Lutheran Church of the Palms
Church Council
Jean Minkin
President/Social Ministry
I have been a Lutheran since 1970, having been in 2 Trinity Lutheran Churches, Midland Michigan and Lilburn, Georgia. Roles in Georgia included church treasurer and various committees. Most dear to my heart is Women of the ELCA, which I was president of the Southeastern Synod, among other roles.
Personally, my husband Mel and I have been married 51 years, have 2 daughters and 4 grandchildren, in Atlanta and Memphis area. Our move to Palm Harbor was long planned upon retirement, and we often tell each other we are in paradise. Transferring to this church was the perfect move, as we had visited off and on for years when in the area. We were welcomed with open arms, making our move much more comfortable. I am currently LCOP’s Council President and on the Social Ministries Committee, love it. Most importantly, we love the people of the church.
Shirley Virchow
Vice President
My name is Shirley Virchow and I am the newest member of the Church Council. I am the liaison for the Evangelism group.
I am originally from Illinois, but have lived in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri and Georgia. Lived in Georgia for almost 27 years. That is where Don and I moved from. Don and I started looking for a Lutheran Church while waiting to move into our home in Holiday. Once we found Lutheran Church of the Palms, we knew we had found our home. We were welcomed the first time we attended. It almost felt like the small Lutheran church family we had left in Georgia. We became members of this church via virtual in May during the pandemic.
Edie Miller
Secretary
Lutheran Church of the Palms has been my church home since 2003. I am a Chicago native and love the Florida sunshine and lifestyle. My work experience is in the legal/administrative sector. It is my privilege and an honor to serve as secretary to the council.
Church Council
Debbie Hadlock
Treasurer- ex officio
My name is Debbie Hadlock and I am a new member of the Church Council at Lutheran Church of the Palms. I have been a member of LCOP for about 5 years and am looking forward to assisting in any way I can in the transition to a new pastor. Presently, I am also a Communion Minister to those who cannot attend Sunday service, a Communion assistant, and an Assistant Minister. I also served on the Evangelism Committee. Becky and I are the co-chairs of the annual Giveaway Day. My duties on Council will include the office of Treasurer.
Becky and I moved here from West Virginia where I was a teacher for 34 years. It took us several years to find our “home” church but knew as soon as we walked into LCOP this is where we were meant to be.
It is my hope to continue the wonderful work done by the Church Council members before me as we continue to grow in our mission statement. Being that this is the first time I have served on a Church Council, there is much for me to learn. However, I already have had many offers of help and guidance! Thank you for allowing me this opportunity to participate in another ministry at this loving, welcoming church!
Trudy O'Brien
Stewardship
I was born and raised in Northern Ohio. Moved to Michigan for work. After two years there moved back to Ohio and married Robert O'Brien. We lived in Ohio when I got a job offer at a lab in Tampa florida and we decided to move there. While I was on matternity leave from the Tampa lab I was asked by the Pathologists at Morton Plant if I could help them out as they were badly backed up. After I caught them up they offered me a job.. That job laster 39 years. When I retired I took up Bridge and have been busy ever since. I love to travel and read [both I do a lot of].
Cathy Elwell
Education
I was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota. My family moved to Florida when my dad was transferred with Honeywell. I graduated from USF and was an elementary teacher for 42 years at Gulfside Elementary. When my parents moved back to Florida in 2000 we looked for a church to join together. We chose LCOP. Over the years the congregation was especially supportive of my aging parents and me. I am co-chair of the Social Committee and President of the Little Palms Pre-School
Board. As a retired teacher I am happy to have found a way to continue serving and being involved in education through LCOP.
Church Council
Bonnie Henneman
Evangelism/Hospitality
Cathy Gustafson
Worship and Music
Our family moved from North Carolina to Palm Harbor in 2003, due to my husband John's job status. Two things we had to find after a house...a Luthean church and a Boy Scout Troop, as our son, Christopher was working on his Eagle. Both places were just a block away from our home.
Christopher and I joined the choir early on and are still choir members. I am a former teacher's aide at our preschool, Barlow Little Palms. I have served on council (worship and music) in the past and have served on the social ministry team. I really enjoy our church family here.
Linda Vehrs
Property/Campus Use
I was born and raised in Ohio. My husband and I moved with our children to Colorado in 1988. We were long time members of St. Philip Lutheran Church in Littleton. After his passing I moved to Florida and transferred to Lutheran Church of The Palms in 2022.
I play in the handbell choir, active in the quilt group, serve as Assisting Minister, Communion Server, and Lector. This is my first year on the Church Council.