Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church

MINUTES

CONGREGATIONAL  MEETING

May 15, 2011

The Meeting was called to order at 9:45 AM by Hub President Tom Plutchak.  A quorum is present.

Prayer by Pastor Aileen Robbins.

Purpose of Meeting:  To vote on Messiah’s Proposed Statement of Welcome and Inclusion, as written.

A motion was made and seconded to approve the following Statement:

              Messiah is a welcoming, inclusive and reconciling congregation. We believe that nothing can            separate us from God’s unconditional love. We believe that God is the God of all people, regardless         of our various ages, ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender identities, physical and mental        abilities, educational levels, income, strength of faith or socioeconomic backgrounds. If you have    ever felt excluded, unwelcome or marginalized, we welcome you in Christ’s love. Come and worship          with us, become part of our family and join us in our mission.

Discussion comments / questions included:

• Thanks to Vicki Robinson and her team who worked for two years to bring us to this moment, and to all who studied, prayed, listened, and spoke together
• Work of reconciliation found in the person of Jesus 
• Being inclusive a challenge for years
• Most important word in Statement: WELCOME
• Statement itself based on those of other churches and ultimately written by member of Messiah
• Statement fits perfectly into our Mission Statement
• Well worded Statement
• Next step? Include Statement in website, work on plan to reach out - input needed
• A Statement of action - everyone needs to be welcoming to visitors, make Statement come alive - this is everyone’s responsibility
• Mission Statement should be revised - more specific, action oriented; Hub to convene a team to work toward developing specific action plans to enable us to accomplish our mission
• Always thought Messiah DID welcome everyone
• Sad that this process is needed - some folks may feel church is hostile to them
• Voting process:  Age 16 or older, confirmed, communed and contributed of record in last year

A motion was made, seconded, and carried to call the question.

Written ballots were distributed - votes are YES or NO to approve Statement

Counters:  Fred Fant, Jimmy Hartmann, Donna Hedstrom

RESULTS  OF  VOTE:  STATEMENT  IS   ADOPTED

              Yes:   71            No:   7

A motion was made, seconded, and carried to adjourn.  Ideas are welcome on ways to put this Statement into action.

Closing Prayer by Pastor Aileen

Submitted by

Sandy Moncrief, Hub Secretary