Present: Pastor Chad Brekke, Pastor Natalia Terfa, Melissa Johnson, Mike Isenberg, Richard Habstritt, Rachel Henderson, Lori Clausen, Frank Clinton, Sarah Hetz, Kirk Sidlo
Absent: Jim Fodstad
Call to Order: Melissa called the meeting to order at 7:02PM
Opening Devotion: Natalia led the council in installation practice and prayer and blessing.
Adoption of the Agenda: Richard made a motion to adopt the agenda. Mike seconded the motion. Motion carries.
Approval of Previous Minutes: Mike made a motion to approve minutes from the November 16, 2021 council meeting. Richard seconded the motion. Motion carries.
EXECUTIVE TEAM REPORTS:
President’s Report
None
VP Report
None
Treasurer’s Report
2022 2021
Offering Receipts $50, 753.77 $51,484.15
Expenses $69,711.20 $67,823.25
Gain/Loss ($18,957.43) (16,339.10)
Increase in losses 2022 over 2021 ($2,618.33)
Cash Balance 01/31/2022 $69,089.66
Leave a legacy fund update: LAL did not approve any funds in 2021-likely decreased requests due to change/adaptations of ministry teams and events. Leave a legacy funds allows for 5% to be distributed for benevolence or capital requests-that is a current balance of $8317.23.
Secretary’s Reports
An updated contact list for current 2022 council members has been sent out. Please take a look and notify Rachel if there are any corrections to be made.
PASTORAL REPORTS:
Pastor Chad’s Report
None
Pastor Natalia’s Report
As we move into the THIRD Lent of this pandemic, I am again so thankful for the ways we have continued to be flexible and willing to take care of the most vulnerable in our midst. This is still so hard – as we navigate disappointed hopes as well as long term exhaustion. I am thankful that we continue to have a majority of our members trusting that we are doing our best, even when it’s not meeting pre-pandemic expectations, and I am so grateful to be doing this work with this team.
GroupLife is wrapping up the winter session and the groups that are meeting (which is a challenge for many I know) have really enjoyed the curriculum this time around. I’m looking forward to the spring session and the chance for groups to be able to meet outside again and reconnect in person in a way they just haven’t been able to this winter.
Our Lent worship services are on a theme of repentance, and we’re calling this series “metanoia” – which means to turn around. I can’t wait for each week and the conversations that come out of it.
I’m also looking ahead to spring and summer, when we’ll welcome Pr Jenny Sung onto our pastoral team while Pr Chad is on sabbatical. Pr Jenny is one of my favorite humans, and I can’t wait to work together on some projects for Prince of Peace.
Pastoral Acts (November 15-February 15): Funerals: 2 Weddings: 2 Baptisms: 0
MINISTRY TEAM REPORTS:
Community Life
None
Property Team
None
Congregational Care
None
Sunday Morning Experience
None
Outreach
Lightbulbs have been replaced in the sanctuary!!
Staff Reports
Children and Family Ministry
Children and Family Ministry February 2022
- • While we have smaller numbers on Sundays right now, the overall number of young friends is actually quite large. Some come every week, while some have come once. ZOOM Sunday School draws a faithful crowd each week as well.
- • I am currently working on the Summer Day Camp Catalog. Our first day of Summer Day Camp will be June 13th. The last day will be August 26th. We will be open from 7:00-5:30 Monday-Friday. The only exception will be the two weeks surrounding the Independence Day holiday. We will have a 4 day week leading up to it and a 3 day week after it. Our theme this year is Around the World and we will spend part of each week learning about different cultures around the world through snacks, games and more. My hope is to bring back more of the science projects and extensive snacks that have been put on hold during the past two Summers because of COVID
- • Our BIG Week of Summer Day Camp will be July 18-22 and will be “Christmas in July” We will use part of this week to prepare for a Christmas in July program
- • Working on hiring Day Camp Staff as Rachael Follestad won’t be returning in a full-time capacity because she has an internship this Summer (bummer for us, but super exciting for her) – However, she said she still wants to be around when her internship allows her too
- • The Plant Sale will run MOST of March with the plants being delivered on Mothers Day Weekend again. Forms will be available no later than March 1st.
- • We will be bringing the Communion Milestone back to Maundy Thursday and I expect to have a bigger group. We still have some 6th and 7th graders who have NOT done this Milestone because of COVID so they will be given the opportunity to join the current group of 5th graders
- • WAPO Registration is up and running. Numbers are lower, but still a lot of families haven’t registered that have registered in the past.
Youth and Young Adult Ministry
Axis – positive feedback about being able to participate from home continues to come in. Not just for precaution & convenience but finding meaning in prioritizing faith at home again. At the same time, Guides are doing an amazing job of meeting with their groups as they’re able, providing support and stability in these ongoing challenging days.
Revolution – After the cancellation of the Youth Gathering, we’ve shifted to offering a trip through Wilderness Canoe Base for high schoolers this summer. We’ll encounter a boundless God in the beauty of the Boundary Waters!
Young adult – Excitement and sign ups are building for another young adult canoe trip this summer as well.
Avenues – Amy & I had a great meeting with Kevin at Avenues for Youth talking about reviving our “birthday buddy” partnership as well as them sending us in-kind donation ideas to do drives for.
Media & Tech
None
Unfinished Business
Some questions have come up since the annual meeting in regard to Chad’s sabbatical. The ELCA recommends pastors take sabbatical every 5-7 years, which will strengthen both the pastor and the congregation. Chad will continue to be paid regular salary while on sabbatical and pastoral help will be brought in to assist Natalia and staff with ministry needs-funds have been secured to pay for this. Pastor Jenny Sung has committed to come on board on during the time Chad is on sabbatical. The overall cost will not have an impact
on the monthly budget-as funds/stipend for Pastor Sung have been secured prior to Chad announcing the dates for sabbatical.
New Business
COVID policies
Discussion on update of COVID policies—finding a comfort level where we can move forward. AXIS is meeting and will have in-person mentoring beginning during Lent (ASH Wednesday-March 2). Discussion included taking into account the comfort of the most vulnerable as well as re-establishing more normal activities—including attendance, children’s activities and adult activities. The council will decide and message the most faithful and safe route for the community as a whole. Council believes there are several keys to creating these benchmarks: 1) decide a specific threshold and tracking method for transparency with the congregation 2) designate a section of the worship center that will be MASKS required. These discussions will continue with staff; taking into account planned ministry events, activities and options for the next several months and a plan will be outlined and released to the congregation.
Synod Toolkit
The Synod toolkit is a conference that we regularly attend as council, in lieu of council retreat. There are several very interesting sessions presented by fellow church leaders in the Minneapolis synod. This year the entire conference will be prepared in virtual format. Instead of a day-long event, the sessions will be held Tuesday and Thursdays throughout March. We ask council members to look at the website and register for sessions you are able to attend and interested in. https://mpls-synod.org/for-congregations/tool-kit/
Synod assembly
Date and location has been set. Council will need to bring forth names to nominate as delegates. POP can take up to 4 delegates in addition to pastors. This year’s assembly will be at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, April 30. They will require proof of vaccination or negative test in order to attend.
Next Meeting March 15, 2022, 7:00PM
Announcements and Action Items: 1) Check out the Synod Toolkit conference and register for sessions. 2)Submit names to Natalia for synod assembly delagates
Adjournment: Mike made a motion to adjourn. Lori seconded the motion. Meeting adjourned at 8:06PM