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FIRST
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (U.S.A.), LAS CRUCES, NM
STATED
SESSION MEETING
TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013
Moderator Reverend Norm Story convened the meeting at 7:00 PM and Kate
Puckett of the Missions Ministry Team opened it with a meditation and
prayer.
Elders present:
Lon Anderson, Corina Armendariz, Austin Breck, Brad Class, Blaine Goss,
Lloyd Kirschenmann, Janet Loman, Kate Puckett, Roger Sellers, Greg
Sherman, Stephen Taylor, Dennis Thomas, and Nora Yaryan.
Elders Absent:
Lyn
Ames, Jacqui Jones, Richard Paul, and Winnie Quinzi.
Guests:
Geviene (Gigi) M. King, Joseph Newton’ Supervised Ministry Intern, Erin
Gaston, Rev. Carrol Blevins and Deacon Moderator Don Behnke.
Establish Quorum:
The Clerk of Session established that a quorum was present.
Approval of Agenda:
The agenda was approved as published.
Introduction of New Member Applicants:
Geviene (Gigi) M. King was introduced as a new member applicant joining
by Letter of Transfer from St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Tucson, AZ
and Joseph Newton as a new member applicant joining by reaffirmation of
faith. The Elders introduced themselves, briefly described their
role as a church officer and how they all viewed this church as a
significant part of their immediate family. Gigi King introduced
herself and stated that although her parents were “Swedish Lutherans”,
she has been a Presbyterian all of her life. She is retired and
taught school in Alamogordo for several years many years ago when her
husband worked at Holloman AFB, but left the area when he moved to a new
job. Joseph Newton described his experiences as a homeless person
in Las Cruces, when he followed the woman he plans to marry later this
year. He is currently involved with a local prison ministry
organization here in Las Cruces. The Session voted to welcome
Geviene (Gigi) M. King and Joseph Newton into the membership of
our church family, and they will be presented to the congregation on
Sunday, May 26, 2013.
Pastor’s Report:
Pastor Story introduced our Supervised Ministry Intern, Erin Gaston, to
the Session and reiterated that she will be working with Rev. Carrol
Blevins, Rev. Wayne Hawkins, as well as with himself. He said that
in addition to all of her ministerial assignments, and working with our
Vacation Bible School program she will be a fresh set of eyes that can
look at our church facilities, programs, and staff objectively. He
has asked her to tell us what she sees that we have and do that attracts
visitors, and what may turn them off. This information from an
impartial observer will be used to help us grow our programs and
membership.
Rev.
Story briefed the Session on a proposal that he wants to present to the
Presbytery at the next scheduled meeting in Clovis on September 27 & 28.
The proposal would allocate up to approximately $40,000 of the Grant
funds remaining from the Synod-provided Mission Partnership Funds to
churches with less than 60 members. Those small churches could
apply for a 3-year grant from the Presbytery for a local transitional or
mission project or program. The churches approved for these grants
would receive $3k the first year, then $2k the second, and $1k the final
year. The funds remaining from the Synod Grant,
approximately $40,000 could be used to hire a transitional Presbytery
leader, or added to the funds for the Stated Clerk, who would assume the
duties of a transitional leader. Support for a Transitional Leader
is conditional, requiring that those wanting to join Santa Fe Presbytery
agree that during the year with the transitional leader in place, to
make an honest and all-out effort to implement the cluster-structure, to
develop our clusters as building blocks toward a more stable, effective
and sustainable Presbytery. We are requesting a fair attempt to
implement the cluster-structure without interference and allow that year
to provide opportunity to test and determine if this is a viable
organizational model or not. After some discussion, the motion to
approve the proposal was approved by a majority vote.
Rev.
Story announced that Kristine Lambert, our Salt & Light & Vacation Bible
School Coordinator, is resigning after the end of VBS in mid June.
A committee is working on the Job Description of a new position that
will combine her duties with those of Youth Specialist Mark Hellman, who
resigned effective May 12th. The timeline to complete the new
job description, advertise the position, review the applicant resumes,
select and hire the applicant that best fits our needs is focused on
completing the process before Salt & Light resumes in early September.
Clerk’s Report:
The Clerk’s Report was as written in the meeting agenda. 1.
The Clerk reported that Elder Janet Loman was elected by a special email
election to serve as our Special Alternate Commissioner to Presbytery
for the regular Presbytery meeting in Carlsbad on Friday & Saturday,
April 26 & 27th". The Clerk notified Harold Armstrong,
Stated Clerk of the Presbytery on April 23rd that the Session
had elected Elder Loman as our Special Alternate Commissioner to
Presbytery for the April 26th & 27th meeting.
2.
Rev. Carrol Blevins reported that she and Deacon Don Behnke had served
Communion to 6 persons at Golden Mesa on Sunday, May 5th.
3.
The Clerk reported the receipt of a questionnaire from the Presbytery
Leadership Team on 14 May 2013 requesting that the Session
complete it, and provide a “Sense of the Session” about our current
Presbytery Cluster structure. Some of the questions included:
1. Should we resume any attempt to join with the Presbytery of Santa Fe;
2. Should we have paid Presbytery personnel, and if so, how much should
we pay them; and 3. Where would we get the funds to pay them.
Discussion of the questionnaire was deferred for later discussion under
New Business.
Approval of Minutes:
A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the April 19,
2013 Stated Session meeting as written. The minutes were approved
by acclamation.
Deacon’s Report:
Deacon Moderator Don Behnke reported the distribution of “slightly” used
bedding to 26 families of students at Alameda Elementary School.
Deacon Behnke said that food bank had distributed 5000 lbs of food to
101 families on May 20th.
