November 15th, 2007 – Council Meeting

Being on council does offer additional opportunities to gain deeper insights into the congregation. This is certainly true from the everyday operational business but also in our church’s present and future aspirations.

For operational business we discussed about pledges and Stewardship, the Treasurer’s report, Worship and Music, Education, Youth and Outreach. We made decisions about specific items like copiers to broader concerns like establishing the endowment fund. Some initial ideas around Pastor Dayle’s upcoming sabbatical this year were mentioned.

Jacob Nolte came before council to talk about a concert he is hosting on December 9th at 7:00 pm in the auditorium at Clackamas High School in memory of Bethany. The benefit is for the Adolescent and Young Adult Clinic at the Cancer Institute at OHSU. Many Creator musicians will be participating and council voted to support the benefit as well.

There was another concern regarding Creator’s ministry that came out in this meeting and the next steps Creator might want to take as a church. Council members spoke from their hearts and their passion was evident. Kelly spoke eloquently about the difference he saw in the Christian community established in the families who are recently in the process of becoming ‘empty nesters’ and those older members who have established friendships with other members that extend beyond planned church activities.

The desire to move to a deeper level of meaning for Creator and the individual congregational members was evident. A council retreat in January may give us the needed time to address this outside the demand for the operational business decisions which always have an urgency that cannot be ignored.

Susan talked about Teresa’s recent decision to resign from council. Teresa's hope is that Education will continue to have a strong voice within the council. Teresa’s work in Education for Creator has impressed all of us and her participation as a member of council will be missed.

Finally, Justin announced he and Carrie are expecting a baby. There was a round of congratulations and we closed, as we opened, with prayer.

October 18th, 2007 – Council Meeting, Hearing Faith Statements, RIC presentation, New Council member

The chairs were set in a circle in the Fellowship Hall. Those who were about to affirm their baptisms together with their family, friends and council members listened while each read their individual faith statements, filled with trust and the love of God.

Each was unique. Some affirmed what they had learned about God, others described disappointment and renewed belief. The depth was amazing.

This was my first chance, as a council member, to listen to faith statements. Another, more spiritual, dimension of what it means to be on council was reinforced. There is business and monthly activity that can take a large share of meeting time. I was told by council members in the past about listening to these statements. I still wasn’t quite expecting the impact the presentations made.

Next Paul and Karen Jolly, representatives from Lutherans Concerned in North America, made a presentation on the Reconciling in Christ program which seeks to make clear the policy of churches where all people are welcome as full members, regardless of their sexual orientation, their gender identity or that of their children, siblings or friends. Creator is considering becoming a RIC congregation.

Karen told the story of when their daughter let them know she was a lesbian. Their daughter afterwards warned, “Now that you know, you will be in the closet.” Karen said she quickly experienced the truth of that statement. They quickly changed churches because they couldn’t worship where they felt a need to hide this about their daughter.

In a nutshell, that is what being RIC entails. There is an Affirmation of Welcome that is a sign that this is a congregation where you shouldn’t need to worry and hide things about you or your family that might have marginalized you in the past.

After that Vaune was voted in as our newest council member, replacing Scott who resigned. She is a welcome addition to council with her balance of humor (which is an essential attribute for our council members) and level-headedness. Her commitment to Creator is inspiring. Combining her musical gifts with those we already have on council we just may end up forming a musical group offshoot called. Is the name The Creator Council taken?

Considering all the “non-business” pieces of the council meeting Susan led us through a meeting that did not last later than usual. We talked about finances. September came in much better than we anticipated, likely due to the temple talks that people like Pastor Dayle, Susan, Joel and Larry have made. The toughest budget decisions are to come and hopefully, I might say as always, the congregation will rise to the financial challenge.

We closed in prayer and I believe it would have been hard not to leave feeling energized by all the evening's activities.

August 16th, 2007 – Council Meeting

Susan opened the meeting with something to ponder; how Creator is currently working as a church.

Pastor Dayle tied this question in to what was a primary emphasis of the Churchwide Assembly. She posed a this as a question about Creator working (involved in mission) as opposed to functioning (well organized and performing its daily business well). At the Churchwide Assembly the shorthand for this was a settled church (funtioning) as opposed to a sent church (working). Susan challenged us to move Creator ahead in its work in new ways.

Throughout the evening Susan kept the council moving through the agenda. To highlight the report Pastor Dayle gave; what recently kept her up nights with worry were church finances and education needs. What recently inspired her was the Jubilee she attended with David and the Churchwide Assembly which she attended afterward the Jubilee.

The treasurer’s report shortly afterwards spelled out Creator’s financial dilemma and the source of Pastor Dayle's worry. Our cash in bank for operating expenses is extremely low and, on average, expenses are currently exceeding income monthly. Creator’s deficit is more than what was planned for in the current deficit budget.

