Trinity Lutheran Church, Grove City, MN Church Council Minutes Tuesday, May 13th, 2025 @ 6:30 pm

CALL TO ORDER – Meeting was called to order at 6:35 by Willis Chase, Vice-President
Members present:  Sonia Liedman, Pastor Donna Putney, Kyle Larsen, Pam Bagley, Chris Slinden
Not present:  Jake Boonstra, Joe Jans, Missy Bergstrom
Faithful Innovations
APPROVAL OF AGENDA

1. Reports
   1. Secretary - Joe Jans
      1. Minutes from April 8th, 2025 (change date for May council meeting) motion made by Kyle Larsen to approve the minutes and was seconded by Chris Slinden. Motion carried with the date change from May 12 to May13.
   2. Treasure - Sonia Liedman:  We have spent $200 less than our giving as of the end of April.  We took in $1200 for the Backpack Blessing program.  A motion was made by Chris Slinden and seconded by Kyle Larsen to approve the Treasurer’s report. Motion carried.
   3. Pastor’s Report:  Synod Assembly June 6 & 7.  I will be attending in-person with Becky Vann and Jeff Niedenthal.  I am asking the Council to establish a discretionary fund of $200 for people calling the church in a time off need.  There have been two requests in the past six months. Pastor Donna will approach the Endowment Committee for funds.  Pastor Donna would like to meet with each cemetery board or the head of the board to understand requirements and fees for each of the three cemeteries that are part of Trinity.  I want this information so when a funeral home is not involved, I have accurate information to share with the family, including costs.  Bible distribution for the youth and First Communion will be the Sunday after Easter in the future.  After some discussion it was decided the sign on the main door should only have our office hours and church phone number.  

 

1. Committee Reports
   1. Christian Education and Youth – Willis:  Potato Bake…Prep for this on Saturday, May 17th @ 9:00 am Potato Bar will be on Sunday, May 18th after worship…free will offering is going to the Omaha Mission Trip, VBS has not been scheduled, Adult Ed is done for the summer months as well as confirmation and Sunday School.
   2. Organizations & Activities (Fellowship – Jake) No report
      1. Coffee Money – August through December:  need to decide at June meeting
      2. May COOP Service in the Park – Memorial Weekend, sign-up sheet to setup for the service in the park, Kyle will make Jake aware of what needs to be done.
   3. Finance & Stewardship – Sonia No report
   4. Missions & Outreach Ministry – Chris Upcoming meeting to plan the Mission BBQ to be sometime in August on a Tuesday evening.
   5. Personnel – Joe    N/A
      1. Annual Reviews – Janitors; Becky, church secretary, has requested a meeting with the Personnel Committee 
   6. Sunday morning Accompanist, Worship, Music & Arts - Pam The committee reviewed all of the past services in Lent and Easter; wear red for Pentecost on June 8; Java for Jesus June 24; send-off July 13 for Mission Trip…Worship at 9:00 am and Fellowship at 10:00 am; Length of worship was discussed. Minor changes to the worship service are being made to keep the service to one hour (cross your fingers).
   7. Properties - Kyle
      1. Church Roof in progress
      2. Balcony railing for now signs are posted to stop people from leaning on the railing
      3. Pouring concrete for a parking spot by the back kitchen door and the garbage dumpster…Pastor Donna will call Czycalla Concrete for an estimate, Kyle would like to have members do the labor to save on costs
      4. Need to work on the flower area by the light pole…what should go in that space?  Thinking of planting perennials and other mostly carefree plants; thinking of placing a metal cross in this garden
      5. Pastor Donna asked about a three-five year plan on projects that need to be completed so congregation is aware of future financial needs on capital projects
2. Endowment Committee:  Pastor Donna will ask for funds ($200) for a pastor’s discretionary fund; Chris will invite this committee to report to the Council in June…Chris will invite Richard Larson to the June Council meeting
3. COOP News Summer Services on track

 

1. Old Business
   1. Council Member Retreat – Date, Location, Agenda:  Put on hold until 2026…Pastor Donna will plan a retreat for February 2026

 

1. New Business
   1. Worship/Music Committee Fund – Paschal candle, new tables for church services:  Pastor Donna wants checked into pricing and refillable candles cost between $450-$1200.  AS for now, Pastor Donna will have Becky order a wax candle.
   2. Craig requested permission to move piano so he can see people better:  Yes, if the people can walk past during communion. 
   3. Windmill Days:  Chris will call her on May 14 for more details.    
   4. Church Use Form that Becky created:  First Draft Council members will bring ideas in June for possible changes to this document
   5. Offering Amount for Synod Assembly:  Our tithe for the Synod Assembly will be $150.  Motion was made by Kyle Larsen and seconded by Chris Slinden. Motion carried.

 

1. Adjournment & Lord’s Prayer:  Motion to adjourn at 9:10 pm was made by Sonia Liedman and seconded by Pam Bagley.  Pastor Donna ended the evening with a prayer. 
   1. Next Meeting: Tuesday, June 10th, 2025 @ 6:30 pm
   2. June Council Assistant – Joe Jans

 
                 **Minutes approved at Regular Church Council Meeting – June 10, 2025**
 
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