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Trinity Trinity-Lynnwood ~ POINTE of GRACE Annual Report 2014
This sentence from the Pentecost
passage in the Book of Acts conveys the
search for meaning as the winds and
disruption of the Holy Spirit breaks into
planned and organized lives. The winds
of disruption have certainly blown
through the life of the pastors and
congregation in the past year.
The first half of the year the pastors
were invested in planning and
strategizing how to strengthen the
ministry at Pointe of Grace through
increased pastoral leadership, how to
strengthen the stewardship program
through increased pastoral leadership,
and how to strengthen leadership
development through increased pastoral
leadership. We had crafted plans,
timelines, and goals … which were all
cast to the wind in August.
In early August, Pastor Eileen was in a
car accident that resulted in a mild
traumatic brain injury leaving her with
speech and cognitive impairments. A
six-month medical leave was taken to
promote healing of mind, body, and
spirit. She returned in mid-February on
a part-time basis, currently working at
35 hrs/week with the intention of
resuming full-time in July.
In October, Pastor Jim Kruse entered
into the life and leadership of Trinity to
serve as a Respite Pastor through June
2014 during Pastor Eileen’s absence and
reintegration. His calm presence, easy
laughter, attention to detail, and
theological depth have engaged and
inspired the staff and community.
Pastor Jim will begin a new contract as
Contract Pastor with Trinity in August
2014 through May 2015 to help us
discern the need and scope of a
potential third pastor as well as provide
pastoral leadership at Pointe of Grace as
the ministry site moves forward in its
development and outreach.
Pastor Paul navigated through the
changes and challenges of last year with
incredible staff and congregational
support, yet he, too, succumbed to
illness. In April Pastor Paul was
diagnosed with prostate cancer and in
May had surgery to treat the disorder.
He is on a one-month medical leave
until June 10th and has been
recuperating, hopeful with the outcome
of the surgery.
With these significant and unexpected
changes, all three of us have wrestled
with the question, “What does this
mean?” for us professionally and
personally to take leave of a call, to
assume a call, and to resume a call.
A shared response to this question is
that we are grateful that Trinity-
Lynnwood and Pointe of Grace
continue to be a collective and
collaborative community abundant in
grace, gifted in diverse leadership, and
bold in Spirit. We are deeply
appreciative to the staff and people who
have stepped forward … trusting in the
Spirit perhaps beyond their own
comfort zones … to share, contribute,
imagine and proclaim.
Yes, the crafted priorities and strategies
of early 2014 were unable to be fully
realized because of the disruptions we
experienced: instead of increased
pastoral presence we lived into the
reality of decreased pastoral presence.
However, through this chaotic year of
change we have trusted prayer, trusted
one another, and trusted the Triune
God alive and active in our midst as
new and exciting paths forward
continue to emerge.
In Christ,
Pastor Eileen Hanson
Pastor Paul Sundberg
Interim Assistant Pastor Jim Kruse
A REPORT FROM THE PASTORS
“All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another,
‘What does this mean?’”
Trinity Annual Report 2014 ~ page 3
REPORTS FROM THE STAFF
A Report from the Pastors ~ front cover
Interim Assistant Pastor Jim Kruse ~ p. 4
Minister of Music Norma Aamodt-Nelson ~ p. 4
Associate in Ministry Cliff Bronson ~ p. 5
Ministry Coordinator Debbie Jeske ~ p. 5
Director of Faith Formation David Greenlee ~ p. 5
Director of Student Faith Formation Jamie Richards ~ p. 6
Children’s Ministry Coordinator Lois Debner ~ p. 6
Facility Administrator Bruce Sutherland ~ p. 6
Trinity Child Development Center Director Nanette Erban ~ p. 7
Trinity Preschool Director Kris Dudak ~ p. 7
Harbour Pointe Christian Preschool Director Kim Kusilek ~ p. 8
COUNCIL REPORTS
Council President April Zepeda ~ p. 9
Treasurer Bob Driessnack ~ p. 10
MINISTRY AREA REPORTS
CD Ministry ~ p. 12
Endowment Committee ~ p. 12
Fair Trade ~ p. 12
Global Engagement
Esperanza Mission ~ p. 12
Living Water ~ p. 13
Leadership Formation ~ p. 14
LifeGroups
Community & Middle East Peace Builders ~ p. 14
Conservation/Garden Stewards ~ p. 14
Harmony ~ p. 15
PoG Walkers ~ p. 15
Sowing Seeds of Hope ~ p. 15
Neighbors in Need ~ p. 16
Nominating Committee ~ p. 16
Packs for Kids ~ p. 16
Stephen Ministry ~ p. 16
The Well: A Community Center ~ p. 17
Trinity Lutheran Church Schools ~ p. 17
Trinity Lutheran Church Women ~ p. 18
TLCW Financial Report ~ p. 18
Trinity Men ~ p. 18
Trinity Quilters ~ p. 19
2013 STATISTICAL REPORT ~ p. 19
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING MINUTES ~ p. 20
AGENDA ~ p. 26
Trinity Annual Report 2014 ~ page 4
REPORTS FROM
THE STAFF
INTERIM ASSISTANT
PASTOR JIM KRUSE
In October 2013, I was asked
by Bishop Kirby Unti to spend
time with Trinity Lutheran
Church as a Respite Pastor.
Pastor Eileen Hanson was
recovering from injuries she
sustained in an auto accident
two months earlier. An
agreement was arranged with
the Congregational Council
and Pastor Paul Sundberg
where I would serve full-time
covering most of Pastor
Hanson’s primary
responsibilities.
Since I started here in
November, I have been in
regular rotation with Pastor
Paul (and Pastor Eileen as she
gradually works her way back)
preaching and presiding in
worship, teaching Bible Studies
and Adult Education, and
covering pastoral acts and care
concerns. I also have become
the lead pastoral contact for
the ministries at the Pointe of
Grace site in Mukilteo.
Activities at Pointe of Grace
have continued strong during
this past year. However,
Pastor Eileen’s unexpected
leave has stressed the
leadership group there. Much
of their time this year was
spent focused on the vacant
half-time Ministry Developer
position. Twice they worked
through the process of
developing the position
description and engaging in
the search to fill this position.
The Ministry Developer
position has now been set
aside for the next year, as I am
being asked to enter into a
new contract with Trinity
Lutheran Church. This
contract will focus more fully
on the Pointe of Grace
ministry site, with the direct
purpose of exploring the
parameters of a possible third
called pastor for Trinity
Lutheran Church.
I have enjoyed serving here
over the last few months. I am
meeting a few old friends from
having lived and served in
Edmonds from 1997 to 2004.
And I am making many new
friends now. I thank God for
your hospitality, your good
work for Christ, and for the
opportunity to be of service.
Pastor Jim Kruse
MINISTER OF MUSIC
NORMA AAMODT-
NELSON
From the areas of worship,
music and the arts…
Yesterday I had the
opportunity to be interviewed
for a local low-key TV show
hosted by Frank DeMiero
called Inside the Musician’s
Studio. I believe it might be
broadcast to the Edmonds area
when you are sleeping, but it
did give me the chance to
speak about the vibrancy of
our program here. Frank
commented that he drives by
our outdoor sign regularly and
is amazed at all that’s
happening. Over the past year,
Trinity has hosted over 60
concerts in the wonderful
acoustical environment of our
sanctuary, two of them being
groups that Frank himself
directs, Sno-King Community
Chorale and the Seattle Jazz
Singers. For weekly rehearsals
we host a small choral group,
reSound, who will be heard in
worship on June 22nd
and for
our Reformation hymn festival
in the fall. Last Sunday, we
were treated to the music of
high school youth who sing
with the choirs of the Seattle
Children’s Chorus, another
group that regularly sings in
our space. Over the past year
we’ve heard the Melody
Singers (men’s choir from
Spokane), Mirinesse (women),
Mead High School (Spokane),
the St. Petersburg Men’s
Quartet, Bells of the Sound,
Deck the Halls with marimbas,
and a host of choral groups.
We’ve even hosted the middle
-school choral festival,
Kammarstreich (strings from
Kamiak) at Pointe of Grace,
and a number of piano and
vocal studio recitals. We’ve
been treated to the Circle of
Flutes, the Ft. Bend Boys Choir
(Texas), benefit concerts for
Japan, and Sacro Profano (with
Kristin Olson, baroque oboe)
in addition to many more.
The Artists at the Organ Series’
committee recently discussed
plans for the ways to mark the
20th anniversary year (2015) of
the Martin Pasi pipe organ. A
lively discussion ensued as
members remembered the
arson fire and the rebuilding
process. This past season’s
concerts were graced by local
northwest talent, including
Shari Shull, Jonathan Wohlers,
Robert Huw Morgan and Mark
Brombaugh. This self-
supporting series is only made
possible to the public through
generous gifts and memorials
as well as donations received
at the door. It reaps soft-
evangelism to the community;
at almost every recital, I am
asked more information about
the programming and ministry
opportunities of our Mukilteo
and Lynnwood sites.
As in past years, our children
and youth choirs participated
in the Choristers Guild festival,
this time led by the energetic
Michael Burkhardt. Experience
Music Camp was held in
August and the musical, Good
Kings Come in Small Packages,
was offered at Pointe of Grace
and Trinity-Lynnwood in
November.
