The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by Don Weltzien and opened with a reading from the Jonah chapter 3.

The members in attendance are listed on a separate page attached to these minutes. 43 voting members were present.

A motion was made, second and carried to approve the minutes from the October 24th quarterly meeting as presented.

Membership Changes:

A motion was made, second and carried to receive by transfer the individuals listed on a separate page attached to these minutes.

A motion was made, second and carried to dismiss by transfer, by release, and by removal; the individuals listed on a separate page attached to these minutes.

There were no new voting members present.

Unfinished Business

Report on FIC/FIO Joel gave a brief report for the Steering Committee. They currently have about 50-60 people who have volunteered for the 10 various subcommittee groups. They are currently working on the first rough draft floor plan for the new school and hope to have it completed and to the building committee within the next 3-4 weeks. It will be reviewed and presented to the congregation around the end of March or early April for feedback. A report on the mission exploratory: They are receiving about 2-3 prospects visiting each week. They decided to move the time of their Bible class so that they could focus more on fellowship with the new prospects that attend their Sunday service. They are also looking at a couple of possibilities for land south of I-94 along the 67 corridor.

Report on the Planning Retreat at Luther Prep School on 1/18/03: Over 50 individuals attended the planning retreat, good turnout for the first retreat. They broke out into 5 groups: Worship, Elders work, Outreach, Christian Education, and Stewardship. They focused on 2-3 issues from each category and discussed ideas. These ideas will be prioritized and reported back to the congregation for feedback. Goals can then be set and progress made on improvements. The two biggest areas that we show weakness in are communication and knowing the talents/skills in our congregation.

New Business

The report of the Audit Committee will be presented at the next voters meeting.

The five-man 2003 Nominating Committee was elected. Three members were nominated from the floor (Ralph Schmidt Jr., Ralph Schmidt Sr., Clyde Rupnow) and added to the slate of candidates. The following were elected to the Committee: Harold Redfield, Bob Schroeder, Ralph Schmidt Jr., Ralph Schmidt Sr., and Clyde Rupnow. Don requested the Ralph Schmidt Jr. chair this committee.

A motion was made, second and carried to authorize the Treasurer to use up to $25,000 on our line of credit with the First Bank Financial Centre. We need to better communicate to the congregation what our financial needs are and where we stand with the year-end deficits and line of credit. A financial update will be provided in every Sunday bulletin that will state our budgetary needs and contributions.

A motion was made, second and carried that we accept the recommendation of the Worship Committee and use the contemporary version of the Lords prayer in conjunction with a children’s sermon on the 3rd Sunday of the month.

A motion was made, second and carried to extend the listing contract of the current realtor, Bradley Koenig – Century 21, for an additional 30 days. The Board of Trustee’s will begin to look at other Realtors.

There was discussion on what is being done with the Church parsonage. It is currently being put to use as a meeting place for our youth group.

Financial Secretary: A motion was made, second and carried to approve the Financial Secretary’s report as presented.

Treasurer: Don distributed and discussed the updated summary of the Treasurers report and the year-end deficit. The remaining balance of the 2002 budgetary commitments would be paid as soon as funds would become available. A motion was made, second and carried to approve the Treasurer’s report as presented.

Board of Education: The Board of Ed has been working on administrative issues at their last meeting. They are staying on top of the Federation Membership proposals that have been tabled till April. They are working with the steering committee on the new school designs, reviewing and revamping school policies, working on assignments from the church council to review grade school and high school tuition, and looking at Christian education opportunities.

Board of Elders: The growing list of transfers and releases will continue. The Board is being very active in reducing the list of infrequent church attendees. A thanks goes out to all who have volunteered to help with calling and contacting these members.

Board of Outreach: The Board is currently meeting one night per month at the church, with the Elders, making calls to strays and prospects. They have people who have volunteered to help.

Board of Stewardship: Discussion on the matching funds program. The budget for the matching funds program has been reduced and it is a fixed amount. When it is gone it is gone, so we are encourage to get our requests in early and not wait until the end of the year or the funding may be gone.

Board of Trustees: Reported on some items that required repair and maintenance. The spruce trees in the front of the church were trimmed down and cleaned up, repairs have been made to the School kitchen stove and dishwasher. The Church roof will have to be addressed some time in 2003.

Pastors: Pastor Schroeder commented that some of the problems that we have been have over the recent years with our church envelopes may have been consistent poor practices of the publishing company that recently went bankrupt.

Mr. Ziel: Eric reported that our current enrollment is at 165 students, Pre-K to 8th grade. The average class size is 19.5 students. He said that 60% of the 8th graders are moving on to Christian High Schools. The School has 11 Called workers, 3 Student Teachers and 26 unpaid volunteers who help out in the school.

Synod Communicator: Ralph Schmidt Jr. spoke for the Synod Communicator. He discussed the current financial crisis that the Synod is in. He discussed the severe cuts that will be necessary due to lack of funding. How the cuts will affect everyone and have a great effect on the quality of our Lutheran High Schools. He asked that we at St Matthew’s due whatever we can to help out. He asked that we start by increasing our Mission contributions back to 10% from the recently lowered value of 6.5%. and that we fund it however we have to. We need to increase communication of the crisis the Synod is in to help increase contributions and also possibly have a special fund collection to meet our budgeted amounts.

A motion was made, second and carried to move the Synod Mission offerings from 6.5% back to 10%.

Memorial Trust Fund: Distributed and discussed reports.

The meeting was adjourned with prayer.

Respectfully submitted

Todd Helwig, Secretary