Fri, 09 Oct 2026 11:15:03 -0500WeeblyThu, 01 Oct 2026 21:27:48 GMThttps://www.trinitygrovecity.org/church-council-minutes/trinity-lutheran-church-grove-city-mn-church-council-minutes-tuesday-september-8th-2026**Minutes are PENDING**

Call to order: Meeting called to order by Chris Slinden @ 6:15pm
Present: Pastor Donna Putney, Kyle Larsen, Sonia Liedman, Gabby Swisher, Pam Bagley, Mike Buer, Jake Boonstra, Chris Slinden
Absent: Joe Jans, Evan Behrends
Approval of the Agenda: Motion made by Kyle Larsen, seconded by Pam Bagley. Motion carried.
Reports:Secretary’s: Motion made by Jake Boonstra, seconded by Kyle Larsen to approve August 12th, 2026 council minutes. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s: Centerpoint Energy prices have risen. Licensing for Microsoft Office has been arranged. Church management system service plans are coming due.
Pastor’s: Talking with Beckville about combining Confirmation Class’s. Drafting schedule for volunteers to run Livestream services. Two upcoming Baptisms, and one wedding. Pastor will be gone September 9-15th.
Committee Reports:Christian Education & Youth: Meeting scheduled for September 30th at 6:30 for Sunday School attendees and their parents. This will also include Confirmation kids. All are welcome to attend.
Organizations & Activities: N/AFinance and Stewardship: N/AMission & Outreach: Mission BBQ raised $4,955 to be donated to Grove City CARE. Motion made by Sonia Liedman, seconded by Kyle Larsen to round up $45 to $5,000 from Thrivent Choice dollars to be donated. Motion carried.
Personnel: Will Schedule reviews with Janitors and Pastor Donna.
Worship & Music: Service on Sept 27th will be held in the sanctuary. Bible study with Nordlin has been well attended. Blessing of the animals will be on October 4th. Confirmation meeting on Oct 7th.
Properties: Church now has Vibrant internet. Planning annual service on Furnace’s.
Endowment Committee: N/AOld Business:
Applying for Grant: No status update until Dec/Jan.
Promotional Items: Tabled until October.
Church Website & Email: Updating in progress.
​New Business:
Coffee Money Donations: Motion made by Pam Bagley, seconded by Jake Boonstra to donate August 2026 & September 2026 coffee donations to Playground fund. Motion carried Adjournment & Lord’s Prayer: Motion made by Mike Bueer, seconded by Kyle Larsen to adjourn meeting. Motion carried.
Next Meeting: Tuesday, October 13th, 2026 @ 6:00pm.
Council Assistant: October council assistant - Sonia Liedman
 
Submitted by Chirs Slinden
rjfl​
]]>Thu, 01 Oct 2026 21:03:15 GMThttps://www.trinitygrovecity.org/church-council-minutes/trinity-lutheran-august-12-2026-meeting-minutesMeeting was called to order at 6:12pm 
 
Members Present: Gabby Swisher, Kyle Larsen, Jake Boonstra, Sonia Liedman, Pam Bagley, Chris Slinden, Pastor Donna gave a brief report, but did not stay for the remainder of the meeting…Not in attendance:  Joe Jans, Mike Buer, Evan Behrends
 
Agenda:  Approved by Kyle, Seconded by Pam 

July Minutes Approved by Kyle, Seconded by Sonia 

Treasurer’s report – Video upgrade has been paid for by fundraising and Endowment 

Youth:  Bible school was good 23 kids attended

Antique Car Run generated $226.  Funds went to Youth checking account/

Mission BBQ  ready to rock & roll

Personnel:  No janitor review yet. When was Pastor Donna‘s last review?  

Advent Worship - Sunday School will be December 16, 2nd and 9th will be traditional 

Last service for Java for Jesus is August 30th.

Properties – new sink coming, coffee maker fixed. No updates on grants. New website talked about…

Meeting adjourned:  Motion made by Kyle and seconded by Pam 

Submitted by Jake Boonstra
 
       **Minutes approved at Trinity Regular Council Meeting on September 8th, 2026**
​rjfl]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2026 16:00:33 GMThttps://www.trinitygrovecity.org/church-council-minutes/no-minutes-submitted-for-august-12-2026-at-this-timeThu, 23 Jul 2026 17:36:37 GMThttps://www.trinitygrovecity.org/church-council-minutes/trinity-lutheran-church-grove-city-mn-church-council-minutes-wednesday-july-15th-2026-600-pm-minutes-are-pending-approval​Call to order – Meeting was called order by Kyle Larsen, Vice President.
Present:  Kyle Larsen, Joe Jans, Chris Slinden, Pam Bagley, Jake Boonstra, Gabby Swisher, and Sonia Liedman. 
Absent:  Evan Behrends, Mike Buer, and Pastor Donna Putney.
Approval of the Agenda - Joe, made motion to approve, Jake seconded. 
1. Reports 
a. Secretary - Joe Jans: Approved the minutes from Sunday, June 14th, 2026, Joe made a motion to approve, Jake seconded. 

