November 17, 2014, Stated Session Meeting
Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church
Stated Session Meeting, November 17, 2014, Narthex
Attending: Ruling Elders Heather Bogan (acting Clerk), Monty Brekke, Kristin Lavergne, Stephanie Miller, Jeff Morehouse, Fred Royal, Butch Smith, Bob Warren, Jerry Wehmueller (Treasurer), Tina Stark (via telephone) and Teaching Elder Rev. Mindy Douglas (Moderator)
Absent Elders: Marcia Ladd (Clerk)
Guests: Nathan Kotecki
The meeting was called to order by Mindy Douglas at 7:00 p.m. Fred Royal led the opening devotion, ending with prayer. Concerns and celebrations were shared.
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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Approval of minutes: Stated session meeting 10/20/14
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Committee minutes for info – Building and Grounds 10/21, 11/4; Children And Youth October
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Correspondence – Mary Donna Web Site Password
Pastor’s Report. Mindy reported.
Libby Boehne has requested assistance with costs for required testing associated with the inquiry phase of the ordination process–$695 (Salem Presbytery pays the other portion of the costs). We are her home church, and it is customary for home church to assist in paying these fees, which are often out of reach for those in the ordination process. Stephanie put forth a motion that Session support Mindy’s use of pastoral discretionary funds to pay $695 for Libby’s testing costs; Kristin seconded. Motion passed.
Committee Reports
Building and Grounds.
Fred presented motion on removing wall hangings in order to be in compliance with fire code regulations; however, we don’t need a procedural motion to implement this action to be compliant. Building and grounds committee will ensure that current and future wall hangings are and will be compliant based on current understanding of the code: for those hangings that will be removed, the committee will determine an appropriate storage plan. Fred is going to send everyone a copy of the code for their review and information.
Finance and Administration.
Jerry went over the October numbers. We will prepare special messaging to encourage pledged giving, and we will acknowledge the change in timing with Stewardship this year.
We will also prepare special email for Amazon-Smiles opportunity to congregation this week.
Stewardship-78-9 pledges are in. 72 total $228k. We are working on closing the gap, and we feel confident that we can exceed last year’s pledged giving.
Audit came back clean-and a very thorough job was done by two congregants, Josh Ladd and Forrest Johnson.
The session requested that the committee document the location and number of extra chairs which are being stored in people’s homes.
The session received word that University Presbyterian Church chose to provide grants to other requests and would be unable to provide grant funds for our request for picnic tables for the playground.
Children and Youth
After-school task force report-The task force, made up of Stephanie Miller, Barbara Strange, and Phyllis Greene wrote a detailed recommendation to turn down proposal that CITP serve as the host site for the after school program currently operating at Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church by Tabatha and Josh Steed. Stephanie moved that we contact the Steeds and let them know that given our size and resources, CITP will not be able to serve as host site for after-school program; Jeff seconded. Motion passed. Mindy will communicate to the applicants.
Other Reports
OLD BUSINESS
Strobilus report-Nathan Kotecki was invited to share with the session a report on the newly implemented Strobilus Music Series. He reported that, after three concerts, the series is doing well; attendance has been good and engagement is strong. He will be seeking ways to improve targeted outreach to residential neighborhoods and is still tweaking the audio technology. Due to lack of evident need, the child care may be eliminated. Usage has not proven to merit the $60 cost. Many attendees (around 20%) are coming to CITP for the first time.
In response to a question about people taking coffee into the sanctuary, Nathan was informed that there are no restrictions on bringing beverages/food in the sanctuary.
Nathan reported that he would like to change the allocations of donations for performers outside of the triangle. These performers will receive 60% of donations given to help defray their travel expenses. 15% will return to CITP for overhead costs and 25% will be used for program costs (local performers receive a 50% cut, with 25% going to overhead costs and 25% back to the program costs.
Nathan announced the performers for the spring series (see attached).
In addition to the music programming, Nathan will be presenting a proposal to add visual art at some point to the music series.
Presbytery report-Stephanie and Mindy represented CITP in Wilkesboro. Stephanie reported on several presentations about exciting ministries in Hispanic churches and college students going on in the presbytery. She shared that First Presbyterian Church in Winston-Salem had asked to leave the denomination and join the ECO denomination, a new evangelical break-off group from the PC (USA).
NEW BUSINESS
We scheduled a congregational meeting for December 14, 2014 for the purpose of electing members of the nominating committee. Stephanie made the motion; Jeff seconded. Motion passed.
The next Stated Session meeting will be December 15 at 7pm. Heather Bogan will lead the devotion.
Mindy led a closing prayer and the meeting was adjourned at 8:44 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Heather Bogan, acting Clerk
Approved session 12/15/14
Reminders:
Remember to pray for our church each day at noon.
Next Stated session meeting December 15 pm-Heather has devotion
Next called meeting is December 14, to receive new members
Holiday party December 14