Stated Session Meeting December 16, 2019
Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church
Stated Session Meeting December 16, 2019 7 PM
Annual Joint Meeting of Deacons and Elders
Present: Barbara Amago, Pat Chappell, Keith Glidewell, Paul Harrell, Heather Honeycutt, Paul Isom, Marcia Ladd (Clerk), Braxton Malan, John McDowell, Mary Donna Pond, Bruce Raymond, Vicky Raymond, Mary Roodkowsky, Madeline Schalk, Barbara Strange, Andrew Taylor-Troutman (Moderator), Jerry Wehmueller (Treasurer), Sally Wehmueller
Excused Absence: Stan Campbell, Susie Park, Susie Smith, Vince Walker and Emily Williams
Meeting Time at 6:00 PM for social activities.
Andrew called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Paul Isom opened with a devotion and prayer.
John McDowell moved to approve the agenda, it was seconded and approved unanimously. Mary moved to approve the consent agenda, it was seconded and unanimously approved.
Consent Agenda-Please read these items in advance. They will be voted on as a group without discussion unless someone pulls a particular entry from the Consent Agenda
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- Approval of Session minutes-Stated meeting 11/18/19
- Approval of Committee Minutes – Deacons December 2019, Mission and Service 11/18/19, Personnel 11/21/19, Christian Education 12/9/19, Finance and Administration December Minutes
Correspondence – Karla Koll’s newsletter and World Mission request for funds, Thank you from Union Seminary, Thank you from CEDEPCA
Pastor’s Report Andrew said while Take and Eat Pantry is merging with CORA. He also indicated we would continue to take up First Fruits, indicating for the time they will go to CORA. He also said he was working with The Farm and CORA to try to establish a Food Pantry in northern Chatham County. We will continue with First Fruits and take them to CORA. He told session that Nana will be undergoing chemotherapy and working off hours for the better part of January. She is getting some back up office help in place during the day while she is undergoing treatment. Nana, depending on how she is feeling will come in at nights when nobody else is around. Susie Park came through her surgery very well
Treasurer’s
Monthly revenues for November increased 30% over last month to slightly over $34,000. The continuing pleasant surprise was the non-pledged revenues which are now 211% of budget with another month to go in the year. Unidentified cash donations known as open plate are also 43% over last year’s year to date level. As we have discussed before, these two types of donations are primarily driven by visitors and recent new members. The revenue from pledged donation still have a way to go to meet plan. Members who made pledges this year and have not completed their pledge are still $51,106 from making their pledge. I would expect next month’s pledged revenue would increase over this month as some members make their annual gift in December. Overall the annual revenue looks to be well over budget.
As mentioned last month, we should see a larger than normal surplus for the 2019 calendar year. As of the end of November we have a surplus for the year of a little more than $52,000. Although we may operate at a slight loss because of the M&S expense and gifts of appreciation, we should stay around the $50k surplus.
Mission and Service
Paul Harrell indicated his committee is sensitive to Salem Presbytery’s Financial situation and offered the following motion:
to prayerfully consider a contribution to Salem Presbytery in recognition of its support in the establishment of Chapel in the Pines.
There was consensus among the elders and quite frankly also the deacons that some amount of our surplus should go to Salem. The motion passed unanimously. Andrew also went on the record to say that 10% of the surplus should go to Mission and Service.
Finance and Administration
With Stan’s absence the motion concerning changes to the operations manual was tabled until the January meeting
Andrew indicated the Miltons have given a stained glass window to the church and offered the following motion:
Finance & Administration recommends the acceptance of a 19”x20” stained glass wall hanging from the Milton family and that the Worship Committee consider its placement in the pastor’s study.
After very little discussion, the motion passed unanimously.
The business of the meeting being finished, Andrew closed the meeting in prayer at 7:15PM.
Lord’s Supper, Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals
Since the last stated meeting on November 18, 2019 the Lord’s Supper was performed on November 25 and December 9 in Open Spaces and December 1 in worship. There was one new member, Sue Ellen Holeman joined 12/8/19. There were no memorial services, baptisms or weddings.
Respectfully submitted
Marcia Ladd, Clerk
Approved session 1/27/2020