• Moving August Council meeting to Wednesday, August 12th. 

 
b. Treasurer - Sonia Liedman: Chris made a motion to approve, Jake seconded.

• There were no unexpected expenses this month. 
• We started with $10291.52 in the Livestream/Sound System upgrade account.  We paid Advanced Ministry Technologies a $7,500 down payment to purchase the equipment for the Livestream/Sound System updates.  We have $2791.52 remaining in the account.  His estimate for the job was $9,915.00, so we have a small pad of about $375 for any overages.  We might want to consider trying to sell some of the old equipment on Marketplace.

 
c. Pastor’s Report:

• Viewed the new mission statement with symbol options.
• She did a week of continuing education.  
• Working on a grant for the church.
• Vacation coming up.
• She wants to set up a meeting for the parents of the Sunday school kids.

 
d. Christian Education and Youth – Gabby:

• Bible School will be August 9-11th at the church.

 
e. Organizations & Activities - (Fellowship – Joe)

• Antique Car Run Stop is Saturday, August 8th at 8:00 am Trinity.
  • Working on getting donuts and coffee set up 

 
 
f. Finance & Stewardship – Sonia:

• N/A

 
g. Missions & Outreach Ministry – Mike: 

• Mission BBQ with auction & meat raffle takes place Tuesday, August 25th from 5:30-7:30 pm.
  • Proceeds will benefit to the Grove City Area C.A.R.E. Program. 
• Sonia made a motion to give $600.00 to the BBQ auction for seed money from general budget to be reimbursed after event.
  • Kyle Seconded

 
h. Personnel – Jake

• Going to do reviews in August. 

 
i. Sunday morning Accompanist, Worship, Music & Arts - Pam:

• Pam didn't have a Worship meeting in July. 

     j. Properties - Kyle:

• The toilet was broken and got that fixed in the Parsonage.
• Landscaping at the Parsonage, a few things finished up.  
• The tree at the Parsonage needs to be taken down.

               k. Endowment Committee

• N/A

2. Old Business 
a          Live streaming equipment will begin installation on Monday, July 20th
b          Still working on a grant for the church.
3. New Business 
a          Council meeting for August has been moved to Wednesday the 12th at 6:00 PM.
b          There will be no activities for Windmill Days from Trinity this year.
c          Promotional T-Shirts are still in the works.
5. Adjournment & Lord’s Prayer 
a. Motion to adjourn at 7:10 pm was made by Chris and seconded by Pam.
 
6. Next Meeting: Wednesday, August 12th, 2026 @ 6:00 PM
a. August Council Assistant – Jake Boonstra
 
**Minutes are Pending**
rjfl 
]]>Thu, 23 Jul 2026 17:34:00 GMThttps://www.trinitygrovecity.org/church-council-minutes/june-14-2026-council-minutes-approved-at-july-15-2026-regular-council-meetingThu, 25 Jun 2026 17:30:07 GMThttps://www.trinitygrovecity.org/church-council-minutes/trinity-lutheran-church-grove-city-mn-church-council-minutes-sunday-june-14th-2026-minutes-are-pendingCall to order – by Chris Slinden, President @ 10:50 am.
Present: Kyle Larsen, Joe Jans, Chris Slinden, Evan Behrends, Mike Buer, Sonia Liedman. 
Absent:  Gabby Swisher, Pastor Donna Putney, Jake Boonstra, Pam Bagley.
Approval of the Agenda - Evan, made motion to approve, Mike seconded. 
 
1. Reports 
a.  Secretary - Joe Jans: Approval of the secretary notes for May , Kyle made a motion to approve, Mike seconded. 

