AD COUNCIL NOTES JAN 2026

Trinity UMC Administrative Council Meeting

January 15, 2026

Members Present:

Rev. April Wegehaupt, Pastor Shella Choi, Steven Stoppkotte, Carol Stoppkotte, Susan Stoppkotte, Ron Underwood, Alice Stewart, Jay Stewart, Deb Brummund, Karen Reese, Christina Landenberger, Bruce Schreiner, Rob Horky, Brenda Cochran, Audrey Pitcher, Pastor Carla Gunn & Randy Gunn The Administrative Council met January 15, 2026 through Zoom.

Chair Steven Stoppkotte called the meeting to order at 7:05 & Pastor April opened the meeting with a prayer. Steven read an excerpt from the Book of Discipline and the mission and vision statements. Introductions were made as we have several new members joining the Administrative Council.

Minutes from November 2025: Jay S. moved to approve the November minutes & Ron U. seconded. The minutes were approved as written and submitted.

There was no Old Business.

New Business:

Steven suggested at the next meeting to have new ideas or plans be first on the agenda as the Book of Discipline suggests.

Next Tuesday, January 20th at 7 pm there is a Webinar for administrative council members, if members would like to attend. Contact Steven for details.

Administrative Reports:

Finance: Bruce S.

Bruce reported the December performance was very good. The year end eclipsed the last 2 years. December 2025 giving was $93.000. Year to Date balance is $629,000 for 2025. We received $114,000 in ERC (Covid reimbursement) and we are within $6,000 of budget at end of year. Bruce stated we have $173,000 in pledges for the roof project. That is about 50% of the $350,000 borrowed plus fees. We will need to communicate this to the congregation at some point. Bruce was confident that Trinity could and should continue to make Mission Shares going forward and motioned to contribute $4500 for Mission Shares. Jay S. seconded and the motion was passed.

Endowment: No Report

Trustees: Rev. April

Rev. April stated the Trustees have new members. The church is in good shape. The roof is completed. There are a couple smaller things they are working on. The boiler system needs to be fixed. It is 40 years old and will be $2800 to fix.

Stewardship: Bruce

He had a summary of pledges for Susan to compile.

SPRC: Rev. April

Rev. April reported there is not much going on yet. Both Rev. April and Pastor Shella are hopeful to stay at TUMC.

Vision: Deb

The live Nativity was a success. We had good media coverage. Another church’s bible study came and enjoyed it. They will be discussing Trinity’s 160th anniversary celebration this January.

Program Reports:

Family ministry: Christina

Christina reported the Advent season went well. We had more kids involved in the Christmas pageant and more people in attendance this year. Christina expressed her thanks to Shella for her hard work getting kids to be involved in the Christmas pageant.

The elementary Zone class has had more kids. Christina is beginning a new experimental Trinity Booster club that will attempt to get members to go to our kids activities. There are quite a few parents & people interested. It has a private Facebook page and buttons are available for members to wear to events. This Sunday is the GIFT third Sunday and we are playing “Name that tune”. In February, Christina is planning ornaments for the Lenten tree. The Lenten theme is the “Heart of Jesus”.

The playground equipment is in need of replacement. The noisy offering will go towards this. There may be enough money for new playground equipment Christina is wanting to get with the grant that was received. The playground is $7000. We will need help to put it together. Trustees will need to approve it. Christina is hoping to have the new playground in place by the time the Haven Garden opens.

Hospitality: Carla

Lorraine Ogg has resigned her task of signing up ushers and greeters for services. Hospitality plans to have more people involved in the process.

Missions: Deb

Deb reported the Missions committee made a meal to feed people at the Salvation Army this month; we will feed people again in February. Missions have planned to have a speaker from the new Epic Discovery Center for March 7 and 8 church services. Loaves & Fishes served 1710 people this January and 1600 people in December. There is a new representative for Food for Heartland; Grand Island is the biggest food distribution they do. The Baskets of Love in December had 37 baskets and raised $1192. All the proceeds went towards the roof.

UMM: No Report

Healthy Congregations: Deb

Travel mugs given during service and also given to shut ins. If anyone needs one, please go to the office.

Pastors’ Reports

Rev. April:

There will be a Zoom meeting for people who want to help with the 160th Anniversary of TUMC on Feb 23rd. We need lots of people to help. Penny is helping with meals; Christina:GIFT. For entertainment, we will have a polka band. There are also plans for a TUMC History pamphlet. The enchiladas fundraiser was a success; 100 dozen were sold and $800:1000 was raised for the roof. It was popular, so April will plan to do it again in the summer.

Last year’s fishing tournament was a big success. This year’s tournament will be June 6th 9:12 noon at Sucks Lake. Boy Scouts want to help.

The Lenten theme is “The Heart of Jesus”. Christina is helping with this.

April’s shoulder surgery is next Thursday. She will be out for two weeks.

Rev. April will be gone for the Greece trip in March.

Rev. April is always seeking new, fresh ideas for outreach.

Pastor Shella:

Pastor Shella is excited to work with the children. She helped with the live Nativity and Christmas pageant. She plans to visit 4 homes this year, including Good Samaritan, Tabitha, Riverside and the hospital. She wants to communicate with single, young adults to create a place to connect. Happy to have the Booster Club formed to help develop relationships.

Shella has helped with Loaves & Fishes & meals served at the Salvation Army. On April 8th, Shella will be helping some of the men with the Wednesday night meal and showing them how to make a Filipino meal.

Pastor Carla:

Carla reported working on email reminders to readers/greeters/ushers with instructions included. Plarn is this Sunday and she was invited to demo on Monday. Carla will be going on the Greece trip in March.

Lay leader: Jay S.

Jay had the question: How do you make God laugh? Rev. April replied: Tell him your plans. Jay will be giving the message in March while pastors are away on the Greece trip. He offered prayers for April’s surgery, trip, etc.

Next meeting is February 19, 2026 via Zoom; We will go back to in person meetings in April.

Steven adjourned the meeting at 8:09.