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

STATED SESSION MEETING

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2012

 

In the Absence of Moderator Reverend Norm Story, the Clerk of Session convened the meeting at 7:00 PM and the Administration Ministry Moderator Gene Christensen opened it with a meditation and prayer.

 

Elders present: Lon Anderson, Corina Armendariz, Austin Breck, Gene Christensen, Jerry Grandle, Brian Griffith, Jacqui Jones, Martha Mitchell, Tom Morehart, Jim Parks, Richard Paul, Kate Puckett, Greg Sherman, Stephen Taylor, and Nora Yaryan.

 

Elder excused:  Lloyd Kirschenmann, Janet Loman, and Roger Sellers.

 

Guests: Mariann Novack, Donna Curtis, David Sallee, and Nancy Sallee

 

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

 

The first item on the Agenda was the election of an Acting Moderator.  Elder Jerry Grandle was nominated and elected by acclimation.

 

Approval of Agenda: The agenda was modified by the Clerk of Session to add the examination of David Sallee and his wife, Nancy Sallee, who desire to join our church.  The agenda was approved as amended.

 

Order of the Day:  Mariann Novack briefed the Session on her request for them to support and sponsor a Women’s Retreat at the Church in the Fall of 2012, on a date that will selected after reviewing the Church’s Fall Calendar.  The proposed retreat will be self sufficient; with registration fees estimated at between $25.00 and $35.00, including the cost of an on-site lunch.

 

The request had been submitted to, and acted upon by the Congregational Life & Outreach Ministry Team at their January 12, 2012 meeting and their written minutes include a recommendation of support for this request.  A copy of the request letter is included in the minutes as Attachment 1.  It requests the Session to approve funds for the Women’s Retreat Committee to use as “Seed Money”, which will be repaid by the Committee after receipt of the admission fees.  After the Sessions discussion, a motion to approve the Women’s Retreat with the allocation of $2,500.00 for “Seed Money” funding was seconded and approved.  The Session approval was contingent upon the Administration Ministry Team’s approval of the date for the retreat and the Building Use Request.

 

Introduction and examination of new members:  New Member applicants David Sallee and his wife, Nancy Sallee, who desire to join the First Presbyterian Church by transfer of membership; were exaqmined by the Session.  Since both David and Nancy Sallee are well known to many of the Elders, their examination was brief and their membership was approved by acclimation.  They will be introduced to the congregation at a later date.

 

Clerk’s Report:  The Clerk’s Report was as written in the meeting agenda.  The request to issue Letters of Transfer for Richard Dale (# 3673) and Jeanetta Dale (# 3749) to University Presbyterian Church, Las Cruces, NM was approved.  The request to delete members Larry Cooper (# 4075) who died on December 19, 2011; and Elsie Baltensperger (# 3343) who died on January 1, 2012 from our membership rolls due to their deaths was approved.

 

Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the Stated Session Meeting on December 20, 2011 were approved without any changes or corrections.

 

Deacons Report.  Deacon Rusty Smith introduced himself as the 2012 Deacon’s Moderator and stated that the Deacon’s had no action items for the Session.

 

Committee Reports:

 

Administration: There was no written report, but they will present their proposed 2012 Budget under New Business at the end of the meeting. 

Buildings and Grounds: Written with no action items listed in their Minutes.

Christian Education: Written with 5 action items listed in their Minutes.  The action items: 1) Feb. 5, 2012 Sub Sale fund raiser for youth missions; 2) Feb. 5 Souper Bowl of Caring collection of food donations El Caldito & Gospel Rescue Mission; 3) Feb. 12 Rock & Worship Road Show at NMSU Pan American Center; 4) Feb 26 Youth fundraiser Enchilada Dinner at Annual Congregational meeting; and 5) Mar 9-10 Acquire the Fire youth event in Albuquerque, NM.  The Session voted to approve all 5 requests by acclimation.

Congregational Life and Outreach: Written with no action items.  Their Women’s Retreat sponsorship was reported above, in the Order of the Day.   Nora Yaryans briefing about our support for the Joint Presbytery meeting here at First Presbyterian on Feb. 17 & 18 is covered under Old Business, below.

Missions: Written with no action items.

Music and Worship: Written with no action items

Foundation: No report.

