MINUTES FOR HOLY CROSS COUNCIL MEETING
Council met Sunday, July 19, 2015 at 11:30 a.m. Those present were: Pastor Jim Berggren, Pastor Jhon
Arroyave. AIM Karen Davidson, Ann Larson, Rosie Haas, Nancy Beamesderfer, Jay Byerly, Wendy
Lambeth, Wayne Schaper, Warren Schick, Gordon Tinker and Sandra Williams. Ernesto Lopez did not
attend.
President Ann Larson called the meeting to order at 11:40 a.m. Pastor Berggren opened the meeting with
an Outreach Training program. Each subsequent Council meeting will include another Outreach Training.
These are designed to update outreach processes and provide material for discussion and implementation
of outreach programs that work in this changing world. This discussion included information on things you
need to know about unchurched people today. Some of the important changes are: not all unchurched have
big problems, most are spiritual, most don’t feel bad about missing church and attending “occasionally”
may be their “regular attendance”, many are not sure about what “Christian means” but they want to see
authentic Christians – not one day a week mimics and some want to be anonymous and some don’t!
Pastor Berggren continued with a prayer for wisdom and belief in making this world what Christ intended.
The minutes from the June 14, 2015 meeting were unanimously approved with corrections and were
submitted to CrossTies and the Website for publication. The Treasurer Report was presented by Wayne
Schaper. Currently we are meeting our congregational approved budget and have spent 46.1% of the
budget. Wayne advised that the next month report would show a dramatic increase in spending as we paid
the Great American liability insurance bill for the following year of $20,000.00. Additionally, a 70 foot
oak fell in the parking lot and had to be removed. There were no physical injuries but a parking visitor sign
was damaged. Additional expenses were incurred for repair of the Parlor air conditioning and for air
conditioning repairs by Fred Abrego to the FLC. The Treasurer’s report was unanimously approved
PASTORS’ REPORTS:
Pastor Berggren reported he had a funeral service for Jim O’Connor, father of member Mike O’Connor.
He expressed appreciation for the July 5th special service and the volunteer services of the choir. He is
restarting regular office staff meetings to improve communication and camaraderie. He is handwriting
letters to each visitor in the week following their attendance. He has been asked and has accepted starting
a new Lutheran Worship service at a new assisted living facility which will meet once a month. He has
provided new visitors with membership papers and Nancy Campbell has transferred her membership to
HCLC! Pastor George Aurich, who formed and governed Memorial Hall School, passed away and Pastor
Jim has been asked to officiate at the memorial service. Pastor Aurich is a well known religious figure in
our community and the funeral attendance is expected to be larger than can be held at HCLC. Pastor Jim’s
vacation has been rescheduled to unspecified dates at the end of August again being changed to meet the
needs of the congregation.
AIM Karen Davidson continues to make hospital visits and grief counseling visits as well as visits to shutins. She has been asked by the family of Betty Dodson to officiate at a private grave side service for Betty
with a memorial service to be held at HCLC. She has made Pat Boessling aware of the families preferences
for the memorial service and meal. She has been asked to be a speaker in Austin on the second weekend
of August. She presented an article by the Bishop in the Lutheran magazine based upon Luther’s quote that
we are not called to be the church of the past nor the church of the future but are to be the church for right
now. She expressed her gratitude to all who are welcoming and visiting with our new visitors which seem
to be increasing each Sunday! She put together welcome kits for some of the new visitors and has received
much thanks from them for the warm welcome they received. She emphasized that it is important that not
only the ushers and greeter meet with new faces but that each of us should make the effort to welcome all
people to our services and to make the Pastors aware of them so that they can greet and meet with them.
Pastor Jhon Arroyave will be on vacation from July 20 – August 7 to visit family. Pastor Jim will lock up
the buildings and collect the offering following the 2nd service. A visiting pastor will serve while Pastor
Jhon is on vacation. Andrea’s husband, Sergio, will do all set ups for the Annex and FLC.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Warren Schick reported that we do not have the answer to why the projector for the front screen is not
working and it can only be further examined by a professional with scaffolding. If may be a bulb problem
or may just need cleaning or may be more serious. He has experts scheduled to inspect the screen. Warren
Schick repaired the Parlor door and it is working now.
Nancy Beamesderfer reported that the Woman’s Retreat is progressing nicely and it will be held August 8
from 9am to 3:30 pm. Books used for the retreat may be purchased for $20 each.
Wayne Schaper reported that the Food Panty will be painted and requested Council select the color for the
shed to be painted. After discussion, Wendy Lambeth moved and Ann Larson seconded that the shed and
Food Pantry be painted the same matching neutral color. The motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
Pastor Jim announced that the East Spring Branch Food Pantry was awarded the Bandini Award for 2015
Best Food Pantry. Mr. Bandini started the Houston Food Bank.
Wendy Lambeth completed a diagram of the church grounds for use in the Visitor’s folder as well as any
other use that benefits HCLC. She also created a new mailer to go to areas surrounding HCLC which
includes ongoing events as well as upcoming events. A discussion was held as to whether or not we would
continue Rally Day. The motion carried unanimously that we will have a Rally Day which will be included
on the mailer. A discussion was held to determine if we would again have a Pumpkin Patch. That was
unanimously approved. A discussion as to Parent’s Night Out was tabled and no vote taken. CRITICAL
TO ALL OF THESE OUTREACH PROGRAMS ARE VOLUNTEERS FROM THE CHURCH. WE
MUST HAVE THEM FOR RALLY DAY, THE PUMPKIN PATCH AND FOR PARENT’S NIGHT
OUT - IF THAT CONTINUES. The Council recognized that Wendy Lambeth, Sharon Wagner, John
Stokes and Pastor Jim had faithfully been staffing the Parent’s Night Out but that more volunteers are
absolutely essential for it to continue.
Ann Larson presented the HCLC Ministry Teams and Council Persons volunteered. The Ministry Teams
are as follows:
HCLC MINISTRY TEAMS
as of 19 July 2015
TEAM

