April 9, 2012 Stated Session Meeting
Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church
Stated Session Meeting, April 9, 2012 – CITP Adult Classroom
Attending: Ruling Elders Lynne Hoerter, Forrest Johnson, Marcia Ladd, Cindy Massey, Michelle Morehouse, Rachel Stevens, Jerry Wehmueller, Mary Donna Pond (Clerk), and the Rev. Mindy Douglas Adams (Moderator). Excused: Vicky Raymond, John Walkup
The meeting was called to order by Mindy Douglas Adams at 6:30 p.m. and a quorum was present. Marcia Ladd read a passage from Barbara Ehrenreich’s book Nickel and Dimed for the opening devotion. There was discussion about the many and complicated faces of poverty and our response. The devotion ended with prayer.
Approval of Agenda, Consent Agenda, Pastoral Concerns. Rachel moved approval of the agenda, Michelle seconded, and the motion passed. Mindy explained the use of a Consent Agenda. On the Consent Agenda were approval of the minutes of Stated Session Meeting 3/12/12, Called Session Meeting 3/11/12 and 3/25/12, Congregational Meeting 3/25/12; approval of the revised Columbaria Policies and Procedure and the Inscription Application for Columbarium Niche Covering presented by the Remembrance Garden Committee; approval of a report from the Operations Manual Task Force regarding the organization of the Manual; and approval of a Vision Statement proposed by John Walkup. Rachel asked that the Vision Statement be pulled from the Consent Agenda. The remaining items were approved by common consent. Pastoral concerns and celebrations were shared.
Annual Meeting of the Board of Trustees. As required in the By-Laws, the Session convened as the Board of Trustees at the first Session meeting following the annual meeting of the Congregation. The only business for the Trustees was to elect a new Treasurer following the recent resignation of Jack Zollinger. Cindy Massey had agreed to serve as Treasurer. It was asked if electing a current Session member was allowed; there is no prohibition in either the By-Laws or the Book of Order. It was moved and seconded that Cindy be elected as Treasurer and the motion unanimously passed. Lynne then moved that the meeting of the Board of Trustees be adjourned. Michelle seconded the motion and the Trustee meeting was adjourned.
Pastor’s Report. Mindy was enthusiastic about the services during Holy Week, felt they were powerful and went well. She thanked the many people who worked hard to make it so, especially Emily Smith and Phyllis Greene who worked to get ready for the Easter brunch, and the choir which sang at every service.
Treasurer’s Report. No report. Mindy asked the FAB committee to consider whether a formal Treasurer’s Report is necessary at every monthly Stated Session meeting.
QUADRANT REPORTS
Community Quadrant. Lynne reported that a new bulletin board has been placed in the narthex and hopes it will help get rid of the many easels and other items that have been placed throughout that space.
Education Quadrant. Rachel is working with a group to provide content during the Children’s Church time, when children ages 2-ish to 5 or 6 leave worship after the Time with Children. A team of people is being formed so that no one will be required to miss participation in worship every week. One or two youth will be scheduled to help each week.
Fiduciary Quadrant. Jerry reported that work on the bio-retention pond continues. It is important that the grass be watered so that it does not die. The final work needed to stabilize the ponds is approximately $23,000. Mindy asked that all members of the Session consider making an investment with PILP.
Worship Quadrant. No report.
OTHER REPORTS
Loan Financing and Construction Cost Update. Jerry reported that the third mortgage payment has been made. People who pledged to the Capital Campaign and have not fulfilled their pledge will be contacted and asked to do so as soon as possible to help with cash flow. It was agreed that he will give a Minute for Mission in worship on April 22 and will also take that opportunity to invite anyone who did not participate in the campaign to consider making a donation to the building fund.
OLD BUSINESS
Questionnaire Results. In John Walkup’s absence, Jerry was asked to review the results of the questionnaire John had sent to Session members. There was some discussion about the overall results of the questionnaire; however Rachel and others wanted more analysis of the results. John will be asked to prepare that analysis which will be discussed at the Session retreat in May or at a future Session meeting as a leadership development topic. Mindy shared that she would welcome more involvement in worship planning and suggested that perhaps the Worship Quadrant or the Deacons might plan and lead next year’s Maundy Thursday service.
NEW BUSINESS
Vision Statement. A proposed Vision Statement, as prepared some time ago by the Acts 16:5 Vision Team, was presented. Those Session members who are currently serving but were not on the Session when that team did its work felt that they needed more background and more conversation on this matter. There was some confusion over "Mission Statement" and "Vision Statement." Mindy asked Mary Donna to convey to John the Session’s request for an explanation and rationale for the Vision Statement.
Mindy suggested that in future, if the person presenting a motion was not present at the Session meeting, and if the item had not been recently deliberated by the Session, that motion would be postponed until the motion’s originator could be present to address questions.
Date of May Stated Session Meeting. The Session agreed that some time should be set aside at the May 12 Session retreat to hold the Stated Session meeting. Therefore the May Stated Session meeting will be May 12, not May 14 as previously planned.
New Officers will be installed on June 3, so the May 12 meeting will be the last meeting for Marcia, Vicky, and Michelle. Mary Donna was asked to send Session packet materials to the three new Elders so that they might be able to better observe the May meeting.
With no other business to discuss, Mindy led a closing prayer and the meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Donna Pond, Clerk
Approved by Session May 12, 2012