Council Notes February 5, 2025
Council was called to order by President Rich Hollenbach. Minutes of the January regular council meeting were approved as written.
Treasurer’s Report: Highlights of the January Treasurer’s report: At 8.3% of the year, Member Giving Pledged is on track at 8.57%. Un-pledged Member Giving is up at 12.83%. It is the beginning of the year and minimal additional income has come in and thus we have a $3,361.52 deficit at the end of January. We did get a reduced insurance premium after we completed the Sexual Abuse and Misconduct Prevention Policy documentation. The Treasurer’s Report was approved as written.
Council Elections: Elections for Council Officers and Ministry Team Chair/Liaison for 2025 – see attached worksheet following minutes.
President’s Report: See items in New Business.
Pastor’s Report: Continues to lead worship for both Faith and Jerusalem weekly. Planning joint activities with Grace and Jerusalem.
Ministry Team Reports:
Christian Education:
Parents’ Night Out – Youth Fellowship (PNO-YF) The next two events are on Fridays, February 14 and March 14, 6pm to 9 pm. The February 14th theme is Valentine’s Day focusing on “God is Love” 1 (John 18 and John 3:16). We will also continue discussing the Fruits of the Spirit emphasizing Love and Kindness (Galatians 5:22-33).
Young Adult Fellowship (ages 12 to 17) – the next meeting is on Sunday, February 16, 6 pm to 7:30 pm. Due to inclement weather the January 19th meeting was cancelled so our young adults will, in addition to fun and games, will read and discuss the devotion “The Joy of New Beginnings. The Earth is full of His Unfailing Love.” (Psalm 33:5).
VBS 2025: This year’s VBS, scheduled for Monday through Friday, August 4 to 8, 9 am to 12 noon, is “True North, Trusting Jesus in a Wild World.” An email will be forthcoming in March with more details of VBS stations requiring leaders and assistants and the need for Crew leaders and assistants to make this year’s VBS fun and successful in bringing Jesus to the youth in our community. The email will also note that there will be a meeting for volunteer sign-up and those just wanting more information on Sunday April 6 after Worship Service. Please look into your hearts and volunteer your God-given gifts to this year’s VBS. As noted last year, we had an awesome group of volunteers in 2024!
Fellowship: Mary Lou and Anne are meeting. Will be looking at Facebook events to find possible activities to join.
Hospitality: Fastnacht Sunday is on March 2. Palm Sunday Luncheon.
Long-Range Planning: Coordination with the Nourishing Vocation Project.
Property Management: ArCoNet has decided to pursue other options.
Social Ministry: January - “Hugs for Soldiers” 22 cards were signed to send to soldiers. January – November 2025 - A “noisy can offering (change)” for God’s Global Barnyard will be collected the third Sunday of each month from January through November. In December, the Sunday School children will decide what animals to donate based on how much money is collected.
February – collecting soup and crackers for Keystone Opportunity Center.
Worship & Music: Meeting soon to plan for Lent and Easter.
OLD BUSINESS
Constitution Update: needs a few changes based on feedback from council review before being sent to the congregation for review. Also seeking guidance from SEPA Synod on the review and approval process. Misconduct Policy – has been updated and approved by insurance company, giving us a lower premium. University Lutheran Church Feast Incarnate – Faith is sponsoring (providing dinner and serving it) on Tuesday, May 27. Pastor, Debbie and Anne to start planning (100 people to feed at 5pm).
NEW BUSINESS
Fresh flowers at worship services – There was a discussion during the Annual Congregational Meeting with action to be taken by Council. The consensus from the Annual Meeting was in favor of changing to every other week for fresh flowers since many weeks were not sponsored. Janet found out that the florist would keep the pricing the same even if we only had fresh flowers every other week. The council voted to approve. If the flowers are not taken home, they may be able to be used a second Sunday, otherwise we would use the artificial flowers!
Meeting with our Thrivent Reps will take place at March’s council meeting.
The Council approved membership for Kate Waldman.
ELCA Candidacy Congregational Support – As Rich is going through this program, he explained that part of the process is for the application fee to be split evenly between the candidate, their congregation, and the SEPA Synod. The $650 portion shows the congregational support of the candidate. The council approved the expense. It will now go to Special Funds to source, but Linda Kratz asked that the funds come from Ruth Mathias’ memorial fund as it would mean a great deal to her.
Faith’s 60th Anniversary is on Palm Sunday, April 13. Planning has started and Bishop Penman is scheduled to attend.
Grace Lutheran Church’s council has reached out to Faith to meet for a fact-finding discussion on what it might look like should the two congregations decide to merge in the coming years. The meeting should take place with the Pastors and officers of each church, and it would be strictly a discussion and no decisions. The council voted to approve the planning of this meeting.
Next Meeting: Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 7pm. (March 5, 2025, is Ash Wednesday.)
