^{The meeting was brought to order by President Deb and opened in prayer by Pastor John. Reports followed. Secretary’s Report was read, correction in wording made, and approved. Karen gave the treasurer’s report for the year. Dale/Carolyn made a motion to approve the annual treasurer’s report and submit it to audit. Motion carried unanimously (hereafter MCU).}

^{Pastor’s Report: Pastor submitted a written annual report. He also mentioned that a youth group retreat is planned for this coming weekend; youth servant projects are in the planning stage for the upcoming year; Bible study will continue through November, and he reported on his home visits.}

^{WELCA: Carolyn went over WELCA’s service projects for the year as well as provided a financial report. WELCA income comes mainly from Sunday morning coffee time and the sale of cookbooks. AIDS kits are an upcoming service project being planned. Penny offering (jars downstairs) will go to local food shelves this year. All women of the church are members of WELCA. Complete report with minutes.}

^{Membership: Nothing new to report.}

^{Music Committee: Pastor John has joined the music committee and congregational input is welcome as well. They plan to start determining which hymns will be sung during worship service 2-3 months ahead. Dena will play for Christmas Eve. Choir continues to meet on Wednesday nights from 5:30-6:30.}

^{Altar Guild: Flower report was given and thanks to all who provided such lovely flowers throughout the summer. We will use the Chrysanthemums until Advent, Connie Carsrud often does poinsettias for Advent, and then Calla lilies will be used until Lent unless someone would like to bring live flowers for November, January, or February.}

^{Cemetery Committee: Reported that T & T recovered the Suomi Community Cemetery and that 18 headstones were repaired. The original bid will need to be adjusted as 2 headstones were missed at the time the estimate was sought. Also 3 grave markers were needed for 3 known graves with no living family members that have been there for many, many years unmarked. Many donated to offset the cost of this necessary cemetery repair. All donations were very much appreciated. In addition Mike and Herman reported that the VFW post they are members of donated $2000 toward the Suomi Community Cemetery restoration. A note of thanks will be sent.}

^{OLD BUSINESS:}

^{Maintenance: Hal took care of the annual call to the fly exterminator. Ryan J. will mow lawn again next summer. Bob P. will plow snow again for us this winter. Arne put away the air conditioner. Dale will check out the double doors to see if that is where the mice are getting in.}

^{Bulletins/Newsletter: Deb will continue to do bulletins. Pastor will start proofing the newsletter to keep it more concise.}

^{Celebration Sundays: We will do Wee Chest for January. Nov. Alzheimer’s; Dec. Lighthouse for Blind.}

^{Memorials: We would like to purchase a Pascal candle. The floor stands for these are expensive. We hope to show our resident carpenter Arne a picture and hear the words, "I can make that."}

^{NEW BUSINESS:}

^{Budget 2010: Karen provided a projected budget for the coming church year. Herman/Carolyn made a motion to accept the proposed budget. MCU.}

^{Election of Officers: On even numbered years (2010) we elect Pres., Vice Pres., and Treasurer. Nominations were sought from the floor for these offices. As current office holders were all eligible to serve another term of office and as no nominations were received from the floor the previous officers were re-elected by acclamation. Re-elected officers for 2010 will be Deb Poenix-President; Dale Juntunen-Vice President; and Karen Kemmer-Treasurer.}

^{Amendment to the by-laws concerning the cemetery: Members of the Cemetery Committee and other interested parties will meet to formulate the new wording and will present it for a vote in January at our next quarterly meeting.}

^{Cemetery Sexton: Oliver Juntunen has served as Suomi cemetery sexton for many years and is requesting retirement. Dale is willing to take over the duties of cemetery sexton. Oliver gave a wonderful presentation of all the record keeping that is done as part of the job and took questions from the congregation. More details of his presentation are included in an attachment to the minutes. Thanks to Oliver for many, many years of dedicated service to this task.}

^{Stewardship: Deb P. has volunteered to participate in "Matters of the Heart" and will attend a gathering on Nov 5th at Salem Lutheran in Longville with some members of Jesse Lake Lutheran.}

^{Pulpit Supply: Pastor John will be taking his 4th week off directly following Christmas. (Dec 27th). Pastor B. will be providing pastoral services in his absence. There will be no Thanksgiving Eve Service. Christmas Eve service at Suomi will be at 7:00. Jan. 6, 2010 an Epiphany tree burning service will be held for all members of the Parish in an area near the church yard. Food and beverages will be served. Dress warm to be outside for part of the service. Time to be announced at a later date.}

^{Misc: Curt handed out sheets which enumerated the (2007)Amendments to the Model Constitution for Congregations being strongly requested/recommended by Synod. We will be adding these necessary changes to our congregational constitution and discussing these changes at the next quarterly mtg. (Jan.)}

^{Meeting adjourned at 2:20.}

^{Respectfully Submitted,}

^{Pat Rasley, Secretary Suomi}