Council Notes May 8, 2024
Council was called to order by President Rich Hollenbach. Anne Hutnyk lead devotions. Minutes of the April regular council meeting were approved as written.
Treasurer’s Report: Council reviewed the April 2024 treasurer’s report. At 33% of the year, Member Giving Pledged is at 40.46% (includes additional monies given by 1 member toward salary of Pastor) and Unpledged Member Giving is at 33.68% - right on track! Our current deficit is $8,168.28. None of the expenses seem out of the ordinary.
All members voted to approve the Treasurer’s Report.
President’s Report: Change is all around us, whether we like it or not. We have elected a new bishop in the SEPA Synod, we are working to find a new music director and we have kicked off the Nourishing Vocation Project here at Faith. The Long-Range Planning team has come up with some recommendations for focus which we will be reviewing tonight. We still have financial challenges, but our focus needs to be sharing the Love of Jesus to our neighbors and the world. After all, it’s Faith 5.0. We are planning another outdoor service in August with Grace, and we are also looking to do a fellowship event with Jerusalem Lutheran Church.
Pastor’s Report:
I will be leading the funeral service of Ruth Mathias on May 11, 2024. The Long-Range Planning Team met on April 25, 2024 (See below.) I am in conversation with Rev. Nancy from Grace Hatfield to do a collaboration worship together on August 18, 2024. Rich, Gail, and I attended the SEPA synod assembly on May 3-4, 202. We elected Rev. Bryan Penman to become the next bishop of SEPA. I will be on vacation June 10-16, 2024.
Ministry Team Reports:
Christian Education: Sunday School: An email dated April 30, 2024, was sent to all parents of children ages 3 to 11 informing them that there will be a Summer Sunday School at Faith Lutheran Church.
Monday Night Bible Study (MNBS) – Our group will be taking a break for the summer months and resume our next study (TBD) on Monday, September 9, at 7 pm on zoom.
Parent Night Out/Youth Fellowship (PNO/YF) – ): Our next three events are June 7, July 12, and Sep 20. (Note: We will not be having this event in August).
VBS - Scheduled for Aug 5 through August 9, 9am to 12 noon. Thank you to all those who stepped up to help this year. We are still in need of Crew Leaders to help the children go from station to station. Please contact Gail Achilles or Janet Hill in the church office if called to do this very important job for the children.
Youth Group (Ages 12 to 17): The first meeting was held on April 28 to upstart this youth ministry. An email was sent out on May 2 detailing the minutes of this meeting to those in attendance. An email dated May 7, 2024 (with the April 28 Youth Group meeting minutes attached) was sent inviting the youth of our congregation and their friends and relatives in this age group to the Sunday, June 2, 6 pm – 7:30 pm, Youth Group meeting.
Evangelism: Lansdale, First Fridays? Need to check out the event in June but not commit at this point. The layout is different this year. Council to look at other community days/events to get the word out about Faith and review again at the June meeting.
Fellowship: Celebration for Laura, May 12th following her final worship service at Faith. Church Picnic – June 2 @ Spring Valley Park following worship. Iron Pigs Base Ball Game – TBD
Finance: Church Credit Card cancellation: Look for a new card and put together a process of its use and approval process. Unanimously approved by Council.
Hospitality: Will be coordinating the funeral on Saturday and church picnic in June.
Long-Range Planning: The Long-Range Planning Team met on Apr 25 and the recommendations will be covered in New Business below.
Mutual Ministry: Exit interview for Laura. Retrieve church property: laptop, building keys, music, etc.
Property Team: The music room will be moved back up to its former location on the second floor and the Adult Forum room will be restored as it was in the past.
Shepherding: Beth Schoening will take over the leadership of this team. Send Christmas & Easter cards only to the entire congregation. Each month, a member would be assigned to send cards that month to keep in touch with the congregation’s shut-ins, people sick and/or in the hospital and sympathy.
Social Ministry: May –(Leaders – (MaryLou Foster and Sharon Hood) Household items for Laurel House to include Lysol all-purpose cleaner, Lysol toilet bowl cleaner, paper towels, toilet tissue, aluminum foil, Windex, laundry detergent pods.
June/July – Hygiene items for men at Manna (in honor of Father’s Day) to include shampoo, body wash, razors, foot spray, toothpaste, toothbrushes.
Special Funds: Mark Murset has been selected as the congregational member for the team. Basement Sump Pump - $201.39 – Approved by team, funded via the Vilsmeier Memorial.
Worship & Music: Working on short term music plans for worship and finding a new music director.
OLD BUSINESS Constitution Update – draft in review by Council. Ministry Teams working on modifying team definitions. Nourishing Vocation Project – attended 2 x 90-minute kick off meetings with our cohort.
NEW BUSINESS Council spent some time reviewing and discussing the Long-Range Planning recommendations: Spirituality – re-evaluation of worship, emphasis on prayer, Nourishing Vocation Project, contemplative practices, healing service, etc. Fellowship – intentional fellowship within the greater community, small groups, etc. Service – community outreach, community partners, etc.
Next Meeting: Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at 7:00 PM in the Adult Forum room. Devotions will be led by Andy.
