NIC Council

Ephesians 4 - Unity in the Body of Christ

1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Neighbors in Christ Council Minutes

May 13, 2025

he May 13, 2025 NIC Council meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Those present included Justin TenEyck (via phone), Mike Trebesch, Steve Klukas, Mary Roberts, Steve Anderson, Don Bentz, Bonnie Hartmann, Pastor Hummel and Amy TenEyck (guest). Absent were Call Roberts and Curtis Olson.

A motion by Steve Klukas and seconded by Don to approve the agenda was carried.

The February 11, 2026, minutes were presented and approved with a motion by Don and seconded by Steve Anderson.

The treasurer’s report was presented with a NIC checking balance of $21,331.56 and Youth Savings balance of $4,439.84. CPA services has filed the 1st quarter taxes (filed quarterly). The IRS is now requiring a 941 quarterly report and instead of an annual report. The Pre-tax Retirement percentage is being looked at. A motion by Steve Klukas and seconded by Bonnie to approve the report was carried.

Pastor’s report included leading Easter worship, meeting with Confirmation class while on vacation, attending Summit Meeting on Call Committees in SW Synod while on vacation, Confirmation classes, baptisms of Alex & Elias Wiley, and attending a Synod Staff and Interim Ministers meeting. Items discussed included a report on the Fairfax Lutheran Parish and Swedlanda Lutheran Church, Hector – both without ministers; the Interim Agreement with Pastor Hummel ending on July 31, 2026 (with availability to extend to September 1st); vacation from July 13 – 27; and an invitation to NIC Council to discuss a .5 - .6 FTE 2-year contract (Sept. 1, 2026 – Sept. 1, 2028) as “Pastor for the Formation of Lay Ministries to Neighbors in Christ Parish. The job description and duties would include:

· Oversee the development of Lay Ministry for NIC
· Preach and lead worship twice monthly
· Teach Confirmation
· Assist Lay Ministers in all forms of church worship and celebrations (e.g., marriages and funerals) in their congregations.

Committee Updates:

Call Committee Update – next candidate to be interviewed in June. Looking into options for a full to ¾ time Pastoral position.

Worship Committee – Augustana Council was requested by members to have Communion around the Altar (only Communion service at ALC is the 3rd Sunday of the month at 8:30 a.m.). If time is an issue, then Augustana would request Communion for NIC be changed to Communion on the 1st and 2nd Sundays instead of the 1st and 3rd Sundays in the next calendar year starting in September 2026.

Education/Youth: The last NIC WOW session was May 6th. Catherine Schiro’s position is off for the summer.

Old Business

The congregation votes on the amendment to the NIC Parish Agreement were tallied. The vote (requiring amendments to pass all congregations with a 2/3 of active present voting members approving) failed. Results are as follows;

ALC - 7 yes, 11 no (7/18 = 39%)

FLC - 11 yes, 4 no (11/15 = 73%)

SJB - 18 yes, 3 no (18/21 = 86%)

Joint worship over the summer will begin on May 24th on a rotational basis, one service per Sunday.

New Business

Discussion was held on the salary range NIC is comfortable with for a new Pastor. A 2026 Minimum Base Salary range chart was reviewed. Further discussion was tabled.

The meeting adjourned and closed with the Lord’s Prayer.

The next NIC Council meeting will be on June 10th at 7 p.m. at Augustana.

Respectfully submitted,

Don Bentz (substitute secretary)