7:00PM Elenbaas Residence; Mike/Teresa Elenbaas, Eric Likkel, Mark
Nelson, David Anema, Ryan Engel via telephone
Roses, Thorns
Council members each shared something for which they are
grateful, and something in their current life that is challenging; followed
this w/prayer
Finances/Pastor family plans; Eric’s work life
Called Ryan; church’s bank balance fell from high of $21k late
May, early June, down to $16k as of mid-Sept.; less than $10k at beginning of September
after monthly/quarterly payments made; July only saw $4k and August $3k in
giving; Emmaus Road did lose one major contributor who moved out of town
Eric shared goal of trying to line up $1-1.5k part time work,
in order to offer Emmaus Road opportunity to cut hours/pay, but has not been
able to reach goal; January will begin leadership position w/connected ministry
org., netting an addtl. $1k per month; position lasts 12 mo. (thru Dec.2014);
currently an extremely stressful period for Likkels as money is, has been, and
will continue to be tight, and uncertainty about Emmaus Road’s giving
strength/limits makes planning difficult; Ryan/Mike tasked w/publishing new
update; also agreed to invite Christina to edit/publish letter to church she
had worked on late May/early June
Council agreed that a tongue/cheek way to raise awareness
would be to announce to Emmaus that when we restore balance to $20k, we will
buy new bulb for second projector currently out of commission
Four E's/KEZ doc; useful for Emmaus?
Eric shared planning document being used in another ministry
setting; includes planning categories under “Four E’s” of Engage, Equip,
Empower, Expand; could be helpful tool for Emmaus Road leadership; Council
approved, welcoming opportunity to put it to use this fall in the next month or
two
Mission Insite – what if….
Also from Eric’s work with KEZ/Cluster, using Mission Insite
software; able to show map of Emmaus Road households overlayed w/Sanctuary CRC
and Refuge RCA congregational members; demonstrates geographic clusters; useful
for envisioning shared, collaborative, missional work; shared youth ministry
one example; map could also be used to help Emmaus households less connected w/Belltown
envision how they could connect around mission together, closer to their
neighborhoods
Spiritual Health of the Body; Pastoral Visits, Prayer Parties, Book Brunch –
8 visits completed; 3 more scheduled; 20+ remain; people
responsive, appreciative of Eric’s time
Dave/Jessie ready to schedule; Arauctos willing to entertain
idea, also; looking for one or two more hosts
Eric began scheduling Sunday Book Brunch around “When Helping
Hurts; How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor or Yourself”; first
brunch discussion at New Horizons, Sunday October 13th
Eric hoping to create spaces for relationships to deepen,
rekindle, etc.
New Horizons – Update
Eric had coffee w/Exec. Dir. Mary Steele last Friday; Mary
reported New Horizons has big renovations ahead; church will feel initial
disruption when upstairs becomes unavailable, perhaps by March/April 2014;
later, NH will be renovating downstairs; Emmaus Road will need to temporarily
relocate; current lease extended for another six months with no change in rent
Mission Belltown; David Anema update; Holiday Blues and Bingo
David continues to serve, walk alongside neighbors and friends
made over last few years; wishes there was tighter connection between church
and neighbors; notes a high level of alcoholism among crowd; Emmaus has enjoyed
presence of small handful of Belltown residents, though, on Sundays in worship
and in Belltown small group; there is a cluster of people, connecting
church/neighbors, willing/able to serve and address needs withing neighborhood
Eric announced aim to organize Holiday Blues & Bingo party
in Belltown; will be joint effort between Emmaus Road and individual neighbors;
hopes to involve seniors in planning/carrying out of event; also hopes to see
healthy involvement from Emmaus Road in something fun, worthwhile, and
relational
Worship
Mark glad to be back after three weeks abroad; eager to launch
new songs this season
Childrens Ministry
Teresa mentioned hinges needing attention on Godly Play
furniture/barrier; also noted door knob/handle missing from Prayer/Nursery
room; both questions to pursue w/Biff; Elenbaas’ hoping to meet w/Matt Park
soon and find out how he felt about the summer season of Godly Play
Classis October 10th
Eric invited any Council members interested, willing, able, to
come along to the semi-annual Classis Pacific Northwest meeting; noted this
particular meeting would be “heavy” as assembly will convene a form of church
court to hear difficult, delicate testimony re: injustice, allegations of
authority abuse, etc. from a sister congregation
Council Calendar
All agreed to stick to a Tuesday night schedule every several
weeks/few months; also agreed we should convene Road Crew prior to Thanksgiving
to communicate about big changes ahead, options, etc.
Ended meeting with prayer
