Covid-19

Updates from Trinity in Response to Covid-19

(5/5/22)

Friends,
There has been an increase in COVID infections in our community and as part of the community, Trinity has experienced a recent outbreak. Due to the nature of disease transmission, it is possible we will continue to see waves of infection in our community and our church over the next several weeks.

We have learned over the past two years how to respond successfully to keep transmissions to a minimum. The Re-Entry Team has re-instituted a masking recommendation and strongly encourages wearing masks and practicing safe distancing at least through May. You will see signs re-posted on the doors.

As always, if you have any symptoms, please stay home and join us online.

Remember, the drive-in opens for worship on May 29!

Thank you for your ongoing cooperation.

(3/3/22)

Update re: mask policy
Trinity family,
In light of recent CDC guidelines and current COVID data, the Re-Entry team is pleased to announce that we are changing our masking policy at Trinity. Please read this entire message.

Masks are now encouraged but not required of those who are vaccinated and healthy.

This is a season of joy and gratitude. Joy for a sense of liberation and gratitude for all you have done as the body of Christ to keep each other safe over the last two years. It feels a bit like tossing a mortarboard into the air on graduation day!

Together we continue to make Trinity a safe, open, and welcoming place to worship, including those who are still vulnerable, immunocompromised, or unable to be vaccinated. Keep a mask with you when you come to worship, in case you find yourself seated near those who are vulnerable. For example, if you see a family with little ones (under 5) sitting near the back, before sitting near them, please ask if they would like you to mask or to give them space to worship comfortably.

This is a time of great transition and, for some of us, going out into public gatherings without masks is going to take some getting used to. Please be gentle and respectful of each other and make space for us all to ease into this new reality. Masks will always be welcome.

As with all transitions, it will take a bit of time to shift back to normal gathering sizes, spaces, and practices. We invite your patience and your participation! If you are able to help get our Sunday morning coffee service or funeral food service jumpstarted, please contact the church office. We need you all!

We will continue to watch the CDC guidelines for any changes and pray that we are moving steadily in a hopeful direction. And if you are sick, symptomatic or have tested positive, please stay home and join us for livestream worship until you are well again.

In Christ’s love,
Your Re-Entry Team

 

A note from Pastor Chris:
On behalf of Pastor Peter, the Trinity Staff, Council, and myself, I offer a word of deep and abiding gratitude for the shepherding wisdom of our Re-Entry Team. They shared their clarity, skills, and experience to help Trinity find our way through this pandemic as a model of Christian love and neighborliness; most while shepherding their own teams and organization. At 7 am meetings, they each served in good humor, generosity, prayerfulness, and grace. This would have been a much different journey without their help.

We will find a way to thank them publicly, but in the meantime, please extend your gratitude to Fred Anderson, Kim Dahlgren (Staff), Bob Eiselt (Staff), Matt Simcik, Mel Sullivan, and Cindy Weckwerth. Team, you are champions! I will be forever grateful for the light and love you brought to some very dark times.

May God continue to grace your vocations and provide you some well-earned and much needed rest!
Pastor Chris

(1/19/22)

Update re: COVID-19 Policy in the face of the Omicron surge

Friends,
We bring you this update from the Minnesota Department of Health Clergy briefing and your Re-Entry Team.

  • We continue to require masks at Trinity, ages 3 and up. The Minnesota Dept. of Health recommends N95/KN95 masks over cloth masks.
  • Please make every effort to keep 6 feet of distance between households.
  • If you are symptomatic, regardless of test status, stay home. Even if you think you just have a cold.
  • The five day isolation was an effort to help employers with staffing shortages. Because we have vulnerable community members with us in worship, if you are exposed or test positive, please avoid worship or gatherings at church for the full ten days of isolation. As always we welcome you to worship online if you cannot join us in person!
  • If you are not yet vaccinated, you can find a vaccine location near you here>>
  • If you are not yet boosted, please get boosted!

If you need factual information about the vaccine, you can find it from the Minnesota Dept. of Health here>>

We continue to make the best possible decisions for the good of the whole community, in response to Jesus commandment to love our neighbor. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Chris Bellefeuille.

