November 11, 2013 Stated Session meeting
Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church
Stated Session Meeting: November 11, 2013 – Adult Classroom
Attending: Ruling Elders Monty Brekke, Cindy Massey, Jeff Morehouse, Fred Royal, Rachel Stevens, Bob Warren, Mary Donna Pond (Clerk), and Teaching Elder Rev. Mindy Douglas (Moderator). Excused absence: Stephanie Miller, Tina Stark, John Walkup, Jerry Wehmueller (Treasurer)
Mindy Douglas called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Fred led the devotion using the evening Psalm reading from the daily lectionary and closed with prayer.
Pastoral concerns and celebrations were shared.
Leadership Development. Rachel continued her guidance of the Session in thinking about evaluation. She created a new document combining the summary from the retreat and assignments for each task as well as overall suggestions for all church committees. She asked that within the coming weeks, every committee undergo an evaluation of its goals, activities, and accomplishments. A worksheet with suggested steps for evaluation was shared. Mindy is assembling a small group of people from within the congregation who will be available to assist with evaluations if needed.
Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda: The agenda was approved with the addition of one New Business item – Approve serving communion at Officer Retreat. Items approved on the consent agenda were:
a. Approval of Minutes: Stated Session Meeting 10-14-13
b. Building and Grounds Committee meeting minutes 10-22-13 – information only
Pastor’s Report. Mindy celebrated recent worship services – Reformation Sunday, All Saints, and guest preacher Christine Hong. She also celebrated the work of Eagle Scout Will Hamilton on the trail and Ebenezer installation. Her semester of D.Min. classes and work have ended.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
FAB Committee. A written Treasurer’s Report was in the Session Packet. In Jerry’s absence, Mindy and Cindy summarized the report, noting that we are on track financially, and a little ahead of projections on revenue.
Cindy offered a motion for approval to use the Consecration Sunday model for stewardship. She answered questions about the timing of the campaign, what will happen between now and the campaign, and the particulars of the procedure. Several people asked about the relationship between the budget and the stewardship campaign. Cindy responded that this model focuses on what God is calling the giver to contribution rather than asking the congregation to fund a particular budget. Following the campaign, the budget can be developed and approved. After this initial Consecration Sunday to be held in late winter, it is expected campaigns will again be held in the fall. A vote was taken and use of the model was approved without dissent.
Mindy reminded committees to submit any budget requests to Jerry so that he may incorporate them into the budget planning process for 2014.
Outreach. Monty addressed two motions tabled at the October meeting. The first motion, to approve another fund raiser for Eridson Ramirez, was again tabled. The second motion, to approve the sale of Usborne books by Katherine Brekke with proceeds going to Take and Read, was discussed. The Session approved the sale of the books on two Sundays; Monty abstained. Rachel suggested that Session guidelines be drawn up to help in making decisions about what fund raisers to hold, how often, etc. The Outreach Committee will take up this matter with input from Jerry as Treasurer.
A request for use of Outreach-designated Capital Campaign Funds was made too late for Outreach Committee consideration. The Committee will take up that request at its next meeting.
Communications. Bob reported that he has begun investigating the uses of Access ACS, a computer-based program that would allow members access to the data in the church database including their own personal information (address, phone, email), their personal contribution record, church directories, small groups, events, etc. The program would also afford the opportunity for online giving. Some costs would be involved in online giving, but the other features would not involve any additional expense. Jeff requested that consideration be given to synchronizing login access to our website and Access ACS and integrating the two for easier use.
OTHER REPORTS
Presbytery Meeting Reports. Fred reported on the August Presbytery meeting. It was his first experience at a Presbytery meeting and he spent much of the time just taking it all in and absorbing the work done there. Neither Jeff nor Mindy was able to attend the November 9 Presbytery meeting.
OLD BUSINESS
Presbyterian Campus Ministry Representative. Will Sibert has agreed to serve as liaison. The Session approved him for this role with gratitude.
Officer Retreat. Mindy reported that Brett Webb-Mitchell will lead our retreat which will focus on the topic of pilgrimage.
NEW BUSINESS
The item “Theological Education Fund request” was removed from the agenda.
Consideration of change in date/time of Stated Session meeting. The Clerk was asked to do a survey of Session members to determine if a better time could be found for Stated meetings.
Communion Served at Officer Retreat. Jeff moved that the Session approve the serving of Communion at the officer retreat November 15-16. Fred seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Reminders: Mindy noted the following reminders –
Remember to pray for our church each day at noon.
Called Session meeting to receive new members – November 17, 2013, 9:15 a.m.
Annual Officer Retreat – November 15-16, 2013
Next Stated Session Meeting – Monday, December 9, 2013
Submit committee report for 2013 Annual Report
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Mindy closed the meeting with prayer.
Respectfully submitted, Mary Donna Pond, Clerk of Session – Approved by Session Dec. 9, 2013