Present: Pastor Chad Brekke, Mike Isenberg, Nate Boucher, Rachel Henderson, Patti VanLiew, Ann Maczuga, Cathy Krogstad, Pam Eliason
Absent: Pastor Natalia Terfa,
Call to Order: Mike called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm
Opening Devotion: Nate led us in devotions/prayer.
Adoption of the Agenda: Nate made a motion to adopt the agenda. Ann seconded the motion. Motion carries.
Approval of Previous Minutes: Rachel made a motion to approve minutes from the March 19, 2024 council meeting. Cathy seconded the motion. Motion carries.
EXECUTIVE TEAM REPORTS:
President and Vice President’s Report-
Nate attended one of the candidate forums for the Synod Bishop nomination. Each candidate introduced themselves and was available to answer questions. Our own Pastor Natalia from Prince of Peace was nominated, and we wish her well.
| Treasurer’s Report – Budget | Prior Year | ||||
| MONTH | Actual | Budget | Favorable/ | Actual | Favorable/ |
| General/Building Fund: | Mar-24 | Mar-24 | (Unfavorable) | Mar-23 | (Unfavorable) |
| Offerings/Receipts | 75,896 | 54,997 | 20,899 | 56,250 | 19,646 |
| Expenses | (59,828) | (60,672) | 844 | (64,474) | 4,646 |
| Net Gain/(Loss) | 16,068 | ($5,675) | 21,744 | (8,223) | $24,292 |
| Budget | Prior Year | ||||
| YEAR TO DATE | Actual | Budget | Favorable/ | Actual | Favorable/ |
| General/Building Fund: | Mar-24 | Mar-24 | (Unfavorable) | Mar-23 | (Unfavorable) |
| Offerings/Receipts | 153,903 | 142,372 | 11,531 | 148,527 | 5,376 |
| Expenses | (188,852) | (179,103) | (9,749) | (201,648) | 12,796 |
| Net Gain/(Loss) | ($34,949) | ($36,731) | $1,783 | ($53,121) | $18,172 |
Notable March Activity:
- For the month of March, receipts were higher than expenses. THIS is to be EXPECTED with Holy Week and Easter in MARCH Offering was higher than budget. . . The general/building fund activity for the month was a gain of $65,814. This is favorable to the budget by $18,735, but favorable/unfavorable to the prior year by $19,900.
- Overall, expenses are favorable to budget and favorable to prior year for the month. Expenses are down $844 from budget for March 2024 and down $4646 from March 2023.
*OF note: in 2023 Holy Week and Easter were in April, so this will average out in the next month.
- For March year to date, receipts are lower than expenses, resulting in a YTD loss of $34,949. This is favorable to budget by $1,783 and favorable to last year by $18,172.
- Cash balances available at the end of March were $32,500 with approximately $100,000 in additional investment accounts.
- We have made up some of the budget deficit with the holiday, decreasing the yearly deficit balance from $51,000 to $35,000, however, we do expect offering to decrease and plateau over the next several months, as there is a trend decline after the Easter holiday. Watching trends of the church year, we do not expect to have significant offering months until September.
~ Rachel Henderson, Treasurer
Pastoral Report- Pastor Chad
Our Lenten season provided a wonderful variety of voices and topics again this year centered on themes relating to mental, physical, spiritual and emotional well-being. We are always blessed and grateful for the contributions of so many gifted members of Prince of Peace.
This all led us into a profoundly meaningful Holy Week leading to a joyful Easter Sunday and an amazing “Ask the Pastors” Sunday that followed. Again, we are so grateful for all of our volunteers and staff who work together in support of sharing the Good News with hundreds of people in person and hundreds more joining us online.
All throughout this season of ministry, our team continues to provide pastoral care to families and individuals experiencing joyful times and sad times. These months should remind all of us that the mission and ministry we share continues to be vital, effective and profoundly important.
Your partner in ministry,
Pastor Chad
Pastoral Report – Pastor Natalia
Holy Week and Easter services were so lovely and meaningful and full of energy and joy. It was particularly great to see the room so full of people on Easter, extended families, guests, and plenty of visitors. Equally great was our Ask The Pastors Sunday, which we’ve been doing for (I Iooked it up) NINE years. That’s amazing. I’m proud of the unique ways in which we do theology together, and that’s one of my favorites.
By the time you all read this, we will have had the dedication ceremony for the Harm Reduction Box after worship on Sunday. It’s been a real gift to connect with the family and work with them to have POP be a place that acts on behalf of those in our community. Thanks for your dedication to making this work and saying yes as a leadership team. If you missed the ministry moment or dedication ceremony, they’ll be available on our social media and webpage so you (or someone who might ask you about it) can catch up with all the details.
It’s wedding season! I’ve got lots of meetings happening right now with pre-marriage couples, and already four weddings on the books between now and September.
¾ Time Off Week Schedule – April and May Chad off: April 8-14, May 6-12
Natalia off: April 15-21, May 13-19
Bishop Nomination Update: I am off this week, but will also be at the final candidate forum at the same time as our council meeting. We’ve had three in-person forums over the last week and it’s been quite a process! Trust that I’m napping a lot this week, recovering from all that intensity. I’ve been surprised at how much I’ve enjoyed the process, and how hopeful it makes me for the future of the synod to hear my colleagues talk about their visions and dreams. As far
as I know, there will be no more public-facing events until the first ballot on May 2. Prayers for me, my fellow nominees, and the entire process would be much appreciated.
And as always, in the interest of clearly communicating my availability – here’s the link to my digital calendar scheduler. Anyone can find a time to meet (in person, via zoom, or on the phone) with me at: https://calendly.com/nataliaterfa
Ministry Team Reports:
Outreach Team Report – Pam Eliason
CEAP is doing a clothing drive in April/May.
