Trinity Lutheran Church Council Minutes

September 6, 2022
6:00 Shalom Room

I. Call to Order/Attendance – Those in attendance: Janel, Elaine, Terri,
Maggie, Kendra, Mike, and Jim. Meeting commenced at 6:06 PM.
II. Devotion – Mike led us in prayer.
III. Administration
A. Approve Minutes from August – Approve minutes of last meeting.
Terri motioned Elaine seconded to approve the August 9, 2022,
minutes. Passed unanimously.
B. Treasures Report – Approve the treasurer’s report for August. Janel
motioned Terri seconded to approve the report. Passed
unanimously.
C. Pastor’s Report – Pastor Jamie notified the church she accepted a call
in South Carolina and her last Sunday was 8/28/22. She completed
confirmation with Delaney Chambliss and Joseph VonMuenster in
August. They were confirmed 8/28/2022 during the service.
D. Council Reports/Committee
1. Worship & Tech – Mike has submitted the change to separate
Worship and Tech committees.
2. Stewardship – Stewardship. Mike would like to see a “modified’ form of pledge cards used for the 2023 budget. The cards would be totally non-descript giving the pledger total anonymity, but giving the Trinity Finance Committee some semblance of anticipated “Budgeted Receipt” totals when preparing the 2023 budget
3. Education – Sunday school will be coordinated with the
Methodists. Where are we with confirmation??
4. HR – Les has decided to resign as of December 31st
.

5. Property – new faucets with accessible lever handles will be
purchased/installed in women’s bathroom. Going to check
with plumbers. Shed door and final coat of paint to be
completed in September. Need someone to chair the
committee.
6. Hospitality – going away cake/nuts/lemonade was held for
Pastor Jamie’s last Sunday at Trinity. Recognition for Judy’s
time playing organ.
7. Evangelism- Lynn is currently tied up with state fair activities.

8. Finance – Did not have a meeting in August.
Work Groups
1. Capital Improvement
2. Memorial
3. Backpack Buddies
4. GRACE

IV. Previous Business (compilation of issues from the past six months)
A. Signage update – Tina Keil has designs for the doors, still finalizing
them. Memorial committee will fund it.
B. Mission Investment account – Jim updated name to: ELCA Mission
Investment Fund
C. Develop visit teams – Laurie Brandenburg indicated a past interest in being trained (certified?) to distribute communion. Mike will contact synod to determine what courses are necessary so Laurie can offer the service for the congregation
D. AED device – Mike will talk with Laurie Brandenburg.
E. Worship and Technology-The technology part of the committee
chairperson. Requires constitutional amendment – Will be voted for
at annual meeting.
F. Tipton Ministerial/UCC Outreach Committee volunteers – Charlene
Thumm and Brenda Emick-Herring. First meeting is September 11th at
UCC
G. HR- Need someone on council to communicate with Caitlin about
things that are needed or are going on. Terri volunteered to do that.
Elaine will talk with her regarding the worship services.
H. EMS Correspondence – Larry Hein went to the meeting and will be
the contact.
I. Other

V. New Business
A. New air conditioner – Les getting 2 bids. They are 24 years old and
require a refrigerant that is no longer available. Going to need new
compressor units.
B. Finance committee review – There will be a meeting in October.

C. Funds available for our next pastor -Part time pastor, sharing a pastor
with the Methodists in Tipton and a seminarian student for 9 months
which is what Atalissa prefers to do were options discussed at a special
meeting on August 24th

. My preliminary review suggests we can afford
maybe $45,000. Budgetary data and decreasing receipts were presented
by the Council President and the Church Recording Secretary at a
meeting in which 28 Trinity members attended. Giving units were down
from 2021-to 2022 from 53 to 45 and church receipts are down $2,060
per month in 2022, and possibly over $2,900/month that can be applied
to the 2022 expense budget. Council stated they will need help finding
pulpit supply pastors or lay persons to deliver worship ‘messages’ until a
transitional pastor is found. Synod suggested a military chaplain, but she
has not returned phone calls and she desires a full time transitional
position. HOW SHALL WE PROCEED regarding a pastor in the future???
Who can pursue this plan while Council President is on vacation in
September and working during the harvest?
D. Complaint filed with synod – Would like to have council contacted if
there are issues.
E. Pulpit supply for sermons/messages – Keith Chapman 9/5; Michelle
(Korry Hein’s cousin possible) 9/11; Pastor Donnita 9/18 & 9/25; Jennifer
Ohmna-Rodriguez (Pastor JOR) in October except for October 16th. Note:
Pastor JOR is not ordained, so she cannot distribute communion
F. Other
VI. Closing Prayer – Led by Terri
VII. Adjournment – Motion by Mike to leave the meeting open; second made
by Elaine. Motion passed. 7:43pm

Next council meeting—October 11, 2022