Trinity Lutheran Church Minutes

Tuesday August 12, 2025

6:00pm

Shalom Room

 

  1. Call to Order/Attendance – Terri, Laurie, Elaine, Kim, Beth, and Kendra. Meeting commenced at 6:01pm.

 

  1. Devotion and prayer led by Terri

Next Meeting – Kendra

 

  • Administration
  1. Approve Minutes – Approve minutes of last meeting. Kim motioned, Beth seconded to approve the July 8, 2025, minutes.  Passed unanimously.

 

  1. Treasurer’s Report – Approve the treasurer’s report for July. Laurie motioned, Kendra seconded to approve the report. Passed unanimously.

 

  1. Previous Business
  2. Pastor Milestone Anniversaries
  • Pastor Donnita 35 years          08/15/25         Celebrating 9/7/25
  • Pastor Pries 50 years          09/21/25         Send Card

 

  1. Governance for Small Congregations workshop – Terri
  • Designed for congregations with <50 active members. Exploring how our congregation can effectively use the ELCA Model Constitution and adapt it to fit our unique context.
  • Tuesday 8/26/25 10am-1pm Synod Office-Iowa City. Light lunch provided
  • Attending: Terri Peck, Sally Kruse
  • Possibly attending, need to register by 8/22: Kim Chapman, Beth Ahrens

 

  1. New Business
  2. New ELCA Presiding Bishop elected – Terri
  • Yehiel Curry elected Presiding Bishop of the ELCA last week. Effective 11/1/25
  • Began his spiritual journey as a Syntonically Authorized Minister prior to attending

Seminary.

 

  1. Finance Committee Recommendations – Laurie
  • Recommendation to streamline bank accounts currently used.
  • Close Endowment Checking Account, Vision Fund, Capital Improvement and WELCA.

$5,714.55

Terri made a motion to close the accounts discussed and use the funds towards the doors and any other expenses.  Kim seconded the motion.  Passed unanimously.

 

  1. Property Committee – upcoming expenses
  • Fellowship Hall exterior Door/frame replacement ($5,000 bid)
  • Repair of Fellowship Hall front door and Church entrance door thresholds
  • 20-foot A-frame or stepladder needed to replace lights. Approximately $1,000.00

Laurie made a motion to approve the purchase of the ladder under $2,000.00. Kim seconded the motion.  Passed unanimously.

 

  1. SAM Updates – Laurie

Worship Schedule through 12/31/25

Sep 7         Celebration Sunday – Deb will lead service

Oct 26        Reformation Sunday. Possible Confirmation Sunday. Deb will preach

Nov 2         All Saints Sunday – Deb will lead service

Dec 24       Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 4:30. Deb will lead, Charline & Laurie assist

Dec 25       No Christmas Day service

Dec 28       Prerecorded service available from the Synod office. Laurie will preach. Possible

additional Christmas Hymns. The recorded service typically does not include communion.

 

  1. Celebration Sunday – September 7, 2025 at 10am – Laurie
  • Celebrating: Trinity’s 171st anniversary, Trinity WELCA’s 150th anniversary

and Pastor Donnita’s 35th ordination anniversary

  • Potluck Lunch to follow: We’d provide meat/cheese trays, buns & cake. Congregation to bring sides/salads.
  • Would like to send postcards to members and past members.
  • Our Hands Our Service Sunday but we are going to do that later.
  • Brenda is going to take Sally’s place on the ministerial association.

 

  1. Committee Updates

 

  1. Education             Beth     August 6th, VBS we will host next year, Sunday school

Wednesday night 6-7, Holy Moly and a small meal afterwards.  Confirmation Classes.

 

Laurie made a motion to use the Faith Formation budget for Bible Explorers and then use the Youth account if needed to pay for meals.  Beth Seconded the motion. Passed unanimously.

  1. Worship & Tech             Kim
  2. Property             Laurie
  3. Stewardship Kendra
  4. Evangelism Kendra
  5. Human Resources Terri
  6. Hospitality Janel
  7. Finance             Laurie

 

Working Groups

 

  1. GRACE             Janel
  2. Backpack Buddies Janel
  3. Memorial             Janel
  4. Trinity’s Promise             Terri
  5. Vision to Action             Terri    MSP has been submitted to Synod for review.  Pastor

Carrie is rewriting her letter of recommendation.

 

  1. Other

 

  1. Closing Prayer – Laurie shared a devotional from Mornings with Jesus

C.A.L.M.  – Christ Always Loves Me

 

Prayers For:

  • White Family

 

A New Pastor: 

Dear Lord, we read in the Eleventh chapter of Mark, verse 24 that we should pray believing we have already received, so the leadership team of this church humbly comes to you with grateful hearts for your guidance pairing us with a strong, dedicated leader that will continue to strengthen our faith, grow our congregation and share your love with others. AMEN

 

  • Adjournment – Motion by Laurie to adjourn the meeting; second made by Beth. Motion passed.

7:20 pm.