Present: Pastor Chad Brekke, Pastor Natalia Terfa, Mike Isenberg, Nate Boucher, Rachel Henderson, Patti VanLiew, Ann Maczuga, Cathy Krogstad, Pam Eliason 

Absent: none 

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

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

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

Approval of Previous Minutes: Nate made a motion to approve minutes from the February 19, 2024 council meeting. Ann seconded the motion. Motion carries. 

EXECUTIVE TEAM REPORTS: 

President and Vice President’s Report- none 

Treasurer’s Report – Budget	Prior Year
MONTH	Actual	Budget	Favorable/	Actual	Favorable/
General/Building Fund:	Feb-24	Feb-24	(Unfavorable)	Feb-23	(Unfavorable)
Offerings/Receipts	42,217	42,814	(598)	46,629	(4,413)
Expenses	(60,220)	(61,303)	1,083	(72,321)	12,101
Net Gain/(Loss)	(18,003)	($18,488)	485	(25,691)	$7,689

Budget	Prior Year
YEAR TO DATE	Actual	Budget	Favorable/	Actual	Favorable/
General/Building Fund:	Feb-24	Feb-24	(Unfavorable)	Feb-23	(Unfavorable)
Offerings/Receipts	78,007	87,375	(9,368)	92,276	(14,269)
Expenses	(129,024)	(118,431)	(10,593)	(137,174)	8,150
Net Gain/(Loss)	($51,017)	($31,056)	($19,961)	($44,898)	($6,119)

Notable February Activity: 

• For the month of February, receipts were lower than expenses Offering was lower than budget. . . The general/building fund activity for the month was $30,724 which is lower than budget by approx. $5000, continuing the trend of lower-than-expected offering. 
• Other income is higher than budget, which brings us very close to overall income budget for Feb 2024. 
• Overall, expenses are higher than receipts, but favorable to budget by approximately $1000. 

*other income includes: Interest, Thrivent Choice Dollars, Misc, Memorials, Building Use 

• For February year to date, receipts are higher than expenses, resulting in a YTD loss of $51,017. This is unfavorable to budget by an average of $20,000. Overall, receipts are lower than budget by $9,368 and expenses are higher than by $10,593 which is unfavorable from 2023 for income but spending is also decreased from 2023. 

• Cash balances available at the end of February were $25,656, with approximately $105,000 in additional investment accounts. 

To date, we have approximately 50 families/individuals who have not yet transferred to Engage Online giving. 

Submitted by Rachel Henderson, Treasurer 

Pastoral Report – Pastor Natalia Terfa 

As we near the end of Lent and head into Holy Week, I wanted to say a big thanks to all the people who made our Wednesday evening worship possible and so meaningful. Thank you to our Mental Health Connect team for the theme, and their continued presence in the welcome center each week. An extra big thank you to our testimony speakers: Rachel Henderson, Stacey Rudolph, Mike Isenberg, Grace LaTourelle, and Georgia Larson, for all the ways they were vulnerable and honest to create space for others to be whole. We’re so thankful. 

Holy Week is going to be busy, but filled with beloved traditions and ways to connect into the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Our Maundy Thursday with Communion Milestone will be at 7pm on March 28th. This unique service with communion in the round and reminders of what it looks like to love is a favorite of many each year. Katie is doing a family friendly Good Friday service on March 29th at 10am, with age-appropriate activities and connections. Our evening Good Friday service will be at 7pm, where we’ll hear the Seven Last Words of Christ in a contemplative and reflective service of music and word. Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday services are at their usual Sunday morning 9:30am times. 

It’s been a real gift to connect with the family of Matteo’s Message and work with them to have POP be a place that acts on behalf of those in our community. We will welcome them to worship on April 14th, and do a kind of ribbon-cutting/dedication event after worship. I hope you can all come! 

¾ Time Off Week Schedule – April and May 

○ Chad off: April 8-14, May 6-12 

○ Natalia off: April 15-21, May 13-19 

In February I was nominated as a candidate for Bishop, and accepted the nomination, which means I’ll be in quite a few public-facing forums and events throughout the months of March and April. It’s an honor to be nominated and I look forward to being a part of the process.

