Council Minutes May 6, 2026
Council was called to order by President Anne Hutnyk.
Minutes of the April regular council meeting were approved as written.
Treasurer’s Report: This month we are down by another $1,650.72. We are 34% through the year, with a deficit of $6,015.82 which is only 14% of the deficit predicted for 2026. Income is keeping up with the Budget, but total expenses are over 10% lower than target for the year. See Financial Report for more information. The treasurer’s report was approved as written.
President’s Report: See date change for Finance team meeting. Summer council meeting will be on July 8 (with none in August).
Pastor’s Report: Pastor presided at worship at Faith and Jerusalem Lutheran. He continues to provide pastoral care for members of both congregations. We give thanks and praise for the lives of Ruth Viscusi (visitation on May 8) and Carol Taylor (funeral on May 16). At Jerusalem, presided over the funeral of Sandra Amey, performed 3 baptisms and attended their council meeting. For Nueva Jerusalen’s worship at Faith, he continues to help with their transition into our building and attended their service on April 7. Special thanks for Adam and Janet who continue to help with the logistics. Adam and Pastor are still recruiting people to help run the technology in the back of the church during services. We continue with our book study “A Listening Faith”. Our last Faith Education dinner was on April 12. None is scheduled for May. This continues as part of the confirmation program.
MINISTRY TEAM REPORTS:
Christian Education:
Sunday School – Children ages 3 to 11 are welcome to attend Sunday School..
Young Adult Fellowship (ages 12-17) – Our next YAF is scheduled for May 17 and June 28, 6-7:30pm.
PNO-YF (ages 3 to 11) – Our next monthly event is scheduled for June, 6pm to 9pm in the church fellowship hall.
Liability Waivers – We are currently working on creating a form for parents to sign that would allow for various needs with regard to youth programs (Faith-sponsored events).
Communications: Thanks to John for changing the front signage and Pastor and Janet for Facebook and website updates.
Finance: From January through April (34% of the year), our electric and gas costs are at 93% of that budgeted. Two financial reviews have shown that our financial records are in order. Our payroll and giving vendors are working with no issues. 1099 forms will be given to any businesses that we contract with for any work over $600/year. Adam is researching increases in cleaning supplies, paper products, etc. since Nueva Jerusalen began using the church. Pastor/Debbie is looking into the tax situation with the rental fees charged to Nueva Jerusalen. On June 18, the team will meet to discuss required rental fee changes. We are not having our own VBS this year; however, we would like to donate some funds to another area church (possibly Jerusalem Sellersville) who is holding a summer VBS. The Finance and Christian Ed teams will determine how much will be donated and who the recipient(s) will be.
Hospitality: Coffee hours were reviewed for the month.
Property Team: The water backflow prevented was inspected and approved. Scattons has provided the A/C system maintenance work. Andy to advise Adam of an issue with the nursery room toilet leaking from the bottom.
Shepherding: Cards are being sent to those sick, hospitalized, in mourning, etc..
Social Ministry: $132 was collected in the noisy can from January to March. Requesting the pastor make a reminder announcement the week prior.
There are two exciting Social Ministry projects
Worship & Music: Pastor will schedule quarterly meetings with the team to plan.
OLD BUSINESS
Constitution Update: Rich will continue to work on this.
Synod Assembly: May 29-30 with Pastor, Rich and Anne attending.
NEW BUSINESS
The end of the initial 4-month lease for Nueva Jerusalen is in July. Meetings are scheduled to allow for the discussion of a possible increase in rent based on our actual costs. The executive teams of both churches will meet for this discussion. Pastor Ethan is on vacation June 20-26.
Next Meeting: Wednesday, June 3rd at 7pm.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 New International Version (NIV)
Council was called to order by President Anne Hutnyk.
Minutes of the April regular council meeting were approved as written.
Treasurer’s Report: This month we are down by another $1,650.72. We are 34% through the year, with a deficit of $6,015.82 which is only 14% of the deficit predicted for 2026. Income is keeping up with the Budget, but total expenses are over 10% lower than target for the year. See Financial Report for more information. The treasurer’s report was approved as written.
President’s Report: See date change for Finance team meeting. Summer council meeting will be on July 8 (with none in August).
Pastor’s Report: Pastor presided at worship at Faith and Jerusalem Lutheran. He continues to provide pastoral care for members of both congregations. We give thanks and praise for the lives of Ruth Viscusi (visitation on May 8) and Carol Taylor (funeral on May 16). At Jerusalem, presided over the funeral of Sandra Amey, performed 3 baptisms and attended their council meeting. For Nueva Jerusalen’s worship at Faith, he continues to help with their transition into our building and attended their service on April 7. Special thanks for Adam and Janet who continue to help with the logistics. Adam and Pastor are still recruiting people to help run the technology in the back of the church during services. We continue with our book study “A Listening Faith”. Our last Faith Education dinner was on April 12. None is scheduled for May. This continues as part of the confirmation program.
MINISTRY TEAM REPORTS:
Christian Education:
Sunday School – Children ages 3 to 11 are welcome to attend Sunday School..
Young Adult Fellowship (ages 12-17) – Our next YAF is scheduled for May 17 and June 28, 6-7:30pm.
PNO-YF (ages 3 to 11) – Our next monthly event is scheduled for June, 6pm to 9pm in the church fellowship hall.
Liability Waivers – We are currently working on creating a form for parents to sign that would allow for various needs with regard to youth programs (Faith-sponsored events).
Communications: Thanks to John for changing the front signage and Pastor and Janet for Facebook and website updates.
Finance: From January through April (34% of the year), our electric and gas costs are at 93% of that budgeted. Two financial reviews have shown that our financial records are in order. Our payroll and giving vendors are working with no issues. 1099 forms will be given to any businesses that we contract with for any work over $600/year. Adam is researching increases in cleaning supplies, paper products, etc. since Nueva Jerusalen began using the church. Pastor/Debbie is looking into the tax situation with the rental fees charged to Nueva Jerusalen. On June 18, the team will meet to discuss required rental fee changes. We are not having our own VBS this year; however, we would like to donate some funds to another area church (possibly Jerusalem Sellersville) who is holding a summer VBS. The Finance and Christian Ed teams will determine how much will be donated and who the recipient(s) will be.
Hospitality: Coffee hours were reviewed for the month.
Property Team: The water backflow prevented was inspected and approved. Scattons has provided the A/C system maintenance work. Andy to advise Adam of an issue with the nursery room toilet leaking from the bottom.
Shepherding: Cards are being sent to those sick, hospitalized, in mourning, etc..
Social Ministry: $132 was collected in the noisy can from January to March. Requesting the pastor make a reminder announcement the week prior.
There are two exciting Social Ministry projects
Worship & Music: Pastor will schedule quarterly meetings with the team to plan.
OLD BUSINESS
Constitution Update: Rich will continue to work on this.
Synod Assembly: May 29-30 with Pastor, Rich and Anne attending.
NEW BUSINESS
The end of the initial 4-month lease for Nueva Jerusalen is in July. Meetings are scheduled to allow for the discussion of a possible increase in rent based on our actual costs. The executive teams of both churches will meet for this discussion. Pastor Ethan is on vacation June 20-26.
Next Meeting: Wednesday, June 3rd at 7pm.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 New International Version (NIV)
