The congregation council gathered at its monthly meeting on February 20. Here are some highlights:
The council elected congregation officers for 2023:
President Nancy Neuse
Vice President: LaRu Woody
Secretary: Elizabeth Zimmermann
Treasurer: Allen Jensen
Financial Secretary: Gwen Flory
The president, vice president, secretary, and the pastor constitute the congregation executive committee. The treasurer and financial secretary do not need to be members of the congregation council to serve. The 2023 congregation council is: Nancy Neuse, LaRu Woody, Elizabeth Zimmermann, Jerry Don Aguirre, Nancy Baden, Derek Bridges, Gwen Flory, Todd Jermstad, Andrew Koepp, Mary Lou Larson, Kristin Mondy, and Benjamin Rode. The 2023 council will be welcomed and installed on Sunday, February 26.
The council appointed two ministry team leaders: Shannon Aguirre for the Worship Team Ministry and Betsy Appleton for the Learning Ministry Team Lead. The council is grateful for these servants. These leaders will begin the work of forming the ministry teams and setting goals. Other ministry team leaders are currently being identified and will be offered to the council for approval.
The council approved the Benevolence Task Force: Nancy Baden, Claudia Barlow, Lois Holck, and Merrily Porter. The task force will identify organizations or agencies for the congregation to support in 2023. The task force will submit its work to the council for discussion and approval.
The council approved Charlie Boas and Nancy Baden as FELC representatives to our Scouting Ministry and authorized them to transact business on the scouting bank accounts.
The council approved the scope of work and compensation package for the transitional pastor for FELC. The transitional pastor is expected to be announced next week and begin ministry on March 20.
The council received a report from the treasurer ending January 31. We had a loss in January due to adding $10k per month to a reserved fund for transition ministry (approved at the annual meeting) and also distributing the final compensation to the former pastor in the same month.
The council received reports about the ministry transition, the operations of our congregation, the upcoming Micah 6 Amplify Austin fundraiser, the Move-In Ministry needs for housing insecure neighbors through Austin City Lutherans, and the upcoming Caring Ministry trainings and information meeting. The council is grateful to many who are serving in leadership during our ministry transition, including our supply pastors Brad Fuerst, Bob Karli, and Tim Lincoln.
The next council meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 20 at 7:00 PM.