Trinity Lutheran Church, Grove City, MN Church Council Minutes Tuesday, September 10th, 2024 @ 6:30 pm

CALL TO ORDER 6:36 pm—Melissa Bergstrom, President 6:36 pm
Members Present: Kyle Larsen, Jake Boonstra, Pam Bagley, Missy Bergstrom, Willis Chase,
Pastor Donna Putney, Chris Slinden
Members Absent:  Joe Jans, Sonia Liedman
FAITHFUL INNOVATIONS were shared by Willis, Missy, Pam, Kyle, Chris
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:  Motion: Chris Slinden Second: Jake Boonstra

1. Reports
   1. Secretary—Joe Jans
      1. Minutes from August 13th, 2024 Motion to approve: Willis Chase, Second: Pam Bagley, Motion carried

With two changes:  Missy will be adding a paragraph about the approval of Pastor Donna’s recommendation from the call committee; Blessing of the Animals October 13, not October 6

1. Treasurer—Sonia Liedman No Report
2. Pastor’s Report: 
3.   A letter is being sent out to families pertaining to confirmation expectations and requirements.  Parents and confirmands will each receive a letter.  There will be a confirmation meeting on September 25, 2024.  We will have a meal at 5:45 followed by a 45-minute meeting.

This year we will focus on the Old Testament.  The schedule has been created for this program year.  I am looking at combining three curriculums.

• :  On September 21, I have the honor to baptize nine family members ages 4-70.  
• : I was also blessed to be asked to officiate a member of Trinity on July 21, 2024.  It was the wedding of Kristi Maahs and Kyle Koellen.
• :  1436 miles from January 1 - September 10, 2024; The Council has requested that mileage is turned in quarterly.

Crow River Conference will be meeting the second Tuesday of each month at a different location.
Middle School Youth Gathering is November 22-23 in Willmar.
Registration information 
Oct. 1st – Oct. 15th Early Bird Registration, $90 per person.
Oct. 15th – Oct. 21st Registration continues, $95 per person.
 
Vacation Dates:  October 14-21 & November 4-18.  Pastor Erika Buller will be here on Sunday October 20, November 10, and November 17.
 

1. Committee Reports
   1. Christian Education and Youth—Willis $354 toward 2025 mission trip

 Meeting at Peace Lutheran on September 15, 2024, to find out where we will be going for the mission trip
Rally Sunday is October 6, 2024

1. Organizations & Activities (Fellowship)—Jake

No Report

1. Finance & Stewardship—Sonia

No Report

1. Missions & Outreach Ministry— Chris
   1. Mission Barbeque 245-255 people attended; $5032 will be given to Grove City Fire & Rescue
   2. Monies from Spaghetti Dinner (God’s Work. Our Hands.) $354 to 2025 Mission Trip
2. Personnel— Joe
   1. Annual Reviews:  No discussion
   2. Sunday morning Accompanist: Missy is having conversation with one of our current accompanists about being a permanent employee at Trinity.  Concerned about finding an accompanist for Christmas Eve.  Missy will continue to search for someone.  Council had conversation about can the budget afford a permanent accompanist.
3. Worship, Music, & Arts— Pam

Installation Sunday is September 29, 2024
All Saints Sunday is November 3, 2024

1. Properties— Kyle
   1. Fundraiser – Parsonage Repairs: Need to continue to raise funds.
   2. Parsonage – renting:  We have one rental application under consideration. Kyle will check their reference.
   3. Church Roof – have not purchased shingles
   4. Balcony railing – Kyle is working on the pieces needed to reattach the ends of the railing to the wall
2. Endowment Committee:  No report
3. COOP News:  September 22, 2024, Beer & Hymns at Shaggy’s 4:30-7:00

God’s Work, Our Hands.  Successful day of packing food for children who risk being without nutritional meals.
 

1. Old Business
   1. Membership List

Allan Knutson went through a list of names and marked off members who have not been present in over three years (to his knowledge).  Missy continues to document on a spreadsheet who has participated in communion.
 

1. Livestreaming Services:  Pastor Donna’s daughter or husband are setting up the livestream computer on Sunday mornings.  Many of our services are available on Trinity Lutheran’s YouTube page or on Facebook.

 

1. Monthly Newsletter:  Consider Mailchimp which is an online alternative to paper newsletters…weekly news instead of monthly…Council decided to move toward paperless weekly communication and stop sending out a monthly newsletter

 

1. New Business
   1. Garden Area on west side of parking lot:  When there is a cleanup day, a request has been made to clean this flower garden and do some trimming. 

 

1. Executive Session

 

1. Adjournment & Lord’s Prayer:  Motion was made by Chris Slinden and seconded by Jake Boonstra to adjourn
   1. Next Meeting: Tuesday, October 8th, 2024 @ 6:30
   2. October Council Assistant – Pam Bagley

 
Submitted by Pastor Donna Putney
 
       **Minutes approved on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 - Regular Trinity Council Meeting**
 
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