NO MEETING WAS HELD IN SEPTEMBER
Council News
Congregational Council Meeting MinutesSiloa Lutheran ChurchAugust 9, 2026
Present: Bob Anderson, Sharon Peterson, Sherry Campbell, Colleen Rodriguez, Donna Whitney, Pastor Kae Evensen and Lynn Erickson.Absent: Wendy Dawn Bengtson
Pastor opened with prayer and chairman Bob called the meeting to order at 12:01 pm.
Secretary's Report (Lynn):• Sherry made a motion to accept the July 12, 2026 minutes as printed. Motion was seconded by Sharon, no discussion, motion carried unanimously. Treasurer's Report (Donna):• $244.93 should be added to the expenses for National Night Out. DIK and Thrivent amounts have not yet been reported.• Received a bill for furnace/ac repair. Motion made by Sherry to pay $749.00 to Bratvold Heating and Air for the repairs. Motion seconded by Colleen, discussion, motion carried unanimously.• Received paperwork for annual work compensation audit. Will complete this and mail in• A few weeks of bulletins was missing from the most recent shipment from Augsburg Fortress (today was an example). Decision needs to be made prior to September 1 if we want to order the next set of bulletins. Discussion included some people want the readings in writing in bulletin or on back as it is in the preprinted bulletins. Pastor pointed out that since we have purchased "Sundays and Seasons" with Salem (50% of cost will be paid by each church); we would have the capability to easily add readings to bulletins made instead of purchasing preprinted ones. After group discussion, no motion was made but group agreed to cancel the next Augsburg Fortress order and try printing our own bulletins. We can evaluate this in the future.• Salem has not caught up on reimbursing us for shared monthly expenses despite having reached out to Kristy Johnson. Donna will contact her again and Pastor will bring it up at Salem's council meeting. Pastor's Report (Pastor):• Complete report will be emailed to council. Did one or two visits since last month. Hours have been over what she is scheduled for. Christian Discipleship (Sharon):• Since last meeting, five birthday cards, one get well card, one sympathy and one thinking of you card have been sent.• Forty people attended the outdoor service on July 19, 2026. Music was good, as was the variety of food• Seven people attended the July craft retreat.• The July social gathering was held at Cambridge Bar and Grill with eleven in attendance. The next gathering will be held on August 18 at McBee's on Ann Lake at 4 pm.• National Night Out was on August 4 and approximately 105 people attended. Weather was perfect. John Olson from Salem donated herring and it was well received. May think about adding herring, crackers and pickles to next year's menu. Hot dogs, chips and ice cream bars were enjoyed this year. Representatives from Isanti County Sherriff's office and Dalbo fire department.
Stewardship (Wendy Dawn): Absent• No report on Salem/Siloa benevolence fund was printed but an earlier email informed council that there had been one request for $600.00, leaving a balance of $16,288.99.• Pastor did not have a mileage or expense report to present. Worship and Music (Colleen):• "Sundays and Seasons", large print bibles and yearly calendars have been purchased with the cost being split with Salem.• A group of musicians including Martin Marty, Laurel Johnson, Lora Westberg, Lisa Gabbert, Dee Dee Johnson and perhaps another member are considering providing music one time per month. Property (Sherry):• Presented to council a list of duties for potential custodian. Currently, one person has expressed interest in this job at a rate of $35/hour with a max of four hours for a total of $150/month. Council would like to see tasks divided into weekly, monthly and annual jobs. Suggested being specific in expectations and products to be used, having a trial period, job evaluation and a supervisor to determine if job is being done to our satisfaction. Since this will be a paid position, Donna will need information so W2 form can be completed.• Current light bulbs in fellowship hall are no longer available. New style has been purchased.• Bob put up the new handicap parking signs.• Restroom sign is here and will be hung.• Request to purchase two fly swatters• Toilet paper dispenser was broken during National Night Out. Sherry will get a replacement• Furnace control board and air conditioner capacitor have been replaced• Thank you to Bob for getting the building repair and painting bids
OLD BUSINESS1. Committee structure lists have been given to Wendy Dawn. Members reminded to provide committee minutes to Wendy Dawn for publication in newsletter2. Outcome from today's early special congregational meeting about proceeding with repair of siding and painting exterior and sanctuary was 15 yes and zero no votes. Bob will contact Top Notch Painting
NEW BUSINESS1. Some council members would like to consider a congregational council retreat to review constitution and "traditions" as a group to assist all council members in understanding their expected duties. This will be considered after the annual meeting and new members are installed and probable after the Lent/Easter season.2. Lynn sent a thank you card to the person that donated $24,000. This donation will be used towards the siding repair and painting project3. Pastor has contacted a few people that are currently worshipping with us regularly about becoming members. She and spouse will share membership at Siloa and Salem.4. Sherry said that some youth have reached out to see about going mini golfing again. She will check on the cost of this.5. Memorial committee has put the new church sign project on hold while they look at options, including perhaps designing and having one made locally. Bob reported that the current one is in bad shape.6. Next meeting will be held Sunday, September 13 after pot luck lunch. Lynn will be absent, so someone will need to take minutes.
Motion made by Sherry to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 12:52 pm. Closed with the Lord's Prayer.
