SESSION MINUTES
STATED MEETING NOVEMBER 16, 2006
The Session of the First Presbyterian Church,
Elders
present were Fran Keasler, Billie Ford, Carla Lacy, Sheila Moore, Don Johnson,
Lynn Jackson, David Williams, Dean Ransdell, Lil McClerkin, Cordell Klein,
Clerk Stacy Cogbill, and Moderator Reverend Dianne Brown. Also present were
Treasurer Lary Walker, Music Director Bryan Bierbaum, Youth/Education Director
Jane Portis, and Administrative Assistant Patricia Thomas. Elders Elect present
were Sandra Holmes, Pat Davitt, and Charles Morgan. Elder Richard Sexton and Elder
Elect Larry Davis were absent.
Reverend
Brown called the meeting to order, declared a quorum present, and asked Lil
McClerkin to give the opening prayer. Reverend Brown presented a short
devotional.
FAITH STATEMENTS
The
newly elected elders, Sandra Holmes, Pat Davitt, and Charles Morgan each talked
with the Session and gave their personal Faith Statements. Larry Davis will
give his statement at a later date.
The Session reviewed minutes from a Stated Meeting of October 5, 2006, a Special Meeting of October 11, 2006, and a Congregational Meeting of October 15, 2006.
MOTION
- was made by Don Johnson and seconded
by Billie Ford to approve the minutes.
The motion
passed.
Reverend Brown reported that John McDowell had submitted a letter of resignation as Moderator of the Diaconate.
MOTION
- was made by Dr. Cordell Klein and
seconded by Dean Ransdell to accept Mr.
McDowell’s letter with regret. The motion passed.
TREASURER’S REPORT – Lary Walker
The
Session reviewed financial reports through the period ending October 31, 2006.
The various cash accounts showed the following balances: Operating Account -
$41,824.00; Money Market Account - $156,312.00; Music Account - $7,327.00. The
total of all accounts was shown as $205,463.00. The profit and loss statement
showed a net loss of $20,995.03. For the same period last year there was a net
profit of $10,476.19.
CORRESPONDENCE TO THE CLERK - Stacy Cogbill
Mr.
Cogbill presented the following items for approval:
1. Request to transfer William
Thornhill from the inactive roll to the active roll.
2. Request from the Walraven
family to have Emily LouAnn Walraven baptized on Sunday, November 19, 2006. The
parents are Ron and Eileen Walraven and the grandparents are Ronnie and Chris
Walraven.
3. Request from Melanie Daniels to use the
church facilities for her rehearsal and wedding on February
2 and 3, 2007.
4. Request from Robert and
5. Request from Reverend Brown to call a
Congregational Meeting on Sunday, December 17, 2006, for
the purpose of electing a Trustee and to change the terms of
call for the minister (salary).
MOTION
- was made by Dean Ransdell and
seconded by Dr. David Williams to
approve all items. The
motion passed.
PASTOR’S REPORT – Reverend Dianne Brown
Reverend
Brown reported the following items:
*On
Monday, November 27, 2006, the committee moderators will have an
organizational/planning
meeting with committee assignments for 2007
being made.
*She
reminded the committee moderators to update and submit their job descriptions.
*The
Gideons have asked for a date in January or February 2007 to speak to the
congregation at a Sunday
morning worship service.
MOTION
- was made by Dr. Cordell Klein and
seconded by Sheila Moore to approve the
Gideons’ request. The motion passed. Reverend Brown will set the date later.
Ms. McClerkin reported that Danny Gray will be nominated at the Congregational Meeting for the Trustee position with a term of 2007 through 2009.
STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE – Dr. Cordell Klein
Dr.
Klein said that the 2007 Budget was presented to the congregation at the Family
Night Supper on Wednesday, November 1, 2006.
EVANGELISM COMMITTEE – Lynn Jackson
Ms.
Jackson said that she and most of the current committee members would continue
to serve for another year.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
COMMITTEE –
Sheila Moore
The
following items were reported:
*Beth
McHenry said that there was an average of 50 members attending Sunday School
Classes in
October and that the average number of
children attending WOW each week was six.
*The
Thanksgiving Luncheon was Sunday, November 12, 2006, and the Thanksgiving
Baskets will
be delivered on November 19, 2006.
*The
Children’s Christmas Party will be Sunday, December 10, 2006.
Mr. Johnson gave the Session copies of the Church Usage Policy and the job description of the Property Committee. He said that minor revisions had been made in these and they were being given to the Session for information only.
He
told the Session that work had started on the new roof on the Echo Center.
WORSHIP COMMITTEE – Billie Ford
Ms.
Ford gave the Session information on the following items:
*The
usher guidelines have been revised and the usher schedule for 2007 has been
made and mailed to
the ushers.
*All
the banner bearers and readers for the Advent Sundays have been contacted and
scheduled.
*The
job description for the Worship Committee has been revised and printed.
*The
choir will help with the third Advent program on Thursday, December 21, 2006.
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE – Dean Ransdell
No
report
ACCEPTANCE OF REPORTS
MOTION - was made by
Dean Ransdell and seconded by Carla Lacy to accept all
committee
reports. The motion passed.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
The
Session discussed a letter from a member of the congregation concerning the
ordination of non-celibate gay and lesbian persons.
MOTION
- was made by Lynn Jackson and
seconded by Lil McClerkin to respond to the
letter with
a letter to the congregation stating this church’s resolve to adhere to the
position as
set forth in the Presbyterian Book of Order on this subject. The Session
directed
Reverend Brown and Clerk Stacy Cogbill to draft the letter. The motion
passed.
ADJOURNMENT
Reverend
Brown closed the meeting with prayer.
Reverend
Dianne Brown, Moderator
Stacy
Cogbill, Clerk of Session