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

STATED SESSION MEETING

TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 2012

 

Moderator Reverend Norm Story convened the meeting at 7:00 PM and Congregational Life & Outreach Ministry Team Moderator Stephen Taylor opened it with a meditation and prayer.

 

Elders present:  Corina Armendariz, Gene Christensen, Jerry Grandle, Brian Griffith, Jacqui Jones, Lloyd Kirschenmann, Janet Loman, Martha Mitchell, Tom Morehart, Jim Parks, Richard Paul, Kate Puckett, Roger Sellers, Greg Sherman, and Stephen Taylor.

Elders Excused: Austin Breck and Nora Yaryan.

Elders Absent: Lon Anderson.

 

Guests: New member applicants Andrew Escalera and Ariana Garcia, and Deacon Moderator Rusty Smith.

 

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

 

Approval of Agenda: The agenda was approved as published.

 

Reception of New Member: Andrew Escalera and Ariana Garcia were introduced as new member applicant joining by reaffirmation of faith.  The Elders introduced themselves, described their role as a church officer, and offered a brief comment on what the church means to them and what their membership in this church provides for them.  Andrew and Ariana described what membership means to them and why they chose to join this church in particular.  Andrew said that “God brought me here.  I feel comfortable here and the kids are important and I want to raise them right.  I have been praying and feel God is calling me to be here.”  The Session voted to welcome Andrew Escalera and Ariana Garcia as members of our church family and they will be presented to the congregation on Sunday, April 22, 2012.

 

Pastor’s Report:  Reverend Story invited our Presbytery Commissioner, Elder Steve Loman, to give the Session a brief report on the ongoing discussions between our Presbytery of Sierra Blanca  and the Presbytery of Santa Fe about joining together to form a new Presbytery of New Mexico.  The two Presbyteries will have a joint meeting at the Sandia Presbyterian Church in Albuquerque on Friday and Saturday, April 27 & 28, 2012 for the final discussions and to vote on this proposal.

 

Commissioner Loman stated that in his opinion the two main problems affecting all of the churches in our Presbytery are first, the relative size disparity between the two Presbyteries; i.e., we have approximately 1500 members in our Presbytery of Sierra Blanca and the Presbytery of Santa Fe has approximately 6500 members.  The second problem is that the approximately $190,000 in funding support of our Presbytery from the PCUSA for staff salaries and mission support will cease and drop to $0.00 in 2014.  The cost of supporting the Presbytery staff, even at a reduced manning level starting in 2014, will probably increase our Per Capita Tax from its current level of approximately $25.00 per member to approximately $50.00 to $60.00 per member in 2014.  This would have a significant negative financial and local ministry impact on our church; and we are the largest church in our Presbytery.  It would probably devastate many of our smaller churches.

 

While we do not know how our sister churches may vote on the question of combining the two Presbyteries, we understand the 1^st Clovis Church has voted to stay in the Presbytery of Sierra Blanca, if the two presbyteries vote to combine, it would prefer to join a Texas Presbytery.

 

Commissioner Loman expressed the opinion that “if the two Presbyteries vote to combine, we can probably live with that; and if the two Presbyteries vote to stay separate, we can probably live with that.”

 

Pastor Story urged each ministry team to write a brief summary of the discussions and actions taken during their monthly meetings and submit them for publication in “The Good News” and/or “The Lantern” each month.  He stressed the continuing need to inform our members of what is happening, and why, in their church, so that they become more informed about, and engaged in, what their church is planning and doing; and the reasons for these actions.

 

Clerk’s Report:  The Clerk’s Report was as written in the meeting agenda.  The Clerk’s requested approval to remove Glen Garrett (# 4645) from our rolls because many years ago, when he divorced his wife, a member of our congregation, he moved to Texas and has not been in contact with us since then.  The request was approved by acclimation.  The Session expressed their appreciation to Clerk Carl Connor for his continued outstanding service after his Clerk’s Report indicated that our Church’s Records were approved without exception by the Presbytery of Sierra Blanca Moderator Sallie Watson after their review in Ruidoso on April4, 2012.

 

Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the Stated Session Meeting on March 20, 2012 were approved with one change.  Under New Business b) ADD:  “Elder Jerry Grandle was nominated, seconded and elected by acclimation as our Alternate Commissioner to Presbytery.”

