SESSION MINUTES

STATED MEETING SEPTEMBER 20, 2007

 

The Session of the First Presbyterian Church, Texarkana, Arkansas met in a Stated Meeting on Thursday, September 20, 2007, at 5:00 p.m. in the Library/Session Room.

 

Elders present were Pat Davitt, Martha Nell Richards, Charles Morgan, Richard Sexton, Billie Ford, Carla Lacy, Sheila Moore, Lynn Jackson, Dr. David Williams, and Moderator Reverend Dianne Brown. Elders absent were Dr. Larry Davis, Fran Keasler, and Don Johnson.  Also present were Treasurer, Lary Walker; Diaconate Moderator, Kevin Thompson; Moderator of the Music Director Search Committee, Danny Gray; Youth/Education Director, Jane Portis; Administrative Assistant, Patricia Thomas; Commissioner to Presbytery, Doke Douglas; and Clerk, Stacy Cogbill. Several concerned church members were also present in connection with Reverend Brown’s expected resignation.

 

Reverend Brown called the meeting to order, declared a quorum present, and opened with prayer. She then led the Session and visitors in communion and a devotional.

 

MINUTES

 

The Session reviewed minutes from the Stated Meeting of August 16, 2007, and Special Meetings of September 12 and 16, 2007.

 

            MOTION -     was made by Charles Morgan and seconded by Carla Lacy to approved the minutes

                                    as presented. The motion passed.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Danny Gray, Moderator of the Music Director Search Committee, asked the Session to give his committee some direction as to specifications and qualifications for the person to fill the Music Director position.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Doke Douglas gave the Session a report on the Presbytery meeting that he attended at the Alabama Presbyterian Church in Choudrant, Louisiana on September 8, 2007.

 

RESIGNATION

 

The clerk read a letter of resignation from Reverend Brown. The letter said that she would resign as pastor of our church, effective October 14, 2007, and would take the position as Interim Pastor of the Broadmoor Presbyterian Church, Shreveport, Louisiana.

 

            MOTION -     was made by Charles Morgan and seconded by Sheila Moore to accept Reverend

                                    Brown’s resignation with regret. The motion passed.

 

Mr. Morgan then read a resolution concerning Reverend Brown’s ministry at our church and requested that the resolution be made a part of these minutes. The resolution was adopted unanimously by the Session. 

 

TREASURER’S REPORT – Lary Walker

 

The Session reviewed financial reports for the period ending August 31, 2007. The various accounts showed the following balances:

 

Operating Account                               $43,271.00                  Money Market Account   $235,243.00

Music Fund                                          $ 7,594.00                  Total of All Accounts       $286,108.00

                                                                                                Profit & Loss Statement   +$15,957.86

 

CORRESPONDENCE TO THE CLERK – Stacy Cogbill

 

Mr. Cogbill presented the following requests for use of the church facilities. He said the church calendar was clear for all and he recommended approval:

 

  1. Request from Remica Gray for the Tower Bell ringers to use the church on November 9 and 10, 2007.
  2. Request from Beth McHenry for use of the Fellowship Hall for a Alpha Delta Kappa meeting

on October 8, 2007.

  1. Request from Melanie Dowd for the Girl Scouts to use the Fellowship Hall on Saturday,

October 20, 2007.

  1. Refer a request from Clean Air Alcoholics Anonymous to have weekly meetings at our church

to the Property Committee for further consideration and their recommendation.

  1. Request from Jennifer Holman to use our church for her wedding and rehearsal on June 27 and 28,

2008. 

     

                  MOTION -     was made by Charles Morgan and seconded by Martha Nell Richards to

                                          approve the requests above. The motion passed.

 

Mr. Cogbill gave the Session a copy of a “thank you” letter written to the Patient Assistance Program from Joan and Don Cox. Mr. and Ms. Cox had been helped by the Program and they were very gracious with their “thank you” message.  Also, their letter was printed in the October church newsletter.

 

It is recorded that member Debbie Davenport Lasiter died on September 9, 2007. A memorial service was held for her at our church on September 21, 2007, with the Reverends Dianne Brown and David Davies officiating.

