June 9, 2020 Council Minutes

Holy Trinity Council Meeting

June 9, 2020

Held online via ZOOM

Present: Tim Krick, Cristina Dolcino, Judy Evans, Linda Edwards, Rebecca Schrumm, Paul Karl, Julie Moore, Krissy Thistleford, Dave Smith

We gather in God’s Name

Opening Prayer

1. Blessings
2. Thank You Cards
3. Meeting minutes May 12, 2020 – approved online

We celebrate and Give Thanks for the Past

  1. Reconciling in Christ – next step even with us still being in the effects of COVID-19 crisis
    • Agreement that we should not hold a vote currently, while technology might be a barrier to some people.
    • Krissy will research bylaws to see how we as a church can vote on things in general moving forward, and what the process would be to change them if needed, to be inclusive both to those uncomfortable with technology and those who are not comfortable meeting in person in the foreseeable future. Pastor will reach out to other pastors to see how they are handling this issue.
  1. Treasurer Report
    • See attached report.
    • A discussion about sending out Mission Endowment Fund money was held. Due to time constraints on this meeting, the final decision to send out the funds was pushed to next month.
    • Motion/Second/Approved: To respect a particular donor’s wishes to change a donation intended for Calumet scholarships to a general donation to Calumet.
  1. Secretary Report
    • Building rental on Oct 15 has been cancelled by the renters; they will be reimbursed.
    • Property work has been mostly limited to outside. The tent should be ready to install in the next few days; It needs to go up in June so the town permit can be renewed before July 1st.
  1. Investment Group Implementation
    • Motion/Second/Approved: To begin laddering 3 CDs of $15,000 each with some of the Funds currently in our checking account.
  1. Pastor’s Report
    • See attached report.

  1. Ministry Team Reports

    • a. Serve the Lord – Paul: *Social Ministry team is working on allocating the funds from the Social Ministry Fund drive. Caring Connections: Shepherds continuing to make phone calls. Jessica Feeley has accepted the Chair of Social Ministry position.

    • b. Grow in Faith – Julie: Sunday school lessons continue to be available. Pastor is planning to do a read-aloud of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe in the near future, over Zoom or similar platform. Pastor working with other churches to potentially make some sort of virtual VBS.

    • c. Come Together – Rebecca: Discussion of the guidelines compiled for holding outdoor worship services this summer during COVID-19. Proposal that this not replace our primary Sunday worship gathering, given that we still cannot meet with the whole congregation at once due to number of people gathered. Outdoor gatherings will be used at other times through the week to supplement Sunday worship. Judy and Rebecca will work with Pastor to work out details. Pastor will work on proposal for upgrading technologies, to make sure that when we do return to some form of indoor worship we have the capability to still include people virtually.

We Seek God’s Direction for our Church

  1. Discussion about Pastor’s recent sermons and response to nationwide protests
    • A lengthy discussion took place that focused on Pastor’s recent sermons and letter to the congregation regarding topics related to race and particular events taking place in the US. Pastor shared that he received comments from church members “you didn’t go far enough” to “you couldn’t be farther away from what I think." Church members have contacted one Council member with their concerns and questions, several specifying that they perceived the letter as partisan in nature. Pastor stressed that his intent with the letter was not to be partisan but to address what he perceived as a co-opting of Christianity for partisan ends by a secular leader. He reiterated that members should feel free to contact him with their thoughts, questions, and concerns.
  1. Continued discussion about Semi-annual meeting and “State of the Church” address

We Look to the Future

  1. Upcoming calendar review (next two months)

    • a. Council meetings: July 14, August 11, September 8

Closing Prayer