• There were not enough people on Tuesday, June 9th to have a quorum. 

b.  Treasurer - Sonia Liedman:
Sonia presented the following documents.  On Tuesday 6-9-2026 Ryan from Advanced Ministry Technologies presented & answered questions about the upgrading of the Audio/ Video systems with Council members present and members of the Endowment Committee.
      - Trinity Lutheran Church – Existing Equipment Impact Review
      - Trinity Lutheran Church – A/V System Upgrade Explanation and
      - Trinity Lutheran Church Estimate from Advanced Ministry Technologies
Sonia presented updated estimate based on conversation with Ryan from Advanced Ministry Technologies on Tuesday night 6-11-2026 totaling $9,915.00.
c.  Pastor’s Report:

• She was on vacation. 

d.  Christian Education and Youth – Committee:

• N/A

e.  Organizations & Activities - (Fellowship – Joe)

• N/A

f.  Finance & Stewardship – Sonia:

• A motion was made to donate $500.00 for the ELCA Synod remodeling/ reconstruction project appeal with funds from Thrivent Choice Dollars. 
  • Chris made the first motion, Kyle seconded.
• Mike made a motion to move forward with the new audio system with Advanced Ministry Technology
  • Chris seconded the motion. 

g.  Missions & Outreach Ministry – Mike: 

• N/A 

h.  Personnel – Jake

• Set up a date for the Janitors Review 

i.  Sunday morning Accompanist, Worship, Music & Arts - Pam:

• N/A

j.  Properties - Kyle:

• Few little projects for the parsonage this spring to be accomplished.
• Looking to remodel the pews in the sanctuary to make it more accessible for wheelchairs.
• Looking at insurances for different quotes. 

k.  Endowment Committee

• The endowment currently has $7,300 for the new playground.

 
2. Old Business 

1. Sip & Sing 
   1.    Will be held on June 23rd at the church at 5:30-8 P.M.

 
3. New Business 

1. New audio system for the church.

 
4. Adjournment & Lord’s Prayer 
a.  Motion to adjourn at 11:10 am was made by Kyle and seconded by Sonia
 
5.  Next Meeting: Tuesday, July 14th, 2026 @ 6:00 PM
a. June Council Assistant – Joe Jans 
 
*Minutes are PENDING*
rjfl
]]>Thu, 25 Jun 2026 17:26:09 GMThttps://www.trinitygrovecity.org/church-council-minutes/church-council-minutes-from-tuesday-may-12th-2026Were approved on Sunday, June 14th at Church Council Meeting]]>Wed, 27 May 2026 18:08:37 GMThttps://www.trinitygrovecity.org/church-council-minutes/trinity-lutheran-church-grove-city-mn-church-council-minutes-tuesday-may-12th-2026-minutes-are-pending-approvalCall to order: Meeting called to order by Chris Slinden @ 6:10 pm
Present: Kyle Larsen, Sonia Liedman, Gabby Swisher, Pam Bagley, Evan Behrends, Mike Buer, Jake Boonstra, Chris Slinden
Absent: Joe Jans, Pastor Donna Putney,
Endowment Committee Report: Richard Larson presented the Endowment Committee report to council.
Approval of the Agenda: Motion made by Kyle Larsen, seconded by Pam Bagley. Motion carried.
Reports:Secretary’s: Motion made by Kyle Larsen, seconded by Gabby Swisher to approve April 14th, 2026 council minutes. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s: Motion made by Mike Buer, Seconded by Pam Bagley to approve Treasurer’s Report. Motion carried.
Pastor’s: N/A, Pastor on vacation.
Committee Reports:Christian Education & Youth: Gabby reported, Rummage Sale raised $1800 to help fund kids going to camp.
Organizations & Activities: Final preparations are being made for COOP service at Windmill Park.
Finance and Stewardship: N/AMission & Outreach: Beginning to Plan for Mission BBQ. Trinity completed the Backpack Program for the month of April.
Personnel: N/A
Worship & Music: Java for Jesus will be held on June 28th, July 26th, & August 30th. Aug 2nd, COOP service will be held at Meeker County Fair Grounds @ 10:45 am. Sip and Sing will be held on June 23rd.
Vacation Bible School will be August 9th & 10th.
Properties: Clean-up day has been moved to May 31st, following service. Potluck lunch.
Endowment Committee: N/A 
Old Business:
Applying for Grant: Motion made by Kyle Larsen, second by Mike Buer to have Pastor Donna continue to apply for Grant for safety upgrades to the church. Motion carried.
Constitution Updates: Sonia Liedman completed updates to Trinity’s constitution.
New Business:May Coffee Money: Motion made by Evan Behrends, second by Gabby Swisher to allocate May-July’s Coffee & Fellowship proceeds to go towards Promotional items for Trinity. Motion carried.
Mission Statement: Motion made by Kyle Larsen, seconded by Evan Behrends to approve Trinity Lutheran Church’s new Mission Statement. Motion carried.  “Gathered in God’s grace, we grow in faith, and serve in love.  Gather…Grow…Serve”
Synod’s Remodeling Donation: Tabled until June.
Livestream Updates: Sonia Liedman presented to the council a first draft proposal for upgrading livestream and sound equipment.
 
