May 16th Newsletter

May 16th 2009

Update

Dear St. John's Parishioner,

Tomorrow is one of the most important days in the long history of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church. We will determine the future of our worship facilities. Many meetings have been held, and a bevy of communications made to assist you in making your decision. Tomorrow you will have your opportunity to vote for the option of your choice, which will effect the future of St. John's for many years to come. A pot luck meal and congregational meeting will follow the 11:00 AM service, during which time the vote will take place. (Please note there is no 8:30 AM worship service tomorrow.) The agenda for the meeting follows below. It is extremely important for you to attend the meeting and cast your vote. You must attend the meeting to be eligible to vote. Absentee ballots are not permitted by the Constitution. We ask you to pray for God's guidance in helping to insure our congregation makes a decision that will allow us to serve God's will and mission for our Church, both now and in the future.

Agenda for the Congregational Meeting

May 17, 2009

Meeting called to order - Frank Acker, President - Roger McGill Council Member

Opening Devotions - Bonnie Klatt, "Take a Deep Breath"

Hymn# 312 "Jesus, Come! For We Invite You"

Introduction of honored guests - Pastor John Klatt

·The Rev. Edward Sproul, Assistant to the Bishop of the Upstate NY Synod - ELCA

·The Rev. Bronwen Boswell, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church and Stated Clerk, Presbytery of Western New York

Review of etiquette at congregational meetings - The Rev. Bronwen Boswell

Adoption of the Agenda

Recommendation of the church council:

1. Whereas the total cost of option two exceeds what might be considered reasonable for St. John's,

Therefore, be it resolved that option two be excluded from consideration and that in its place, option 1a be substituted leaving four options to be voted on.

2. Because there have been three town hall meetings and presentations and discussion before the meeting today, the church council suggests that a ten minute limit be placed on discussion preceding the vote. The ten-minute discussion time may be extended by motion and vote of the assembly at any time.

Clarification of voting procedures/ballots

First Vote

·Discussion

·Silence - Prayer - "Please choose the option that you believe to be God's will" --Vote -Collection of ballots by members of First Presbyterian

·Hymn sing

Receiving the vote total- if no clear majority then:

Second Vote

·Discussion

·Silence - Prayer - "Please choose the option that you believe to be God's will" --Vote -Collection of ballots by members of First Presbyterian

·Hymn sing

Receiving the vote total of the second vote - if no clear majority then:

Third Vote

·Discussion

·Silence - Prayer - "Please choose the option that you believe to be God's will" --Vote -Collection of ballots by members of First Presbyterian

·Hymn sing

Receiving the vote total of the third vote

Commentary and Clarification (10 minutes)

Prayer and Benediction - The Rev. Edward Sproul

Update on costs - Option 4

·The cost of the organ move and install for option #4 - move to Seneca Street - has been bid between $28,000. - $35,000. See the letter from Niagara Organ Works dated April 16. Original projections were $50,000. (savings of $15,000.)

·A member of Trinity Lutheran Church on Reserve Road, Jim Worthington, who owns a moving company, has offered to provide his business and workers at no cost for the entire move from Clinton to Seneca St. Moving costs as projected in previous documents - $10,000. (Savings of $10,000.)

·Option 4 updated costs - $895,000.

Web Site Updates

A link to an archive of past Newsletters has been added to the "Home Page" and also to the "St. John's Links" page.

"Frequently Asked Questions" have been added to the "Updates" page.

Additional photos have been added to the "Council Photo Gallery".

The "Tour de Revs" page has been updated to reflect additional participants who have signed-up in the last week.

Photos from the tour of St. Mary of the Lake Church have been added to the Photo Gallery.
We are never alone. Even when we don't know it, our Heavenly Father is watching over us. "The Legend of the Cherokee Indian Youth's Rite of Passage" has been added to the "Multimedia/Documents" page.

Scripture of the Day

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

Psalm 46:1

"Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:6,7

Blessings,

St. John's Communication Team