Faith Lutheran Church Council Minutes –Feb. 12, 2026
President - Lori Pietsch V. President - Randy Gustafson
Secretary - Stacy Reed Treasurers - Kathy Guyer, Jane Piepgras
Deacons - Sherri Gustafson, Cindy Lehman, Mary Feder
Trustees - Ben Odegard, Chad Becker, Pam Bocock
BOE - Julia Young, Patty Young
Trustees - Ben Odegard, Chad Becker, Pam Bocock
BOE - Julia Young, Patty Young
Secretary’s Report:
Reviewed January minutes as printed in the newsletter.
Treasurer’s Report:
January expenses were $ 9,694.22 and receipts $11,343.50. We will transfer $5,000 from the checking account back to the building fund, which was borrowed from over the past years to meet monthly expenses.
Trustees Report:
Ben reported he had a visit with the Grinnell insurance representative. He noted that we needed to bring some of our policies/protocols up to date. Ben shared those items with the council. It was stated Ben and Ralph will look into this with the Synod and report back at the next meeting. Trustees will schedule a service call with local electricians to look at a few lighting issues and the bell tower.
Deacons:
Confirmation report- the confirmation students took a field trip to New Ulm to visit the Ivy House (crisis house) and the Numas House (homeless shelter for women and children). The students will also be participating in a pledge drive for the Madelia Food Shelf over the next week. Upcoming dates:
· Confirmation- Sunday, May 3rd
· Senior Graduation Recognition- Sunday, May 17th
Board of Ed:
JAM made and distributed Valentines to nursing home residents and local shut ins. The last day of JAM will be the last Wednesday of April
Ralph’s Report:
January’s schedule consisted of a 2-day seminar, outreach visitations, Watonwan River Valley conference. Continuing education courses are taking place in February.
Motion to accept reports was made by Randy/seconded by Ben.
Old Business:
Discussed needing more cranberry-colored hymnals; we are short 39. Ralph and Lori researched the purchasing. Cost is $ 26.50/hymnal through Augsburg Press.
Chad made a motion to purchase the 39 hymnals with monies from the Memorial Fund.
Ben seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously.
Update regarding the visiting committee: a list/spreadsheet needs to be gathered with names/addresses. This list will be divided among the volunteers.
New Business:
Julia inquired again about 1st Communion classes; Ralph will check with Lake Hanska and hopes to have a class done by Easter. Kathy has been working on a new church website. It will have a new name, making it easier for people to find when searching. It is also very user friendly and will contain a calendar of events and the monthly newsletter.
The new website is: faithlutheranmadelia.org
Motion to adjourn was made by Ben and seconded by Mary.
Respectfully submitted, Stacy Reed-Secretary
