January 18, 2016 Stated Session Meeting
Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church
Stated Session Meeting, January 18, 2016
Attending: Ruling Elders Heather Bogan, Monty Brekke, Lynne Hoerter, Vicky Raymond, Al Schalk, Archie (Butch) Smith, Jerry Wehmueller (Treasurer), Marcia Ladd (Clerk), and Teaching Elder Rev. Mindy Douglas (Moderator of Session)
Excused Absence: Kristin Lavergne, Fred Royal, Barbara Strange
Guests: Stan Campbell, Chair 2016 Capital Campaign; Katie Murchison Ross, Intern; Teaching Elder Mitzi Lesher-Thomas
The meeting was called to order by Mindy Douglas at 7:00PM. Butch led the opening devotion, ending with prayer. Concerns and celebrations were shared.
Leadership development: Mindy lead a discussion on the article shared in the pre-meeting packet entitled History without a Reason.
Approval of agenda and consent agenda
It was moved and seconded that the agenda be approved. The consent agenda was unanimously approved, as follows:
a. Approval of minutes – Stated session 12/21/15
b. Committee minutes – Building and Grounds 12/8/15; Strategic Planning Task Force 12/14/15, 1/4/16, CYE Committee 1/10/16, Finance 1/10/16
c. Correspondence – Email from Todd Adams, Email from Bob Warren June 2015 & 1/10/16, Email from Karen Fisher, Sisters’ Voices request, XDS Thank you, Will Sibert request for support
Pastor’s report. Mindy shared her revised, more comprehensive sabbatical plans. Monty moved to receive the plan
The motion was seconded and approved unanimously. Mindy also shared the church’s statistical report draft. Heather moved to approve the report. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
Committee reports
Finance
Stan presented a three dimensional graphic representation of the proposed fellowship hall that is one goal of the fundraising from upcoming the capital campaign. Mindy addressed the article in Sunday’s Chapel Hill News that contains inaccuracies in its description of CITP’s "building project that is to start in summer of 2016." While we do hope to build a fellowship hall in the future, no funds have been raised for this, nor has a timeline been set. She read an apology from the architect about the article and asked session to keep positive and help correct inaccuracies regarding the article and potential project.
Heather and Jerry presented an overview of the December and YTD 2015 financials. CITP received $314,000 in total revenue for the year, $9,000 above budgeted expectation. There was a ~ $20, 000 surplus for the year. Heather moved
to put the surplus from 2015 into operating reserves.
The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Heather and Jerry led a discussion on the Finance Committee’s proposed 2016 budget based on pledges received. Finance presented the following motion:
to approve the proposed amendments to 2016 budget by the Finance Committee in slide 5 of the power point.
The motion passed unanimously.
The vote on the 2016 budget affirmatively addresses Personnel’s tabled motion from December increasing staff salaries ~ 1% in 2016.
After minimal discussion, Heather moved
to take $4000 from reserves to pay down mortgage principle.
The motion was seconded and passed unanimously
Heather drew everyone’s attention to the Wish Lists and requested that each committee update theirs for 2016 and return them to Finance before the next stated meeting.
Building and Grounds
Mindy asked if there were any questions about the new building use policy, indicating it had been updated to reflect costs when groups are using the building for longer periods of time. Al moved
to approve the Building Use Policy as amended January 2016
The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
ONGOING BUSINESS
Angel Banners
Mindy directed everyone’s attention to the letters concerning the angel banners. There was discussion on the correspondence received.
Al moved
to send the letters to Liturgical Arts Subcommittee and ask the Subcommittee to address two issues one on diversity in art through the building and two on rotation of art within the sanctuary.
Liturgical Arts Subcommittee was asked to have a report to session for the next meeting.
Appeal from session
Mindy drew everyone’s attention to the amended appeal from the session to be distributed to local media outlets. There was general agreement about the wording of the appeal and the distribution Mindy proposed.
NEW BUSINESS
Approval of February 28 congregational meeting
Mindy indicated that the Nominating Committee, chaired by Sally Wehmueller, was already working on a slate of new officers and Nominating Committee, and asked that session approve a congregational meeting on February 28 to elect new officers. Monty made a motion
To schedule a congregational meeting for February 28 to elect new officers and the Nominating Committee.
The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Approval of March 3 congregational meeting
Mindy indicated that once the Annual Report is completed it needs to be presented to the congregation and asked that we set another congregational meeting for March 13. Monty made a motion
to schedule a congregational meeting for March 13 to present the Annual Report to the congregation
The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Space for Sister’s voices
Mindy directed those present to the correspondence from Sisters’ Voices requesting use of our space for two concerts and a three week summer camp. Following discussion, Monty made a motion
not to approve the request for the three week summer camp
The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Will Sibert
Mindy reviewed Will’s request to ask individual church members for private donations for his ministry. Lynne moved
to deny Will’s request to circulate his letter
The motion was seconded and passed with one vote against.
The next stated session meeting will be February 15 at — 7pm. Kristen Lavergne will have the devotion.
As the business of the meeting was concluded, Mindy led a closing prayer and the meeting was adjourned at 9 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Ladd, Clerk
Approved by session February 15, 2016
Reminders:
Remember to pray for our church each day at noon.
Next stated session meeting February 15, 7 PM Kristin Lavergne has the devotion February 9, Presbytery Meeting First Presbyterian in Greensboro