Community Life
Week of September 13th, 2026
Business Meeting - September 13 @11:45am
When we approved the budget for this fiscal year, one of our agreements was to check in at the halfway point to revise the budget and outlook based on new insights and events that have occurred. This September 13 meeting will be a critical time to discuss the direction forward and to hold a membership vote on the proposed finances to get us there. We will also discuss a few additional items at this meeting. Please make it a priority to attend.
We will come together for a potluck lunch before the business meeting! Bring your favorite dish, dessert, or side!
Whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful
giver. — 2 Corinthians 9:6-7
Journey Groups - Beginning the week of September 13th
Journey Groups are an effort to leverage this unique season in our church life in ways that build us up communally in the way of Jesus. Specifically, these groups will offer spaces to process who our church has been, the season we are in right now, and who we hope to become as we seek to build a common life of healing and spiritual growth in a season of transition. Led by staff and other leaders of Council Tree, all groups will meet at different times during the week so as to offer multiple options for people to participate. Journey Groups will meet weekly for five consecutive weeks and will gather all together for a final session. No need to sign up or register, simply show up to whichever group works best for you! Click here for more information.
Zoom Link for Friday Journey Group.
Immerse: Messiah
Immerse is designed to help communities experience the Bible together in a unique and powerful way. Over the course of this fall and into the new year, we will read the entire New Testament together! Each week, participants read the assigned reading on their own and then we will gather on Sunday mornings to have discussions where you can share your observations and questions based on the week’s reading. Join us at 9:00am on Sunday mornings for a time of facilitated conversation around where God has met you through His Word each week beginning on Sunday, October 4. To learn more, watch this video that explains the story behind Immerse. If you would like to participate, please order your Immerse: Messiah book in advance and join us on Sunday mornings!
Don't forget to: Order books here by September 12th to get a group discount.
If you've already ordered your book, the first batch is available for pick up in the office!
Women's Bible Study - Friday mornings this fall
This Fall the women will study What Love Is: The Letters of 1, 2, 3 John by Kelly Minter. This 7-session study will begin on September 11th from 9:15-11:15am.
Click here for more info and to register.
What Do We Mean by Covenant?
September 13, 20 & 27, 9:00 AM
What does it mean to be part of the Covenant tradition and how might those roots shape the way we read Scripture today?
In this three-week series, Mike Haddorff will explore the early Covenant movement through the life and thought of P. P. Waldenström and the Swedish Mission Friends.
We’ll consider three convictions that helped shape the movement: a coherent God revealed in Christ, a Christ-centered way of reading Scripture, and a commitment to freedom rather than control in the life of faith.
Along the way, we’ll ask what these roots might mean for us today and how they can prepare us to enter the Immerse Bible Reading experience beginning October 4.
Tools for Navigating Complexity in Ministry - September 19th @9am
We are wrapping up our series of monthly seminars at Council Tree presented by North Park Theological Seminary faculty and staff with an extremely relevant seminar led by Cheryl Lynn Alexander-Bermudez.
Do you find yourself struggling with conflict or decision making in ministry? Covenant Pastor and Director of Vocational Development at NPTS, Cheryl Lynn Alexander-Bermúdez will present a few methods for navigating decisions and conversations within our communities.
Kids Hope, USA
All children face challenges, but some hurdles are bigger than others, and sometimes kids need a little extra support to build resilience and hope. Werner, our local elementary school needs people willing to build positive, caring, one-on-one relationships with students, to walk alongside them as friends and cheerleaders. Research shows that by helping a child feel loved and valued, the child can better learn, grow, and succeed.
Will you be that someone who shows up once a week to share unconditional love with a child?
Learn more by visiting kidshopeusa.org/volunteer or contacting our church’s
Kids Hope USA Program Directors, Kathy Brush, kathrynbrush25@gmail.com; or Karen Lachelt, Karen.lachelt@gmail.com
Fall Garden Festival
You’re invited to come for a fun evening as we celebrate the end of Harvest at the Council Tree Garden. Come and enjoy connecting with old friends and meeting new friends.
Sunday, October 4 @ 4:00-6:00pm
Kids’ Activities, Chili Cookoff, Face Painting (with Pastor Heidi) and more throughout the evening
Youth Fundraiser: Cider and Donuts (Bring Your Cash!)
Speakers: Rico Lighthouse, the Council Tree Gardener and Debbie Silverman, aka, The Bee Lady
Musical Guests: Beth Lighthouse and Soundcheck
Y'all won't want to miss it! Bring a friend. Bring a chili. Volunteer: Click Here!
Finance Update
Understanding the Numbers
August brought a short fall in giving, bringing our year-to-date revenue $36,983 below budget. Traditionally Council Tree’s trend is an increase in giving starting in September and we have budgeted for this month to follow historical suit. The forecast will be discussed at the Sept. 13th business meeting. On the expense side, we have seen the fruit of expense monitoring.
Key Highlights & Looking Ahead
At the business meeting, we will show a revised budget for the 2nd half of this fiscal year. The budget will reflect lower expectations of our giving and the reductions in expenses we have achieved from a new insurance and internet vendors, delayed roof loan, and reduction in mission giving and Children’s pastoral payroll costs. This meeting will be a critical time to discuss the direction forward and to hold a membership vote on the proposed finances to get us there.
If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Stoecker at sarahk@stackfam.com
Upcoming Preaching Schedule
September 13 - Win Houwen-Jackson
September 20 - Cheryl Lynn Alexander-Bermudez
September 27 - Heidi Wiebe
October 4 - Heidi Wiebe
October 11 - Lexi Lang
Save the Date
Mark your calendars for these upcoming Council Tree events:
September 11 - Women's Bible Study, Friday @9:15-11:15am
September 13 - Christian Formation Hour with Mike Haddorff @9:00am
September 13 - Business Meeting, Sunday @11:45am
September 13-18 - Journey Groups Start
September 19 - Tools for Navigating Complexity in Ministry with Cheryl Lynn Alexander-Bermudez from NPTS, Saturday @9am-12pm
September 25 - Women's Bible Study, Friday @9:15-11:15am
October 4 - Fall Garden Festival, @4-6pm
Heidi's Office Hours
Tuesday and Thursday - 9am-4pm
Walk-in Office Hours
Monday-Thursday - 1pm-4pm
Other times by appointment
Volunteer Opportunities
From the beginning of creation, God established holy rhythms of life and service for those who follow in God’s path. We each have personal seasons of rest and restoration, and of new life and service. Council Tree encourages spiritual wondering alongside the Holy Spirit to discern what spiritual season you may be in.
If you find yourself in a place where you have margin to serve, we could definitely use your gifts! If you feel God is calling you to explore serving, we would encourage you to start an exploratory conversation with a team lead to find out more.
Click here to find out some of the many serving opportunities that are currently available.
Give Online
If you would like to give online click here.
Weekly Email
Here at Council Tree we believe that living in community is an important part of life.
Our weekly email will keep you updated with events and happenings at Council Tree.
Sign up below to get on our email list. Privacy is important to us. Your email address will not be shared in anyway.