Trinity Lutheran Church Council Agenda
May 9, 2023
6:00 Pastor Donnita’s house
- Call to Order/Attendance
Attending: Terri Peck, Janelle Stephens, Laurie Brandenburg, Kristy Kruse,
Pastor Donnita Moeller, Jim McCullough
Unable to attend: Mike Herring, Kendra Von Muenster, Maggie Von Muenster
- Devotion
Pastor summarized her findings from books she has read on the emerging church and what the future will look like. She discussed major shifts that have happened in our culture. Discussion was held around the benefit of having an understanding of the Truth for each denomination and the negative factors from it. We also discussed how this understanding has begun to change.
- Administration
- Approve Minutes
Minutes from the April 2023 Council Meeting were accepted by the council.
- Treasurer’s Report
Jim reviewed Trinity’s finances for the month of April 2023. The Treasurer’s report was accepted by the council. Jim turned in a copy of the Treasurer’s job duties description to council.
- Pastor’s Report
VBS: Pastor asked the amount budgeted for this years Vacation Bible School, which will be held at Trinity and UMC. Trinity’s budget is $300, which will allow the Education Committee to invest in supplies and materials towards VBS.
OFFICE-MAILINGS: With our change to non-profit metered mail, we must have at least 200 pieces mailed for each batch to be eligible. Going forward, we will either try to be refunded the cost or our application, or see if Charline’s set of mailings for the newsletter can be included with Trinity’s in order to reach the mailing minimum. If not able to meet the minimum we discussed ways to reduce mailing cost, by focusing on emailing newsletters except to those that request a mailed copy, and have a few copies available in the narthex
ACTION ITEM: TERRI to discuss options with Caitlin.
EXPENSES: Word $7, Flowers for HS Senior Service $62
RENEW WORKSHOP: Pastor attended a RENEW WORKSHOP sponsored by Church Anew’s online congregation that was very beneficial. Q&A with speakers focusing on the experiences of change in today’s church. Presentations by each speaker focusing on loss and grief due to many changes in society/churches. Worship. Keynote speaker Kate Bowler, author of The Lives we Actually Have. (I’ve used her blessings as benedictions). Next workshop in November.
SINCE LAST MEETING:
Sundays and sermons
Education meeting
Zoom Interim pastors meeting
Renew workshop
ELCA Zoom meeting about future of church
Zoom classes on Bonhoeffer
Office responsibilities
Reading books on future church
Planned Senior Sunday and thank yous
UPCOMING:
May 16 – Pastor Melody and Pastor Donnita to meet to prepare
- Council Reports/Committee
- Worship & Tech
Pastor received permission from the publisher to use “We Rise Higher in worship on May 7th. In May the worship team will be introducing some praise music from the Methodist’s Hymnal, which allows us to submit the copyright information.
- Stewardship
MEMBERSHIP/CONTACT LIST: Please review the latest directory (attached) for any needed changes/additions/removals.
ACTION ITEM: ALL – Please send any directory updates to Caitlin, Kendra and Pastor
- Education
Notes from April 2023 Education Committee meeting:
- Melissa is our rep for VBS, VBS will be held July 17-20
- We are joining forces with the Methodist Church for our year of hosting.
- “We Rise Higher” water bottles to be purchased as gifts for graduates. They will be delivered to those who can’t be there.
- There will be a bachelorette service at the school
- Bibles for different ages were discussed. We will use a combination of Bibles we have and buy extras that we need. Bibles will be handed out April 23rd when there will also be a Baptism.
- Confirmation class will help with Shared Blessings meal as their last community service project for the year. They gave Ron Belitz his blanket.
- Council please note: Nolan and Carter are recommended for confirmation.
Structure of confirmation options were discussed for next year but not fully determined. The Constitution and by-laws do not outline any particular structure for confirmation education.
- HR Nothing to report
- Property Nothing to report
- Hospitality
Discussion of Fellowship, and ensuring someone is always signed up for bringing treats and making coffee. Janel passes the sheets during Fellowship if there are open slots. Recommendation to open up treats to anyone that can bring them in and put in Fridge/Freezer during the week, as well as someone bringing on Sunday as an option.
- Evangelism
Pastor is meeting with the UMC Pastor to partner in ideas on evangelism
- Finance Nothing to report
Work Groups
- Capital Improvement Nothing to report
- Memorial
New AC/Furnace being donated in memory of Elmer and Delores Kunde.