Committee Reports:
The
Music & Worship Team reminded us that our Iglesia del Pueblo
congregation is hosting the next meeting of our Presbytery Cluster on
Sunday, June 2nd.
Administration:
Written with no action items. The Administration Team reported
that our April financial report showed that to date, we have spent
$9,080 more than we have received. It appears that we need to hold down
our spending a little more, particularly as we get into the summer
vacation months. They discussed the employee evaluations coming up
in June and the need for updated Job Descriptions. They discussed
the financial handling procedures that must be followed in handling and
counting all church offerings. They also discussed the need to
update specific portions of our church Policy & Procedures manual.
Buildings and Grounds:
Written with no action items. The Buildings & Grounds Team began
removing the burned playground equipment and wood chips from the
playground. Before proceeding, the committee will ascertain the
relevant building and safety codes with the appropriate city officials
to determine whether the playground renovation would be feasible.
The
well and watering system continues to have problems with the amperage of
the motor and repairs of the water lines. The well service vender has
been contacted and our handyman, Marc Ortiz is working to repair/replace
water pipes. The Team continued their discussion about what to do
about the aging sound panels in Reeves Hall. New panels
would be prohibitively expensive. Draperies would be more
cost-effective but would be subject to soiling and damage by children
who use the area for meals and other activities. No definite
decision about the best way to solve this problem has been made at this
time. The Columbarium Committee Chairman informed us that his
Committee wishes to provide a shade structure for the area in front of
the Columbarium.. Funding for all materials and labor will be
donated. While the B & G Team will approve/disapprove the final
plans, we will have no involvement with the funding or construction of
the project if approved.
Christian Education:
Written with no action items. The Christian Education Team
announced that Greg & Kelly Temple have graciously volunteered to take
over some of the tasks left vacant by the resignation of Mark Hellman,
until a Youth Minister is found, they are however accepting any
volunteers in assisting them. Pastor Story & Gena Breck will be
taking the mid-school youth on their mission trip, and Greg & Kelly
Temple will be taking the high-school youth on their mission trip.
Nancy Cowan has also kindly taken on leading the Sunday school youth.
Congregational Life and Outreach:
Written with 1 action item. The Team has scheduled a salad
luncheon and Hymn sing on Sunday, June 2nd after church.
Vacation Bible School is scheduled for June 10th through the
14th and an ice cream social is scheduled for July 21st
after church. The annual “Blessings of the Backpacks” is scheduled
for August 11th and will be followed by a Pot Luck luncheon.
The Team recommended the Session approve their request to change the
beneficiary from the sale of their Presbyterian Cookbook, so that
revenues from sales will go towards replacing the playground equipment.
After a brief discussion the recommendation was amended to read ”that
if the way be clear, revenues from sales will go
towards replacing the playground equipment”. The amended recommendation
was approved by acclamation.
Missions:
Written with no action items. The committee discussed the
preparation for Bob Waguespack’s visit in June and what we learned from
the Pontiers’ visit in May. They will make sure that all
invitations to a meal are made well in advance. They agreed to
coordinate with Blaine (who will be preaching that day) to decide what
to invite Bob to do, and will try to publicize the visit through an
e-mailed invitation using the church mailing list. Richard Paul
will organize and Jean O’Neil will assist in accomplishing these tasks.
.
Music
and Worship:
Written with no action items. The Team discussed the Pulpit supply
while Rev Story is with the mid school mission trip and on study leave.
On June 23 it will be Blaine Goss, on June 30 Intern Erin Gaston, on
July 7 Rev Wayne Hawkins (Joint service with Iglesia del Pueblo
congregation), on July 14 & 28 Janet Loman, and on July 21 Rev Carol
Blevins. Gena Breck will lead the Faith and Fellowship services during
this time. Their schedule also noted that our Iglesia del Pueblo
congregation is hosting the next meeting of our Presbytery Cluster on
Sunday, June 2nd.
Foundation:
No meeting, therefore no report.
Columbarium:
The Columbarium Committee met on May 12, 2013 to discuss the feasibility
of presenting a proposal to the Buildings & Grounds Ministry Team for
building a Pergola style shade cover in front of the Columbarium.
After a brief discussion the Committee voted to present the proposal
concept to the Ministry Team at their regular meeting on May 14th.
Financial Report
for Apr. 1 - Apr. 30, 2013
Apr. (Actual) Apr. (Budgeted)
YTD (Actual) YTD (Budgeted)
Income $25,876.29
$130,930.26
Expense $35,282.56
$140,010.24
Omnibus Motion to receive all Committee Reports and accept Financial
Report:
Approved by consent.
Old Business:
The Session discussion of the Duties and Responsibilities of the Music
and Worship Ministry Team scheduled for this meeting was tabled.
It will be discussed at the June meeting.
New
Business:
1. A motion was made and seconded to cancel the regular Session
meeting in July. During the discussion, it was pointed out
that Rev. Blevins and/or Rev. Hawkins will be available to assist and
moderate the Session in the event that some unexpected events require
their action. The motion was approved by acclamation.
2.
The Presbytery questionnaire was briefly discussed and it was quickly
decided that the Clerk should email the questionnaire to all of the
Elders on Session so they could review it and send their individual
responses to the Presbytery, with copies to the Clerk. The Clerk &
Pastor Story will incorporate all of the responses they receive into a
“Sense of the Session” that will be sent to the Presbytery as the
Session’s formal response.
The
next Stated Session Meeting will be Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at 7:00 PM.
The Music and Worship Ministry Team will be responsible for opening
prayer and meditation.
Adjournment: Reverend Story adjourned the meeting with prayer at 8:13
PM.
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Last update
2013-07-01 22:24:11