ELDER NOTES OCTOBER 23, 2012

Mike Elenbaas/Eric Likkel combined notes:
7-9PM Mike/Teresa Elenbaas Residence 
Present: Pastor Eric Likkel, Elders David Anema, Mike Elenbaas, Biff Gaitan; Excused: Rennie Araucto  

Check-in – Prayer 

Eric asked for Sunday review (was absent); all agreed Rennie’s sermon was inspiring, especially “Woo vs. Poo” 

Feedback on eWeekly; try posting Sunday Volunteers and Lections at TOP, w/articles/news below 

Dessert Extravaganza – decided not to push table hosting, but Eric will contact Small Group leaders about desserts; Biff willing to ferry desserts to event 

Reorganized Districts 

• Relabeled as “Elder Groups”; “Districts” misleadingly implies geographic clusters 
• Looked over list together (google doc); released several member/households; re-assigned Elders to members; will need to revisit in February 2013 when new Elder is recruited 
• Total count: 38 households altogether; 61 adults; 33+ children; 15 single households, including 2 single parent households w/children; 23 Couples, including 19 families w/children; 53 Active adults, including 37 Active Road Crew Members 
• Elders encouraged to pursue survey re: individuals’ and households’ connection level, using following two questions: 1. “How are you doing spiritually?” 2. “How are you feeling about your level of involvement in Emmaus Road’s ongoing life and ministry?” 

Recruit additional Elder? 

• Decided yes, healthy for Council and Road Crew to have 'new blood' and additional perspective; will launch nomination process January 2013 
• Reviewed Emmaus Road Elder role: not 'buddy'. In addition to overseeing ministry together, Elders share Shepherding Role: 1)Pray for members 2)listen for prayer requests, 3)be contact to church leadership 4)follow up with fade-aways 

Brief comments re: Fellowship Feast; 

• consensus that it was inspiring to hear Rennie, Christina share re: Small Groups; potluck, fellowship afterward most enjoyable; would be good to repeat next Fall; 
• Eric to take lead pursuing ministry opportunities outlined during presentation

Scheduled Sunday, December 2 Financial Update for Road Crew at “Advent Feast”; need to schedule Stewardship Mtg. mid-November to prepare

COUNCIL NOTES SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

7-9PM Greenwood Office
Present: Pastor Eric Likkel, Elders David Anema, Mike Elenbaas (representing Teresa), Biff Gaitan; Deacons Mark Nelson, Kristen VanderLinden 

Eric Likkel notes: 

Check-in – Prayer

Deaconal updates:
 – Children’s Ministry: Mike read Teresa’s update; included hearty affirmation of Angie’s work in prepping entire year’s worth of Big Kids Bible Workshop material! Also looking forward to involving Aaron VL in youth mentoring alongside Mike E. w/Josiah, Gabe 
– Stewardship: numbers have remained flat through summer and into early fall 
– Sunday Volunteers: Deaconess Kristen very interested in cultivating subculture of encouragement and volunteer appreciate, outside of event/ceremony approach 
– followup next Council; also discussed possibility of hosting a “Holiday Blues” party for the community in Belltown as our December 30 Groundworks project, inviting the Seniors from Simons, etc.; would partner w/Belltown Covenant folks, NH, etc. 
– Music: leader Mark feeling alright about how music is going in general, but desires more time to search for new songs; also still feels that gooseneck mic would improve communication/leadership from up front on Sundays 

Responding to Road Crew member’s email; addressed specific issues communicated to Council by a Road Crew member; instructed Elder to present Council’s thoughts, ideas, challenges, and encouragement to member 

Fall Fellowship Feast & Ministry Calendar/Opps: Eric presented overall theme for Oct.7 worship and potluck: the Lord works in us through each other; fellowship is built in to our spiritual growth/transformation; specific opportunities and challenges for Emmaus Road, especially Small Group life and service, will be highlighted; several fellowship opportunities throughout the year including possible shared events with sister congregations in the CRC Cluster were also presented 

Future Elders/Council - 4th Tuesdays

TABLED: Belltown update; CRC Office Bearers Covenant/Classis Oct10

OCTOBER 23 ELDERS AGENDA to include: • reorg. Districts • survey Emmaus Road re: individuals’ and households’ connection level • Prayer Renewal throughout Emmaus Road 

NOVEMBER 27 COUNCIL AGENDA to include: • Leadership role pairing/sharing, viz. Teresa/Mike’s suggestion • Volunteer Appreciation – cultivating common practice throughout Emmaus Road • Holiday Blues Party – December 30?

