Council Minutes
Siloa Lutheran Church Congregational Council Minutes April 11, 2023
Present: Bob Anderson, Wally Bengtson, Sherry Campbell, Pastor Mary Fiel, Donna Whitney, Wendy Dawn Bengtson and Lynn Erickson.Absent: Mark Hansen
Pastor opened with a blessing reading on being busy from "Speak it Plain" by Meta Herrick Carlson. Chairman Bob called the meeting to order at 6:02 pm.
Secretary's Report (Lynn):• Motion made by Wendy Dawn to approve the March 14, 2023 regular congregational council minutes and the March 28, 2023 joint congregational council minutes as written. Motion seconded by Wally and motion carried unanimouslyTreasurer's Report (Donna):• We are holding our own financially, but checkbook balance is down to $3,461.85 due to an increase in our property insurance.• Motion made by Wally to pay the insurance and approve the report as presented. Motion seconded by Sherry. Discussion. Motion carried unanimously. Pastor's Report (Pastor):• Had eight Sunday services and nine Lenten services in March along with six pastoral care connections.• Lent went well with good participation in the mid-week services and soup suppers.• Looking forward to getting back into action with Bible Study and confirmation.• Attended the Spring Ministerium and felt it was well worth the time.• Thank you for prayers for her during the past six months-feeling better.• Looking forward to Synod Assembly at the end of April and also the 5th Sunday combined worship service on April 30.• Online preaching conference May 15-19.• If we want to do a Buy Nothing Sell Nothing event during Braham city-wide garage sales, Pastor could only assist on Friday due to commitments on Saturday. We can get in the sale map for $15. Discussion followed and decision was to table activity for now; perhaps do it in the fall.• Vacation planned for June 26-July 2. Will be getting pulpit supply for July 2 worship service.• Motion made by Wally to pay Siloa's portion of mileage ($39.26) and expenses ($86.09). Motion seconded by Wendy Dawn and motion passed unanimously.Worship and Music (Sherry):• Services are going well. Thank you to Mitzi for heading up the Easter breakfast and for all that brought food or helped with set up or clean up.• No cake will be needed for the family after baptism on April 30.• Thanks to all that prepared/served Lenten soup suppers.• Altar guild will be working on banner storage in the near future.• Will check with Siloa Singers to see if they would be interested in playing at the outdoor service. Pastor can check with her ministerial connections to see if there are any groups available in case Siloa Singers can not do this. We can also think of options.• Still working on a solution to make the eternal candle more visible. • Wondering about using Kilz paint to cover up the soot on wall. Wendy Dawn mentioned that the memorial committee is talking about using undesignated memorial funds to get the sanctuary painted.Property (Mark): Absent• Lynn brought up the list of janitor duties that are mailed out. They are the ones that were used immediately post Covid and not current. Sherry mentioned that the greeter instructions are also in need of updating. We will ask June Bengtson to provide us with the pre-Covid instructions and greeter duties so they can be evaluated at next council meeting.• Pastor reported that since at least last Sunday, the phone is not working again. Donna will call Century Link about this.Christian Discipleship (Wendy Dawn):• Sharon has sent five birthday cards out since last meeting.• No camp scholarships will be given out this year.• Will continue to support Braham Area Food Shelf by assisting in distribution of food, hosting Souper Bowl, re-establish first Sunday of month as Food Shelf Sunday and promoting the "Shopping for a Neighbor" program that is offered.• Working on the following programs/offerings:1. Inviting the head of Isanti County Parks to come and speak on the opportunities the parks have to offer and about the new county park being developed.2. Walk in the Park will resume on June 1, Pastor Mary is working on these.3. Lynn is working on AED/CPR class4. This fall, looking at a series of meetings "Planning My Way Home-Wills/Trusts, Funeral planning"5. Kay Dennis is working on getting a missionary to sponsor6. Bobbin Feeders will be working extra to get more quilts done for Lutheran World Relief, high school graduates, and a raffle at the Dalbo Fire Department.7. Exploring options for gathering for activities.8. Amy Whitney has been using the library and will be giving reviews to encourage others to read.Stewardship (Wally):• Nothing to report
Old business:• Salem had questions at the joint congregational council meeting as to if it was written anywhere as to what percentage each church paid Pastor. Original figures to our recollection were Salem 5/8 and Siloa 3/8. Wendy Dawn and Wally will look at old records to see if they can find where and when this was decided.
New business:• Wendy Dawn and Lynn will work on a Siloa yearly calendar and bring it to next meeting. This could then be included in the annual report booklet and/or the January newsletter.• Cemetery committee is working on a clean up day and Memorial Day service with breakfast on May 29.• Next meeting is scheduled for May 9 at 6:00 pm• Motion made by Wendy Dawn to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 6:44 pm.
Unapproved minutes, respectfully submitted,
Lynn M. EricksonCongregational Council SecretaryApproved on May 9, 2023 with typo under Worship and Music changed. (Underlined and bold "t" added)
Present: Bob Anderson, Wally Bengtson, Sherry Campbell, Pastor Mary Fiel, Donna Whitney, Wendy Dawn Bengtson and Lynn Erickson.Absent: Mark Hansen
Pastor opened with a blessing reading on being busy from "Speak it Plain" by Meta Herrick Carlson. Chairman Bob called the meeting to order at 6:02 pm.
