Council Minutes April 1, 2026
Council was called to order by President Anne Hutnyk.
Minutes of the March regular council meeting were approved as written.
Treasurer’s Report: At 25% of the year, our receipts are 32% and our expenses are 26%. Our year-to-date deficit is $4,365. The treasurer’s report was approved as written.
President’s Report: Anne attended the Christian Education meeting on March 15. Happy 61st Anniversary to Faith – celebration was enjoyed by all at Palm Sunday coffee hour. Scrapbooking/craft sale went very well. Total $1309 - $928 between kitchen, donation table and table rent; $381 entrance donation for Feast Incarnate.
Pastor’s Report: Attended the funeral of Anne Lamphere on March 28, 2026. Our Lenten Bible study called “Dwelling in the Word” ended on March 26, 2026. There was an average of eight people who participated from both congregations each week. Attended Chrism Mass on March 31, 2026. I signed up Rich, Anne and I for the Synod Assembly which will be held at the end of May. Throughout March, I worked closely with Nueva Jerusalen in helping them get ready to start here at Faith.Big thanks to the Council, Adam & Janet for all your help.
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 April 19.
PNO-YF (ages 3 to 11) – Our monthly event is scheduled for April 17, 6-9pm in the church Fellowship Hall.
A special meeting was held on March 15, 2026, covering Liability Waivers for youth program attendees, our youth ministries outreach and VBS 2026.
During the meeting on March 15, it was decided to cancel VBS for 2026 based on volunteer availability. Gail sent out notices to all those who had volunteered.
Communications: Pastor had posted Holy Week service information on Facebook. John has been changing the outside signage.
Finance: Next meeting to be scheduled in April.
Hospitality: Easter Sunday – Coffee lite between service. Remaining Sundays in April are also coffee lites.
Long-Range Planning: We will meet in April or May.
Shepherding: The Shepherding team will be sending out cards for Easter.
Social Ministry: $75 was collected in the noisy can for March.
There are two exciting Social Ministry projects coming up in April and May. First is a two-month collection of funds in support of the Philadelphia Region Ronald McDonald House Charities. The Ronald McDonald House Charities support the families of people who have children in the hospital for a variety of medical issues including pre-term growth, illness, surgery, and cancer. They provide housing, food, transportation to the families, as well as emotional support, social and creative opportunities, tutoring and so much more. Funds are raised in a variety of ways, but people can pledge to provide financial support to families in the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald Houses/ Living Rooms at $25/night. Let us see how many nights Faith Lutheran Church can provide support to a family! Look for a poster and collection can in the Foyer for the months of April and May.
The second project is the Feast Incarnate dinner at University Lutheran Church in Philadelphia. We participated in this outreach in May 2025, and the people involved were really moved by the experience. We committed to prepare and serve two meals in 2026. We will serve the same menu each time – Mini Meatloaves, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, and honey walnut cake. The dates are May 27 and September 15. Watch for the poster containing food items to donate as well as asking for volunteers to make the meatloaves and to help to serve the meal in Philadelphia.
Special Funds: Pastor requested Special Funds Team approval for $500 to pay for the external financial review that happened earlier this year. The team approved and the Finance Team was notified to use the funds from the Boehmler Memorial Fund.
Worship & Music: Rich starts his seminary field work on April 12, so will not be able to manage our AV on Sunday mornings for perhaps 2 months. Adam cannot perform this function every week, so we need volunteers to learn the system.
OLD BUSINESS
Constitution Update: Rich will continue to work on this.
Iglesia De Dios Pentecostal Nueva Jerusalén La Celestial (New Jerusalem Heavenly Pentecostal Church of God: The final lease agreement was signed, and they started moving in at the end of March. We are working our way through some minor issues, which is to be expected. Linda requested that the township police be notified of the approved use of our facilities since our lights will be on at hours that are not usual for us.
NEW BUSINESS
Anne questioned the use of all the Passion text in the Palm Sunday services.
Next Meeting: Wednesday, May 6th at 7pm.
