August 2008 Stated Session Meeting

Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church

Stated Session Meeting, August 14, 2008

Captain John’s Dockside Restaurant

Attending:        Stan Campbell, Lynne Hoerter, Marcia Ladd, Wes McGraw, Stephanie Miller, Michelle Morehouse, Ed Park, Chuck Rickard, John Walkup, Mindy Douglas Adams (moderator), Mary Donna Pond (clerk).   

Excused:  Jack Zollinger (treasurer).  Mindy Douglas Adams called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Michelle Morehouse led a devotion using Psalm 91, reminding us of God’s unending protection.

A Look into the Book (of Order).  The Book of Confessions and Section G-2 in the Book of Order were discussed.

Approval of Minutes.  The minutes of the July 10 Stated meeting and July 27 Called meeting were approved as distributed.

Agenda approval.  Two items were added to the agenda and it was approved by common consent.

Correspondence.  Mary Donna shared a thank you note from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance for our contributions toward Myanmar and Burma relief.

Pastor’s Report.  Mindy reported that she had enjoyed her times away.  She returned to some small “fires” that are being steadily put out.  She expressed her appreciation for the leadership provided in her absence.

Treasurer’s Report.  In Jack Zollinger’s absence, Mindy distributed a Balance Sheet and the Revenue and Expense report through July 2008.  We are slightly behind projected budget for revenue (not unusual for churches in the summertime) and are under projected budget in expenses, making our current financial picture look good.  There was some discussion of the present economic down-turn and acknowledgement that it might impact the church’s functioning in the months ahead but no action was taken at this time.  The transfer of all funds and accounts to First Citizens Bank is now complete.  There was brief discussion about continued financial support from University church and those present agreed that, in principal, it is important to have UPC’s continued support at some level.  When our loan application to purchase land is approved, the reserve fund for property will increase since we will return to that fund the equivalent of the amount previously paid to the Lindleys in earnest money.  The $5,000 we gave to the Food Pantry Building campaign will be returned to us since that project is now on hold.  This will increase our current Operating Reserve fund.

QUADRANT REPORTS

Community.  
Action item.  Space is needed to store nursery supplies.  The Session asked Mary Donna to get cost figures and dimensions of a rolling storage cart.  Jan Rickard will then determine if that cart could fit in an identified space near our nursery space.  If so, we will make a request to Jim Pederson at the school.  It was further moved and approved to use up to $500 from the 2008 budget line for General Supplies-Children/Youth.
Action item.  The Membership Spoke requests approval to include non-member friends in the regularly published Church Directory.  The request was approved without dissent. 
Action item.  A grant proposal was submitted to Salem Presbytery for Hunger Relief funds.  We requested $4,000 to be used to purchase food for the Take and Eat Food Pantry.  The proposal was approved without dissent. 
Action item.  Michelle Morehouse presented a request from Outreach that CITP be the repository of donations for the Fuel Up program at Perry Harrison School.  CITP would receive funds designated for this program which provides food for at-risk children to take home for weekend meals.  These contributions would be acknowledged on CITP contribution statements and would be passed directly on to the program.  This request from committee passed unanimously.  Ed inquired about the signs being ordered by Communications Spoke.  Stephanie responded that these are replacement signs for those that have been lost or damaged.  Ed asked whether we will be putting up a sign near our property.  Stephanie assured him that when we have purchased the land, we will be putting a proper sign nearby on the Lindley’s land and that work is already underway to do so.

Education.  A spreadsheet report was distributed, outlining plans for the coming months.  No action items were requested.

Fiduciary.  Stan asked Marcia to present the action items from Personnel.
Action item.  Approve the budgeted 5% salary increase for Jeremy Nabors, following his upcoming annual performance review.  This committee request passed without dissent. 
Action item.  Approve enrolling Nana Morelli in the Board of Pensions at full-participation level, following her upcoming annual performance review.  The amount required is included in the 2008 budget.  This committee request passed without dissent.  Ed urged the Personnel committee to make additional individual gestures of gratitude, in addition to salary increases.Stan reported that insurance coverage is now in place, and Mindy distributed copies of the policy for information.  He also reported that payroll is also now functioning properly and that transition is complete.Marcia reported that former church clients of Riggs-Harrod Builders have all given strong endorsements of the company and are open to our future conversations as we move forward in our design and build phases.  Mindy added that she has already been in conversation with a number of other churches about their building experiences and is compiling a lot of good advice and information.

Worship.  John reported that the Inclusivity Spoke has requested to be renamed the “Inclusion” Spoke.  Training for lay readers is underway.  Liturgical Arts is exploring purchasing bulletin covers with a theme that can be replicated in banners to use in worship.

OLD BUSINESS

Mission Statement.  Following a motion by Wes, seconded by John, the final draft of the revised Mission Statement was approved without dissent.

Devotion sign-up.  A sign-up sheet was passed around for everyone to volunteer to lead opening devotion for Session meetings.

July Meeting of Salem Presbytery.  Stan gave a report of the meeting, held at Bethel Presbyterian Church.  Most memorable was the fact that the church’s air conditioning died soon after the meeting began and the proceedings were “hot, hot, hot.”  The celebration of Willie Garvin’s accomplishments and retirement were well attended and nicely done.  Stan requested that the Presbytery’s PUP Task Force Report be made available to Session members at the fall retreat.

NEW BUSINESS

Presbyterian Theological Education Fund.  Mindy shared a letter from Paul Sink, Salem Presbytery’s representative for PTEF, asking churches for support in educating the congregation about the fund and also through contributions.  September 14 is PTEF Sunday.  The Fiduciary Quadrant will include this request in budget planning for 2009.  Our support of this fund counts as part of the designated Presbyterian giving for purposes of qualifying for grants, etc.Following a time of sharing pastoral concerns (including singing happy birthday to Michelle), Mindy closed the meeting in prayer.

Next Meeting.  Officer training continues Sunday, August 17, from 3 to 6 at UPC.  There will be a Called Session meeting on August 24 at 9:15 a.m. to receive new members.  The next Stated Session meeting will be September 11 at Captain John’s Dockside Restaurant.  Gather at 6 for supper; the meeting begins at 6:30.  John Walkup will lead the devotion. 

The Eastern Neighborhood of the Presbytery will have a potluck “block party” at Siler City Presbyterian Church on August 24 at 4:00 p.m.   Respectfully submitted,Mary Donna Pond, Clerk of Session   

Approved by Session September 11, 2008