Obviously many ways were proposed to turn this around. Everyone at the table was engaged in the discussion and the strengths we have as a congregation were brought to bear. There were some immediate action items to raise congregational awareness of the financial situation with the understanding more energy should be devoted to stewardship.

What was deeply evident was that this issue united the council rather than dividing it. Individual members saw different solutions. Some were in direct opposition to others, but humor and mutual respect remained throughout the discussion. There is a need for an ongoing effort regarding finances but it currently appeared the council, with God's guidance and help, was up to the challenge.

During the meeting we added a new member. Paul resigned from council after the congregational vote. Justin, who was in attendance at the meeting, was voted in to fill the vacancy after feeling a call to accept that position.

May 10th, 2007 - Council Meeting

Newness. That word was persistently in my thoughts throughout the meeting. Perhaps newness came from Sunday worship, and maybe it was because this was my first council meeting as a member, or both. I imagine for others this may not have been a particularly memorable meeting with the exception of the confirmation vote for Susan as President and Paul as Secretary.

With David and Joel gone and with Nita and Paul there, this Thursday evening felt different from last month's council meeting; although there were similarities as well. Everyone worked cooperatively together, just like last time. We moved through the agenda and there was still time to share jokes, stories and references.

One reference surprised me regarding the origins of the phrase "rule of thumb". I understand now it is claimed that the term originally referred to the maximum thickness of a stick with which it was permissible for a man to beat his wife.

Although the true origin of the phrase was most likely much earlier than this quoted pronouncement by a British judge, Sir Francis Buller, I will be using the phrase more judiciously going forward.

As the discussion and meeting moved forward I reflected on the importance of those around the table to what is special about Creator.

Larry has a keen wit. His enjoyment of life and joy regarding those around him is infectious. He also knows how and when to connect people to ministry at Creator. For me, the ministry I have undertaken at Creator are from his observations and invitations. Larry imagined me regularly playing guitar on Sundays and told me so. Next thing I knew I was doing it. Being part of council was by his invitation as well.

Teresa became a member when I did. Since then we have talked and worked together brainstorming ideas for Adult Education. I have come to know her deep spiritual drive and her strengths in organization and working with people.

Kelly is a man putting love and concern into action, making things better and having fun doing it.

I could go down the list but the blog entry would be overwhelming. I'll end this entry with a few impressions of Susan.

Susan has stood out for all her past work for Creator. She led the call committee for Pastor Mark and earned the respect and admiration of many at Creator during that process. She brings a carefulness and concern to all she does that engages people and lets them feel comfortable. She has a keen eye for the qualities other people bring to the table. During the Bible studies last year she spoke from the heart about every topic.

She voiced some concerns that she had as she prayed about taking on the position before we voted. She spoke eloquently and thoughtfully, as usual. Larry talked about how her words often brought a perspective beyond herself. At times she was able to be "a conduit for God's words" as he put it.

She "con do it" Pastor Dayle quipped and the vote for Susan as President was unanimous.

As we had opened, we closed in prayer and there was a high energy level after the meeting. Our congratulations and thanks go out to Susan and Paul.

April 19th, 2007 - Council Meeting

I attended the council meeting tonight by invitation. Two council members are reaching the end of their terms and I am one of two nominees currently tapped to fill those vacancies.

The business of the council meeting was recorded by John and I won't dwell on that here. What I found intriguing, as well as what we went over, were other meeting details and dynamics.

The first detail; chocolate was prevalent, Larry brought cookies and there was a small chocolate bar on each agenda as we arrived.

Among the Creator congregation and council members there are many teachers and others in the Education area. The perspective and knowledge of that experience was obvious during the discussion for many of the agenda items, particularly on a consent form that Pastor Mark presented. The form will eventually be used for Creator youth activities.

Susan led the meeting which lasted a little under two hours. The moments where her individual leadership style shone. Particularly when she expressed her concern about people using the resources the council could provide and to communicate their needs as promptly as possible.

Susan also gave a brief summary of a few strengths of outgoing council members. She highlighted Joel's input and work; the way he laid out direct and practical plans for moving council business forward. For David, it was an acknowledgement of his attention and ability to focus council on ministry and outreach. "Their voices will be missed," she continued, "and we will need to find new ways to cultivate what they contributed in council."

Pastor Dayle gave an update on when Bethany's biopsy was due. This was the first of several instances where it was obvious the council was not only intent on moving through the items on the 'business' agenda but that this was regarded as significant ministry concerned with events in congregational life as well.

Pastor Mark updated us on a package the youth were creating to send around the Virginia Tech tragedy. It sounds like this will be tied into a sermon on Sunday. Again, I don't want to get into the business details but Pat's work in her financial presentation showed.

Larry closed us in prayer. His upbeat comments throughout the meeting were appreciated by everyone.