Adjournment & Lord’s Prayer: Motion made by Gabby Swisher, seconded by Kyle Larsen to adjourn meeting. Motion carried.
Next Meeting: Tuesday, June 9th, 2026 @ 6:00 pm.
Council Assistant: May council assistant - Evan Behrends
 
Minutes submitted by Chris Slinden.
 
Minutes are PENDING Approval
rjfl]]>Thu, 14 May 2026 15:54:54 GMThttps://www.trinitygrovecity.org/church-council-minutes/minutes-from-april-14-2026-approved-at-may-12-2026-meetingThu, 30 Apr 2026 23:37:30 GMThttps://www.trinitygrovecity.org/church-council-minutes/trinity-lutheran-church-grove-city-mn-church-council-minutes-tuesday-april-14th-2026-600-pmMinutes are PENDING Approval!!

Call to order – Meeting was called order by Chris Slinden, President.
Present: Pastor Donna, Kyle, Gabby, Joe, Chris, Jake, Pam, Evan, and Sonia.
Absent: Mike Buer.
 
Approval of the Agenda - Kyle, made motion to approve, Gabby seconded.
  1. Reports
a. Secretary - Joe Jans: Approval of the secretary’s notes, Kyle made a motion to approve, Pam seconded.
 
b. Treasure - Sonia Liedman: Approved, Kyle made a motion to approve, Jake seconded.
IRA RMA offerings

• Received several large IRA RMD contributions.  These are likely the yearly offering for these individuals.

Food Shelf Donations in March   *** $6,749.09 ***

• Sharing Garden close-out - $4892.49
• March Coffee Money - $145.30
• Lent Suppers (through 3/9) - $287.00
• Thrivent Choice Coffee match - $145.30
• Easter Memorial Donations - $685.00
• Undistributed – Lent Suppers (3/11-3/30) - $594.00

Other Easter Donations

• Project Backpack - $425
• Camp Fund - $691

Parsonage Property Taxes

• 1st Half Parsonage Property Taxes of $1,204 due May 15
• Total tax for year is $2,408
• Set up autopay

Thrivent Choice Dollars

• Received a deposit of $2,318 on March 9, but can’t find confirmation email from Thrivent.

SS/VBS

• There is $2,497 in the Sunday School fund.  Much of this is from the old EconoFoods fund raising efforts. 
• Also there is $1,080.21 of undistributed SS/VBS offerings that have accumulated over the years.

 
c. Pastor’s Report:

• May 11th - 17th, Pastor Donna will be on vacation.
  • Sunday, May 17th,  Tom Cubbage will be filling in for service.
• May 10th will be senior recognition.
• May 20th will be baccalaureate at Immanuel Lutheran in Atwater 7:00pm
• Email was sent to Donna Whitcomb to help with grants.
• Looking into a new camera for livestreaming services.
• Joe made a motion to give $50 to ACGC & $100 to Litchfield Area Ministerial.

 
 
d. Christian Education and Youth – Committee:

• Easter breakfast was a great success.
  • Earned $758
• May 3rd is going to be the final day of Sunday school for the youth.
• May 8th & 9th is the rummage sale.
  • Donations are asked to be brought in by the 7th.
  • There will also be a bake sale along with the rummage sale.

 
e. Organizations & Activities - (Fellowship – Joe)

• N/A

 
f. Finance & Stewardship – Sonia:

• N/A

 
g. Missions & Outreach Ministry – Mike:

• Backpack program has begun; donations are highly suggested.
  • Need $1,800 for backpack program in April

 
h. Personnel – Jake

• Set up a date for the Janitors Review

 
i. Sunday morning Accompanist, Worship, Music & Arts - Pam:

• Music is filled in until the end of May.
• Easter breakfast went well.
  • Egg muffins are going to be a topic to continue for next year.
• Flowers were ordered.
• There are 3 new youth members for First Communion this year.

     j. Properties - Kyle:

• Few little projects for the parsonage this spring to be accomplished.
• Looking to remodel the pews in the sanctuary to make it more accessible for wheelchairs.
• Looking at insurances for different quotes.

               k. Endowment Committee

• The endowment currently has $7,300 for the new playground.

2. Old Business

1. Sip & Sing
   1. Will be held on June 23rd at the church at 5-8 P.M.
   
   

3. New Business

1. N/A

4. Adjournment & Lord’s Prayer
a. Motion to adjourn at 7:35 pm was made by Jake and seconded by Evan
b. Next Meeting: Tuesday, May 12th, 2025 @ 6:00 PM
c. May Council Assistant – Evan Behrends
 
rjfl
]]>