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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
(U.S.A.), LAS CRUCES, NM
STATED SESSION MEETING
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014
Moderator Reverend Dr. Norm Story convened
the meeting at 7:00 PM and Elder Roger Sellers of the Buildings
& Grounds Ministry Team opened it with a prayer.
Elders Present: Lyn Ames, Lon
Anderson, Brad Class, Blaine Goss, Susan Grandle, Nancy Johnson,
Jacqui Jones, Bill Kuyper, Winnie Quinzi, Roger Sellers,
Greg Sherman, and Stephen Taylor.
Elders Excused Absence: Corina
Armendariz and Dennis Thomas.
Guests: Deacon Moderator Bill
Haynes and Presbytery of Sierra Blanca Commission on Ministry
(COM) Representatives Teresa Ogden & Rev. Gene Harbaugh
Establish Quorum: The Clerk of
Session established that a quorum was present.
Approval of Agenda: The agenda was
approved as published.
Pastor Dr. Story introduced Presbytery COM
Representatives Teresa Ogden & Rev. Gene Harbaugh and advised
the Session that they were here to meet with the Session on
behalf of the Presbytery and that he would excuse himself while
they discussed several items with the Session. He also
advised the Session that all discussions were to be considered
private and that no notes or minutes would be taken of their
discussions. The meeting was part of a regular meeting
conducted by representatives of the COM with each Session in the
Presbytery about once every 2 to 4 years. Teresa Ogden
thanked the Session for their responses to her questions and
closed the meeting at approximately 8 PM.
Pastor Dr. Story was invited back to the
meeting and resumed as Moderator.
Pastor’s Report: Pastor Dr.
Story advised the Session that the passing of Rev. Carrol
Blevins had created a major void in our visitation ministry to
our sick and shut-in members. His friend, Rev. John Himes
had offered to help him with our visitation ministry and to help
with arranging and serving Communion to shut-ins. He said
that he had discussed the role of a Parish Associate with Rev.
Himes and about serving in that capacity. After a brief
discussion, a motion was made, seconded, and approved by
acclamation to invite Rev. John Himes to serve as Parish
Associate. Rev. Himes will be offered reimbursement for
his travel expenses associated with his Parish Associate
ministry.
Rev. Dr. Story advised the Session that we
have a second group of individuals from the Iglesia del Pueblo
congregation who have submitted their Membership Data Forms so
they can join our church family. He said that all
membership applications will be passed along to the Membership
Commission for processing. He said that their Worship
Committee meets on Tuesday evenings and that he is working with
them by texting in both English and Spanish, as well as taking a
Spanish course on-line.
He told the Session that the Presbytery at
the Stated Meeting on September 26-27, 2014 in Lovington, NM had
voted to hire a Transitional Shepherd for a term of no more than
2 years. A committee was assigned to draft a position
description and conduct a job search to select the best
applicant for the position. He said that he hoped the
individual selected for the job is someone who is committed to
completing the task in a year or less. He asked all Elders
to provide him with an updated status of their contacts with
their sheep. He advised the Session that he would be
taking off the 28th of December, the 4th
and 11th of January. The pulpit will be filled
by CRE Janet Loman on Dec. 28th and Rev. John Himes
on Jan. 4th. He also explained that our college
ministry would like to lead worship on January 11, and that
Catie Brewer would like to preach that day. He said that he has
been invited to officiate at his niece’s wedding after Easter in
North Carolina, and would will be away on April 12th,
but it is too early to identify who will fill the pulpit in his
absence
Rev. Dr. Story advised the Session that the
negotiations with Debbie Caldwell about leasing part of Branigan
Hall for her Day Care business were currently ongoing.
Clerk’s Report: The Clerk’s
Report was as written in the meeting agenda and was on the
CONSENT DOCKET.
a. The inspection of our church record
books is on hold pending additional guidance from the Stated
Clerk of our Presbytery.
b. . The Clerk received a motion by email
to call a Special Session meeting for after Church services on
Sunday. 9-28-14. The purpose of this special meeting is to meet
Debbi Caldwell and hear her presentation about leasing part of
Branigan Hall for her use as a Day Care facility. Seconds
and votes to call the Special Session Meeting were received from
a Quorum of the Elders on Session and the Motion was approved by
acclamation.