 

PASTOR’S REPORT – Reverend Dianne Brown

 

Reverend Brown discussed the following items with the Session:

 

  1. The Stated Session meeting in October will be on the 11th rather than on the 18th.
  2. There will be no Family Night Supper on Wednesday, December 26, 2007.
  3. Proper notice of Congregational Meetings will be given for the following:
    1. For election of officers (Class of 2010) on October 7, 2007.
    2. For dissolving the pastoral relationship between the First Presbyterian Church and

Reverend Dianne E. Brown on October 14, 2007.

  1. The committee moderators should schedule their meetings through the church office.

 

NOMINATING COMMITTEE – Lynn Jackson and Billie Ford

 

Ms. Jackson said the committee recommended the following members to be elected officers for the Class of 2010:

 

FOR ELDER                                                   FOR DEACON                                   FOR TRUSTEE

 

LaWanda West                                                Linda Cogbill                                        Tommy Boyles

Charles Jackson                                               Sallie Dill                                 

Bob Ransdell                                                    Reg Jackson                                        

Bob Veon                                                        Cordell Klein

 

The Session received the nominations as information and the congregation will hold the election on October 7, 2007.

 

STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE – Dr. Larry Davis

 

Reverend Brown advised the Session that the 2008 budget would be reviewed and considered for approval at the October Session meeting.

 

EVANGELISM COMMITTEE – Lynn Jackson

 

Ms. Jackson reminded the Session that Evangelism Sunday and an Open House to show the finished renovation project would be Sunday, September 30, 2007. She said invitations would be mailed to friends of the church and there would be a luncheon and tour of the facilities following the morning worship service.

 

Ms. Jackson said the church’s website is up to date at the present time and every effort would be made to keep it current.

 

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE – Sheila Moore

 

Ms. Moore reported the following activities:

 

1. The Wednesday Night Children’s Activities and the W.O.W.! program will be combined into a    

    Children’s Bible Study for the first through fifth graders. Their meeting time will be 6:30 to 7:00 on

    Wednesday nights.

2. A Thanksgiving lunch will be held November 11, 2007, and delivery of the Thanksgiving baskets is

    scheduled for November 18, 2007.

3. The new name of the Presbyterian School is “First Presbyterian Baby Steps”. There are currently

    eleven students enrolled.

 

PROPERTY COMMITTEE – Don Johnson

 

Reverend Brown informed and discussed the following items with the Session:

 

  1. Don Johnson and Charles Morgan are going to continue to review the proposed elevator maintenance contract and make a recommendation to the Session sometime in the future.
  2. Martha Nell Richards’ organization of two work-days at the church was commendable.  
  3.  Brent Stewart and Merilynn Johnson have done a great job as the decorating committee.

She asked that the clerk send a letter of “thanks” to Mr. Stewart and Ms. Johnson for their

excellent work and help with the project. She also noted their many personal contributions

with the redecorating project.

 

WORSHIP COMMITTEE – Dr. David Williams

 

Dr. Williams reported the following:

 

  1. The Henderson University Choir will perform in our church on Sunday, October 21, 2007, at

7:00 p.m.

  1. Billie Ford is working on arranging for different families to present the Advent banners in

the worship services during December.

  1. The Advent concerts have been arranged, and different members will be asked to introduce

the programs.

  1. The Children’s Choir Festival, originally scheduled for October 26 and 27, has been cancelled.

 

PERSONNEL COMMITTEE – Charles Morgan

 

            MOTION -     was made by Mr. Morgan to contract with Dr. Jim Works to hold the position of

                                    Interim Music and Choir Director. The agreement will be for Dr. Works to play the

organ and direct the chancel choir each Sunday at a rate of pay of $250.00 per week. He will not direct the children’s or youth choirs. Ms. Billie Ford seconded

                                    the motion and it passed.

 

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

 

The Session agreed to ask Reverend Joe Hill, Executive Presbyter, to meet with us, as soon as it can be arranged, following Reverend Brown’s last Sunday with our church. This will be for the purpose of discussing procedures and arrangements during the time while we are without a minister and the guidelines regarding calling a new minister. Charles Morgan said he would contact Reverend Hill.

 

Lynn Jackson announced there would be a reception for Reverend Brown at our church (on the occasion of her resigning from our church) on Sunday, October 14, 2007, from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. Invitations will be sent to all church members and to others in the community.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

Reverend Brown closed the meeting with prayer.

 

                                                                                                            Reverend Dianne Brown, Moderator

 

 

 

                                                                                                            Stacy Cogbill, Clerk of Session