November 8, 2018 Regular Council Minutes

                                                              TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH
                                          REGULAR CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING – Nov. 8, 2018
 
Present:  Pastor Megan Preston, Greg Jans,  Dennis Brown, Mardelle Crist, Brian Weseman,  Jeff Niedenthal, Randa Larsen, Sonia Liedman,  Richard Larson, and Sharon Smith. 
 
Greg called the meeting to order at 7:02. 
 

1. Reports:  Secretary
   1. Minutes of the Oct. 11 meeting were reviewed, and a correction was suggested.  With that, Mardelle moved to approve, seconded by Jeff.  Motion carried.
   2. Treasurer

Sonia reported that we are very much in the black.  Two large payments will soon be made, but it will not be a problem.  Detailed reports had been sent to the council earlier.  Sharon moved to approve, seconded by Brian.  Motion carried. 

1. Pastor

Pastor Megan spent a week ‘up north’ doing Continuing Education reading.  Recent worship featured a hymn sing of the top hymns in our favorites contest.  Confirmation Sunday went well, as did our All Saints Sunday, with four saints remembered.  A new stewardship group has been formed; preparations for Advent are underway.  Pastor will attend a Boundaries Training session, required by the Synod.  Trinity will host a Crow River Conference meeting on Nov. 13.  Pastor Megan also passed along information from our church secretary, to let us know that the copy machine has been serviced, and that the duplicator has been cleaned, but has no service contract.  Becky will not have a wall calendar up in her office for 2019. 

1. Committee Reports:
   1. Christian Education and Youth – the Sunday School Christmas program will be Dec. 16 during worship.  Christmas Child gift box packing party will be Nov. 18.
   2. Church Properties – Brian was happy to say that the painting project is done; however, there was some damage caused by the heavy machinery.  Brian took care of the sidewalk, where it was broken, and the ruts in the grass will be filled.  He’ll take care of the chip in one of the fellowship hall windows.  Furniture is now installed at Frank’s Place.
   3. Organizations and Activities – Mardelle began her report with a question:  who should receive the funds from Advent suppers?  Jeff moved that they go to the Holiday Project (part of Community Action).  Dennis seconded the motion, and it passed.   Council will help serve the first Advent supper on Dec. 5.  Melissa Bergstrom will organize the Thanksgiving Eve pie event.  Mardelle asked for help serving coffee and lunch for with the Crow River Conference meeting Nov. 13. 
   4. Finance and Stewardship – On Consecration Sunday, Dec. 9, there will be a catered dinner after worship – estimated cost is $750.00.  All guests will be asked to r.s.v.p. to make appropriate plans for food.  There also will be several mailings in conjunction with the stewardship effort that will cost around $300.00.  Sonia moved to approve a budget for the stewardship program of up to $1,100.00.  This was seconded by Dennis, and the motion passed.  The result of the stewardship effort could be up to a 20% increase in giving. 
   5. Missions and Outreach – Dennis is working with Sonia on a Holiday Project, which sponsors families in need.  Gifts are furnished for the children of the participating families; cash donations go to families not sponsored.  Brian suggested trying to sponsor 15 kids, 3 more than last year’s 12.  The council thought we should give it a try.
   6. Personnel – no report.
   7. Worship, Music and Arts – Randa said that the Thanksgiving Eve service will be at 5:30 in the fellowship hall.  There will be three Advent services, beginning Dec. 5, using Holden Evening Prayer.  Each service will include a story from someone sharing a Christmas memory.  Children will be involved through the telling of stories about the Christmas story, using a nativity set for props.  On Christmas Eve, the service will be at 4:30.  On Dec. 30, the service will be lessons and carols, and it will be a lay service.  Poinsettias will be ordered for Christmas Eve. 

1. Old Business - 
   • Frank’s Place is now furnished.  A TV and a sound bar are still needed.
   • Steeple painting is done.  Flashing repair was done for free in exchange for the broken sidewalk.
   • Preparing for an Active Shooting Incident – Pastor Megan has looked into it and will bring up details at the Nov. 14 text study.  A church in St. Cloud has done a lot of research into the issue.
   • Church Fire Alarm System – no answers yet, but looking into it.  A Mr. Cordes in Hutchinson thinks it can be done wirelessly.
   • AED Training – Dewey and Renee Zaeska signed up for on-line training; the in-person class is full.
   • Wednesday night services – Pastor Megan reviewed results with the Worship committee.  Attendance has dropped off significantly.  It may work better during the summer months.  Discussion.
   • Gutter covers – these have been ordered for the back of the church.
   • Change worship time during school  year? – Randa moved to change the fellowship time to 9:30, with worship at 10:00.  Brian seconded the motion.  Motion carried.  Trial period will be January through May.  The sign out front of the church will need to be updated, as will the church telephone recording. 
   • Gideons are scheduled to present their talk at worship Feb. 3.
   • TV cart for Sunday School and fellowship hall – still in the works.
2. New Business –

1. Driver list for rides? – there was discussion as to what’s happening now, and how to create a list of drivers and of those needing rides.  Post online?  Sonia and Richard will do some checking into details.
2. Funeral Policy – there is a trend toward families not using a funeral home during funerals.  We referred to a check list used by Christ the King Church in Hutchinson.  We do need guidelines for the church office and also to help the families.    Pastor Megan, along with Mardelle, Jeff and Dennis will work on this. 

Executive Session – there was no executive session.
 
Adjournment and Lord’s Prayer – Greg adjourned the meeting at 8:32, and we closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
 
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Smith, Secretary
 
Next meeting is December 13, 2018
December Council Assistant is Melissa Bergstrom
 
** Minutes approved at Thursday, December 13, 2018 Regular meeting **
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