My call to Trinity included the
vision to administer a lay-led
musically-rich program, and so
each year this report allows me
the opportunity to publicly
thank all who offer their gifts
so willingly, not only musically,
but in all areas of the arts. To
God be the glory!
Soli Deo Gloria
Norma Aamodt-Nelson
norma@
trinitylutheranchurch.com
Trinity Annual Report 2014 ~ page 5
ASSOCIATE IN
MINISTRY
CLIFF BRONSON
Trinity Lutheran Church
continues to be focused on
ministry. This ministry
happens through people who
give generously. Our
generosity is a response to
God’s generous gifts of love
and grace given to us all. Our
gifts given are in the form of
skills, abilities, money and
time. We all give as we are
able as we fulfill God’s call to
love and care for others.
Trinity Lutheran Church has
always worked hard to use all
gifts as effectively as possible.
One of areas of generosity and
gifting that receives questions
and scrutiny is money. Trinity
continues to follow acceptable
accounting principles for
nonprofit organizations. We
have a good division of
financial duties and
responsibilities which help
protect us from misuse. We
report monthly the monies
received and how those
monies are used. Priorities of
use are guided by our annual
budget approved by the
congregation as well as
designations made by donors.
Our goal is to manage the
monies received in a way that
allows our focus to be on the
ministries performed rather
than the money spent. We
want every dollar spent to
enable and empower ministry.
Look at the breadth and depth
of ministry performed through
Pointe of Grace and Trinity-
Lynnwood and you can see
that through our generosity
and wise use of gifts many
great things are being done in
response to God’s call. Thank
you to all who make this
happen.
Cliff Bronson
cliff@
trinitylutheranchurch.com
MINISTRY
COORDINATOR
DEBBIE JESKE
It’s been a year. Transition has
been a frequent companion.
With a position title of
“Ministry Coordinator,” you
can guess that coordinating
during transition is a complex
task. Networking with and
supporting other staff and
ministry leaders, keeping the
facility schedule as current as
possible, and basically
maintaining an overall
awareness of all of Trinity
makes for full days.
The staff is grateful beyond
words for the office volunteers
who have not only supported
us in our work, but have
opened the front office and
kept it a welcoming place.
Thank you to Rudy Schleusner,
Sandy Bueing, Emily
Wickham, and Patti Rollins.
Many thanks to
Communications Coordinator
Colleen Collins for not only
keeping the many and varied
channels of communication
within Trinity open and
flowing, and supporting our
pastoral care and prayer
ministries, but also for creating
a brand new, attractive and
user-friendly website, chock
full of current information on
all of the ministries of Trinity-
Lynnwood/Pointe of Grace.
As demanding as my days are,
the resilience of the people of
Trinity remains a constant
encouragement. I see many of
you experience really tough
stuff… life-altering in fact. And
as in great times, I see God
working in amazing ways in
difficult times. The fact that
our faith and our community
continues to sustain us all is an
awesome thing. It’s a pleasure
to work and walk with you.
Debbie Jeske
debbie@
trinitylutheranchurch.com
MINISTER OF FAITH
FORMATION
DAVID GREENLEE
We continue to offer multiple
avenues for multiple ages to
engage in faith formation
experiences and learning at
Trinity-Lynnwood/Pointe of
Grace.
Children’s faith formation has
continued to offer two hours
of Footprints on Sunday
morning and this summer’s
coming VBS program. Lois
Debner and the teams of
volunteers have continued to
keep our children ministries
healthy. Yet we struggle with
the changing cultural context
that families continue to face
and we experience that in
lower frequency of
participation.
WAY Student Ministries
continues to be a highly
effective and relational model
of reaching teenagers. Our
three weekly programs, ZOE
[middle school], NET [high
school] and Unbend [high
school drop-in time at Pointe
of Grace] reach out to more
than 100 youth each year,
with weekly averages of 50-60
students participating.
Communiversity operated for a
second year and is adding one
-time events to our offerings,
with the author Paul Young
joining us last April with 150
people attending. This fall we
will offer two Saturday
seminars along with several
weeks of evening classes.
In faith formation, the
challenge we face is how to
make time for our faith to be
nurtured, encouraged and
reflected upon. Trinity-
Lynnwood/Pointe of Grace
provides an incredible gift of
resources for faith to be
formed.
David Greenlee
Trinity Annual Report 2014 ~ page 6
MINISTER OF STUDENT
FAITH FORMATION
JAMIE RICHARDS
WAY Student Ministries
continues to be a place where
students feel welcomed, safe,
and encouraged to grow in
relationships and faith. In
addition to the 3 weekly
programs engaging middle and
high school youth, students
grow and connect through
retreats, service events,
community-building events,
and ministry teams.
The Student Leadership Team
this past school year was made
up of 17 high school students
from 9 different high schools!
25 middle and high school
students engaged in ministry
with children and their peers
through our 5 ministry teams.
We are thankful for all their
leadership and compassion!
The Wordless Gospel Mime
Drama production was such a
great experience for the
students in the cast and crew,
and we have heard from
audience members that many
lives were touched.
This summer, 12 students and
2 adults are journeying to the
Wind River Reservation in
Wyoming for a mission trip
where we will be immersed in
the culture and history of this
reservation where 2 tribes
reside.
Also this summer, 36 students
are spending a week at Camp
Lutherhaven in Coeur d’Alene,
ID, where 4 of our former
youth will be spending the
summer as counselors! What a
blessing to see such an arc of
faith growth between the 7th
graders going and the 4 college
kids returning for a summer of
ministry!
I am continually reminded by
students that WAY Student
Ministries is important to them.
They are challenged, loved,
and learn so much together.
What a blessing it is to be a
part of their faith journeys and
lives!
Jamie Richards
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
COORDINATOR
LOIS DEBNER
We started the summer with
Vacation Bible School/Camp
56 in July 2013. Kingdom
Rock VBS trialed as a 4 day
program with a family night
celebration dinner and closing
program, which was a huge
success for parents to come
experience the fun and love
that the kids shared during
VBS week.
Footprints, Sunday morning
children’s ministry, had a
successful year of teaching
teams with adults and youth.
Although 90 children were
registered, average weekly
attendance was 42 children for
both 9 AM and 10:30 AM
hours. We are working
through planning for the fall
for how to meet these needs.
Children’s Ministry continues
to offer family night potlucks
once a quarter for faith and
fellowship opportunities.
Lois Debner
lois@
trinitylutheranchurch.com
FACILITY
ADMINISTRATOR
BRUCE SUTHERLAND
This past year, many projects
have been completed to help
us carry out our ministries at
both ministry sites. Some
projects are not visible, such as
replacing furnace motors and
filters. Other “invisible”
projects include appliance
repairs, moving the childcare
laundry facility from the garage
to the Lynnwood church
building, fixing the movable
walls in the multipurpose
room, and replacing the roof
on the garage.
Some visible projects that have
been completed are restriping
of the parking lots at Pointe of
Grace and Trinity-Lynnwood
(done by volunteers), new
speed bumps for safety at T-L,
new countertops and
improved lighting at PoG, and
the most visible project of all,
the Outdoor Nature
Classroom. This was a joint
project with the Child
Development Center and
Preschool at no cost to the
church. Funding was provided
by grants and fund-raisers by
the schools. Another ongoing
project with the CDC is the
removal of the old floors in the
downstairs bathrooms and
putting on a new floor sealant.
Looking ahead, we will
continue to make repairs as
needed and are currently
studying the replacement of
the carpet in the narthex and
sanctuary. Since most of your
financial gifts go to ministry
programs, a lot of the work is
being done is by volunteers.
How can you help? You can
continue you general giving
and the capital giving and also
help with some of the ongoing
physical needs of the church.
We particularly need help with
keeping the grounds up by
gardening, some handy person
projects and building hosts
from 6-8PM. If you would like
to help in some way, please
contact me for specific
information.
Thank you for your support,
Bruce Sutherland
Trinity Annual Report 2014 ~ page 7
TRINITY CHILD
DEVELOPMENT CENTER
DIRECTOR
NANETTE ERBAN
We are completing our 19th
year of service to the
Lynnwood community. I have
the exciting privilege this year
to have some Child
Development Center Alumni
come and serve with us as
teaching assistants and find it a
joy to see how they have
blossomed into capable young
adults who now want to serve.
We are working with the State
of Washington as an Early
Achievers participating center
and are looking forward with
anticipation to fall and winter
and our rating with the team
from the University of
Washington. Early Achievers is
a state-wide quality ratings and
improvement system.
Providers and policy-makers in
Washington State are working
together to raise the quality of
early childhood education in
Washington State. One aspect
of our participation as an Early
Achiever Center is the
availability for our staff to
participate and receive
Opportunity Grants. This year
we had 5 of our staff start or
continue advanced degrees in
early childhood education.
Our Child Development staff
of 22 are currently serving over
90 families each week. We
provide full-day care Monday
through Friday for children 6
weeks-12 years old. Thanks be
to God for his provision and to
the congregants of Trinity
Lutheran Church for
continuing to support this vital
ministry.
