FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Board of Deacons Meeting

March 18, 2008

The March meeting of the Board of Deacons was opened with prayer by Rusty Smith at 7:05 p.m.

 Present were: Cindy Tafoya, Robert McPherson, Alice Cooper, Jean Rhodes, Doris Morgan, Mary Ellen Gregg, Tracy Geiger, Katie Grandle, Mike Bartholomew, Rosemary Maddox, Jean Bernard Nganou, Olivier Heubo, and Debbie Austin.

 Excused: Winnie Quinzi, Lynn Lawson-Jones

 Approval of Minutes: Minutes of the February 21, 2008 meeting were approved.

 Pastor's Report: Not available.

 Moderator's Remarks: Thank-you notes were received from The Hands of Luke Ministry and Casa de Peregrinos.

 Treasurer's Report: The Summary Balance Sheet as of March 18, 2008 shows a balance of $3,214.42.

 COMMITTEE REPORTS

 Ushering: No report. Ushering schedule was passed around and most of the remaining vacancies were filled. Tracy said choir members will help out during the summer. On Maundy Thursday only the South door will be used, and Jean and Rosemary will arrive at 6 p.m. to handle ushering duties and count the attendance. Problem: Some people don't sign the attendance sheets.

 Transportation:  Rusty will train anyone who wants to drive. There are only two pick-up places now and the passengers are down to between three and five. There was a day about a month ago when a person was missed.

 Special Events:         Tracy asked if Deacons could do other projects during the year in addition to the hamburger fry. Jean reminded her of Undies for Sundays and the blanket project, both for Gospel Rescue Mission.

 Soup Kitchen:  Jean said the crews are wonderful and everything is going fine.

 Transient Meals   Alice volunteered to do the shopping for Transient Meals on a permanent basis.

 Visitation:  Robert went to the nursing home to visit Jess Gerard, but he was sleeping. While there he visited Mary DeBoy, who was quite chipper. Mary Ellen volunteered to serve on the Visitation Committee.

 Building and Grounds:   Tracy took B & G on a tour of the facility to point out the problems. Parts have been ordered for the dishwasher, and the fence fastener problem was discussed. Jean has volunteered to arrange for a spot in the Church Service to make the Congregation aware of the possibility of a Columbarium here on the Church grounds. After people have been exposed to the project by this and other means, a survey will be mailed to church members.

 Congregational Life:  Katie said   the Las Cruces Church Softball League games will begin on April 17.  The League is coed; players must be 14 years of age or older, and the team will have shirts.

This Committee helped with the Carroll Choir concert the evening of March 17.

 Christian Education:  Tracy discussed the free program available online for teacher training and Bible study. There is also a Discipleship Project which involves independent study. Mary Ellen will serve on this Committee and will henceforth be 6-C.

  Missions:  Rosemary, in reviewing the Harvey’s file, found a note saying "We hope to visit you during our home leave this year." She has written to extend an invitation to them and to ascertain the dates of their home leave. Tracy asked to be notified of the dates when any of our missionaries are planning to visit.

 Worship and Music:  Choir robes have been ordered, and microphones still need to be ordered. Alice discussed plans for the Maundy Thursday program, which she said should be marvelous; Robert will take pictures. She said Harry Beckett will be here on March 30th. Rev. Story wants to have a ruling elder fill the pulpit during his absence this summer, and he will assist in the sermon preparation.

 Administration:  Did not meet because several members were ill.

 Congregational Count:   Robert stressed how important an accurate attendance count is. Ushers can count while collecting the offering or by walking down the side aisle.

 Memorial Refreshments:  This is an information only item. Recently Bob Paul, at the request of the El Paso family of the late Schuster family daughter-in-law, held a memorial service for her. He and Mrs. Paul provided refreshments after the service; Robert told him the Deacons could help him with the cost, but Bob declined the offer.

 New  Business: Rosemary reported that during the past year she has heard, once directly and once second-hand, about families who have been unhappy that they were not contacted by the Church when a death occurred. One was the death of a member and the other the daughter of a member. Tracy explained that the family is expected to contact the Church if they want a service or a visit, but she will look into the situation.

 The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m. with the Mizpah Benediction.

 The next meeting will be April 17 at 7:00 p.m.

 Submitted by Rosemary Maddox

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Last update 2008-03-26 21:35:20