Annual Meeting of
St. John's Congregation

The annual meeting was held following worship on Sunday, January 27th.  Council President Steve Florschuetz opened the meeting with a litany devotion followed by remarks about all of the good that God has provided us this past year including our interim clergy and youth director, call committee, church council, staff, musicians, and the many, many volunteers who make our ministry possible.  One special note: the Barnyard Project directed by our Task Force was such a huge success that it caught the eye of the Synod staff, and they have invited Ken Ladenburger to report on it at the Northern Illinois Synod Assembly.  President Florschuetz also thanked the members of the congregation who are visiting our shut-ins and hospitalized members in the absence of a pastor.
 
Karen Goy reported on the many activities that our youth have been involved in during this past year.  She thanked the congregation for their continuous, generous support of our youth with prayer and financial support.
 
Karyn Bock presented the Treasurer’s Report, noting that we finished the year with a deficit of -$18,046 which was ahead of the deficit of -$18,441 budgeted for 2018.  The congregation approved the 2019 Annual Budget. 
 
There was much discussion about the yearly $50,000 distribution of the Ministry Enhancement Fund.  The original language regarding the set-up of the Ministry Enhancement Fund was read from the January 25, 1998 Annual Meeting.  Point #4 of the original language was amended to direct any funds remaining from the $20,000 allocated to cover a budget shortfall be dispersed as directed by the Ministry Enhancement/Benevolence Team. 
 
Property Team member Ron Rose reported that the sidewalks were not repaired as planned in 2018.  A vote was taken to approve funds needed to repair the sidewalks around the church and courtyard in 2019.
 
All Team reports were accepted and approved.
 
The next annual meeting is scheduled for Sunday, January 26, 2020.
 
An omission to the Annual Report… The Baptism of Taeden Gideon Holland took place on December 8, 2018.  Taeden is the son of Marshall and Farrell (Lowers) Holland.  We apologize to the Hollands and Lowers for this oversight.

Pastoral Care

During this time that we are without a full time pastor, we ask you to please contact the church office if you have any pastoral needs.  We will arrange for someone to visit.  If it is an emergency, please contact our Youth Director, Karen Goy, at (815) 228-2391.

Help Yourself...

Our quilting ladies have been working on “Walker Bags” for residents of area nursing homes.  They are also making them available to members of our congregation.  You will find a basket full of these colorful and handy fabric bags in the Narthex.  Please feel free to take one for yourself or someone you know.

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Please Remember...

Please remember that the standard rule for canceling worship services and meetings is for you to stay safe!  If ice, snow, or dangerously low temperatures would endanger your drive or entrance to the church, please stay home!  We will do our best to have the office open during our normal hours, but if school is canceled, it would be a good idea for you to phone the church office to be sure we are open before venturing out.