April 12, 2010 Stated Session Meeting Minutes
Attending: Elders Lynne Hoerter, Marcia Ladd, Wes McGraw, Stephanie Miller, Michelle Morehouse, Ed Park, Vicky Raymond, Chuck Rickard, Jerry Wehmueller, and the Rev. Mindy Douglas Adams (Moderator).
Mindy Douglas Adams called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Ed Park led the devotion using an Acts 16:5 Initiative "Word, Share, Prayer" and Lectio Devina, reading from Romans 12: 3-8. He ended with a time of prayer.
Mindy called for the election of an Acting Clerk. Marcia Ladd was elected by acclamation.
Leadership Development Mindy lead a discussion Presbyterians and their knowledge of the Bible. She then administered a rather eye opening Bible "pop quiz," ending with the reminder that as church leaders, Elders had an obligation to study the Bible (she saidthey might even enjoy it!).
Concerns and Celebrations; Approval of Minutes and Agenda; Correspondence. Pastoral concerns and celebrations were shared as well as correspondence. The Session voted to hold a special offering annually to fund the Martin Luther King Scholarship administered by the MLK University/Community Planning Corporation on the Sunday closest to MLK Day. Session also voted not to fund a special request for Camp Grier assistance funds. Minutes from the last Stated Session meeting as well as the March 28 Congregational meeting were approved, as was the agenda.
Pastor’s Report. Mindy reported that she will be out of town from this Friday to Monday evening with her family. She also reported that she has been asked by the General Assembly to to moderate the General Assembly Committee on Church Growth, Christian Education and the Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program (she was elected to serve as a commissioner for Salem Presbytery in October 2009).
Treasurer’s Report. Jerry distributed copies of the Balance Sheet and P & L through Q1 2010, indicating the P & L was tracking well. Lynne asked for clarification on the exact amount of monies available to Property/Building in the several accounts.
QUADRANT REPORTS
Community Quadrant
Communications. Stephanie reported that the sign has been put on Mann’s Chapel Road, near our land.
Outreach. No report.
Membership. No report.
Fellowship. No report.
Education Quadrant
Wes announced that there are currently five Sunday school classes on Sunday morning and three Education offerings on weeknights.
Fiduciary Quadrant
Building Planning Committee. Lynne distributed pictures of the church building floor plans, indicating that she expected elevations by 4/23. Lynne indicated that a general estimate for the construction of the larger plans that she circulated was $1.6 million including building, site prep, septic, electrical, and architect fees. We would need 25% of that amount in the bank to procure a loan and break ground. She also indicated that the goal of the Capital Campaign remained at $750k, due to response received in the feasibility study. A question was raised concerning sweat equity, and Lynne indicated that we had already discussed that and painting and landscaping were two areas in which members would probably participate.
There was a prolonged discussion on LEED standards versus LEED certification and how "green" we were planning to be in our construction. Lynne agreed to consult the Architect concerning how "green" his plans are.
Finance/Administration/Budget (FAB). The June-August contract with the North Chatham School is still being worked out. There was a discussion on which rooms were necessary to include on the contract. Wes agreed to find out who will be meeting where during the summer months and get the information to Jerry. It was agreed that at this time we would not extend our contracted time by 15 minutes. Jerry and Lynne are going to co-author a request to the UPC Endowment for a $10k grant to the building fund.
Personnel. No report.
Worship Quadrant
Vicky reported that the feedback on the new worship configuration has been mostly positive. There was some feeling that Mindy should be higher, but that the 180 degree configuration was optimal.
OLD BUSINESS
Capital Campaign. Jerry reported that the Promotional Committee is finalizing the promotional literature and training. The campaign for Advanced Givers will kick off May 3 and run through May 24, with Special Gifts running from May 24-June 11. The church will celebrate with a dinner to kick off the Campaign on May 23 following worship and the Campaign will culminate on Dedication Sunday June 13.
Session Retreat. It will be held on May 1 from 10 am-1:30pm at the Pittsboro Presbyterian Church. Lunch will be shared off site.
Presbytery Commissioner for April 20 Chuck Rickard was elected by acclamation.
NEW BUSINESS
The Session approved Reverend Haywood Holderness as the guest preacher on July 4, when Mindy is at General Assembly. The Session also officially approved the email vote to serve communion on Palm Sunday. The Session discussed an invitation from Chatham Community Church to join them in a May 2 Day of Service, but chose not to participate due to the lack of time for planning and communicating the event with the congregation.
The next Stated Session meeting will be May 10 at the Hoerter’s or Briar Chapel. Lynne will contact Briar Chapel; the June meeting will be changed to the 7th and will be at the Wehmuellers.
A motion to adjourn was seconded and passed. Mindy led a closing prayer and the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia L Ladd, Acting Clerk Mindy Douglas Adams, Moderator
Approved by Session May 10, 2010