The Annual Meeting of the Lake Hanska Lutheran Church was called to order at 12:15 pm on Sunday January 18, by President Jim Lilleodden. There were 22 members in attendance. S.A.M. Ralph Flitter opened with devotions. Secretary’s report was read in full by Yvonne Skarphol the report was approved as read. Treasurer Beth Kral presented the Treasurer’s Report with an ending checkbook balance of $23,268.31. Beth explained that we did not have to take out an operating loan this year. Our portion of the shared expenses between Faith Lutheran and Lake Hanska Lutheran is 40%. In the report it states that our Synod offering is 5% but the actual amount is 8%. We ended the year with a positive balance. Treasurer Beth then presented the proposed budget. The 2026 budget was approved as presented. Financial Secretaries report was given by Financial Secretary Bonnie Lilleodden. Of the 104 units 63 or 60.58% are non-giving and 41 or 39.42% are giving units. Pastors report was given by Ralph Flitter. Ralph stated that in June he was elected to the Synod Council for a three-year term. In that council he was placed on the Mission and Management sub-committee. This Committee is responsible for the budgeting process of the Synod. The executive report was given by Bonnie Lilleodden. Members from the Lake Hanska Church that are on the executive board are Jim Lilleodden, Bonnie Lilleodden and Beth Kral. At the executive board meeting it was decided that this year’s Lenten services will be held 3:00 pm at Lake Hanska and 7:00 pm at Faith. Ralph commented that Christmas services were going to be discussed at upcoming meetings. Lake Hanska members were happy with the 5:00 pm Christmas Eve service time this past year. Rooted in Redwood SW MN Synod building offices are underutilized and need to be remodeled. They are reaching out looking for donations. They currently have $21,000.00 and are needing over $200,000.00. Lake Hanska has mailed a check to them. Trustees Brian Kjelshus and Norm Skarphol reported that snow removal this year has not really been an issue, but those that can move the snow are Brian Kjelshus, Mark Frederickson, Tim Peterson or Jeff Pladsen. The discussion came up that we will probably need to pay people to do snow removal, due to the wear and tear on the snow equipment. Some want to do this to donate to the church so Ralph suggested that so we know how much the actual cost of snow removal is that we could pay the people and if they did not want/need to use they could donate the check back to the church and this way we would have a better idea if we ever had to rely on paying someone. Then the lawn mowing schedule was also discussed. Norman Skarphol brought up that we need to be thinking about the evergreen trees and planting something new for the ones that are dying. Deacons Pam Kjelshus and Melissa Engelhart reported that it is still a struggle to get readers, however there are some people in the congregation that will just volunteer to read the day of. The Living Meadows report was in the printed Annual report. Living Meadows is staying stable with 36-40 residents. They are having a very low staff turnover, and they are not needing to draw from nursing resource pools for help as often. Lake Hanska LCW quilters report was given by Bonnie Lilleodden. The Quilters make 20 to 24 quilts per year which are donated to Brown and Watonwan County Human Services, NUMAS Haus, NOVA House, etc. and given as a ‘warm fuzzy’ to members with health issues. They will also sell them for $25.00 per quilt. Green Lake Bible Camp has had a name change to Waters Edge Ministries.
Old/New Business
Voted on the percentage amount that we give the ELCA, Mark Skarphol M/M to increase the percentage to 10% and Tim Peterson S/M, motion carried. Special services that we hosted throughout the year were discussed.
The July 4th Park service 7/6/2025 had 98 people in attendance, the Schoolhouse service 6/15/2025 had 25 people in attendance, Harvest Festival 9/14/2025 had the least amount of people attending since the beginning at 37 people. Christmas Eve service 12/24/25 had 56 people in attendance Dennis Broste suggested that we need to get the word out a bit more about Church services and special services that we have. He said that the New Ulm radio station advertises church events/services for free of charge. Maybe the Harvest festival needs to be earlier and change due to the past years’ weather/bugs. No one attended the Watonwan River conference this year. Elections took place. Pam Kjelshus M/M to accept Melissa Engelhart as President and Beth Kral S/M. Mark Skarphol M/M for Jim Lilleodden to be Vice President and Brian Kjelshus S/M. Now that Melissa Engelhart will be President we need another Deacon. Jim Lilleodden stated that someone may be interested in the open Deacon seat, but they will get back to us soon. Bonnie Lilleodden read the President’s report. Mark Skarphol M/M to adjourn the meeting and Norman Skarphol S/M motion carried. Meeting adjourned.
Secretary
Cheryl Doe