(8/13/21)

Update

PLEASE NOTE IMPORTANT UPDATES TO WORSHIP! Effective now.
Masks are required at all times indoors at Trinity, regardless of vaccination status. To maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, the CDC recommends wearing a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission. Washington County currently has a substantial level of community transmission.
_____________________________________
Congregation,
First, let us say thank you for your continuing collaborative spirit and support of our staff as we have made our way through the past 17 months. With an eye on the pandemic landscape, the Delta variant progression, increasing infection rates and CDC and MDH guidelines, the Re-entry Team met Aug. 12 to once again review our guidelines to determine the wisest, most balanced course of action.
 
As we have communicated throughout this pandemic, with each change or adjustment, everything is subject to change in the future, depending on the behavior of the virus. At this time, we are returning to requiring masks at all times indoors at Trinity, effective today, Friday, Aug. 13. (Even in the absence of a statewide mask mandate, individual business and organizations can and are again requiring masks as best suits their purposes and populations.)
 
We live together as a faith community that prioritizes our neighbor. Vaccinations are helping and yet none of them offer 100% immunity. Breakthrough infection and transmission can and is occurring. Many people have chosen not to get vaccinated which makes up the majority of current positive COVID-19 cases. We have a significant segment of our population that cannot yet be vaccinated, which means our young families are not yet afforded the same protections as vaccinated older kids and adults.
 
We are fortunate to offer three ways to worship: in person, at the drive-in, and online. And we are committed to fully supporting all three of these worshipping communities. We encourage you to participate in the way that is optimal for you and your household.
 
For now, we are returning to requiring masks in the building. Current capacity limitations remain for groups and spaces, including worship. If you have questions about your group or event, please call the church office at 651-439-7400.
 
Update to Trinity guidelines:
  • Masks are required at all times indoors at Trinity, regardless of vaccination status.
  • Masked singing will be allowed in the sanctuary. (We can walk this back if things change.)
  • Hymnals and bibles have been returned to the pews.
  • We will continue to offer scones and coffee at the drive-in but remind folks to distance and encourage people to mask when speaking to others outside their household – even outside.
  • The staff will continue to work primarily from home. State guidelines continue to ask those businesses that can do so without disruption to work from home. We will re-evaluate as September nears.
 
We are still in pandemic. That has not changed, and we will make decisions accordingly. While there is a dream of a dramatic full re-open in September, that may not be realistic. The virus doesn’t respect our rhythms or our calendars. So we ask your prayers for patience and the capacity to prioritize our neighbor in all things. And to remember that God’s work continues in and through us. We give thanks for all the ways in which you have helped Trinity vibrantly navigate this experience in cooperation and love.
 
In Christ,
Trinity Re-entry Team, Trinity Church Council, and your Pastors
 
If you have further questions, please contact Re-Entry Chair Fred Anderson, Pastor Chris, or Parish Administrator Bob Eiselt.

(7/21/21)

Update

Trinity leadership extends its thanks for all that you have done and continue to do to support and cooperate with the efforts made by the Re-Entry Team and Council to be as agile, responsive, and thoughtful as possible in guiding the congregation through this pandemic.

The Re-Entry Team met on July 21. Here are the updates to our guidelines at this time.

  • Sanctuary capacity remains at 300.
  • Masks required during singing on Sunday morning. We will not require masks for indoor worship (except for singing) for the remainder of the summer but this may change when we return to two indoor worship services on Sept. 26 when worship numbers increase and children return for faith formation.
  • Masks required for weddings, funerals, and concerts.
  • All worshippers or concert attendees are encouraged to distance as much as possible while seated in the sanctuary.
  • The choir and band will return with appropriate rehearsal spacing and use of singing masks (or clear screens for soloists).
  • Children’s Sunday Faith Formation will resume in the fall and will follow the lead of the Stillwater Area Public Schools for numbers, masks, and distancing while the kids are in their learning groups.
  • The office is not yet open daily as we prepare our space to transition the staff back. However, if you need to stop by, just call the office Monday through Thursday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to let us know what you need and we can arrange to welcome you in.

Other guidelines have been adjusted for funeral meals and gatherings, worship leaders, use of nametags, etc. For the full, detailed list of guidelines, please contact the church office. We are mindful that an unrestricted, “no holds barred” opening is ill-advised until we can evaluate the impact of the Delta variant, moving back inside this fall or until children under the age of 12 have access to the vaccine.

