Council Meeting Highlights + March 19, 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!

So much is underway with an inward vision as we support personnel searches, and await word on funding for a sabbatical for Pr Hector. Appreciation was shared to the many people who contributed to the pastoral sabbatical application that was submitted to the Lilly Foundation. We expect to hear later this year.

This month the Council had a Winter Retreat at President Bill Rankin’s home on March 14th, where members deepened their relationships, and also discussed much of the business that is highlighted in this report and comprised much of the Council meeting discussion last week.  

Highlights from the March 19, 2026 Council Meeting

We opened with a devotion and prayer.

• The Council accepted the slate of nominees from the Nominating Committee, which will be shared with the congregation very soon. We welcomed Nominating Committee members, John Judd, Mary Eaton, Michelle Webber, and Aaron Lindstrom who were guests at the meeting.  Other members of the committee are Chris Morris and David Fox. Nominating Committee shared gratitude for the experience, relationships built, enjoyment and meaningfulness of the process, and for Pr Hector’s support. Pr Hector also shared about the intentionality, commitment, and faithfulness of the committee, and their response to the congregation.  At the Congregation meeting, the Congregation will also be asked to affirm Ruth Lee to continue the remainder of a vacant term on the Endowment Committee that she is currently filling until the Congregation Meeting (as appointed by the Endowment Committee according to the Endowment Committee Bylaws). We are excited for all those who have felt moved by the Spirit, and accepted these nominations for service.

• Although we have funds available for a Youth Program Internship we have not received any leads as of yet.

• As was shared by Bill Rankin at Worship on Sunday, we are moving forward in the hiring and call process for the positions that developed out of the Congregation Forums that happened in the Fall. We reviewed updated timelines and the unique steps that will guide hiring or calling each position.  

• Gratitude was shared to Courtney Spadaro, Jenika Richard-Webbers, Don Boelter, and others for their preparation of the Pastoral Care Ministry Site Profile (MSP) that was submitted to the Synod. This is our current priority for Call or Search team members!

• Council approved the job description for the Relational Ministries position, and provided ideas and next steps in finalizing the Youth Coordinator Position.

• We will have forums April 26 in the evening (in person) and April 28 in the evening (virtual) to help us best understand the Congregation's thoughts and considerations for Calling a Deacon. In the likelihood that the Congregation feels called to move forward, we will have another MSP to refine and submit. 

• We endorsed a 2026 campaign for phases 2 and 3 of the lighting, appreciated thoughtful feedback from staff, and reviewed the carefully discerned materials eloquently drafted by Josh Judd-Herzfeldt. We look forward to sharing more at the upcoming Congregational meeting on April 19.

Lastly, we want to make sure that everyone knows that you have an open chair as guests to monthly council meetings. Council members welcome any questions, and inquiries that you may have. We are humbled and honored to serve.

Gratefully,

Your Congregation Council

(Submitted by Jenny Louch, Secretary)