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| ECLC News - Committees |
Facilities Committee About a dozen neighbors came to an ECLC Neighborhood Open House on Wednesday evening, June 13, to hear Ed Kodet of Kodet Architectural Group describe the proposed design for remodeling and expansion on our site. Neighbors had a chance to look at the design, ask questions, sign up for email updates on the project and go for a walk in the woods (although we had no takers on that offer). Watch for another open house in coming months.
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Fundraising Committee The Fundraising Committee is working with Kairos Associates to set up interviews with a cross-section of ECLC members in July as part of the feasibility study approved by the congregation in May. Pastors and committee members will be contacting people to invite them to participate. One meeting will be held at which any members are invited to attend.
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| Jan. 28 ECLC Annual Meeting More than 100 voting members attended the congregation's Annual Meeting on Jan. 28. Before the meeting, even more folks, including children who later went to the nursery, shared lunch provided by Verna & Hal Liljenquist and Council members. Some results of the meeting:
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Resolutions for Annual Meeting Whereas the Growing Gracefully Task Force recommended that the congregation assess possibilities for physical growth on this site; and Whereas $18,000 has been budgeted in 2007 to spend on an architectural firm; and Whereas the Facilities Committee has interviewed several firms and has chosen one with which the congregation could work; and Whereas the Facilities Committee will return to the Congregation at a duly called special congregational meeting with specific recommendations as soon as possible (probably by summer 2007); Be it resolved that the congregation accept the Council of Ministers' recommendation to hire Kodet Architectural Group, Ltd., to conduct a feasibility study that assesses our site and facilities in 2007 under the guidance of the Facilities Committee. RESOLUTION FROM GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE Whereas, the July, 2006, “Hearing God's Call: A Church Set in Motion” Final Report from the Growing Gracefully Strategic Planning Task Force, identified the following goal, “Assess need for a revision in governance policies, with a focus on current and future growth and operations”; and, Whereas, the following “issues of governance” were identified: • revise governance policies to focus on current and future growth and operations • implement procedures to identify and develop leadership in the congregation • develop medium- and longer-term planning • provide oversight to operations and programs • create task forces and working groups to engage the membership and draw on special talents and interests and, Whereas, the Final Report recommended the formation of a Governance Committee to report recommendations about Council and church group structures and leadership; and, Whereas, an outside consultant recommended changes in ECLC's governance structure to facilitate broader efficiency and congregational communication; and Whereas, the Council received the draft report from the Governance Task Force,
Therefore, be it resolved that the congregation encourage the Council of Ministers to evaluate the Governance report and develop an interim structure of organization during 2007, and Be it further resolved that the Vice-president of the Council in keeping with the description of duties outlined in the By-Laws (Section III, I, 2, b) be charged with the responsibility of leading this process, and Be it further resolved that the Council of Ministers keep the congregation informed of this interim process throughout 2007, and Be it further resolved that the Council of Ministers prepare any necessary Constitutional and By-Law changes based on the 2007 interim structure for action at the January, 2008, Annual Meeting.
RESOLUTION for ANNUAL MEETING: SUPPORT FOR HEADING HOME HENNEPIN AND OTHER EFFORTS TO END HOMELESSNESS Whereas the tragedy of homelessness continues to afflict tens of thousands of Minnesotans every year – on any average night an estimated 20,000 persons, including an estimated 10,000 children, and Whereas the effects of homelessness are profound and long-lasting, particularly for children who have experienced homelessness who are, on average: • Physically less well • Emotionally less well • Academically challenged and • Developmentally delayed even when compared to their peers who are equally poor but have never been homeless and, Whereas homelessness is not only an inner-city problem but affects households in every setting, urban, suburban and rural, and Whereas the City of Minneapolis and the County of Hennepin have jointly adopted Heading Home Hennepin , a ten-year plan to end homelessness in every part of the County, and Whereas Heading Home Hennepin contains many strategies that are suitable for congregations and faith-based groups to carry out that will assist the County-wide effort to end homelessness; Be it resolved that Edina Community Lutheran Church ask the Minneapolis Area Synod (MAS) in assembly to direct the Bishop to communicate with the Mayor of the City of Minneapolis and the Chair of the Board of the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners to express the Synod's strong support for Heading Home Hennepin and to invite the City and the County to engage in dialogue with the Synod and its congregations about faith community involvement in efforts to end homelessness, and further to ask that the MAS in assembly recommend that each congregation in the Synod become more knowledgeable about the tragedy of homelessness in its local area by studying Heading Home Hennepin and other materials and by making connections with local organizations that are engaged in efforts to end homelessness. |
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ECLC:"Growing Gracefully" Final Report to the Council of Ministers accepted July 20, 2006. Below is the Final Report (21 pages). Click here to download a full copy with appendices (82 pages).
