Council News
Siloa Lutheran ChurchCongregational Council Meeting MinutesJune 18, 2025
Present: Bob Anderson, Sharon Peterson, Mark Hansen, Pastor Jerod Freeberg, Colleen Rodriguez, Wendy Dawn Bengtson, Donna Whitney, and Lynn Erickson.Absent: No one
Pastor opened with devotion on Mark 10:45 and prayer. Chairman Bob called the meeting to order at 2:11 pm.
Secretary's report (Lynn):• Motion made by Wendy Dawn to approve the May 11, 2025 minutes as printed. Motion seconded by Sharon, no discussion, motion passed unanimously. Treasurer's report (Donna):• Funds are looking good; no questions or concerns with report presented.• Motion made by Mark to approve report as presented. Motion seconded by Colleen, no discussion, motion carried unanimously. Pastor's report (Pastor):• Presided over six services including one funeral• Interim work agreement has been signed and sent to Synod• Met with Siloa's ministry site profile (MSP) team today and will meet with Salem's team later today. Once MSP is submitted a call team will be formed.• Upcoming events include June 29-Joint worship service at Salem and July 13-Joint outdoor service @ Vegsund park @ 10:30 am• Requesting a vacation day on September 7, 2025• Off and running with transition and worship needs• Will touch base with colleagues if backup emergency pastoral services are needed• Will start asking congregation if there are any additional announcements during announcement time prior to start of worship
Property (Mark):• Work on stained glass windows has started• Wendy Dawn has looked at new wireless phones. Motion made to purchase two new phones, not to exceed $65.00 was made by Wendy Dawn. Motion seconded by Colleen, no discussion, motion carried unanimously.• Suggested we switch "handicap" parking spot with "pastor" parking spot on west side of parking.• Battery needs to be changed in clock above kitchen serving area• West church entry door latch is worn out and it can't be opened easily from outside. Bob will price a new handle• Motion sensitive lights that have been purchased still need to be hung Christian Discipleship (Sharon):• Since last meeting, cards sent out include six birthday, one get well, one thank you, one thinking of you and one sympathy• Committee met to discuss National Night Out, August 5. Menu will be hot dogs, chips, ice cream bar/treat, coffee and water. Motion made by Sharon to give Kay Dennis $500.00 to purchase gift cards to be used as door prizes. Motion seconded by Wendy Dawn, discussion followed including applying for Thrivent funds, motion carried unanimously. Wendy Dawn will look for prizes for the children. Bob has contacted Lora Westberg about providing music and also reached out to the sheriff's office and Dalbo fire department• There have been only two people responding to home visitation team. Pastor feels this may be enough to get started with training, given the size of our congregation• Craft retreat in June will only be on Friday and six people have signed up Stewardship (Wendy Dawn):• Interim work agreement completed and sent in• Pastor has been enrolled in Portico• $73.00 has been received from Thrivent choice program Worship and Music (Colleen):• Information about liturgical colors are included in newsletter• Musicians that performed at Easter have done so pro bono• Lora Westberg will provide music at National Night Out. She will get back to us with a charge. Last year, $550 was spent on music.• Scott Nelson and Siloa Singers will provide music at the joint outdoor service on July 13• There has been interest in offering a "Refresh and refreshments" where we would study who we are as Lutherans and why are we Lutherans. Pastor has an 8-10 week course to go over core pieces of Christianity, Lutheranism and the Small Catechism. We will start this on Wednesday, July 9 @ 12:30 to 1:30 pm and invite Salem to join us• Pianist/organists are frustrated with hymns not fitting with readings and being unfamiliar to congregation or inspirational. Suggesting they develop a list of familiar hymns. Another question is whether distribution hymns are necessary or if we could just have music played during that time since most people do not sing during this time• Committee would like to see bibles in pews used more so page numbers will be included in bulletin, on PowerPoint and announced at time of readings. Old business:1. East Central Energy Fiber will be here on Friday to install internet2. Pulpit supply payment (50/50 vs. 75/25) with Salem tabled until we have a joint council meeting3. Memorial committee member selection tabled4. June Bengtson, secretary is not interested in getting a locked mailbox 5. Bob has spoken with Fred Swanson with regards to a bill for plowing snow last winter. Fred does not want payment. Motion made by Wendy Dawn to give him a thank you card and $200.00. Motion seconded by Sharon, no discussion, motion carried unanimously6. Lynn spoke with Terri Gerold about purchasing a new church computer before our current old one dies. Terri would prefer to wait until the end of the year to do this so she does not have to change programs or reenter items. We will look at options for programs in the meantime
New business:1. Required by IRS, it should be noted that the annual housing allowance for Pastor Freeberg is $35,000.2. Next meeting scheduled for July 16, 2025 at 6 pm. When school is back in session, we may have to move this to the fourth Wednesday of each month due to conflicts with confirmation and Sparks3. Mark made motion to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 3:15 pm.
