Minutes 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
 
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​Call to order – Meeting was called order by Chris Sliden, President.
Present: Pastor Donna, Kyle, Gabby, Joe, Chris, Jake, Pam and Sonia. 
Absent: Mike Buer.
Faithful Innovations: N/A
Approval of the Agenda - Pam, made motion to approve, Kyle seconded. 
  
1. Reports 
a. Secretary - Joe Jans: Approved the secretary notes, Pam made a motion to approve, Jake seconded. 
 
b. Treasure - Sonia Liedman: N/A
 
c. Pastor’s Report:

• Watch weather for snow on Sunday
• Bake potato back up date March 22nd 

      Moved the bake potato to the 22nd 

• Southwest Senate remodeling a building and need money
• April 12th pastor Donna will be gone.

 
d. Christian Education and Youth – Committee:

• Easter breakfast will be held on April 5th 
• Garage sale May 8th & 9th 

 
e. Organizations & Activities - (Fellowship – Joe)

• All sign-up sheet are full for Lent 
• Working with Pastor Donna on the potato bar 

 
f. Finance & Stewardship – Sonia:

• N/A

 
g. Missions & Outreach Ministry – Mike: 

• Food shelf for March, Fill the pews 
• 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:

• Looking at email with existing information 

 
     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

 
               k. Endowment Committee

• Endowment currently has $7,300 for the playground 

 
2. Old Business 

1. Ice cream social
   1. Chris is going to talk to Gwen 
2. Sip & Sing 
   1. Will be held on June 30th at the church at 5-8 P.M.

 
3. New Business 

1. Retreat for the council will be on April 12th 

 
5. Adjournment & Lord’s Prayer 
a. Motion to adjourn at 7:25 pm was made by Kyle and seconded by Gabby
6. Next Meeting: Tuesday, April 14th, 2025 @ 6:00 pm
a. April Council Assistant – Chris Slinden
 
             **Minutes approved at Regular Church Council Meeting – April 14, 2026**
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CALL TO ORDER - Meeting was called to order by Chris Slinden.
 
Present: Jake, Gabby, Kyle, Sonia, Pam, Evan and Pastor Donna
Absent: Joe and Mike
 
APPROVAL OF AGENDA- Kyle, made motion to approve, Gabby seconded.
 
1. Reports

1. Treasurer - Sonia
   1. A motion was made by Kyle and seconded by Sonia to switch the people on Trinity accounts. Results are below:
      1. General Checking:  Sonia Liedman, (removed Richard Larsen &Jeff Niedenthal); added Chris Slinden and Kyle Larsen.      
      2. Money Market Acct:  Sonia Liedman; added Chris Slinden and Kyle Larsen. Should be the same as General Checking.          
      3. Camp:  Gwen Chase, (removed Willis Chase); added Gabby Swisher.
      4. Youth:  Gabby Swisher, Sonia Liedman – no change    
      5. Heritage:  Rosie Dilley, Sharon Smith, Sonia Liedman – no change
      6. Library:  Gloria Palmer; added Sonia Liedman.   
      7. Scholarship Fund (Savings acct):  Sonia Liedman, Jeff Niedenthal - no change
      8. Endowment:  Dean Stenberg, Greg Jans – no change  
      9. WELCA:  Virginia Flemming, MaryAnn Marshall – no change
      10. Christmas Dinner:  Virginia Flemming – no change        
   2. Motion made by Pam and seconded by Kyle to approve the treasurer's report.
2. Secretary - Joe
   1. A motion was made by Jake to approve the January 13th minutes, seconded by Gabby.
   2. Annual meeting minutes, Motion made by Greg Jans, seconded by Dennis Brown, Sonia was elected to council, not on ballet.
3. Pastor’s Report (emailed out)

i.
ii.
iii.
 
 
2. Committee Reports

1. Christian Education and Youth - Committee
   1. N/A
2. Organizations & Activities -
   1. Five lent services, first one council serves, last one, confirmation kids families and mentors serve.
3. Finance & Stewardship - N/A
4. Missions & Outreach Ministry -
   1. Backpack program - 31 kids/families meals provided
5. Personnel -
   1. Janitor review prep
   2. Successful yearly meeting with Becky on 2/11/2026
6. Worship Music & Arts
   1. Lent accompanist figured out
   2. Actively looking for choir director
   3. Two Co-op services: Memorial Day, May 24th @ Windmill Park, and Meeker County Fairgrounds August 2nd.
7. Properties -
   1. Office Furnace got fixed
   2. New sink in kitchen happening soon
   3. Searching for grants for handicapped accessible doors
   4. The light up cross got fixed

 
3. Old Business
 
4. New Business

1. Ice cream Social first week in June for camp fund
2. Rummage sale funds go towards camp fund on Mother’s Day weekend

 
5. Adjournment & Lord’s Prayer

1. Motion to adjourn meeting was made by Kyle, seconded by Gabby
2. Next Meeting: Tuesday, March 10th, 2026 @ 6:00 pm
3. March Council Assistant - Gabby Swisher

 
Submitted by Jake Boonstra
 
rjfl added bank account updates and Pastor Donna’s report details.
Motion made, March 10, 2026, by Pam Bagley to approve Minutes from February 10, 2026, seconded by Jake Boonstra, motion carried.
              **Minutes approved at Regular Church Council Meeting – March 10, 2026**
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President Melissa Bergstrom called the meeting to order at 11:05 am

1. Devotion - Pastor Donna Putney leads a devotion. 
2. Declaration of Quorum and Appointment of Election Tellers. 
3. Adoption of Agenda: Motion was made by Allan Knutson and seconded by Greg Jans to approve the agenda. Motion carried. 
4. Approval of the Ballot: Motion was made by Greg Jans and seconded by Dennis Brown. Motion carried.
5. New business: 
   1. Approval budget - Greg Jans made a motion and seconded by Kyle Larsen. 
   2. New Council Members - Mike Buer & Gabby Swisher were added to the council in 2026.  Along with Evan Behrends as Youth Representative.  Sonia Liedman was elected to another term.
6. Motion to Adjourn: Motion was made by Chris Slinden and seconded by Mike Buer to adjourn the annual Congregational meeting. 

