SESSION MINUTES

STATED MEETING MARCH 22, 2007

 

The Session of the First Presbyterian Church, Texarkana, Arkansas met in a Stated Meeting on Thursday, March 22, 2007, at 5:00 p.m. in the Library/Session Room.

 

Elders present were Larry Davis, Pat Davitt, Charles Morgan, Fran Keasler, Billie Ford, Carla Lacy, Sheila Moore, Don Johnson, Lynn Jackson, and Moderator Reverend Dianne Brown. Elders with excused absences were Martha Nell Richards, Richard Sexton, and David Williams. Also present were Treasurer Lary Walker, Diaconate Moderator Kevin Thompson, Music Director Bryan Bierbaum, Youth/Education Director Jane Portis, Administrative Assistant Patricia Thomas, and Clerk Stacy Cogbill.

 

Reverend Brown called the meeting to order and declared a quorum present. Dr. Larry Davis gave the opening prayer. Reverend Brown then presented a brief devotional with scripture readings.

 

MINUTES

 

The Session reviewed minutes from the Stated Meeting of February 15, 2007, a Congregational Meeting of February 25, 2007, and a Special Meeting of March 4, 2007.

 

            MOTION -     was made by Don Johnson and seconded by Charles Morgan to approve the

                                    minutes. The motion passed.

 

DIACONATE REPORT – Kevin Thompson

 

Mr. Thompson said that the Deacons were finishing their March Mission Activities with work on the Randy Sams Food Drive. He said that the April activities include collecting toiletries to be donated to the female youth at the Juvenile Detention Center and the May activities would include preparation for the Annual Senior Graduate Breakfast.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT – Lary Walker

 

The Session was given financial reports through the period ending February 28, 2007. The various accounts showed the following balances:

Operating Account -                             $  98,579.00

Money Market Account -                     $136,884.00

Music Account -                                   $    7,435.00

Total of all accounts      -                       $242,898.00

Profit and Loss Statement -                   $-15,752.29

 

Mr. Walker answered questions concerning the church finances and made comments about several items.

 

CORRESPONDENCE TO THE CLERK – Stacy Cogbill

 

Mr. Cogbill said that member Julie Borowitz had joined First Baptist Church Moores Lane and needed to be transferred from our roll.

 

            MOTION -     was made by Charles Morgan and seconded by Larry Davis to approve the transfer

                                    of membership for Julie Borowitz. The motion passed.

 

The Session was informed of a donation to the church of a large crystal punch bowl with matching torte plate and cups. The gift was from Dick and Julie Hall. The Clerk was directed to write a “thank you” letter to the Halls.

 

The Clerk noted that member Dr. William Thornhill died on March 15, 2007, and would be buried in his hometown of Pulaski, Virginia. 

 

PASTOR’S REPORT – Reverend Dianne Brown

 

Reverend Brown said that the confirmands were ready to meet with the Session. The date and time for the meeting was set for Wednesday, March 28, 2007, at 5:30 p.m. in the Session Room. The confirmands are Claire Norton, Greer Veon, and Alan Burns. 

 

Due to a conflict in the schedule, Reverend Brown asked that the April Session Meeting be changed to the 26th rather than the 19th of April. The Session concurred.

 

NOMINATING  – Fran Keasler

 

No Report

 

STEWARDSHIP REPORT – Dr. Larry Davis

 

No Report

 

EVANGELISM COMMITTEE – Lynn Jackson

 

Ms. Jackson said the church would renew our ad in the “Newcomers Guide” and that the committee decided to try a year with the “Welcome New Neighbor” mailings.

 

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE – Sheila Moore

 

Ms. Moore said that the “One Great Hour of Sharing” offering will be received on Easter Sunday, April 8, 2007.

 

Ms. Moore gave the Session a copy of the new Sunday School and Nursery Room Guidelines. She reviewed and answered questions about the new guidelines.  A copy of the guidelines is attached to these minutes.

 

            MOTION -     was made by Sheila Moore to approve the new Sunday School and Nursery Room

                                    Guidelines. The motion passed.

 

PROPERTY COMMITTEE – Don Johnson

 

Mr. Johnson reported that a letter had been received from the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office stating that one of the persons that had broken in to the church in June 2005 was apprehended and pled guilty to the charges. The letter also said that the church might receive some monetary restitution as a result. The Session decided that any funds coming back to the church would be credited to the maintenance fund.

 

Mr. Johnson discussed the possibility of installing a central alarm system in the Fellowship Hall. He reviewed the details and costs of two proposals. With all factors considered, Mr. Johnson recommended accepting the proposal from Acey Burglar Alarm Systems, Inc. of Texarkana. The installation cost would be $630.00, the monthly maintenance $29.95, and the approximate cost to re-key the building $565.00.

 

            MOTION -     was made by Don Johnson to approve and proceed with the installation of the

                                    alarm system from Acey Burglar Alarm Systems, Inc.  As a part of the motion,

                                    Mr. Johnson asked that a letter be sent to the congregation informing them about

                                    the system and about the process of re-keying the building.  The motion passed

                                    unanimously.

 

WORSHIP COMMITTEE – Dr. David Williams

 

No Report

 

PERSONNEL REPORT – Charles Morgan

 

Mr. Morgan reported that the staff evaluations done on March 19, 2007, went well and were very helpful to the committee and staff.  There were no recommendations from the evaluations.

 

ACCEPTANCE OF REPORTS

 

            MOTION -     was made by Carla Lacy and seconded by Charles Morgan to accept all committee

                                    reports. The motion passed.

 

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

 

Reverend Brown presented the Session with a list of items (27) being considered by the Design Direction Team of the Building Committee. The items include paintings, planters, tapestries, and other decorator pieces for the newly renovated Educational Building and the Fellowship Hall. Reverend Brown said that it was hoped that the list could be made available to the congregation in order that members could have the opportunity to accept special sponsorships for funding of the items. Also she recommended that two items be removed from the list because they were items that should be purchased with funds from the Capital Improvement Fund.

 

            MOTION -     was made by Charles Morgan and seconded by Carla Lacy to allow two items

                                    of the list of decorator pieces to be removed. The motion passed.

 

            MOTION -     was made by Billie Ford and seconded by Don Johnson to publish the list of

                                    recommended and desired decorator items and make it available for the

                                    congregation to select items to sponsor. The motion passed.

 

ADJOURNMANT

 

Reverend Brown closed the meeting with prayer.

 

 

 

Reverend Dianne Brown, Moderator                                                    Stacy Cogbill, Clerk of Session