Present: Pastor Chad Brekke, Pastor Natalia Terfa, Mike Isenberg, Nate Boucher, Richard Habstritt, Patti VanLiew, Rachel Henderson, Frank Clinton, Kirk Sidlo, Ann Maczuga 

Absent: None 

Call to Order: Mike called the meeting to order at 7:00 

Opening Devotion: Pastor Chad led us in devotions/prayer. 

Adoption of the Agenda: Ann made a motion to adopt the agenda. Nate seconded the motion. Motion carries. 

Approval of Previous Minutes: Kirk made a motion to approve minutes from the December 13, 2022, Council Meeting. Rachel seconded the motion. Motion carries. 

EXECUTIVE TEAM REPORTS: 

President’s Report: None 

VP Report: None 

Treasurer’s Report: 

OFFERINGS / RECEIPTS 

2023 2022 

JANUARY $45,646.85 $50,753.77 

EXPENSES 

2023 2022 

JANUARY $64,853.02 $69,711.20 

GAIN/LOSSES 

2023 2022 

JANUARY ($19,206.17) ($18,957.43) 

Offering/Receipts decrease in 2023 over 2022 by ($5,106.92) 

Expenses decrease in 2023 by ($4,858.18) compared to 2022. 

Our Losses for the year 2023 increased by $248.74 compared to 2022 

Other Receipts in 2023 was $7,641.49 compared to 2022 which was $7,643.91 

No Funds from Endowment account were used in January 2023 

Cash Balances as of 02/28/2023 $ 19,214.69 

Cash Balances as of 12/31/2022 $ 39,163.46 

Decrease $ 19,948.77 

Designated Funds 

January 31, 2023 $ 111,773.20 

December 31, 2022 $ 113,232.15 

Difference ( $1,458.95) 

Largest Designated Funds 

Administration $8,000.00 

Mission Trip Jamacia $26,717.14 

Building Improvement/HVAC $18,102.97 

Council Contingency $30,193.44 

Secretary’s Report None 

PASTORALREPORTS:PastorChadandPastorNatalia

Feb.2023

Aswemovethroughthisfirstquarterofthenewyear,ourstaffisdoinganamazingjobadjustingtotherhythmsofourtransformedschedule.Forinstance,werecentlyhadathreeweekstretchwithfivefunerals.Eachservicerequiressignificantpreparationandorganizationwhichwasallaccomplishedwithcompassionandprofessionalism.

Eventhoughwehadtocancelourin-personAshWednesdayworshipservice,thestaffralliedtorecordawonderfulservicethedaypriorwhichstreamedatthedesignatedtimeonAshWednesday.Theservicehasbeenviewedseveralhundredtimesandwereceivedmanymessagesofappreciation.

Mostofthefinancialimpactofthestaffingreductionswillbereflectedinthefirstquarterexceptforanadditionalreductionofapproximately$20,000annuallytothechurchbudgetastheresultofremovingmefromcoverageprovidedunderthechurch’shealthcareplan.ThatadjustmentwillbeginonMarch1st.

Boththeannualbudgetmeeting,followedbytheannualcongregationalmeetingwentwell,andwearethrilledwiththenewfolkssteppingforwardtoserveoncouncil.

IlovetheseasonofLentandwehavecreativeandengagingmid-weekservicesplanned,woveninbetweentheseSundaysleadingthewaytoHolyWeek.

Ministry Team Reports: 

Community Life: None 

Congregational Care: None 

Outreach: None 

Property Team: 

We are grateful for a team of volunteers who continue to do the behind the scenes work to keep the church in good working order. There are several projects we would like to focus on this year, which include: replacing the courtyard windows, water heater replacement, removing the dead trees in the courtyard and parking lot and the heating unit at door #1. Of course, all of these projects are pending funds and timing of the work. We are actively looking for volunteers to help with larger projects as well as the gardening team in the spring, in order to get some projects done around the church, we are checking schedules and planning to have a workday in the spring, with projects for all ages, inside and outside-stay tuned for more details. {Submitted by RH} 

Care Team Report: 

We are thrilled that the Care Team is up and running. After a meeting in January, we solidified the structure of having three team leads: Melissa Johnson (cards), Terri Revel (calls) and Rachel Henderson (visits). 

