May 12, 2026

Council Corner - April and Semi-Annual Meeting Update

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Denee Bowers

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Council Corner:

Updates from the Regular Church Council Meeting – April 27, 2026 and

Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting – May 3, 2026


Informational Items:

  • Update on Financial Audit
  • Audit is complete and a very good overall report.
  • It suggested some prior period adjustments and those were made in the quarter ending 12/31/25.


  • Additional update from the Semi-Annual Meeting
  • Roughly $25,000 in adjustments were made, leaving the year end 2025 deficit at approximately $100,000 instead of the previously reported $125,00.


  • Financial Secretary recommends a review, not a full audit, every 3-5 years.
  • Offering revenue remains soft for the first quarter; encouraging a stewardship effort to reinforce importance of giving despite Mayberry request.


  • Update from Physical Facilities Ministry
  • The lighting work on the sign facing Denny Road is complete.
  • Council approved the recommended bid to replace five electrical panels at the cost of $28,000. The work will commence in July.


  • Miscellaneous Updates
  • Regarding status of the Parsonage Analysis, the tenant has renewed the lease, with a new term expiring April 30, 2027. Council is actively gathering additional data on the state of the property. Discussion favored waiting to decide on the process for decision-making until data collection is closer to completion.


Action Taken:

  • Approved the contract with Show-Me Electric to replace five electrical panels for $28,481.


  • Approved Room 18/20 as the new primary Children's Ministry Sunday School space with conditions including a three week trial period to confirm space sustainability prior to any room modifications, council approve any permanent physical modifications, cleanliness and reasonable organization of the room be maintained, and council periodically review arrangement assuring space continues to meet needs of the broader church.


  • Reviewed proposed revisions to the Keeping God's Children Safe policy. Postponed approval until May to incorporate a few non-material changes. The existing KGCS policy stays in effect in the interim.


  • Closed Session Actions:
  • Approved unpaid leave of absence for Amy Bush from June 8 to July 19.
  • Finalized plans for celebrating the ministry of Lynn Fey Follis.



  • Semi-Annual Meeting Actions:
  • Approved the Perpetual Endowment Trust appointment of Bob Mandava to an unexpired term ending December 31, 2027.
  • Elected Sara Savat and Carolyn Schwartz to the Preschool Board, both serving three year terms.



By Denee Bowers • September 8, 2026
Thursday, September 10 | 5:30 to 8:00 pm | 11735 Denny Rd., St. Louis, MO 63126
By Denee Bowers • September 7, 2026
Sunday, September 13 | 11:00 AM | 11735 Denny Rd., St. Louis, MO 63126
By Denee Bowers • September 6, 2026
September 13, 27, October 11 | 6:00 PM | 11735 Denny Rd., St. Louis, MO 63126
By Denee Bowers • September 4, 2026
Council Corner: Updates from the Regular Church Council Meeting – August 24, 2026 Informational Items: Update from Financial Ministry Meals on Wheels opted not to renew their annual grant funding for our Backpack program. We are currently seeking alternative funding – we appreciate the continued support of the Sugarbaker Foundation, which helps supplement this mission. The 2026-2027 Backpack Program is still being planned, but it could look different than previous years. Update from Physical Facilities Ministry The new breaker boxes passed the county inspection and we’re still in the process of labeling each breaker. Social Hall air conditioning is still leaking – will continue refilling the freon until the new coil can be install (see Actions Taken). Miscellaneous Updates Following discussion regarding the next step in the Bequest process, Council will develop a perspective to bring to the congregation by the Annual Meeting. It was not voted on but it was the consensus - that we would be prioritizing and developing a vision. Personnel Ministry is continuing their work on updating staff job descriptions and preparing for goal-setting, while finalizing budget recommendations for the Finance Ministry. The Cemetery is surveying the remaining open ground on the eastern area of the Park Hills section, allowing for more two grave and single plots. Looking Ahead – Items Upcoming in Next 1-2 Months Approval of 2027 Budget Approval of delegates for the Conference Meeting in November ( we have two of the three needed for the Conference meeting; still need four delegates for the Association meeting – please reach out if you’re interested in serving ). Performance Reviews and Goal Setting Employee Manual Updates (2019 version) Approval of revised Disaster Preparedness Proposal Upcoming Events – In an effort to better prepare for the various events and events within events, Council members use a more detailed calendar . We hope this tool also helps you better plan for Church activities. Celebration Sunday is September 13 th – this special St. Lucas tradition is open to everyone and follows the conclusion of service; it also falls on Grandparents Days, another reason to celebrate together. Community Meal is October 4 th – this one-time event commemorates Good Neighbor Week and is sponsored by a grant from ServMO and America250. More info to come. Actions Taken: Approved a bid from IFS for $16,986 to repair and replay the fellowship hall chiller coil and install hail guards. While we wait for parts, installation may not happen for 6 weeks. Approved appointments to the nominating committee (Kirk Dalgaard, Jack Laudenslager, and Linda Taylor). One council term is ending in 2026.
By Denee Bowers • September 4, 2026
Social Justice Ministry - August Spotlight
By Denee Bowers • September 2, 2026
Saturday, October 3 | 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM | 11735 Denny Rd., St. Louis, MO 63126
By Denee Bowers • September 2, 2026
Sunday, October 4 | 4:30 PM | 11735 Denny Rd., St. Louis, MO 63126
By Denee Bowers • September 1, 2026
October 3 & 4 | 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM | 11735 Denny Rd., St. Louis, MO 63126
By Denee Bowers • August 31, 2026
Saturday, October 11 | 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM | 11735 Denny Rd., St. Louis, MO 63126
By Denee Bowers • August 27, 2026
He was our longest-serving pastor (43 years!). He started serving St. Lucas at the beginning of its second year and really got things rolling. Samuel A. Kruse (1858 - 1944) was born in Nashville, IL, to immigrants from areas now known as Germany. His father was a German Evangelical pastor who had studied at the educational institution in Marthasville that is now known as Eden Seminary in Webster Groves. After Samuel Kruse’s primary education at a school around Des Peres, MO, he attended Elmhurst College and then followed in his father’s footsteps and studied at Eden Seminary for four years. After his ordination in 1880, he was assigned to pastor a frontier community in southeastern Nebraska. During those two years, he made a trip home to marry Amalia Mueller, the daughter of Rev. Andreas Mueller, the pastor of Carondelet Church in South St. Louis. Rev. Kruse was happy to accept the call to St. Lucas in 1882, and the young couple returned to an area closer to their families.