Trinity Lutheran Church – Regular Church Council Minutes September 12th, 2023

​Present: Melissa Bergstrom, Sonia Liedman, Willis Chase, Jake Boonstra, Kyle Larsen, Chris Slinden
CALL TO ORDER: President Melissa Bergstrom called meeting to order at 6:43pm
FAITHFUL INNOVATIONS: Members shared memories of 9/11/01.
COOP: Dennis Brown & Richard Larson met with Pastor Tom Evenson.  Pastor Evenson is asking for Trinity to create a committee of 3-5 members.  This committee will meet with members of other coop churches.  Discussions will include needs that Trinity made need in moving forward, while we can inform other coop members of things Trinity is doing well.  Dennis Brown, Richard Larson, Chris Slinden, and Melissa Bergstrom have volunteered to be part of the committee.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Motion made by Willis Chase, seconded by Kyle Larsen to approve the agenda.  Motion carried.
REPORTS
SECRETARY: An edit will be made on last month’s minutes; Recipient of Coffee money will not go to Rally Sunday but instead to Sunday School account.  Motion made by Sonia Liedman, seconded by Willis Chase to approve August 2023 minutes.  Motion carried.
TREASURY: Motion made by Chris Slinden, seconded by Kyle Larsen to approve Treasury Report.  Motion carried.
 
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Christian Education and Youth: Dan Cannon was absent.
                i.    Youth Coordinator: No Report
                ii.   Middle & High School Activities: No Report
                iii.  Mission Trip – Serve Boldly: Remove from agenda until Spring.
                iv.  Policies (Carpooling, volunteer background checks, etc.): No Report
Organizations and Activities:
                i.  Coffee and Fellowship:
                                1. Sept-August Donations: Tabled to next month.
                ii. Windmill Days: Float was a fun project for the congregation.  Was successful.
Finance and Stewardship: Looking into VANCO.  This will allow Trinity to have live broadcast services and donations can be made during the service.  Software will also allow us to take credit cards during events.
Mission & Outreach Ministry:
                i.  Mission BBQ: Total proceeds raised is $3805 and will be split equally between Grove City’s Sharing Garden, and Grove City’s Fire and Rescue.  Very well attended and great event.
                ii. Mission Auction – January 14th: Change Date to February 11th.
                iii. Animal Blessing- October 8th: Animal Blessing service will take place in parking lot.
iv. God’s Work Our Hands: In conjunction with properties committee, members will clean, and organize parsonage.  Pizzas will be provided for lunch at the parsonage.
 
Personnel:
                i. Annual Reviews: Table to next month.
                ii. Increase in Pay-Mary: Motion made by Chris Slinden and seconded by Jake Boonstra to increase Mary’s pay to $500 per month for Music director.  Motion carried.
Worship, Music, and Arts:
                i. Pulpit Supply & Lay Leadership Training (Luther Sem program). 3-4 people have shown interest in the program.  Motion made by Melissa Bergstrom, seconded by Jake Boonstra to reimburse participants $300 (half of total price), after completing Luther Seminary Program. Motion carried.
                ii. Updating Guidelines-ushers, altar guards, lectors, communion assistants, council assistant: Tabled until next month.
               Mary, Sonia, & Becky have been preparing pulpit supplies.  Confirmation will start on September 20th.
Properties:
                i.   Parsonage chimney, siding, & soffits: Will assess after cleanup day.
                ii. Fellowship Hall Window: In progress.
                iii. Parsonage – walk thru: Will be doing clean up and will asses’ issues with property for future fixing on Oct 15th.
                Kyle would also like to do a fall/spring cleanup day at the church to address landscaping and sprucing up the main entry doors.
Endowment Committee: No Report.
 
OLD BUSINESS
Estate Planning Workshop: No Report
Constitutional Updates: No Report
Streaming Worship: No Report
Mission & Vision Statements: Table to late date.
Home Communication Team: Most members seem to be uncomfortable with the idea.  Communicate with members at home to see if they are comfortable taking communion from a Lay Leader.
Mailchimp Subscription: Subscription was renewed last month and is in good standing.
Website & Facebook: Becky and Sonia have access to both.
 
NEW BUSINESS
Coop-Radio: Committee will discuss with Tom Evanson
Coop-Other: Committee will set a time to meet with Tom Evanson.
Hiring Pulpit Supply to visit Members of the Congregation: Will research cost of hiring a pastor to visit people off site.
Updating Committee Descriptions and Committee Members by October Meeting: Each council member is being asked to review Committee Description and update members.
Executive Session:
Adjournment & Lord’s Prayer: Motion made by Chris Slinden and seconded by Sonia Liedman to adjourn meeting.  Motion carried.
Next Meeting: Tuesday, October 10th, 2023 @ 6:30 p.m.
September Council Assistant: Sonia Liedman
Chris Slinden, Secretary
 
                  **Minutes Approved on October 10, 2023 - Regular Council Meeting **
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