St Matthew Lutheran Church Council Meeting Agenda
January 19, 2026
Present: Chris Christensen, Pastor Jon Wendt, Kevin Bock, Joel Schoer, Brittney Goche, Jared Zoller, and Tracie Fisher
Absent: Jeni Rudenick and Jan Arends
Call to order: By Kevin Bock at 7:05 pm
Pastor’s Report: Annual meeting went well - would like to pick a day to do installation for new council members. Pastor was reached out to for a wedding and a Baptism. Getting ready for Ash Wednesday and the Lent season.
Devotion: Psalm 40 - There are moments in our life when frustrations come and those seem greater than our strengths. Faith seems to be scarce or the size of a mustard seed. Your faith will give you strength to sing a new song. The faith of a mustard seed can move mountains.
Secretary’s Report/Treasurer’s Report:
Secretary’s report – emailed to council, and a copy was given out.
Treasurer’s report-
● Checking: $22,557.10
● Building & repair: $2,054.35
● Savings: $6,949.61
● Memorial Savings: $13,553.21
● Scholarship Savings: $308.54
● CD: $35,000
● Youth Group: $5,220.41
Motion made to approve the secretary and treasurer’s report by: Jared Zollner
Seconded by: Joel Schoer
Vote, Motion carried.
Old Business:
● Electronic Signage out front – Congregational member wants to purchase the electronic sign out front. They have donated half this year and will donate the remainder of the money after the new year. The money will be deposited into the memorial fund for the purchase.
o Sign has been ordered - waiting for it to come in. When this all comes in 4-6 weeks they will install.
● Wood issues under the canopy – Tim Iverson was contacted previously to provide options, discussion about what color to make it. Discussion about updating the lights under the canopy to something flush with the ceiling. It will be updated to all the tin underneath the canopy. The color chosen for the tin is white. A quote was provided for the work for $4656.60. - Table until March to revisit and schedule maintenance.
● Signage - tabling until the Spring - Pastor will put signs in his office until Spring.
New Business:
● Welcome to our new council members Jared Zollner, Jeni Rudenick and Tracie Fischer
● Review of the Communion Assistant Schedule for 2026 - Tracie Fischer will take the month of July 2026 for Caroline Netzke. Will reach out to council if she needs any help.
● Ash Wednesday - February 18th
● First Lenten Service is February 25th 7:00 pm worship with Soup/Sandwiches at 5:30pm
● Easter -
○ Maundy Thursday April 2nd- Council will help wash hands - First Communion
○ Good Friday April 3rd
○ Easter Day - April 5th
● Installation of new council members - this Sunday, January 25th.
● Discussed moving Community Impact Funds that have not been used from the $20,000 grant received from Integrity Bank so it is not in the general budget. $14,561.04 to be moved to Memorial Fund. Motion to Accept by Tracie Fischer, Seconded by Chris Christensen. Vote. Motion Carried.
● Kitchen/Dining/Hall floor tile at parsonage needs to be replaced - Jeff Rohlik went to look at. Review to have Kelly Rohlik pick out flooring to replace. Kevin Bock will call Kelly to discuss and report back.
Motion made by Joel Schoer to adjourn meeting at 8:03 pm
Seconded by: Brittney Goche
Motion Carried
Closed in the Lords Prayer
Next council meeting: February 16th, 2026 at 7:00 pm
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Annual Congregational Meeting
Sunday, January 11, 2026
The annual meeting of St. Matthew Lutheran Church was held on Sunday, January 11, 2026, following worship service. Council President Jennifer Zollner called the meeting at 9:58 a.m. in the church sanctuary with 26 members present. The minutes from the 2025 annual meeting were read by Caroline Netzke. M/S/C to approve the secretary’s report.
Financial reports were reviewed, including the balanced 2026 budget, totaling $165,499, which was an decrease of approximately $6,500 over 2025. Total assets are $64,506.71 for monies in checking, savings and a CD. It was noted that we received a $20,000 grant for Community impact to be used as we see fit; expenses pulled from the grant included tent rental for the summer community celebration which was used throughout the weekend and for the community church service. The Building and Repair fund was depleted due to the sidewalk project requiring work for drainage under the sidewalk, plus electric work needed. Additional building projects included new carpet in both offices and security cameras, which were donated by a parishioner. Upcoming projects for 2026 is work to the entrance canopy. Treasurer Chris Christensen noted that transferred money to a CD as part of expenses, which totaled $171,911 in 2025. Pastor Jon Wendt moved up one level based on nine years of experience. It was noted that Benevolence that was passed on is calculated on percentage of envelope offerings unless otherwise noted. The final budget is the same as 2025 without St Anne’s contribution gifted to their new school building project.
The 2025 Congregational Annual Report from Green Lake Bible Camp, which was renamed to Water’s Edge Ministries. They reported a 20% increase in campers in 2025.
No date or location set for the February Conference Assembly; no volunteers at the meeting to attend. Pastor Jon Wendt to share details once information on event is finalized to see who can represent the parish.
The 2026 Synod Assembly will be held June 5 and 6 at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter. St. Matthew’s is allowed one male and one female voting delegate. No one volunteered as St. Matthew voting delegates; anyone interested in attending to contact Pastor Jon Wendt.
We had two three vacancies on the council – Jennifer Zollner, Aaron Struntz and Caroline Netzke. The congregation thanked all for their time of service on the council. Jared Zollner, Tracie Fischer and Jenni Rudenick were nominated on a unanimous ballet, M/S/C to elect each to fill one term.
Old business:
· Discussion on having the flags at front of church – after much discussion, there was a motion made to put the flags by the pulpit and lectern near the thermostats with US flag by the lectern and the church flag by the pulpit. Motion was seconded. Vote was Aye: 25, Nay 1. Motion carried.
New business:
· Recognition of sidewalk repair project, which included many members outside our congregation, including Jon Baune, the Fischer brothers and Wade Mathiowetz.
M/S/C to adjourn meeting at 10:35A.M. Adjourned with Lord’s Prayer.
Respectfully submitted – Caroline Netzke