Council Notes October 1, 2025
Council was called to order by President Rich Hollenbach. Council Minutes of the September meeting were approved as written.
Treasurer’s Report: At 75% of the 2025-year, our receipts are about 76% and expenses are around 72%. Member Giving for Pledged & Unpledged Envelopes is at 72% and 124%. The deficit for the month is $396, and our year-to-date deficit is $21,453. Although we are matching our budget, we are still in an increasing deficit. The Treasurer’s Report of September was approved as written.
President’s Report: We are kicking off our Stewardship campaign of “A Listening Faith” which will be the focus of our breakfast worship service on Sunday, October 19th at 9:30am. Although our deficit was small this month, we are still depleting our savings. If we are not making any changes, how can we expect to turn this around.
Pastor’s Report: I have led and presided at worship regularly throughout the month and Faith and Jerusalem. I continue to do shifts at the Lansdale Hospital as the Volunteer Protestant Chaplain. Will be officiating at the wedding of Jonathan Hollenbach and Tia Blauvelt on October 17, 2025. We have been doing sessions and planning the service. Worked with Debbie and the finance team to pick a new healthcare plan through Portico Benefits. Enrollment is in October. Faith Education Dinner is restarting at 5:30pm on Sunday, October 12, 2025. We will focus on the Bible this year. Working with confirmation families to come up with a date for Confirmation Sunday. We have two youth participating in and checking in with the others. Upcoming vacation: November 23, 2025: My brother is running the Philadelphia Marathon, and I want to support him. Rich will be leading worship.
Ministry Team Reports:
Christian Education:
Monday Night Bible Study (MNBS): Our small group is doing a study on Lysa Terkeurst’s book “It’s Not Supposed to be this Way: Finding Unexpected Strength When Disappointment Leaves You Shattered.” We meet Monday evenings from 7 pm to 9 pm. The zoom link is printed in the weekly bulletin and the Mustard Seed. Anyone interested in joining 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.
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. Our rotating teachers this school year are Anna Friedrich, Nancy Gansner, Kate Waldman, and Gail Achilles.
Parents’ Night Out – Youth Fellowship (PNO-YF): – We will be meeting October 24, 6 pm to 9 pm, in the Fellowship Hall. Our theme is Chosen by God (Ephesians 1:4-6, NIV) “4 For He chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of His glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One He loves.” We will also add a touch of Halloween to this event.
Young Adult Group (ages 12 to 17) – This month’s meeting is scheduled for Sunday, October 19, 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall. We will discuss and discern as we do an object lesson inspired by Ephesians 1:4-6 plus enjoy other fun activities and treats for this time of year.
Communications: Check out the inspiring message on our front yard sign. Thanks again John Taylor.
Finance: The Finance Team will be meeting on 10/30 to continue the 2026 budget work. The finance Team is recommending going with the Simple plan of $876 from Gusto for 2026 as the new payroll company. All voted to approve this motion. We are going to stop using Vanco as our e-giving provider and look for another company. Finance will set up an external financial review of the financial records of 2024. We will need to go to Special Funds for this expenditure Finance will set up an internal review in 2026 of the 2025 financial records. VBS CD: a 13-month CD is chosen as it provides better management for VBS.
Fellowship/Hospitality: Anne expressed her thankfulness to everyone who keeps our kitchen stocked with food, treats, beverages, and supplies and those who help with the cleanup and set up every Sunday. Pastor, Rich and all of council added how much we appreciate Anne for her enthusiastic, conscientious work for our weekly church fellowship coffee hour and other similar events.
Long-Range Planning: Coordination with the Nourishing Vocation Project and Listening Faith.
Mutual Ministry: The Mutual Ministry team met with Adam and Janet, which went smoothly, and will meet with Pastor this month. Recommend a 6% salary increase for the Pastor salary. All voted in favor of this motion.
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 Team: The two large potholes on Morgan Street have been filled. The team needs to investigate the fallen tree in the back corner of the parking lot.
Social Ministry: August – $324 was raised for Vacation Bible School’s project, Operation Kid to Kid – warm coats, etc. September – 141 Impact/Impact One for One – Uganda. October – Bread and Muffin mixes will be collected for Thanksgiving and given to the Food Cupboard in Hatfield. “Noisy Can Collection” – January – September, God’s Global Barnyard has received a total of $469.50.
Special Funds: All the requests from last month were approved.
Stewardship: Our Stewardship Program will be kicking off our theme for the year which is “A Listening Faith.”
Worship & Music: Need to schedule a meeting in the next few weeks.
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 theme for the coming year, “A Listening Faith”: Book: The Listening Life: Embracing Attentiveness in a World of Distraction by Adam S. McHugh.
Next Meeting: Wednesday, November 5, 2024, at 7:00 PM.