Unapproved minutes respectfully submitted,
Lynn M. EricksonCongregational Council SecretaryAugust 9, 2026
Approved as written at October 11, 2026 meeting.LME
Present: Bob Anderson, Sharon Peterson, Sherry Campbell, Colleen Rodriguez, Donna Whitney, Pastor Kae Evensen and Lynn Erickson.Absent: Wendy Dawn Bengtson
Pastor opened with prayer and chairman Bob called the meeting to order at 12:01 pm.
Secretary's Report (Lynn):• Sherry made a motion to accept the July 12, 2026 minutes as printed. Motion was seconded by Sharon, no discussion, motion carried unanimously. Treasurer's Report (Donna):• $244.93 should be added to the expenses for National Night Out. DIK and Thrivent amounts have not yet been reported.• Received a bill for furnace/ac repair. Motion made by Sherry to pay $749.00 to Bratvold Heating and Air for the repairs. Motion seconded by Colleen, discussion, motion carried unanimously.• Received paperwork for annual work compensation audit. Will complete this and mail in• A few weeks of bulletins was missing from the most recent shipment from Augsburg Fortress (today was an example). Decision needs to be made prior to September 1 if we want to order the next set of bulletins. Discussion included some people want the readings in writing in bulletin or on back as it is in the preprinted bulletins. Pastor pointed out that since we have purchased "Sundays and Seasons" with Salem (50% of cost will be paid by each church); we would have the capability to easily add readings to bulletins made instead of purchasing preprinted ones. After group discussion, no motion was made but group agreed to cancel the next Augsburg Fortress order and try printing our own bulletins. We can evaluate this in the future.• Salem has not caught up on reimbursing us for shared monthly expenses despite having reached out to Kristy Johnson. Donna will contact her again and Pastor will bring it up at Salem's council meeting. Pastor's Report (Pastor):• Complete report will be emailed to council. Did one or two visits since last month. Hours have been over what she is scheduled for. Christian Discipleship (Sharon):• Since last meeting, five birthday cards, one get well card, one sympathy and one thinking of you card have been sent.• Forty people attended the outdoor service on July 19, 2026. Music was good, as was the variety of food• Seven people attended the July craft retreat.• The July social gathering was held at Cambridge Bar and Grill with eleven in attendance. The next gathering will be held on August 18 at McBee's on Ann Lake at 4 pm.• National Night Out was on August 4 and approximately 105 people attended. Weather was perfect. John Olson from Salem donated herring and it was well received. May think about adding herring, crackers and pickles to next year's menu. Hot dogs, chips and ice cream bars were enjoyed this year. Representatives from Isanti County Sherriff's office and Dalbo fire department.
Stewardship (Wendy Dawn): Absent• No report on Salem/Siloa benevolence fund was printed but an earlier email informed council that there had been one request for $600.00, leaving a balance of $16,288.99.• Pastor did not have a mileage or expense report to present. Worship and Music (Colleen):• "Sundays and Seasons", large print bibles and yearly calendars have been purchased with the cost being split with Salem.• A group of musicians including Martin Marty, Laurel Johnson, Lora Westberg, Lisa Gabbert, Dee Dee Johnson and perhaps another member are considering providing music one time per month. Property (Sherry):• Presented to council a list of duties for potential custodian. Currently, one person has expressed interest in this job at a rate of $35/hour with a max of four hours for a total of $150/month. Council would like to see tasks divided into weekly, monthly and annual jobs. Suggested being specific in expectations and products to be used, having a trial period, job evaluation and a supervisor to determine if job is being done to our satisfaction. Since this will be a paid position, Donna will need information so W2 form can be completed.• Current light bulbs in fellowship hall are no longer available. New style has been purchased.• Bob put up the new handicap parking signs.• Restroom sign is here and will be hung.• Request to purchase two fly swatters• Toilet paper dispenser was broken during National Night Out. Sherry will get a replacement• Furnace control board and air conditioner capacitor have been replaced• Thank you to Bob for getting the building repair and painting bids
OLD BUSINESS1. Committee structure lists have been given to Wendy Dawn. Members reminded to provide committee minutes to Wendy Dawn for publication in newsletter2. Outcome from today's early special congregational meeting about proceeding with repair of siding and painting exterior and sanctuary was 15 yes and zero no votes. Bob will contact Top Notch Painting
NEW BUSINESS1. Some council members would like to consider a congregational council retreat to review constitution and "traditions" as a group to assist all council members in understanding their expected duties. This will be considered after the annual meeting and new members are installed and probable after the Lent/Easter season.2. Lynn sent a thank you card to the person that donated $24,000. This donation will be used towards the siding repair and painting project3. Pastor has contacted a few people that are currently worshipping with us regularly about becoming members. She and spouse will share membership at Siloa and Salem.4. Sherry said that some youth have reached out to see about going mini golfing again. She will check on the cost of this.5. Memorial committee has put the new church sign project on hold while they look at options, including perhaps designing and having one made locally. Bob reported that the current one is in bad shape.6. Next meeting will be held Sunday, September 13 after pot luck lunch. Lynn will be absent, so someone will need to take minutes.
Motion made by Sherry to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 12:52 pm. Closed with the Lord's Prayer.
Unapproved minutes respectfully submitted,
Lynn M. EricksonCongregational Council SecretaryAugust 9, 2026
Approved as written at October 11, 2026 meeting.LME
2025-2026 COUNCIL MEMBERS
Sherry Campbell (Property), Lynn Erickson (Secretary). Colleen Rodriguez (Worship and Music), Bob Anderson (Chairman), Wendy Dawn Bengtson (Stewardship) and Sharon Peterson (Christian Discipleship)