The Re-Entry team will meet again at the beginning of September as they continue to evaluate best practices for our entire faith community.

If you have further questions, please call the church office at 651-439-7400 to be in touch with Re-Entry Chair Fred Anderson, Pastor Chris, or Parish Administrator Bob Eiselt.

 

(6/20/21)

Update

Friends,
Here are the latest updates on our “open” status during this stage of pandemic recovery.

As always, if you (or guests, in the case of weddings and funerals) are symptomatic, please stay home. Even vaccinated folks are not advised to knowingly put themselves in the path of this virus.

Drive in: No substantive change. We will bring back shared communion as soon as we are able to arrange volunteers to help with the distribution and the bread bakers have a chance to restock. Servers must be masked.

Sanctuary:

  • Sunday worship: Capacity 300, registration no longer required. Masks will be optional for those who are vaccinated but masks are required of everyone for singing. (The CDC still lists singing as one of the most high-risk indoor practices.) Our youngest congregation members do not yet have access to the vaccine, and some members are not able to get the vaccine for heath reasons, so we do what we can to protect them and make their families feel both safe and welcome.  Communion distribution will return once altar care and communion server recruitment are in place. Servers must be masked. With sufficient volunteers, we can bring back a coffee gathering outside. If this is something you are interested in helping with, please contact the church office.
  • Funerals: Capacity 300. Masks are required for funerals, regardless of vaccination status. Registration is required. The family will be given the registration link first, to share with family and close friends. After a designated time, registration will open to the public. Funerals in the sanctuary will be live-streamed to Facebook with the family’s permission. No indoor visitation or meal at this time. However, an outdoor coffee hour is possible.
  • Weddings; Capacity 300. Masks required except for the wedding party and during photos.

Small Groups: If a small group is all vaccinated and everyone is comfortable, masks are optional. Simple refreshments can be shared. Masks are required for unvaccinated folks.

You may ask why small groups can share coffee indoors if worshippers cannot. Small groups are covenantal gatherings that can solicit input from every participant to determine vaccination status and comfort levels. This is impractical in worship where numbers are higher and unvaccinated demographics and visitors unknown to us are always welcome.

Masks are no longer required in the building unless you are unvaccinated. Because we are a community that preferences the neighbor, please verify that the person you are meeting with is comfortable with you being unmasked. This is a simple thing we can do to honor one another.

If you have questions or concerns about these updates, please contact Pastor Chris Bellefeuille.

Please join me in giving thanks for the ongoing efforts of our remarkable re-entry team: Fred Anderson, Matt Simcik, Mel Sullivan, Cindy Weckwerth, Kim Dahlgren and Bob Eiselt. We are blessed with an abundance of training, expertise, and discernment.

The team meets again in mid-July to re-evaluate and update our guidelines.

Pastor Chris

(5/16/21)

Update

Congregation,
First, let us say thank you for your collaborative spirit and support of our staff as we have made our way through the past 14 months.

Now, you may be wondering what the changing state mandates mean for Trinity. The Re-entry Team met May 12 to review our guidelines. Following the announcement lifting the statewide mask mandate, we re-evaluated to determine the wisest, most balanced course of action.

We live together as a community that prioritizes the neighbor. Vaccinations are helping and yet none of them offer 100% immunity. Breakthrough infection and transmission can continue. We also have a significant segment of our population that cannot yet be vaccinated, which means our young families aren’t yet afforded the same protections as older kids and adults.

While we have been able to make some positive adjustments, everything is subject to change in the future, depending on the behavior of the virus. Broader changes will be considered after we have some weeks to see how the disease responds to the lifting of the statewide mask mandate. (Even with the lifting of the statewide mask mandate, individual business and organizations can and are requiring masks as best suits their purposes and populations.)

We are fortunate to offer three ways to worship: in person, at the drive-in, and online. And we are committed to fully supporting all three of these worshipping communities. We encourage you to participate in the way that is optimal for you and your household.

For now, masks continue to be required in the building and current capacity limitations remain for groups and spaces, including worship. If you have questions about your group or event, please call the church office.

