Council Notes December 3, 2025
Council was called to order by President Rich Hollenbach. Council Minutes of the November meeting were approved as written.
Treasurer’s Report: At 92% of the 2025-year, our receipts are about 92% and our expenses are around 90%. Member Giving for Pledged & Unpledged Envelopes is at 87% and 158%. The deficit for the month is $2,508 and our year-to-date deficit is $31,043 which is just $6,795 below our budgeted deficit of $37,838. The Treasurer’s Report from November was approved as written.
Finance Team Report: Debbie Hollenbach, Chair of the Finance Team, reviewed the options for the annual Financial Review that is required by our constitution: Do an Internal Financial Review of the 2024 books. Gary Apgar will contact Sharon Hood and set up this internal financial review to be completed within the timeframe of December 2025 through February 2026; Do an External Financial Review of the 2025 books in 2026. The cost would be approximately $300-500. Council voted to complete the Internal Financial Review in the timeframe stated above and the External Financial review in early 2026 with payment coming from a Memorial Fund via Special Funds recommendation.
The majority of the money for the HVAC replacement came from the sale of Merck stock and the project is completed. There is remaining money in the HVAC Fund of $960.24. Council voted to transfer the $960.24 to the General Fund (Univest Account) and then apply it to the current 2025 budget deficit.
President’s Report: Rich has been approved for his Candidacy Entrance. He will probably be starting field work in early 2026.
Pastor’s Report: Pastor continues to lead worship for both Faith and Jerusalem weekly.
Met with the family and led the funeral service of Doris Huebner on November 14, 2025.
Pastor continues to do shifts at the Lansdale Hospital as the Volunteer Protestant Chaplain and volunteer at Mitzvah Circle.
Confirmation Sunday was on November 9, 2025, at the 9:30am service. Genevieve Prunkel and Kyle Fritzinger affirmed their baptisms. It was a great service.
Our theme this program year is “A Listening Faith.” Our November Book study offering was on November 5, 2025, on zoom/ in person at Faith, and at Jerusalem on November 9th, 2025, at 12:30pm. Study has been going well. There were some great conversations. Book study is on pause until January.
Participated in the SEPA Synod bishop’s convocation on November 12-13th at the double tree in Malvern.
Special thanks to Janet for helping prove my employment at Faith for my home refinancing.
Ministry Team Reports:
Christian Education: Sunday School – Children ages 3 to 11 are welcome to attend Sunday school. (Children leave during Worship service with the Sunday school teacher after children’s sermon and return for communion). It is very convenient for the parent/caregiver to attend worship while their children attend Sunday school. The Sunday school children assisted Miss Nancy putting up the “Angel Tree” located in the foyer. It will be available through the month of December for those who wish to contribute to those who are in need of financial aid.
Youth Ministry (ages 12 to 17) – Our Christmas party will be on Sunday, December 21, 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm, in the Fellowship Hall. Our theme is Christmas: Jesus is the reason for the Season. Our next month’s YAF will be held on January 18.
Parents’ Night Out – Youth Fellowship (PNO-YF) We will be having a Christmas Party including a cake for Jesus on Friday, December 5, from 6 pm to 9 pm, in the Fellowship Hall. Our theme is Christmas. Luke 2:11-14. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Our next month’s parent night out will be on January 16. (Note that the new date for Parent/Night Out – Youth Fellowship for the month of March was changed to March 27 to accommodate the scrapbooking/yard sale fundraiser held on March 20, so please update your calendars).
Monday Night Bible Study (MNBS): Merry Christmas from our small group. We will finish our Advent Study “Behold the Savior” on December 8th. Then break for the Christmas Holidays and reconvene on January 5th to choose a new study. We meet on zoom most Mondays from 7 pm to 9 pm. The zoom link is printed in the weekly bulletin and the Mustard Seed. Anyone interested in growing their relationship with Jesus through bible study please contact Gail Achilles at email [email protected] or cell 267-664-3328 or just pop in on us anytime on the zoom link. All are welcome.
Long Range Planning: Debbie and Adam have agreed to join the long-range planning team. Nancy Allegrezza and Jack Walls (recently moved and will be joining a new congregation) have stepped down. Missy Prunkel will remain on committee. The committee will be scheduling a meeting soon.