In His Service,
Nanette Erban
nanette@
trinitylutheranchurch.com
425-771-5393
TRINITY PRESCHOOL
DIRECTOR
KRIS DUDAK
Our major change at the
Preschool this year has been
the addition of our new
Nature Explore Outdoor
classroom. This has been such
a positive change in our
program! Children can’t wait
to get outside to play. The
amount of creativity and
innovation has exploded off
the charts! Our outdoor
classroom allows children to
explore and develop a
connection to the natural
world through engaging in
open-ended play while
enhancing the physical
environment and adding
natural beauty to the space.
Now birds, squirrels, bugs,
butterflies have been seen
spotted in our space for the
first time. Plants, flowers,
flowering and leafing trees are
being observed and the
changes of seasons are being
experienced up close and
personal.
Children are learning
foundational skills in a variety
of ways such as math, visual-
spatial skills, math and music,
art, literacy, science, and social
-emotional skills. They are
doing this simultaneously,
which is referred to as whole
child learning. Both the
Preschool and the CDC have
benefited from this new
addition. We are joyful this
project is done and we are
reaping the benefits! We are
now planning for Phase two
next year!
While there was fundraising
between the two schools,
funds from the budgets of the
schools were used as well as
two generous grants from the
City of Lynnwood! The tree
grant paid for the design phase
and all the trees we added to
the space. The surface water
grant paid for the dry river
bed. That grant also helped in
changing from the asphalt,
which was an impermeable
surface, to a permeable
surface which has helped in
water drainage of the whole
space. We are learning about
clean water and where water
goes from storm drains and
how we can be good stewards
of nature.
While all these changes were
happening outside our
windows, we also made
changes in the inside our
classrooms. We have added
more natural items to our
space. We replaced plastic
bins and toys wherever we
could and used baskets to hold
things and added natural items
like wood cookies, beautiful
colored rocks, pinecones and
the like to all our centers. We
painted the rooms in calming
colors, added beautiful textiles,
and unique places to display
the children’s original artwork.
We cultivated an inspiring
place for children to discover,
grow and thrive. It was best
said by Loris Malaguzzi; “We
value space because of its
power to organize…and its
power for sparking all kinds of
social, affective, and cognitive
learning”.
As always, our staff exhibits
dedication and Christ-like
caring that makes this program
a place where families come
year after year for the highest
level of excellence in Early
Childhood Education. God
has always blessed our
program and this year we have
felt that guidance, support,
and love more than ever!
In God’s love and joy,
Kris Dudak, Director
Trinity Annual Report 2014 ~ page 8
HARBOUR POINTE
CHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL
DIRECTOR
KIM KUSILEK
2013-2014 has been a
fantastic year for our
preschool. The collaboration
with Pointe of Grace continues
to be a tremendous blessing. I
want to thank you for working
with us so graciously!
I am proud to work with such
an incredible group of women:
Sue Reynolds, Janis Tate, Janet
Hammond, Amy Biedscheid,
Traci Younker, Theresa
Costanzo, Quin Fisher, Stacey
Woodworth, and Rhonda
Goetz. They are creative,
passionate, dependable and
dedicated. Each one, a gift to
our school!
I have also been fortunate to
work with such a dedicated
Preschool Board under the
direction of Betsy Warme
(board chair). As a board we
held two successful fundraisers
this year, a Basket Raffle in
October and a Silent Auction
in May. With these funds we
were able to provide a secured
entrance to our preschool
wing, and a “Kidfit” Physical
Education program for all of
the students twice a month.
We were unable to provide in-
house field trips this year due
to the expense of the security
system. We hope to
reincorporate that next fall.
Our class offerings this school
year have been well-received
with a vacancy rate
consistently below the 10%
budgeted rate. We offer nine
preschool classes for ages 2-5.
Our 2014-2015 enrollment is
expected to fill, so we will
continue to offer an afternoon
class for four year olds.
I have enjoyed being part of
Trinity’s staff meetings. I feel
this is vital to the cohesiveness
of the two locations. I am
grateful for the connection that
Trinity makes to our preschool.
I look forward to additional
collaboration between the
church and schools. We held
a successful Christmas Craft
Night in December working
with many of the ministries at
Pointe of Grace.
Approximately 50 families
created Christmas crafts
together. The sense of
community was infectious.
The entire evening was a
beautiful demonstration of
what can happen when we
work together. I am excited
about the possibility of adding
a pastor at Pointe of Grace.
STORY 2014:
Luke joined our preschool as a
two year old in our Mom-and-
Me class. He was adopted
from China in October of
2012, just five months before
joining our school. He is
missing his right hand and due
to numerous ear infections as a
baby, wears a hearing aid. His
history involves abandonment
and he struggled with
separation prior to coming to
the US. When Luke began our
program he had minimal
language, struggled with
personal space and became
easily frustrated with fine
motor projects. He has made
tremendous strides in all areas.
I am proud of the dedication
and compassion the staff at
HPCP has demonstrated. They
have created a dynamic team
with his parents. Watching
him grow, learn and make
friends has been absolute joy.
He is smart, sweet and funny.
He has made enormous strides
both academically and
emotionally and continues to
melt our hearts every day.
In His love,
Kim Kusilek
harbourpointechristianschool@
hotmail.com
Trinity Annual Report 2014 ~ page 9
COUNCIL REPORTS
COUNCIL PRESIDENT
APRIL ZEPEDA
This last year the Council was
especially engaged in
identifying needs at Trinity
Lutheran Church; fostering the
transition with Pastor Jim Kruse
during Pastor Eileen’s
recovery; and promoting year-
round stewardship rather than
urgent giving at the end of the
year.
As part of its focus on
engagement, the officers of the
Council met one on one with
each staff member in January.
This was an opportunity to
gain an understanding about
the challenges and successes
the staff experience day to
day. In these meetings we
learned that with the reduction
of a receptionist position, staff
fielded many calls and
concerns from the
congregation about the
difficulty in reaching the front
office. Not only was it hard for
congregational members to
visit or call, it was a challenge
for staff to absorb the
additional work of the
receptionist role. As a result
the Council decided to bring
back the receptionist position
part-time so that phones
would be answered
throughout the busiest times of
the day, and there would be a
welcoming presence at our
front office.
This year the Council also
wrestled with how to meet the
pastoral needs of the church
during Pastor Eileen’s
unexpected medical leave.
The Council called a special
congregational meeting to
discuss bringing in a
contracted pastor to help fill
the void. With the
congregation’s support we
hired Pastor Jim Kruse. After
helping us through Eileen’s
absence, he agreed to stay
with us an additional 9 months
to focus on providing
leadership at the Pointe of
Grace site. With Pastor Eileen
now back, Pastor Jim will help
us discern the possibilities
around having a three pastor
system again. However, if that
is a direction the congregation
decides to pursue, it will be up
to all of us to make yearlong
stewardship a priority.
Although we were able to end
the year in the black and also
replenish our financial reserves
though increased giving in
December, we are already
falling behind budget. The
annual appeal for increased
giving at the end of the year is
not sustainable, nor does it
provide any degree of financial
security. Moving forward the
Council feels that stronger
stewardship and giving must
occur throughout the year in
order to support our ministries;
to maintain operating reserves
and to keep our commitment
to benevolence.
We are grateful for the
ministries of Trinity-
Lynnwood/Pointe of Grace,
which are doing remarkable
and powerful work within our
community and our church.
The Council thanks our
dedicated staff and church
members for all they do to
respond to God’s calling.
The Council and I look
forward to another year of
working with you through
service and God’s grace.
Yours in Christ,
April Zepeda
Trinity Lutheran Church
2013 Year End Financial Summary
What a difference a year made. As we convene our annual meeting the data below summarizes last year, 2013 just as a
reminder. We will present the 2014 YTD financials and comment on key accounts, income and expenses at the annual meeting.
We again wanted to Thank You for your support throughout 2013 and for a strong finish as we had hoped. We still have much
we are doing and want to do with our ministries, and we continue to count on your support as we strive to achieve the goals set
by the congregation.
2013 Summary
Income:
While income lagged behind budget much of 2013 we finished strong with some more significant gifts and giving the last
several months and as a result total contributions exceeded budget by $48,267. (Actual $1,395,048 vs. Budget
$1,346,781).
Facility and Other income was better than budget by $3,792. (Actual $99,112 vs. Budget $95,320). The decline from 2012
(Actual $99,112 vs. 2012 of $128,198) was due to the loss of Creation Station rental income which we had expected
when the budget was approved.
In 2012 we used up all our operating reserves which were shown as $74,487 of income.
Expenses:
Before operating reserves total other expenses were under budget. (Subtotal Actual of $1,413,284 is $29,677 less than
Budget of $1,442,961). We managed overall expenses well and overcame challenges such as copier and computer
costs.
We used the strong finish to set aside $80,800 of operating reserves at the end of 2013.
