Trinity Lutheran Church Council Minutes, June 9, 2026

The meeting was called to order at 6:00pm. Members in attendance: Terry Hein, Kendra VonMuenster, Laurie Brandenburg, Kim Chapman, Kim Pelzer, Beth Ahrens and church treasurer Elaine Moes. Kim Pelzer led us in devotion. Laurie Brandenburg will do next month’s devotion.

A motion was made by Terry and 2nd by Beth to accept the May minutes. MC A motion was made by Beth and 2nd by Kim C. to accept the Treasurer’s report. MC

Laurie will contact David Hein and Sara Martin requesting updated financial information for Trinity’s Promise Endowment Fund for the July Council meeting.

PREVIOUS BUSINESS

A. Flooring update: The flooring is completed. Material cost: $16,377.73 Labor cost: $10, 183.50 Total cost: $26,561.24 Costs will be divided by the general fund and memorial fund.

B. Bathroom update: Men and family bathroom toilets are installed and functioning. The women’s bathroom still needs replacement seals for 2 of the toilets. Mike Cook is working on these. Laurie will order a wall mounted baby changing station for the family bathroom.

C. Fellowship Hall chairs: Mike August has purchased two different chairs and will be ordering one more so we can decide which type to purchase.

D. Janitors Closet update: The sink has been replaced. There is still an issue with the drain, Gavin Patton will continue to work on it. Laurie has picked up paint from Spahn and Rose and Mike and Kay August will be painting the room this week before they leave for vacation.

E. Choir room: Paint has been chosen and Laurie will pick it up from Spahn and Rose in Tipton, and check to see if Trinity has an account there. It will be painted next week.

F. Entry door runners: Kim Pelzer has contacted the maintenance director at Tipton Schools to see what company they used for new runners. The ones at the school are very durable. She is waiting for a response.

G. Mailboxes: There is no need to keep the small wooden “mailboxes” that used to be in the Narthex or the wooden council member boxes. They will be offered to the congregation first, and if no one wants them, Kendra will sell them on Marketplace.

NEW BUSINESS

A. VBS: Spaces planned to be used for VBS are: Narthex, sanctuary, basement, choir room, shalom room, and fellowship hall. They will begin decorating by the end of June or beginning of July. The council has no restrictions for the decorations, as long as they are removable without damage to floors or paint. The choir room will be left as empty as possible until after VBS is done.

B. July council meeting change: The July Council meeting will be changed to July 21, 2026 at 6pm, due to VBS happening on the 14th.

C. Church Mutual Policy Updates: Council reviewed the new policy. The liability coverages remain the same. An anti-terrorist policy is an additional $1,500. Motion by Terry, 2nd by Beth to decline the anti-terrorist policy. Kendra will notify the insurance company.

D. Council Terms: Council needs to work on “evening out” the terms of current council. There are some years that 2-3 members go off and some years that 0 members go off.

E. SAM update: Ofelia Williams was baptized on May 17th by Deb Cook. Deb will be on vacation from June 22 – July 8. Laurie and Charline will handle any pastoral needs and will be doing the services those two Sundays while she is gone. The SAMS are planning to do a bible study that was introduced at the Synod Assembly. This will be held at 9am in September or October.

F. Committee updates: 1. Education: Senior Sunday was held June 7th with a reception to follow. Seniors are Joseph VonMuenster and Delaney Chambliss. VBS signup is underway and decorations are being made. 2. Worship & Tech: There were no issues with the sound system after moving it for the new flooring. Kory Hein is looking into new mats with the Trinity logo on them, to put under the chairs at the computer station to protect the new floor. 3. Hospitality: A reception was held for Senior Sunday. 4. Finance: The Finance Committee will meet July 12, 2026, after worship to discuss mid-year finances. Backup date is July 19, 2026. G. Working Groups: Vision to Action update: The group will meet with UCC and Pastor Dan Kukkuk on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 for updates from the synod and both congregations. Meeting closed with the Prayer for a New Pastor.

Adjourned by consensus at 7:27pm Submitted by: Laurie Brandenburg, secretary