Trinity Lutheran Church-Regular Church Council Meeting-December 19th, 2019
Present: Greg Jans, Sonia Liedman, Jeff Niedenthal, Richard Larson, Brian Weseman, Gabby Swisher, Janelle Johnson, Pastor Megan Preston
 
Greg called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm
Devotions: Janelle Johnson
 
A motion to approve the agenda was given by Jeff and seconded by Brian. Motion carried.
 
1:1 Challenge-Should we consider opening our soup and sandwich suppers up to the public?
 
2019 Goals
1: Researching Local Hunger Needs-Challenges: Does Grove City have homelessness? Can more services be provided through Meeker Area Ministries?
2:Stream Worship Services
3:Youth and Family Ministry Position-search continues
 
Reports: Secretary’s
Minutes from the November 14th, 2019 meeting were reviewed and a motion to approve was made by Brian and seconded by Jeff. Motion carried.
 
Treasurer’s:
After reviewing the report, a motion to approve was made by Jeff and seconded by Brian. Motion carried.
 
Pastor’s:
Pastor Megan stated that there was good attendance for Advent services. She felt the banner that was colored by attendees during Advent services turned out well and was hung in the narthex for the holiday season. There was 1 Baptism in December. Pastor continues to train on the ICON information system and also training on the subject of combating Islamophobia. Pastor Megan will be on vacation December 25th through January 2nd. The annual meeting ballot is in the process of being completed.
 
Committee Reports:
Christian Education and Youth:
Sunday School Christmas program went well. Sunday school will resume on January 12th. It was suggested that we advertise for the Youth and Family Ministry position through the Synod website and also by using social media. There is $500.00 available to use in Sunday School.
 
Organizations and Activities:
There were 3 soup and sandwich suppers during Advent. All went well. Sign up sheets are available during coffee time before worship for future coffee serving times. Please sign up as able.
 
Finance: N/A
Mission and Outreach:
The Holiday Project was a success again this year. All tags were fulfilled. Planning is underway for the Mission Auction which will be after the annual meeting on January 26th.
 
Personnel: N/A
 
Worship, Music, Arts:
A nativity scene was donated by Gloria Lundin to the church. There will be a Global service planned after Easter.
 
Properties:
The furnace in the church has been fixed and so has the leak in the church roof. New Insurance quotes are being looked at and need to be decided on before the first of the year. There’s an interior window and wall that needs to be fixed and painted inside the Sacristy. There needs to be discussion about the need to address the issue of new shingles for the church.
 
Other committees:
Discussion on recent charitable mailings received by the church.
 
Old Business:
Updating Membership Records- aggressively tackle after the first of the year.
Long term maintenance of stained glass windows-Valley Construction bid amount is $4655.00. Discussion about the Building and Repair fund and the need for a stained glass window repair fundraiser.
Annual meeting date- set for January 26th
Cosmos learning center donations-completed
Qualified charitable giving distributions
 
A motion to approve the 2020 budget was made by Richard and seconded by Brian.
Motion carried.
 
New Business:
Council committee members
Council retreat- February 8th at Green Lake
February Council meeting- change to February 20th
 
Motion made by Jeff and seconded by Richard to give church employees a $300.00 year end bonus. Motion carried.
 
Executive Session:
 
Greg adjourned the meeting at 8:45pm and we closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
 
Janelle Johnson, Secretary
Next meeting date is January 9th, 2020
January Council Assistant: Greg Jans

**Approved Minutes at Council Meeting, January 9, 2020**

                              Trinity Lutheran Church - Regular Church Council Meeting -
                                                                 November 14th, 2019

Present:  Greg Jans, Jeff Niedenthal, Gabby Swisher, Sonia Liedman, Janelle Johnson, Richard Larson, Pastor Megan Preston, Dave Martin

Greg called the meeting to order at 7:04pm

Devotions:  Sonia Liedman

A motion to approve the agenda, with one item added to outreach, was given by Sonia and seconded by Janelle.  Motion carried

1:1 Challenge

2019 Goals
1:  Researching Local Hunger Needs- Complete
2:  Stream Worship Services- Need a more capable camera
3:  Youth and Family Ministry Position- search continues

Reports:  Secretary’s
Minutes from the October 10th, 2019 meeting were reviewed and a motion to approve was made by Richard and seconded by Jeff.  Motion carried.

Treasurer’s:
After reviewing the report, a motion to approve was made by Jeff and seconded by Dave. Motion carried.
Richard suggested we present a slide with tax info on charitable giving to the congregation.  It was also suggested we send a thank-you to Family Fare for the $1000.00 donation given for the receipt program.  The council agreed and Jeff offered to send the thank you.

Pastor’s:
Pastor Megan said October was a great month.  We had two Baptisms, Confirmation, All Saints Sunday, and bibles were given to our third graders.  We also had a potluck to welcome our new members as well as those attending our church regularly.  She is busy preparing the month of November for Thanksgiving and the start of Advent.  Pastor will be using continuing education time to familiarize herself with the ICON information system, which will used to update our membership rolls and for other purposes.  It was suggested by Dave, that we should send video copies of the All Saints Service to family members who could not attend the service where their loved ones were honored and remembered.  It was agreed that was a good idea.  Breakfast Club is back on and Jeff said 3-5 were attending.

Committee Reports:

Christian Education and Youth:
Sunday school is running smoothly with over 20 youth attending regularly and plans are underway for the Sunday School Christmas program.

Organizations and Activities:
Advent soup and suppers are planned as well as Thanksgiving eve pie during service.

Finance and Stewardship:  N/A

Mission and Outreach Ministry:
Mission Auction will be January 26th after the annual meeting.  There’s up to $500.00 to use from Thrivent Choice for people with immediate need.  A motion was made by Richard and seconded by Dave for use of these funds if needed.

Personnel:  N/A

Worship, Music, Arts:
Planned through the end of the year

​Properties:
Drywall is complete at the parsonage.  Follow-up is on going on a possible leak in the church roof.

Old Business:
Clean out storage rooms-completed!
Updating membership records-on going
Long term maintenance of stained glass windows-no estimate yet
Annual meeting date- January 26th, backup February 2nd
Cosmos learning center- donations almost complete

New Business:
Meeker County Holiday Project-items will be on the tree in church entry.
Church Council meeting for December will be moved to the 19th.

Executive Session:

Adjournment:

Greg adjourned the meeting at 7:59pm and we closed with the Lord’s Prayer.  Motion to adjourn Richard seconded by Dave.

Janelle Johnson, Secretary

Next meeting date is December 19th, 2019

​December Council Assistant: Janelle Johnson
 
**Minutes Approved December 19, 2019 Regular Council meeting**
 
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