St. Peter’s authorizes youth member of church council, approves funds for architect

      Members of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church of Ander have approved amendments to the congregation’s constitution that facilitates a member under the age of 18 serving as a member of the church council.
      An Aug. 1 special-called congregational meeting amended two sections of the constitution to add provisions for a youth member on the council to be elected to a one-year term.  The youth member must be under the age of 18 at the time of election and may be reelected for two additional one-year terms.
      St. Peter’s church council currently consists of 10 members:  nine members elected to three-year terms by the congregation and the congregation’s pastor, who serves ex-officio.
      “Our constitution did not previously prevent a member under the age of 18 from being elected, but with the former provisions of only three-year terms, it made it extremely difficult if not impossible for a person this age to serve a full three-year term,” said John Dellis, St. Peter’s minister.
      “I am very pleased that the congregation has approved these amendments,” he said.  “Younger members are already involved in many ways in the life of the congregation, serving as lectors, communion assistants, crucifers, ushers, greeters, acolytes, as members of committees and in other areas of leadership and service.  The possibility of a member under the age of 18 serving on the church council further strengthens our commitment to the full participation of youth in the life and ministry of the congregation.”
      At the Aug. 1 meeting, the congregation also authorized the engagement of Rawley McCoy and Associates, an architectural firm in Victoria, to provide guidance and design for improvements to the church’s sanctuary.  The firm served as architects for St. Peter’s parish hall project, which was completed in 2007.
      St. Peter’s church council appointed a facilities improvement committee in July 2009 to explore the church’s next and upcoming needs for its facilities, including the sanctuary, parish hall, church grounds, cemetery, and picnic area.
      A congregational forum was held Sept. 26 to provide an opportunity for all members of St. Peter’s to share ideas and suggestions with members of the facilities improvement committee.  The committee also shared during the forum items that it has discussed for possible consideration by the congregation.  Items related to the sanctuary will be shared with the architectural firm.
      St. Peter’s is located at 1545 E. FM 1961 in Ander.  Worship is at 9 a.m. each Sunday.