SESSION MINUTES

STATED MEETING JUNE 21, 2007

 

 

The Session of the First Presbyterian Church, Texarkana, Arkansas met in a Stated Meeting on Thursday, June 21, 2007, at 5:00 p.m. in the Library/Session Room.

 

Elders present were Dr. Larry Davis, Pat Davitt, Martha Nell Richards, Richard Sexton, Fran Keasler, Billie Ford, Carla Lacy, Sheila Moore, Don Johnson, Lynn Jackson, and Moderator Reverend Dianne Brown. Also present were Treasurer Lary Walker, Diaconate Moderator Kevin Thompson, Building Committee Moderator Bob Ransdell, and Clerk Stacy Cogbill. Elders absent were Charles Morgan and Dr. David Williams.

 

Reverend Brown called the meeting to order, declared a quorum present, and asked Lynn Jackson to give the opening prayer.

 

DEVOTIONAL

 

Reverend Brown led a devotional for the Session, which included a scripture reading and prayer.

 

MINUTES

 

The Session reviewed minutes from the Stated Meeting of May 17, 2007, and the Special Meeting of June 3, 2007.

 

            MOTION -     was made by Sheila Moore and seconded by Larry Davis to approve the minutes.

                                    The motion passed.

 

DIACONATE REPORT – Kevin Thompson

 

Mr. Thompson reported the following:

 

1.      The May Monthly Mission, a collection for the animal shelter, has been delivered.

2.      The June Monthly Mission, a collection of school supplies for the Goodland Academy,

is underway.

3.      The Monthly Mission for July will be collecting fans to give to individuals and families

that need them.

4.      The Deacons worked with the CE Committee to prepare breakfast for the High School Seniors

on Sunday, May 20, 2007.

5.      On Wednesday, July 18, 2007, the Diaconate, along with other committees, will present reports

      of all the missions of our Church that are underway at the present time.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT – Lary Walker

 

Mr. Walker presented financial reports through the period ending May 31, 2007. The various accounts showed the following balances:

 

Operating Account                   $65,461.00                  Money Market Account           $170,075.00

Music Fund                              $  7,516.00                  Total of All Accounts                $243,052.00

                                                                                    Profit & Loss Statement            $  +3,504.09

 

Mr. Walker also reported that, to date, none of the line of credit had been used for the improvement project.

 

BUILDING COMMITTEE REPORT – Bob Ransdell, Moderator

 

Mr. Ransdell gave the Session a detailed report of the progress of the recent improvements to the Fellowship Hall and Annex entranceways.  He said that except for a few minor changes, the entire project was complete. With the changes, the total cost of the project was $430,826.10.  The Session asked Mr. Ransdell questions about the project.

 

CORRESPONDENCE TO THE CLERK – Stacy Cogbill

 

Mr. Cogbill read a letter to the Session from the First Presbyterian Church, Junction, Texas, in which that church asked for approval to receive Ms. Jean Garrison as an affiliate member. Ms. Garrison has requested to have her active membership remain with our church. Mr. Cogbill said that this would be recorded in the minutes and a letter would be sent to the Junction, Texas church confirming Ms. Garrison’s membership status with both churches. The Session concurred.

 

A letter has been received from the First United Presbyterian Church, Fayetteville, Arkansas, requesting a transfer of membership for Edward Jackson.

 

            MOTION -     was made by Martha Nell Richards and seconded by Richard Sexton to approve the

                                    transfer of membership of Edward Jackson to the Fayetteville church. The motion

                                    passed.

 

Mr. Cogbill gave the Session information about the quilted banners that are to be displayed in our church in January 2008. The banners celebrate Women’s Ordination Anniversaries in the Presbyterian Church.

 

PASTOR’S REPORT – Reverend Dianne Brown

 

Reverend Brown reported that a group of 12 adults from the United Christ Missionary Baptist Church has asked permission to stay overnight in our Fellowship Hall on Sunday evening, July 29, 2007.

 

            MOTION -     was made by Richard Sexton and seconded by Carla Lacy to approve the request

                                    for the group to stay at our church. The motion passed.

 

The Triennial Visit from Presbytery will be July 19, 2007. Reverend Brown said the Session would have its regular monthly meeting at 5:00 p.m., just prior to the Triennial Visit.

 

Reverend Brown said she would be out of town on Sunday, July 22, 2007, and Elder Charles Morgan will fill the pulpit that day.

 

NOMINATING COMMITTEE – Fran Keasler

 

No activities to report.

 

STEWARDSHIP REPORT – Dr. Larry Davis

 

Dr. Davis said the committee was beginning to do its preliminary work for the 2008 Stewardship Campaign. He said they were also reviewing ideas on how to better inform the congregation about the church’s finances.                                                        

EVANGELISM COMMITTEE – Lynn Jackson

 

No activities to report.

 

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE – Sheila Moore

 

Ms. Moore reported these items:

 

1.      The Vacation Bible School program is on schedule with a hamburger supper planned for Friday

night. Average daily attendance is 28 children.

2.      The Junior High youth have been added to the Youth Group Program with Kristi Bierbaum as teacher

under the direction of Youth/Education Director Jane Portis.

3.      The Youth Group will leave July 7, 2007, for Myrtle Beech, South Carolina and return on July 14.

There will be nine youth and three adults on the trip.

 

PROPERTY COMMITTEE – Don Johnson

 

Mr. Johnson reported these items:

 

1.      A new sound system is being installed in the Fellowship Hall. The cost of the system was given to the church as an anonymous donation.

2.      New keys for entering the Educational Building (after the installation of the alarm system) have been

distributed to officers and members who need them.

3.      The electricians installed a new breaker box for the Sanctuary after a problem with the lights.

4.      The City of Texarkana, Arkansas agreed to furnish the equipment and labor to re-pave the alley

between the main church buildings and the Annex if the Church agrees to pay the cost of the materials. The material cost was estimated at $1,800.00. Bob Ransdell negotiated this arrangement with the City.

 

            MOTION -     was made by Don Johnson and seconded by Lynn Jackson to approve the                                                        agreement with the City for the re-paving of the alley. The motion passed.

 

WORSHIP COMMITTEE – Dr. David Williams

 

No activities to report.

 

PERSONNEL COMMITTEE – Charles Morgan

 

No activities to report.

 

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

 

The Session discussed having a workday at the Church on a Saturday morning sometime in August.    This would be for clean up and clean out of various areas of the church. Reverend Brown said she would try to set a date for this to take place.

 

Dr. Larry Davis reported that various items of contents at the Ashdown First Presbyterian Church are available (at no cost) for our Church. Dr. Davis and Reverend Brown said they would work on making arrangements for selecting and then moving these items to our Church. 

 

ACCEPTANCE OF REPORTS

 

            MOTION -     was made by Fran Keasler and seconded by Billie Ford to accept all reports.

                                    The motion passed.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

Reverend Brown closed the meeting with prayer.

 

 

                                                                                                Reverend Dianne Brown, Moderator

 

 

                                                                                                Stacy Cogbill, Clerk of Session

 

 

                                   

 

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