Greenfield Lutheran Church Council Minutes
Wednesday, April 10th 2024
8:00 p.m. Church Library
Attendance:
P Paul Hemenway A Josh Krage A Zach Krage
P Janet Ewalt A Owen Schoepski P Scott Snyder
P Mary Beth Ostrom P Mindy Kingsley
P Vicky Tribon A Matt Anderson
P Stephanie Morse P Pastor Bockoven
Call to order at 8:15 PM: Paul Hemenway
Devotions – Led by Mary Beth, She read from Today Devotional: Power in Community
SCRIPTURE READING — 1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-27
https://todaydevotional.com/devotions/power-in-community
Code of Conduct
Committee Reports:
Stewardship Committee Report – Lead by Vicky Tribon:
Met 1st Tuesday of the month at 4:30pm.
- Vicky shared that the cost of sponsoring a Sunday School student would be
$4.00 and music would be $5.00 per student. Sharing this with the congregation
may help in getting more sponsors. She will also be working on detailing the
costs of Sponsoring a Church service and the confirmation program. Paul has
also volunteered to work on the newsletter and include how much offering can be
distributed to certain church events. “Slips for electronic giving will be available
as the congregation exits church and downstairs during coffee hour.”
- Vicky mentioned that coffee and fellowship is not well attended.
- Peter Olafsen from the stewardship committee volunteered to create a google
document for a survey to congregation members who can respond anonymously.
This will help gather information as to what members want or why they may not
be active in our church. Other committees are reviewing the survey to see if they
have questions to add. Council will review the survey at the May meeting before
it is sent out to the congregation via. email list and have paper copies available.”
- MaryBeth suggested that emails be sent out using Blind Carbon Copy (BCC) for
congregation. This would help in everyone’s email addresses being sent out and
replies coming back into the church. Pastor did mention that Kris is working on
gathering all of the congregation’s email addresses so that no one is left out and
finding a way to add them into a specific group through email. Everyone agreed
that Kris is very attentive to emails and responding in a timely matter when she is
in the office.
- The Fall/Winter Bazar committee of 6 has met once and will be meeting monthly
to discuss the details of the event scheduled for November 16, 2024.
Worship & Music Committee Report – Lead by Stephanie:
Met on Tuesday, April 2nd 2024 at 6:30pm
- Morem Electric was in on Tuesday, April 2nd and stated that dimmer switches
can be pricey. They suggested adjusting the altar lights first to see if this helps.
They did get them adjusted a little but did mention that it is difficult to adjust for all
purposes of the lights. Pastor has noticed that it is a little darker in certain spots
and there is no glow on the cross anymore. Paul did ask that we get a quote from
Morem Electric for the dimmer switch to know the flexibility of cost.
- Discussion on a safe way to assist those for communion around the altar and
piano. Pastor will bring out the kneeler stand to be placed by the Piano and see if
that is an option, otherwise a portable railing of some sort will be researched.
- Upcoming Events:
– April 21st, 2024 : Youth Sunday and pancake breakfast following
– May 5th – Confirmation (8 Confirmands)
– May 12th – Choir Sunday
– May 19th – Senior Recognition Sunday (4 Seniors)
– June 9th, July 14th, and August 11th – We will have 3 outdoor summer
services with donations of rolls, juice, & coffee served. (Weather
Permitting)
– July 14th – Send off for the NYG
Property –
- A Property Committee list of members and their contact information was handed
out to the council members. It was noted that we will need an updated list with
Matt Anderson and Scott Snyder also listed.
- Discussed rusting bolts on the railings out front of the church that will need to be
replaced. Researching options and next steps.
- Still working on custodian and lawn care for the church. 3 applications for
Custodial position have been submitted. The Hiring Committee is meeting to
discuss the interview process.”
Children, Youth, Family – Pastor Kurt gave a brief description.
- Youth Sunday will be on April 21st
- Sunday School & Music Teacher Appreciation Day on April 28th
- Youth Hike at Eagle Bluff on April 28th after church service
- Last Day of Sunday school is April 28th Looking for a Youth Activity for May
- Working with GreenLeafton on VBS in June
Adult & Family did not meet.
