Trinity Lutheran Church Council Minutes
January 10, 2023
6:00 Pastor Donnita’s house
I. Call to Order/Attendance- Janel, Elaine, Terri, Kendra, Kristy, Jim and
Pastor Donnita. Meeting commenced at 6:17pm.
II. Devotion – “How can we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?” Psalm
137:4
III. Administration
A. Approve Minutes – Approve minutes of last meeting. Janel
motioned, Kristy seconded to approve the December 13, 2022,
minutes. Passed unanimously.
B. Treasures Report – Approve the treasurer’s report for December.
Kendra motioned Janel seconded to approve the report. Passed
unanimously.
C. Pastor’s Report –
Expenses
Lent webinar $25
E-book Leading a post Covid church $5
E-book Leading change &5
Book Emerging church $8.01
Books, Emerging worship, and How not to Read the Bible $9.61
Book The Agile Church $14.43
Wooden stars $11.99
Questions
Have we ordered devotion booklets?
What is Faith Formation cost in Education?
Newsletters
Printed 155, 95 of these are for Charlene to mail, Charlene donates,
extra money to help cover the cost of postage.
Emailed 23
Ministerial
Is there interest in doing an ecumenical fair worship
Plans to do an Easter hunt similar to the Pumpkin Fest
Membership lists- see attached page
Any changes you can see?
Pastor Marcia Carrier
January 22
February 19
March 19 also scheduled Pastor John Mayer
April 16
Assistant to the bishop Erica Uthe March 5
Sundays without a pastor: February 5, April 2
Since last Council meeting
Bulletins and slide information each week
Children’s program and worship December 18
Sermon and plant worship December 24
Communications with Mike, organists, Caitlin, committee chairs
Phone calls – Alan Deadlow, Mike and Kay, August, Pat Moeller, Lynn
Treimer
Beginning Lenten plans
Met with Charlene to discuss newsletter
Met with Lynne to discuss stewardship and evangelism
Listened to Jon’s Hearing
Reading
Books and Websites: Digivangelism, Church Anew, Church Answers
D. Council Reports/Committee
1. Worship & Tech – The worship has not met. Denise and Elaine
are alternating Sundays.
2. Stewardship
a. As goals are set from the analysis of the Vitality survey, we
will ask members, “how will you participate using you time,
talents, and treasures?
b. Monthly, let’s be dinosaurs conversations could help clarify
needs we will have for ministry.
c. As we move forward, we will need to be intentional about
matching ministry needs with interest and skills of members.
d. Add offering options to be able to give virtually. Are there
other income options? Pay Pal, Link on Website
3. Education
4. HR – Nothing new, Alicia Gritton has started as custodian. Terri
has created a packet for new employees.
5. Property
a. Women’s Restroom faucets installed 1/4/23.
b. AED box hung on hallway wall outside communications
coordinator office 1/4/23.
c. Air Conditioning- waiting on 2nd bid from Solon Plumbing &
Heating. 1st bid-Thomas.
d. Coverage for <2” snow – Alicia will handle. Mike Moes will
help as a backup.
6. Hospitality – Planning retirement for Les.
7. Evangelism
a. Make contact with members who have not returned since
COVID.
b. Develop online worshiping community and ministry.
c. Nurture members that are attending.
d. Connect with college students.
8. Finance
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 – Will be completed by the end of the month.
B. New air conditioner – Les is still trying to get a second bid from Solon
Plumbing and Heating (discussion item). We can attend to this when
Mike returns.
C. Going away celebration for Les 1/15/23 – Hospitality Committee is
working on.
D. HR – Update on custodian position being filled and coverage of < 2”
snow shovelers. Alicia will handle.
E. Pastor Marcia – Need liturgist for her 1/22 service (and any other
time she leads us in worship). Suggestions? Laurie Brandenburg
MSP mandatory SEIA synod Zoom meetings – Please read Brenda’s
12/13 email for required zoom meeting dates and subject matters
(please attend these meetings! Believe it or not, they are
interesting). All Council and Call Committee must attend all meetings
before we are allowed to submit our MSP and are able to begin our
search for a new pastor. Please let Terri know dates of completion
as you do them.
