Council News
Siloa Lutheran ChurchCongregational Council Meeting MinutesAugust 20, 2025
Present: Bob Anderson, Sharon Peterson, Colleen Rodriguez, Pastor Freeberg, Wendy Dawn Bengtson, Donna Whitney and Lynn Erickson.Absent: Mark Hansen
Pastor opened with prayer and Chairman Bob called the meeting to order at 6:05 pm.
Secretary's Report (Lynn):• Motion made by Sharon to amend the July 9, 2025 minutes under the Worship and Music section-changing Sharon Peterson to Sharon Erickson and then approve. Motion seconded by Wendy Dawn, no discussion, motion carried unanimously. Treasurer's Report (Donna):• National Night Out expenses to date are $1,503.45 and this money will be taken from the Thrivent line item• Working with Wendy Dawn on Portico• Checked with East Central Electric Fiber internet and voicemail is not included in the standard business package but is available for a small additional fee. We have already purchased a new phone intended to use this service. Motion made by Lynn to add this service, since we are still saving money compared to our previous Century Link bill and now have internet too. Motion seconded by Colleen, discussion followed and motion carried unanimously.• Propane has been filled but no bill has been received yet• Motion made by Sharon to accept the report, seconded by Colleen, no discussion and motion carried unanimously. Pastor's Report (Pastor Jerod):• Since last meeting, has done eight services• Transition team report is done, MSP is coming along and should be completed by September 3. It will be presented to each council at their next meeting and hopefully submitted to Synod by the end of September. A call committee will have to be formed soon.• Three additional Refresh and refreshment sessions have been added.• Feel National Night Out went well and was well attended. Thank you to all involved.• August 31 will be a combined service at Siloa• Using a vacation day on Sunday, September 7. Has a supply pastor been arranged to fill in for him.• Motion made by Wendy Dawn to pay Siloa's portion of mileage ($2.80). Motion seconded by Colleen, no discussion, motion carried unanimously. Stewardship (Wendy Dawn):• Nothing to report Worship and Music (Colleen):• Outdoor service went well, facilities were nice.• Wondering about a dedication or blessing of new windows Property (Mark): Absent• Huge thanks to Gaytee-Palmer for the nice job on the windows• One of the refrigerators quit. A replacement will have to be the same width due to electrical box on that wall. Motion made to purchase a new one, with WELCA ladies selecting (with a spending limit of $1,500), have delivered and old one removed was made by Sharon. Motion seconded by Wendy Dawn, discussion and motion carried unanimously.• Stained glass window project seems to be completed but Bob will check prior to paying last bill due to a worker stating that a few windows could use some work and we were under the impression that the bid included all windows being done.• Keyless entry pad has been purchased but has not been installed. Discussion as to which door would be best to have it on.• Entry screen door to fellowship hall needs locking mechanism looked at because we can't lock it open.• Woodchuck has not been back lately Christian Discipleship (Sharon):• Since last meeting ten birthday and one thinking of you cards have been sent• 100-125 people attended National Night Out. Felt it went well• August craft retreat had 11 people attending on Friday and six on Saturday.• September 7 is "God's work, our hands" day. Looking for ideas to serve the community
Old business:• Home visitation team update is that the information is available and four people have signed up but no action has taken place yet• Working on west entry door yet• Seconded wireless phone has been purchased and will be installed once we add the voicemail feature on our service plan• Kay Dennis will fill in for Memorial Committee but does not want to be a permanent member.
New business:• John Wagner from the local paper will meet with Bob on Friday to write an article about the new windows.• Worship and music will work on a date for dedication of the windows during a service late September.• Would like to get a schedule for monthly council meetings. The first and third Wednesdays are not available do to SPARKS and Confirmation at Salem. The second Wednesday is when Salem has their meetings, so the fourth Wednesday of the month is the only Wednesday available for us to have our meetings. Council members agree this will work for everyone. Next meeting will be on September 24, 2025• Motion made by Wendy Dawn to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 6:48 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Lynn M. EricksonCongregational SecretaryAugust 22, 2025
Approved as printed on September 24, 2025 LME
2025-2026 COUNCIL MEMBERS
Colleen Rodriguez (Worship and Music), Lynn Erickson (Secretary), Wendy Dawn Bengtson (Stewardship and Vice Chair), Bob Anderson (Chairman), Sharon Peterson (Christian Discipleship), and Mark Hansen (Property)