- Consent Agenda:
- Approval of March 2024 meeting minutes –
Vicky approved and Scott (second) As Form will be Corrected to say from MN to
New Orleans.
- Financial Report
- Janet motioned Stephanie (second) to add Vicky Tribon as treasurer to the
general account as an authorized signer at Southeast Bank, removing David
Kiehne. Sandy Strozyk will remain.
- Vicky updated the Council that there has been less money spent in the last
month due to no custodian and members helping clean. Warmer weather was
helpful on the heating bill. Insurance was down. Overall, being watchful on the
expenditure we were 12,000.00 higher.
- Old Business
- 3 Candidates that are all members of the congregation have applied for the
Custodian position. Paul did update the committee on the process of hiring a new
custodian. The custodial committee will interview the candidates and then meet
to pass on their recommendation for Council approval. This could still take a
while as councils only meet once a month.
- New Business
- Janet Motioned and MaryBeth (second) for the Blood Drive to be held in our
fellowship hall on Wednesday, May 22nd due to the community center being
occupied on that date.
- Stephany Motioned and Vicky (second) to approve confirmation students for
May 5th (provided they complete requirements) Bridon Bahl, Austin Hemenway,
Amelia Ringer, Parker Krage, Avalon Timmerman, Quinci Kaase, Keirra Whitehill
and Carston Grabau
- 8th Grade had to interview elderly members of the congregation and will be
presenting their interviews during church services in the next couple of Sundays.
Confirmation Sunday will be the first Sunday of May. (May, 12th)
- Scott motioned and Janet (second) for Pastor to present an offering of $200.00
from the Greenfield church to the Synod Assembly meeting on Saturday, May
11th. This offering will support the ministries of Continuous Growth Pathway
(CGP), Region 3 Archives and Luther Seminary
– Continuous Growth Pathway is an outreach ministry of Gustavus
Adolphus College that serves rostered ministers in the two synods of
southern Minnesota by providing impactful learning programs and
opportunities for meaningful colleague relationships. (Learn more.)
– Region 3 Archives is a partnership of the synods of Minnesota, North
Dakota, and South Dakota. Located at Luther Seminary, the archives
constitute one of the largest collections of American Lutheran material in
the United States. In addition to housing a treasure trove of historic
materials, the archives are also staffed with gifted church leaders
available to support congregations and synods preparing for special
anniversaries and other historic occasions. (Learn more.)
– Luther Seminary is an educational institution preparing lay leaders and
rostered ministers for Christian communities. Luther Seminary is leading
faithful innovation for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ in a rapidly
changing world. (Learn more.)
– Your giving through the event offering helps the synod to meet its
budgeted 2024 financial commitments to these ministry partners.
- Janet Motioned and Marybeth (second) for Sonia Bockoven and Kay Himlie to
use the church sanctuary on Friday, May 17th at 6:30 for Piano Recitals.
- Pastor’s Report
- Thank you to everyone including Janelle and Maria (subbing for Ragan) for
helping as we got through Holy Week. Confirmands were recommended to
attend 5 out of the 6 services. Unfortunately, Lenten Service attendance is going
down.
- Palm Sunday and First communion participants went great!
- Good Friday (Choir Sang) 32 people were in attendance for the 7am Easter
Service and 120 at the 9am service.
- Sunday, April 7th service was held for Ralph Beastrom. Cookies and Coffee well
served by the Mariam Circle. They did a great job serving!
- Wednesday, April 10th service was held for Richard Thorson.”
- We are working on getting Confirmation wrapped up in the next few weeks.
- Pastor Bockoven has been subbing at some of the nursing homes for a couple of
the other pastors.
- Old testament for Bible Study is coming up and the pastor will be attending with
some other Clergy.
- Lords Prayer lead by Pastor Bockoven
- Meeting Adjourned by Paul at 9:20pm