2012 Actual 2013 Budget 2013 Actual
Income
Contributions Income $1,398,210 $1,346,781 $1,395,048
Facility and Other Income 128,198 95,320 99,112
Subtotal $1,526,408 $1,442,101
$1,494,160
Reserves Used 75,487 0 0
Total Income $1,601,895 $1,442,101 $1,494,160
Expenses
Benevolence $ 124,552 $ 75,900 $ 75,900
Faith and Ministries 251,417 241,728 237,316
Facility Operations and Administration
1,196,127 1,125,333 1,100,068
Subtotal $1,572,096 $1,442,961 $1,413,284
Reserves Set Aside 0 0 80,800
Total Expense $1,572,096 $1,442,961 $1,494,084
Income less Expense $ 29,799 $ (860) $ 76
Trinity Annual Report 2014 ~ page 10
Trinity Annual Report 2014 ~ page 11
Summary - Thank You! We were much better positioned entering 2014. We must continue our strong focus on stewardship as
we were still very dependent on several larger gifts. The YTD status and comments for 2014 will be presented at the annual
meeting, and each month as the year progresses. Submitted by Treasurer Bob Driessnack, [email protected]
Actual Actual Actual
12/31/2012 6/30/2013 12/31/2013
Current AssetsCash in Checking 351,205$ 220,514$ 389,199$
Cash in Mission Savings 128,828 129,456 280,045
Dedicated Funds Receivable 516 5,147 -
Subtotal Cash and ST Receivables A 480,548$ 355,117$ 669,244$
CDC Receivables 45,916 36,131 4,222 *
Total Current Assets 526,464$ 391,249$ 673,467$
Current LiabilitiesDesignated Funds Payable 235,848$ 222,693$ 207,155$
Capital Fund Reserve (Pre-LF) 29,701 29,404 29,404
Capital Fund Reserve (Living Faith) 51,184 78,367 156,037
Continuing Education 7,332 6,706 6,706
Payroll and Payroll Taxes 476 945 (48,551)
Subtotal Restricted Accounts B 324,541 338,113 350,751
Undesignated Funds 33,909 19,740 20,810
Bequest Holding Account 2,819 2,819 38,418
Prepaid Gift 101,919 ** - 120,000 **
Operational Fund Reserve - - 80,800
Subtotal Unrestricted Accounts 138,647 22,559 260,028
Total Current Liabilities C 463,188$ 360,672$ 610,778$
Ratio of Cash to Restricted Accounts A/B 148% 105% 191% ***
Ratio of Cash to Current Liabilities A/C 104% 98% 110%
* Represents net receivable from Child Development Center. Decreased to about $4,200 in December.
** Prepaid gift is moved to income early in the new year consistent with the historical pattern of certain gifts.
*** Council set the desired low end ratio of Cash to Restricted Accounts at 110%. We ended above the target.
Balance sheet summary comments - Total Cash increased in December due to contributions, capital funds
received and a reduction in the CDC Net Receivable which collectively exceeded expenses and funds paid out.
We moved cash from checking to savings to earn some interest on the additional funds we have available. The
CDC receivable declined continuing to make progress toward their planned self-sufficiency. Overall cash and
savings increased to 191% of designated and restricted funds. We took advantage of a strong December from
contributions and set aside $80,800 in operating reserves. In addition $120,000 was received that was
designated as prepaid toward 2014 income giving us a stronger financial position as we enter into 2014.
Summary Balance Sheet - Current Assets and Liabilities
Trinity Annual Report 2014 ~ page 12
MINISTRY AREA
REPORTS
CD Ministry
Some of you may not be
aware of the CD ministry. Each
Sunday, recordings of the
services are made. We make
CD copies for our homebound
members and fill other
requests. My husband, Bob
Kristensen and I did it for
twenty years, assisted by Bob
and Evie Nordeen when we
were out of town. After Bob’s
death in 2010, the Nordeens
and I continued the ministry.
Bob Nordeen died in 2012,
and since then, Evie and I have
carried on.
It is a rewarding calling and
definitely fulfills an outreach to
those who are unable to
attend worship. If anyone
would like to participate, we
would be happy for your
assistance.
Marlene Kristensen
425-776-1550
Evie Nordeen
425-775-1127
Endowment
Committee
As a committee, we strove to
carry out the Endowment
Bylaws to provide financial
encouragement to those that
apply for academic
scholarships, general grants for
Christian service, and
emergency funding. This year,
we had the honor of granting
11 worthy scholars and two
general grants. (Recipients
listed at the bottom of the
report.)
I am completing my three-year
term and it has been a
pleasure to work with many
members that hold our
finances in such a diligent
manner. Each year the
committee members are
different, so fresh ideas with
common goals evolve the way
we disperse funds. Challenges
we face are trying to be fair
and treating each candidate on
the merits of their applications
with the resources we have
each year. I am pleased to say
that each committee has done
their best with that mandate.
As well as myself, Marti
Derickson and Bonnie
Sanchez will be ending their
terms. Thank you both for
your service.
Moving forward, our video
project started in early 2013 is
still not finished. We were
disappointed in the first drafts
and hope our efforts will
produce something
educational for the future.
This video was to help with
our most pressing problem-
adding principle to the
Endowment Foundation Fund.
We are able to endow a nice
amount, but we could dream
of larger endowments to many
causes. Donation information
is on our Trinity-Lynnwood/
Pointe of Grace website and
brochures are in the narthex.
Endowment Academic
Scholarship Recipients in
order of merit: Chelsea
Cooper, Christopher Prasanna,
Rachel Carey, Kyle Curtis,
Sarah Hamburg, Houston
McMahon, Kelsey Barnes,
Anna Collins, Madeline Franz,
Kerry Lee, Nathan Strong.
General Grant Recipients:
Community/Middle East Peace
Builders (John Berg) and
Labyrinth project (Bee Jay
Mar).
Again, thank you to the
committee, who as busy family
members/volunteers in other
areas still managed to make
time for the legacy of
Endowment. Bruce Sutherland
(Vice-chair), Bonnie Sanchez
(Secretary), Bert Flynn
(Treasurer), Marti Derickson,
Jeff Patterson, Michelle Reitan.
Submitted by Sue Carlson,
Chair
Fair Trade
Each first Sunday of the
month, you can find a table set
up in the fellowship hall with
products offered through Equal
Exchange. The purpose of
selling these products is to help
and enable small scale farmers
to support themselves and
their families throughout the
world. These products include
coffee, tea, chocolate and
various other items.
This ministry has been ongoing
for several years. A good
Sunday will find us selling over
$500 worth of product.
Unfortunately, some Sundays
find us selling closer to $200
worth of product. We make
no profit because we are
selling these items at cost. We
do appreciate that the church
has made the commitment to
use Fair Trade coffee in the
kitchen and for all events at
the church.
We hope you'll EAT (lots of
chocolate, nuts, and geobars);
DRINK (lots of coffee, tea or
hot chocolate); and BE MERRY
(you are helping people
around the world support
themselves and their families.)
Jude Vaders and Cheryl Bauer
GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT
Esperanza Mission in
Tijuana Mexico
Thirteen years of Trinity’s
service with Esperanza in
Tijuana has resulted in some
great accomplishments. Two
teams sent each year give the
opportunity for families and
individuals ages 10 and older
to experience service in a
developing nation. We have
participated in the
construction of over seventy
homes, three schools, two
rehab centers and three
community centers. We have
had more than 165 people
participate with us with several
who have participated
multiple times. Working side
by side with families and
community members crush
stereotypes and reveal people
who are working hard to
improve their lives and make a
Trinity Annual Report 2014 ~ page 13
better life for their children.
People who are not looking for
a handout but are excited to
make friends from the U.S.
who are willing to join
together with them to change
their life, their community and
their country. Our
participation with Esperanza
has not only resulted in
changed lives in Mexico but
also changed lives of people in
the United States. In
experiencing a different
culture we have learned
different does not mean not as
good. We discover the good
in our differences and learn to
respect and appreciate those
differences. We have become
members of a global
community who through our
service in another country
have also served our own
people.
We have two people who
serve on the Esperanza Board
of Directors with one serving
as President and one as
Secretary. Through our work
with the annual Esperanza
fundraising dinner which we
helped start twelve years ago,
we have raised over $300,000
to support the work of
Esperanza. Through our work
with Esperanza we have
experienced another
dimension of God’s call to give
ourselves away for the sake of
the gospel and other people.
Our 2014 teams are now
forming. Go to
mexico.trinitylutheranchurch.com.
Cliff Bronson
Living Water
Celebrating 11 years of Living
Water participation, we are
grateful for the spirit of
generosity which allows Trinity
-Lynnwood, Pointe of Grace,
and Edmonds Lutheran to
faithfully offer their monthly
gifts to help combat water and
hunger needs all over the
world. Over $40,000 was
raised over the past year. The
Board met regularly to
investigate water projects in
under-developed nations
where there could be a
dramatic difference in the
quality of life and health.
Multiple donations were made
to longtime partner, Seattle-
based Water 1st
International, who handles
water and sanitation projects
around the globe. Water 1st is
diligent about working with
local partners who might drill a
well, but also educate the
recipients of a new project,
helping them to maintain and
fund ongoing maintenance
and repairs to their system/s.
