# People's Church of Chicago  
**Trustees Meeting Minutes**  
**Tuesday, March 3, 2026**  
*5:40 PM – 7:00 PM CST*

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### **Attendance**  
**Voting Members:** Francesca, Larry, Grace, Elizabeth
**Non-voting Members:** Jake 
**Guests:** Rev. Sloan T. Letman IV  

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### **Approval of Previous Minutes**  
- **January minutes**  
  **Motion:** Jason  
  **Second:** Elizabeth  
  **Vote:** Passed  

- **February minutes**  
  **Motion:** Larry  
  **Second:** Francesca  
  **Vote:** Passed  

- **February 8 impromptu quorum meeting**  
  **Motion:** Jason  
  **Second:** Larry  
  **Vote:** Passed  

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### **Introduction of Rev. Sloan T. Letman IV**  
- In contact since November 2025  
- Previously approved (three guest preaching dates) as a paid guest speaker  
- Expressed commitment to **open communication**, **love and care** for the congregation, and excitement to serve  
- Prefers to be addressed as **Pastor Sloan**  
- Extensive background:  
  - Seminary training  
  - Called pastor at 2nd Congregational (2017)  
  - Associate pastor in homeless ministry  
  - Two years as member at Good Shepherd  
- Congregations served have been small; services often required weekly setup  

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### **PBC Report**  
- **Parking update** (Larry):  
  - Contacted Dr. Dan  
  - Requested make, model, and license plate numbers for parking access  
  - Awaiting response from Dr. Dan  

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### **Worship Committee**  
(No separate report – discussion integrated below)

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### **Laptop Ministry**  
**Motion:** Grace moved to approve a **$360 annual budget** for Laptop Ministry supplies.  
**Second:** Larry  
**Vote:** Passed  

- Coordinated effort underway to obtain a **tax letter** for Recyclery donations  
- Continue monitoring Recyclery opportunities to support Jason’s work  

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### **Annual Budget Report & Discussion**  
- Laptop Ministry to be added as a line item  
- Communications category consolidation considered too burdensome → no change  
- Full-time pastor contract / salary line item to be included  
- Jake to hand off financial oversight once pastor salary is budgeted  
- Motion to transfer funds to pay lawyers (implied approval in context)  

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### **Membership Month**  
- Began March 1, 2026  
- Grace delayed sending membership email → sent today  

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### **Jake’s Schedule**  
- Out of office this week and next → unavailable until **March 17, 2026**

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### **Annual Meeting – April 12, 2026**  
- **Trustee slate for Class of 2029** remains the same; one open trustee slot  
- **Agenda** as attached (to be voted on today)  
- Meeting to be held **during church service** (not after)  

**Motion:** Grace moved to approve the agenda for the April 12, 2026 Annual Meeting.  
**Second:** Francesca  
**Vote:** Passed  

**Planned reports / presentations:**  
- Grace – Pastoral search update  
- Jason – Laptop Ministry  
- Larry – Elevate Care (with Joseph)  
- Grace – Aldi Gift Card program  

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### **Lawyers Report**  
- Lawyers concurred with Jake’s position: **Do not offer church sign-off** for volunteer hours caring for relatives (SNAP-related concern)  
- Ongoing conversation with Dr. Dan to allow lawyers access to the 5th floor for discussion  

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### **Open Studio Project (Northside Housing for Health and Wellness)**  
- Last year: **$20,000** donation as part of One Northside men’s shelter / transitional housing  
- Program running through April; considered a huge success for trauma recovery among formerly homeless participants  
- Gallery show planned for summer  
- Welcome to join sessions; studio space available for member artwork display  

**Motion:** Grace moved to approve a **$20,000** budget allocation for the Open Studio Project.  
**Second:** Francesca  
**Vote:** Unanimous – **Passed**

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### **Called Pastoral Discussion – Rev. Sloan T. Letman IV**  
**Comments from Trustees:**  
- **Elizabeth:** Down-to-earth; will fit right in; feels like “everyday people”  
- **Francesca:** Excellent speaker; values open communication and continued learning  
- **Grace:** Appreciates that he listens first before tailoring messages  
- **Larry:** Brings high energy, go-getter attitude, levity, and realism to preaching  
- **Jason:** Fuels enthusiasm; ready to get started and move things forward  

**Motion:** Grace moved that we present **Rev. Sloan T. Letman IV** to the congregation as our senior pastor, to be compensated on the **UCC regulated pay scale** with full benefits.  
**Second:** Francesca  
**Individual roll-call vote:** Unanimous – **Passed**

**Next steps (if congregation approves):**  
- Present Rev. Sloan on **March 29, 2026** (two weeks’ notice required)  
- Start date: **April 1, 2026**  
- Organize interim pastor party and transition event for Pastor Carey (contract ends mid-to-late April)

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### **Upcoming Meetings**  
- **Annual Meeting:** April 12, 2026 (during service)  
- **Special meeting:** To vote on budget (date TBD)  
- **Next Trustees meeting:** May 5, 2026 at 5:00 PM  

**Adjourned:** 7:00 PM  

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**Submitted by:**  
_____________________________  
**Jason Page**  
*Trustee Secretary*