February 12, 2009 Stated Session Meeting

Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church
Stated Session Meeting, February 12– Home of Ed and Susie Park

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

Mindy Douglas Adams called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Michelle Morehouse led a devotion using Matthew 5:14, reminding us that we are the light of the world, and asking the question, "Can Facebook Be Redemptive?"

Leadership Development. Mindy asked the group to divide into pairs, to share a favorite Bible verse, and to say what that verse says to each of us today. At the conclusion of the exercise, prayer concerns were shared around the table.

Approval of Agenda. Stan asked that changes be made to the agenda under the Fiduciary Report. The agenda was approved as amended.

Approval of Minutes. Stan requested one change to the minutes of the January 22 meeting, adding a sentence about the discussion of using the Property Fund for payments on the loan. The amendment was accepted and the corrected minutes were approved without dissent.

Correspondence. There was no correspondence to share.

Pastor’s Report. Mindy reported that she has been very busy. She shared that our Youth are once again meeting regularly and have requested weekly Youth activities. Keith Glidewell is actively involved in this ministry.
Treasurer’s Report. Jack distributed a Balance Sheet and the Revenue and Expense report through January 31, 2009. There are a number of items that need to be revised related to financial activity for the loan purchase. Jack will work with Kim to get those adjustments entered in the accounting system. Projected revenues and expenses are right on target.

QUADRANT REPORTS
Community. A written report had been distributed before the meeting and no action items were submitted. Stephanie reported on Si Brewer’s discovery that the Chatham County sign ordinance appears to prohibit the erection of a sign on the Lindley’s property. The Session expressed appreciation to Si for his work and suggested that an appeal for a variance might be submitted. Lynne reported that Briar Chapel declined to add a link to Chapel in the Pines on their publicity maps. Adding keywords to our website search criteria might result in better publicity and that possibility will be explored.

Education. A written report was distributed at the meeting. No action items were submitted.

Fiduciary. A printed report was distributed prior to the meeting. Lynne presented a list of the members of the Building Planning Committee: Jim Hamilton, Margaret Hatcher, Bart Holtz, Marcia Ladd, Harriet McGraw, Cindy McWilliams, Ed Park, and Joan Zollinger.

Michelle moved that these members be approved to serve on the committee. Wes seconded the motion and it passed without dissent.

Jerry Wehmueller, new chair of Administration, has been out of town so several projects are on hold until he returns.

Stan moved that $1,500 from Operating Reserves be approved to purchase a third computer for the church office. The motion, from Committee, did not require a second. It was approved without dissent.

Mindy was asked to leave the meeting during a discussion of a Personnel matter.

Marcia reported that Mindy’s annual review will be held on Sunday, February 15, and that pending a successful evaluation, Mindy be given a 5% increase for salary and housing. Coming from committee, the motion needed no second. It was unanimously approved.

Mindy returned to the meeting.
Several revisions to the 2009 budget were discussed. Adjustments to Current Pledges and Open Plate Offering were made; the UNC Campus Ministry line was moved to the "Other" category under Outreach and $500 was restored to the Local Community Projects line. Stan reported that funds for Program Staff benefits had been omitted. He will include those figures and present the 2009 budget for final approval at the March Session meeting.
Mindy reported that Administration will be looking into ways to make our data more secure and more accessible. She distributed a report comparing two options using ACS networking and web-based services.
Jack reported that the Finance Committee will meet with a CPA, recommended by Jim Hamilton. He also reported that we have moved to a new brokerage firm, Edward Jones.

Worship. John asked Mindy to describe plans for Ash Wednesday. Chapel in the Pines will join with Pittsboro Presbyterian and St. Bartholomew Episcopal for a service at 7:00 p.m. on February 25. Mindy will preach. In order to have more time for fellowship, a meal will be provided before the service. Mindy urged everyone to attend. She added that we plan to return to Pittsboro church for a Maundy Thursday service, though plans are not yet finalized.
John reported that a new spoke will be created in the Worship quadrant so that music will have its own spoke and the other liturgical arts – visual, dance, etc. – will be separate.

OLD BUSINESS
Nominating Committee: Chuck reported that the Nominating Committee has met and begun discussions. The committee must be approved by the congregation before taking an official action.

NEW BUSINESS
Congregational Meetings:

Chuck moved that a Congregational Meeting be called for February 22 for the purpose of electing the Nominating Committee. Lynne seconded the motion which passed without dissent.

Stan moved that a Congregational Meeting be called for March 29 for the purposes of: (1) accepting the 2008 Annual Report of the Congregation; (2) approving changes to the Pastor’s Terms of Call; (3) election of officers. Marcia seconded the motion which passed without dissent.

April Session Meeting. The regular meeting date for the April Stated Session meeting falls on Maundy Thursday. It was agreed that the meeting would be moved to Monday, April 6.

The Session discussed the question of whether Quadrant Chairs should be actively serving on the Session. Following several comments, it was agreed to return to this question at a later time. Michelle also asked that the Session make decisions about the terms for Committee Chairs at a future meeting.

Annual Statistical Report. Mary Donna as Clerk submitted a proposed 2008 Annual Statistical Report, as had been distributed prior to the meeting. Changes were made to the number of members with disabilities. The addition of the website and email address were also approved.

A motion to accept the 2008 Annual Statistical Report was made, seconded, and passed.

Report on February meeting of Salem Presbytery. A written report from Wes was distributed prior to the meeting. There were some questions and discussion of the upcoming vote on changes to the Book of Order. Mindy said a tally of Presbytery votes on the matter can be found on the More Light Presbyterian website (http://www.mlp.org/).

Next Meeting. There will be a called Session meeting on March 1 to receive new members. A time and place for the meeting have yet to be set. The next Stated Session meeting will be March 12, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The location of the meeting has not been decided. Lynne moved the meeting be adjourned; John seconded and added appreciation to Ed and Susie Park for the use of their home and for the salad supper.
Mindy closed the meeting with prayer. The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Mary Donna Pond, Clerk

Approved by Session March 12, 2009