Following installation at the 10:00 am worship service, the Council met on Sunday, March 16, and welcomed Pastor Krista Zimmerman, Melvin Smith, Julie Joerger, and Gregg Kobliska as new members of the 2025 Council.

The newly installed Council met for the first time with Pastor Krista on Sunday, March 16. The following are highlights from the meeting. 

Council Highlights

Enneagram Activity

· Prior to the meeting, Council members completed the Enneagram test of personality types. This was intended as a way for Council members to better understand how to maximize communication, collaboration, and understanding, as well as to blend strengths of leadership styles in their role as lay leaders. Council will continue to study and use results in the coming months. 

Agenda and Reports

· Council will investigate new ways to organize agendas, reports and other documents to improve efficiency, archive information and reduce paper. Pastoral Care · Council will explore recommendations to improve the tracking of pastoral care and related outreach efforts. 

Lay Leadership Day

· Pastor Krista, Jeanne Flynn and Matt Greising will be attending the Metro Chicago Synod’s Lay Leadership Day on Saturday, March 29. 

Action Items

· Council approved the 2025 Council Worksheet setting priorities for the year. The worksheet includes items such as the calling of a Deacon, continuing the work of the Mission/Vision and What is Possible initiatives, strengthening and growing committees and ministries and updating the St. Mark’s Constitution. 

· Council approved a change in the responsibility of taking minutes for Council meetings, shifting that duty to the Council Secretary. Council would like to thank Joni Ackley for her dedicated service and exceptional work in recording minutes of Council meetings. 

Committee Highlights

Property Team

· The Property Team reported that new parking lot lights have been installed and will be configured this week. 

· The Property Team will investigate needs for the office wing. 

Children, Youth and Family Committee

· The Children, Youth and Family committee reported that the Safe Child Policy will undergo a review, and an updated policy will be submitted to Council for approval at a future meeting. 

· The committee is currently discussing plans for Vacation Bible School, with a tentative program week in July. VBS would require a substantial volunteer commitment from the congregation. Additional information will be communicated as it becomes available. 

· A male volunteer is needed to accompany the Youth Group Mission Trip in June. Interested young adults should contact Mike Bauman for more information. 

Seeking volunteers for working committees

· Council is seeking additional member interest in emerging committees for the review of the St. Mark’s Constitution and for Fellowship ministries. 

o The St. Mark’s Constitution requires periodic review and updating. Our last review took place in 2019. 

o Fellowship is now identified as a Mission Pillar in St. Mark’s Mission and Vision document. The Fellowship Committee is envisioned as a way to coordinate related ministries. 

The Council is committed to open communication and ongoing transparency with the congregation. Please feel free to reach out to a Council member with your questions.

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