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

STATED SESSION MEETING

TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

Moderator Reverend Norm Story convened the meeting at 7:00 PM and Music & Worship Ministry Team Moderator Jim Parks opened it with a meditation and prayer.

Elders present: Lon Anderson, Austin Breck, Gene Christensen, Jerry Grandle, Jacqui Jones, Martha Mitchell, Jim Parks, Richard Paul, Kate Puckett, Roger Sellers, Stephen Taylor, and Nora Yaryan.

Elders Excused: Corina Armendariz, Lloyd Kirschenmann, Janet Loman, and Greg Sherman.

Elders Absent: Brian Griffith.

Guests: New member applicants Ed and Carol Green, 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: Ed and Carol Green were introduced as new member applicants 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. Carol said that she was a Lutheran when she met Ed at a Presbyterian Church . They are from the Chicago area and in 1996 they started looking for a warmer place to enjoy their retirement. They moved to Las Cruces in 2005 and initially found us on the internet. They started coming to our Sunday services and found that we were the church home that they were looking for. The Session voted to accept Ed and Carol Green as members of our church family and they will be presented to the congregation on Sunday, June 24, 2012.

Pastor’s Report: Reverend Story reported that David & Dorothy Klement who were on a Mission trip to a remote tribal area of Ghana; were evacuated to safety and are now back home in the United States.

Our Presbytery of Sierra Blanca adopted the Plan B; to continue as a 17 congregation Presbytery with minimal part-time staff instead of merging with the Presbytery of Santa Fe at their meeting in Albuquerque on Saturday, April 28, 2012. Reverend Story was invited to be a member of the committee that would work on a viable alternative to hiring and funding the existing Presbytery staff in order to implement that decision. While there is no plan as yet, the committee will present its recommendations via an Internet Café meeting currently scheduled for late in July.

Clerk’s Report: The Clerk’s Report was as written in the meeting agenda. The Clerk’s requested approval to remove Katherine (Kathy) Davis (# 4497) from our rolls because many years ago she moved to Richland, WA and has not been heard from since. The removal of Katherine Davis was approved by acclimation.

Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the Stated Session Meeting on May 15, 2012 were not available for the Session to review and/or approved. Rev. Story will forward to the Clerk a copy that he received from the Acting Clerk. The Clerk will compile them and distribute them via email for the Elders on Session to approve or correct if required. Once the Session approves the minutes of the May 15, 2012 meeting they will be posted and the approval will be reported in the next Clerk’s Report.

Deacons Report. Deacon Moderator Rusty Smith stated that the Deacon’s will not meet until Thursday, June 21, so they have no Action Items for the Session.

Committee Reports:

Administration: Written with 2 action items. The team recommended replacing our current Church owned copier with a new leased copier. The recent cost of the repairs on our copier, plus the cost of off-site copying when our copier is waiting repair; will offset the leasing cost for the new copier. Approved by acclimation. The team requested approval of the 2013 Annual Budget preparation schedule presented in their written report. The start of the budget process in August will enable the Stewardship Committee to ensure that the Congregation understands the financial needs of the church and the impacts of ant stewardship shortfalls on our overall ministry programs. Approved by acclimation.

Buildings and Grounds: Written with 1 action item. The team requests Session approval to solicit funds from the Congregation to replace the old carpet in Jones Hall. The written report estimates that the cost of this carpet replacement is approximately $5,248.50. Approved by acclimation.

Christian Education: Written with no action items.

Congregational Life and Outreach: Written with no action items.

Missions: Written with 1 action item. As the sponsors of our Cub Scout Pack, Missions requested approval for a Car Wash fund raiser on Saturday, June 23 from 8 to 12. The request was seconded and approved by acclimation.

Music and Worship: Written with no action items.

Foundation: No meeting and therefore no report.

Financial Report for May 1- May 31, 2012

May (Actual) May (Budgeted) YTD (Actual) YTD (Budgeted)

Income $33,729.29 $181,633.90

Expense $37,989.54 $181,151.40

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

Old Business: a) Action on the request from Christian Education that the Session formally review their revised Draft Policy on Child & Youth Safety & the synopsis form that all persons working with children & youth must sign. The Clerk emailed all members of the Session copies of the final revised draft policy & synopsis form to review on Sunday, June 17. They advised the Session that all of the suggested changes that they have received from the Elders had been incorporated into their final revision of the draft policy & synopsis provided for their Review. The Session had no further suggestions or recommendations. The motion to approve the draft policy & synopsis was made and seconded. The motion was approved by acclimation.

.New Business: a) The Session discussed the need to convene the regular scheduled July meeting and a motion was made and seconded to not meet in July. The motion was approved by acclimation.

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

Adjournment: Reverend Story adjourned the meeting with prayer at 8:01 PM.

______________________ ______________________ _____________

Carlton Connor         Norm Story     Date Approved

Clerk of Session      Moderator