SOUTHWESTERN TEXAS SYNOD

LUTHERAN MEN IN MISSION

BOARD MEETING

August 13, 2005

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 A.M., at the LMC in Seguin, TX by Karl Vermace, President.

Members Present were: Karl Vermace, Charlie Schwartz, Frank Pennington, Charles Eckert, Don Gerhart, Willie Spreen, Ron Ortenstone, and Dennis Hickey.

Members Absent were: Darren Brehmer, Pastor Lynn Schudy-Ziese, Al Sunday, William Gustafson and Anton Mahacek

Guests Present: Past Vice-President Churchwide LMM, Dr. Charles Oestreich.

An Prayer and devotional were led by Pastor Charles Eckert.

The minutes of the June 11, 2005 meeting were reviewed and approved with corrections.

The Treasurer’s Report was presented by Frank Pennington and approved unanimously (attachment 1). It was recommended that in the future the report should only list income and expenditures since the last report to make it easier for Frank and the members. (Closed)

The Finance Committee Report presented by Frank Pennington had nothing new to report. The recommendations made at the last meeting were briefed so all would know the status of the Endowment Fund. The recommendation to close the account and place the funds in either the Churchwide or the synod treasury was questioned as Charlie Schwartz, a member of the committee, stated he didn’t remember being part of that decision. It was decided that the decision as to what to do with the funds would be remanded to the committee for final decision and presentation to the Board.

There was no Synod Liaison Report as Pastor Ziese was absent.

Pastor Charles Eckert presented his Pastoral Advisor Report verbally. He stated that he had attended some meetings of local groups. He also recommended that the secretary should maintain a listing/database of contributors and Men’s groups on a Web page to encourage others in other conferences to participate and donate. This raised a discussion on the Web Page and Karl briefed everyone that Charlie Schwartz, Dennis Hickey and he needed to go to visit the individual in Fredericksburg who was going to do it. (Ongoing)

Karl briefed on Gus’s recent activities: He had gone to Jourdanton and presented theum with a plaque to signify the formation/establishment of their LMM group. He is also currently working with Castroville to get their group up and going. (Ongoing)

There was no report from the Austin Conference as they have no representative.

Willie Spreen briefed on the Coastal Bend Conference: He stated that they were holding quarterly breakfasts with a speaker and had 4 or 5 different groups represented (25-30 people). The primary support from this conference is for the BokenCamp Children Center and then the Crosstrails Ministry. They have been very successful in these endeavors. (Ongoing)

Charlie Schwartz briefed on the Hill Country Conference. He is going to be going to Llano and help the LMM there get restarted. He has recently visited Mason. Then he spoke about the Hill Country Conference big money maker - the Fall Festival with the Chili Cook-off. It will be held on September 17^th and he invited all conferences to get a chili cooking team together and join the fun. In the past 30 years they have raised over $300,000. The funds raised this year are going to be donated to Crosstrails Ministry for building a covered riding arena at Camp Ebert. He stated that the conference does quarterly suppers and they have been well supported. (Ongoing)

Don Gerhart briefed on the San Antonio Conference. He has visited Elm Creek

and is in need of some Master Builder Bibles to pass out at the meetings. He has also visited St John’s in Marion. He said he would try and get some people together and start holding quarterly functions. (Ongoing)

There was no report from the Victoria Conference as the representative was absent.

Ron Ortenstone briefed on the Rio Grande Conference. He stated that Hombre is up and running. Other then that he had nothing to say as this was his first meeting and he was trying to get a handle on what is expected of him. (Ongoing)

The Swing project which started last year prior to the annual synodical assembly was discussed. It was noted that 10 swings had been made and presented to nursing homes in Fredericksburg as well as in Corpus Christie. There were also 10 swings made and brought to the conference and the distributed by the members of Beitel Lutheran LMM. It was decided that we would try to encourage 10 swings be built and brought to the 2006 LMM Synod Assembly and they would be distributed by the men from the St Pual Men’s Group. It was also decided that each congregation should be encouraged to make these swings and to give them to nursing homes in their area. (Open)

The Lutheran Man of the Year for Lutheran Men in Mission was discussed and it was decided that there did not have to be a recipient each year as well as the fact that an honorarium was not required for the recipient. Each member of the board should think about who might be worthy of the honor. (Ongoing)

Dr Charles Oestreich and Charlie Schwartz briefed the board on the LMM Churchwide meeting. Some of the highlights were that the LMM will present 70,000 bibles in the next 3 years. The findings which will be released in “Coming of Age: Exploring the Identity and Spirituality of younger Men” by David W. Anderson, paul G Hill and Roland D. Martinson was discussed at the conference and the book will be released in January 2006. Zion Lutheran of Fredricksberg was presented a plaque for being a Master Craftsman and the plaque was accepted by Hans Hannaman. Everyone was informed to start saving as the next conference will be the first weekend in August in 3 years and will be held in Omaha, Nebraska.

It was unanimously approved to re-imburse Hans $ 150.00 for his registration for the assembly. (Closed)

It was unanimously approved to donate $1000 to the Churchwide LMM Master Builders. (Closed)

The Cross Trails Ministry obligations were discussed and it was approved to complete the original obligation of $10,000 to the ministry before we decided how to support the new $1.5M obligation they have now for upgrades to the camps. We have $2,700 left to raise to complete our commitment. (Closed)

Karl briefed everyone that the plaques we give to the congregation have slots for following years to signify that they have donated to the Synod LMM. It was recommended by members that we send reminders to groups that have contributed in the past asking them if we might count on them again this year and to send letters to the groups that haven’t contributed asking them if we might count on them to start supporting us. (Open)

Dr Oestreich briefed the board that the Mens Group at St Puls in New Braunfels is going to be meeting this coming Tuesday, August 16, to start preparing for the 2006 LMM Synodical Assembly. He asked for input from the board on what we wanted. It was decided that we would want 10 swings brought to the assembly for dispersal to nursing homes in the New Braunfels area. Dr. Oestreich asked if he might represent the board on the planning committee and it was approved. He asked that Beitel provide any information it had from it’s planning committee be forwarded to him. Dennis Hickey agreed to forward the info. (Open)

The meeting was adjourned at 12:20 with the Lords Prayer. The next meeting will be held at the same place on October 8, 2005.

Dennis Hickey

Secretary

Southwestern Texas Synod LMM