October 14, 2013 Stated Session Meeting

Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church
Stated Session Meeting: October 14, 2013 – Adult Classroom

Attending: Ruling Elders Cindy Massey, Stephanie Miller, Jeff Morehouse, Tina Stark, Rachel Stevens, John Walkup, Bob Warren, Jerry Wehmueller (Treasurer) Mary Donna Pond (Clerk), and Teaching Elder Rev. Mindy Douglas (Moderator). Excused absence: Monty Brekke, Fred Royal

 

Mindy Douglas called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Mary Donna led the devotion using readings from Galatians and Dietrich Bonhoeffer about self and service.

Pastoral concerns and celebrations were shared.

Leadership Development. Rachel continued her guidance of the Session in thinking about evaluation. She recommended that every committee have goals and that they annually evaluate progress on the goals. She suggested that there are resources among those in the congregation that would be useful in such evaluations.

Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda: The agenda was approved with the removal of one item (New Business-C). Items approved on the consent agenda were:
a. Approval of Minutes: Stated Session Meeting 09-09-13; Called Session Meeting 09-29-13
b. Receipt of Proposal to UPC Endowment Fund – information only
c. Receipt of Adult Education Committee report – information only
d. Correspondence

Pastor’s Report. Mindy reported that she has enjoyed preaching on Jeremiah. D.Min. classes for the semester are ending and papers are due soon. She has found much of her studies relevant to her ministry. Libby Boehne, Duke Divinity School Intern, is on board and settling in.

COMMITTEE REPORTS
FAB Committee. A written Treasurer’s Report was in the Session Packet. The report was accepted. Cindy explained a new approach to stewardship that is being considered. After several questions, Jeff sent a link about the Consecration Sunday program to Session members. Jerry offered to loan copies of a book with additional information. This stewardship model emphasizes giving as a part of one’s spiritual life, and not simply budget-based. A motion to approve the committee moving forward with consideration of this model was approved without dissent.

Worship. Stephanie brought two motions from the committee requesting revisions to the Wedding Guidelines.
Motion: that the wedding guidelines submitted in the Session package be approved with two changes. Strike the word baptized, in section 5, graf 2 in the last sentence. Strike the word existing in section 7, graf 2 in line 5. She explained that the changes make the guidelines more welcoming and inclusive. The motion was approved unopposed.
Motion: that the wedding applications submitted in the Session package be approved with one change in both versions. Remove all references to flowers under the approval box. This motion was also approved without dissent.
Stephanie pointed out one change in the minutes of the Worship Committee meeting that were in the Session packet involving the number of hymnals for which funding is needed in that the minutes over-stated that number and less funding is actually required. With that change, the minutes were accepted without objection.

Outreach. In Monty’s absence, Jeff brought two motions from the Outreach Committee, both involving fund raising. Following some discussion about the extraordinary number of fund raising requests being made, both motions were tabled until the next meeting so that Monty could clarify and answer several questions. Stephanie asked specifically that the Session be advised what other fund raising is being done for Eridson Ramirez. It was also suggested that in the future, such requests as the one for the book fair be rolled into the Alternative Gift Market.

Building and Grounds. In Fred’s absence, Jerry brought a motion from the committee granting permission for Will Hamilton, Boy Scout working on a project to earn the Eagle Scout honor, to make a presentation about his project and to request donations to help cover its cost, approximately $600, some of which has already been raised. Following brief discussion, the vote carried with one dissent and one abstention.

Jerry brought a second motion from the committee to allow overspending the budget by $337 for materials to use for driveway/entrance improvements. Cindy asked if B&G anticipated any more expenses this year. Jerry responded that none is anticipated, but there are always unknowns. This motion passed unopposed. Jerry also reported that we will soon be able to return our sign to Manns Chapel Road. The small sign previously at our driveway will be returned there. The report was accepted.

Membership/Fellowship. John reported that he is working with the Outreach Committee in a combined effort to produce a quality post card mailing before the holidays.

John brought a motion from his committees to ask the congregation to approve 3 additional Ruling Elders to the Session. The rationale for the motion was to increase the number of committees from the current 10 to 12, adding an Evangelism committee and perhaps a Strategic Planning Committee, with a Session member chairing each committee. Bob suggested that perhaps establishing a Board of Trustees to take over the building responsibilities would be an alternate solution. Rachel suggested that the Session use the previously discussed evaluation process to determine if the current committee structure needs revising prior to growing the number of Session members. Others voiced concern over volunteer fatigue and the ability to elect an additional 3 people. It was suggested that the number of Deacons serving on the Board of Deacons might be reduced, thus maintaining the number of ordained officers but shifting the numbers. A vote was called and the motion was defeated.

John ended his report with an update on the work being done to create a new church logo. The report was accepted.

OLD BUSINESS
Presbyterian Campus Ministry Representative. Jeff and Rachel have asked Keith Glidewell to consider this but he has not yet accepted. They will continue to work on this appointment.

NEW BUSINESS
Session Retreat Follow-up. A motion to accept the report Rachel produced was made and passed. John moved to allow Jeff to continue assisting the Session in the effort to prioritize the recommendations made in the report and move ahead with them. The motion was seconded and passed.
Trello. Jeff demonstrated the use of a computer tool, Trello, to track the progress on tasks.

Commissioner to November Presbytery meeting. Jeff volunteered and was appointed as Commissioner to the November 9 Presbytery meeting.

Reminders: Mindy noted the following reminders –

Remember to pray for our church each day at noon.
Annual Officer Retreat – November 15-16, 2013
Next Stated Session Meeting – Monday, November 11, 2013
Presbytery meeting – Saturday, November 9, Prospect Presbyterian Church in Mooresville
Begin working on committee report for 2013 Annual Report.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m. Mindy closed the meeting with prayer.

Respectfully submitted,

 

Mary Donna Pond, Clerk of Session

Approved by Session November 11, 2013