Secretary's Report (Lynn):• Motion made by Wendy Dawn to approve the March 14, 2023 regular congregational council minutes and the March 28, 2023 joint congregational council minutes as written. Motion seconded by Wally and motion carried unanimouslyTreasurer's Report (Donna):• We are holding our own financially, but checkbook balance is down to $3,461.85 due to an increase in our property insurance.• Motion made by Wally to pay the insurance and approve the report as presented. Motion seconded by Sherry. Discussion. Motion carried unanimously. Pastor's Report (Pastor):• Had eight Sunday services and nine Lenten services in March along with six pastoral care connections.• Lent went well with good participation in the mid-week services and soup suppers.• Looking forward to getting back into action with Bible Study and confirmation.• Attended the Spring Ministerium and felt it was well worth the time.• Thank you for prayers for her during the past six months-feeling better.• Looking forward to Synod Assembly at the end of April and also the 5th Sunday combined worship service on April 30.• Online preaching conference May 15-19.• If we want to do a Buy Nothing Sell Nothing event during Braham city-wide garage sales, Pastor could only assist on Friday due to commitments on Saturday. We can get in the sale map for $15. Discussion followed and decision was to table activity for now; perhaps do it in the fall.• Vacation planned for June 26-July 2. Will be getting pulpit supply for July 2 worship service.• Motion made by Wally to pay Siloa's portion of mileage ($39.26) and expenses ($86.09). Motion seconded by Wendy Dawn and motion passed unanimously.Worship and Music (Sherry):• Services are going well. Thank you to Mitzi for heading up the Easter breakfast and for all that brought food or helped with set up or clean up.• No cake will be needed for the family after baptism on April 30.• Thanks to all that prepared/served Lenten soup suppers.• Altar guild will be working on banner storage in the near future.• Will check with Siloa Singers to see if they would be interested in playing at the outdoor service. Pastor can check with her ministerial connections to see if there are any groups available in case Siloa Singers can not do this. We can also think of options.• Still working on a solution to make the eternal candle more visible. • Wondering about using Kilz paint to cover up the soot on wall. Wendy Dawn mentioned that the memorial committee is talking about using undesignated memorial funds to get the sanctuary painted.Property (Mark): Absent• Lynn brought up the list of janitor duties that are mailed out. They are the ones that were used immediately post Covid and not current. Sherry mentioned that the greeter instructions are also in need of updating. We will ask June Bengtson to provide us with the pre-Covid instructions and greeter duties so they can be evaluated at next council meeting.• Pastor reported that since at least last Sunday, the phone is not working again. Donna will call Century Link about this.Christian Discipleship (Wendy Dawn):• Sharon has sent five birthday cards out since last meeting.• No camp scholarships will be given out this year.• Will continue to support Braham Area Food Shelf by assisting in distribution of food, hosting Souper Bowl, re-establish first Sunday of month as Food Shelf Sunday and promoting the "Shopping for a Neighbor" program that is offered.• Working on the following programs/offerings:1. Inviting the head of Isanti County Parks to come and speak on the opportunities the parks have to offer and about the new county park being developed.2. Walk in the Park will resume on June 1, Pastor Mary is working on these.3. Lynn is working on AED/CPR class4. This fall, looking at a series of meetings "Planning My Way Home-Wills/Trusts, Funeral planning"5. Kay Dennis is working on getting a missionary to sponsor6. Bobbin Feeders will be working extra to get more quilts done for Lutheran World Relief, high school graduates, and a raffle at the Dalbo Fire Department.7. Exploring options for gathering for activities.8. Amy Whitney has been using the library and will be giving reviews to encourage others to read.Stewardship (Wally):• Nothing to report
Old business:• Salem had questions at the joint congregational council meeting as to if it was written anywhere as to what percentage each church paid Pastor. Original figures to our recollection were Salem 5/8 and Siloa 3/8. Wendy Dawn and Wally will look at old records to see if they can find where and when this was decided.
New business:• Wendy Dawn and Lynn will work on a Siloa yearly calendar and bring it to next meeting. This could then be included in the annual report booklet and/or the January newsletter.• Cemetery committee is working on a clean up day and Memorial Day service with breakfast on May 29.• Next meeting is scheduled for May 9 at 6:00 pm• Motion made by Wendy Dawn to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 6:44 pm.
Unapproved minutes, respectfully submitted,
Lynn M. EricksonCongregational Council SecretaryApproved on May 9, 2023 with typo under Worship and Music changed. (Underlined and bold "t" added)
2023-2024 COUNCIL MEMBERS
Pastor Mary Fiel, Bob Anderson (Chairman), Wendy Dawn Bengtson (Christian Discipleship), Lynn Erickson (Secretary), Sherry Campbell (Worship and Music), Mark Hansen (Property), and
Wally Bengtson (Stewardship)