SESSION MINUTES

STATED MEETING NOVEMBER 15, 2007

 

The Session of the First Presbyterian Church, Texarkana, Arkansas met in a Stated Meeting on Thursday, November 15, 2007, at 5:00 p.m. in the Library/Session Room.

 

Elders present were Dr. Larry Davis, Pat Davitt, Charles Morgan, Richard Sexton, Billie Ford, Carla Lacy, Sheila Moore, Don Johnson, Lynn Jackson, Dr. David Williams, and Moderator Reverend Phil McLarty. Also present were Youth/Education Director Jane Portis, Administrative Assistant Patricia Thomas, Treasurer Lary Walker, Diaconate Moderator Kevin Thompson, and Clerk Stacy Cogbill.

 

Reverend McLarty called the meeting to order, declared a quorum present, and opened the meeting with prayer.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

In an executive meeting, the Session voted to employ Dr. D. Terry Land to serve as our interim pastor until the Pastor Nominating Committee brings a recommendation for a person to serve as the permanent pastor of our church.

 

FAITH STATEMENTS

 

Elders elect, LaWanda West, Bob Ransdell, and Charles Jackson related their Faith Statements to the Session. The remaining elder elect, Bob Veon, will give his statement to the Session at a later date.

 

Reverend McLarty told the elders elect that he would be conducting the elder training for his church on Saturday, December 8, 2007, and invited the newly elected elders from our church to join them.

 

MINUTES

 

The Session reviewed minutes from the Stated Meeting of October 11, Special Meetings of October 18, and October 31, and the Congregational Meeting of October 14, 2007.

 

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

                                    The motion passed.

 

DIACONATE REPORT – Kevin Thompson

 

The report included the following items:

 

  1. The Deacons will continue our church’s support of the Randy Sams Program.
  2. The food collection for the Youth Group Thanksgiving Baskets is nearing completion and

the baskets will be delivered Sunday, November 18, 2007.

  1. The Coat, Hat, and Glove drive is going well and will be extended through December.
  2. The December Monthly Mission will be to work with the Women of the Church on the Angel

Tree Project.

  1. The Deacons will introduce the 2007 new members at the Joy Gift Banquet on December 5,

2007.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT

 

The Session reviewed financial reports through October 2007. Balances in the various accounts were as follows:

 

Operating Account                   $21,490.00                  Money Market Account           $232,053.00

Music Fund                              $  7,640.00                  Total of All Accounts                $261,183.00

                                                                                    Profit & Loss Statement            +  15,310.62

 

The reports were received as information.

 

Charles Morgan said that two lapel microphones were lost on Sunday, November 4, 2007, sometime after the morning worship service.  He said that in an effort to have new microphones in use as soon as possible, Stacy Cogbill, Don Johnson, Patricia Thomas, and he made the decision to order two replacements. The cost was $395.00 each.

 

            MOTION -     was made by Charles Morgan and seconded by Billie Ford to approve the purchase

                                    of the two replacement lapel microphones. The motion passed.

 

CORRESPONDENCE TO THE CLERK – Stacy Cogbill

 

The following items were presented by the clerk:

 

1. A reminder that we still need a commissioner to the Presbytery meeting on Saturday, November

    17th. Lynn Jackson said she could attend the meeting as our commissioner and she was approved

    by common consent.               

2. A request for transfer of membership from the First United Methodist Church, Foreman, Arkansas,

    for Judy Hawkins so she might join their church.  Approval was granted by common consent.

3. A request from member James Norton for a contribution to his Eagle Scout project for building

shelters for the local bus line stops. With local contributions to the project, Mr. Norton will receive federal matching funds to complete each stop. The project has been endorsed by both Cities.

 

MOTION -     was made by Charles Morgan and seconded by Richard Sexton to approve a

contribution of $750.00 for Mr. Norton’s project. The motion passed.

 

4.  A statement from the City of Texarkana, Arkansas for the paving job in the alley. The original estimate

from the City was some $1,800.00. The final invoice from them was $3,604.86. The Session asked the    clerk to negotiate with the City to see if a lesser amount could be paid.

5.  A request to set the Annual Meeting of the church for January 16, 2008. All committee moderators

     from the previous year will give reports of their committee activities during 2007 at the meeting. The

     request was approved by common consent.

6.  A recommendation that there would be no building use fees charged for the Sarrett wedding to be held

     in our church on January 3, 2009. The recommendation was approved by common consent.

 

MODERATOR’S REMARKS – Reverend Phil McLarty

 

Reverend McLarty told the Session that he was honored to be asked to serve as our moderator in the absence of a regular minister. He gave the Session advice and instruction to help with a smooth and organized interim period. He also said he was available to help our church in any way he could.

 

NOMINATING COMMITTEE – Lynn Jackson and Billie Ford

 

Ms. Jackson made the following motion to nominate members to serve on the Pastor Nominating Committee. She reported that all nominees had agreed to serve if elected.

 

            MOTION -     was made by Lynn Jackson to nominate the following members to serve on the

                                    Pastor Nominating Committee:  Moderator – Hayes McClerkin, Doke Douglas,

                                    Melanie Gloster, Michael Martin, and Cynthia Walker. First Alternate, Kevin

                                    Thompson and Second Alternate, Ronnie Walraven. The motion passed.

 

The Congregational Meeting for the election of the Pastor Nominating Committee is set for November 25, 2007. Elder Charles Morgan was designated to serve as the moderator of that meeting.

 

EVANGELISM COMMITTEE – Lynn Jackson

 

Ms. Jackson said that the advertising for the three Thursday Advent Music Programs and the Christmas Eve Service had been arranged.

 

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE – Sheila Moore

 

Ms. Moore informed the Session of these items:

 

  1. The average Sunday School attendance for October was 52.
  2. There will be two guest speakers at the Wednesday Night Family Supper on November 28, 2007,

to present a program on the planned Mexico Mission Trip.

  1. Dr. Terry Land will be our pulpit supply and Wednesday night Bible Study leader starting

November 14, 2007.

  1. The Thanksgiving luncheon on November 11, 2007, raised $1,052.00 which provided 57 food baskets to be delivered to deserving families.
  2. The Lifeway Christian Store will sponsor a gift wrapping project for various church Youth

Groups. It will be a fund raising project for the groups participating.

 

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

                                    participation by our Youth Group in the Lifeway Christian Store project.

                                    The motion passed.

 

WORSHIP COMMITTEE – Dr. David Williams:

 

  1. Dr. Terry Land was introduced to the Worship Committee. Dr. Land will be our pulpit supply for the next several Sundays and is a prospective interim minister.  A schedule of ministers and music for the Sunday morning worship services was set through December 9, 2007.
  2. The three Thursday Advent Music programs have been scheduled.
  3. The Advent Banner, Candle Lighting, and Readings were set for the Sundays in December. Also

Justin and Courtney Cogbill Holland’s son, Drew, will be baptized on Christmas Eve with Reverend Ralph Burns officiating.

  1. Two pews (rows) at the front of the sanctuary should be reserved for the family in event of

a baptism or any special service.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting was adjourned with a pray led by Reverend Phil McLarty

 

 

                                                                                    Reverend Phil McLarty

 

 

                                                                                    Stacy Cogbill, Clerk of Session

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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