Present: Pastor Chad Brekke, Pastor Natalia Terfa, Melissa Johnson, Mike Isenberg, Richard Habstritt, Rachel Henderson, Lori Clausen, Frank Clinton, Jim Fodstad, Sarah Hetz, Kirk Sidlo
Absent: Frank Clinton
Call to Order: Melissa called the meeting to order at 7:03PM
Opening Devotion: Rachel led us in devotions
Adoption of the Agenda: Mike made a motion to adopt the agenda. Jim seconded the motion. Motion carries.
Approval of Previous Minutes: Mike made a motion to approve minutes from the March 15, 2022 council meeting. Jim seconded the motion. Motion carries.
EXECUTIVE TEAM REPORTS:
President’s Report
None
VP Report
None
Treasurer’s Report
OFFERINGS/RECEIPTS
2022 2021
JANUARY $50,753.77 $51,484.15
FEBRUARY $46,855.26 $48,963.77
MARCH $55,582.41 $70,465.44
TOTAL $153,191.44 $170,913.36
EXPENSES
2022 2021
JANUARY $69,711.20 $67,823.25
FEBRUARY $72,658.64 $69,248.17
MARCH $72,147.03 $75,948.44
TOTAL $214,516.87 $213,019.86
GAIN/LOSSES
2022 2021
JANUARY ($18,957.43) ($16,339.10)
FEBRUARY ($25,803.38) ($20,284.40)
MARCH ($16,564.62) ($5,483.00)
TOTAL ($61,325.43) ($42,106.50)
Offering/Receipts decreased in 2022 over 2021 by $17,721.92
Expenses increased in 2022 by $1,497.01 compared to 2021.
Our Losses for the year 2022 increased by $19,218.93 compared to 2021
Other Receipts in 2022 was $23,306.66 compare to 2021 which was $19,564.45
Cash Balances as of 03/31/2022 $ 15,840.00
Request of $32,000 to replenish cash balance was made on March 28, 2022. This was part of the 2022 budget
Secretary’s Report
None
PASTORAL REPORTS:
Pastor Chad’s Report
The season of Lent through Easter was full of rich blessings at Prince of Peace. Our theme of metanoia was woven into this season of worship during our midweek services and often found its way into our Sunday worship as well. As usual, the giftedness and creativity of our staff helped bring variety new perspectives throughout the season.
Holy Week was particularly inspirational with so much special music and meaningful worship moments. Easter Sunday was a celebration for the ages. There was an undeniable positive Spirit present with so many people feeling comfortable returning to in person worship. None of this happens by accident. I am deeply grateful to all our staff and volunteers for offering your time and energy in sharing the Good News.
Pastor Natalia and I had a meeting with Pastor Jenny Sung who will be joining the team this summer while I am on sabbatical. Pastor Jenny is a uniquely gifted, creative and joyful pastoral leader and I could not be more pleased that she will be leading a comprehensive and intentional process to help build up our lay pastoral ministry at PoP. Pastor Jenny will help create processes that will continue to bless our community for years to come as she helps equip and empower the saints for effective ministry and outreach in new ways. Pastor Jenny will also share preaching with Pastor Natalia throughout the summer, which is a double blessing to look forward to!
The Vision Trip to Tanzania begins on June 9. All preparations, including flights, visas, lodging, ministry site visits, transportation, meals, guides, permits, etc. are in place for our group of seven to visit our Lutheran partners in that incredible country.
The study portion of my sabbatical will be focused on the following topics with discussion leadership provided by those listed. A cohort of pastor friends will be joining me for these discussions.
•Theological Grounding for Leadership NOW—Rev. Dr. Anna Madsen
•Justice and Church—Rev. Kelly Chatman
•Spiritual Practices—Pastor Susan Engholm
•Conflict Resolution—Dr. David Webb
Forward we go into the Easter season!