Prayer requests come through the office via calls, emails or the blue prayers cards and are sent to the team leads according to what the request is for. We are already up and running with all three teams. Blue prayer requests/visitor cards are available in the pews and on the welcome wagon and can be turned in anytime. We are also working diligently to get the 2023 directory put together; after some misprints last year-we have several sets of eyes going through our rough draft before final printing. If you are interested in joining the care team, please contact Rachel Henderson {Submitted by RH} 

Sunday Morning Experience: None 

Staff Reports 

Children, Youth and Family Ministry – Katie Rykal 

As I continue to grow into my current/new position here at Prince of Peace, I am still filled with the same nervous excitement that has been present since I said yes to this expanded role. 

YOUTH and FAMILY MINISTRY 

• • Wednesday nights have been the biggest adjustment as I work with the parents, youth, and small group leaders to discover what we all are looking for and wanting out of Youth and Family ministry here at Prince of Peace. Coming into this position in the middle of the program year has had its challenges, but we have been making small tweaks here and there. We recently held a Churchwide game night that focused on Invitation and Fellowship, and it was met with a huge success. It has me thinking of other games we could play. 
• • We have recently begun our 2023 Lenten Mentoring Journey. We have a great group of committed young people and mentors. Mentoring will continue through all of March. 
• • Post Easter our 6th-8th Graders will be participating in SPRING TERM 
• • Summer plans are underway for a High School Adventure trip to Rainbow Trail Bible Camp and some type of Service/Fellowship combination for Middle School 
• • Looking WAY ahead to June and have begun having conversations with families about the Graduation Milestone. I would like Grad Sunday to get back to being led by as many graduating seniors as possible in as many ways as possible. 

CHILDREN and FAMILY MINISTRY 

• • Our main focus continues to be Sunday mornings, and we have a great group of new, young and invested families that make Sunday mornings a priority. Our time together is spent doing age-appropriate activities that are geared around the scripture that is being read in Worship. As is evident by the energy in Kids Time, I often have my hands full – but we are making it work! 
• • During Lent I am providing DEVOS at HOME so that our young families can participate in our Lenten Journey too 
• • Gearing up for a Palm Sunday part on April 2nd that will involve our young people singing in Worship and processing with Palms. We did a Palm Sunday party as a big push last year and it was well received, so we plan to do it again this year. 
• • Summer Day Camp will be back in 2023. I am hoping to hire the staff necessary to allow me to step back into more of a supervisory role as I now have Middle School and High School to oversee as well. 
• • Working on the 5th Grade (and others) Communion Milestone that will take place on Maundy Thursday 
• • Working on a Prayer Milestone for PreK-K that will help our young families work prayer into their daily lives. 

ALL AGES MINISTRY 

• • The Plant Sale will be here SOON (as of March 1st) so get your orders ready. 
• • WAPO registration is still open even though priority registration is closed. At this point the weeks will fill up on a first come, first serve basis 

Media & Tech None 

Music None 

Unfinished Business: None 

New Business: The council and at-large members introduced themselves. We discussed our positions and responsibilities. It was good to meet everyone in person and get to know one another. 

Mike attended workshops on Mental Health. He brought it to our attention to be aware of situations/conversations regarding moral injury, guilt, betrayal. Please bring it to our pastors if we become aware. 

Nate attended a workshop on Asset Base/Community Base the importance of building relationships. We talked about how POP is doing this through CEAP, Avenues, Mission Jamaica, partnering with Park Brook Elementary and other Outreach Programs. 

Richard Habstritt announced that he is resigning from his position as Council Treasurer. His last day will be April 15, 2023. He has been a vital member of our POP Council for many years and will be truly missed. 

Next Meeting: March 21, 2023 

Announcements and Action Items: 

Adjournment: Meeting was adjourned at 8:15