2024 Annual Meeting Highlights!

We are a welcoming and growing community of Faith, busy making Christ known to the world

Thank you to all who attended. It was a very good day, celebrating the past year and preparing for the year ahead. Much thanks Leah DeSchepper for leading the meeting, her last official responsibility as St. Luke’s 2024 Congregational President. Also thank you to those behind the scenes: Tech Crew: David Johnson, Mark Roberts, and Jon Sasseville. Ballot Counters: Mark Roberts and Michelle Sundet.
Please keep all the members who have answered God’s call into leadership for the year ahead and the Spirit to move within other members to accept a nomination for open positions.

2025 St. Luke’s Council
Kelsy Newby, President
Leah DeSchepper, Past President
*President–Elect: Names requested
David Johnson, Treasurer
Jan Pankratz, Secretary
Jane Nechville, Community Life
*Faith Formation: Names Requested
Greg Hornicke, Member at Large
Bev Brosam, Missions
*Property: Names Requested
Diane LaFontaine, Stewardship
Becky Olson, Worship and Music
*We will announce the representatives when appointed by the Council.

Council Members who completed their terms: Gratitude to Mark Bergherr, Paul Sundet, Rani Hayden, Kerry Kollodge, and Britt Halaas.

In the weeks and months ahead the Council Members will introduce themselves during worship and be available after each worship to meet you.
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2025 St. Luke’s Foundation
Al Buss
Jana Cinnamon
Paul Kopnick
Jodi Murphy
Helen Schatzlein
Foundation Members who completed their terms: Patick Lair and Diane Gilmore.

2024 Minneapolis Synod Assembly – St. Luke’s will be represented by:
Greg Hornicke and Joy Enger Lindgren
Alternates: Laurie Blanchard and Britt Halaas
Youth Representative: TBD

“For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us.” Romans 12:4-6a

President’s Report: Leah DeSchepper reflected on her year as president. Faith Practices, Neighboring Practices was very successful in several implemented events. A $14,000 deposit was made to a company we have used in the past to complete a sound upgrade with our 100th Anniversary Gifts. Unfortunately, no work was completed so St. Luke's will be taking the company to small claims court to recoup the deposit. Mark Bergherr and Marc Dunham were thanked for all of their work filling in for Property.

Pastor’s Report: Pastor Rob Norris-Weber thanked the sound and video team for all of their work this year. Goal for the year ahead is having 8 Camera Techs, 8 Video Techs, and 8 Soundboard Techs which would allow a monthly rotation. Rob also thanked those who helped make the Sabbatical possible thanking the Pulpit Supply Team was thanked: Pastor Steve Olson, Tim Krieg, Mollee Erickson, and Mark Roberts and the Pastoral Care Team: Pastor Steve Olson, Tim Krieg, Judy Sandeen, and Emily Hendricks. Pastor Rob invited Tim forward to speak about his seminary experiences. Tim will be on internship at another congregation in the year ahead.
 
Treasurer’s Report:
A. 2024 Financial Statement: Paul Sundet thanked everyone in the congregation for their financial support in 2024. At our Love Fest Breakfast, we had promises of $15,000, which was $28,000 more than a year ago. This brought us to a $23,000 surplus at the end of the year. We are more financially secure than we were a year ago. Motion to approve the 2024 Budget was made pending audit, seconded, and approved.
B. 2025 Budget Proposal: The 2025 budget is similar to last year. A 3% raise for salaries for the staff is proposed for the Budget which is only 1% more than 2024. Two budget hearings occurred in the last 2 weeks which were well attended. A lot of clarifying questions were asked. Motion to approve the passing of the 2025 budget was made to accept the budget as written, was seconded, and approved.
 
St. Luke’s Foundation President’s Report: Pat Lair shared the purpose and role of the St. Luke’s Foundation. The Foundation provides grants for items that are not included in the operating budget. Motion to approve the passing of the 2025 budget was made, seconded, and approved. The PHASE Fund provides grants to middle and high school youth. In 2024 the Foundation provided funds for purchasing a new sewing machine, a power cord, a new laptop, travel costs, wireless coverage in the youth wing, and continuing support for Tim Krieg's seminary. The P.H.A.S.E. Fund provided grants for Camp Wapo and the New York Vacation Bible School. When filling out a foundation request form, it does need to go through the council first.

St. Luke’s Foundation Treasurer’s Report: Diane Gilmer explained the financial aspects of the Foundation and the P.H.A.S.E. Fund. Over $40,000 is still available to spend on projects.
 
New Business: A motion was made to complete the asbestos and abatement reflooring
project funded through Memorial funds. The projected cost is about $41,000. The Ad-hoc committee will be seeking additional bids to be more competitive. The work would start after VBS and before school starts. The asbestos motion passed. During the meeting, it was reported that the vote was unanimous. Later it was realized there were online votes opposing this motion that did not show at the time of tabulating. Ultimately, that discovery did not change the outcome of the vote, but we want to apologize for the appearance that some votes were not counted. We have noted changes to make to the voting process in the future to avoid repeating this issue. 
Following the Annual Meeting, Pastor Rob gave a presentation on his Sabbatical. This will be shared in a future blog.

Along with lifting up all the members in leadership, let us also hold the St. Luke’s Staff in our prayers.

St. Luke’s Staff – Along with our elected leadership, please hold the staff in your prayers.
Greg Anderson, Director of Jubilee Praise Team
Candi Brand, Preschool Teacher
Susana Castillo, Custodian
Tommy Denesen, Office Staff
Tracy Engdahl, Preschool Teaching Assistant
Nancee Erickson, Wedding Host
Andrea Griner, Interim Director of Children and Family Ministry and Vacation Bible School
Angela Hansen, Director of Children and Youth Choir
Heather Kambeitz, Minister of Finance
Patrick Lair, St. Luke’s Choir Director
Lori Murray, Organist and Accompanist
Rob Norris-Weber, Pastor
Alanna Teragawa, Director of Bells of Praise
Cheryl Thiele, Office Staff
​Barb Watson, Preschool Director
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So much to celebrate. Let us give thanks and to God be the glory. ​