SESSION MINUTES
STATED MEETING
APRIL 26, 2007
The Session of the First Presbyterian Church, Texarkana, Arkansas met in a Stated Meeting on Thursday, April 26, 2007, at 5:00 p.m. in the Library/Session Room.
Elders
present were Larry Davis, Martha Nell Richards, Charles Morgan, Fran Keasler,
Billie Ford, Carla Lacy, Sheila Moore, David Williams and Moderator, Reverend
Dianne Brown. Elders with excused absences were Pat Davitt, Richard Sexton, Don
Johnson, and Lynn Jackson. 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. Martha Nell
Richards gave the opening prayer. Reverend Brown presented a brief devotional
and the Session received Holy Communion.
MINTUES
The Clerk presented minutes from the Stated Meeting of March 22, 2007, and the Special Meeting of March 28, 2007.
MOTION
- was made by Charles Morgan to
approve the minutes as presented. There were no
objections and the motion passed.
DIACONATE REPORT – Kevin Thompson
Mr. Thompson reported that:
*The Deacons delivered three large boxes of food to the Randy Sams Shelter for their March Monthly
Mission.
*The April Monthly Mission of collecting items for the Juvenile Detention Center is under way and going
well.
*The May Monthly Mission will be to collect supplies for the Texarkana Animal Shelter.
*The Deacons will help with the breakfast to honor the graduating seniors on May 20, 2007.
*Family Camp plans are being formed. The dates for the camp are June 29 through July 1, 2007.
TREASURER’S REPORT – Lary
Mr.
Walker gave the Session financial reports through the period ending March 31,
2007. The various accounts showed the following balances:
Operating
Account - $9,193.00 Money
Market Account - $216,176.00
Music
Account - $7,463.00 Total of all Accounts - $232,832.00
Profit and Loss Statement
- $ - 18,119.81
CORRESPONDENCE TO THE CLERK – Stacy Cogbill
The
Clerk told the Session that Lyon College had sent the church a thank you letter
for hosting the college chorale on March 16, 2007. The college also reported that
our church donated $253.00 to the group to be used toward expenses on their
spring tour.
Mr.
Cogbill said that the First United Methodist Church of Hot Springs, Arkansas
had requested a transfer of membership for Kevin Bryant.
MOTION - was made by Martha Nell Richards and seconded by Charles Morgan to approve
the transfer for Mr. Bryant. The motion passed.
Dr.
Cordell Klein had sent a message to the Clerk asking that a letter of
congratulations be sent to Dr. Mayfield Brewster upon the celebration of Dr.
Brewster’s 40 years with the Greater New Hope Baptist Church and 50 years in
the ministry. The Session concurred
unanimously and asked the Clerk to send the letter.
MOTION
- was made by Dr. Larry Davis and
seconded by Sheila Moore to have Martha Nell
Richards
gather information for an additional/separate telephone line for the Annex
Building.
The motion passed.
PASTOR’S REPORT – Reverend Dianne Brown
Reverend
Brown gave the Session information concerning the following items:
*The
*The
July 19, 2007 regular Session Meeting will include the Triennial Visit from the
Presbytery.
*She
would be in
and his
bride Katie Greene. The wedding will be April 28, 2007. Reverend Joe Hill will
fill our pulpit
Sunday, April 29, 2007.
*She
will officiate for the wedding of member Jerry Davis. Mr. Davis is to marry
Margaret Aaron on
June 2, 2007, at 6:00 p.m. in our church.
*She
thanked the elders for the smooth transfer of their keys to accommodate the new
alarm system.
*Mother’s
Day Out Director, Nancy Emerson, will report on her program at next month’s
Session Meeting.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE – Fran Keasler
No
Report
STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE – Dr. Larry Davis
No
Report
EVANGELISM COMMITTEE – Lynn Jackson
No
Report
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
COMMITTEE –
Sheila Moore
Ms.
Moore reported:
*Sunday
School and Nursery classes have moved back into the main building following the
renovations.
*Youth/Senior
Sunday will be May 20, 2007.
*Vacation
Bible School will be June 18-22, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. The Cokesbury
curriculum is “Lift-
Off – Soaring to New Heights with God”.
PROPERTY COMMITTEE – Don Johnson
No
Report
WORSHIP COMMITTEE – Dr. David Williams
Dr.
Williams reported:
*That
the Easter Sunday Worship Service and all other Easter events went well.
*That
Bryan Bierbaum said Hal Hopson will assist with the Choir Kick Off and
Recruitment in August
and
that the Children’s Choir Festival will be in October.
*That
the Worship Committee would not give handouts as a part of Mother’s Day and
Father’s Day
recognition.
*That
Pentecost Sunday will be in May and will be celebrated at church with the wearing
of red.
PERSONNEL REPORT – Charles Morgan
No
Report
ACCEPTANCE OF REPORTS
MOTION - was made by Charles Morgan
and seconded by Carla Lacy to accept all
committee
reports. The motion passed.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
Reverend
Brown said that a Commissioner to the next Presbytery Meeting needed to be
elected. The meeting will be at Camp Alabama on May 15, 2007.
Martha
Nell Richards volunteered to go to the meeting and was elected, by common
consent, as our Commissioner. Dr. Larry Davis will serve as the alternate.
The
Session discussed the need to get an update on the building/renovation project.
Reverend Brown said that she would ask Bob Ransdell, Moderator of the Building
Committee, to meet with the Session at the May meeting and give a status
report.
ADJOURNMENT
Reverend
Brown gave the closing prayer.
Reverend
Dianne Brown, Moderator
Stacy
Cogbill, Clerk of Session