Council was called to order by President Rich Hollenbach. Anne Hutnyk lead devotions. Minutes of the April regular council meeting were approved as written.
Treasurer’s Report: Council reviewed the April 2024 treasurer’s report. At 33% of the year, Member Giving Pledged is at 40.46% (includes additional monies given by 1 member toward salary of Pastor) and Unpledged Member Giving is at 33.68% - right on track! Our current deficit is $8,168.28. None of the expenses seem out of the ordinary.
All members voted to approve the Treasurer’s Report.
President’s Report: Change is all around us, whether we like it or not. We have elected a new bishop in the SEPA Synod, we are working to find a new music director and we have kicked off the Nourishing Vocation Project here at Faith. The Long-Range Planning team has come up with some recommendations for focus which we will be reviewing tonight. We still have financial challenges, but our focus needs to be sharing the Love of Jesus to our neighbors and the world. After all, it’s Faith 5.0. We are planning another outdoor service in August with Grace, and we are also looking to do a fellowship event with Jerusalem Lutheran Church.
Pastor’s Report:
I will be leading the funeral service of Ruth Mathias on May 11, 2024. The Long-Range Planning Team met on April 25, 2024 (See below.) I am in conversation with Rev. Nancy from Grace Hatfield to do a collaboration worship together on August 18, 2024. Rich, Gail, and I attended the SEPA synod assembly on May 3-4, 202. We elected Rev. Bryan Penman to become the next bishop of SEPA. I will be on vacation June 10-16, 2024.
Ministry Team Reports:
Christian Education: Sunday School: An email dated April 30, 2024, was sent to all parents of children ages 3 to 11 informing them that there will be a Summer Sunday School at Faith Lutheran Church.
Monday Night Bible Study (MNBS) – Our group will be taking a break for the summer months and resume our next study (TBD) on Monday, September 9, at 7 pm on zoom.
Parent Night Out/Youth Fellowship (PNO/YF) – ): Our next three events are June 7, July 12, and Sep 20. (Note: We will not be having this event in August).
VBS - Scheduled for Aug 5 through August 9, 9am to 12 noon. Thank you to all those who stepped up to help this year. We are still in need of Crew Leaders to help the children go from station to station. Please contact Gail Achilles or Janet Hill in the church office if called to do this very important job for the children.
Youth Group (Ages 12 to 17): The first meeting was held on April 28 to upstart this youth ministry. An email was sent out on May 2 detailing the minutes of this meeting to those in attendance. An email dated May 7, 2024 (with the April 28 Youth Group meeting minutes attached) was sent inviting the youth of our congregation and their friends and relatives in this age group to the Sunday, June 2, 6 pm – 7:30 pm, Youth Group meeting.
Evangelism: Lansdale, First Fridays? Need to check out the event in June but not commit at this point. The layout is different this year. Council to look at other community days/events to get the word out about Faith and review again at the June meeting.
Fellowship: Celebration for Laura, May 12th following her final worship service at Faith. Church Picnic – June 2 @ Spring Valley Park following worship. Iron Pigs Base Ball Game – TBD
Finance: Church Credit Card cancellation: Look for a new card and put together a process of its use and approval process. Unanimously approved by Council.
Hospitality: Will be coordinating the funeral on Saturday and church picnic in June.
Long-Range Planning: The Long-Range Planning Team met on Apr 25 and the recommendations will be covered in New Business below.
Mutual Ministry: Exit interview for Laura. Retrieve church property: laptop, building keys, music, etc.
Property Team: The music room will be moved back up to its former location on the second floor and the Adult Forum room will be restored as it was in the past.
Shepherding: Beth Schoening will take over the leadership of this team. Send Christmas & Easter cards only to the entire congregation. Each month, a member would be assigned to send cards that month to keep in touch with the congregation’s shut-ins, people sick and/or in the hospital and sympathy.
Social Ministry: May –(Leaders – (MaryLou Foster and Sharon Hood) Household items for Laurel House to include Lysol all-purpose cleaner, Lysol toilet bowl cleaner, paper towels, toilet tissue, aluminum foil, Windex, laundry detergent pods.
June/July – Hygiene items for men at Manna (in honor of Father’s Day) to include shampoo, body wash, razors, foot spray, toothpaste, toothbrushes.
Special Funds: Mark Murset has been selected as the congregational member for the team. Basement Sump Pump - $201.39 – Approved by team, funded via the Vilsmeier Memorial.
Worship & Music: Working on short term music plans for worship and finding a new music director.
OLD BUSINESS Constitution Update – draft in review by Council. Ministry Teams working on modifying team definitions. Nourishing Vocation Project – attended 2 x 90-minute kick off meetings with our cohort.
NEW BUSINESS Council spent some time reviewing and discussing the Long-Range Planning recommendations: Spirituality – re-evaluation of worship, emphasis on prayer, Nourishing Vocation Project, contemplative practices, healing service, etc. Fellowship – intentional fellowship within the greater community, small groups, etc. Service – community outreach, community partners, etc.
Next Meeting: Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at 7:00 PM in the Adult Forum room. Devotions will be led by Andy.