Update to Trinity guidelines:

  • Masked singing will be allowed in the sanctuary. (We can walk this back if things change.)
  • We will continue to register for worship to keep a list for contact tracing. (This is in keeping with requirements in the Universal Covid Preparedness Plan addressing isolation and quarantine.)
  • Hymnals and bibles can be returned to the pews.
  • We can bring back scones and coffee at the drive-in (starting May 30th) but will ask folks to distance and encourage people to mask when speaking to others outside their household – even outside.
  • The staff will continue to work primarily from home. State guidelines continue to ask those businesses that can do so without disruption to work from home. We will re-evaluate as September nears.

We are still in pandemic. That has not changed, and we will make decisions accordingly. While there is a dream of a dramatic full re-open in September, that is not realistic. The virus doesn’t respect our rhythms or our calendars.

So we ask your prayers for patience and the capacity to prioritize our neighbor in all things. And to remember that God’s work continues in and through us.

We give thanks for all the ways in which you have helped Trinity vibrantly navigate this experience in cooperation and love.

In Christ,
Trinity Re-entry Team, Trinity Church Council, and your Pastors

(4/1/21)

Note from our Faith Community Nurse

Hello to all,
Just a quick reminder for those of you that have received your COVID-19 vaccines—either your first or if you have completed both. Your vaccine card from the CDC is your proof that you have been vaccinated, please be sure your name is on your card. I heard a great suggestion that you take a photo of the card from the CDC on your cell phone to be sure that you can access the photo if needed. This will also be helpful if you lose your card.

Remember that there is personal information on these cards. Think twice about posting a photo of your card on social media, as there is information on these cards that shouldn’t necessarily be for the public. Keep yourself and your information safe.

Blessings,
Kim Dahlgren, Faith Community Nurse

(3/22/21)

Limited Re-Opening for Worship
Sunday, April 18 at 8:30 a.m.

In-person worship at Trinity will begin on Sunday, April 18 at 8:30 a.m. Sign up is required, as capacity will be limited to 118. Masks required as well as other safety precautions. This service will be livestream on Facebook and available online on our web site. Drive-in worship will continue at 10 a.m. As always, if you have a fever, cough, or are feeling ill, please stay home. Watch the 5-minute video below for the details, as we know them at this time. We are working on the sign-up process, thank you for your patience!

(1/14/21)

Building is closed, contact Trinity to arrange access when needed
While the governor has eased gathering restrictions in our state, in the interest of safety and security for our staff and our LADC preschool partner, Trinity’s building remains closed. Small groups scheduled in advance and following all guidelines are meeting at Trinity.

If you have a need to access the building for any reason, please contact the office Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Or reach out to Bob Eiselt, Parish Administrator, to make arrangements. Call us at 651-439-7400.

Please note LADC staff is not authorized to let anyone into the building, thank you for not putting them in an uncomfortable position by asking them for entrance. Thank you for your patience, understanding and consideration during this still difficult time. We are the church in all circumstances.

(10/19/20)

PHASED REOPENING OF BUILDING
Trinity’s Re-Entry Team has developed guidelines for the phased reopening of our building. The goal is to protect and maintain the health of our staff, members, and guests without disruption of our mission. For now worship continues online and outdoors at the drive-in as weather permits. Small groups are meeting in designated areas according to the guidelines. Weddings and funerals may be held with limited numbers according to the guidelines. Please download the detailed guidelines below for more information or contact the church office at 651-439-7400.

(10/15/20)

STATE OF THE CONGREGATION ADDRESS
View the State of the Congregation Address (recorded Tuesday, Oct. 13) for an update from Pastor Chris, Pastor Peter, council and the re-entry team.

(7/21/20)

FROM TRINITY’S COVID-19 RE-ENTRY TEAM:

As some of you are aware, Trinity in response to the COVID-19 pandemic has established a COVID-19 Re-Entry Team to assist staff on the development and implementation of a phased reopening plan. The team is made up of the following Trinity staff and members.

