FROM DAVE NATYSIN, ELC COUNCIL PRESIDENT

Greetings:  In the interest of keeping everyone as informed as possible, Council will provide a summary of our meetings on a regular basis, in addition to our Council Corner newsletter article and Council Meeting Minutes. Town Hall meetings will also continue as a means to communicate and receive feedback.

     This update will cover January and February Council meeting discussions and decisions to keep you informed and provide close to real time information as we continue to do the work of Emmanuel.

     In January we reviewed the ongoing work of the Evangelism Team with Roy Swift. The welcome center and video screen project are progressing and will provide added support in welcoming everyone to Emmanuel and providing important updates on a timely basis. We expect installation no later than June 1, 2012.

     The Child Protection Policy was updated by the Staff Support team to ensure the protection, safety and security of children involved in Emmanuel ministries and that training is provided to all who work with children. The Updated Child Protection Policy will take effect immediately. The Policy and the updates will be communicated to everyone on an ongoing basis.

     As part of our efforts to improve our internal and external communications at Emmanuel, the council called in a church communications consultant. His visit with us over three days in late January concluded with some very helpful observations and recommendations, some of which are being implemented right away. Discussions will continue as we take a bit more time in consideration and planning. The consultant will continue to be in touch with us as part of our agreement to guide us through the changes we make. Due to a generous gift to help improve ELC communications, no money was needed from the general operating funds.

     The February meeting included lengthy discussions as to keeping Emmanuel safe and secure and to be preventative in our approach to ongoing safety and security. Over the years we’ve relied on a peace of mind that Emmanuel is a special place to worship, educate ourselves, serve others and meet for various reasons as well as enjoy fellowship. It’s important that we do all that we can to ensure the environment we count on will remain as it has been. A number of experts were consulted and walked through our facilities to provide us with practices and procedures that will support this end.

     We discussed preparation for our second Town Hall Meeting that was held on February 12th with 70+ members attending. The Ministries presentations were well received and appreciated.

     Regular review and follow up included Spending plan progress, Building in Faith work to date, Goals and Objectives results to date, and Vibrant Faith milestones and commitments results to date.  Finances are solid at +$28,000 and on plan year to date through January 2012. (Church year began July 1, 2011).

     Thank you for all that you do every day to make Emmanuel the Special place that Emmanuel is!

     May God richly Bless you!

     Dave Natysin

Emmanuel is a thriving community that is always exploring new ideas to support our growth internally; our outreach to the local community; and our commitment to those in need around the world.

The spirit of how we live our lives as disciples are encompassed in our “High Five” – five principles we promote as representative of our mission:

Found below is information regarding the actions of our leadership as they and the other members of  Emmanuel work to “live out” the High Five.

The most recent Council meeting minutes may be found at:

January, 2012

2011-2012 Church Council and Team Leaders:

David Natysin, President

Dennis Moyer, Vice President

Mary Connor, Secretary

WORSHIP

Council Liaison – Dot Braksator // Team Lead – Linda McGahern

DISCIPLESHIP

Cong.  Life  Liaison -  Linda Shields // Team Lead - Nancy Moats

Education Liaison – Andrea Kessler // Team Lead – Gena Norquist

Evangelism – Liaison – Matt Crudder // Team Leads - Brad Reed & Roy Swift

Nursery – Liaison – Andrea Kessler // Team Lead – Katie Sprick & Gayle Schlueter

Pre-School – Liaison – Dot Braksator // Team Lead – ELC Board

Small Groups – Liaison - Jeanine Montgomery // Team Lead – K. Uffelman

Youth – Liaison – Jeanine Montgomery // Team Lead - Shirley Clark

SERVICE

Community – Liaison – Andrea Kessler // Team Lead – Nancy Durso

Health and Healing – Liaison – Linda Shields // Team Lead – Daggie McCarron

Missions- Liaison – John Barrett // Leads -

STEWARDSHIP

Building- Liaison – Dennis Moyer // Team Lead -Bill Larson

Communications- Liaison – John Barrett // Team Lead – Jamie Riis

Finance- Liaison – Jeanine Montgomery // Team Lead – John Hillaert

Property – Liaison – Jeanine Montgomery // Team Lead - Mike Ward-Dahl

Staffing- Liaison – Dennis Moyer // Team Lead – Susan Olenchuk

Stewardship – Liaison – Dot Braksator // Leads - K. Slade & Carolyn Staska