Present: Greg Jans, Sonia Liedman, Dave Martin, Janelle Johnson, Gabby Swisher, Willis Chase, Pastor Megan Preston.
 
Greg called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm.
Devotions: Gabby Swisher read the 91st Psalm.
 
Agenda approved as presented.
 
Reports: Secretary’s
Minutes from the May 14th, 2020 meeting and the May 27th, 2020 Special Church Council meeting were reviewed and a motion to approve both was made by Sonia and seconded by Willis. Motion carried.
 
Treasurer’s:
A motion to approve was made by Dave and seconded by Gabby. Motion carried.
 
Pastor’s:
Online worship on Facebook and with the Litchfield area churches on KLFD is going well and Trinity’s first drive up service was successful. Plans for the next drive up service on June 14th will honor our graduates with quilts. A picture of each graduate and their future plans will be mailed to the congregation members. Mailings are being sent to our Sunday school children every week, as well, and include activities and readings for them to do. Green Lake ministries has cancelled all summer activities for 2020 and the annual quilt auction will be an online only event this year.
Pastor Megan will be on vacation July 27th through August 10th.
 
Committee Reports:
Christian Education and Youth: N/A
Organizations and Activities: N/A
Finance and Stewardship: N/A
Missions and Outreach: N/A
Personnel: N/A
Worship and Music: N/A
Properties: N/A
Others: N/A
 
Old Business:
Membership records- on going
Qualified charitable contributions- flyer sent to members with information
Emergency Plan- on hold for now
Painting the alter- still planned for this summer
 
New Business:
Worship Plan- June 14th honor graduates at drive up service, June 21st will be a drive-up service as well. Special thanks to the volunteers who are helping coordinate the drive-up services.
 
A motion for Sonia to purchase a new I-Pad for the church was made and so moved by Janelle and seconded by Willis. Motion carried.
 
Executive session:
 
Greg adjourned the meeting at 8:04 pm and we closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
 
Janelle Johnson, Secretary
Next meeting: July 9th, 2020
July Council Assistant: Dave Martin
 
                          **Minutes approved on July 9, 2020 Regular Council Meeting**
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Present via zoom: Pastor Megan Preston, Sonia Liedman, Richard Larson, Greg Jans, Willis Chase, Janelle Johnson, Jeff Niedenthal.
 
Greg called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm.
Devotions: Pastor Megan, Question? Where have you seen or felt or experienced God in these last two months?
 
Add to agenda, tentative plans to worship again, what we need to do.
Motion for approval of agenda, as amended, by Richard, seconded by Willis, motion carried.
 
Reports: Secretary’s
Minutes from the April 16th, 2020 meeting were reviewed and a motion to approve was made by Jeff and seconded by Sonia. Motion carried.
 
Treasurer’s:
PPP loan was applied for at Grove City Bank with the help of Doug Adams. Trinity was approved for a $22,000.00 loan that will cover 2 months of expenses. If 75% is used for payroll and 25% for utilities the loan turns into a grant and any unused monies will be returned. Our reporting will consist of providing W-2’s for the first months and providing payroll records.
A move to approve the treasurer’s report as presented was made by Willis and seconded by Richard. Motion carried.
 
Pastor’s:
Online worship on Facebook and with Litchfield area churches on KLFD through the end of May for sure. Calling people, sending cards and zoom calls with colleagues to stay in touch and provide support and ideas are ongoing. The Holden Village trip this summer has been postponed. After conversation with Jenna and Ashley, there will be no VBS this year. At this time, Green Lake will not be having summer camp the month of June. A July start is a possibility. Communion Liturgy will be used starting May 17th. Home communion liturgy has been sent to members homes.
 
Committee Reports:
Christian Education and Youth: N/A
Organizations and Activities: N/A
Finance and Stewardship: N/A
Mission and Outreach: World Hunger Appeal, Mission Barbecue still a possibility in August.
Personnel: N/A
Worship and Music: N/A
Properties: Elevator inspection
Others: N/A
 
Old Business:
Membership Records- Becky is watching videos and training on the ICON system.
Qualified Charitable Distributions- Richard will work with Pastor Megan to print and edit a flyer to be sent to members. A motion was made by Willis and seconded by Sonia to approve this. Motion carried.
Emergency Plan- on hold for now
Painting Altar- Brian Weseman will paint this summer.
 
