Council meeting highlights:
- We made a motion to suspend the Church Bylaws for the time being regarding Council number. At this time, we do not have 12 Council Members, so we are operating with a reduced load. This will continue until more members volunteer for Council, or until we rewrite the Bylaws
- Summer worship will start Memorial Day weekend and continue through Labor Day. It will be one service at 10:00 a.m.
- Juan de Dios Lopez will be preaching at Zion September 16th.
- Ann Marie reported the website updating and the new Servant Keeper program is progressing nicely.
- Because of construction, we will not have a picnic for Greater Zion Day. It will be celebrated July 22nd (since camping weekend is July 15th) with an ice cream social after worship

Council meeting highlights:
- Ann Marie presented a preliminary report on possible updates to the church website, member management, office management, and financial management. The 2018 approved budget included $2500 for communications improvements. Discussion followed. Motion: Permission to pursue moving ahead with Member Management & Financial Management. This would include for Member Management a $599 onetime cost for Servant Keeper, and then $600 annual cost, with additional $299 annual cost for the help desk. For Financial Management, a one-time cost of $380, and then $70 annual cost. Motion was seconded and approved with none abstaining and no votes against.
- Motion: to invite Juan de Dios Lopez to teach and preach at Zion, with Zion providing airfare and lodging. Discussion followed. Point on Zion’s credit card would pay for the airfare. Motion was seconded and approved with none abstaining and no votes against.
- ​Due to work and health concerns, this will be Nicole [Reese] and Michael's [Chard] last meeting, they need to step down from council. Nicole’s 3-year secretary term would have ended in May, and Michael’s team member (building & facilities) a year from May. They expressed thanks for this opportunity to serve, and the joy they have felt while serving Zion in this capacity. They will cherish the friendships made while on council. Volunteers for Council Secretary and Team Members are needed and appreciated!! 

Council meeting highlights:
- ​We decided not to have a Mardi Gras party/potluck because no dates would work, with confirmation on the 11th, Super Bowl on the 4th. 
- Christy Hillock is coordinating meals for anyone in the congregation who is in need. If you are in need, or know someone who is, and who would benefit from meals, please contact Christy Hillock.
- Stewardship update - when we send out end of year statements, we are going to include a little blurb thanking the congregation for the letters of intent, and again asking those who have not yet done so, to please fill one out.
- Steve - continuing education- After some discussion, Steve is going to take Spanish lessons for continuing education (one year time period) to reach out to the community. Look for a Spanish bible study soon.
​- Dianne Krehbiel officially resigned as choir director, Diane Gardner will be the official new director. Steve will check into "choir director" type contracts/agreements with the ELCA.

Council meeting highlights:
- Rocky Mtn. Synod Meeting in May - Pastor Steve said Lisa and Brian Mensinger would like to attend and be the two voting members. This was approved.
- New Communication System - Steve would like Doug to talk to Jen Jesse, who is training Zion members on the sound system. Doug will get in touch with her to discuss communication systems.

Highlights:
- Doug presented a motion from the council to engage in the 2nd mortgage of $250,000, 10- year term, 3.5% APY, with monthly payments of $2500 ($30,000 annually). Motion seconded. Call for questions (none). Call for vote: vote is unanimous and motion carries and passes with no objections and none abstaining.
- Doug presented a motion from the council to adopt the 2018 budget as presented. Motion seconded. Call for questions (none). Call for vote: vote is unanimous and motion carries and passes with no objections and none abstaining.
- Doug motions to allow council to secure and approve names to be voting members for the upcoming Rocky Mountain Synod conference in Westminster, CO, May 3-5, 2018. Motion seconded. Call for vote: vote is unanimous and motion carries and passes with no objections and none abstaining. There are no current volunteers or nominations at this time.
- Thank you to Fred Strohacker and Leslie Miller for their work on the 1960 scholarship fund that was presented to Horizonte Learning Center. Funds totaling $12,807.87 were distributed and gifted. 

Council meeting highlights:
- Motion made to accept worship planning team recommendation to hold the Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship at 10:00 p.m. rather than 10:30 p.m. Motion seconded. 1 opposing vote. Motion passes.
- Motion made to hold one worship service only at 10:30 a.m. on December 24 and December 31. Motion seconded and passed.

Next planned meeting: December 12, 6:15pm