September 18, 2017 Stated Session Meeting
Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church
Stated Session Meeting September 18, 2017
Attending: Ruling Elders Karen Atkins, Stan Campbell, Paul Isom, John McDowell, Terry Rudolph, Maggie Reif, Al Schalk, Teaching Elder Rev. Lynn Stall (moderator)
Absent: Lynne Hoerter, Marcia Ladd (clerk), Barbara Strange, Jerry Wehmueller (treasurer)
The meeting was called to order by Lynn Stall at 7:00 PM. Karen delivered the devotion, ending with a prayer. Pastoral concerns and celebrations were shared.
Approval of agenda and consent agenda
The agenda and consent agenda were approved by common consent. The consent agenda includes the following:
| Consent Agenda
A. Approval of session minutes – Stated meeting 8/21/17, email vote 9/4/17 B. Approval of congregational meeting minutes 9/17/17 C. Approval of committee minutes – Deacons 8/28/17, Building and Grounds 8/2/17, Worship 9/17/17, Finance and Administration 9/17/17, Stewardship 9/17/17, Mission and Service 9/4/17 C. Correspondence – Habitat invitation |
Ongoing Business – Order of the Day
Lynn introduced Mary Roodkowsky for membership by re-affirmation of faith. Mary took a few minutes to tell session about her faith journey. Session welcomed her into membership by common consent.
Pastor’s Report
Lynn indicated Lynne and Marcia were not in attendance because of PNC business. She talked about the success of the Hall 4 All event and the upcoming Strobilus Art Exhibit. She indicated CitP is a busy, exciting place to be.
Committee reports
Finance
Stan presented the August numbers, indicating the church is in OK financial shape and that the church is still in the black year to date, although expenses exceeded income last month by ~ $2000. The cash balance is $147k about $27k of which will be used through the end of the year to pay down the mortgage
Stan presented the following motion to session
Any committee or subcommittee who expects to overspend the approved budget for any budget year should bring the request to the finance committee for review, and then, if confirmed, present to Session for a vote.
The motion was amended to read
Any committee or subcommittee who expects to overspend the approved budget for any budget year should bring the request to the finance committee for approval, and then, if confirmed, present to Session for a vote.
The amended motion passed unanimously.
Stan also offered a motion on restricted funds to session
Restricted funds will be assigned to committees or sub-committees based on how they are designated: committees and sub-committees will make proposals to the finance committee on how they want to spend the funds and then, if confirmed, Session will receive it for a vote.
After minimal discussion, the motion passed unanimously.
Finally, Stan brought a motion from the Stewardship Subcommittee
That the Session approve the Stewardship campaign goal of $300,000 for the 2018 operating budget (which includes reinstating the DCE position to the staff for 12 full months and increases the amount budgeted for mortgage payments from $500 to $1,000 per month), plus $25,000 for one-time expenses related to the overlap of two months of the interim pastor and the new pastor as well as moving expenses for the new pastor, for a total of $325,000.
After discussion, the motion eventually passed unanimously.
Mission and Service
Maggie indicated that the local portion of the Peace and Global Witness offering would go to the Racial Equity Institute’s work in Chatham County. The committee also brought the following motion to session
to hold the Angel Tree Fundraiser for North Chatham Elementary School
The motion was approved by common consent.
Worship
Terry let session know that the Worship Committee had discussed having a space for children in worship during the church service. A table and chairs will be set up in the transept with coloring books and crayons for kids to work during the service. As adult will be assigned to the area to help the children, should a need arise. The committee will meet at the end of this calendar year to assess the efficacy of this programming
The committee also proposed the following motion
that on December 24th Chapel in the Pines have a 10:30 AM family friendly service for Advent 4 and the candlelight service at 6 PM.
There was little discussion, the motion passed unanimously.
Terry also indicated the committee had discussed setting luminaries along part of the way on Great Ridge Parkway, Karen will take the idea to Building and Grounds.
Ongoing Business
Lynn said Nana had asked for clarification on where the default venue should be for singing groups to perform. Since session has indicated that the sanctuary should be reserved to glorify God, she would like session’s will on whether that means the normal performance venue for non-spiritual singing performances should be the Fellowship Hall.
Session agreed that whenever there is a question about requests to use the Sanctuary of Fellowship Hall, Nana will forward them to session for a decision.
New Business
Lynn turned session’s attention to the Affirmation of Creation contained in the pre-meeting packet. It was approved by the General Assembly and passed onto all church councils for study, reflection and possible adoption. Stan moved
That Chapel in the Pines make the Affirmation of Creation available to be read on our web site and in the newsletter.
Paul seconded the motion, it passed unanimously.
Lord’s Supper, Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals
Since the previous stated meeting on August 21, the Lord’s Supper was celebrated once on September 3. There were no new members, baptisms, weddings or funerals at the church. However, Joe Hammond’s memorial service was held August 26 at Galloway Ridge and Liz and Mike Woods gave birth to a son, Joel Arthur Woods on August 28.
As the business of the meeting was concluded, Lynn closed with prayer at 8:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Ladd, Clerk
Approved session 10/16/17
Reminders:
1. Next stated session meeting October 16, 2017, Jerry Wehmueller has the devotion.
2. Strobilus Art Event September 22-24, Opening Night Reception September 22