Sessions: Sessions may be taken in any order:
Congregational Vitality 6:30pm 1
st Tues: 12/6, 1/3, 2/7
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 7:45pm 1
st Tues: 12/6, 1/3, 2/7
Meet the Bishop (optional) 6:30pm 2
nd Tues: 12/13, 1/10, 2/14
Overview of the Process 6:30pm 3rd Tues: 12/20, 1/17, 2/21
Compensation Guidelines 7:45pm 3rd Tues: 12/20, 1/17, 2/21
Ministry Site Profiles 6:30pm 4th Tues: 12/27, 1/24, 2/28
Interview Process 7:45pm 4th Tues: 12/27, 1/24, 2/28
All sessions use the same zoom link of: (Control + Click to link from here)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vTxd2kL6oZjLSZMFDKqya0s7sAgWIG6COHNKrN-
9zK6SFMaJ2CrIxEM7DSzcxFnfhO5HSSTib4IJjv8/pub
F. Other
V. New Business:
A. Pulpit Supply
1/01 Lay Led
1/08 Lay Led
1/15 Pastor Donnita
1/22 Pastor Marcia – Sermon only, Laurie Brandenburg
1/29 Pastor Donnita
2/05 Need coverage
2/12 Pastor Donnita
2/19 Pastor Marcia (tentative) – still need coverage
2/26 Pastor Donnita ANNUAL MEETING
3/05 Pastor Erika Fellowship follows with Vitality Survey discussion
3/12 Pastor Donnita
3/19 Pastor Marcia and John Meyer
3/26 Pastor Donnita
4/02 Need coverage
4/09 Pastor Donnita EASTER
4/16 Pastor Marcia (tentative) – still need coverage
4/23 Pastor Donnita
4/30 Need coverage
Once Pastor Marcia recovers from her injury, she will cover one
Sunday each month. However, until she lets us know what days she
can commit to, we have to rely on lay leaders
B. Jon August’s commutation hearing – The rare 5-0 unanimous verdict
means the Board of Paroles is forwarding their recommendation
onto Governor Reynolds that she commutes Jon sentence for time
served. The Governor is expected to make her decision within the
next 90 days. Please pray for Jon, Mike and Kay and their family. Re-
entry plan is forming with Mike and Pastor Donnita.
C. 2023 Proposed Budget, to be ratified at the annual meeting
(ACTION ITEM-approve budget) Kristy Motioned to approve the
proposed budget for the annual meeting, Elaine seconded. Passed
unanimously.
D. 2022 Financial Record Inspectors – Mike August and Laurie
Brandenburg agreed to inspect Trinity’s 2022 financial records.
Elaine Moes (Financial Secretary). I asked Jim M. (Trinity’s General
Fund Treasure), Sara R.-M. (“TRINITY’S PROMISE” Mission
Endowment Fund treasurer) and Alma C. (WELCA Treasurer) to have
their materials turned into the office by 1/15/23. I also asked them
to have their reports turned into Caitlin by the same date (no action
required-informational only).
E. Transportation Assistance for Pastor Donnita Still needed – Please
solicit volunteers. Accessible door mat being ordered for back
entrance of church. Sign-up sheets are in the hallway.
F. AED Unit is installed, and six (6) people were trained. I’d like to see
a second group be trained (information only). – Let Terri know if
interested. Kendra is trained.
G. Visitation team, organized by Deb Cook – Will meet February 12
after church (information only).
H. Grace Committee Funding – Discussion of how the Grace
Committee gets the funds for their donations. They would like some
flexibility to purchase gift cards, etc. Freewill donations of money or
gift cards in month of February (share the love).
I. Non-Profit Postage – $275 for application and $275 annual fee. No
postage per envelope.
J. Other
VI. Closing Prayer – Led by Pastor
VII. Adjournment – Motion by Elaine to adjourn the meeting; second made by
Janel. Motion passed. 9:00pm
Next council meeting—February 13, 2023 6:00pm Pastor Donnita’s (Note: Mike
will be gone for the February council meeting, Terri will lead)