Unapproved minutes, respectfully submitted,Lynn M Erickson, Congregational Council SecretaryJune 18, 2025
Minutes approved as written on July 9, 2025 LME
Present: Bob Anderson, Sharon Peterson, Mark Hansen, Pastor Jerod Freeberg, Colleen Rodriguez, Wendy Dawn Bengtson, Donna Whitney, and Lynn Erickson.Absent: No one
Pastor opened with devotion on Mark 10:45 and prayer. Chairman Bob called the meeting to order at 2:11 pm.
Secretary's report (Lynn):• Motion made by Wendy Dawn to approve the May 11, 2025 minutes as printed. Motion seconded by Sharon, no discussion, motion passed unanimously. Treasurer's report (Donna):• Funds are looking good; no questions or concerns with report presented.• Motion made by Mark to approve report as presented. Motion seconded by Colleen, no discussion, motion carried unanimously. Pastor's report (Pastor):• Presided over six services including one funeral• Interim work agreement has been signed and sent to Synod• Met with Siloa's ministry site profile (MSP) team today and will meet with Salem's team later today. Once MSP is submitted a call team will be formed.• Upcoming events include June 29-Joint worship service at Salem and July 13-Joint outdoor service @ Vegsund park @ 10:30 am• Requesting a vacation day on September 7, 2025• Off and running with transition and worship needs• Will touch base with colleagues if backup emergency pastoral services are needed• Will start asking congregation if there are any additional announcements during announcement time prior to start of worship
Property (Mark):• Work on stained glass windows has started• Wendy Dawn has looked at new wireless phones. Motion made to purchase two new phones, not to exceed $65.00 was made by Wendy Dawn. Motion seconded by Colleen, no discussion, motion carried unanimously.• Suggested we switch "handicap" parking spot with "pastor" parking spot on west side of parking.• Battery needs to be changed in clock above kitchen serving area• West church entry door latch is worn out and it can't be opened easily from outside. Bob will price a new handle• Motion sensitive lights that have been purchased still need to be hung Christian Discipleship (Sharon):• Since last meeting, cards sent out include six birthday, one get well, one thank you, one thinking of you and one sympathy• Committee met to discuss National Night Out, August 5. Menu will be hot dogs, chips, ice cream bar/treat, coffee and water. Motion made by Sharon to give Kay Dennis $500.00 to purchase gift cards to be used as door prizes. Motion seconded by Wendy Dawn, discussion followed including applying for Thrivent funds, motion carried unanimously. Wendy Dawn will look for prizes for the children. Bob has contacted Lora Westberg about providing music and also reached out to the sheriff's office and Dalbo fire department• There have been only two people responding to home visitation team. Pastor feels this may be enough to get started with training, given the size of our congregation• Craft retreat in June will only be on Friday and six people have signed up Stewardship (Wendy Dawn):• Interim work agreement completed and sent in• Pastor has been enrolled in Portico• $73.00 has been received from Thrivent choice program Worship and Music (Colleen):• Information about liturgical colors are included in newsletter• Musicians that performed at Easter have done so pro bono• Lora Westberg will provide music at National Night Out. She will get back to us with a charge. Last year, $550 was spent on music.• Scott Nelson and Siloa Singers will provide music at the joint outdoor service on July 13• There has been interest in offering a "Refresh and refreshments" where we would study who we are as Lutherans and why are we Lutherans. Pastor has an 8-10 week course to go over core pieces of Christianity, Lutheranism and the Small Catechism. We will start this on Wednesday, July 9 @ 12:30 to 1:30 pm and invite Salem to join us• Pianist/organists are frustrated with hymns not fitting with readings and being unfamiliar to congregation or inspirational. Suggesting they develop a list of familiar hymns. Another question is whether distribution hymns are necessary or if we could just have music played during that time since most people do not sing during this time• Committee would like to see bibles in pews used more so page numbers will be included in bulletin, on PowerPoint and announced at time of readings. Old business:1. East Central Energy Fiber will be here on Friday to install internet2. Pulpit supply payment (50/50 vs. 75/25) with Salem tabled until we have a joint council meeting3. Memorial committee member selection tabled4. June Bengtson, secretary is not interested in getting a locked mailbox 5. Bob has spoken with Fred Swanson with regards to a bill for plowing snow last winter. Fred does not want payment. Motion made by Wendy Dawn to give him a thank you card and $200.00. Motion seconded by Sharon, no discussion, motion carried unanimously6. Lynn spoke with Terri Gerold about purchasing a new church computer before our current old one dies. Terri would prefer to wait until the end of the year to do this so she does not have to change programs or reenter items. We will look at options for programs in the meantime
New business:1. Required by IRS, it should be noted that the annual housing allowance for Pastor Freeberg is $35,000.2. Next meeting scheduled for July 16, 2025 at 6 pm. When school is back in session, we may have to move this to the fourth Wednesday of each month due to conflicts with confirmation and Sparks3. Mark made motion to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 3:15 pm.
Unapproved minutes, respectfully submitted,Lynn M Erickson, Congregational Council SecretaryJune 18, 2025
Minutes approved as written on July 9, 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)