New Business:
Gifts of Grace- Southwest MN Synod fund grants, matched by Lilly Foundation, to help with retirement savings initiatives through the Synod and education debt for pastors. Synod webinars for guidance to church presidents and other committee members are available.
Worship Plan - Thoughts on how to create worship gatherings while maintaining social distancing.
 
Executive Session:
 
Greg adjourned the meeting at 7:48 pm and we closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
 
Janelle Johnson, Secretary
Next meeting: June 11th, 2020
June Council Assistant: Gabby Swisher
 
Special Church Council Meeting- May 27th, 2020, 7:00 pm.
Present via zoom: Pastor Megan Preston, Richard Larson, Janelle Johnson, Gabby Swisher, Willis Chase, Greg Jans, Sonia Liedman, Jeff Niedenthal.
 
Information update mailing to be sent.
Pastor Megan leads in prayer.
 
List of individual priorities in terms of worship.

1. Communion service
2. Fellowship
3. Safety
4. Worship is meaningful, accessible and fun
5. Reasonable expectations
6. Mitigate risk

What is allowed at present is 25% capacity or less. Trinity would max at approximately 75 people for in person worship.
After discussion it was decided that Trinity would have a drive-up service in the church parking lot on June 7th at 10:00am with Holy communion. Additional services to be decided as we go.
 
Meeting adjourned at 7:35pm
 
Janelle Johnson, Secretary
 
 **Minutes approved on June 11, 2020 Regular Council Meeting**
 
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Present via zoom: Pastor Megan Preston, Janelle Johnson, Gabby Swisher, Greg Jans, Richard Larson, Willis Chase, Jeff Niedenthal
 
Greg called the meeting to order at 7:08 pm
Devotions: Pastor Megan, Question? Phrase or words to describe how you’re feeling and what your week is like. Read Psalm 46
 
Approval of Agenda
 
Reports: Secretary’s
Minutes from the March 12th, 2020 meeting were reviewed and a motion to approve was made by Jeff and seconded by Richard. Motion carried.
 
Treasurer’s:
March offerings down 30% compared to March 2019. Expected as long as we are under state restrictions on gatherings. Analysis of direct deposit/electronic giving is consistently averaging about $2550.00 per month. Monthly expenses are about $14,268.00.
I’m preparing the paperwork to apply for a Payroll Protection Program loan that is part of the COVID-19 Stimulus package. Please take a couple minutes to read the following e-mail and watch the video on the PPP program that was prepared by the ELCA. Our current payroll obligations are about $8,800/month for salaries and benefits. We should qualify for a loan of $18,800 to help us bridge the next couple of months. If 75% of the loan is used for payroll, the loan will be completely forgiven- we would not have any problem meeting this requirement.
Greg will take the deposit to the bank during Virginia’s absence.
Treasurer’s report motion to approve by Willis and seconded by Jeff. Motion carried.
 
Church council President Greg Jans made a motion to let Sonia, Church Council Treasurer, apply for the SBA Payroll Protection Loan, through First State Bank of Grove City. So moved by Richard and seconded by Jeff. Motion carried.
 
Pastor’s:
Online Worship on Facebook and with Litchfield area churches on KLFD.
Mailings with activities being sent to Sunday School students and others along with Holy Week Devotional materials.
Calling shut-ins. Will visit with Trinity Visitors to enlist them to call as well.
 
Committee Reports:
 
Christian Education and Youth: Looking to plan a year end bash as soon as allowed.
Organizations and Activities: N/A
Finance and Stewardship: A motion was made by Jeff and seconded by Richard to give the Lenten soup and sandwich dollars to the Backpack program. Motion carried.
Mission and Outreach: Two people have applied for and received grants from the Trinity Scholarship Fund. Others have applied, but haven’t completed the necessary paperwork as of April 4th.
Personnel: Still paying Mary salary for choir.
Worship, Music, and Arts: Palm Sunday Cantata and monologues will still be done, as allowed, sometime in the future.
 
Properties: Stained glass windows and flashing have been repaired as quoted. The screens were too damaged to be repaired and have been disposed of. Quotes have been received on shingles as well as metal for the main church structure. To be discussed more in the future. The parsonage soffits are still being looked at. The valley vents look ok.
 