Nominating Team: Melissa Prunkel is the chair along with Janet Hill and Bonnie Staller. Six council members will continue in 2026. One must leave (Rich) and one is eligible to run for a second term (John). We can have up to three more council members (total of nine).
Property: Adam has repaired the leaky urinal and refinished the surrounding wall.
Social Ministry: November: Collection for Code Blue at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lansdale. Item totals will be in our January report. December – The Angel Tree is set up in the Foyer. Money is collected for Pastor’s “discretionary fund” if members of our Faith Family need it. December - Christmas gifts for (3) Three children (Jasmine, age 7; Joey, age 9; Xavier, age 12) from Gemma Services/Martin Luther School. The gifts have been purchased. They will be on display on Sunday, December 14. Money will be collected after church toward the gifts that Sunday. Our goal is $195. The gifts will be delivered on Monday, December 15.
January – November 2025 - God’s Global Barnyard “noisy coin collection”. Received a total of $550.50. On Sunday November 30, Nancy Gansner, during Sunday School, worked with the children on what to purchase with this money. Designated items will be in the Mustard Seed and in our January report.
Worship & Music: Services planned up through Christmas. As we are running low on funding, Pat will only play on 12/7 and 12/24 this month.
OLD BUSINESS
Constitution Update: Needs a few changes based on feedback from council review before being sent to the congregation for review. There are some new guidelines from the ELCA that we will review and incorporate as needed.
NEW BUSINESS
Approval of Pastor Ethan’s housing allowance $23,320 for 2026. This declares that a portion of Pastor Ethan’s salary is dedicated to housing for tax purposes. All voted in favor to approve Pastor Ethan’s housing allowance for 2026.
Scrapbooking/Yard Sale Fundraiser on March 20/21 headed by Emily Gallo and Debbie Hollenbach. All voted in favor of this fundraiser. (Note that the new date for Parent/Night Out – Youth Fellowship for the month of March is now March 27, so please update your calendars).
Next Meeting: Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 7pm.
Council was called to order by President Rich Hollenbach. Council Minutes of the November meeting were approved as written.
Treasurer’s Report: At 92% of the 2025-year, our receipts are about 92% and our expenses are around 90%. Member Giving for Pledged & Unpledged Envelopes is at 87% and 158%. The deficit for the month is $2,508 and our year-to-date deficit is $31,043 which is just $6,795 below our budgeted deficit of $37,838. The Treasurer’s Report from November was approved as written.
Finance Team Report: Debbie Hollenbach, Chair of the Finance Team, reviewed the options for the annual Financial Review that is required by our constitution: Do an Internal Financial Review of the 2024 books. Gary Apgar will contact Sharon Hood and set up this internal financial review to be completed within the timeframe of December 2025 through February 2026; Do an External Financial Review of the 2025 books in 2026. The cost would be approximately $300-500. Council voted to complete the Internal Financial Review in the timeframe stated above and the External Financial review in early 2026 with payment coming from a Memorial Fund via Special Funds recommendation.
The majority of the money for the HVAC replacement came from the sale of Merck stock and the project is completed. There is remaining money in the HVAC Fund of $960.24. Council voted to transfer the $960.24 to the General Fund (Univest Account) and then apply it to the current 2025 budget deficit.
President’s Report: Rich has been approved for his Candidacy Entrance. He will probably be starting field work in early 2026.
Pastor’s Report: Pastor continues to lead worship for both Faith and Jerusalem weekly.
Met with the family and led the funeral service of Doris Huebner on November 14, 2025.
Pastor continues to do shifts at the Lansdale Hospital as the Volunteer Protestant Chaplain and volunteer at Mitzvah Circle.
Confirmation Sunday was on November 9, 2025, at the 9:30am service. Genevieve Prunkel and Kyle Fritzinger affirmed their baptisms. It was a great service.
Our theme this program year is “A Listening Faith.” Our November Book study offering was on November 5, 2025, on zoom/ in person at Faith, and at Jerusalem on November 9th, 2025, at 12:30pm. Study has been going well. There were some great conversations. Book study is on pause until January.