In July the LW team voted to
donate over $9,000 to
Operation Bootstrap Africa for
the Maasai Lutheran Girls
Secondary School in Monduli,
Tanzania, specifically for
providing a water source for
students and staff. Included in
this grant was a major
donation of over $1,100
from SoundView School
children who had heard about
the work of LW from
classmates Andy and Michael
Reay. An art auction had been
held and the children raised
funds which they presented to
Norma Aamodt-Nelson when
they came to play the Martin
Pasi pipe organ. Norma had
heard of the water need
at MLGSS when she taught
there on her sabbatical. The
district where MLGSS is
located is semi-arid; water is
expensive and the girls have
had to walk 3 km. to and from
to fetch water daily. This is
unsafe for the girls for obvious
reasons. A pipe source and
storage tank on the school
property will provide a great
improvement in the academic
performance of the students.
Grants were also provided
to Housing Hope which serves
homeless, low and very low-
income families in Snohomish
County with housing and a
wide range of additional
services to help them return to
self-supporting and enriched
lives. The grant was directed to
Winters Creek Village in
Monroe.
Aid Africa serves an area of
northern Uganda that has
suffered genocide. People fled
the area and are now returning
to communities without
adequate water supply or
damaged wells. A grant was
given for well repair.
Water Access Now was given a
donation to provide a
borehole in Sakogu, East
Mamprusi District in the
Northern Region of Ghana,
thus providing safe
potable water and improving
the community health and
sanitation. LW was told that
the chief lectured his
community on the gifts to
"their system" and that there
was collective joy within the
village.
For these and many more
stories and sharing over the
years, the Living Water team is
grateful to God for many
blessings, the outpouring of
generosity and these small but
significant impacts on human
life.
The Living Water Team
Trinity Annual Report 2014 ~ page 14
Leadership
Formation
Developing spiritually
conscious individuals inspired
and equipped to transform
social systems to make God’s
dream more visible in the
world.
In 2013-14 a 2-track
leadership formation program
was offered designed to help
people discern how God is
calling them to make a
difference in their world and
develop skills to act as agents
of change in their
communities.
One track provided an
independent and online
opportunity for praying with
Scripture in a way that
deepens relationship with God
and helps people better
understand how God is calling
them to act in the world.
Interest was high at the outset
but indications (blog download
statistics) suggest that that level
of interest was not sustained
over time. A few who
continued the practice have
commented on its usefulness.
The other track was a monthly
community of practice where
10-12 people gathered to
learn practical skills to apply in
the communities where they
live, work and worship.
Grounded in the assumption
that every social system has the
potential to manifest God’s
dream, topics covered
included: Gracious Space;
holding a positive vision for
your group; watching for
system patterns; the roles we
play in groups; inner strength
and courage; and dialogue.
Participants reflected together
on real-life situations to help
each other take action that
could move groups toward
increased health and
effectiveness.
Participants recently reflected
on what has been different in
their lives as a result of sharing
in this community.
Observations included:
Positive experience in
providing a focus and
framework for a learning
group to discuss freely.
Looking at complex roles
in a family situation to
take positive, constructive
action for the well-being
of a family member in
need while not getting
distracted by trying to fix
things that are outside of
one’s sphere of influence.
Offering “gracious space”
as a default response to
others, making a
difference in how the
situations unfold.
Working through a volatile
ministry situation by
noticing but not acting out
of initial negative
responses and listening in
a caring way, with the
result that someone was
helped to recognize their
call more clearly.
Taking initiative in a
conflictive situation with
condo neighbors to help
them listen to each other’s
concerns and find
resolution, bringing peace
to the whole community.
Noticing immediate
internal responses of
judgment and choosing to
adopt an approach of
trying to understand and
help.
The guides for personal
reflection remain available
online at
www.tlcpogformation.com/
spiritualformationresources/
weeklyguidesforreflection for
anyone who wishes to use
them at their own pace. The
Community of Practice will
convene again in the fall,
generally the third Tuesday of
the month. Enrollment will be
open at that point for others
who would like to join a
learning community to support
them in making God’s dream
more real in their daily
relationships.
Larry Pennings
LIFEGROUPS
Community &
Middle East Peace
Builders
John Berg is midway through
his 6th year as director of
“Community & Middle East
Peace Builders”, hosted by
Trinity and gathering
at 7pm on the last Tuesday of
each month.
Community & Middle East
Peace Builders (CMEPB) exists
to build strategic connections
between the Christians of the
West and the Middle East. We
do this first by supporting what
we call the “LAMPS of the
Middle East”, i.e. M.E.
churches and Christian
organizations in their effort to
be faithful witnesses to
reconciliation amongst
Muslims and Jews;
secondly through our own
domestic initiatives of peace
building, advocacy and
building relationships that
impact our witness in the
Northwest region.
Our core accomplishment is to
enable members of Trinity and
the Northwest church
community to encounter our
neighbors (including those of
other faith traditions) in new
ways, to better engage them
via compassionate listening, to
become local and global
practitioners of justice,
nonviolence, peace building
and reconciliation, to welcome
home Vets of the current and
previous global wars/
conflicts, and to roll up our
hands in practical ways of
relating to “the other”.
John Berg
425-218-3682
Conservation/
Garden Stewards
Pointe of Grace Teaching
Garden 2014
In the past year we have
grown fruits, vegetables, and
flowers, and are working to
restore the lavender labyrinth.
In addition, we are currently
building a plastic bottle
greenhouse.
From the beginning of May
2013 until mid-June 2013, we
had 8-12 students each week
from Harbour Pointe Middle
School work in the garden.
During September, October,
and November 2013, 8-10
middle school students came
each week to harvest
vegetables and seeds, work
with the compost bins, and
collect leaves from around the
area to put over the beds for
the winter.
In the spring, the preschoolers
came out to the garden over a
two day period. They all
planted flower seeds.
Although there are many
projects in the garden with
various groups, the one thing
they all have in common is
they are all learning in various
ways how to care for the soil
that gives life. Every volunteer
learns how every job, no
Trinity Annual Report 2014 ~ page 15
matter how big or small, plays
an important role in the overall
health of the soil and the food
it produces. The saying, “Think
global, act local,” is at work in
the garden. At the Pointe of
Grace Teaching Garden, what
we really grow are future
gardeners and good stewards
of the earth.
Dan Jensen
Cherrie Wallace
Harmony
Harmony’s vision is
acceptance, equality, and full
participation in all aspects of
life for people of diverse sexual
orientations and gender
identities. To us, this means
being family to all lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender, and
intersex persons (LGBTI), their
families and their friends.
Our year was one of gathering
for celebration and growth. In
the spring of 2014, we joined
with the members of Trinity’s
Celebration Worship Band to
host a baby shower. The
summer months began with
the annual June PRIDE parade
in Seattle, followed by a July
picnic/BBQ. Pastor Rick
Pribbernow led a transgender
workshop in the fall, and we
were happy to welcome some
folks from St. Thomas More at
this event. Each November, a
“Links & Alliance Conference“
is held at Everett Community
College for LGBTI youth, and
Harmony members again
assisted with making name tags
and preparing meals. The
auction for “Open Door
Ministries” was held in
November and we supported
this vital ministry through
donations of time and gifts,
and our attendance at the
event. We’ve held social
events, potlucks, and a holiday
gift exchange. One of our
projects this spring has been
the revision of our brochure.
As Harmony looks ahead to
the coming year, we hope to
plan more outreach in the
church and beyond, and to
continue to be a welcoming,
supportive presence for all
people.
In 2005, Trinity stepped out
and took a stand, making the
decision to welcome ALL
people into the life our
congregation. Harmony
thanks Trinity for this powerful
statement of hospitality and
acceptance...becoming a
“reconciling in Christ”
congregation.
Marti
Judy & Rudy
Fran
Penny
Theresa & Branda
Molly & Corine
PoG Walkers
“PoG (Pointe of Grace)
Walkers” is active in Harbour
Pointe in Mukilteo and is a
LifeGroup of Trinity Lutheran
Church. We are a small group
of people within and beyond
the church who want to
nurture a relationship with
God, a relationship with one
another, a relationship with
our neighbors, and improve
our health and community. All
are welcome to participate!
Our motto is: “Come as you
are. Come when you can.”
We still walk on Tuesday
and Friday mornings...now
at 8AM. We have lost several
walking partners as most have
taken on new employment
opportunities. Usually there
are just 4 of us and 1 dog who
continue to walk together for
about an hour twice a week,
meeting in the Pointe of Grace
parking lot. We take a variety
of routes which feature hills,
trails, sidewalks, beautiful
yards, a chance to check out
the PoG community garden,
and to bid good morning to
other walkers. We take time
for a Scripture reading from
the "Christ in our Home"
devotional, and lift up prayers
of thanks and to share
special prayer requests. We
attempt to stay in touch by
phone or email if one of us will
not be there. We'd be very
happy to add additional
walkers whenever they would
choose to join us!
Linda Toskey
425-349-3444
Sowing Seeds of
Hope
The members of Sowing Seeds
of Hope continue on our
journey to transform poverty
into abundance one life at a
time. We are grateful for the
prayers, encouragement and
generous support of Trinity-
Lynnwood/Pointe of Grace.
The Jirani Mwema chicken
project in Songea, Tanzania, is
up and running and supporting
itself! The chicken house is
complete and is home to 60
chickens that provide eggs and
meat to the Songea's Kids
orphans. There is already
measurable improvement in
the orphans' health.