c. Membership Commission meeting on
September 28, 2014 welcomed new members Jesus Agustin, Antonia
Borjas, Antonio Alonzo, Martha Alonzo, Alfredo Cadena, Ramelia
Cadena, Gustavo Gomez, Karla Martinez, Marcos Puentes, Martha
Puentes, Graciano Renteria, Maria Ceniceros, Orlando Sanchez,
Claudia Sanchez, Juana Suarez, Patricia Tovar, Socorro Tovar,
Carlos Gomez, Madelourdes Vazquez, Fernando Fuentes, Domitila
Prospero, Ivan Cadena, Esperanza Carrillo, Juan Lee, Leslie
Ortiz, and Lilia Rivera. They were introduced to the
Congregation on World Communion Sunday, October 5, 2014.
d. During the
preparation of the Minutes of the September 16, 2014 Session
meeting, the Clerk was unable to find any record of a formal
vote to change Article IV.2 of the Church By-Laws FROM:
2. The Session shall normally consist of
eighteen duly elected elders, 1/3 of whom shall be elected each
year, with a moderator as specified in the Book of Order.
TO: 2. The Session shall normally
consist of fourteen duly elected elders, 6 of whom shall be
elected for 3 year terms and 8 of whom shall be elected for 2
year terms, with a moderator as specified in the Book of Order.
The Session Minutes of the February19, 2013 meeting reflect
their discussion and the December 17, 2013 meeting minutes
reflect their decision to implement the change. The Clerk
requested a motion to: “change Article IV.2 of our By-Laws
from: 2. The Session shall normally
consist of eighteen duly elected elders, 1/3 of whom shall be
elected each year, with a moderator as specified in the Book of
Order. TO: 2. The Session shall
normally consist of fourteen duly elected elders, 6 of whom
shall be elected for 3 year terms and 8 of whom shall be elected
for 2 year terms, with a moderator as specified in the Book of
Order.” A Motion was Made, Seconded, and Approved by
acclamation to approval this By-Laws change and to present
this approved change to the Congregation for their approval at
the Called Congregational Meeting on Sunday, October 26, 2014.
Approval of Minutes: The
Clerk’s Report and the approval of the Minutes of the STATED
SESSION MEETING on September 16, 2014 and the MEMBERSHIP
COMMISSION MEETING on September 28, 2014 were on the Agenda
Consent Docket and were APPROVED BY CONSENT.
Deacon’s Report: Deacon
Moderator Bill Haynes reported that the Deacon’s Report was
written and he had no additional information except the results
of Deacon’s Hamburger Fry. They served 174 people at a
food cost of $391.00; and so far their income was over
$2,000.00.
Committee Reports:
Administration: Written with
no action items.
Buildings and Grounds: Written
with no action items. It was noted that several of our new
members from the Iglesia del Pueblo congregation were in
attendance during the annual church work day on Saturday,
October 18th and they contributed a lot to the work
accomplished.
Christian Education: Written
with no action items.
Congregational Life and Outreach
Support: Written with no action items. The committee
announced that they had received a gift of $3,000 for outreach
and remained focused on preparing for their Trunk or Treat
Halloween program on October 31st.
Missions: Written with no action
items. They announced that they were expecting a visit
from some of the Missionaries we support on November 22nd
& 23rd.
Music and Worship: Written with no
action items.
Foundation: No meeting,
therefore no report.
Financial Report for Sept 1 - Sept
30, 2014
Sept (Actual) Sept (Budgeted)
YTD (Actual) YTD (Budgeted)
Income
$36,795.59
$287,931.37
Expense $30,443.69
$273,720.79
The Consent Motion to receive all
Committee Reports and accept the Financial Report was approved.
Old Business: Due to the
numerous length of time spent in discussions with the
Presbytery COM representatives, the Session deferred the
discussion about how we can get more church-wide participation
and involvement in Church activities like Adult Sunday School
classes; fellowship and leadership activities; Stewardship; and
recruitment of new members of all ages until the October 21
meeting.
New Business: Pastor Dr. Story
reminded the Elders that our sister church in Deming was hosting
the Presbytery meeting on April 24 & 25, 2015. This would
be a great opportunity to see a Presbytery meeting in action
without driving to meeting sites like Roswell, Corona, or
Lovington.
The next Stated Session Meeting will be
Tuesday, November 18, 2014 at 7:00 PM. The Christian Education
Ministry team will be responsible for opening prayer and
meditation.
Adjournment: Reverend Story adjourned the
meeting with prayer at 8:35 PM.
______________________
______________________
_____________
Carlton Connor
Rev. Dr. Norm Story
Date Approved
Clerk of Session
Moderator
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2014-12-20 12:22:17