![](https://trinityreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Amy-Litvinov-headshot-180x225.jpg)
Amy Litvinov, Vestry President
Trinity’s Vestry met Monday June 17. The meeting was opened with a moment of meditation and prayer led by Pastor Hans. The minutes from the May 20 meeting were approved. Vestry welcomed our newly elected members, Maggie Shelly and Albert Pohl. Vestry received a recommendation from the Executive Committee regarding distribution of three recent bequests. Vestry voted in favor of the recommendation, which is in accordance with TLC’s gift policy. Two of the bequests are unrestricted funds and will be distributed 10% into the general endowment, 10% into a newly created charitable reserve fund and the remainder will be allocated to the property endowment. The remaining bequest contains restrictions and will be used in accordance with those requirements. These funds may be utilized for 1) steeple, 2) capital campaigns, and 3) debt reduction. Vestry anticipates that these funds will be very useful in needed work for the steeple.
Vestry adopted an updated Reconciling in Christ Welcome Statement in order to be in compliance with the Reconciling Works Program and to maintain are status as a RIC congregation. The RIC welcoming statement reads:
As the people of God, we at Trinity Lutheran Church of the City of Reading seek to become what we receive in the Holy Eucharist: the true Body of Christ. We believe that this body of our Lord Jesus includes all people who seek Him, without exceptions. We welcome people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions; we welcome people of every ethnicity, ability, and socio-economic background; we welcome people of every race, citizenship, and immigration status. Manifesting the diversity of God’s creation together, we work to proclaim Jesus’ reign in our city and community through worship, prayer, teaching, feeding the hungry, advocating for racial equity, speaking out against injustice, and caring for God’s creation.
Vestry approved the educational grants in accordance with the recommendation received from the Educational Assistance Committee. Vestry did not approve two requests received from staff as these requests were deemed to be in the category of professional development, which have designated line items established in the 2024 budget. Vestry may look to address any needs to adjust these line items moving forward into the 2025 budget discussions.
Vestry received exciting news from the Minister of Music Search Committee. Online interviews of the candidates began Monday, June 24. There is a total of 8 candidates who met the job description qualifications set forth for the position. Additionally, the Capital Campaign Committee has fulfilled its responsibilities as TLC has received $311,000 in pledges for the capital campaign and more than half of that total have already been received. Thank you to James Barrett, Franki Aiken, Steve Welz and Pastor Hans for their work on the committee and for making this capital campaign a success.
The Treasurer’s report was received. Of note, income is on point in May. We are at a negative of $3,000 for YTD but offerings have not declined with the capital campaign initiative and it is expected that this amount can be recovered moving into the second half of the year. The endowment investments also have recovered since the poor performance in April and are up $247,000. A total of $8,300 had been received in 2024 towards our commitment to Lighthouse Women and Children’s Center, Trinity’s Lenten offering project. These funds have been distributed to Lighthouse.
Vestry will meet on August 5 for its annual reorganizational meeting, at which time officer elections will be held for the 2024-2025 vestry session.