Our current project is the
study of human trafficking and
slavery. We are disappointed
to learn that this cruelty is
active on every continent on
earth. Our congregation has a
history of advocacy through
our many years of serving and
buying Fair Trade coffee and
chocolate. We plan to build
on that legacy through
educational presentations.
With your help, Sowing Seeds
of Hope has touched
desperate and hurting
people. We pray that folks of
cultures different from ours
will remember that we related
to them with honor and
respect.
Gabriele Raudebaugh
425-775-0706
Joan Jolly
206-450-4900
Neighbors in Need
We have had another busy
year doing our part to help our
neighbors. We wish to thank
the many people and groups
that have given of their time
and money to accomplish this
mission:
Holy Rosary Catholic Church
Edmonds Food Bank
St. Thomas More Catholic
Church
Pemco Insurance
Trinity Lutheran Church
Annie’s Kitchen
Edmonds Unitarian
Trader Joe’s
Edmonds Free Methodist
PCC
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
Starbucks
Crossway Fellowship
Showers to the People
Lynnwood Chamber of
Commerce
Campbell Nelson Volkswagen
Edmonds Food Bank
St. Mary's Coptic
Orthodox Church
Every Saturday morning our
doors are open at 7:30 and
coffee is provided for our early
guests. The hours of actual
service are 8:30 until 10:30.
We provide a warm and safe
place where our guests feel
welcome. Breakfast is
provided by one of our
community partners on a
rotating schedule. We have a
food pantry, donated clothing,
personal toiletry table,
showers, a nurse and a
bilingual listening table to help
suggest services available in the
community and take prayer
requests. We have pastoral
care provided by Stephen’s
ministers.
Despite an improving
economy, the number we
serve continues to grow. Not
counting the children who
have a safe place upstairs, we
average over 100 people every
Saturday morning.
In December besides having
Christmas with our Neighbors
we hosted the South
Snohomish County Toy Shop
downstairs assisted by the
Unitarians and Alderwood
Rotary. Low income parents
of over 500 children who
signed up at Lynnwood food
bank received Christmas gifts.
What we learned from the
leadership classes led by Larry
Pennings has provided this
ministry with a solid
foundation as we move
forward in our growth of this
ministry. Our on-line sign-up
system for our volunteers is
working well, and we are
formalizing our Safety and
Kitchen Policies.
The addition of Joan Jolly and
David Gunderson to our board
has truly been a blessing!
Thank you to the staff of
Trinity for all that you do for
us. And thank you Trinity and
Point of Grace for your
support during clothing and
food drives, for your monetary
gifts, and for your Christmas
gifts. Thanks also to the many
volunteers. We could not
provide this mission without
you.
Jesus said (Matthew 22:37-38)
“You shall love the Lord your
God with all your heart, and
with all your soul, and with all
your mind. This is the great
and first commandment.
And a second is like it, you
shall love your neighbor as
yourself.”
Respectfully submitted,
Leaders: Sharon Bloch, John
Boone, Sherry Smith, Joan Jolly
and David Gunderson
Nominating
Committee
Council
President elect:
Treasurer elect:
Secretary elect: Raylene Ewing
Member at Large: Micah
Reitan
Member at Large:
Endowment Committee
Position 1: Jason Resha
Position 2:
Position 3:
Submitted by:
Lisa Hunnewell
Margie Olsoy
Nancy Schultz
Bill Rankin
April Zepeda
Packs for Kids
The Pointe of Grace ministry
site serves Packs for Kids
generously through donations
of food items, school supplies
and cash given to Coins for a
Cause. Bill and Shelly Franz,
Dennis Nadeau, Bill Toskey,
Colleen Nollette and
Coordinator Joan Smith
function on the committee.
In September we distribute
backpacks filled with school
supplies. The range and total
of our donations this year was
huge, meeting needs both in
Edmonds and Mukilteo School
Districts. Not only did
students receive supplies and
backpacks, Trinity-Lynnwood
and Pointe of Grace created
surplus for the teachers to have
on hand for the year.
Throughout the school year,
Pointe of Grace provided food
for weekend and holidays for 9
children at Picnic Point,
Challenger and Discovery
Elementary schools in the
Mukilteo School District. At
Christmas, counselors received
donations to buy gifts for one
child at Picnic Point and
several at Challenger. We also
provided warm hats and
jackets. One boy at Picnic
Point expressed the difference
the gifts had made for his
mother and him. Inside his
card he included a small angel.
A year-end emergency request
from Olympic View Middle
School for supplies to feed 18
students has expanded the
scope of our donations.
Blessings!
Joan Smith, Coordinator
Packs for Kids
Pointe of Grace
Stephen Ministry
Our 25th Anniversary!
Stephen Ministry is part of the
pastoral care team at Trinity-
Lynnwood/Pointe of
Grace. We are trained to give
one-on-one listening care to
people who are experiencing
significant life changes, such as
aging, illness, job loss,
Trinity Annual Report 2014 ~ page 16
relationship break-ups, or grief.
The Stephen Ministers feel
truly blessed to serve in our
congregation. Over the last 25
years, you have trusted us with
your pain and sorrows and
your joys. It has been a gift to
walk beside you as you have
adapted to life's changes.
A meaningful part of our last
year was to add a prayer
ministry. Prayer Ministers are
available at each service at
Trinity-Lynnwood and once
each month at Pointe of
Grace, to pray individually
with anyone who wants to
share a particular need or to
offer thanksgiving.
During the year 2013/2014,
the Stephen Ministers gave
2,870 hours of ministry. We
are here to listen and care in
confidential, prayerful
partnership. God bless each of
you on your journeys. Know
that we are here when you
have a burden to share.
We wish you peace in Christ.
Marti Derickson
425-774-3381
Joan Jolly
206-450-4900
Joyce Lashua
425-787-5973
Liz Gimmestad
425-743-1461
The Well: A
Community Center
We are excited to be at the
beginning stages of outlining
and organizing a partnership
with Volunteers of America of
Western Washington that will
help us do a feasibility study of
building and operating The
Well Community Center.
Here are some of the initial
concepts our two organizations
are working on. As plans
become more refined, we
would expect to create a more
formal agreement between our
organizations addressing the
ownership and operation of
the facility.
1) Programming and
Operations: Refine
construction and operational
costs, do assessment of
programming and an
assessment of the community
needs in the region.
2) Funding and Financing:
Prepare Operational and
programming plans that will
help us begin to reach out to
potential donors and funding
sources.
3) Organizational Structure:
Define the organizational
structure for owning and
operating the facility. The
Well is currently set up as a
Washington non-profit
corporation. It has not applied
for 501(c)(3) status. Going
forward, does it make sense to
create a separate non-profit
organization such as The Well,
or can we simply use our
existing organizations?
4) Budget and Schedule:
Define the time commitment
and direct costs necessary to
complete the above tasks and
establish a schedule for these
tasks.
5) Interim Working
Committee: To address the
above tasks, we are forming a
committee made up of
representatives from each of
our organizations that have the
necessary expertise and
knowledge of this vision.
Dave Eckberg, Mike Schultz,
Dennis Derrickson, Ruth Lee,
Paul Sundberg and
David Greenlee
Trinity Lutheran
Church Schools
Trinity Lutheran Schools have
been hard at work continually
developing new programs and
perfecting those that are
already in place in each of our
perspective schools. We meet
several times per month to
brainstorm ideas for school,
develop policy, discuss staffing
issues and reflect on what is
currently working and what is
not.
As a team, Kris Dudak (Trinity
Lutheran Preschool Director)
and I (Harbour Pointe
Christian Preschool Director)
attended the National
Director’s Conference in
Jacksonville Florida this past
February. Nanette was unable
to attend due to a Child
Development Center budget
shortfall. I feel it is imperative
that we figure out a way for us
all to attend each year. It is
one time per year that we get
to work with the best of the
best, re-energize as managers
and bring back new
programming ideas. Kris and I
returned home feeling
invigorated, energized and
excited to implement and
share some of the things that
we learned.
We have also completed
Phase I of our Nature Explore
Outdoor Classroom at the
Trinity-Lynnwood location.
The creation of our outdoor
place space was
commemorated with a ribbon
cutting this past spring. Our
team, led by Kris Dudak, spent
numerous hours creating,
fundraising and designing a
plan to reinvent what is now
the playground at TLP/TLCDC.
With the help of several grants
from the City of Lynnwood, a
Nature Explore Development
Team, and a completed
design, TLP/TLCDC is proud to
have completed Phase I.
This year summer programs
have expanded and will be
offered at all three of our
school locations.
As our 2013-2014 academic
year comes to a close we
reflect on the “lights” that are
our ministry. The children, the
families and the staff of Trinity
schools are truly second to
none. We are humbled by the
opportunity to touch so many
lives. We feel blessed to be
able to share our vision.
In His love,
Kim Kusilek
Coordinator of Schools
Trinity Annual Report 2014 ~ page 17
Trinity Lutheran
Church Women
This year’s Bible Study, “In
Good Company, Stories of
Biblical Women,” was an
opportunity to become
acquainted with several of our
ancestors in the faith. This
monthly study was featured
in Gather, the award winning
monthly magazine for growth
in faith and action, published
by Women of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America
(WELCA). Next year’s study is
titled “Transforming Life and
Faith.”
