Council Meeting Highlights + April 16, 2026

Trinity's Congregation Council meets each 3rd Thursday at 6:30 PM. All are welcome to attend and observe. To speak at a meeting, or with other comments or questions, email the council: council2526@tlcs.church.

Greetings from your Congregation Council!

It was so nice to see so many people at the Congregation meeting on April 19. We are at a unique time with envisioning and hiring of new positions. Below are highlights from that meeting, as well as the monthly Council meeting that took place on April 16.  

April 19 Annual Congregational Meeting Highlights

• The Congregation approved the November 9, 2025 Annual Congregation Budget Meeting minutes, and the 2026 TLCS Annual Report.

• Call Process for Pastoral Care Position: On the 16th, the Council approved, and on the 19th the Congregation affirmed the Call Committee members for the Pastoral Care Position. These members are: Ron Collins, Jayne Meyer, David Fox, Marilyn Nadeau, Ted Haase, Patty Wilder, Dagfinn Melby, and Sarah Zabel. Deep gratitude was shared for the interest of the congregation in these roles.

• The Congregation voted in the following positions as new members of the Council to begin their terms July 1, 2026:

  • Council Officers: Vice President: Ryan Jahn; Secretary: Courtney Spadaro

  • Council Members: Mark Bergquist, Mark Reay, Mary Denny

  • Nominating Committee: Clint Buetow, Joan Jolly, Trudy Decker, AJ Watland, Bruce Sutherland, Megan Valencia-Lashley

  • Endowment Committee: Christina Howard, Judy Edmonds

Additionally, per the Endowment Committee bylaws, the Endowment committee elected Ruth Lee to fill a vacant position, and the congregation affirmed and validated her election to that position.

• At both meetings we discussed the Phase II and III of Lighting Project - Capital Campaign. Appreciation was shared for Josh Judd-Herzfeldt’s development of materials. The Phase I lighting project is planned to be completed soon.

• Mike Schultz, Council Treasurer, provided a financial update, and Pastor Hector provided a mission update. Pr Hector reflected on the blessings of the congregation in supporting him during this time with staffing vacancies. He has felt supported, including time to coordinate around the needs of his parents. He also expressed gratitude to the staff of TLCS, and how we are all doing this work together. He spoke about growing in our intentionality around connecting with one another and supporting each other. As we go forward, we will be prayerful in reimagining, and being open to the Spirit to disrupt us which is what brings life into our lives and beyond just Sundays.

April 16th Council meeting business

• Youth Coordinator Position Description. The Council approved the job description for the Youth Coordinator position, and between meetings the Council approved members of that search committee: Aaron Franco Ross, Maria Lunder, Laura Maier, Lori Schmidt, and Derek Spadaro. Gratitude was shared for the workgroup that developed and refined the job description.

• Relational Ministries Coordinator Position: The job description for this position was previously approved, and the Search Committee was approved by the Council between meetings: Kim Palmer, Peter Frerichs, Sofia Garfias-Yi, Beth Cook, and Sandy Schnieder.

• Minister of Word and Service (ie Deacon) call process. The Council discussed the forums which were then held at the end of April. The intention was to present the opportunity, gain a common understanding of what a deacon is in a congregation along with potential outcomes, and discern together as we learn people’s perspectives. The forums have since been held, and we are grateful for the support of others in the Synod who could share their experience at those meetings.

• ELCA 2027 Youth Gathering. The Council discussed the possibility of TLCS youth attending the June 28- July 2, 2027 ELCA Youth Gathering in Minneapolis. It was discussed if the Congregation budget could contribute, in addition to family contributions, and youth fundraising. Staff and council are working to fine-tune the expenses for each family, and will discuss at the May Council meeting.

  
  

• Staff Day Out - Council approved the staff to continue the tradition of having a Day Out - away from the office to spend time in fellowship during the summer.

• Nomination for the 31st International Theological Seminar for Pastors. The Council nominated Pastor Hector to apply for the 31st International Theological Seminar for Pastors in Wittenberg, Germany, including travel and the participation fee. This is through the Lutheran World Federation Center (LWFC). If chosen, Pr Hector will be in attendance Nov. 7-21, 2026. Pastor Hector has participated in activities of the LWFC in the past.

We are grateful to be on this journey with you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to any of us with questions.

Humbly,

Your Congregation Council

(Submitted by Jenny Louch, Secretary)