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BETHLEHEM CHURCH COUNCIL
November 12, 2024 5:30 pm In Person
Members Present: Mark Schulz, JoEllen Thacker, Jennifer Frank, Dennis Gullickson, Ryan
Anderson, Scott Kummrow, Margo Schuetzle, Jenni Jensen, Leon Keller, Ken Martin, Tim
Rogelstad and Chris Swanson
Members Absent: Ryen Drews
Additional attendees: Pastors Loren Mellum and Eliza Johnson, Ken Dessellier and Amy
Fronning
Call to Order: Mark Schulz called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
Secretary’s Report: A motion was made by Jenni Jensen and seconded by Chris Swanson to
approve the minutes of the last meeting. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report: Income and expenses are both up from 2023. Anticipating needs for a very
strong December.
Devotions: Pastor Loren shared devotions from Act 16:6-15, Paul’s Vision of the Man of
Macedonia and The Conversion of Lydia.
Comments from Ken: Planning for summer 2025 youth trips. Middle schoolers will travel to
Omaha and high schoolers will go on a houseboat trip, both in July. Working on Christmas
program and planning for confirmation students to go caroling in December.
Comments from Pastor Eliza: With added variety, worship prep is taking more time. Enjoying
time with the early childhood and grades 1-3 students on Wednesdays. Time also spent preparing
for Advent and Christmas.
Comments from Pastor Loren: Thankful for strong participation in our council-staff retreat and
member forums. Positive fall with worship and bible studies.
New Business:
A. Personnel Update-Kim Blumberg is stepping down at the end of the year as she has
taken on additional job responsibilities. Recognition for Kim will take place in early
January. Conversation with Jeff Sands about taking on sound board and slide
responsibilities.
B. Council activated the Nominating Committee of Sally Nelson, Cindy Keller and Val
Johnson to fill upcoming vacancies. Eligible council members are asked to consider
serving another term
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Old Business:
C. Fall Stewardship Campaign Update-good response thus far with the return of pledge
cards.
D. Vision-Mission-Values work-preliminary review of data collated by Laurie Skow- Anderson and brief discussion of next steps.
The meeting adjourned at 6:24 p.m. with a motion by Tim Rogelstad, seconded by Scott
Kummrow. Motion carried. Concluded with the Lord’s Prayer.
Jennifer Frank,
Secretary