Old a Business:
Qualified charitable contributions
 
New Business:
Celebration of some sort after restrictions are eased.
 
Executive Session:
 
Greg adjourned the meeting at 8:00 pm and we closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
 
Janelle Johnson, Secretary
Next meeting: May 14th, 2020
May Council Assistant: Youth
  
**Minutes approved on May 14, 2020 Regular Council Meeting**
  
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Present: Greg Jans, Dave Martin, Willis Chase, Janelle Johnson, Pastor Megan Preston, Jeff Niedenthal.
 
Greg called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm
Devotions: Pastor Megan- Lenten devotional material
 
2020 Goals: To be determined
 
Move to add, COVID-19 Discussion and Windmill Days to the agenda
A motion to approve the agenda, as amended, by Willis and seconded by Dave. Motion carried.
 
Reports: Secretary’s
Minutes from the February 20th, 2020 meeting were reviewed and a motion to approve was made by Dave and seconded by Willis. Motion carried.
 
Treasurer’s:
We’re in great shape financially again this month.
Sonia included in her notes that both liability and worker’s compensation insurances are now paid monthly on an autopay schedule. The parsonage’s landline telephone service will be cancelled effective March 23rd, resulting in $50.00 per month savings. Church internet service has been upgraded to 40MB. 2021 envelope boxes will be ordered soon. Ordering 110 boxes for a total cost of $380.00. Church checking account checks will also be ordered.
 
Pastor’s:
Pretty typical month of ongoing Lenten activities and preparing for Easter.
Pastor Megan will be away the weekend of April 24th-27th.
 
Committee Reports:
 
Christian Education and Youth: N/A
 
Organizations & Activities: Lenten soup and sandwich meals are all planned. Remind people to sign-up to be Sunday morning coffee servers.
 
Finance and Stewardship: N/A
 
Missions and Outreach: Backpacks ready to go.
 
Worship, Music and Arts: Summary of notes from March 3rd, Worship committee meeting. March communion dates: 3/1 and 3/15. April communion dates: 4/5, 4/9 (Maundy Thurs), 4/12 (Easter 2 services) and 4/19. May communion dates: 5/3, 5/17 and 5/31 (Pentecost)
Honor Graduates on Sunday, May 3rd.
Sunday, May 24th, worship time changes to 9:30 am and coffee at 10:30 am.
 
Properties:
The altar will be painted this summer.
 
Other Committees: N/A
 
Old Business:
Updating membership records-Sonia and Pastor Megan met on February 28th. The church directory seems to be the most up to date resource
Qualified charitable distributions-Richard
Emergency Plan- Committee members meeting with Stephanie Johnson, Meeker county emergency planner, on Monday March 16th.
Painting the altar and window in sacristy- summer
Regional gift planner- Jeff follow-up for response
Parsonage landline-disconnected
Parsonage soffits- still in progress.
Church picnic- community wide?, perhaps combine with National community night out.
Lucas Machine- Donation check sent. Trinity has prepared a matching funds challenge letter to be sent to the other area churches. A motion was made by Dave and seconded by Jeff to send this letter. Motion carried.
 
New Business:
COVID-19- Discuss plan with Stephanie Johnson at planned March 16th meeting. Also, read over the example of American Lutheran Church of Worthington Health Plan in regards to this issue.
Windmill Days-a motion was made by Jeff and Seconded by Willis to give a $50.00 donation to the Windmill days event. Motion carried.
 
Executive Session:
 
Greg adjourned the meeting at 8:06 pm and we closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
 
Janelle Johnson, Secretary
Next meeting: Thursday May 14th, 2020. No April meeting planned.
April Council assistant: Youth
 
 **Minutes approved on April 16, 2020 Regular Council Meeting**
  
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    Trinity Lutheran Church-Regular Church               Council Meeting-February 20th, 2020 
Present: Greg Jans, Gabby Swisher, Janelle Johnson, Sonia Liedman, Jeff Niedenthal, Dave Martin, Willis Chase, Pastor Megan Preston.
 
