May 2026 Council Minutes

FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH COUNCIL MAY 6, 2026

President, Kathy Thelke, opened the meeting with 9 council members present. Amotion to approve of the agenda as presented was made by Jean Swanson and seconded by Bev Weidemann. Motion carried. Devotions:

Kathy Thelke Kathy read a devotion to begin the meeting. President’s Report: Kathy shared three thank you’s that were received this month from the Nelson family, the Edward’s family and the Dows Senior Citizens.

Secretary’s Report: Jeanne Russell Jeanne read the minutes from the April 1st meeting. A motion to approve of the minutes as presented was made by Mary Haugen and seconded by Jean Swanson. Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report: Shelly Howard Council members looked over the report and a motion by Craig Russell to accept the report was seconded by Tammy Klatt. Motion carried.

Deacon’s Report: Members continue to be visited regularly either in their homes or at the care centers they now live at.

Trustee’s Report: The light was taken care of by the south education door. The water fountain downstairs was leaking and was looked at by David Fulk. Arain gutter was also looked at. The elevator is ok.

Stewardship Report: Tammy & Larry Klatt – nothing new to report.

Old Business:

Pastor Steve Brackett will be coming on 5/17 to do a drone video of Dows and of our church for our profile update with the NEIA Synod office. He will be interviewing Kathy Thelke, President, Tammy Klatt, Call Committee and Larry Klatt, as Mayor.

May 17th is the last day of Sunday School and there will be cake/ice cream and pizza to celebrate the day. Five trees will be given to our graduating seniors on May 10th. Kali Wharton, Ruby Coldiron, Matthew Hurt, Brandon Stein and Kolton Hefti. There will be baskets in the back of the church for each graduate.

Other Old Business: None

New Business:

NE IA C3 Conference is on June 6th. Registration is due by May 22nd. No one on the Council was able to attend.

CG-D SUMMER SCHOOL – Will begin on June 8th and run for 2 weeks. Mornings only

Other New Business: Craig made a motion to buy a portable air conditioner for the secretary’s office. This motion was seconded by Jean Swanson. Motion Carried.

A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Mary Haugen and seconded by Tammy Klatt. Motion carried.

We all closed the meeting with the Lord’s Prayer. Submitted by, Jeanne Russell Council Secretary

Dear Congregation of First Lutheran,

Thank you for the beautiful stole and for the many ways you have loved, supported, and encouraged me and my family over the years. The stole is such a meaningful gift and I know it will be perfect for the Easter season with its joyful colors and reminders of resurrection and new life. I will wear it with deep gratitude and carry the love of First Lutheran with me each time I do. Thank you for the countless ways you supported me throughout seminary and along the journey of faith. Your prayers, encouragement, care, and belief helped make this possible. More than that, you welcomed my family, helped us raise our children in faith, and created a place where we experienced love, belonging, grace, and community. Who would have thought sending my kids to VBS would lead us here?

As I reflect on this journey, I know that without First Lutheran, my life would not be where it is today. God worked through this congregation in profound ways that shaped my faith, nurtured my call, and helped me become who I am today.

Even in this season without a pastor, I want you to know faith is alive at First Lutheran and the Holy Spirit is still at work among you. The well runs deep because of the generations of people who have faithfully loved, served, prayed, and cared for one another in Christ’s name. This continues to bear fruit in ways that can’t always be seen immediately.

Thank you for being such an important part of my story and for welcoming me in to share in yours. I will always carry First Lutheran in my heart.

United in Christ's love, Pastor Beth Hurt