WORSHIP (Council Person – Ann Larson)
Acolyte
Altar Guild
Attendance Records (Members & Visitors)
Choir/Bell (E)
COORDINATOR/FACILITATOR
Renee Allcorn
Sharon Wagner
Julie Kilkenny
Cathy Elijah
Choir performance
Choir/Music (E)
Communion Assistants (E)
"
"
(S)
Drama Ministry
Greeters (E)
Lay Readers (E)
"
"
(S)
Medical Equip/First Aid Training
Spanish Language – General
Tellers (E)
" (S)
Ushers (E)
" (S)



Cathy Elijah
Gloria McGarvey
Kay Vaccarro
Jhon Jairo Arroyave
Marge Carroll
Norma Berg
Pat Curran
Jhon Jairo Arroyave
Janis Vasut (???)
Jhon & Marta Arroyave/
John Wenger
Jhon Jairo Arroyave
Gloria McGarvey
Jhon Jairo Arroyave
YOUTH (Council Person –Wendy Lambeth)
Coordinator
MINISTRY TEAM EDUCATION (Council Person –Wendy Lambeth)
Adult Forum (E)
Pastor Jim Berggren
Confirmation (E)
Pastor Jim Berggren
"
(S)
Pastor Jhon Arroyave
Sunday School (E)
Julie Kilkenny
"
"
(S)
Pastor Jhon Jairo Arroyave
Rally Day
OUTREACH (Council Person –Sandra Williams)
AA Counseling
Pastor Jim Berggren
Adult Protective Service
Wendy Lambeth
Apartment & Retirement Ministries
AIM Karen Davidson
Crafts
Cathy Elijah
Early Learning Center
Leslie Appling
East Spring Branch Food Pantry
Mary White (St. Cecilia)
Krause Center
WELCA
Pumpkin Patch
Cathy Elijah
Lutheran World Relief (Kits)
Gloria McGarvey
Lutheran World Relief (Quilting)
Gloria McGarvey
Memorial Assistance Ministries (MAM)
Angie Eckermann
Rummage Sale (WELCA)
Amy Schomburg
Seafarer’s supply
WELCA
Shepherd of the Hills candy
Barbara Sledge
Visitor Welcome cups
WELCA
Visitor Recognition/Follow-up
Pastor Berggren
Westside Homeless
WELCA
Website
Carol Prokoffief

SPIRITUAL LIFE (Council Person –Nancy Beamesderfer)
Deborah Circle
Sandra Williams
Ruth Circle
Marge Carroll
Men’s Breakfast
John Wenger
Discovery Weekend
Marge Carroll/
John Wenger
Lay-Communion Visitation
AIM Karen Davidson
Mid-week Bible Study
Pastor Jim Berggren
Prayer Chain (e-mail)
Renee Allcorn
"
" (phone)
Suzan Cook
Second Family Care Team
Sandra Williams
Stephen Ministry
Marge Carroll