This year we gathered together
for opportunities to grow in
faith, affirm our
gifts, support one another in
our callings, engage in ministry
and action, and
promote healing and
wholeness. Trinity Women
hosted the World Day of
Prayer service in March and a
ThankOffering Service in
November. In our Brown Bag
Luncheons, we enjoyed
“Meeting Our Church Staff”
and a presentation by author
Marlene Anderson. The Holly
Berry Brunch had Debbie
Demitre telling “The Story of
the Other Wiseman.” Our
Spring Salad Luncheon, “Life is
Like a Quilt,” was a wonderful
heart-filled program featuring
Vernita Olson, Marilyn Hall,
Carolyn Layton and Dick
Gourley. Trinity men served at
both luncheons, and we are
most grateful for their excellent
service.
Elaine Reitan, sharing about the
Unabii Mission in Tanzania,
will be the program for our
Harborview Baby Shower &
Potluck, to be held in June.
This meeting will also include
election of officers.
This fall’s September Brown
Bag luncheon program will
feature Priscilla Fortiner
showing slides of her India
mission experienc. The Holly
Berry Brunch will be “Of Many
Generations,” a vintage style
show; all proceeds to benefit
Seattle Children’s Hospital
Foundation. Our 2015 Spring
Salad Luncheon will feature
Bronn Journey, harpist.
Check “What’s Happening”
and the church calendar to
keep informed of circle
meetings and general
gatherings. Won’t you join us?
Sandy Bueing, President
(see Financial Report on next
page)
Trinity Men
Join the Conversation
Our goal is to create a network
of relationships that will
strengthen the core of Trinity’s
community where we are
engaged in a common journey
on our individual paths. The
MEN seek to be a catalyst for
deeper relationships based
upon honor, hope, respect,
and love. Accordingly, we meet
twice each month to plan
events where conversation can
occur. We invite others new or
old to these events, which we
also participate in ourselves.
We solicit feedback so that we
might improve what we do or
how we do it together.
We focus in two areas. We
attend local theater, especially
performances by our High
School & Middle School
students, with conversation
around a meal prior to the
performance. We meet for
breakfast monthly on the
second Friday of each month at
Edmonds’s Pancake Haus. Our
next breakfast meeting will be
June 13 at 9 a.m. Please join
us, come to listen to others and
to join the table conversation.
Watch our bulletin board,
shared with TLCW, to keep
current with the opportunities
we are promoting. We serve at
the Holly Berry Brunch & the
Spring Salad Luncheon for our
TLCW. We take time to greet
one another, because
relationships are the fruit of
what we do. We invite you to
join us.
We thank everyone for their
participation & support.
Relationships are only as good
as you make them. We can
only begin to provide
opportunities.
Rudy Schleusner, Reg Allen,
John Hammar
Trinity Annual Report 2014 ~ page 18
TLCW Financial Report
Gifts to Local and World Organizations
June 2013 - May 2014
Women of ELCA - Thank Offering
$220.00
Women of ELCA - General Offering 360.50
Lutheran World Relief - Quilt & Shipping Fund 850.00
Mwanza Orphan Ministry: Tanzania
350.00
Unabii Mission: Tanzania 350.00
Trinity: Preschool / Outdoor Classroom 200.00
Trinity: Common Threads Ministry (Prayer Shawls) 150.00
Trinity: God’s Work, Our Hands (NIN and NYA) 50.00
Trinity: Fair Trade Coffee Fund
50.00
TLC: Van Campaign
100.00
Edmonds Food Bank 191.00
Lynnwood Food Bank 191.00
Mountlake Terrace Food Bank 191.00
TOTAL
$3,253.50
Submitted by Judy Schleusner
TLCW Treasurer
Trinity Quilters
Thank you, Trinity! Through
your generous support this past
year, we were able to ship
over 200 quilts to needy
people everywhere. We also
donated quilts to local
neighbors and gave quilts as
gifts at the Holly Berry Brunch
and the Spring Salad
Luncheon.
During our weekly meetings,
we assemble and tie the
quilts. Individuals make the
quilt tops “at home.” We
always are looking for people
who will make 60” X 80” quilt
tops.
The Quilters of Trinity remain
very grateful to the people of
Trinity, who donate money to
buy the materials needed to
make quilts, as well as donate
fabric to sew the tops.
Shipping of the quilts is
expensive, and this year we
were able to send $850 to
Lutheran World Relief to help
cover these costs.
On behalf of the men and
women who quilt, we thank
you, Trinity, for your
wonderful support of this
ministry! Drop by on
Thursday mornings...to chat,
drink coffee, and maybe even
sew or tie a quilt!
Sandy Bueing
425-327-4085
Trinity Annual Report 2014 ~ page 19
2013 STATISTICAL
REPORT
Members received: 45
Baptized Members Confirmed
this Period: 9
Average Weekly Worship
Attendance: 554
Funeral Services: 18
Baptisms: Child-18, Adult-1
Weddings: 1
Membership as of 12/31/13
Baptized: 1933
Confirmed: 1371
Households: 913
Trinity Annual Report 2014 ~ page 20
Trinity Lutheran Church Congregational Meeting
January 20, 2013
Call to Order
President Bill Rankin opened the meeting with prayer at 12:17 p.m.
Opening Comments
Bill thanked the congregation for attending and gave a few brief procedural rules for the meeting. He asked that there be no
discussion on the floor until a motion is made, and hopes that this will ensure order, fairness and decorum.
Motion to Approve 2013 Budget
A motion was made and seconded to approve the budget as recommended by the council.
Budget Discussion
Treasurer Carl Setzer thanked all for attending and started the Power Point presentation. In his recap of 2012, he listed the goals and
aspirations that were made at the beginning of last year. He also shared the challenges that were faced. He went on to explain how
the budget was prepared and summarized the council’s recommendations for moving forward.
Open Budget Discussion
A brief summary of some of the questions and comments that were brought forward by those attending the meeting:
Since some have fallen behind in their planned giving, is there a way to increase our online contributions? Some
people don’t realize they’re behind until a statement arrives. Yes. There are also plans to better manage the
communication when pledges fall behind.
The practice of dramatically reducing the benevolence seems spiritually backward. What are we doing as a group to
ensure this doesn’t keep happening? The council agrees. We anticipate that this is just a short-term situation. It has
always been the goal to re-establish our previous benevolent giving.
Why was there nothing said earlier? Do we continually build a budget that allows for a deficit, or do we build a budget
with realistic numbers? We agree, the council should have reported the deficit earlier. This new budget is much more
realistic in its projections.
Why was it necessary to track the Child Development Center (CDC) as separate funds when it’s not a separate
corporation? The difference is that the CDC is a fee driven and self sustaining organization, meaning what they take in as
revenue is what they operate on.
Minutes have been corrected to include the following comment:
Have we been attentive to collecting outstanding funds that had been pledged? More communication about this issue is
planned for this year.
Establishing a separate and tracked operational reserve fund for each site would provide a crucial safety net.
The congregation voted to expand the ministry with Pointe of Grace, but we don’t have enough pastors to go around.
Are there any realistic plans to increase membership?
Budget Vote
President Bill Rankin called for a vote by paper ballot. Ballots were distributed to all members present.
Endowment Bylaw Recommendations
Sue Carlson spoke on the Endowment Fund and Foundation Fund bylaw changes. Copies of the bylaws showing proposed changes
were distributed to all members present.
A motion was made to accept the Endowment Fund and Foundation Fund Bylaw amendments as drafted by the Endowment
Committee. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously.
How was the loan to the CDC deemed prudent, and how did the council approve it without the congregation giving its approval?
Results of Budget Vote
Yes: 85
No: 6
Abstain: 2
The motion passed.
Moving Forward
The Capital Campaign group will meet at Trinity-Lynnwood on Wednesday, January 23, at 7 p.m. to discuss future plans.
Monthly updated budget reports are planned for this year.
Quarterly statements of giving to congregation members will be sent out this year.
Pastor Eileen spoke of being approached by Verdant, formerly the South Snohomish County Commission for Health.
They have shown interest in the Creation Station property for a possible community health and wellness site. She will
keep the congregation informed of any developments.
Closing Prayer
President-Elect April Zepeda adjourned the meeting with prayer at 2:02 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Brendle
Trinity Lutheran Council Secretary
Trinity Annual Report 2014 ~ page 21
Trinity Annual Report 2014 ~ page 22
Trinity Lutheran Church Congregational Meeting
June 2, 2013
Call to Order
President Bill Rankin opened the meeting with prayer at 11:55 a.m.
Opening Comments
Bill thanked the members of the congregation attending. He remarked on the election of council, endowment committee and
audit committee.
Motion to Approve Previous Congregational Meeting Minutes:
A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the June 10, 2012 meeting, as presented. The motion was
approved unanimously.
Regarding the minutes of the January 20, 2013 meeting, a request was made by a member of the congregation to amend the
minutes to include a question he had raised regarding the loan to the CDC. “How was the loan to the CDC deemed prudent, and
why did the council approve it without the congregation giving its approval?