Council was called to order by President Rich Hollenbach. Minutes of the January regular council meeting were approved as written.
Treasurer’s Report: Highlights of the January Treasurer’s report: At 8.3% of the year, Member Giving Pledged is on track at 8.57%. Un-pledged Member Giving is up at 12.83%. It is the beginning of the year and minimal additional income has come in and thus we have a $3,361.52 deficit at the end of January. We did get a reduced insurance premium after we completed the Sexual Abuse and Misconduct Prevention Policy documentation. The Treasurer’s Report was approved as written.
Council Elections: Elections for Council Officers and Ministry Team Chair/Liaison for 2025 – see attached worksheet following minutes.
President’s Report: See items in New Business.
Pastor’s Report: Continues to lead worship for both Faith and Jerusalem weekly. Planning joint activities with Grace and Jerusalem.
Ministry Team Reports:
Christian Education:
Parents’ Night Out – Youth Fellowship (PNO-YF) The next two events are on Fridays, February 14 and March 14, 6pm to 9 pm. The February 14th theme is Valentine’s Day focusing on “God is Love” 1 (John 18 and John 3:16). We will also continue discussing the Fruits of the Spirit emphasizing Love and Kindness (Galatians 5:22-33).
Young Adult Fellowship (ages 12 to 17) – the next meeting is on Sunday, February 16, 6 pm to 7:30 pm. Due to inclement weather the January 19th meeting was cancelled so our young adults will, in addition to fun and games, will read and discuss the devotion “The Joy of New Beginnings. The Earth is full of His Unfailing Love.” (Psalm 33:5).
VBS 2025: This year’s VBS, scheduled for Monday through Friday, August 4 to 8, 9 am to 12 noon, is “True North, Trusting Jesus in a Wild World.” An email will be forthcoming in March with more details of VBS stations requiring leaders and assistants and the need for Crew leaders and assistants to make this year’s VBS fun and successful in bringing Jesus to the youth in our community. The email will also note that there will be a meeting for volunteer sign-up and those just wanting more information on Sunday April 6 after Worship Service. Please look into your hearts and volunteer your God-given gifts to this year’s VBS. As noted last year, we had an awesome group of volunteers in 2024!
Fellowship: Mary Lou and Anne are meeting. Will be looking at Facebook events to find possible activities to join.
Hospitality: Fastnacht Sunday is on March 2. Palm Sunday Luncheon.
Long-Range Planning: Coordination with the Nourishing Vocation Project.
Property Management: ArCoNet has decided to pursue other options.
Social Ministry: January - “Hugs for Soldiers” 22 cards were signed to send to soldiers. January – November 2025 - A “noisy can offering (change)” for God’s Global Barnyard will be collected the third Sunday of each month from January through November. In December, the Sunday School children will decide what animals to donate based on how much money is collected.
February – collecting soup and crackers for Keystone Opportunity Center.
Worship & Music: Meeting soon to plan for Lent and Easter.
OLD BUSINESS
Constitution Update: needs a few changes based on feedback from council review before being sent to the congregation for review. Also seeking guidance from SEPA Synod on the review and approval process. Misconduct Policy – has been updated and approved by insurance company, giving us a lower premium. University Lutheran Church Feast Incarnate – Faith is sponsoring (providing dinner and serving it) on Tuesday, May 27. Pastor, Debbie and Anne to start planning (100 people to feed at 5pm).
NEW BUSINESS
Fresh flowers at worship services – There was a discussion during the Annual Congregational Meeting with action to be taken by Council. The consensus from the Annual Meeting was in favor of changing to every other week for fresh flowers since many weeks were not sponsored. Janet found out that the florist would keep the pricing the same even if we only had fresh flowers every other week. The council voted to approve. If the flowers are not taken home, they may be able to be used a second Sunday, otherwise we would use the artificial flowers!
Meeting with our Thrivent Reps will take place at March’s council meeting.
The Council approved membership for Kate Waldman.
ELCA Candidacy Congregational Support – As Rich is going through this program, he explained that part of the process is for the application fee to be split evenly between the candidate, their congregation, and the SEPA Synod. The $650 portion shows the congregational support of the candidate. The council approved the expense. It will now go to Special Funds to source, but Linda Kratz asked that the funds come from Ruth Mathias’ memorial fund as it would mean a great deal to her.
Faith’s 60th Anniversary is on Palm Sunday, April 13. Planning has started and Bishop Penman is scheduled to attend.
Grace Lutheran Church’s council has reached out to Faith to meet for a fact-finding discussion on what it might look like should the two congregations decide to merge in the coming years. The meeting should take place with the Pastors and officers of each church, and it would be strictly a discussion and no decisions. The council voted to approve the planning of this meeting.
Next Meeting: Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 7pm. (March 5, 2025, is Ash Wednesday.)
