AD COUNCIL NOTES NOV 2025

Trinity UMC Administrative Council Meeting

November 20, 2025

Present: Rev. April Wegehaupt, Pastor Shella Choi, Steven Stoppkotte, Carol Stoppkotte, Christina Landenberger, Susan Stoppkotte, Bruce Schreiner, Ron Underwood, Deb Brummund, LeEllen Haynes

Administrative Council met November 20, 2025, through Zoom. Chair Steven Stoppkotte called the meeting to order. Rev. April opened with a prayer followed by Steve reading Trinity’s Mission and Vision statements. Minutes of the October meeting were approved as written.

There was no Old or New Business.

Administrative Reports:

Finance: Year to Date proceeds are $16,000 less than all of November last year. We are fairly close to this point last year. We have $20,000 left of the ERC funds. We should be able to make our budget and Mission Shares. Bruce recommended and made a motion to pay $4,500 in Mission Shares for this month. Deb seconded and the motion carried. Richard Johnson is making wooden nativity sets. He would like these to be given to members who make an additional donation to the budget in December.

Endowments: Quarterly statements indicate we should have done well with investments. Bruce said we may want to speak with a financial advisor to see if we have the best mix.

Stewardship: 2026 pledge requests have been mailed. As pledges come in, follow up letters will be sent as needed.

Trustees: The sanctuary roof is complete and 40% funded. Trustees are looking at new lighting for the Gathering Place. Windows will gradually be replaced starting with the Gathering Place. Improved outdoor lighting will be looked at so our security cameras can work better.

Vision Committee: The Live Nativity will be presented from 5:00-7:00pm the first Sunday of December. There will be a soup supper from 5:00-6:30pm including a visit by Santa and a photo booth.

There was no report from SPRC.

Program Reports:

Family Ministries: Christina reported that the Halloween event had close to 400 kids plus adults. She did more advertising this year. She is starting to prepare for the Christmas program. 24 kids and youth are signed up to participate. There will be a dress rehearsal the day before the program with pizza to follow. Christina has prepared Advent kits for families.

In January, Christina would like to start a Booster Club of adults to attend our kids activities outside the church. There would be buttons for Trinity Booster members. Pictures of the activity could be posted on our Facebook page.

Missions: Deb reported that, at the November food distribution, a lot of cars had to be turned away. Later the tires on the Loves and Fishes trailer were slashed. Kramers took it to get new tires. The crochet group made small bags to hold a bar of soap to be given out. Missions has signed up to provide a meal at the Salvation Army.

Missions will be coordinating the Baskets of Love silent auction in December, and proceeds will go to the roof fund.

UMM: The men will prepare the soup for the Fonner Park soup supper. There will be a freewill donation.

Healthy Congregations: On December 7 during the church service, those in attendance will receive a water travel mug and asked to fill out a short survey.

There was no report from Hospitality.

Pastors’ Reports:

Pastor Shella reported she does visitations to hospitals and rehabilitation centers. People in care homes can request a personal visit. The Middle School kids are working on ornaments for the tree in the Youth Room. They will be having a gift exchange to help the kids experience the joy of giving. The Booster Club Christina is organizing will help develop relationships with the parents of youth.

Rev. April said she will be taking some time off in December. She is preparing a powerful Christmas Eve service. The theme is “Star of Wonder.” She will have a Christmas open house at her home on December 21st.

The enchilada fund raiser for the roof fund has about 80 dozen enchiladas ordered.

The meeting adjourned. There will be no meeting in December. The next meeting will be on Zoom January 15th.

Respectfully submitted,

LeEllen Haynes, Secretary