TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2009

The Moderator, Rev. Norm Story, convened the meeting at 7:00 PM. Larry Felhauer of the Congregational Life and Outreach Committee provided the opening prayer and meditation.

Elders present: Bill Brady, Carissa Brealey, Alex Burr, Carl Connor, Larry Felhauer, Blaine Goss, Susan Grandle, Florence Hamilton, Mary Kammann, Donna Mathis, Wayne Maley, Jacque Parks, Bob Paul, Joan Rawson, Greg Temple, Marsha Topley, and Charlie Yaryan.

Elders excused: Gena Breck.

Guests: Clint Woodward, Moderator of the Board of Deacon’s; Paul Deason and Diana Davidson, prospective new members.

Establish Quorum: The Clerk established that a quorum was present.

Approval of Agenda: The agenda was approved as submitted.

Reception of New Members: Paul Deason and Diana Davidson were introduced as prospective new members along with their sons Iain Christopher and Michael Lee Deason who were not able to be present. Several elders described what the Church meant to them and in turn, Paul and Diana described their walk with Christ and how they came to join First Presbyterian Church. The clerk read G5.0102 from the Book Of Order on “Membership as Ministry”. The motion to receive all into the membership of this Church was made, seconded, and passed. Paul and Diana will be presented to the congregation on Sunday, March 8, 2009. Their sons, Iain and Michael Lee, will be presented when they are available.

Pastor’s Report: Oral. Rev. Story began by requesting copies of comments created during the recent elders retreat be submitted to him to allow review and implementation while still fresh in everyone’s mind.

If the need for additional members for any committee is needed, ad hoc them.

As individual elders or as session committees, please identify the support needed from the Church’s staff. These needs may also be used in the updating of job descriptions.

Please intensify efforts on communicating with visitors, and particularly new members and continue working on the “Shepherds” program.

Presbytery has determined a few of the member Church’s now qualify for a second Commissioner to Presbytery and our Church is one of them. Larry Felhauer volunteered to be our second commissioner and was elected. (Note: The following day Wednesday the 18^th, Larry reconsidered and due to health, removed himself from the commissioner position.)

Bob Paul was thanked for filling in for the clerk at the last session meeting.

Rev. Story concluded his report by responding to Alex Burr’s inquiry on what the schedule for Ash Wednesday service was.

Clerk’s Report: The clerk requested and received permission to remove Ms. Carolyn Bricker (#656) from the Church roll due to her death on November 21, 2008.

Last month’s Elder’s Retreat on January 24, 2009 went well by various comments received and the request for comments to be submitted to Rev. Story is again noted.

This coming Saturday, February 21, 2009 the joint elder/deacon retreat will be at 9:00 A.M. in Jones Hall.

Sunday, February 22, 2009 there are two major events scheduled. Immediately after the worship service, the Annual Congregational meeting to hear the Terms of Call and to vote on new Church officers will convene in the sanctuary. Following that, a congregational gathering to receive the Church’s Annual report will meet in Watkin’s Hall along with a lunch being served by the youth.

Communion was served to 230 worshipers on February 01, 2009.

Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the Stated Session Meeting on January 20, 2009 with corrections of dates for the Annual Congregational Meeting and Congregational Gathering (February 22, 2009); the inclusion that the date, time and place of the Annual Congregational Meeting was approved by the session; and the Christian Education committees recommendation for the mid-school’s lock-in for February was approved were approved.

Correspondence: None received by the clerk.

Deacons Report: None. Since there had been no meeting since the last session meeting, there was no Deacon’s report.

Committee Reports:

Administration: Written with no action items. There was some discussion on the purpose and use of the new “Request for Reimbursement or Payment” form.

Buildings and Grounds: Written with no action items.

Christian Education: Written with recommendation for a youth garage sale, a High School lock-in in March, a Mid-high mission trip to a Navajo reservation on June 28 to July 3, 2009; and a High School trip to a Christian music festival May 22-24 being approved. Rev. Story received approval to conduct communion with the students on the Navajo mission trip and therefore the pulpit will need filling on that date.

Congregational Life and Outreach: Written with no action items.

Missions: Written with no action items.

Music and Worship: Written and April communion will be moved from Sunday, April 5^th to Maundy Thursday, April 9^th, 2009.

Nominating Committee: No report.

Financial Report for January 1 – January 31, 2009

Budget for 2009 - $560,790.00

January (Budget) January (Actual) YTD (Budget) YTD (Actual)

Income $26,283.05* $34,261.37 $26,283.25 $34,251.37

Expense $48,901.71 $35,720.69 $48,901.71 $35,720.69

Phase One Principal $105,000.00

*Pledged Income Only

Omnibus Motion to receive all Committee Reports and accept Financial Report: Approved by consent.

Old Business: The Vision Statement/Objectives committee reported on their work and gave their recommendations. The session decided to remain with the current four objectives and that each session committee develops an action plan for each objective. These are to be discussed at the March session meeting.

New Business: Larry Felhauer was selected as First Presbyterian’s second Presbytery commissioner (Refer to Pastor’s Report).

The next Stated Session Meeting will be Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 7:00 PM. The Missions Committee will be responsible for opening prayer, meditation, coffee and snacks.

Adjournment: Rev. Story adjourned the meeting with prayer at 8:03 PM.

___________________________ __________________________ ___________

Stephen F. Hardin Rev. Norm Story Date Approved

Clerk of Session Moderator