Here is a brief summary of the key topics covered at the April meeting of our congregation council:
- Interim Pastor Council members introduced themselves to Rev. Walter Still, who will serve as our interim pastor while Pastor Peter is away on sabbatical. Pastor Walter will be installed at our worship services this Sunday, April 16.
- Treasurer’s Report, Budget Treasurer Arjun Sethi reported that our finances are in line with budget at this time. He plans to meet with the finance committee in late April or early June to begin developing next year’s budget. In preparation for that he is working on recommendations to update our chart of accounts to better reflect our operations. Another major focus will be to recommend ways to permanently finance major capital expenses such as replacement of our roof. Up until now that cost has been financed by a loan from the Diestler bequest.
- Planning for Children, Youth and Families ministries The CYF Vision and Transition Team has compiled the results of interviews with PoP families and is working to create a position description based on the ideas gathered from our families. The goal is to have a position description developed by the end of April and begin the hiring process in May.
- Interim Sacred Settlement, Campus Planning Task Force (CPTF) Discussions regarding steps PoP and Settled must take to continue our interim settlement are continuing. The goal is to maintain our current two homes while we go through a planning process to decide if a permanent sacred settlement of tiny homes fits our vision and capacity.
To do this planning work the council created a campus planning task force during its March meeting. Steve Sveom was appointed to lead this task force. Other members include James Ericksen, Andrew Hannesh, Gus Haugan, Chris Henningson, Kristina Krepela, Dian Larson, Arjun Sethi, Jenna Sethi, Esther Tatley, Rick Rothausen, and Brian Wolf. Michael Stetzler and Pastor Peter will serve ex-officio. If there is interest, additional members may still be appointed.
- Council Vacancy The council considered a motion on the resignation of at-large council member Barbra (B.J.) Metzger from the council. In her communication with staff and included in her written statement, B.J. resigned her membership from the congregation. No council action is required to “accept” such a resignation. Subsequently, B.J. is no longer eligible to serve on the congregation council, therefore no further action was deemed necessary.