COUNCIL NOTES JULY 17, 2012

7-9PM Greenwood Office

Present: Pastor Eric Likkel, Elder David Anema, Deacons Mark Nelson, Teresa Elenbaas

Eric Likkel notes:

–   Check-in – Prayer

–   June 10 Road Crew follow-up – mellow meeting, somewhat light attendance

–   Deacons updates:

o   Children’s Ministry: Teresa reports there are helpful parents steppping up to plan Godly Play; she occasionally  needs help discerning alternatives to few Sundays when Matt Park is away; Council notes great abundance of new babies within Emmaus Road, a wonderful gift, treasure, and responsibility; Big Kids Bible Workshop going well, though “tweeners” are not participating, or will not be next year; Angie doing great advance planning, almost finished entire year program; Pastor Eric shared how serious ministry of equipping parents to embrace calling as “pastor” to their own kids remains essential task

o   Music/Worship: Council discussed ongoing challenge of engaging congregation; seems like people come to worship encased in “shell of ice” which needs to be melted; level of engagement varies widely week to week, in terms of how Mark Nelson senses it; definitely need to restore nonfunctioning projector, AND, should use top half of screen as lower half is difficult to view; ANOTHER IDEA, push Invocation/Communal Greeting earlier in service, but delay Godly Play/BKBW exit until after another song, allowing parents full participation in Communal Greeting, rather than having them leave during crucial connecting time; have Storyteller(s) ready in back of room to accompany children upstairs, allowing parents to stay if possible; a gooseneck mic would be good fof pulpit, removing obstacle of constant fumbling w/mic by readers

o   Finance: Pastor Likkel related brief summary from Treasurer Engel, that June was a more solid month of giving; members seem to be taking advantage of Paypal

–   Elders: Time to survey Emmaus Road re: individuals’ connection level?

o   Council affirms Elder survey as Pastor presented it; healthy questions; provide structure for Elders to break ice, do their job

–   Fellowship “Fair” or “Party” (see notes online)

o   Challenge not to let it become hardcore recruiting event that people would avoid; perhaps cast as “Fall Kickoff Party” announcing inclusion of a brief presentation of Fellowship Opportunities, and provide “soft sell” to engage in variety of ways (small groups, Dads/Dudes, volunteering, etc.); Teresa aware of need for “South End Group” type group for “North End”; Greenwood office potential location for said group as a “third space”

–   Leadershp Retreat – Elders, Deacons, Small Group leaders/hosts?

o   Council likes idea of leadership retreat

–   News:

o   Great to see Greg Berger again; also good to hear from Tim Phipps recently

o   Elder Anema related brief account of contrasting meetings in Belltown, one w/regular neighborhood association, versus mtg. w/board of Street Bean; great contrast in tone, communication style, feeling, etc.

ACTION ITEMS:

–       Likkel to order replacement lamp for projector

–       Likkel/Nelson follow through w/adjustments to liturgy

–       Nelson look into gooseneck mic

–       Likkel follow up w/Elders re: Survey

–       Likkel plan “Fall Kickoff Party”

