Vestry members approved a $178,810 budget for the coming year at a long work session after worship on Sunday, Jan. 12th. Expanding investment in-come is helping substantially reduce but does not end a string of deficit budgets.

Vestry Wraps Up Meeting in Record Time The vestry gathered on Sunday, Dec. 16th at 12:30 PM and wrapped up business in a record hour and twenty minutes as part of their quest to shorten meetings. Main business items included review of progress of the stewardship drive, mechanisms setting budget priorities, and the slate of nominations for coming vacancies on the vestry. Pledges tally $108,877 with more than 60% of those received increasing their contributions in step with rising costs. About two-thirds of the expected pledges have been turned in.

On Saturday morning October 13th the men’s group voted to give the Green Team $200.00 for the purchase of the small freezer. Sure hope each of you can help in some way for our new refrigerator. Starting in November is our annual stewardship program. We all need to Plan for Today and Plan for the Future of St John’s. A constant in the life of the church is the need to be financially stable and able to plan for the future of the congregation’s ministry.

Members present: Fr. Paul, Jerry Wegman, Mike Kolbinger, Mike Davis, Jerry Stump, Gerry Schneck, Ann Taylor-Sundstrom, Nickie VanStelten, Beth Davis and Bill Gray. Fr. Paul opened the meeting with the Gathering Prayer and a reading.

The minutes of the last meeting were read by Mike Davis and approved as read (VanStelten/Schneck).

Attendees: Jerry Wegman, Mike Kolbinger, Ann Taylor-Sundstrom, Gerry Schneck, Jan Mickelson, Nickie VanStelten, Bill Gray, Fr. Rider

The meeting opened with prayer and a meditation reading by Ann Taylor-Sundstrom.

The December minutes were approved (moved by Ann Taylor-Sundstrom) with the following correction/addition: The Vestry unanimously approved a housing allowance for Fr. Rider for 2007 of $26,000.

Committee Reports:
Finance Committee:
Treasurer, Bill Gray reviewed the financial reports that were sent out to Vestry members. The old “Restricted Account” balance has been transferred into the Investment Account (85%) and the Capitol Account (15%). St. John’s also received a $2500 check from the Geneva and Erling Johnson estate which was also deposited into the Investment Account. Nickie VanStelten moved that the financial report be accepted with the following correction: the new computer expenses should be moved from the Office Supplies expense to the Capital Account as the purchase of an asset and the amount in the bills due to ACS Technologies of $807 should also be a Capital expense. Motion carried.

Vestry Minutes
November 14, 2006

Present: Bill Gray, Mike Kolbinger, Missy Manderfeld, Jan Mickelson, Paul Rider, Gerry Schneck, Ann Taylor Sundstrom, Nikki Van Stelten, Jerry Wegman

Mike Kolbinger opened the meeting with a reading from the Meditations for Vestry Members, followed by prayers from “A Disciples Prayer Book”.

A motion was made by Missy Manderfeld to approve the corrected minutes from the October 24, 2006 Vestry meeting. Motion seconded by Gerry Schneck. Motion carried.

Committee Reports:

Finance Committee:
Treasurer, Bill Gray reviewed the financial reports that were sent out to Vestry members. He explained the balance sheet and reviewed the budget versus actual line items.

Present: Linda Duckett, Bill Gray, Mike Kolbinger, Fr. Paul Rider, Gerry Schneck, Ann Taylor Sundstrom, Nickie Van Stelten, Jerry Wegman, Jan Mickelson

Fr. Paul Rider opened the meeting with a reading from the Meditations for Vestry Members, Mark 3:31-34, “God is My Brother and Sister and Mother” and prayers from “A Disciples Prayer Book.”

A motion was made by Nickie Van Stelten and seconded to accept the minutes from the August 8, 2006 meeting. Motion carried.

Financial Report: Bill Gray gave a review of the financial report and stated he discussed the budget at the Parish Forum on Rally Sunday, furnished a handout and requested that members keep current with their pledges. A motion was made by Gerry Schneck and seconded to accept the financial report as presented. Motion carried.

Present: Linda Duckett, Bill Gray, Jane Kearney, Mike Kolbinger, Missy Manderfeld, Paul Rider, Gerry Schneck, Ann Taylor Sundstrom, Nikki Van Stelten, Jerry Wegman

Paul Rider opened the meeting with a reading from the Meditations for Vestry Members, Ephesians 6.11-17 about the “Whole Armor of God” and prayers from “A Disciples Prayer Book”.

A motion was made by Missy Manderfeld to approve the minutes from the June 7, 2006 Vestry meeting. Motion seconded by Linda Duckett. Motion carried.

Financial Report: Bill Gray reviewed the financial report and explained the capitol account balance and the investment account which is now with the Pooled Investment of the Diocese of Minnesota. Bill explained the line items of the balance sheet. He also asked who was writing thank you notes to contributors.

Present at the meeting were Vestry members Nickie Van Stelten,
Rochelle Wegman, Sr. Warden Nancy Zwickey, Jr. Warden Ray Splinter,
Secretary Tracy Muhlenbeck, Beth Davis, Jim McGuire, Missy Manderfeld,
Bill Gray, and new vestry member Jan Mickelson. Fr. Paul Rider was on
vacation.

The Vestry meeting was opened with a prayer and response from "A
Disciple's Prayer Book," and a brief reading by Nickie from C.S.
Elliott about Christianity vs. Atheism.

The minutes from the last meeting were printed in the Chronicle.
Motion to approve minutes as printed was made by Nickie Van Stelten.
Seconded by Missy Manderfeld. Approved by all.

Present at the meeting were vestry members Jaci Lageson, Nickie Van
Stelten, Rochelle Wegman, Sr. Warden Nancy Zwickey, Jr. Warden Ray
Splinter, Fr. Paul Rider, Secretary Tracy Muhlenbeck, Beth Davis, Jim
McGuire, Missy Manderfeld, and Bill Gray.

The Vestry meeting was opened with a brief study from A Disciple’s
Prayer Book, page 37, “A Gathering”, and a reflection on a scripture
verse. Fr. Paul focused the group on the attitude of service and the
idea that God calls us to regard others in higher esteem than we would
consider ourselves.