 

Deacons Report:  Deacon Moderator Rusty Smith stated that the Deacon’s will not meet until Thursday, April 19, so they have no Action Items for the Session.  They do however want more active support for their activities.

 

Committee Reports:

 

Administration:  Written with 1 action item.  Recommended approval for Bank update authorizing the following individuals to sign checks: Carl Connor, Lyn Ames, Tom Morehart, Austin Breck, and Mel Parish and the following individuals to pick up the deposit bag: Joan Rawson, Winnie Quinzi, Mel Parish, Melanie Grant, Tom Morehart, and Austin Breck.  Approved by acclimation. 

Buildings and Grounds: Written with no action items, but with a reminder of the scheduled Church Work Day on Saturday, May 12, from 8 AM until noon. 

Christian Education: Written with 2 action items.  The Team recommended approval to use Reeves/Watkins Hall for LCHS AP Testing from May 7 through May 17 and for a Youth Garage Sale Fund Raiser on May 26.  Both action items were approved by acclimation.

Congregational Life and Outreach: Written with no action items. 

Missions: Written with no action items.

Music and Worship: Written with 2 action items.  The minutes reflected the Pulpit Supply arrangements for Pastor Story’s absence on May 27 & June 3 (Rev. Carrol Blevins), and July 1 (Janet Loman).  The Team voted to change the July Communion service from July 1 to July 8, after the holiday and after Rev. Story returns.  Both items were approved by acclimation.

Foundation: No meeting and therefore no report.

 

Financial Report for Mar 1- Mar 31, 2012

                                               

     Mar (Actual)     Mar (Budgeted)        YTD (Actual)      YTD (Budgeted)

Income       $38,434.13                                      $105,814.44

Expense     $37,632.48                                      $106,858.48

 

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

 

Old Business:    a)  The Children’s Garden has vacated Branigan Hall and the Administration Ministry Team is working with Buildings & Grounds to ensure that all utility requirements and settings necessary   

                                  for the Children’s Garden Day Care operations are readjusted for our normal church requirements.  The results of these efforts will take another 30 to 45 days before we can see the    

                                  lower costs from these changes.  Administration will monitor these costs and keep the Session advised of the changes as they occur.

                           b)  The Christian Education Ministry Team has indicated that Branigan Hall is now available for our use and they are moving their Children’s activities back into their old locations in

                                 Branigan.

                          c)  The Clerk was directed to respond to Marge Rankin’s letter requesting that the Session consider returning Branigan Hall to the Church’s use for Christian education of our children.  

 

New Business: a)  Action on the request from Christian Education that the Session formally review their Draft Policy on Child & Youth Safety & the synopsis form that all persons working with children &

                                youth must sign.  All members of the Session were emailed draft copies of the draft policy & synopsis form to review.  Their feedback focused on restructuring the draft policy and the

                                background checks for persons covered by the policy.  Rev. Story has an article on background checks that he will share with any interested members.  The Christian Education Team  

                                will revise the draft policy structure and distribute it to the Session for their discussion and approval.

                           b)  The Church restructuring that was initially discussed during the Elder’s Retreat was discussed with emphasis placed on various models in use at other Presbyterian churches.  One of the

                                reasons driving this discussion is to make it easier on the Nominating Committee as many members who have been contacted about serving on the Session have been reluctant to make

                               a 3 year commitment.  Shorter terms (2 years) were discussed, as was reducing the Session from 18 to 15 Elders.  One way that the Session size could be reduced would be to eliminate

                               a Ministry Team and shift their current duties to existing Ministry Teams or even the Deacons, where appropriate.

 

The Elders who acted as secretaries at the Elder’s Retreat were asked to summarize the ideas discussed at their tables and forward them to the Clerk, who will compile them with structures in use at other churches.  This information will enable the Session to discuss Church restructuring in an informed manner at the May meeting.   

                         

The next Stated Session Meeting will be Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at 7:00 PM. The Missions Ministry Committee will be responsible for opening prayer and meditation.

 

Adjournment: Reverend Story adjourned the meeting with prayer at 8:36 PM.

 

 

 

______________________        ______________________                   _____________      

Carlton Connor                                   Norm Story                                     Date Approved

Clerk of Session                                 Moderator