–       Likkel plan Leadership Retreat

ELDER NOTES JUNE 5, 2012

7-9PM Bedlam Coffee

Present: David Anema, Mike Elenbaas, Rennie Araucto, Biff Gaitan

Absent: Eric Likkel, Kurt Munson

1. Check-in, Prayer Requests
2. Discussed Elder 'Officer' designations. Decided to leave titles as is; largely ceremonial
3. Discussed baby showers briefly; no specific action items, but did identify need for Elders to keep alert for big 'life events' of Road Crew members who may not be involved with a small groups, yet still active members in other ways. This helps us stay connected as a body when we can recognize someone's accomplishment and celebrate with them, or come alongside them in their time of need. - 
4. Discussed June 10 Road Crew. Mike talked through budget memo contents, explained plan for June 10 discussion of budget memo and proposal for raise. Elders agreed with proposal. Discussed likely Q&A's on salary proposal to prep. for meeting. Elders agree with stewardship team proposal. Other items on Road Crew agenda: 1) brief reminder that Godly Play will continue over July/August this summer (Teresa E. will make short announcement) 2) Brainstorming Groundworks Sunday ideas . . . 5 min to just see if anyone has ideas for upcoming Groundworks activities -- will mention that these ideas must be balanced against maintaining continuity in w/Belltown projects as we are building relationships over time through repeat visits, neighbors, which helps root us among the neighborhood. 


ACTION ITEM: Mike to send budget memo to Road Crew -- Wait to send until Wednesday evening in case any last minute edits come through. 


Tabled Items:

• survey Emmaus Road re: individuals’ connection level?
• Fellowship “Fair” or “Party”
• News (see agenda)

Meeting adjourned.

COUNCIL NOTES MAY 1, 2012

7-9PM “New” Greenwood Office

Present: Eric Likkel, David Anema, Mike Elenbaas, Teresa Elenbaas, Mark Nelson, Rennie Araucto, Kristen Vander Linden

Absent: Ryan Engel, Kurt Munson, Cornell Blackwell

1.  Checked-in - Prayer

2.  Ministry Team Updates

·    Stewardship; Act6 Active; Giving down; Paypal up

o    Notes: glad we finally have Paypal account; ACTION: insert “buttons” on FB, website, etc. (Mike E., Eric); although there is 3% cost to transactions, hope is that convenience factor will encourage increase in general giving, also empower giving from friends/family far away; 1^st quarter congregational offerings weak; wonde if this is consistent with Emmaus Road’s historical pattern ACTION: Mike E. to look at past giving pattern; discussed about recent Acts6 Fund activity – grateful we began to put this together last fall

·    Belltown:

o    Groundworks update; Notes: healthy Emmaus Road turnout (27 adults, 10 kids); good impact @ three sites; new connections w/Sustainable Belltown; reminded of Groundworks values: working together as church, building new relationships among neighbors, opportunities to invite friends to participate

o    Belltown Covenant: ABCD Training; Aug 7 Neighbors Night Out; Aug11-12 Founders Day Festival; belltownvolunteers.org Notes: all of these are opportunities to expand Church Beyond Sunday relationships

o    June 2 WALK; Notes: would be good for ER to show up; might help rock it outside ACTION: Eric to finalize w/musicians

·    Small Group Fair- Notes: there is felt need for small group multiplication, hosts, leaders, locations; casual proposal: host event where Emmaus Road Small Group mission is recast, challenges addressed, people mingle, plant seeds of new small group growth ACTION: locate it - ? schedule it – September ? Announce it – new name? Council likes “Fellowship” and could include Dads’n’Dudes and other Small Groupish manifistations (Eric to follow-up w/Rennie and Council to finalize deets)

·    Children’s Ministry – Notes: Godly Play – Teresa met w/Matt, scheduled summertime GP sessions; looking for alternative to spending $ on new stories/materials ACTIONS: Rennie willing to meet w/Teresa, Matt to brainstorm about reusing materials/stories; Big Kids Bible Workshop – Teresa/Angie invested time in fielding concerns raised about specific aspects; feel like it has brought helpful ideas to surface; like idea of three year cycle, versus repeating same stories each year; not certain about BKBW for summer; Brad may be willing to lead some things, projects ACTIONS: vbs – announce options (Eric); schedule ALL AGES SUNDAYS around Matt’s absences (Eric/Kristen/Teresa); Teresa to do some footwork rounding up Angie/Brad’s availabitily and thinking about surveying kids/church for project ideas

3.  Update Acts 6 Fund policy – Notes: as we ran out of time, Mike offered to distribute some ideas jotted down; reiterated few things: values guide rules, not other way around; ACTIONS; Mike E. to record specs; Stewardship Team come up w/”Quick Response Team” method – empowering small group of “Acts 6 Deacons” to respond within guidelines, but do it transparently, allowing whole Council to oversee, even if not involved in nitty gritty details/decisions each time

