June 11, 2012 Stated Session Meeting
Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church
Stated Session Meeting: June 11, 2012 – CitP Adult SS classroom
Attending: Elders Lynne Hoerter, Forrest Johnson, Cindy Massey, John Walkup, Jeff Morehouse, Tina Stark, Bob Warren, Jerry Wehmueller and the Rev. Mindy Douglas (Moderator). Excused: Rachel Stevens
The meeting was called to order with a prayer by Mindy Douglas at 6:30 p.m. Lynne led the opening devotion with a reading of Mark 4:38 ending with prayer.
Approval of Agenda, Consent Agenda, Pastoral Concerns: Items on the consent agenda were:
a. Elect Lynne Hoerter as Acting Clerk
b. Approval of Agenda
c. Approval of Minutes: Stated Session Meeting May 12, 2012, Called Session Meeting May 13, 2012
d. Correspondence
e. Resolutions of Appreciation for Marcia Ladd, Michelle Morehouse and Vicky Raymond
Mindy asked to remove Vicky Raymond Resolution from the consent agenda. The consent agenda was approved by common consent.
Pastoral concerns and celebrations were shared.
Board of Trustees: The Board of Trustees meeting was called to order by Mindy, in Marcia’s absence. The following new officers were elected for a term of one year: President – Jeff Morehouse; Vice President – Bob Warren; Secretary – Mary Donna Pond; Treasurer – Cindy Massey. All were elected unanimously.
Pastor‘s Report: Mindy recommended the meeting time for session meetings be moved from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. to allow session members time to arrive from work. It was agreed to by common consent. Mindy reported she will be in Louisville for the day on Tuesday to speak to the need for continuing financial support for the 10 Presbyterian seminaries, in particular, the seminary located in Atlanta.
Mindy requested that elders be notified of future called session meetings by a separate email.
Mindy reviewed details of Antonine Sharpless’s baptism last Sunday.
Mindy clarified the procedure for placing items on the agenda for session meetings. Action items coming from a committee will require no second. The action item should be sent to Mary Donna via email, preferably a week prior to the session meeting. The rationale behind the action item should be included. Individual session members may make a motion which would require a second. Any motion may be amended.
Committee Reports: There were no committee reports or action items presented.
Other Reports;
A. Loan Financing and Construction Cost Report
Jerry reported he believes we now have 20% invested with PILP. He also stated we have about 8 months of mortgage payments in hand.
Jerry and Cindy agreed a high level financial plan should be put in place for the remainder of 2012, to be presented at another meeting. CitP has $8000 excess of revenue over expenses year through May. The plan is to use $26,000 in operating reserves if needed for the remainder of the year.
Old Business:
A. Manual of Operations Task Force
The M of O task force brought three motions.
1. The first motion to place a four consecutive year limit for service as an elder or deacon was not approved.
2. The second motion stipulated that a position as an elder or deacon was vacated for any reason, the position may remain vacant until the next scheduled election of officers. This motion was approved.
3. The third motion regarding the annual election of a clerk was sent back to committee for revision. John made the motion and Jeff seconded. The motion to send back to committee was unanimously approved.
B. Minor revision of CitP Mission Statement.
- The motion to delete the words "with a two fold purpose" was made by Jeff and Forrest seconded the motion. The motion passed.
- John Walkup suggested the entire Mission Statement should be rewritten. John may present a rewritten mission statement at a later time.
New Business:
a.) Transfer of membership request – Chrissie Beh to First, Burlington
John moved we approve the request, Jerry seconded and it was unanimously approved.
b.) Friends of Christ School for Christian Spirituality
Mindy brought news of program on spirituality being created by a local group of pastors and churches. They were requesting use of our space on a weekly basis and asking CitP to act as a sponsor and be listed as such on their brochure. Forrest moved and Tina seconded a motion to send the request to the Education Committee for review and recommendation. The vote on the motion was unanimous.
c.) Annual election of Clerk of Session
Forrest moved and Bob seconded the nomination of Mary Donna Pond for a one year term as clerk. (Mary Donna had previously indicated a willingness to serve.) The motion was unanimously passed.
d.) Elect Commissioner to July 17th Presbytery Meeting at 1st Presbyterian Church of Salisbury
John moved and Cindy seconded the motion to elect Jerry Wehmueller as commissioner. The motion passed. Jeff agreed to serve as back-up.
e.) Set date for annual Officer Retreat – November 16 – 17 at Chapel in the Pines. The retreat will begin Friday evening with dinner (possibly to be provided by John and Susan Walkup). Dinner will be followed by a two hour meeting. The retreat will resume Saturday morning and conclude about 3:30 p.m.
Mindy announced she will be attending General Assembly in Pittsburgh from July 1 to July 6. Video will be streamed during the meeting.
Mindy suggested the resolution for Vicky Raymond will be revised to state Vicky was head of the Worship Quad rather than the Worship Committee as stated in the resolution. A motion was made for Forrest and seconded by Cindy to approve the change. The change was approved.
Jeff conveyed a request that the list of elders be printed in the bulletin every Sunday. Mindy suggested when space is available in the bulletin it could be included.
The next Stated Session meeting will be July 9th at 7:00 p.m. at the church. Forrest Johnson will give the devotion.
Jeff moved to adjourn. Mindy closed the meeting with prayer and the meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lynne Hoerter, Acting Clerk
Approved by Session August 6, 2012