February 2007 Stated Meeting
Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church
Leadership Team Meeting
February 8, 2007 – 6:30 p.m. – Dockside Seafood Restaurant
Attending: Mindy Douglas Adams, Moderator; Stan Campbell, Graham Ford, Wes McGraw, Mary Donna Pond, Tina Stark, John Walkup, Madge Webster, Jack and Joan Zollinger
The group convened at 6:30 p.m. for dinner. At 6:40 p.m., Mindy called the business meeting to order and reported that Keith Glidewell and Julia Trimmer were unable to attend. Mary Donna Pond read Psalm 16, the evening lectionary Psalm for the day. She then distributed a Lenten daily devotional guide from the PC (USA) website, based on A First Catechism.
Jack Zollinger noted one mistake in the minutes of January 4, 2007. Under the Finance Report, it should read that the Property Fund is in a money market fund and not a CD. The minutes, thus amended, were approved by common consent.
Pastor’s Report. Mindy reported that she was not feeling well due to a cold. She plans to offer Lay Leader training at 5:30 p.m. on March 8, for those wishing to assist in worship. She will offer a new member class as soon as a location for the class can be found. Mary Donna Pond offered the use of her living room/dining room for these classes if no other suitable location is found. On March 11, Julio Ramirez-Eve and a band from Iglesia Presbiteriana Emanuel Fellowship in Durham will join us for worship. We will have a pot-luck lunch on that day. In mid-February, Mindy will attend a portion of a conference in Richmond for new and redeveloping churches sponsored by the Synod but will need to leave the conference early to return home for Ash Wednesday service.
Finance Report. Jack Zollinger reported that the 2006 books are almost closed. Kim needs to resolve one small problem to reflect the funds held in money market on the balance sheet and we will be able to close the year. At that point, the $15,000 for property will be moved and the remainder will be put into a Reserve Account. Jack also reported that a limit on Mindy’s church credit card prevented the purchase of two new computers. He will work with the bank to resolve that problem.
Committee Reports.
Mindy asked that committee reports be limited to matters not related to the transition to the new location, which was to be covered under Old Business.
Worship. John Walkup reported that a house has been reserved in Montreat for the Music and Worship conference June 24-30. Anybody wishing to attend should let him know.
Outreach. Jack Zollinger reported that the Presbytery and General Assembly have two categories for mission giving: designated and undesignated. The committee proposes that we commit $3,000 of our funds, designated for Guatemala or Nicaragua, and $700 in undesignated funds. We hope to be able to support mission work in Guatemala since David Wiseman, a local pastor, is serving there and would possibly be available to visit with us at some time. The Leadership Team approved this proposed distribution without dissent. Jack also reported that so long as Evergreen United Methodist Church needs the food we collect for First Fruits, we will take it there. Should they not need it, it will go to CORA.
Evangelism. No report.
Property. Joan Zollinger reported that the committee met January 24 and is moving forward on one specific property with a site survey and soil testing. Cindy McWilliams is drafting the proposal to request bids for this work. Three firms will be contacted. Joan and Cindy also met with Mitch Barron from Newland (Briar Chapel developers). They would like to use our name in their publicity. After some discussion, it was agreed that this would be helpful to us in our publicity efforts.
Fellowship. Mindy reported that she hopes we can organize a pot-luck following worship on March 11. John Dimos has offered to supply us with slaw (and maybe hushpuppies). We will need to arrange to use the school’s kitchen, probably until 1:30 p.m. Stan will check on this. Our next fellowship event is a pot-luck supper at Mindy’s home on February 23.
Adult Education. Wes McGraw reported that we will conclude our study of the Israel/Palestine conflict on February 11. The next class is a 5-week study on “Faith: Mosaic or Picture Show” led by Scott Adams. Following that class, we will have a series on the Trinity that Mindy will coordinate.
Personnel. Mary Donna Pond reported that Mindy’s 1-year annual review has been held and a report has been written for the Personnel file. The next employee to be reviewed will be Kim Prendergast in April. Staff reviews will be held at the anniversary of staff members’ hire dates.