  • Fred Anderson – Retired Washington County Epidemiologist, Co-Chair
  • Pastor Chris Bellefeuille
  • Bob Eiselt – Parish Administrator
  • Tom Hosek – Head Custodian
  • Matt Simcik – Professor, School of Public Health – U of M, Co-Chair
  • Kim Dahlgren – RN, Faith Community Nurse
  • Mel Sullivan – Council Secretary, Sr. VP/CPO at Ecumen

The purpose of the Team is to ensure we implement strategies and procedures to protect and maintain the health of our staff, members, and guests without disruption of our mission. We expect the entire church will have a role in implementing this plan. Obviously, our intent is to prevent and reduce transmission of COVID-19 within our church, both indoor and outdoor activities, and in our community. That doesn’t mean we can’t still be the hands and feet of Jesus in our congregation, the St. Croix Valley, Minnesota and beyond.

The Re-Entry Team will be addressing COVID-19 related items such as:

  • Staff and volunteer health
  • Traffic flow, social distancing and face mask expectations
  • Staff, volunteer, member and guest hygiene expectations
  • Building cleaning and disinfection practices
  • Occupancy and activity limitations for each space in our building
  • Drive-in worship practices
  • Communications and training

What we are asking of you during this time is your prayerful support of our efforts and patience as we navigate this ever evolving landscape.

The team will be working diligently to address the many concerns of being able to return to indoor worship and allowing others to utilize our space while being protective of the health of everyone involved. The timing and any restrictions will be determined with the best available scientific information in a timely manner, knowing full well that the information may change and our strategies will be flexible to accommodate those changes. It is clear to the team that things such distributing bulletins, following along in the Bibles during the Gospel, using hymnals and singing, and passing of the offering plate will need to change. We are fortunate to have a large screen for the order of service and prerecorded music, as well as an established drive-in church ritual.

Strategies to reopen a business or house of worship requires thoughtful planning. They need to be practical, quantifiable, and dynamic. A myriad of contingencies and preventative measures must be carefully considered and implemented. Please be patient as the staff and council plan for our safe return to Trinity spaces.

(6/25/20)

The Council has affirmed a Trinity Re-Entry Ministry Team. This team will evaluate the science, determine our policies and reflect on our ministry and mission priorities as we develop a re-entry preparedness plan.

Re-entry includes things like worship, faith formation, small groups, staff and the office, weddings and funerals, LADC preschool and the many groups that rent or use our space: AA/Al-Anon/Alateen, Boy Scouts, music ensembles, homeowners’ associations and more.

Re-entry also includes considerations like wearing masks, sanitizing services and air exchange rates, traffic flow, seating, spacing, what materials can and cannot be shared as we meet and what products are most effective to keep us safe. And we also realize that people have different tolerances or medical limitations for re-entry. We are keeping all that in mind, as well.

Mission and ministry of Trinity will receive the priority. We do know that we will not immediately gather in the numbers technically allowed by the governor but determine what is best for Trinity, our members and our staff.

The team is Fred Anderson, retired Washington County Infectious Disease Epidemiologist; Dr. Matt Simcik, U of M School of Environmental Health; Mel Sullivan, Sr. VP and Chief People Officer of Ecumen/Trinity council, Denise Swager, RN; Kim Dahlgren, RN, Faith Community Nurse; Bob Eiselt, Tom Hosek and Pastor Chris.

The team has begun meeting and as material is available, we will share it with the congregation. In the meantime, we welcome prayers for discernment and patience as we find our way forward. If you have questions, please direct them to Bob Eiselt or Pastor Chris.

You might be interested to download and read the document below from the ELCA titled “Considerations for Returning to In-person Worship.”

Returning_to_In-person_Worship>>

(5/21/20)

STATE OF THE CONGREGATION ADDRESS
View a state of the congregation presentation led by Pastor Chris to communicate what’s been happening at Trinity during the Covid-19 pandemic. Includes comments from Council President Doug Johnson, and financial update from Council Member Andrew Thelander.

(4/20/20)

UPDATE
In compliance with the best medical wisdom available, we have suspended all Trinity in-person activities, including worship, through the end of May. (An announcement about drive-in worship will be made by early May.) We encourage ongoing use of online gatherings for Faith Formation, Bible and Book Studies, Circles, Small Groups and more. We will continue to offer livestream worship on Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. and weekday Pause & Pray at noon on Facebook live. With you, we eagerly await a return to in person gatherings in the future.

(3/17/20)

UPDATE ON OUR LIFE TOGETHER AT TRINITY
 
We continue to be the church in all circumstances.
 
Beloved Trinity members and friends.
 
