Council News
Siloa Lutheran ChurchCongregational Council MinutesFebruary 16, 2025
Present: Bob Anderson, Mark Hansen, Sharon Peterson, Colleen Rodriguez, Wendy Dawn Bengtson, Donna Whitney, Pastor Susan Masters and Lynn Erickson.Absent: No one
Pastor opened with prayer and Chairman Bob called the meeting to order at 11:51 am.
Secretary's Report (Lynn):• Motion made by Wendy Dawn to accept the January 12, 2025 congregational council minutes as printed. Motion seconded by Sharon; no discussion, motion carried unanimously.Treasurer's Report (Donna):• Well bill has been paid out of the general fund. It was $900 less than the estimate• January fuel bill was paid in February and there was another fill in February so that too will be paid for in February.• Motion made by Coleen to accept the treasurer's report as given. Motion seconded by Mark; no discussion, motion carried unanimously.Pastor's Report (Pastor):• In past six weeks, preached and presided 12 times• Held annual meetings at the end of January• Installed both church councils• Met with both church councils to lay out our transition schedule• seated our two Transition teams• reconvened Confirmation classes• Conducted three home visits• Planned and conducted one funeral• Attended Winter Ministerium• Attended synod's monthly meeting for interim pastors• Attended weekly text studies with clergy colleagues for sermon prep• Began preparations for the Lenten season• Lined up pulpit supply pastor for March 30 joint service due to previous commitmentProperty (Mark): • West front door seems to be working better now• Snowplowing has been done in a timely manner and no bill has been receivedChristian Discipleship (Sharon):• Cards sent since last meeting include five birthday and one sympathy• Soup donations have been coming in and will continue until March 23. To date, we have received $1,100 in cash for the food shelf.• We help staff the food shelf in the month of March. Sign up sheets are posted.Stewardship (Wendy Dawn):• We have received a donation through Thrivent choice in the amount of $70.00• In the 2025 budget, website line was listed twice, so budget is actually $500.00 lessWorship and Music (Colleen):• There will be a committee and altar guild meeting on Sunday, March 2 after fellowship• Pastor will work with committee with regards to hymns and using some more familiar ones.
OLD BUSINESS• Pastor is in contact with a member about being a delegate to the synod assembly.• Joint service here on March 30. Wendy Dawn will contact Salem's treasurer about paying supply pastor and then we will reimburse them.
NEW BUSINESS• The estimate received last fall from Associated Crafts & Willet Hauser in Winona has gone up $25,000. The estimate from Gaytee Palmer Company in Minneapolis is $104,000. After much discussion and comparing details, the council will propose to the congregation that we move forward with the project. Motion made by Sharon to go with Gaytee Palmer Company, using the $80,000 donation designated for window project and $25,000 from undesignated fund for this project. Motion seconded by Wendy Dawn; no further discussion, motion carried unanimously.• Discussion with regards to worship service if Pastor is unable to get here due to weather. It was suggested that we stream one service, using Salem's Facebook page and noting on our page to see Salem's page for service. Wendy Dawn will work with Salem on this. A calling tree will be used to notify members if service is cancelled.• Next meeting is March 9 after fellowship time.• Motion made by Mark to adjourn. Motion seconded by Sharon and meeting adjourned at 12:39 pm.
Unapproved minutes, respectfully submitted,
Lynn M. Erickson, Congregational Council SecretaryFebruary 16, 2025Approved as printed on March 9, 2025
Present: Bob Anderson, Mark Hansen, Sharon Peterson, Colleen Rodriguez, Wendy Dawn Bengtson, Donna Whitney, Pastor Susan Masters and Lynn Erickson.Absent: No one
Pastor opened with prayer and Chairman Bob called the meeting to order at 11:51 am.
Secretary's Report (Lynn):• Motion made by Wendy Dawn to accept the January 12, 2025 congregational council minutes as printed. Motion seconded by Sharon; no discussion, motion carried unanimously.Treasurer's Report (Donna):• Well bill has been paid out of the general fund. It was $900 less than the estimate• January fuel bill was paid in February and there was another fill in February so that too will be paid for in February.• Motion made by Coleen to accept the treasurer's report as given. Motion seconded by Mark; no discussion, motion carried unanimously.Pastor's Report (Pastor):• In past six weeks, preached and presided 12 times• Held annual meetings at the end of January• Installed both church councils• Met with both church councils to lay out our transition schedule• seated our two Transition teams• reconvened Confirmation classes• Conducted three home visits• Planned and conducted one funeral• Attended Winter Ministerium• Attended synod's monthly meeting for interim pastors• Attended weekly text studies with clergy colleagues for sermon prep• Began preparations for the Lenten season• Lined up pulpit supply pastor for March 30 joint service due to previous commitmentProperty (Mark): • West front door seems to be working better now• Snowplowing has been done in a timely manner and no bill has been receivedChristian Discipleship (Sharon):• Cards sent since last meeting include five birthday and one sympathy• Soup donations have been coming in and will continue until March 23. To date, we have received $1,100 in cash for the food shelf.• We help staff the food shelf in the month of March. Sign up sheets are posted.Stewardship (Wendy Dawn):• We have received a donation through Thrivent choice in the amount of $70.00• In the 2025 budget, website line was listed twice, so budget is actually $500.00 lessWorship and Music (Colleen):• There will be a committee and altar guild meeting on Sunday, March 2 after fellowship• Pastor will work with committee with regards to hymns and using some more familiar ones.
OLD BUSINESS• Pastor is in contact with a member about being a delegate to the synod assembly.• Joint service here on March 30. Wendy Dawn will contact Salem's treasurer about paying supply pastor and then we will reimburse them.
NEW BUSINESS• The estimate received last fall from Associated Crafts & Willet Hauser in Winona has gone up $25,000. The estimate from Gaytee Palmer Company in Minneapolis is $104,000. After much discussion and comparing details, the council will propose to the congregation that we move forward with the project. Motion made by Sharon to go with Gaytee Palmer Company, using the $80,000 donation designated for window project and $25,000 from undesignated fund for this project. Motion seconded by Wendy Dawn; no further discussion, motion carried unanimously.• Discussion with regards to worship service if Pastor is unable to get here due to weather. It was suggested that we stream one service, using Salem's Facebook page and noting on our page to see Salem's page for service. Wendy Dawn will work with Salem on this. A calling tree will be used to notify members if service is cancelled.• Next meeting is March 9 after fellowship time.• Motion made by Mark to adjourn. Motion seconded by Sharon and meeting adjourned at 12:39 pm.
Unapproved minutes, respectfully submitted,
Lynn M. Erickson, Congregational Council SecretaryFebruary 16, 2025Approved as printed on March 9, 2025
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)