 
Submitted by Joe Jans
 
           **Minutes approved at Regular Church Council Meeting – February 10, 2026**
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CALL TO ORDER – Meeting was called order by Melissa Bergstrom. 
Present: Kyle, Melissa, Joe, Chris, Jake, Pam and Sonia. 
Absent: Pastor Donna.
Faithful Innovations: Have peace in MN. 
APPROVAL OF AGENDA - Pam, made motion to approve, Kyle seconded. 
1. Reports 
a. Secretary - Joe Jans:
i.    Brought housing allowance to be signed. 
ii.   Made a form for people in need of assistance seeking help - Pastor Donna has 24-48 hours to make the decision
iii.  Chris  made a motion to approve the secretary minutes December 10, 2025, Jake seconded. 
b. Treasure - Sonia Liedman:
i.    Were down from last year 26,000.00 hope to turn that around in 2026. - Chris made a motion to pass budget 2026, Pam seconded  
c. Pastor’s Report:
i.    Crow River Conf. Feb 22 @ 2:00 pm  here at Trinity
ii.   Advent meal monies from 2023 to 2024 has $921.00 in it, motion made by Jake to put it in the playground project, Chris seconded
 
2.Committe Reports
a. Christian Education and Youth – Committee: 
i. N/A 
b. Organizations & Activities - (Fellowship – Jake) 
i. N/A 
c. Finance & Stewardship – Sonia: N/A 
d. Missions & Outreach Ministry – Chris: 
i. Working on Project Hope for April 
e. Personnel – Joe  
i. Going to set up a date with the janitors to go over the job descriptions and what needs to be done. 
f. Sunday morning Accompanist, Worship, Music & Arts - Pam: 
i. Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026
i. January 25, 2026  Annual Meeting 
iii. Palm Sunday, March 29, 2026
iiii. Easter April 5, 2026
g. Properties - Kyle: 
i. Looking to get a new lock for the office. 
ii. Furnace in office is getting bad going to try fix it hopefully $1000.00 
iii. Steeple Cross not quite working, getting parts to fix it. 
3. Old Business 
a. Swingset Project 
 
4. New Business 
 
5. Adjournment & Lord’s Prayer 
a. Motion to adjourn at 9:02 pm was made by Chris and seconded by Pam
b. Next Meeting: Tuesday, February 10th, 2026 @ 6:30 pm
c. February Council Assistant – Kyle Larson
 
          **Minutes approved at Regular Church Council Meeting – February 10, 2026**
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​CALL TO ORDER – Meeting was called order by Melissa Bergstrom. Present: Kyle, Melissa, Joe, Pastor Donna, Jake, Pam and Sonia.
Absent: Chris.
Faithful Innovations: N/A.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA - Joe made motion to approve, Pam seconded.
 

1. Reports
   1. Secretary - Joe Jans:

Kyle made a motion to pass the secretary, Jake seconded.

• Approve the minutes of November.
• Treasure - Sonia Liedman:

Kyle made a motion to pass, Pam seconded

• Approving the budget for 2026 (See old business for more details)
• Pastor’s Report:

• Made a checklist for funerals.
• Brought housing allowance to be signed.
• Made a form for people in need of assistance seeking help.
  • Pastor Donna has 24-48 hours to make the decision.

 

1. Christian Education and Youth – Committee:
   1. N/A
2. Organizations & Activities - (Fellowship – Jake)
   1. Meeker County Holiday Project - Barb Larson brought the goods in.
3. Finance & Stewardship – Sonia: N/A
4. Missions & Outreach Ministry – Chris:
   1. Working on Project Hope for April
5. Personnel – Joe
   1. Going to set up a date with the janitors to go over the job descriptions and what needs to be done.
6. Sunday morning Accompanist, Worship, Music & Arts - Pam:
   1. January Services: Epiphany on the 6th, Epiphany Sundays
   2. Upcoming: Ash Wednesday – Feb 18th at 6:30 pm
   3. Altar Guild:

Dec – Barb Larson/Becky Vann (Dec 7th, 21st, and 24th) Jan – Bonnie Hamm Martin/Jen Martin (Jan 4th and 18th)

1. Properties - Kyle:
   1. Looking to get a new lock for the office.
   2. Finishing up the final details of the parsonage.  Looking into the church parking lot for the year of 2026.

 

1. Old Business
   1. Swing set Project
      1. Found someone to come take the old one
      2. Some of the money from the holiday express is going towards the new swing set and half goes to the fire department.

 

1. New Business

1. Coffee money for the months of Jan., Feb., and April are going to the cemetery boards.
2. March goes to the local food shelf.
3. Christmas radio advertisement
   1. Joe approved $139, Sonia seconded
4. Approved the 2026 budget.
   1. Kyle made a motion to approve, Pam seconded.

 

1. Adjournment & Lord’s Prayer
   1. Motion to adjourn at 9:02 pm was made by Kyle and seconded by Sonia

 

1. Next Meeting: Tuesday, January 13th, 2025 @ 6:30 pm
   1. January Council Assistant – Melissa Bergstrom

 
Submitted by Joe Jans
 
               **Minutes approved at Regular Church Council Meeting – January 13, 2026**
 
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