The Body of Christ is life to all people, especially in times like this. We continue to be the church in all circumstances. As co-creators with God, we will be creative in this time. Because we need each other.
 
Leadership has been in regular communication and are using the best recommendations for faith communities from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and local officials. Here are the important updates:
 
WORSHIP & ACTIVITIES
Out of love for our neighbors:
  • We are suspending worship in our sanctuary and all activities through April 30.
 
While this saddens us all, we remain the church.
  • The worship staff will bring you fresh, faithful, and engaging online worship experiences each Sunday and Wednesday.
 
You will find Sunday worship on Valley Access channel 18, Facebook and our website. Wednesday worship will be available on Facebook and the website. We will send guidelines and suggestions for home communion and worship. (Many of you have asked about using the Drive-In. We are evaluating the viability of that option.)
 
  • The Faith Formation team is working to bring faith forming, learning and serving opportunities to all ages in the weeks to come.
 
Keep an eye on email, Trinity Today, Facebook and our website.
 
We are working with the leaders of AA to make sure that critical support can continue in some fashion. If you are part of an AA, Al-Anon or Al-A-Teen group at Trinity, please contact your leader for more information.
 
CHURCH OFFICE & STAFF
  • The church office is closed for now. Office and program staff are working from home, coming into the office only when necessary.
  • Continue to use regular email and phone to contact us.
 
We are holding staff meetings and daily staff huddles via Zoom. All email and regular phone numbers still work.
 
CARE TEAM
The care team will develop a plan for regular outreach to those most isolated. If you are not already a visitor or Caring Friend, but would be willing to send cards and make phone calls during this time, please email Kim Dahlgren, our Faith Community Nurse. She will provide you with contact information for folks who would be blessed by your care.
 
Please contact our Faith Community Nurse, Kim Dahlgren if you are able to run errands for those vulnerable to being in public.To those of you that find yourselves in need of groceries and other necessities but vulnerable to being in public—if you do not have a family member able to run those errands for you—there are options available to you, please contact Kim. If you are over 65 and in good health, it is still advisable to have someone run these errands for you or to use a delivery service.
 
WHAT CAN WE DO?
Many of you have asked, “What can we do?” Here are a few ideas:
 
  • Giving is still critical to our church family’s financial well-being. As you are able, please continue to give. If you are able to do a bit more in this time, to cover those whose income is impacted, please do so. We thank you for your courage and faithfulness in this time. Ways to give>>
 
  • We encourage the use of Zoom, Facebook chat, Skype, Facetime and more to join your household with others for prayer and worship.
 
  • Small groups, circles, bible studies and book groups can meet online! Zoom is offering easier and more affordable access. Facetime, Facebook chat, Skype and many other tools are good options.
 
  • Reach out to your Trinity friends, people you see in worship, those you haven’t seen in a while and those you worry about. Send cards, children’s art, connect via social media for live chat.
 
 
  • Consider joining Facebook for this time of social isolation.
 
  • Send your ideas for creative ways to connect. If you see something another church is doing that resonates with you, send it to us!
 
  • Pray for our custodians, Tom and Annie. They continue to work, especially alongside our LADC preschool – Trinity will be a site for LADC children whose parents work in healthcare, are first responders, etc.
 
  • Pray for your staff as they find new ways to be a team on your behalf.
 
  • Pray through your picture directory if you have one. Show pictures to your kids and say the names out loud. Then send a card letting the person know you prayed for them. You can do the same with your Facebook feed, contact list or address book.
 
  • Financially support Valley Outreach in this time. They also have need of volunteers. You can find more information here: https://valleyoutreachmn.org/
 
We recognize, as the people of God, our being is built on love of neighbor. We are leaders in the community. Therefore, we are called to model the best practices for protection, minimization and safety, honoring the well-being of all people, especially the most vulnerable.
 
This is not an easy time. Nor is it a time devoid of hope.
We remain the church. We remain the Body of Christ.
We remain family. And we can be a source of light and hope to each other and to our community.
 
We will keep you updated regularly and will send an formal update from council by March 30. And certainly before if anything changes. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
 
Grace and peace be with you in this time,
Pastor Chris Bellefeuille, Pastor Peter Weston Miller and the Trinity Staff
Doug Johnson, Council President and your Trinity Congregational Council