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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (U.S.A.), LAS CRUCES, NM

STATED SESSION MEETING

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2010

 The Moderator 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, Gena Breck, Gene Christensen, Carl Connor, Larry Felhauer, Blaine Goss, Jerry Grandle, Florence Hamilton, Wayne Maley, Martha Mitchell, Jim Parks, and Richard Paul.

 Elders excused: Alex Burr, Joan Rawson, Greg Temple, and Charlie Yaryan.

 Elder Absent: Carissa Rood.

 Guest: Rusty Smith, Deacon’s Moderator.

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

 Approval of Agenda: The agenda was approved as submitted.

 Training/Reception of New Members: During the Elder’s Retreat the question of what is the role of the elder came up. To aid in answering the question, the clerk read from sections G6.0304 and W4.4003 of the Book of Order.

 Pastor’s Report: Rev. Story started by stating his study leave wasn’t going as well as expected due to the several situations arising that required his personal involvement. He will be requesting some additional time.

 On the 27^th of this month there will be a vote at Presbytery on a new Presbyter (Dr. Sallie Watson) for the combined Presbyteries. If any of the elders would like to serve on Presbytery committees, please see Rev. Story.

 Clerk’s Report:  The Clerk requested and received approval to remove the following from the Church roll due to their deaths, Mrs. Barbara Phillips (#2683) died; Ms. Maria Brown (#4648) died on 01/20/10; Mrs. Caroline Darr (#4202) died on 02/12/10; and Mrs. Lois Welles (#3983) died on 02/13/10.

 Permission to issue a Letter of Transfer of membership for Mrs. Sue Liefeld (#2837) to First United Methodist Church, 2917 Aspen Dr., Durango, CO 81301 was given by the session.

 The clerk passed out a list of 39 members eligible to be placed on the in-active list (Ref: G-10.0302 [3]) and 17 members recommended for deletion from the Church roll (Ref: G-10.0302b. {7]) with the request that the elders try and contact their “sheep” and revise the lists with any information they obtain. This will be revisited at the March 16, session meeting.

 Copies of two letters that will be sent to the above individuals were given to the session members.

Copies of the Clerk’s Annual Report were passed out with the following information:

A.    MEMBERSHIP: as of January 1, 2009                            392

ADDITIONS:

   Received on Profession/Affirmation of Faith                   2

   Received on Church Letter                                              11

   Received by Reaffirmation of Faith                                  6

   Restored to Active Roll                                                     0

REMOVALS

   Transferred by Letter                                                         6

   Removed due to Death                                                    11

   Inactive Roll/Deletions                                                      0

   Removed by Request                                                         3

MEMBERSHIP: as of December 31, 2009                      391

B.     BAPTISMS

   Adult/Believers                                                                  0

   Infant/Children                                                                18

C.     WEDDINGS:                                                                       2     

D.    MEETINGS:

                     Congregational:

                        Called Congregational                                                    2

                        Annual Congregational                                                   1

                    Stated Session                                                                   12

                    Called Session                                                                     3

                    Polling of Session by e-mail                                                0                                                                 

Communion was served to 263 worshipers on February 7, 2010. 

 Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the Stated Session Meeting on January 19, 2010 were approved as submitted.

 Correspondence:

1. Nov. 17, 2009 – Letter requesting a Letter of Transfer for Mrs. Sue Liefeld to First United Methodist Church of Durango, Colorado.

 Deacon’s Report: Written with no action items.

 Committee Reports:

Administration: Written accompanied by the proposed revised By-Laws. The committee’s recommendation to approve the By-Laws with a minor revision to Section XI and submission to the congregation on February 28, 2010 was approved.

A change to the FY2010 budget decreasing the previously approved budget from $458,232.00 to $456,208.91 and recommended by the committee was approved.

Buildings and Grounds: Written with no action items.

Christian Education: Written with two recommendations that the High School Youth garage sale on March 13, 2010 and the High School and Mid-School youth be transported to the Gospel Rescue Mission to deliver collect food and monies on February 24, 2010 were approved.

Congregational Life and Outreach: Verbal with no action items.

Missions: Written with no action items.

Music and Worship: Written with no action items.

Nominating Committee: Verbal and they are working on filling the elder vacancy created by Mrs. Karen Kirschenmann’s death.

 Financial Report for January 1 – January 31, 2010

                                                 Budget for 2010 - $ 456,208.91

 Jan (Actual)     Jan (Budgeted)            YTD (Actual)      YTD (Budgeted)

Income               $32,844.93          $45,813.28               $32,844.93            $45,813.28

Expense $30,612.94           $46,708.69              $30,612.94          $46,708.69

Phase One Principal $85,000

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

 Old Business: The Revised Church By-Laws were approved (See Administration committee’s report above).

 New Business: The Deacon’s and Music and Worship committee were tasked to explore the problem of congestion in the Narthex on Sunday mornings and derive some possible solutions.

In response to a proposed motion on the creation of a 2010 Budget Task Force, it was recommended that all moderators with the Administration committee moderator acting as Chairperson meet quarterly, prior to the scheduled session meeting and look at budget issues.

 A couple of issues from the elder’s retreat were discussed and they were revisions to the Web site, and meeting and greeting people attending services and programs at the Church. These and other topics from the retreat will be discussed at next month’s session meeting.

 The next Stated Session Meeting will be Tuesday, March 16, 2010 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 8:25 PM.

___________________________      __________________________     _____________      

Stephen F. Hardin                               Rev. Norm Story                             Date Approved

Clerk of Session                                  Moderator

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Last update 2010-03-16 07:08:13