Trinity Church Council

Discipling Committee

Finance Committee

Outreaching and Social Ministry Committee

Property Committee

Trinity Church Council

Up to nine members of the congregation are elected (three per year) to three-year terms on the Church Council by the voting members of the congregation at Part 1 of the Annual Meeting of the congregation.  The pastor is also a Council member.  The Council  has general oversight of the life and activities of the congregation, including the worship life, social ministry, selection and supervision of paid staff, and the annual budget and related financial matters.  Each Council member is expected to serve on at least one of the committees of the organization, together with other persons interested in a particular committee’s responsibilities.  The officers of the Council are elected by the Council to serve one-year terms at the first Council meeting each year.  The current officers are:  President Rob Ripley, co-Vice Presidents Larry Rice and Modesta Kardell, Secretary Tina Yanis, Treasurer Cooper Hundertmark, and Financial Secretary Marilyn Bohl.  Brief descriptions of the committees follow.  Everyone is encouraged to get involved by joining one or more of the committees of interest to them.

Discipling Committee

The Discipling Committee is responsible for planning, decision making, and actions pertaining to the Worship, Education, and Music life of the congregation.  Working together with  Pastor Albert Starr and Music Director Arline Walter  to plan the themes, scripture, music, and prayers of the worship services, what services to hold, what might be studied during weekly Bible Study, what study groups might be formed or needed, the general approach to music, care of the piano and organ, and the like. The group meets monthly, remote or in person.

Finance Committee

In practice, the financial officers of the Council share monthly details of income and expenses  with other Council members at the monthly Council meetings,  Financial-related decisions that must be made are brought to the Coumcil’s attention.  Deviations of actuals versus budget are explained.    General topics such as property insurance, directors and liability insurance, salaries, major repairs and maintenance, and capital expenditures are reviewed.   In effect, the entire Council is serving as the Finance Committee because all want or need to know of financial matters to carry out their Council responsibilities.

Outreaching and Social Ministry Committee

A number of years ago, a decision was made to combine the responsibilities of these two committees into one, since many people were serving on both and many topics touched both areas.  In practice, the weekly fellowship with light refreshments in a major responsibility of this group under the leadership of Sande Rice.    Any outreach to the neighborhood often involves some planning of food to be obtained and/or served.  Trinity serves as a partner to Lutheran Social Services (LSS) of Southern California in helping to host some of its events.  Under the leadership of Pastor Albert Starr, it is anticipated that additional activities will be planned and led by this group in the future.

Property Committee

Trinity Lutheran Church has multiple properties:  the church building, the education building, eight apartments, three garages serving as storage areas, two houses, and two parking lots used by members of Trinity and groups using the church and at which vehicle owners may park a vehicle for a fee paid monthly to the church.   None of these buildings are new, so repairs and maintenance are often required.  At this time, Trinity offers space rented by three other church congregations, one small business, and nine user groups.  Volunteer Property Manager Rob Ripley heads this committee.  He interfaces frequently with users of space in our buildings and with vendors who handle plumbing work, electrical problems, grounds-keeping, and other tasks related to property.  The committee reports monthly to the Church Council of major  property-related matters.