Pastor Chad
Pastor Natalia’s Report
I am writing this coming off Palm Sunday, as we are on the cusp of the rest of Holy Week services. There was a definite different energy in worship on Palm Sunday. Yes, there are still many things to grieve and with news of new variants we are well aware are not out of the woods yet, but it felt different. Hopeful. Like the resurrection that is coming. I’m looking forward to how the rest of this week goes, and hopefully we’ll have good things to report by the time we meet. Spring GroupLife is almost here! I have not fully planned it out yet, but we have plenty of time to do so. I have hopes for a return to in person meetings for a lot of groups who have taken time off during the pandemic. Spring GroupLife will start the week of May first, and continue to Memorial Day.
My call at POP also includes a call to the “big C Church” and this month that included my work with the Minneapolis Area Synod Candidacy Committee in our full day spring Candidacy Day. It was the first time in over two years we’ve been in person, so it felt like a big step!
Lastly, I hope you’ll all give support and welcome to our summer pastor Jenny Sung, who you’ll meet at this week’s meeting but also as she works to revitalize our care team and helps carry the pastoral load during Pr Chad’s sabbatical. She is a delight, and I hope Prince of Peace can be a place of hope and joy for her while she is with us.
Pastoral Acts (March 15-April 15): Funerals: 0 Weddings: 0 Baptisms: 3
Ministry Team Reports:
Community Life
Coffee on Palm Sunday was a big hit. Coffee will be scheduled after 9:30 service moving forward.
Game Night scheduled for May 20th at 6:30pm. All ages welcome.
Congregational Care
None
Outreach
Current/Upcoming Projects
Avenues For Youth
- • Birthday Buddy Program – POP is alternating months with Brooklyn United Methodist. Our months are April, June, August, October, and December. Amy checking with Kevin on April birthdays.
- • Building on Dreams Fundraising Event o Early registration open: PoP has a table ▪ In-person Event – April 26, 5:30pm – 7pm – La Dona Cerveceria-Virtual Event – April 27, 8am – 9:15am
- • Caritas Concert to Benefit Avenues for Youth –May 15 at 3pm ▪ This concert will be their 20th anniversary celebration so Caritas will be inviting past members and families.
- ▪ Hoping to stream the concert on Facebook
CEAP
- • March Food Share Donation Drive
- o Collected 1,761 pounds of food at the drive through event. We also received $335 cash donations.
Second Harvest Heartland
- • Volunteer event scheduled for Wednesday, April 20 from 6pm – 8pm
- • 15 volunteer slots
- • Kiosk sign-up
- • Google sheets link – April eNews o https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19eOdof5_TOALR3ABSOE2xKAVjZ-XLInB5F5v4iIN3Oc/edit?usp=sharing
Property Team
None
Sunday Morning Experience
None
Staff Reports
Children and Family Ministry
We threw a party on Palm Sunday and it was so great to have a larger number of families here for it! I hope the energy continues to build through the next six weeks of the School Year. We will continue our current schedule (in-person during Worship and ZOOM after Worship) through Sunday, May 22nd.
We were able to celebrate our Communion Milestone during the Maundy Thursday service and it was a wonderful celebration with close to 20 young people participating in the milestone.
The Plant Sale (part one) is DONE and we had another great year. The Plant Sale work weekend (part two) is on Mother’s Day weekend.
Summer Day Camp is officially open for registration. We are heading “Around the World” and I am working on curriculum and staffing as we get closer to Summer. Our first day will be Monday, June 13th.
Youth and Young Adult Ministry
Axis – The Axis year will conclude at the end of April. It’s been a great year of parent engagement as many families took the opportunity to participate from home.
Revolution – We have a FULL trip for the Boundary Waters in August
Media & Tech
None
Unfinished Business
None
New Business
None
Next Meeting: May 17, 2022, 7pm
Announcements and Action Items: NONE
Adjournment: Mike made a motion to adjourn. Lori seconded the motion. Meeting adjourned at 7:18pm