Annual Information/Business Meeting
An experience in getting to know the neighbor's faith
Mall Area Religious Council Inc.

Mall Area Religious Council

Annual Meeting - National American University - Mall of America
January 25, 2001

  1. Call to order welcome by Del Krueger.
  2. Spiritual Centering    "A brief encounter with Buddhism"

    3. Lama Pamela Holtum was introduced by John Chell. Lama Holtum is the first Minnesota woman to complete the Three Year Retreat of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. She said that Buddhism is not theistic; is about the mind and transcending suffering; and is a process of enlightenment of the mind. Buddha (enlightenment), Dharma (teachings); and Sangha (groups of practitioners) are the Threefold Refuge.

  3. The Oasis Kiosk

    4. John Chell presented a description of the kiosk; the place of volunteers as the total workforce in development and operation of the kiosk; statistical analysis of the operation to date; observations and learnings from the operation; and thoughts on next options. Rob Smolund presented ideas on the kiosk being totally an information center where the offering would be materials from member congregations, interfaith event announcements, copies of articles, brochures from other interfaith organizations, and sponsoring seminars. Ideas by council members included the intensive use of computer technology based interfaith information and word that the Christian Science reading room program is looking at such technology.

  4. The Where to Worship Signboard
    5.

    Del Krueger presented information on the 20 participating congregations and usage by the visiting public.

  5. Web sites
    6.

    Del Krueger presented information on Mall Area Religious Council web sites: www.meaningstore.org/marc.htm and www.meaningstore.org Interfaith Calendar sites were also presented: www.interfaithcalendar.org and www.interfaithcalendar.org/Familiesofreligions.htm

  6. Interfaith events
    7.

    Ellie Watkins announced that ElderExpo 2001 is planned for springtime. The program will include Diana Pierce. The Wild Bird Store and David Netten are negotiating a date.

    A Youth Event is possible for the fall. Input from young people is necessary in developing a program that will inform kids about religions.

  7. Financial report
    8.

    John Chell announced that total assets are $19,325.39; liabilities are $2,500. The financial balance is $16,825.39. Congregations are encouraged to place MARC in their budgets.

  8. Membership
    9.

    John Chell presented the MARC and Friends of MARC membership application forms. Roll call showed the following traditions and organizations represented: Baha'i, Baptist, Buddhist, Catholic, Muslim, Lutheran, Parliament, United Methodist, Workplace Ministries. A certificate of membership for 2001 was presented to Lama Holtum and the Minneapolis Buddhist Meditation Center as the newest members organization.

    9. Elections of Board members

    + Doug Schmid was elected to the class of 2001

    + Rob Smolund and Del Krueger to the class of 2002

    + Matt Madsen Jr, Brad Lothrop and Ellie Watkins - class of 2003

    + A motion was made to elect, seconded and carried unanimously.

    + Continuing in the class of 2001 are David Sterling and Dale Phelps; and in the class of 2002, John Chell.

  9. The minutes of the November 4, 1999 Annual meeting were received and adopted 
    on motion, second and unanimous vote.
  1. It was noted by Ellie that more volunteers are needed for February at Oasis;
    and by David that World Religion Day is coming in February.

13. The meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm.

Thanks to Ellie Watkins and Dale Phelps for room arrangements and refreshments

Council Members and Visitors Attending the MARC Annual Meeting on

January 25, 2001 as listed on registration sign-in form.

Person/s Organization/Tradition Represented
David and Mary Jo Sterling Baha'i and Parliament of World's religions
Marcia Shaw Assumption Catholic
Doug Schmid Catholic
Susan Webb Christian Science Reading Room
Emmett & Pauline MacKenzie Easter Lutheran Church
Dale Phelps Hillcrest United Methodist
Ruth Sanford Hillcrest United Methodist
Del Krueger Hillcrest United Methodist
Gene and Dorothy Hansen House of Prayer Lutheran
Marianne Lind House of Prayer Lutheran 
Rob Smolund Jewish
Arlene El-Amin Masjid An-Nur Islamic Center
Brad Lothrop Normandale Hylands United Methodist
Matt Madsen Jr Portland Avenue United Methodist Church
Ellie Watkins Southtown Baptist
Wayman Calhoun Southtown Baptist
John Chell Workplace Ministries - Lutheran
Atul Vioyarthi Visitor from St Paul

  Update on January 20, 2001

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