that we got a $5000 grant but we have to match it with $10,000 to use it. Monday through Thursday Outreach has a children’s program from 4 to 6 pm which is academic based, but kids also have fun and make friends. They have 10 to 12 kids each day.

Nancy talked about Day of the Dead. There will be two Sundays celebrating Day of the Dead. People will write stories about their beloved dead on index cards and readers will read them aloud. There will also be a Samhain observance on Halloween and a theme related concert on Saturday night done by the Fire Roast Mountain Boys.

Beth Richards reported about the Peace with Justice Committee. They are currently working on a project to get health benefits for security officers. There will be a rally November 10.

Janet talked about the Energy Challenge. There are 35 people signed up and we want to increase that to 100. She and James Livingston are working on grants for next summer.

Wayne reported that he is going call an insulation man and put Plexiglas on the windows. On work day several projects were successfully completed.

Walter mentioned that he is working 3/4 time and being paid 1/2 time. He needs an increase next year of $8000 if he is going to continue working at his current level. Also, there will be an increase of $5000 in apportionments next year.

There will be a church conference on Sunday December 2. All are invited.

Walter said that the Methodist General Conference is April 23 - May 2. He will be there lobbying for GLBT issues. He is also going to the Minnesota Annual Conference at the end of May. After that he will take a renewal leave of approximately 6 weeks.

The meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Larsen