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

STATED SESSION MEETING

TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2013

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

 Elders present:  Lyn Ames, Lon Anderson, Austin Breck, Brad Class, Blaine Goss, Lloyd Kirschenmann, Janet Loman, Roger Sellers, Greg Sherman, Stephen Taylor, and Dennis Thomas.

Elders Absent:  Corina Armendariz, Jacqui Jones, Richard Paul, Kate Puckett, and Winnie Quinzi.

 Guests:  Rev. Carrol Blevins and Deacon Moderator Don Behnke.

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

 Approval of Agenda: The agenda was approved as published.

 Pastor’s Report:  Pastor Dr. Story reported that the Christian Ed. personnel search committee had almost completed their Job Description for the new youth program leader.  They are tentatively looking for someone with a Masters degree in Christian Education with experience in planning and completing projects.  They are also looking for places where they can post the job description & requirements so that we can attract the largest number of interested, and most qualified, applicants.

 Our June 10^th through 14^th Vacation Bible School this year was successfully completed, thanks to the efforts of 50 Adult and 35 Youth volunteers who guided the activities and fed 107 to 109 children of all ages.  The Youth Group has almost tripled in size during the last month.   Pastor Dr. Story and Gena Breck met with the parents and Mid-school Youth that they will chaperone on their Mission trip to Gunnison, CO.  All of the trip details were finalized during the meeting.  The group will consist of 7 girls and 3 boys, 5 of whom will be 6^th graders when school starts in August.  In addition to their missionary work, the youth will focus on building relationships within the group during the trip.  He asked for a motion to allow him to serve Communion on the Youth Mission trip.  A motion to do so was made, seconded, and approved by acclamation.

 Pastor Dr. Story announced an upcoming Continuing Education program on Church Stewardship to be held in Phoenix, AZ on Aug. 23^rd (Fri.) & 24^th (Sat.). Lodging will be available for $75.00 in shared rooms and $125.00 in single rooms.  He invited Session members to seriously consider attending the program as it has scheduled some very good speakers.  He advised the Session that he & Kathy would be spending the first part of his July Sabbatical in the desert around Tucson, and then he would return home for some overdue reading and contemplation; while Kathy was off visiting her family.

 He announced that both church attendance and giving has been down for the past several months and urged each Elder to reach out to the members they are assigned to shepherd, as well as any of their friends and acquaintances they have missed at church.  They should let them know that they are missed and try to find out why.  Each of the missing sheep should be reminded that they are missed and that they are members of our church family.  

  Clerk’s Report:  The Clerk’s Report was as written in the meeting agenda.

a.  The Clerk received an email letter on May 22, 2013 from our Commissioner to Presbytery Richard Paul, announcing his resignation as Commissioner.

b.  The Clerk received an email letter from Team on June 6, 2013 from John Grant, announcing his resignation as Auditor effective June 30, 2013.

c.  The Clerk submitted a composite response of the Presbytery Leadership Team’s questionnaire that incorporated the responses of the Elders on Session as well as the views of Pastor Story and himself.

 Approval of Minutes:   A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the May 21, 2013 Stated Session meeting as written.  The minutes were approved by acclamation.

Deacon’s Report:  Deacon Moderator Don Behnke reported that food bank had distributed 5000 lbs of food to 91 families on June 17^th.  He said that one of the things that he has noticed recently is that many of the recipients are much older and had difficulty lifting and carrying the weight of various food packages.

 Committee Reports:

Administration:  Written with no action items.  The Administration Team reported they had an abbreviated June meeting, during which they discussed the shortage of giving, and the various ways to get this information out to the congregation.

Buildings and Grounds:  Written with no action items.  The Buildings & Grounds Team is working to restore the irrigation well to safe operation as soon as possible.  The wiring to well motor is unsafe because broken PVC conduit near the well has allowed the wiring to be exposed to ground water.  Repair plans are in work.  The Team also discussed the addition of motion detector controlled flood lights & security cameras to increase nighttime security of our property and buildings.

Christian Education:  Written with no action items. 

 Congregational Life and Outreach: Written with no action items.  .

 Missions: Written with no action items.  The committee reminded the Session that next week Missionary Bob Waguespack will be here as scheduled.

.Music and Worship: The Team did not meet this month, so there is no report.

 Foundation:  No meeting, therefore no report.

Financial Report for May 1 - May 31, 2013

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

Income       $28,829.64                                         $159,770.60

Expense     $38,110.74                                         $178,452.96

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

Old Business:  The Session discussion of the Duties and Responsibilities of the Music and Worship Ministry Team scheduled for this meeting was tabled.  It will be discussed at the August meeting.

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

 

The next Stated Session Meeting will be Tuesday, August 20, 2013 at 7:00 PM. The Administration Ministry Team will be responsible for opening prayer and meditation.

Adjournment: Reverend Story adjourned the meeting with prayer at 7:35 PM.

 

 

______________________                ______________________                                _____________      

Carlton Connor                             Rev. Dr. Norm Story                                      Date Approved

          Clerk of Session                                   Moderator