How can we best meet the wide-ranging needs and interests of our congregation? How can we be welcoming, inclusive and best serve the broader community in this changing world? How can we best nurture this increasingly active and growing membership? What is God calling us to do? A six-member Task Force, appointed by the Council, completed a strategic planning goals assessment in Fall 2005 to help us begin to address questions as a community called to faithfulness -- a special journey in relationship to God and in community, near and far. Small meetings of members were held in Council members' homes and at church during late October and early November. Based on that input, the Task finalized its report to the Council. To download a copy of the final report from December 2005, click HERE. Implementation Task Force Ever mindful of our commitment to discern God's call, the Growing Gracefully Implementation Task Force will recommend to the ECLC Council of Ministers the actions necessary to support strategic, intentional growth of the congregation while serving the ECLC community and the broader community of God's people. Within each area, the Task Force will further address implications and outcomes for faith formation, evangelism, mission, worship, stewardship and fiscal responsibilities over the next 10 years and beyond. The Task Force is made up of seven committee heads (see below), Carla Carlson as chair, and ECLC staff. Seven committees began meeting in 2006 to make recommendations in the areas of:
The committees' recommendations are due to the Steering Committee on June 15, 2006. |
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Brett Long, Facilities and Infrastructure Committee (and ECLC Council Treasurer)
Committee's charge: The committee will recommend to the Task Force actions that will enhance ECLC's ability to share our liturgy, worship, preaching, music, education and service through mission in our community and beyond. Recommendations will specifically address facilities and property, maintenance, space management, physical accommodation and flow of members and visitors in all uses of facilities, signage and logistical information. Recommendations will include quantitative assessments and financial implications. Ministries and Programming Jodie Hagstrom, Youth and Children's Ministry Committee
Committee's charge: The committee will recommend to the Task Force actions that will ensure a strong continuum of education from pre-school age through young adult, recognizing ECLC's desire and responsibility to help children grow in their faith and commitment to one another. Recommendations will address demographic projections; programming for young children, middle-school school children and high school youth; implications for facilities and budget; and related needs for volunteers and paid staff. Deborah Olmon, Elder Ministry Committee (and ECLC Council, Minister of Shepherding)
Committee's charge: The committee will recommend to the Task Force programming and efforts that will best meet the needs of elders and senior members of the ECLC community. Focus should include that segment of the congregation that may encounter barriers to participation such as transportation or other special needs as well as retirement-age members who wish to facilitate and support volunteer or mission work. Ronn Williamson, Welcome and Inclusiveness Ministry Committee
Committee's charge: The committee will recommend to the Task Force actions that support ECLC's commitment to inclusiveness and ways that it can be lived out both in our community life and in our witness to the larger church and world. Recommendations for approaches and programming will encompass our commitment and witness in three areas: (1) overarching welcome to friends, neighbors, those in need, and those we do not yet know; (2) welcome and support of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) individuals who seek a congregational home, consistent with our commitment as a Reconciling in Christ congregation; and (3) invitation and welcome that fosters racial and ethnic diversity in the ECLC community and our partnerships. Staffing and Governance Alison Eldridge, Governance Committee (and ECLC Council Secretary)
Committe's charge: The committee will recommend to the Task Force governance and policy guidelines that cover four key responsibilities: (1) procedures for the identification and development of leadership in the congregation, (2) medium- and longer term planning functions, (3) operations and program oversight, and (4) the configuration of task forces, working groups and/or a refreshed Council of Ministers structure that further engages the membership and draws on special talents and interests. Jean Dale, Personnel Committee (standing committee)
Committee's charge: In addition to its core function as a standing committee, the personnel committee will make recommendations that address the multiple responsibilities of our pastors and staff members for theological vision, coordination, administration, connections, communications and related organizational functions. The committee will assess current staffing needs and those projected for the next 10 years. Recommendations will address new processes for evaluating roles and responsibilities, staffing needs to meet ECLC's goals for serving members in the ECLC community as well as the broader community through ministry and programming, and overall enrichment of the interrelationships across staffing and governance. Dan Ness, Technology and Communications Committee (and ECLC Council Vice President)
Committee's charge: The committee will recommend to the Task Force best use of technology and electronic communications to support the communications and administrative needs of the congregation. Appreciating that electronic and web-based communications are a key resource for ECLC's evangelism, faith formation, shepherding, stewardship, mission, worship, music and inclusiveness values, the committee will recommend actions that better connect members and families to our community and to mission in the world. It will also recommend using technology to streamline administrative processes and create efficiencies for pastors and staff members. Task Force chair: Carla Carlson, Growing Gracefully Chair and ECLC Council President
17 May 2006 Note: The logo "Growing Gracefully" (top of page) was developed exclusively for ECLC by Lora Aadalen Joshi and may not be used without the express permission of ECLC.
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