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ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH, ELCA
Shawano, Wisconsin
Zion Lutheran Church Council Meeting Minutes
Date January 10, 2012
1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: Time 6:30 p.m.
Present: Scott Glysch, Gordon Holten, Bob Gehm, Kathy Bruhn, Timothy Herrmann, Ginny
Vraney, Mikki Moesch, Sandra King, Pastor Sherven, Julie Effenberger
2. OPENING DEVOTIONS: Kathy
3. SOUND OFF: None
4. MINUTES: Motion made by Bob and seconded by Ginny to approve the minutes as printed
for the December 20th Council Meeting. Motion carried.
5. PASTOR’S REPORT: Pastor Sherven reminded everyone of the annual meeting on Sunday,
January 29th and to make sure all chairpersons try to have their written report into Debbie in the
office by noon of this Friday if possible. He felt Christmas was a big success again this year
with great attendance. He clarified from last month that Mikki Moesch’s term as the
chairperson for Church in Society was for a 2 year term with her being elected last year, so she
has 1 year remaining. The conference assembly is Thursday, January 26th at 5:30 at Redeemer
Lutheran Church in Wittenberg for anyone who would like to go and represent Zion. Pastor
stated that Bishop Justman’s term ends this summer and so they will have nominations for a
new bishop at this conference assembly.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
a. Worship/Music: Kathy was informed by our guest organist about a gentleman out of
Appleton, Tom Salzman, who can do organ tuning/repairs. A large part of our payment
to Fabry Inc is for travel time which is 3 hours one way and if we can save money on
tuning it would be worth looking into. Some organs that Salzman has worked on are St.
John’s ELCA in Marion, the ELCA Church in Wittenberg, St. John’s in Tigerton and he
will be rebuilding the organ at Christus Church in Clintonville. Kathy will look further
into this matter and report back to the council.
b. Health Ministry: Ginny announced that their committee approved the Parish Nurse
Job Description so they have that along with a copy of the current contract ready for
Mike Eidahl of the Personnel Committee to proceed with once it’s approved at the
annual meeting. Their committee served cookies and punch after the Blue Christmas
Service which was held on December 15th and they received good feedback on that
event. The Blood Drive is scheduled for Monday, January 16th from 3-7pm in the
fellowship hall. Cellcom has again sponsored Zion’s Relay for Life Team that will be
held the end of March. Kathy Beyer is co-chairing that event with Ginny and they are
still looking for more walkers to fill their 15 person team. CD players will be purchased
for shut in use with money from the Joan Voss Memorial Fund. As of February 1st they
will need a new person to record the church services as Bob Gehm will retire that
position the end of January. Their Lenten Devotional Booklet meeting was today and
since they need 47 devotions for the Lenten season, committee members will be calling
soon. They are seeking the addresses of this year’s college students and will begin
collecting goodies for the College Care packages to be mailed out by February 17th.
They have received information regarding liability insurance which is allowing them to
continue with the evening exercise classes that Nancy Schultz is conducting. The Blood
Pressure screenings, anything that would take a referral or tasks which would require a
nurse to complete, will have to cease until a new Parish Nurse is hired. Their
committee has scheduled Patsey Robertson’s retirement reception after the late service
on February 12th in the fellowship hall with a light meal. Most of the food will be

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donated by volunteers but any additional funds needed would be taken out of the
Undesignated Fund. The prayer chain is being revamped right now from the new
people being added in from the Time & Talent sheets. A resolution will be drafted for
the annual meeting stating Zion’s intention along with the council’s endorsement to
continue with the Parish Nurse Ministry.
c. Staff Support: Sandy had nothing to report regarding the staff.
d. Church in Society: Mikki reported their committee has not met since the last council
meeting and she had nothing to report.
e. Stewardship: Bob stated that they are still waiting for the final proofs for the pictorial
directory so they can send it to print. The photographer had been on vacation otherwise
they had hoped to have the proofs to the printer by Christmas. Bob will follow-up with
the photographer next week if he doesn’t hear anything before then.
f. Property: Keith was unable to attend the meeting but Scott reported for Keith
regarding the new windows that were installed by Dearco. Questions had come up
regarding whether the old trim work needed to be put back on the windows. The
council went and looked at the windows and felt they were complete as is except for a
little paint needed around a couple of them and there was no need to attach the old trim
work. Dearco will also be submitting an estimate to replace the sacristy door that is in
poor condition.
g. Pre-Confirmation Education: Timothy had nothing to report as their committee was
to meet this evening but has rescheduled.
6. TREASURER’S REPORT: Gordon read the financial update that will be printed in the Focus
stating what a great year 2011 was for Zion’s financial picture. With strong Christmas week
offerings our year end General Fund balance increased to $12,086.85. The new electronic
giving program along with Thrivent’s Member Choice Program, and the Congregational
Council’s efforts at carefully watching expenses have all contributed to the most positive year-
end in years. Gordon has scheduled an audit committee for next week to review the books. The
Accounting Fund Balances Report shows $2,660.74 in the #13 Missionary for a Day Fund,
which Gordon noted is a lower balance than it has been in the past few years. A motion was
made by Julie and seconded by Ginny to approve the Treasurer’s Report as written, motion
carried.
Scott then reviewed the bills to be paid noting the Frontier bill has not been received yet. The
$256.99 to Bubrick’s Complete Office is for the Sunday School printer and toner that were
discussed at last month’s council meeting. The bill to Dearco Distributing for $7,447.00 was
for the 6 windows that Dearco installed and the same amount they had bid back in September.
A motion was made by Mikki and seconded by Kathy to approve the January bills for payment
and the motion carried.
7. OLD BUSINESS: Gordon shared an updated draft of the proposed budget for the 2012 year
with the council noting that this budget shows a 1.5% salary increase leaving us with a $940
balance. After the budget was reviewed, a motion was made by Kathy and seconded by Julie to
accept the 2012 Spending Plan as presented by Gordon and submit it to the congregation for
their approval at the annual meeting.
8. NEW BUSINESS: Scott brought up the issue of the office computers and their need to be
updated, both software and hardware. The council agreed to have Debbie proceed with getting
information and estimates concerning the office computers and report back to the council.
Scott then read to the council a letter of resignation from Pastor Peter Sherven. His last day of
presiding over worship will be May 20 and then he has enough vacation time accrued to run
until June 30th, at which time his resignation and retirement will become effective. It is synod
policy that once a pastor’s call to a congregation ends, the pastor is no longer available for

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pastoral service in that congregation. Bishop Justman is aware of Pastor Sherven’s decision
and will await a call from Zion’s leadership in order to set in motion the matters of transition,
leading to the calling of a new pastor and the appointing of a pastor to serve in the interim.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 7:44 pm.
CLOSING DEVOTION: Pastor Sherven
Completed in God’s Service by:
Julie Effenberger
Council Secretary