Greg called the meeting to order at 7:04 pm
No devotions
 
Organizational meeting:
Executive Committee Positions:
President: Greg Jans, Vice President: Richard Larson, Treasurer: Sonia Liedman, Secretary: Janelle Johnson
 
Committee Liaisons:
Christian Education and Youth: Gabby Swisher
Properties: Greg Jans
Organizations and Activities: Janelle Johnson and Dave Martin
Finance and Stewardship: Sonia Liedman
Mission and Outreach: Richard Larson
Personnel: Jeff Niedenthal
Worship, Music, Arts: Willis Chase
 
Monthly Council Assistants:
March, April, May: Confirmation and Youth, June: Gabby Swisher, July: Dave Martin, August: Janelle Johnson, September: Sonia Liedman, October: Jeff Niedenthal, November: Richard Larson, December: Willis Chase, January 2021: Greg Jans,
February 2021: GabbySwisher.
 
A motion to approve as presented was given by Dave and seconded by Willis. Motion carried.
 
Additions to the agenda as presented: Lucas Device to new business. Agenda approved.
 
Reports: Secretary’s
Minutes from the January 9th, 2020 meeting were reviewed and a motion to approve was made by Dave and seconded by Gabby. Motion carried.
Minutes from the annual meeting were reviewed and a motion to approve was made by Sonia and seconded by Willis. Motion carried.
 
Treasurer’s:
Our regular envelope offering was almost double our expected amount in January! We’re off to a good start. Last year we received $20,000.00 in prepaid 2021 contributions. Those have been moved into the savings account and identified as a 2021 liability on the books.
We have changed insurance companies and will be paying our premiums on a monthly basis via auto-pay
The money raised from the Mission Auction was $3647.00 and it was sent to the Synod.
The Sunday School will be giving some money to the backpack program.
Checking on interest rates on CD’s versus money market account.
After a review of the financial statements and graphs a move to approve the treasurer’s report was made by Willis and Seconded by Gabby. Motion carried.
 
Pastor’s:
Pastor Megan commented on Worship services and visits she has been making. She was covering for Pastor Mindy, while Mindy was on vacation, on a need to basis. She completed her 3 Years of new pastor required meetings and helped with the planning for upcoming new pastors. She attended a group meeting where the conversation was on child care in Meeker county and what can be done to increase the availability of childcare providers. More on this subject to come.
Over 20 kids and their parents attended the gathering at the Amaze n Farmyard in February. Great time!
Pastor Megan is preparing for Lent and Easter.
Pastor Megan will be the on-site minister at Green Lake Bible camp in June for a week.
 
Committee Reports:
Christian Education and Youth: Sunday School back in full swing after Christmas break.
 
Organizations & Activities: Planning Lenten soup and sandwich suppers
 
Finance & Stewardship: N/A
 
Missions & Outreach Ministry: Dennis Brown is coordinating the Backpack Program for March. Donations have been good
 
Personnel: N/A
 
Worship, Music, & Arts: Make own Liturgy during Lent and Easter season. A motion was made by Willis and seconded by Janelle to give approval to the Worship committee to purchase a new eternal worship light for the sanctuary. Motion carried.
The graduates will be honored during worship on May 8th, 2020.
 
Properties: N/A
 
Other committees: N/A
 
Old Business:
Updating Membership Records- committee meeting to be held Friday, February 28th
Qualified charitable distributions- Richard
Council committee members reports- done
Council Retreat-Saturday, February 22nd 8:30 -3:00
Emergency Plan- Dave to contact committee to meet
Painting altar-Willis to make new finial, Greg to contact Brian Weseman about painting.
 
New Business:
Regional Gift Planner-Jeff
Parsonage Landline phone- no longer needed
Parsonage soffits- 201 Building to check leaks
Tables of 8- discussion of trying something new this year, possibly a picnic
Lucas Device-The Grove City rescue squad is looking to purchase a Lucas Device which aids in resuscitation during cardiac arrest. They approached the church for a possible donation, as this equipment is quite expensive. A motion was made by Dave and seconded by Willis to use the remainder of our Thrivent grant dollars in the amount of $718.30 for this donation. Motion carried.
 
Executive Session:
 
Greg adjourned the meeting at 8:37 pm and we closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
 
Janelle Johnson, Secretary
Next meeting date is March 12th, 2020
March Council assistant: Confirmation Youth

**Minutes approved on March 12th, 2020 Regular Council Meeting**
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