SESSION MINUTES
STATED MEETING JANUARY 18, 2007
The Session of the First Presbyterian Church,
Elders
present were Larry Davis, Pat Davitt, Charles Morgan, Richard Sexton, Fran
Keasler, Billie Ford, Don Johnson, Lynn Jackson, Dr. David Williams, and
Moderator Reverend Dianne Brown. Elders with excused absences were Sheila
Moore, Carla Lacy, and Sandra Holmes. Also present were Clerk Stacy Cogbill,
Treasurer Lary Walker, Diaconate Moderator Kevin Thompson, Music Director Bryan
Bierbaum, Youth/Education Director Jane Portis, and Administrative Assistant
Patricia Thomas.
Reverend
Brown called the meeting to order, declared a quorum present, and gave the
opening prayer.
She
also welcomed new session members Larry Davis, Pat Davitt, and Charles Morgan.
The Session reviewed minutes from a Stated Meeting of December 14, 2006, a Congregational Meeting of December 17, 2006, and a Special Meeting of December 24, 2006.
MOTION
- was made by Don Johnson and seconded
by Charles Morgan to approve the
minutes. The motion passed.
DIACONATE REPORT – Kevin Thompson
Mr. Thompson gave the Session the following report:
*Andrew Gloster is the new moderator of the
new moderator of the Congregational Care Committee.
*The Diaconate is focusing on being more involved in the church and community by developing Monthly
Out.
*The “Souper” Bowl Sunday is to be February 4 and The Easter Egg Hunt is to be Saturday, April 7.
*Mr. Thompson asked to be notified when there is a Session meeting in which a new member is received.
TREASURER’S REPORT – Lary
Mr.
Walker gave the Session financial reports for the period ending December 31,
2006. The Analysis of Bank Accounts showed the following balances: Operating
Account - $95,498.00; Money Market Account - $137,390.00; Music Account -
$7,381.00. The Profit and Loss Statement showed a net profit for the year of
$12,112.86. The net profit for the same period ending 2005 was shown at
$27,165.86.
CORRESPONDENCE TO THE CLERK – Stacy Cogbill
The
Clerk presented an application for a wedding date and use of the church from
Elizabeth Williams, daughter of Dr. and Ms. David Williams. The rehearsal is
scheduled for July 27, 2007, and the wedding is to be July 28, 2007.
MOTION
- was made by Billie Ford and seconded
by Lynn Jackson to approve the wedding
application from Elizabeth Williams. The motion passed.
Mr.
Cogbill read a letter from Reverend Brown thanking the Session for her
anniversary gift. Reverend Brown has been the minister of our church for five
years.
Mr.
Cogbill read a letter from Elder Sandra Holmes in which she tendered her
resignation from the Session. In the
letter Ms. Holmes said that her resignation was due to unforeseen
circumstances.
MOTION
- was made by Richard Sexton and
seconded by Charles Morgan to accept Ms.
Holmes’ resignation with regret. The motion passed.
PASTOR’S REPORT – Reverend Dianne Brown
Reverend Brown said the Annual Meeting would be following the Family Night Supper, Wednesday, January 31, 2007. The committee moderators from 2006 will be giving the reports.
She also reported that the Malcolm Lecture Series would be March 3 and 4, 2007, and that the speaker for the series will be Reverend Ted Wardlaw, President of Austin Theological Seminary.
Reverend Brown gave the Session the following dates on which she will be out of the office:
*January 29 and 30 – Continuing Education in
*February 12 and 13 – Board of Trustees Meeting -
*April 27 and 28 – Minister at wedding for a nephew.
Reverend Brown also informed the Session that she had been chosen to be the Moderator of the Presbytery Committee on Ministry.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE – Fran Keasler
No Report
STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE – Dr. Larry Davis
No Report
EVANGELISM COMMITTEE – Lynn Jackson
The committee will meet Wednesday, January 24, 2007. No other report.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
COMMITTEE
Jane Portis reported for the committee. She said that the group met on January 3, 2007, and approved Anne Douglas and Cynthia Walker to be Vacation Bible School Co-Directors for this year. She recommended that the Session concur.
MOTION - was made by Fran Keasler and seconded by Billie Ford to approve Anne
Douglas
and Cynthia Walker as Co-Directors for
2007. The motion passed.
Ms. Portis said that recent Youth Group activities have included work at the Randy Sams Shelter, participation in Polar Thang, and a trip to a local bowling alley.
PROPERTY COMMITTEE – Don Johnson
Mr. Johnson said the committee met on January 8, 2007, and discussed several items, including the 2007 budget for the committee.
The following items were discussed at the Session meeting:
*Agreement for Mr. Johnson to use his discretion in disposing of two stoves, a Risograph Machine, and
all light fixtures that had been removed and replaced in the renovation project.
*That Mullins Courts (apartment complex near the church) is being renovated and that the tenants would
be parking near the church property.
*That guidelines for the purchase of fuel for the church bus are needed. The Stewardship Committee will
draft the guidelines and present them at the next Session meeting.
*That roofing contractor John Wright is working on all the leaks on the church buildings.
WORSHIP COMMITTEE
Music Director Bryan Bierbaum said that the dates for the Children’s Choir Festival would be changed from October 19 and 20, to October 26 and 27, 2007.
Mr. Bierbaum said that three octaves of the hand bells were in need of refurbishing at a cost of $3,025.00 and he proposed the following plan:
(1) To have this work done.
(2) To seek funds from donations for the project.
(3) To use money from the Music Fund to supplement the cost of the work on the hand bells if the
donations fall short.
MOTION - was made by Charles Morgan and seconded by Lynn Jackson to approve the plan
for the refurbishing of the three octaves of the hand bells. The motion passed.
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE – Charles Morgan
No Report
ACCEPTANCE OF
REPORTS
MOTION - was made by Richard Sexton and seconded by Billie Ford to accept all committee
reports. The motion passed.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
Reverend Brown said that the Session needed to elect a Commissioner
to the February 16 and 17, 2007, meeting of Presbytery to be held in
MOTION - was made by Billie Ford and seconded by Don Johnson to elect Elder Charles
Morgan to be the Commissioner to the Presbytery Meeting. The motion passed.
ADJOURNMENT
Reverend Brown closed the meeting with prayer.
Reverend Dianne Brown, Moderator
Stacy Cogbill, Clerk of Session