Ad Council Notes Aug 2025

Trinity UMC Administrative Council Meeting

August 21, 2025

Present: Pastor Shella Choi, Steve Stoppkotte, Carol Stoppkotte, Bruce Schreiner, Deb Brummund, Vaughn Minton, Ron Underwood, Tom Graves, Susan Stoppkotte, Christina Landenberger, LeEllen Haynes

Administrative Council met August 21, 2025. Chair Steven Stoppkotte called the meeting to order. Pastor Shella opened with a prayer followed by Steve reading Trinity’s Mission and Vision statements. Minutes of the July meeting were approved as written.

Old Business:

Safety Plan: LeEllen reminded Council members that in spring 2024, we had decided that, after Rev. April arrived, we should review the church safety plan. At that time, there was a question about the batteries in the defibrillators, and Trustees would check on this. Tom said an usher training would be helpful, and location and use of defibrillators could be included. LeEllen mentioned that with the weekly meals being served, current recommendations for chocking victims should be reviewed. She wondered about offering a CPR class but Christina said one was scheduled and no one came.

There was no New Business.

Administrative Reports:

Finance: Bruce reported that we are $12,000 down year-to-date. We have $75,000 of the ERC funds in Endowments that we can access as needed. Bruce made a motion to pay $4,500 in Mission Shares for August. The motion was seconded and the motion carried.

Trustees: Tom reported that carpet has been laid in Miller Hall. There is a concern with some of the seams. Floor It will follow up with this issue. Work will begin on the sanctuary roof on Monday. The workers will use part of the NE parking lot during installation. There is a short in the alarm system that is being addressed. Some of the alarms need replaced.

SPRC: SPRC will be doing staff reviews and making recommendations for salaries. They have met and reviewed job descriptions.

Vision Committee: Deb said there have been 4 Meet and Greets for Pastor Shella and Joseph. During the groups, attendees talked about things they would like to see happening at Trinity. One area lifted up was more youth involvement in worship. There are 3 more Meet and Greets scheduled.

There will be a Live Nativity offered at Fonner Park the first Sunday in December. It hasn’t been decided if there will be a soup supper as offered in the past.

Vision Committee is getting ready for Trinity’s 160th anniversary celebration in 2026.

There were no reports from Endowments or Stewardship.

Program Reports:

Family Ministries: Christina reported that VBS had 38 students attend and 16 youth helpers. She will follow up with these families. The Zone kick off party is September 3rd, Christina is looking for volunteers. During the August GIFT hour, backpack tags were made and donuts served.

Christina is preparing for Homecoming Sunday. Postcard invitations will be mailed out. The congregation has been asked to provide a high school graduation picture to be included in a yearbook. Students, who attended camp, will speak during the church service, and third graders will receive Bibles. This will be the first Sunday of “noisy offering.” Children will go through the congregation with cans to collect coins and dump them in a bucket.

Fall activities include the 4th Street Festival the last weekend of September. Trinity’s Halloween event will be promoted. October 8th is the Scarecrow Patch, and later a “Not so Scary” Halloween event

Missons: Deb reported that Missions provided a meal during VBS. They are looking for a guest speaker for a weekend church services. Later this year they plan to do care bags.

UMM: Tom said he has spoken with Fred Furley as they are both involved with Volunteers in Mission. They are considering having VIM sponsor a meal during the Live Nativity and invite First Faith UMC to participate as in the past.

Healthy Congregations: The committee is planning to have an event about the importance of hydration and give out Trinity travel mugs. They have sent $400 to Howard School for use to meet student needs.

Pastor’ Reports:

In Rev. April’s absence, Susan reported for her. Committees need to start working on their budgets for 2026. Charge Conference is the 3rd Sunday of November.

Pastor Shella said she appreciated the Meet and Greets. She is seeing more in attendance at Saturday worship, and is reaching out to a new person who has been attending. She has communion services at 3 nursing homes.

Shella is excited to meet the youth and their parents. She hopes to have more youth involvement, and possibly a youth CrossPoint. She will help April with confirmation.

There is a Pastor Retreat Sept 8-10, and a District gathering on Oct. 7.

The meeting adjourned. The next meeting will be September 18, 2025

Respectfully submitted,

LeEllen Haynes, Secretary