Trinity Lutheran Church

Council Minutes

March 23, 2025

 

Trinity Lutheran Church council was called to order at 11:00 am on Sunday, March 23, 2025, by Chairperson, Lynn Menz.

 

Pastor Martens gave the opening prayer. 

 

Shelly Berger read the minutes of the previous meeting.  It was moved by Adam Pedersen, seconded by Carol Christensen to approve the minutes as read.  Motion carried.

 

Al Robson reported that 20.8% of the church financial year has been completed to date.  He reported income was good.  Al explained the negative figure for uncategorized expenses was an adjusting entry to balance the budget from transfer of funds that were approved at the voters meeting.  The funds for the sanctuary remodel were received a year ago and set aside in that account for future needs.  It was moved by Alana Curnyn, seconded by Kathy Milligan to accept and approve the financial report as presented.  Motion carried.   

 

Board Reports:

  • Elders:  Charles Griffith reported the policy in the event of/or anticipation of inclement weather, the chairperson of TLC elders, in consultation with the Pastor, will decide whether worship and related adjacent events are canceled.  Pastor will be responsible to timely notify members of the decision.  He noted that church services and activities were canceled last Wednesday due to the snowstorm and Pastor emailed members and also posted it on Facebook.   

 

  • Trustees: 
  • Laurie Walker has offered to update the “cry room” since it hadn’t been done for many years.  It was moved by Dave Pedersen, seconded by Ellie Menz to approve the “cry room” update. Motion carried. 
  • In the Sanctuary, the cloth around the speakers and around the cross above the altar need to be replaced.  The trustees would like suggestions on how to proceed with that. 
  • The quilters have requested an additional ceiling fan in the quilt room.  It was moved by Mike Compton, seconded by Al Robson to add an additional fan to the quilt room. Motion carried.
  • Nathan Hirsch reported he replaced the filters in the air handlers recently, which is annual maintenance. 

 

  • Education: 
  • May 18 will be the last Sunday for Sunday School.  There will be a family event for the Lutheran Half Hour with “Sundaes on Sunday.” 
  • Vacation Bible School is set for August 7,8 and 9 from 7:00 to 8:00 pm and August 10 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.  A family event is scheduled for the final day.

 

  • Missions: 
  • This committee is striving to get the congregation more involved with missions.  The “40 days of Lenten giving” has people giving up one item for each of the 40 days of Lent.  Garbage bags for collection have been distributed and should be returned to the room across from the office (The parenting matters room).  A list of suggested items to donate were included with the garbage bags.
  • The Missions Committee is working on a joint project with Outreach.

 

  • Parish Fellowship: 
    • The Committee is making coffee each Sunday and had a good response for the Lutheran Half Hour hosts with some new people added. 
    • Continue to provide cookies for Outreach to take to nursing homes. If there are no cookies in the freezer, the Outreach committee will purchase store-bought cookies. 

 

  • Outreach:
  • Monthly visits to the Gardens, Regency and Greene County Medical Center continue. They gave out six Bibles to residents last week. 
  • Continuing free Bibles and Christian materials in the church, along with free Christian greeting cards. 
  • Blessing Box is currently being utilized.  Please help to keep it stocked.  Need frozen lasagna. 
  • Continue to provide crosses for Jefferson Welcome Bags
  • Ordered Easter gifts for 100 adults and 40 kids.
  • An Anonymous donor has given funds for FREE sponsorship for youth going to Camp Okoboji.  Currently, there are 14 registered.
  • Bibles and Christian materials are ready for the annual Bell Tower Festival distribution.
  • Daffodils outreach with Mission Committee.  They will be given to homebound members and will be an opportunity for outreach to others. 
  • Outreach and Mission Committees are planning a family congregational event for Sunday, June 29.  Details to Follow. 

 

  • LWML:
    • We will be hosting the Boone LWML Rally on March 29th. With the theme “Steppin’ Out in Faith.”  There will be PowerPoint devotions and a salad luncheon.  We are collecting items for the women’s homeless shelter near Fort Dodge. 
    • A confirmation reception will be held on Palm Sunday.
    • Senior reception is planned for May 11th.
    • The National LWML Convention will be in Omaha June 26-29.  They are offering to cover the $185 registration fee for Trinity members age 50 and under. 

 

SOC Position:  Linda Thede reported:

  • She received good results from the volunteer survey and sent emails to those she had not heard from.  She had many new people sign up to volunteer for various tasks.  Linda will set up weekly counters and add subs.  She will check with Al Robson to figure out how to handle the 5th Sundays. 
  • She will send the names and contact information of volunteers to board chair people. 
  • Updated the LWML group lists and emailed them out. 
  • Transition is going well.  She works 8 am to 2 pm Tuesdays through Thursdays, with usually 2-3 hours on SOC information.  She appreciates the kindness of members in sending her corrected information if needed. 

 

Old Business:  None

 

New Business: 

 

Pastor reported on people seeking membership.  It was moved by Jeff Kienast, seconded by Charles Griffith to approve and accept the following into membership:

            Doug and Doreen Bender (transfer from Zion in Arcadia)

            Tom and Judy Contner (transfer from St. Thomas in Panora)

            Fred and Nancy Scherle (Profession of Faith)

Motion carried.

 

Amber Thompson and Jason Smith’s three children were recently baptized. 

 

Pastor reported he has two families with children doing the confirmation home study due to conflicts of attendance.  This study has been approved by the Elders, and those children will be confirmed individually.

 

Lynn Menz asked each committee to complete the second half year of 2025 calendars and submit to him by the end of this month. 

 

It was pointed out by someone from out of town attending a funeral that we do not have a sign outside indicating the name of our church.  It was formerly on the sign outside which was replaced with digital signage.  The trustees will check into this. 

 

Pastor closed the meeting with prayer.   

Meeting Adjourned:  11:45 am.

Next Meeting:  May 21, 2025 

 

 

Respectfully,

 

 

Shelly Berger

Trinity Lutheran Church

Council Secretary

Pages