- Backpack Buddies Nothing to report
- GRACE Nothing to report
- Previous Business (compilation of issues from the past six months):
- Visitation team, organized by Deb Cook.
Laurie reported that visits to homebound for communion are going well.
- AED Unit is installed and six (6) people were trained.
Mike would like to see a second group be trained (information only)
- Signage
Terri reported that the vinyl signage for the front windows of the church facing the street, and the doors of the Church and Fellowship Hall are in. They will be put up once the average temperature is above 50 degrees. Terri may need someone tall to assist when the contractor is installing them.
- Closing of Paypal Account.
ACTION ITEM: Terri to check with Caitlin to see is we have a known sign-in/password for the Paypal account to be able to sign in- and close the account
- New Business:
- Confirmation of Nolan Moes and Carter Thomas
Council discussed confirming Nolan Moes and Carter Thomas this year and their qualifications, and any training that needs to occur prior based on the Education Committees recommendation. Janelle made a motion to allow Nolan Moes and Carter Thomas to be confirmed. Laurie seconded the motion. Motion passed.
- Continue to work on finding assistants to help Susan and Pastor D on transportation
Pastor explained that on Friday’s Caitlin sends a copy of the sign up list to Donnita for her to know her helpers on Sunday.
- Open treasurer position
Jim’s retiring as treasurer July 1st. We thanked him for his many years of dedicated service. Discussion was held as to how we will fill the position if no one steps forward from the congregation, which is a likely outcome. Mike and Donnita have discussed the possibility of outsourcing the treasurer duties, and Mike is checking into it. Someone mentioned maybe using a smaller company, like A-1 Accounting with Ken Stewart. Terri mentioned the possibility of a retired accountant, for example Jim Jorgensen is currently Treasurer of several civic organizations he belongs to, perhaps he would pick up side work. Terri also mentioned she has a friend that runs an accounting firm in St. Louis that accts as the outsourced Financial Officer for different companies, and could talk to her to get ideas on what might work for us.
ACTION ITEM – TERRI to send treasurer description from Jim to Mike, Susan and Caitlin.
ACTION ITEM – TERRI to see if Mike would like any assistance with reaching out on the Treasurer piece, and if he would like her to reach out to Ken, Jim or her accounting friend.
- Responsibility of who sets up for funerals
Currently the custodian, Alicia does funeral table and chair set up and take down, and church cleaning prior to funerals. We need someone (from Property Committee or otherwise) to be available to assist the funeral director day of with anything they need moved, etc. This may slightly change the Property Committee Description.
Laurie mentioned Neva and her team that serve at funerals. Neva mentioned to Laurie she would like to mentor someone to learn her position to have a backup in place.
- Review officer position descriptions: President, VP
Susan has offered to compile the officer and committee descriptions into one document, and to format uniformly.
ACTION ITEM – PASTOR DONNITA to update Mike on Susan compiling these for us.
ACTION ITEM – ALL: Please send any additional committee descriptions to Susan, and copy Caitlin. We will review the descriptions at the June Council meeting.
- Begin reviewing committee descriptions: Property and Finance
ACTION ITEM: Mike– How would you like the bullet on funeral set ups/take downs to read? See item D above for additional information, and send any updates to Susan and Caitlin.
- Remember to keep Andrea in your prayers
Updates shared on Andrea. The GRACE team is providing meals this month. Andrea has another scan scheduled soon to see if the infusions from MAYO have worked and determine next steps. Melissa is heading a benefit for Andrea in September at the Fairgrounds. Discussed possible donation baskets from Trinity Committees and others.
Laurie volunteered to do a Fair-Trade basket. Terri is doing a jewelry basket.
ACTION ITEM- TERRI – Check to see if Piecemakers would like to donate a quilted item for the auction and/or for the family and let Melissa know.
- Other
Binders Needed for Laurie and Pastor Donnita
ACTION ITEM – TERRI – Ask Caitlin to Print copies and assemble binders for Laurie Brandenburg and Pastor Donnita. Provide copy of binder if needed.
- Closing Prayer
Donnita led us in prayer to close the meeting
VII. Adjournment
Motion to Adjourn made by Terri, seconded by Laurie. Motion accepted
Next council meeting—June 13, 2023 6pm Pastor Donnita’s