Church Council Update - June 17
June 17, 2026
Dear Trinity Friends,
Church Council met last night, June 16, for our regularly scheduled monthly meeting. As this was our first meeting since Pastor Erik Christensen was named Chicago Metro Synod Bishop-Elect, Interim Bishop Wayne Miller joined us to offer support and guidance for the upcoming transition.
Pastor Erik and Bishop Miller presented options for moving forward, including the possibility of an expedited call process to bring a new pastor to Trinity. The intentional work of the congregation and Call Committee during the search process that called Pastor Erik is still relatively recent, and our Ministry Site Profile (the document developed by the congregation prior to calling a new pastor) still provides a strong picture of Trinity's ministry, mission, and priorities. With a few updates to reflect the positive momentum and ministry developments of recent months, the Ministry Site Profile would provide a strong foundation for beginning a pastoral search this fall.
Pastor Erik's final Sunday at Trinity will be July 26, and his final day in the office will be July 30.
Accordingly, the Council took the following steps:
Scheduled a special Council meeting on June 24 to consider updates to the Ministry Site Profile and determine the best approach for the interim period.
Planned a town hall following worship on Sunday, June 28, to hear from the congregation, discuss the Ministry Site Profile, and share additional details about the pastoral call process.
Began assembling a Call Committee to prepare to consider new candidates for Trinity’s next pastor.
While this transition comes sooner than anticipated, the Council’s primary goal throughout this process is to guide Trinity forward through this unexpected period of change, building on our many strengths while providing transparency of process, administrative support for staff, and ongoing member support through worship and pastoral care.
We’re hopeful about the path forward and look forward to navigating it together as a congregation.
~Jason Reno, Church Council President