4.  Church/Road Crew Calendar

·    David Anema’s Americorps Graduation Party (Dads’n’Dudes?) – May 15/June 18 Notes: David not enthused; Aaron Vander Linden may “host” at Teddies in May ACTION: Eric finalize w/Aaron

·    Dr. Tek @ Street Bean June 15; Notes: Rennie unable to join this one, but Eric/Dan forging ahead, inviting guests ACTION: Eric/Dan publicize

·    Gillander Baby Shower – June 21

·    Road Crew – when next? Notes: good idea to schedule one Road Crew Lunch prior to summertime; Agenda: state of church; things on horizon for summer/fall; chose Sunday, June 10 (17^th Fathers Day, 23^rd follows last day of school)

STEWARDSHIP TEAM NOTES Feb 29, 2012

11:30AM-12:30PM Blue C Sushi, Alderwood Mall
Present: Eric Likkel, Mike Elenbaas, Ryan Engel Excused: David Anema, special Leap Day activities

1. Paypal
- Tracking payments; how?
- Need checking/routing number to sign up
- Brad Bishop can assist in installing paypal button on web site

2. March 4 Road Crew Lunch
- Mike to create charts, showing update on finances, giving levels, etc.
- For now, wait on cost of living increase for Eric, staff
- Share how giving relatively small gifts from benevolence fund have made significant positive difference in lives of church members; a joy for us to share, that doing something rather small has made a big impact
- Aim to have general “tithing” budget of 10% of income; 3% devoted to helping members w/occasional needs, 7% out to partner ministries

3. Office lease; could possibly sublet or entice new tenants to take over at 312 N. 85th w/lower rent to start out with (e.g.$800)

4. Supporting Biff, Cornell, others looking for work; obtain types of job they are looking for, broadcast through church, encourage members to consider who they may personally know that could hire; use strength of networking to bless members

5. Include line item for music equipment in future budgets; follow up w/Mark, Rennie

6. Schedule “What it Means to Give” moment for Mike, some late March Sunday morning

7. Dividing and Conquering Stewardship Tasks:
• Ryan/Mike – weekly deposits to BECU account (needs to be opened)
• Ryan – monthly pay checks to staff
• Ryan – quarterly tax payments
• Ryan – annual W-2 forms
• Ryan/Mike – annual tithe reports by family/household – use Dropbox
• Ryan – annual type checks for tithing (?)
• Mike – quarterly Road Crew presentations/comm

8. Taxes on Christmas Bonus – creating liability? Consult CRC Website, Sanctuary contact

ELDERS NOTES MARCH 6, 2012

Bedlam Coffee, Belltown

Present: Eric Likkel, David Anema, Biff Gaitan, Kurt Munson, Mike Elenbaas
Absent: Rennie Araucto (solo parent whilst Amy’s away)
Notes:
1. Checked in w/each other around table, confessing personal highs/lows

-note: Kurt Munson relocating to Tacoma end of March, uncertain weather short term, long term

Eric asked how worship event and/or small group fellowships support Elders in their roles, keeping them spiritually supported, so they can support others; all shared how important these are personally

2. Elders Districts; shared the blessings and challenges we see among congregation
3. Elders prayed and disbursed

ELDERS AS COMMUNITY DEVELOPERS

Elders, check out this blog post from a Christian Reformed online discussion forum, called the NETWORK. Neil de Koning is a Canadian pastor, writing about Elder issues. Here, he writes about the need for church leaders to embrace the role of community developers within the congregations they serve.

STEWARDSHIP TEAM NOTES - FEB. 29, 2012

11:30AM-12:30PM Blue C Sushi, Alderwood Mall
Present: Eric Likkel, Mike Elenbaas, Ryan Engel
Excused: David Anema

1. Paypal
- Tracking payments; how?
- Need checking/routing number to sign up
- Brad Bishop can assist in installing paypal button on web site

2. March 4 Road Crew Lunch
- Mike to create charts, showing update on finances, giving levels, etc.
- For now, wait on cost of living increase
- Share how giving relatively small gifts from benevolence fund have made significant positive difference in lives of church members; a joy for us to share, that doing something rather small has made a big impact
- Aim to have general “tithing” budget of 10% of income;

3. Church Office lease; could possibly sublet or entice new tenants to take over at 312 N. 85th w/lower rent to start out with (e.g.$800); Sanctuary moving toward April 1 move-in at new space on Greenwood

MORE NOTES COMING....

