March 11, 2013 Stated Session Meeting

Mindy Douglas called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Mary Donna Pond led the opening devotional based on the Christmas Eve sermon preached by Mindy Douglas.  Mary Donna led an opening prayer.

Several elders shared pastoral concerns.

Leadership Development.  The Session discussed the sixth chapter in Stanley Ott’s book, Twelve Dynamic Shifts for Transforming Your Church, "Shifts Concerning the Practice of Leadership."  The group agreed that inter-committee communication needs to be improved.

Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda:  The agenda was approved.  Items approved on the consent agenda were:

• Minutes of the Stated Session Meeting of February 11, 2013
• Membership Committee report on the annual review of the church rolls.
• Minutes of recent Building and Grounds Committee meetings and the Capital Campaign Planning Committee.
• Report from Communications committee
• Recommendations from Personnel Committee on changes to the Pastor’s Terms of Call.
• Correspondence.

Pastor’s Report.  Mindy shared her enthusiasm for the recent church clean-up day organized by the Building and Grounds Committee.  The Session asked the Clerk to write a letter of appreciation to the committee for a well-run and effective event.  Mindy also asked the Clerk to poll the Session members who will be continuing their term for the coming year to determine which committees they might like to work with.  Mindy shared her experience at the recent national NEXT Church conference and encouraged Session members to consider attending a future regional or national gathering of this group.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

FAB Committee.  Cindy brought a motion from FAB Committee to approve holding a Capital Campaign to begin in Spring 2013 to be completed by June 2013.  There was a good deal of discussion about possible projects to be added to the campaign, the major focus of which will be retiring the debt.  Bob stated he felt the congregation needs a lot of education regarding this campaign.  Session members were asked to convey to Cindy any capital projects their committees would like to have considered.  Several lead donors will be interviewed to determine what a feasible dollar goal for the campaign might be.  After such a determination is made, other items will be considered.  A report will be made at the next Session meeting.  The motion was passed unopposed.

There followed an extensive discussion about an outreach component for the campaign.  Mindy said the plan would include putting a statement in the campaign packet explaining why the campaign has an outreach component with an opt-out option at the bottom of the statement for those who do not want any of their capital gift used for outreach.  The Session was divided in their opinions on this matter.  There was also some objection to paving the parking lot and the Session discussed this matter as well.

OLD BUSINESS.  There was no old business to discuss.

NEW BUSINESS,

Cindy reported on the NEXT Church conference.  Lynne asked how NEXT Church is funded and Mindy responded that individuals and churches make gifts for the work of this group which is focused on how the church will continue to exist in the changing world we live in.

Rachel reported on the meeting of Salem Presbytery in Winston-Salem on February 12.  She was most impressed with how dissention was handled at the meeting.

Mindy asked for volunteers to serve as Commissioner at the May 4 Presbytery meeting and Cindy volunteered to serve.

Jerry reported that a few individuals have offered to make designated gifts for the purpose of clearing more parking space.  He moved that the Session approve receiving these designated gifts, Lynne seconded the motion, and it passed without dissent.

Bob said that he plans to bring to the Session in April some recommendations on implementing the environmental guidelines that were developed in 2009.

Reminders.

• Remember to pray for our church each day at noon.
• Read chapter 7 of Stanley Ott’s book, Twelve Dynamic Shifts for Transforming Your Church, for April Session meeting.
• Next Stated Session Meeting – April 8, 2013
• Presbytery meetings – Cindy will serve as commissioner to May 4, 2013 – location TBA

With no further business meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.  Mindy closed the meeting with prayer.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Donna Pond, Clerk of Session                  Approved by Session April 15, 2013