~ Jeanne Hanson
Care Team Report – Cathy Krogstad
• Funeral Team – Team reports they haven’t had a funeral in some time at POP, but requested that they continue to be kept in the communication loop even if the funerals are catered as they still can help with setting the tables, making coffee/lemonade and such.
• Quilters – Seventeen quilts & lap blankets were delivered to the Vet’s Hospital this past week. The team has 39 quilts, throws & lap blankets ready for donating, but will need to get in contact with some of the organizations they have been working with. There are also numerous quilts in progress, with plans to donate all items before our season ends next month.
• Mental Health Connect (MHC) – The team is busy working on the Stories of Hope breakfast fundraiser on May 9. MHC are excited to bring stories, programming updates and plans to Ambassadors, Navigators, Pastors and Community members about the work they are doing at MHC. The MHC Ambassadors at POP will also “host” the Swanson family on April 14 for the dedication of the Harm Reduction box on POP property. May is Mental Health month; look forward to the MHC highlighting this at POP.
Property Team and Sunday Morning Experience – Ann Muczuga
Gardening Team
With spring & lots of yard work, the Gardening Team was wondering about a Saturday morning church yard clean up. Last year we had a good turnout of 10-15 people & got a lot done. There is a new gentleman who is an arborist and would like to volunteer in the church garden/yard. Ann will follow up on this.
They also expressed that they felt Karina and Paul are really overworked.
Music and Tech
Paul and Nikk have reported that at some point (not an immediate concern), is to have someone come in and look at the in-ear monitor system. Apparently is has been buggy since 2021 or so. Will be needed if we want to bring anyone else back into the worship team effectively i.e. more guitars or drums of any kind.
Staff Reports:
Youth and Childrens and Family Ministry – Katie
PRAISES from PAST Events
- Holy Week was just wonderful all around. Palm Sunday was a fun celebration and it continued even when we left Worship. Maundy Thursday included a great group of young people who participated in the Communion Milestone. Good Friday saw a NEW event to Prince of Peace with the Family Event in the morning. The families that attended thought it was great, and I have some feedback for myself moving forward. Easter Sunday was another wonderful day of Worship (Truly one of my favorites out of the whole year)
- Plant Sale (Phase TWO) is done and in the books. The orders have been tabulated and the big order (and check request) have been submitted. Phase THREE will happen on Mother’s Day Weekend
- Lent Mentoring was good but contemplating some potential changes to it for next year. This will be a conversation to be had between myself, Pastoral Staff and other Church leadership.
- Coins for Lent brought in $700!
CURRENT UPDATES
- Working on finalizing plans for Middle School AND High School for this Summer. I am working with a few other ELCA Bible Camps that offer ministries that WAPO does not offer for our High School students. Middle School will be doing Day Long events on Wednesdays that will alternate between Service and Fellowship. Childrens Ministry will continue with Summer Day Camp
- Middle School Ministry has two weeks left for this School Year. Wednesday, April 17th we will be heading to Feed My Starving Children. On Wednesday the 24th we will have our End of the Year Party
- High School Ministry has two gatherings left for the School Year. April 21st we will be at Church, and I have some service projects for them to help with. On May 5th we will be having our End of the Year Event (which is yet to be determined)
- Childrens Ministry will wrap up for the school year on Sunday, May 19th with our own PENTECOST Party
- We will (more than likely) be doing one more COIN DRIVE for “PENNYCost” on May 19th.
- Continuing to work on organizing/cleaning/purging the Church as the Rental Groups continue to ask for more space.
~Katie
Unfinished Business:
The part for the heating unit for our kitchen dishwasher was estimated over $1,000 and there needs to be a licensed plumber and electrician install it, which will be approximately $1,500 more. The current unit heats to 160 degrees which is qualified for a licensed kitchen. We also have a 3 sink system that volunteers can use for sanitation. Unfortunately, Prince of Peace does not have the funds to fix it at this time.
New Business:
Pentecost Potluck
May 19, 2024 is Pentecost Sunday. As a relational ministry event, we will be hosting a potluck immediately after the service. Rachel has agreed to take point on the organizing. We have secured a Thrivent grant to cover the cost of plates, utensils, etc. and drinks. Advertising and announcements for the event will begin in May.
Trash situation
The board is continuing active steps to remove and prevent litter from the church’s property as per request from the Environmental Health and Inspections division of the BPPD.
On April 11, we had several people put in around 3 hours of work on the area and they were able to clear much of the trash. Our executive council team came up with the idea to put “No Dumping Private Property” signs up (knowing it won’t stop everybody but hopefully will make some of the offenders pause) and we are going to check with a local towing company to provide signs that say no overnight parking.
Thank you to all that helped with this urgent request.
Boy Scout Annual Report
Kelli Waalk-Gilbertson, Juli Beckman, and Matt Williams attended our Zoom meeting to update us on the Boys and Girls Scout Troups. Prince of Please has sponsored the Boy/Girl Scouts since 1965. They meet every Monday at PoP from 6:30-9:30 and have completed many service projects such as Highway Cleanup, Fort Snelling and Glen Haven clean up, Salvation Army Bell Ringing, Scout Sunday at PoP, and more. The scouts have one camp out each month and attend 2 one week camp outs during the summer. Kelli stated, “We are extremely appreciative of the church’s partnership with our troop for nearly 60 years and looking forward to many more years of working together to provide scouting opportunities for boys and girls.”
Next Meeting: Our next meeting will be held Tuesday, May 21, at 7:00 pm via Zoom.
Adjournment: Nate made a motion to adjourn. Pam seconded the motion. Meeting adjourned at 8:05 pm