January 25, 2010 Stated Session Meeting
Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church
Stated Session Meeting, January 25, 2010 – Wehmueller home
Attending: Elders Lynne Hoerter, Marcia Ladd, Wes McGraw, Stephanie Miller, Michelle Morehouse, Ed Park, Vicky Raymond, Jerry Wehmueller, Mary Donna Pond (Clerk), Jack Zollinger (Treasurer), and the Rev. Mindy Douglas Adams (Moderator). Excused: Chuck Rickard
Mindy Douglas Adams called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Mary Donna Pond led an opening devotion using a reading from I Kings about listening for God and finding God unexpectedly.
Leadership Development. The Session talked about Conclusion of E. Stanley Ott’s Twelve Dynamic Shifts for Transforming Your Church and which of the shifts are important and relevant to our church at this time.
Concerns and Celebrations; Agenda Approval; Approval of Minutes; Correspondence. Celebrations and concerns were shared. The agenda was approved following a motion by Wes which was seconded by Michelle. The minutes of the December 20, 2009, Called Session meeting and the December 14, 2009, Stated Session meeting were approved by common consent. Michelle shared a thank you card from a family the church adopted for Christmas.
Pastor’s Report. Mindy thanked the Session for rescheduling the monthly Stated Session meeting to accommodate her travels to Atlanta for her annual cohort preaching group. She reported that the week was a good one with some new people attending for the first time. She returned feeling energized.
Treasurer’s Report. Jack distributed the Balance Sheet and Report of Revenues and Expenses through December 2009. Due to an error in recording pledges for 2009 (one pledge was counted twice), the 2009 pledge figure we had been working with was incorrect. Expenses for rent of the school space, paid through February 2010, and an additional bi-weekly pay period in 2009 resulted in some over-spending. At year end, it appears the church had a deficit of approximately $10,000. When final figures are computed, the deficit will be covered from General Operating Reserves. Given the state of the economy, it is not surprising the year ended as it did.
QUADRANT REPORTS
Community.
Outreach. A written report was distributed prior to the meeting. The Take and Eat Pantry is negotiating with Lowes Foods to sell gift cards that will result in a donation to the pantry. More details about this will be available soon.
Fellowship. The January potluck suppers were well attended. February’s event will be a visit to Celebrity Dairy on kidding Sunday. In March, there will be a lunch at the Carolina Brewery following worship on March 7. April’s event will be a brunch following the Easter worship service.
Communications. Stephanie announced that CITP now has an unpaid intern, Emma Clark, a UNC student who will be working with us to publicize events, improve communications and advertising, and improve our website.
Worship. Lay reader training was well attended. Jeremy Nabors will return this summer in time to go to Montreat with the group. This year, we will hold a community Ash Wednesday service at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Pittsboro, February 17, at 7:00 p.m.
Education. Wes provided a handout describing education opportunities. Attendance in adult classes and Wednesday Bible Study is good.
Fiduciary.
Finance/Administration/Budget (FAB). 2010 Proposed Budget. The committee compared projected revenues and expenses and developed a Challenge Budget for several committees. After making adjustments, the committee proposed a budget for 2010 of $253,790. The motion to adopt the budget, coming from committee, passed without dissent. A detailed budget will be distributed at the next Session meeting.
Building Planning Committee. Lynne brought two motions from the committee:
(1) to contract with the Presbyterian Capital Campaign Consultant, Ana Lugo, to conduct a capital campaign beginning in mid-March 2010, for $10,000, to come from the Building Fund;
(2) to approve working with WKWW, the church architect, to proceed with the "schematic" phase of design which will provide us with exterior elevations and floor plans, not to exceed $14,000, and paid from the Building Fund.
There was lengthy discussion about the details of Ms. Lugo’s contract. Lynne told the Session that Don Rourke, a regular visitor at CITP and an architect, has offered to help with some additional renderings. There was concern over the amount of money being paid for the services. Ed and Wes were particularly interested in knowing the details of the contracts. Lynne will ask Ford Heath or Jim Bond, both attorneys, to look over the contracts. She will also bring them to the Session before they are officially signed. Marcia Ladd called the question. Both motions passed without dissent. Lynne also reported that an application for a Walton Grant has been completed and sent to Presbytery for further action. We are looking into other small grants as well. Lynne also told the group that we are exploring the possibility of our own building team doing some of the church construction work in order to save money.
OLD BUSINESS
Nominating Committee. Chuck Rickard sent a report prior to the meeting. The following slate will be offered as the Nominating Committee at the February 14 Congregational Meeting: Phyllis Greene (deacon), Bill Dengler, Bart Holtz, Harriet McGraw (elder), and Chuck Richard (active elder, chair).
NEW BUSINESS
Annual Report. Mindy asked that the presentation of the 2009 Annual Report be added to the purposes for the March 28 congregational meeting. The request was moved, seconded, and passed.
February meeting of Salem Presbytery. Vicky Raymond was elected as Commissioner to the February 6, 2010 meeting in Salisbury.
The next Stated Session meeting will be February 8 at the Hoerter’s home. Jack Zollinger will give the devotion. No Called Session meeting is scheduled at this time.
Stephanie moved adjournment. The motion was seconded and passed. Following a time of silence, Mindy led a closing prayer and the meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Donna Pond, Clerk Mindy Douglas Adams, Moderator
Approved by Session February 8, 2010