STEWARDSHIP (Council Person – Wayne Schaper/John Stokes)

BUILDING & GROUNDS (Council Person – Warren Schick)
Coordinator
Stan Crick


CONGREGATIONAL LIFE (Council Person - Rosie Haas/Sandra Williams)
Neighborhood Circle #4
Stan Crick
Neighborhood Circle #40
Rotational, Hosting Member
Bereavement Committee
Pat Boessling
Book Club
Marilyn Collins
Brunch Bunch
Jeanette Dukleth
Coffee Fellowship
Gloria McGarvey
Friendship Club
Nancy Beamesderfer
Flower delivery
Barbara Sledge
Heavenly Quilters
Ruby Schaper
Prayer Partners for ELC
Pastor Berggren
Second Family
Sandra Williams
Transportation
Second Family
WELCA
Sandra Williams
Rally Day
FINANCE (Council Person – Wayne Schaper)
Offering reporting

LINKS TO HCLC COUNCIL MEMBERS 2015-2016
WORSHIP
EDUCATION/YOUTH
OUTREACH
SPIRITUAL LIFE
BUILDING & GROUNDS
FINANCE
CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
STEWARDSHIP
Ann Larson
Wendy Lambeth
Sandra Williams
Nancy Beamesderfer
Warren Schick
Wayne Schaper
Rosie Haas/Sandra Williams
Wayne Schaper/John Stokes
____________________________________
Ann Larson, President July 19, 2015 (Revised)
NEW BUSINESS:
Ann Larson has addresses to mail out 93 mailers to new residents in our community.
The Council in total is very appreciative of the music and special services and work for this summer of
wonderful musical treats
The next meeting will be on Sunday, August 16 at 11:30 am in the Annex to discuss the preparations and
assignments for Rally Day. The next Council meeting will be on Sunday, September 20 at 11:30 am in the
Annex.
ADJOURN:
A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn. The meeting closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
Sandra Williams
MINUTES FOR HOLY CROSS COUNCIL MEETING – RALLY DAY MEETING
An abbreviated Council met Sunday, August 16, 2015 at 11:30 a.m. Those present were: Pastor Jim
Berggren, AIM Karen Davidson, Nancy Beamesderfer, Jay Byerly, Wendy Lambeth, Wayne Schaper, and
Sandra Williams. Invited guests were: Cathy Elijah and Gloria McGarvey. There was no quorum present
so no official business was discussed. The meeting was restricted to preparing for the Holy Cross
Homecoming Day and information on the Pumpkin Patch.
We will have the Pumpkin Patch again this year and will have a volunteer table to sign up at the
Homecoming Event. Sandra Williams is responsible for this.
Pastor Berggren opened the meeting with a prayer for wisdom and belief in making this world what Christ
intended. Wendy Lambeth presented the updated mailer for the next mail out of 9/1/15. In addition to
sending the cards to Hilshire Village, Sandra Williams will contact Monarch Oaks Homeowners
Association for their mailing list.
Wendy Lambeth presented the finalized HCLC map which will be included in the Welcome Packages for
visitors. Wendy Lambeth and Pastor Jim will meet on Tuesday, August 18, 2015 to finalize a package.
Numerous names were discussed for the September 13, 2015 event and Holy Cross Homecoming Day was
agreed upon. It will be held Sunday, September 13 following the 9:30 am service. Wendy Lambeth will
do two Temple Talks to let the congregation know of the plans; Cathy Elijah will have a notice in the
Sunday News and CrossTies. Each organization will be contacted by the Council person listed on the
Ministery Teams to determine if they want a table and to ask that their FLC bulletin boards be updated and
“freshened up” for Holy Cross Homecoming Day.
We will have a Homecoming theme with ministry tables set up in a maze. In order to eat, participants,
children included, will have to get at least 10 signatures or stamps from the tables. The round tables will
be in the center of the room surrounding a special area for kids games. We will ask Carol Prokofieff to
have photos taken for the website and facebook.
Wayne Schaper suggested we have an emergency Council meeting on September 6 at 11:30 am to make
sure we are all on track for this Homecoming Event!
HCLC MINISTRY TEAMS
as of 19 July 2015
TEAM

