May 12, 2014 Stated Session Meeting
Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church
Stated Session Meeting, Monday May 12, 2014 – Narthex
Attending: Ruling elders Monty Brekke, Cindy Massey, Stephanie Miller, Jeff Morehouse, Tina Stark, Rachel Stevens, John Walkup, Bob Warren, Marcia Ladd (acting clerk), Jerry Wehmueller (treasurer), and teaching elder Rev. Mindy Douglas (moderator)
Excused: Fred Royal
Guests: Heather Bogan, Kristin Lavergne, Libby Boehne
The meeting was called to order by Mindy Douglas at 7:00 p.m. Jerry Wehmueller led the opening devotion, ending with prayer. Concerns and celebrations were shared.
Marcia Ladd was elected acting clerk.
Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
It was moved and seconded that the agenda be approved as revised. The consent agenda was approved as follows:
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Proposed change to the policies and procedures operations manual
The Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church Endowment Fund was approved and established by the session on April 21, 2014.
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Approval of minutes: stated session meeting April 21, 2014; May 4, 2014 congregational meeting.
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Committee minutes – Building and Grounds, Personnel, Adult Education
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Receiving biography of Barbara Styers and approving her as intern for the summer
Libby Boehne came before session, discussed her faith journey and her desire to move forward to the Inquirer’s phase toward ordination. The motion was made and seconded to recommend Libby to Salem Presbytery to move forward in the inquiry phase. The motion was unanimously approved. Mindy asked for a volunteer to serve as liaison between Chapel in the Pines and Libby as she goes through the process potentially including ordination. Heather Bogan volunteered to serve as liaison. Heather and Mindy will work together to complete the form for the Presbytery – "Session Evaluation and Recommendation Regarding Enrollment as an Inquirer."
Leadership Development: Each ruling elder was asked to bring three things about which they were intrigued with the survey results. There was much discussion with some tentative conclusions reached specifically regarding sharing the results with the congregation. Mindy asked that each committee discuss the results in depth and return to session with any recommendations.
Pastor’s Report
Mindy took the opportunity to thank departing ruling elders Cindy Massey, Rachel Stevens and John Walkup for their dedicated service over the past three years. She also offered a special thanks to Mary Donna Pond for her eight years of service as Clerk. Mindy indicated her intensive week at Duke will start Monday, May 19.
Committee Reports
I. Finance and Administration
A. Treasurer’s report. Jerry reported that he had not received the income numbers for the month from the bookkeeper. He indicated that year to date we are down $3-4k from last year’s budget which calls for a $7k overage YTD. Nevertheless, Jerry is cautiously optimistic. Application has been submitted with the Presbyterian Foundation to implement online giving which will be accessed through the church’s web site. Several noted the need to introduce online giving clearly to the congregation so that all will understand how to use it.
II. Building and Grounds
A. In Fred’s absence Jerry reported that AT&T has been given permission to conduct a preliminary study regarding the rental of approximately 10,000 square feet of church property to locate a cell tower. Jerry understands that AT&T was told to evaluate the "back of the property" for such a use. It is his further understanding that the company wants to "move quickly," and that the tower will be approximately 190 feet tall. The revenue stream is unknown at this time. The session will hold further discussion pending notification of AT&T’s desire to move forward.
III. Outreach
A. Monty introduced the motion from the committee – To release $5,000 as a direct gift from the 2010-2012 capital campaign to UNC Center for Excellence in Community Mental Health to be used toward the purchase of a mobile health care unit. There was limited discussion. The motion carried unanimously.
B. Monty introduced a motion to designate Chatham County Together as the local beneficiary of the 2014 Pentecost Offering. Mindy indicated the focus of this denominational offering is helping at risk children. The motion carried unanimously.
Other Reports
I. Committee Evaluation Team Report – Rachel encouraged committees to fill out their reports and return them to the task force.
II. Strategic Planning Task Force – John Walkup reported that Bob Hoerter is chairing this task force, and that the committee is reviewing recent survey results at this time.
New Business
I. John Walkup offered to attend the May 17 meeting of Salem Presbytery at Bethany Presbyterian Church in Graham, NC. A motion was made and seconded to elect him as commissioner. At this meeting John will also receive the check from the Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program (PILP) representative Catherine Lynch. The check is an interest rebate we receive because of congregation members and friends who have invested in the PILP.
OLD BUSINESS
I. Personnel Report – Rachel shared Mindy’s complete terms of call with the session. The personnel committee feels the issue has been sufficiently discussed and vetted with comparables. Their conclusion (and Mindy’s) is that the package is fair as it stands.
NEW BUSINESS
The next stated session meeting will be June 9th at 7pm.
There being no more business the meeting was adjourned with prayer by Mindy at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia L Ladd, Acting clerk
Approved by session 6/9/14
Reminders:
Remember to pray for our church each day at noon.
Next stated session meeting – Monday June 9, 7PM CITP
Presbytery meeting May 17 Bethany PC, Graham
Send notes to Mitzi to put in bibles going to our graduates
May 18 – hymnal dedication
May 25 CITP Presbyterian Foundation luncheon following church
June 8 – Pentecost/Officer Ordination & Installation