Council was called to order by President Rich Hollenbach. Council Minutes of the September meeting were approved as written.
Treasurer’s Report: At 75% of the 2025-year, our receipts are about 76% and expenses are around 72%. Member Giving for Pledged & Unpledged Envelopes is at 72% and 124%. The deficit for the month is $396, and our year-to-date deficit is $21,453. Although we are matching our budget, we are still in an increasing deficit. The Treasurer’s Report of September was approved as written.
President’s Report: We are kicking off our Stewardship campaign of “A Listening Faith” which will be the focus of our breakfast worship service on Sunday, October 19th at 9:30am. Although our deficit was small this month, we are still depleting our savings. If we are not making any changes, how can we expect to turn this around.
Pastor’s Report: I have led and presided at worship regularly throughout the month and Faith and Jerusalem. I continue to do shifts at the Lansdale Hospital as the Volunteer Protestant Chaplain. Will be officiating at the wedding of Jonathan Hollenbach and Tia Blauvelt on October 17, 2025. We have been doing sessions and planning the service. Worked with Debbie and the finance team to pick a new healthcare plan through Portico Benefits. Enrollment is in October. Faith Education Dinner is restarting at 5:30pm on Sunday, October 12, 2025. We will focus on the Bible this year. Working with confirmation families to come up with a date for Confirmation Sunday. We have two youth participating in and checking in with the others. Upcoming vacation: November 23, 2025: My brother is running the Philadelphia Marathon, and I want to support him. Rich will be leading worship.
Ministry Team Reports:
Christian Education:
Monday Night Bible Study (MNBS): Our small group is doing a study on Lysa Terkeurst’s book “It’s Not Supposed to be this Way: Finding Unexpected Strength When Disappointment Leaves You Shattered.” We meet Monday evenings from 7 pm to 9 pm. The zoom link is printed in the weekly bulletin and the Mustard Seed. Anyone interested in joining 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.
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. Our rotating teachers this school year are Anna Friedrich, Nancy Gansner, Kate Waldman, and Gail Achilles.
Parents’ Night Out – Youth Fellowship (PNO-YF): – We will be meeting October 24, 6 pm to 9 pm, in the Fellowship Hall. Our theme is Chosen by God (Ephesians 1:4-6, NIV) “4 For He chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of His glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One He loves.” We will also add a touch of Halloween to this event.
Young Adult Group (ages 12 to 17) – This month’s meeting is scheduled for Sunday, October 19, 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall. We will discuss and discern as we do an object lesson inspired by Ephesians 1:4-6 plus enjoy other fun activities and treats for this time of year.
Communications: Check out the inspiring message on our front yard sign. Thanks again John Taylor.
Finance: The Finance Team will be meeting on 10/30 to continue the 2026 budget work. The finance Team is recommending going with the Simple plan of $876 from Gusto for 2026 as the new payroll company. All voted to approve this motion. We are going to stop using Vanco as our e-giving provider and look for another company. Finance will set up an external financial review of the financial records of 2024. We will need to go to Special Funds for this expenditure Finance will set up an internal review in 2026 of the 2025 financial records. VBS CD: a 13-month CD is chosen as it provides better management for VBS.
Fellowship/Hospitality: Anne expressed her thankfulness to everyone who keeps our kitchen stocked with food, treats, beverages, and supplies and those who help with the cleanup and set up every Sunday. Pastor, Rich and all of council added how much we appreciate Anne for her enthusiastic, conscientious work for our weekly church fellowship coffee hour and other similar events.
Long-Range Planning: Coordination with the Nourishing Vocation Project and Listening Faith.
Mutual Ministry: The Mutual Ministry team met with Adam and Janet, which went smoothly, and will meet with Pastor this month. Recommend a 6% salary increase for the Pastor salary. All voted in favor of this motion.
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 Team: The two large potholes on Morgan Street have been filled. The team needs to investigate the fallen tree in the back corner of the parking lot.
Social Ministry: August – $324 was raised for Vacation Bible School’s project, Operation Kid to Kid – warm coats, etc. September – 141 Impact/Impact One for One – Uganda. October – Bread and Muffin mixes will be collected for Thanksgiving and given to the Food Cupboard in Hatfield. “Noisy Can Collection” – January – September, God’s Global Barnyard has received a total of $469.50.
Special Funds: All the requests from last month were approved.
Stewardship: Our Stewardship Program will be kicking off our theme for the year which is “A Listening Faith.”
Worship & Music: Need to schedule a meeting in the next few weeks.
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 theme for the coming year, “A Listening Faith”: Book: The Listening Life: Embracing Attentiveness in a World of Distraction by Adam S. McHugh.
Next Meeting: Wednesday, November 5, 2024, at 7:00 PM.