WORSHIP (Council Person – Ann Larson)
Acolyte
Altar Guild
Attendance Records (Members & Visitors)
Choir/Bell (E)
Choir performance
Choir/Music (E)
Communion Assistants (E)
"
"
(S)
COORDINATOR/FACILITATOR
Renee Allcorn
Sharon Wagner
Julie Kilkenny
Cathy Elijah
Cathy Elijah
Gloria McGarvey
Kay Vaccarro
Jhon Jairo Arroyave
Drama Ministry
Greeters (E)
Lay Readers (E)
"
"
(S)
Medical Equip/First Aid Training
Spanish Language – General
Tellers (E)
" (S)
Ushers (E)
" (S)


Marge Carroll
Norma Berg
Pat Curran
Jhon Jairo Arroyave
Janis Vasut (???)
Jhon & Marta Arroyave/
John Wenger
Jhon Jairo Arroyave
Gloria McGarvey
Jhon Jairo Arroyave
YOUTH (Council Person –Wendy Lambeth)
Coordinator
MINISTRY TEAM EDUCATION (Council Person –Wendy Lambeth)
Adult Forum (E)
Pastor Jim Berggren
Confirmation (E)
Pastor Jim Berggren
"
(S)
Pastor Jhon Arroyave
Sunday School (E)
Julie Kilkenny
"
"
(S)
Pastor Jhon Jairo Arroyave
Rally Day

OUTREACH (Council Person –Sandra Williams)
AA Counseling
Pastor Jim Berggren
Adult Protective Service
Wendy Lambeth
Apartment & Retirement Ministries
AIM Karen Davidson
Crafts
Cathy Elijah
Early Learning Center
Leslie Appling
East Spring Branch Food Pantry
Mary White (St. Cecilia)
Krause Center
WELCA
Pumpkin Patch
Cathy Elijah
Lutheran World Relief (Kits)
Gloria McGarvey
Lutheran World Relief (Quilting)
Gloria McGarvey
Memorial Assistance Ministries (MAM)
Angie Eckermann
Rummage Sale (WELCA)
Amy Schomburg
Seafarer’s supply
WELCA
Shepherd of the Hills candy
Barbara Sledge
Visitor Welcome cups
WELCA
Visitor Recognition/Follow-up
Pastor Berggren
Westside Homeless
WELCA
Website
Carol Prokoffief

SPIRITUAL LIFE (Council Person –Nancy Beamesderfer)
Deborah Circle
Sandra Williams
Ruth Circle
Men’s Breakfast
Discovery Weekend
Marge Carroll
John Wenger
Marge Carroll/
John Wenger
AIM Karen Davidson
Pastor Jim Berggren
Renee Allcorn
Suzan Cook
Sandra Williams
Marge Carroll
Lay-Communion Visitation
Mid-week Bible Study
Prayer Chain (e-mail)
"
" (phone)
Second Family Care Team
Stephen Ministry



STEWARDSHIP (Council Person – Wayne Schaper/John Stokes)

BUILDING & GROUNDS (Council Person – Warren Schick)
Coordinator
Stan Crick


CONGREGATIONAL LIFE (Council Person - Rosie Haas/Sandra Williams)
Neighborhood Circle #4
Stan Crick
Neighborhood Circle #40
Rotational, Hosting Member
Bereavement Committee
Pat Boessling
Book Club
Marilyn Collins
Brunch Bunch
Jeanette Dukleth
Coffee Fellowship
Gloria McGarvey
Friendship Club
Nancy Beamesderfer
Flower delivery
Barbara Sledge
Heavenly Quilters
Ruby Schaper
Prayer Partners for ELC
Pastor Berggren
Second Family
Sandra Williams
Transportation
Second Family
WELCA
Sandra Williams
Web Master
Carol Prokofieff

LINKS TO HCLC COUNCIL MEMBERS 2015-2016
FINANCE (Council Person – Wayne Schaper)
Offering reporting
WORSHIP
EDUCATION/YOUTH
OUTREACH
SPIRITUAL LIFE
BUILDING & GROUNDS
FINANCE
CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
STEWARDSHIP
Ann Larson
Wendy Lambeth
Sandra Williams
Nancy Beamesderfer
Warren Schick
Wayne Schaper
Rosie Haas/Sandra Williams
Wayne Schaper/John Stokes
____________________________________
Ann Larson, President July 19, 2015 (Revised)
Respectfully submitted,
Sandra Williams