Council was called to order by President Anne Hutnyk.
Minutes of the March regular council meeting were approved as written.
Treasurer’s Report: At 25% of the year, our receipts are 32% and our expenses are 26%. Our year-to-date deficit is $4,365. The treasurer’s report was approved as written.
President’s Report: Anne attended the Christian Education meeting on March 15. Happy 61st Anniversary to Faith – celebration was enjoyed by all at Palm Sunday coffee hour. Scrapbooking/craft sale went very well. Total $1309 - $928 between kitchen, donation table and table rent; $381 entrance donation for Feast Incarnate.
Pastor’s Report: Attended the funeral of Anne Lamphere on March 28, 2026. Our Lenten Bible study called “Dwelling in the Word” ended on March 26, 2026. There was an average of eight people who participated from both congregations each week. Attended Chrism Mass on March 31, 2026. I signed up Rich, Anne and I for the Synod Assembly which will be held at the end of May. Throughout March, I worked closely with Nueva Jerusalen in helping them get ready to start here at Faith.Big thanks to the Council, Adam & Janet for all your help.
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 April 19.
PNO-YF (ages 3 to 11) – Our monthly event is scheduled for April 17, 6-9pm in the church Fellowship Hall.
A special meeting was held on March 15, 2026, covering Liability Waivers for youth program attendees, our youth ministries outreach and VBS 2026.
During the meeting on March 15, it was decided to cancel VBS for 2026 based on volunteer availability. Gail sent out notices to all those who had volunteered.
Communications: Pastor had posted Holy Week service information on Facebook. John has been changing the outside signage.
Finance: Next meeting to be scheduled in April.
Hospitality: Easter Sunday – Coffee lite between service. Remaining Sundays in April are also coffee lites.
Long-Range Planning: We will meet in April or May.
Shepherding: The Shepherding team will be sending out cards for Easter.
Social Ministry: $75 was collected in the noisy can for March.
There are two exciting Social Ministry projects coming up in April and May. First is a two-month collection of funds in support of the Philadelphia Region Ronald McDonald House Charities. The Ronald McDonald House Charities support the families of people who have children in the hospital for a variety of medical issues including pre-term growth, illness, surgery, and cancer. They provide housing, food, transportation to the families, as well as emotional support, social and creative opportunities, tutoring and so much more. Funds are raised in a variety of ways, but people can pledge to provide financial support to families in the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald Houses/ Living Rooms at $25/night. Let us see how many nights Faith Lutheran Church can provide support to a family! Look for a poster and collection can in the Foyer for the months of April and May.
The second project is the Feast Incarnate dinner at University Lutheran Church in Philadelphia. We participated in this outreach in May 2025, and the people involved were really moved by the experience. We committed to prepare and serve two meals in 2026. We will serve the same menu each time – Mini Meatloaves, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, and honey walnut cake. The dates are May 27 and September 15. Watch for the poster containing food items to donate as well as asking for volunteers to make the meatloaves and to help to serve the meal in Philadelphia.
Special Funds: Pastor requested Special Funds Team approval for $500 to pay for the external financial review that happened earlier this year. The team approved and the Finance Team was notified to use the funds from the Boehmler Memorial Fund.
Worship & Music: Rich starts his seminary field work on April 12, so will not be able to manage our AV on Sunday mornings for perhaps 2 months. Adam cannot perform this function every week, so we need volunteers to learn the system.
OLD BUSINESS
Constitution Update: Rich will continue to work on this.
Iglesia De Dios Pentecostal Nueva Jerusalén La Celestial (New Jerusalem Heavenly Pentecostal Church of God: The final lease agreement was signed, and they started moving in at the end of March. We are working our way through some minor issues, which is to be expected. Linda requested that the township police be notified of the approved use of our facilities since our lights will be on at hours that are not usual for us.
NEW BUSINESS
Anne questioned the use of all the Passion text in the Palm Sunday services.
Next Meeting: Wednesday, May 6th at 7pm.