Participated in the SEPA Synod bishop’s convocation on November 12-13th at the double tree in Malvern.
Special thanks to Janet for helping prove my employment at Faith for my home refinancing.
Ministry Team Reports:
Christian Education: Sunday School – Children ages 3 to 11 are welcome to attend Sunday school. (Children leave during Worship service with the Sunday school teacher after children’s sermon and return for communion). It is very convenient for the parent/caregiver to attend worship while their children attend Sunday school. The Sunday school children assisted Miss Nancy putting up the “Angel Tree” located in the foyer. It will be available through the month of December for those who wish to contribute to those who are in need of financial aid.
Youth Ministry (ages 12 to 17) – Our Christmas party will be on Sunday, December 21, 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm, in the Fellowship Hall. Our theme is Christmas: Jesus is the reason for the Season. Our next month’s YAF will be held on January 18.
Parents’ Night Out – Youth Fellowship (PNO-YF) We will be having a Christmas Party including a cake for Jesus on Friday, December 5, from 6 pm to 9 pm, in the Fellowship Hall. Our theme is Christmas. Luke 2:11-14. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Our next month’s parent night out will be on January 16. (Note that the new date for Parent/Night Out – Youth Fellowship for the month of March was changed to March 27 to accommodate the scrapbooking/yard sale fundraiser held on March 20, so please update your calendars).
Monday Night Bible Study (MNBS): Merry Christmas from our small group. We will finish our Advent Study “Behold the Savior” on December 8th. Then break for the Christmas Holidays and reconvene on January 5th to choose a new study. We meet on zoom most Mondays from 7 pm to 9 pm. The zoom link is printed in the weekly bulletin and the Mustard Seed. Anyone interested in growing their relationship with Jesus through bible study please contact Gail Achilles at email [email protected] or cell 267-664-3328 or just pop in on us anytime on the zoom link. All are welcome.
Long Range Planning: Debbie and Adam have agreed to join the long-range planning team. Nancy Allegrezza and Jack Walls (recently moved and will be joining a new congregation) have stepped down. Missy Prunkel will remain on committee. The committee will be scheduling a meeting soon.
Nominating Team: Melissa Prunkel is the chair along with Janet Hill and Bonnie Staller. Six council members will continue in 2026. One must leave (Rich) and one is eligible to run for a second term (John). We can have up to three more council members (total of nine).
Property: Adam has repaired the leaky urinal and refinished the surrounding wall.
Social Ministry: November: Collection for Code Blue at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lansdale. Item totals will be in our January report. December – The Angel Tree is set up in the Foyer. Money is collected for Pastor’s “discretionary fund” if members of our Faith Family need it. December - Christmas gifts for (3) Three children (Jasmine, age 7; Joey, age 9; Xavier, age 12) from Gemma Services/Martin Luther School. The gifts have been purchased. They will be on display on Sunday, December 14. Money will be collected after church toward the gifts that Sunday. Our goal is $195. The gifts will be delivered on Monday, December 15.
January – November 2025 - God’s Global Barnyard “noisy coin collection”. Received a total of $550.50. On Sunday November 30, Nancy Gansner, during Sunday School, worked with the children on what to purchase with this money. Designated items will be in the Mustard Seed and in our January report.
Worship & Music: Services planned up through Christmas. As we are running low on funding, Pat will only play on 12/7 and 12/24 this month.
OLD BUSINESS
Constitution Update: Needs a few changes based on feedback from council review before being sent to the congregation for review. There are some new guidelines from the ELCA that we will review and incorporate as needed.
NEW BUSINESS
Approval of Pastor Ethan’s housing allowance $23,320 for 2026. This declares that a portion of Pastor Ethan’s salary is dedicated to housing for tax purposes. All voted in favor to approve Pastor Ethan’s housing allowance for 2026.
Scrapbooking/Yard Sale Fundraiser on March 20/21 headed by Emily Gallo and Debbie Hollenbach. All voted in favor of this fundraiser. (Note that the new date for Parent/Night Out – Youth Fellowship for the month of March is now March 27, so please update your calendars).
Next Meeting: Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 7pm.
