Trinity Lutheran Church – Regular Church Council Minutes - January 10th 2023

Present: Dan Cannon, Jeff Niedenthal, Joe Jans, Kyle Larsen, Willis Chase, Pastor Megan Preston, Chris Slinden
CALL TO ORDER: Vice President Dan Cannon called meeting to order at 6:38pm
DEVOTION: Jeff Niedenthal shared a message he had read from Bishop Barron.  Explained 3 phases of seeing God’s work.  First was noticing, second was determining where it came from, third is declaring it to others.
FAITHFUL INNOVATIONS: Group has met with Faithful Innovation’s coach.  Next steps will be talking with Sunday School Coordinators, Confirmation class, and introduce to Sunday morning fellowship.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Add AA meeting to New Business. Motion made by Chris Slinden & seconded by Willis Chase to approve agenda.  Motion Carried.
REPORTS
SECRETARY: Motion made by Kyle Larsen & seconded by Jeff Niedenthal to redact proceeds from Holiday Express going to Meeker County Food Shelf, and to bank proceeds to future year expenses of Holiday Express.  Motion carried.
Motion made by Jeff Niedenthal, & seconded by Joe Jans to approve December 13th, 2022, minutes.  Motion carried.
TREASURY: Motion made by Kyle Larsen, seconded by Willis Chase to approve 2023 Budget.  Motion carried.
Introduce a 4-phase approach to better Trinity’s finances.  1- inform congregation, 2- promote electronic giving, 3- use Synod tools, 4- encourage attendance. 
Motion made by Kyle Larsen, seconded by Joe Jans to approve Treasury’s report.  Motion carried.
PASTOR: Working on ways to streamline things at Trinity, ex multi-use bulletins.  Pastor Megan encourages any ideas.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Christian Education and Youth:
            i.   Sunday School: Christmas Program went well even being on a later date.
            ii. Youth Coordinator: Exploring ways to advertise job opening.
            iii. Middle and High School Activities: Brainstorming ideas.
Organizations and Activities:
            i.  Coffee and Fellowship: No report.
            ii. Annual Meeting Potluck: Congregation has been informed to bring items.
            iii. Advent Soup & Sandwich: Discussion on whether to continue.  Was decided that was too valuable to do away with.  Need to enlist new and more volunteers.
            iii. Movie Night: December’s movie night was a success.  Will hold movie night on February 17th, 2023.
Finance and Stewardship:
i. Electronic Giving: Table to April.
Mission & Outreach Ministry:
            i. Project Hope Backpack Program: Will host month of April.  Planning has begun.
Personnel:
            i. Annual Reviews: Joe met with Janitors.
Worship, Music, and Arts:
 No Report.
Properties:
            i. Sanctuary Roof: Motion has passed with congregation. Will be proceeding.
            ii. Parsonage Chimney: Revisit in early Spring.
            iii. Parsonage Siding and Soffits:  Has been decided to hold off on project.
Endowment Committee:
            No report.
 
OLD BUSINESS
Estate Planning Workshop:  Will inform congregation at Annual Meeting.
Nominating Committee:  Looking for nominations for outgoing council members.
Constitutional Updates:  Continuing to be worked on.  Synod may have advisors to help.
NEW BUSINESS
2023 Budget: Motion was passed to approve 2023 Budget.
Streaming Worship: Exploring possible avenues to restart streaming on services.  Will explore options and revisit next month.
AA Meeting: Council was asked about holding an AA Study Group.  Motion was made by Joe Jans & seconded by Kyle Larsen to allow AA meetings at Trinity Lutheran Church.  Motion carried.
Executive Session:
Adjournment & Lord’s Prayer: Motion made by Jeff Niedenthal & seconded by Joe Jans to adjourn meeting.  Motion carried.
Annual Meeting: Sunday, January 29th.
Organizational Meeting: Following Annual Meeting.
Next Meeting: February 7th, 2023, at 6:30pm
November Council Assistant: Kyle Larsen.
 
Chris Slinden, Secretary

                   **Minutes approved on February 7, 2023 - Regular Council Meeting**
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