COUNCIL NOTES - FEBRUARY 7, 2012

7-9PM Elenbaas Residence
Present: Eric Likkel, David Anema, Mike Elenbaas, Teresa Elenbaas, Mark Nelson, Rennie Araucto, Ryan Engel
Absent: Kristen Vander Linden, Kurt Munson, Biff Gaitan, Cornell Blackwell

1. Check-in; Joys, sorrows, prayer
- Joys: exciting worship recently; Belltown Covenant big today; good to feel like NH is full on Sundays; Arauctos multiplying; excited about South End Small group; good Groundworks in January; Big Kids Bible Workshop staffed; nice to have Josiah on bass
- Sorrows; mourning Anthony King today; feeling behind on Stewardship tasks; church family suffering marital breakdown; unemployed, underemployed members, struggling; missing those who seem to have lost their way
- Prayed together

2. Updates
- Finance: Acts 6:1-6 Fund/account
o Still have follow-up tasks left over from January Elders mtg. (see notes); learn logistics about feasibility of setting up separate non-profit accounts; Is there a tax form to be attached to charitable giving to people? If paying for medical costs directly, tuition, etc., the recipients do not need to pay taxes on gift
o Affirmed focusing on members’ needs; those among us in need of temporary financial help
o Discussed merits of including this Acts 6:1-6 fund as part of Emmaus Road’s tithe, or distinguishing it separately; seems like too much work for too little an amount to create separate entity, non-profit; Council decides instead to use Emmaus Road’s tithe as umbrella for Acts 6:1-6
o What happens when individual members want to pledge a specific gift for a specific need, through church? Council discusses issues which could arise.
o Council decides to move ahead; Stewardship Team willing to write proposal for March 4 Road Crew
o Come up with FAQ section about this online
- Thank-you note from church members, for financial gift, shared with Council
- Groundworks
o Two biggest growth edges; facilitating projects to include families with little ones; remembering to include non-church volunteers; FB helps
- Children’s Ministry: Deacon Teresa
o Too early to get feedback from BKBW teachers yet, but so far so good
o Matt Park enjoying arrangement of writing stories, keeping hours steady
o Council affirms keeping Godly Play over summer
o Background checks done; Teresa still going to let everyone know
- Worship; attendance numbers
o Good numbers
- Cluster/Classis
o Mike E willing to attend Classis
o Greenwood office may change; Sanctuary will assume new lease at 8515 Greenwood Ave. N, next to Razzi’s, when current lease is taken by new tenant yet to be identified
- Worship
o Rehearsal session during Groundworks? Some like idea; some do not; maybe another time could be found?
- Roots/Branches: 1 Peter 3:15; Evangelism Beyond Sunday
o Pastor shares steps taken to reach out to Jessie Elenbaas and Alicia Likkel w/some ideas toward encouraging bolder, more proactive sharing of faith among church; celebrating stories of how evangelism is happening


3. Road Crew Agenda/Calendar
- March 4 lunch mtg.
o Proposal re: Acts 6:1-6 account to be shared; Roots/Branches and general updates; fellowship luncheon
- David Anema’s Completion Party; 2yrs of Americorps!
o Remains in the TBA category

COUNCIL AGENDA - FEBRUARY 7, 2012

7-9PM Greenwood Office

1. Check-in

- Joys/Sorrows; Prayer

2. Updates

- Member Thank-you note

- Groundworks

- Children’s Ministry

- Finance: Acts 6:1-6 Fund/account

- Worship; attendance numbers

- Roots/Branches: 1 Peter 3:15; Evangelism Beyond Sunday

- Cluster/Classis

3. Road Crew Agenda/Calendar

- March 4 lunch mtg.

- David Anema’s Completion Party; 2yrs of Americorps!