Following discussion, a motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes as corrected. The motion was approved
unanimously.
Introduction of Nominating Committee:
Members of the Nominating Committee were announced and thanked for their service and participation: John Hammar, Lisa
Hunnewell, David Nasby, Mark Vandermeer, Dan Whitmore, and Bill Rankin.
Ballots were distributed and Bill read those names selected by the nominating committee:
Endowment Committee:
A motion was made to accept the ballot as presented; motion was seconded. Some brief discussion followed and the president
clarified the motion and asked for a verbal vote. The ballot was unanimously approved.
Audit Committee Formation
Bill stated that while it is the responsibility of the council to elect an audit committee, one hadn’t been formed for some t ime.
He expressed his appreciation to the proposed members and thanked them for agreeing to serve on the committee. The
following names were read:
Dave Layton
George Siepak
Vickie Strong
Council:
Vice President Nancy Schultz
Treasurer Elect John Resha
Acting Secretary Nancy Passovoy
Secretary Elect Kathy Pirwitz
Member at Large Dave Gunderson
Member at Large Margaret Olsoy
Member at Large Roy Raudebaugh
Michelle Reitan
Bert Flynn
Continued on next page
Trinity Annual Report 2014 ~ page 23
The president and members of the finance team took a few questions from the congregation:
Q With the audit committee being formed to validate the financial practices, will the committee have a broader role?
A The role of the committee is not well defined yet. The plan is that they will work with the existing finance team.
Q Why are we doing [this] without having the proper procedures in place first?
A Trinity isn’t alone in their practice of having lapses in audit processes. The finance team will be looking for input and
recommendations for best practices which is why people with the proper expertise were selected. With their assistance, we will
determine what the appropriate path is.
Q What kind of experience does the committee members have?
A All three have CPA backgrounds; one of whom specializes in non-profit corporations.
Financial Update
Bob Driessnack and Carl Setzer distributed the latest income statement and balance sheets through May 31, 2013. They noted that
the financials hadn’t been fully reconciled with the bank statement. They recapped the 2013 budget and explained that even w ith
the lowering of the expenses, the shortfall in income will most likely result in a deficit cycle beginning in June.
Regarding the loan to the Child Development Center, Bob stated that the council will probably need to review the CDC’s budget
and identify ways in which the funds will be repaid. While the council did not ask the congregation for approval of this loan, the
church was responsible for covering their payroll. The consequences of not providing the needed funding would have been to close
the CDC.
Living Faith Stewardship Campaign
Bill reported that 97% of the general funds pledged have been received. With the capital fund, 67% of the funds pledged have been
received. He explained that the group has been in a stalled for some months, but plans are that they will re-group in July followed
by a kickoff and pledge drive scheduled for the fall. This will realign the pledge cycle on a yearly schedule.
Verdant Decision
Pastor Eileen reported that Verdant, formerly known as the South Snohomish County Hospital District, has informed Trinity that they
are no longer considering the purchase of the “Creation Station” site.
The Well Project
David Greenlee spoke on establishing a third place site on Trinity property for a ministry focusing on youth and family in our
community. Since the re-visioning process, a community center has become the goal. This center would be developed in
partnership with other non-profit organizations and serve youth, family and older adults. He explained the need to find funding
partners that share in this same vision. Some possibilities included YMCA, Compass Mental Health, YWCA, and Luther Community
Services. David stressed that the group plans to keep the congregation well informed of this project.
Child Development Center/Preschool Outdoor Classroom project
Bill briefly explained the proposed outdoor classroom project that is underway at the CDC. They have had their pre-approval
meeting with the City of Lynnwood. Funding will continue to be from grants and parent organized fundraising. He told the
congregation that forums are planned for this summer that will go into more detail the plans for this project.
Pointe of Grace Ministry Leadership and Website
Pastor Eileen spoke on the leadership team that has been created at Pointe of Grace. The team meets twice a month with Pastor
Eileen to share and explore ways in which the church can grow and become more indigenous with the community of Mukilteo. She
described the need to move beyond the “family size community” currently there. She also spoke of the goal of allowing the
members to take on more of the vision and leadership decisions at Pointe of Grace.
Pastor Eileen also spoke of the new website, www.pogleadershipteam.weebly.com. She said that the website was easy to create and
allows members to easily connect with others on the team. She highly recommended this to other ministry groups considering
communication tools.
Lastly, Pastor Eileen spoke of Kelsey Plummer’s resignation from her position as Ministry Developer at Pointe of Grace and expressed
heartfelt blessings to her as she begins her new position at Evergreen Hospital.
Trinity Annual Report 2014 ~ page 24
Comments and Q & A
Q Do we have any idea what the cause is for the decrease in income?
A Not anything comprehensive. There are varying reasons for a reduced level of giving. There are some contributors that have
experienced changes in their jobs, while some planned gifts haven’t materialized.
Q Wouldn’t it be a good idea not to fill Kelsey’s position.
A We need to be sure we continue to support that ministry site. Kelsey’s announcement is very new and there hasn’t been an
opportunity to discuss this.
C A weekly budget statement update used to be included in the bulletin. This needs to be done again.
Q Why are we spearheading a community center?
A The plan came out of the re-visioning process that the congregation participated in after the retirement of Pastor Mark. A
feasibility team was created and they determined that more dedicated space was needed for a youth and family ministry that
would be separate from the one aimed at adults. They explored many ways to accomplish this and determined a definitive need
existed in the community for teenagers at risk. The dropout rate is very high in the Edmonds School District. Also, once the
doors closed at the Jeremiah Center, those services were lost.
Q The statement that was mailed out from the church showed I had an increased balance in my general contribution, but a
decrease in the balance of my capital contribution. I haven’t missed an envelope; why the discrepancy?
A The person that does the weekly contribution counting only has the information that comes with each check. If the breakdown
isn’t spelled out on the check or the envelope, the amount goes into the general fund.
Q Can information on the Well Project be posted on a bulletin board in the narthex?
A We’re running out of bulletin board space, but we will try.
~John Hammar volunteered bulletin board space for the Well Project.
Q How has the information on the Well been distributed so far? There are close to 1400 people that belong to Trinity, and out of
the hundred or so people here, how many knew about this project?
A In addition to the articles in the What’s Happening, there have been Mission Moments and weekly email messages sent out to
those members that have requested updates be sent to them.
C Per the constitution, the council is doing things without the approval of the congregation.
C When we engaged the James Group, we were promised $1 million in returns. We could have spent that money in better ways.
Why are people not showing up? Are people being driven away?
Bill thanked the staff for their hard work and dedication to the members of Trinity. He also thanked the outgoing council members
for their service.
Pastor Eileen adjourned the meeting with prayer at 1:24 p.m.
Trinity Annual Report 2014 ~ page 25
A Special Congregational Meeting was held on October 20, 2013 for the purpose of approving funding for the hiring of interim
contract pastoral support in light of Pastor Eileen Hanson’s medical leave. Funding was approved.
A Congregational Meeting was held on December 8, 2013 for the purpose of approving the proposed operational 2014 budget, as
well as adopting The Well Resolution (below). The 2014 budget and The Well Resolution were both approved.
THE WELL RESOLUTION
Recitals
a. The congregation believes it is in the best interests of Trinity/Pointe of Grace, their members, attendees and the
community to explore opportunities to steward the Trinity properties in Lynnwood and reach out to partners, other churches,
agencies and the local communities.
b. Towards this end, the congregation believes it is a meaningful way to steward the property and further the ministries
of Trinity/Pointe of Grace to construct a community center, with the help of funding partners, to service the health and wellness
needs of youth, teens, adults, families and senior citizens.
Resolution
Now therefore, be it resolved that:
1. The church council is authorized to proceed with the development of partners and a detailed plan for a community
center on the Trinity Lynnwood properties, which will continue Trinity/Pointe of Grace’s outreach to the community and
partnerships with other non-profit agencies, and
2. After the church council develops detailed plans for partners and a community center, the council will bring back to
the congregation the plans details for further consideration and discussion.
AGENDA
Trinity-Lynnwood/Pointe of Grace
Annual Congregational Meeting
June 8, 2014
11:45 – 1:00 pm
Trinity-Lynnwood
11:45 Welcome - April Zepeda, President
11:50 Opening Prayer - Nancy Schultz, Vice President
11:55 Approval of minutes of previous congregational meetings
12:00 Introduction of Nominating Committee -
Lisa Hunnewell, Margie Olsoy, Nancy Schultz, Bill Rankin, April Zepeda
12:10 Election of Council and Endowment Boards
12:15 Reports
Financial Update - John Resha, Treasurer
The Well Project - Mike Schultz
Pointe of Grace Ministry Site - Pastor Eileen Hanson, Pastor Jim Kruse, Cliff Bronson
12:35 Q & A
12:50 Announcement of Election Results
12:55 Closing Prayer - Pastor Eileen Hanson
Trinity Annual Report 2014 ~ page 26
www.trinitylutheranchurch.com
Trinity-Lynnwood Pointe of Grace
6215 196th St. SW 5425 Harbour Pointe Blvd.
Lynnwood WA 98036 Mukilteo WA 98275
425-778-2159 425-353-5253