 

Financial Report for December 1- December 31, 2011

                                               

     Dec (Actual)     Dec (Budgeted)        YTD (Actual)      YTD (Budgeted)

Income       $52,370.16                                      $463,135.91

Expense     $45,415.27                                      $457,314.38

 

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

 

Old Business: Nora Yaryan briefed the Session on our plans for hosting the Feb. 17 & 18 Joint Presbytery meeting here at First Presbyterian.  Although they are still in flux because of changing requirements from the 2 Presbyteries, we do know that all attendees, including First Presbyterian Church members will pay for their own meals and snacks.  The last available information was that the Friday meetings start around 1 PM and that the Friday evening meal will be catered at the church and will start around 6 PM Friday night with Worship Services scheduled for 7:30 PM.  Saturday morning breakfast (if provided) will consist of light pastries and whole fruit.  The church youth will provide box lunches for those who desire them.  Although changes may occur, Nora and Maryanne Maley will adjust their plans as required and keep all their First Presbyterian volunteers about what is needed and when.

 

New Business: a) ..Request for support of Women’s Retreat in the Fall:  Supported by the Congregational Life & Outreach Ministry Team in their written minutes.  Discussed and approved in The Order of the Day as documented above.

                          b)  Presented by the Administration Ministry and discussed in the meeting.  After clarification that the detailed allocation of expenditures for each Ministry Team’s Budget Line will be determined by the Teams Moderator as decided in the individual Team meetings, a motion was made and seconded to approve the proposed budget as shown below.  The motion was approved by acclimation.

 

 

First Presbyterian Church
2012 Budget Year
"Session Meeting January 17,2012"
(Caution the church's books are not closed)
												2011						2012
										As of 01/13/11								Estimates
	Income
		Current Pledges								$		333,814.13						$		311,500.00
		Other										7,731.84								7,300.00
		Investment										13,097.52								13,000.00
		Reimbursed Expense (CG)										20,133.46								20,100.00
		Sub total								$		374,776.95						$		351,900.00
		Offerings										88,340.17								108,000.00
		Total								$		463,117.12						$		459,900.00
	Fixed Cost
		Personnel Expenses								$		267,084.09						$		268,000.00
		Administration Expenses										29,170.16								29,000.00
		Building & Grounds										92,886.76								88,000.00
		Subtotal								$		389,141.01						$		385,000.00
		Congregational Life										5,151.77								5,200.00
		Total Fixed Costs								$		394,292.78						$		390,200.00
	Variable Costs
		Christian Education								$		1,794.33						$		8,700.00
		Music & Worship										14,856.92								15,000.00
		Missions										46,370.35								46,000.00
		Subtotal								$		63,021.60						$		69,700.00
	Total General Fund Costs									$		457,314.38						$		459,900.00

The next Stated Session Meeting will be Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 7:00 PM. The Buildings and Grounds Ministry Committee will be responsible for opening prayer and meditation.

 

Adjournment: Moderator Grandle adjourned the meeting with prayer at 8:05 PM.

 

 

 

______________________        ______________________                   _____________      

Carlton Connor                                   Jerry Grandle                                  Date Approved

Clerk of Session                                 Acting Moderator

ATTACHMENT 1 TO MINUTES OF JANUARY 17, 2012

STATED SESSION MEETING

 

 

 

January 17, 2012

Mr. Carl Connor, Clerk of Session
Session
First Presbyterian Church
200 E. Boutz
Las Cruces, New Mexico 88005

Request and Consideration

Dear Mr. Connor,

                The ladies of First Presbyterian Church would like to request your consideration for a Ladies Retreat in the fall of 2012 with the goal of an outreach to the community and churches of Las Cruces and the surrounding area. 

                We have listed the following for your review and consideration.  We have submitted and were approved by the Congregational Life Committee. 

·         Use First Presbyterian Church sanctuary, Reeves Hall, and kitchen for designated retreat

·         Restore a dedicated fund for retreat income and expenses

·         Request seed money until the registration fees or designated offerings are obtained

·         To be able to apply for grant funding to help with expenses

·         To charge a fee for admission to the retreat

·         Establish a Women’s Retreat Liaison to keep Congregational Life and Session informed as to our progress

·         To utilize Church security and clean-up

 

After brainstorming and much prayer a committee was formed to organize a women’s retreat.  We request your blessing and prayers for this event.

 

Sincerely yours,

Mariann Novack
Chairman, Women’s Retreat