And again, In the interest of clearly communicating my availability as I regularly work from home and out of the office – 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: 

Community Life – none 

Congregational Care – none 

Property Team – none 

Sunday Morning Experience – none 

Outreach – 

• CEAP – The “Stuff the Truck” challenge to collect CEAP food donations is being held before the Lenten service on Wednesday, March 20th from 4:30-6:30pm. CEAP personnel and Outreach team members will be on hand to help people with their donations. They are also collecting paper grocery bags. 

~Cathy Krogstad 

Care Team Report – 

The Quilters welcomed a new member to the team last month. This was a friend of one of the current members. Donations of sheets or material are again being dropped off, which are always welcome. The quilters Team will continue meeting through mid-May putting quilts together to be donated to a number of organizations in the area. 

~Ann Maczuga 

Staff Reports: 

Youth and Childrens and Family Ministry – Katie Rykal 

CURRENT UPDATES 

• We have just one more week left of Mentoring/Lent and it has been a great series. Every week I have heard from our young people how the talks have really resonated with them. 
• Childrens Ministry continues to be a big part of our Sunday mornings and as was true in February – we continue to see guests attend on a regular basis. Many of our recent guests have even returned at least once. 
• High School Ministry has been a little slower as we get have had to compete with Spring Breaks, Sports, Jobs and other things. We will continue to evolve as we need to 
• Coins for Lent is going GREAT! It is such a joy to watch the interactions during our Offering time on Sunday mornings. The congregation has really latched on to this idea (thanks to Rachel Henderson for the original idea). We will collect through Easter Sunday 
• Plant Sale is up and running. Order forms are due by March 31st. IF you are looking to support our young people, the Plant Sale is always a great way to do that. 

UPCOMING AND ONGOING PROJECTS/UPDATES 

• Holy Week is quickly approaching so things will be busy in the world of Children, Youth and Family Ministry * Palm Sunday we will sing AND have a Palm Sunday Party * Communion Milestone will have their class on Palm Sunday with the Milestone on Maundy Thursday * Maundy Thursday will be the Communion Milestone * Good Friday will have a Family Experience at 10 AM as well as 7 PM Worship 
• Recently received feedback from families for Middle/High School options for this coming Summer. Will be finalizing plans ASAP 
• Summer Day Camp registration is up and running and we are seeing a larger number of “new attendees” this Summer. Will be talking to potential Staff after 
• For the month of April our Middle School Ministry will be doing SPRING TERM which gives us an opportunity to do ministry differently. 
• Working with the Rental Groups – now that we know that the Hispanic Church is staying – to clean up their spaces. This is proving to be easier said than done. 
• April will see the return of Youth Ministry Game Night AND Childrens Ministry Parents Day Out 

~Katie Rykal 

Media & Tech – none 

Music – none 

Unfinished Business: 

Pastor Natalia was contacted by the family of Mateo Swanson about putting a Harm Reduction Box at Prince of Peace. The family told her of Mateo’s Story and asked if POP would support Mateo’s Message. Knowing that POP is a place that acts on behalf of those in our community, Natalia brought this information to the Church Council to discuss and research liability, placement of the box (far enough from the daycare/playground that they should not be impacted), make sure there is no harm to anyone that might get their hands on the contents of the box (children; POP youth, passersby, etc.). The council did our due diligence, explored all aspects and confirmed safety. 

Rachel made a motion to approve installation of the Harm Reduction Box at Prince of Peace. Nate seconded the motion. Motion Carries. 

Rachel is working on the signage for the Kitchen to make sure Coffee servers safely sanitize cups and dishes for our congregation. 

New Business: 

At our next meeting, the Boy Scouts have asked to present their annual report. 

Next Meeting: Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at 7:00 pm in person at Prince of Peace. 

Adjournment: Rachel made a motion to adjourn. Nate seconded the motion. Meeting adjourned at 7:40 pm.