Friedens Evangelical Church

2001 Annual Meeting Recap

The Annual Meeting was held Sunday evening, January 20 at 6:30 pm in the church's Memorial Hall. About 45 members attended.

Ray Schwinn, Congregation/Church Council President for 2001 opened the meeting and Pastor Mark led prayer. The Minutes of the 2000 Annual Meeting were reviewed and approved as presented. There was no old business carried over requiring action.

Jeanne Maciejewski, Church Treasurer, presented the Treasurer's Report for 2001 highlighting the good stewardship of the church family, the leadership, and God's provision. The church's finances are sound and we enter 2002 with confidence in God's faithfulness when all in the church family commit to the biblical teachings of Christian stewardship.

Ray Schwinn presented nominations to the Church Council Kevin Grady and Gary Mueller were voted to first terms while Rose Morgan and Brad Kelly were elected to second terms.

Rose Morgan presented the report of the Strategic Planning Team She reviewed the process and highlighted important goals and strategies recommended to direct the pursuit of the church's stated mission: "To seek out and welcome all in need of spiritual direction, reconcile lives to God, and to build and equip devoted disciples to serve Christ Jesus." Rose challenged everyone in the church family to ask God to show them how they can help accomplish the mission by getting involved in some part of the strategies.

Ray Schwinn discussed the Church Council's action to establish to Ad Hoc committees to address specific needs of the church. An Organ replacement Committee seeks volunteers to help with the task of gathering information about options for replacing our failing 1913 organ so a recommendation can be made to the congregation sometime later this year. Also, a Facilities Evaluation Committee is sought to assess the strengths and weaknesses of our facilities and property in the light of present and future needs. Volunteers for either of these important and interesting short-term committees can indicate their interest by talking with either pastor or anyone from the Church Council.

Ray Schwinn presented the theological and practical foundation for sabbatical The Church Council approved a June-July 2002 sabbatical for Pastor Mark and the congregation approved it as well. The sabbatical is a time of intentional spiritual and physical renewal and regeneration with the goal of facilitating long-term and effective pastoral leadership. The sabbatical will include personal retreat time, marriage retreat, study time and time spent with a fellow pastor to assess the sabbatical and provide accountability. Pastor Matt, along with lay leadership and Paul Kopp (who needs to do an internship project as he is studying for ministry) will provide for the ministry needs of the church during that time.

The proposed 2002 Budget was approved. The most significant increase is in the area of church secretary The position is being expanded in terms of hours and potential wage (based on experience and talents brought to the job). Other increases are modest and for the most part predictable cost of living kinds of increases.

Rose Morgan, Vice-President of the Church Council called for nomination for Congregation/Church Council President for 2002 Dave Sather and Ray Schwinn were nominated. Dave Sather chose not to seek election. Ray. Schwinn was approved by unanimous vote.

Pastor Mark and Pastor Matt both addressed the meeting Pastor Mark gave his thanks for the approved sabbatical and also thanked all those who contributed so much in 2001 to this church's vital and growing ministries. He challenged everyone to discover how he or she can get involved in one of the many areas of ministry in the church.

Pastor Matt reviewed some of the highlights of youth ministry from last year and gave a glimpse of some of the plans for 2002. He also spoke passionately about those whose volunteer help is so important to the success of the church's mission and ministry He talked about the first-ever adult mission project coming up in August. And he spoke about the need to see who in the church and community might be "falling through the ministry cracks" - especially young adults and senior adults.

During the "open mike time, Dorothy Yurske asked if someone might consider serving as a representative from Friedens to the Interfaith Caregivers Board. She (along with Jo Kowalke) has served in that capacity for many years and it is time for someone else to step up. Vicki Schuette raised the question about progress toward the purchase or lease of church transportation. As our ministry and mission expand, we're running into more and more problems with transportation. The Church Council has asked several of its members to evaluate needs and options and has pledged to report its findings by June of this year.

The meeting was closed with prayer about 8:15 pm.

Corrections to Annual Report

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