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

STATED SESSION MEETING

TUESDAY, January 12, 2013

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (U.S.A.), LAS CRUCES, NM
STATED SESSION MEETING
TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2013

Moderator Reverend Norm Story convened the meeting at 7:00 PM and Austin Breck of the Administration Ministry Team opened it with a meditation and prayer.

Elders present: Lyn Ames, Lon Anderson, Corina Armendariz, Austin Breck, Brad Class, Blain Goss, Jacqui Jones, Janet Loman, Kate Puckett, Winnie Quinzi, Greg Sherman, Stephen Taylor, Dennis Thomas and Nora Yaryan.
Elders Absent: Lloyd Kirschenmann, Richard Paul and Roger Sellers.

Guests: Rev. Carrol Blevins, Deacon Moderator Don Behnke, and new Member applicants Brian and Dot Otto.

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

Approval of Agenda: The agenda was approved as published.

Introduction of New Member Applicant: Brian and Dot Otto were introduced as new member applicants joining by reaffirmation of faith. The Elders introduced themselves, briefly described their role as a church officer and how they all viewed this church as a significant part of their immediate family. Brian and Dot Otto introduced themselves and discussed their past church memberships and their travels from Pennsylvania to Maryland, West Virginia, and Arizona. They described how they had recently moved to Las Cruces and had visited our church services one Sunday when Rev. Carrol Blevins was preaching in Rev. Story’s absence. They were impressed that Rev. Story contacted them after he returned and invited them to visit us again. The Session voted to welcome Brian and Dot Otto into the membership of our church family, and they will be presented to the congregation on Sunday, January 21, 2013.

Pastor’s Report: Pastor Story reminded everyone about our Presbytery meeting in Alamogordo on Friday evening and Saturday, January 25 & 26, 2013. Since it is so close, he suggested that anyone interested in attending a Presbytery meeting should make plans to do so. The Friday meeting structure will group attendees in clusters just like our Presbytery is organized. It will give us a chance to meet with, and get acquainted with, the pastors and members of the Deming and Santa Theresa Churches.

Pastor Story advised the Session that although NM law does not require the First Presbyterian Church Corporation to hold Annual Meetings, it may be very beneficial for us to start doing so. After some brief discussion, the Session approved the scheduling of our Annual Corporation meeting during the Annual Congregational Meeting set for Sunday, February 24th, 2013.

Rev. Story passed around a note from one of the high schools thanking us for the use of our Sanctuary for their Christmas program. He also passed around the January/February 2013 issue of Presbyterians Today magazine, with focus on the Spotlight article on page 15. In it Elder Alex Burr describes Deacon Moderator Don Behnke’s Roadrunner Foodbank distribution operation from our church. The article credits Rev. Wayne Hawkins and his Iglesia del Pueblo Spanish speaking congregation for doing the “heavy lifting” work of setup, sorting & repackaging, organizing the food for distribution, and it’s actual distribution.

Rev. Story announced that in 2011 we reported that we had 360 members on our rolls and for 2012 we are reporting 370 members, an increase of 10 new members. When asked if all of these are active members, he said that unfortunately not all of them are active.

Clerk’s Report: The Clerk’s Report was as written in the meeting agenda, and the Clerk reported that Rev. Story performed 12 Baptisms in the Sanctuary during 2012. These 12 Baptisms were: Adrienne Linda Huffman on 03/04/2012; Serenity Daniella Escallera on 03/18/2012; Brian Schroeder (Adult), Benjamin Schroeder, and Jacob Schroeder on 04/01/2012; Maxime Tchamna-Kouna on 04/15/2012; Rosa Taylor and Amon Taylor on 12/09/2012; and Ivonne Celeste Vasquez, April Vasquez, Pharell Landry Pangoup, and Alijah Escalera on 12/30/2012. The Clerk’s request to remove Johanne Golcher (#4770) and Gary Stephens (#4705) from our rolls was approved by acclimation.

Approval of Minutes: A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the December 18, 2012 Stated Session meeting as written. The minutes were approved by acclimation.

Deacon’s Report: The Deacon’s Moderator Don Behnke reported that Rev. Hawkins had visited a family that had just moved into an apartment and their only furniture was a mattress on the floor. He said that the Deacon’s mattress and bedding ministry program is providing a lot of poor and needy families with much needed mattresses & bedding in the same manner as the Roadrunner Food Bank distribution is at our church. He said that it costs us $250 per month to purchase the 500 lbs of food that is broken down into 50 lb packages that we distribute. In some cases, this is all of the food that a family may get for the month.

Committee Reports:

Administration: The Administration Team presented their proposed 2013 Budget of $447,939.00 which generated some discussion over budget cuts and increases. They also advised the Session that every month they will monitoring our 2013 income and expenses very closely. If congregational pledges and other giving is less than projected and/or if expenses increase above what is anticipated, they will take all of the steps necessary to bring them back in line. The Session approved the proposed budget and it will be submitted to the Congregation for approval at the February 24th Annual Congregational meeting.
Buildings and Grounds: The Buildings and Grounds Team announced that they have scheduled a Congregational Work Day for Saturday, March 9th, from 8 AM to 12 PM.
Christian Education: Written with 2 action items. The Christian Education Team recommended the Session approve the use of church facilities to serve the lunch for the Elder’s Retreat on February 16th, and to serve the lunch for the Annual Congregational meeting on February 24th. Their recommendations were approved by acclimation
Congregational Life and Outreach: Written with no action items The Congregational Life Team reminded all the Elders that their February 15th Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper from 5:30 to 7:00 PM is also planned to inform the congregation about what each Ministry Team does. They hope that members at each Team’s table who are interested in what the Team does, will volunteer to help them accomplish their work.
Missions: Written with no action items.
Music and Worship: Written with no action items.
Foundation: No meeting, therefore no report.




Financial Report for Dec. 1- Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. (Actual) Dec. (Budgeted) YTD (Actual) YTD (Budgeted)
Income $55,228.39 $467,379.74
Expense $41,715.22 $439,565.56

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

Old Business: The Session tabled the scheduled discussion of the Duties and Responsibilities of the Congregational Life and Outreach Ministry Team and scheduled it for the February 2013 meeting.

New Business: No new business was brought to the Session.

The next Stated Session Meeting will be Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at 7:00 PM. The Buildings & Grounds Ministry Committee will be responsible for opening prayer and meditation.

Adjournment: Reverend Story adjourned the meeting with prayer at 8:26 PM.




______________________ ______________________ _____________
Carlton Connor Norm Story Date Approved
Clerk of Session Moderator