Children and Youth Education. The location of the children’s classroom (in the hallway) is not a good one. Stan will ask about use of a classroom or two.
Stewardship. No report.
Membership. Mindy reports that 12 to 15 people are waiting to join. People are finding us in a variety of ways: the post card mailing, signs, word-of-mouth. Stan asked that another post card bulk mailing be sent. Wes inquired about the redesign of the logo and the highlighting of the word “Presbyterian.” It was decided that we find other ways at this time to emphasize “Presbyterian” without a redesign of the logo.
Old Business
Daily prayer time. Mindy reminded everyone to pray daily for Chapel in the Pines as well as Church in the Pines.
Personnel Manual. Mary Donna, on behalf of the Personnel Committee, asked for approval of the Personnel Manual that was distributed at the January meeting. Mindy raised a question as to whether 6 weeks of paid parental leave is adequate. After discussion, John moved and Stan seconded that the provision be revised to 10 weeks paid leave and the motion carried without dissent. Jack Zollinger pointed out some typographical errors to be corrected. The team voted without dissent to approve the Personnel Manual as amended.
Transition to North Chatham School. Mindy asked for comments on our first Sunday in our new location. John expressed great joy that it went so well and his sentiment was echoed by all. John distributed a report and request for consensus which the group discussed carefully. Everyone agrees there is a need for Sunday captains and teams for set-up, clean-up, ushering, greeting. Several names were suggested for these duties and John will recruit and train captains and teams. Stan suggested we look into purchasing carts to store and move chairs. Joan suggested we have a bell to ring when it is time to gather for worship; she offered to find a bell which can be kept in the box with the nametags. A plan should be developed for updating and using information on the sign-up board. The problem of the empty front row was discussed and the need for the choir to sit on the far side so that seats near the door will be available for latecomers. Joan expressed her delight that our first Sunday was a communion Sunday. Finally, there was discussion of the need to delay clean-up in order to be more involved in fellowship following the service.
New Business
Stan asked why the Administration Committee was not listed under Committee Reports on the Agenda. Mindy will add it for our next meeting.
Mindy asked for the team’s approval for Graham to assist in Communion. The request was moved and seconded and was approved without dissent.
Mindy asked for approval for a Congregational Meeting on March 18. Nana will prepare an annual report including brief reports from committees. Jack moved and Joan seconded the request which was approved.
Mindy advised that Chapel in the Pines will join with Pittsboro Presbyterian for Ash Wednesday service (7:00 p.m. February 21 – Mindy will preach) and Maundy Thursday service (7:00 p.m. April 5 – Troy will preach) at Pittsboro Church. We will join with Church of Reconciliation for a noon service on Good Friday. The committee unanimously approved these services.
We hope to participate in Chatham County’s Relay for Life, a very big event in this area. However we need one or two captains to coordinate our efforts.
Mary Donna asked the team to be thinking about the pros and cons of posting church member photos on our website. John asked if member email addresses could be posted. Because of privacy and confidentiality concerns, there may be individuals who do not want such information on the internet. The team will revisit this question at a future meeting.
Mindy attended the meeting of Salem Presbytery in Mooresville on February 3. The Presbytery has approved the sale of a parcel of land in Greensboro and it is likely that we will be granted some of the proceeds. Don Kerns, chair of the Presbytery’s New Church Development Task Group, said very good things about Chapel in the Pines and the Presbytery is aware of our good news and successes. The next Presbytery meeting is in Eden, north of Greensboro, April 24. Mindy invited anyone who wishes to attend to let her know.
The next meeting of the leadership team will be March 8, 2007, at 6:30 p.m. at Dockside Restaurant. Julia Trimmer will do the devotion for that meeting.
Mindy closed the meeting with prayer and the meeting ended at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Mary Donna Pond
Approved as distributed at the March 8, 2007, meeting