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

STATED SESSION MEETING

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2014

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

 Elders present:  Lyn Ames, Lon Anderson, Corina Armendariz, Brad Class, Blaine Goss, Susan Grandle, Jacqui Jones, Bill Kuyper, Roger Sellers, Greg Sherman, Stephen Taylor, and Dennis Thomas.

.Elders Excused Absence:  Nancy Johnson and Winnie Quinzi (LOA).

 Guests:  Deacon Moderator Steve Johnson, New Member applicants James Baylor, Bruce Carlson, Susan Carlson, and Janet Lee.

 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 Applicants: James Baylor was introduced as a new member applicant joining by Letter of Transfer from Sonoma Springs Covenant Church in Las Cruces, NM, Bruce and Susan Carlson were introduced as new member applicants joining by Letters of Transfer from Central Presbyterian Church in Petersburg, IL, and Janet Lee was introduced as a new member applicant joining by affirmation 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.  James introduced himself as a future Presbyterian Minister who has been working with Rev. Hawkins and his Iglesia del Pueblo church while he waits to start his formal ministerial education at Princeton University in August.  He wants to use our church as his Presbyterian community anchor and will return to work our church family whenever he can during his ministerial education.  Bruce & Susan Carlson moved to Las Cruces after many years in Illinois in November 2013 and could not be happier that they got here in time to miss all of the snow, ice, and freezing temperatures occurring back there since they left.  As long time Presbyterians, they found our church family to be their new church family.  They are already involved in teaching programs in our Salt & Light Ministry.  Janet Lee just moved to Las Cruces after spending several years at White Sands Missile Range and has been looking for a new Church Home in Las Cruces.  The Session voted to welcome James Baylor, Bruce Carlson, Susan Carlson, and Janet Lee into the membership of our church family.  They will be presented to the congregation on Sunday, February 23, 2013.

 Pastor’s Report:  Pastor Dr. Story reported that he had talked with Elder Nancy Johnson, and she has agreed to chair the Nominating Committee when she returns from Idaho this spring.  We currently have 4 members from the congregation; Steve Loman, Jim Parks, Don Rhodes, and Carl Connor; with Arnold McMillian as Alternate.  We still need to fill the Deacon’s representative position; but that will be resolved later in the week at the Deacon’s meeting on Thursday, the 20^th.  Pastor Dr. Story said that he would talk privately with the Elders and try to find another volunteer to serve on the committee.

 He reminded the Elders that the Annual Elder’s retreat is scheduled for Saturday March 1^st in Jones Hall at 9 AM.  He stressed the need for everyone to attend and participate in the discussion of the issues that he will present, as they are critical to our Church’s future.

 Pastor Dr. Story Reminded the Elders that we are having our Annual Congregational Meeting for Sunday, February 23, 2014, and that we would also incorporate our Annual Corporate meeting within the Congregational meeting.  He reported that James Baylor and wife had visited Princeton University and it’s Theology school last week and had returned very satisfied and excited about moving there in August when James starts working for his Presbyterian Theology degree.

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

a. Pastor Dr. Norm Story married Jesus E. Vasquez and April Y. Roberto on 21 January, 2014.  The Clerk requested permission to record this marriage in our Marriage Records.  A motion was made and seconded to approve recording this marriage in our Marriage Records.  The motion was passed by acclamation.

b. Pastor Dr. Norm Story baptized Caitlin Candusso and  Dominic Candusso on 02/06/2014; and Serena Angel Pando on 02/16/2014.  The Clerk requested permission to record these baptisms in our Baptism Records.  A motion was made and seconded to approve recording these baptisms in our Baptism Records.  The motion was passed by acclamation.

c. Pastor Dr. Norm Story ordained and installed new Elder Lester William Kuyper during the regular Sunday church service on February 16, 2014. 

d. The Clerk request the approval of the Session to remove Brian McPherson (#3821), Steven McPherson (#4679), Seville Bartholomew (#4569), and Sam Bartholomew (#4670) from our church rolls.  A motion was made and seconded to approve removing these four (4) members from our Membership Rolls.  The motion was passed by acclamation.

 Approval of Minutes:   A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the Stated Session Meeting of January 21, 2014 as written.  The minutes were approved by acclamation.

 Deacon’s Report:  Deacon Moderator Steve Johnson reported that he had hoped to have a report from Deacon Don Behnke on the status of our Mattress & Bedding Ministry, but it was not available in time for him to present it to the Session, but it would be included in the minutes of the Deacon’s meeting.

 Committee Reports:

 Administration:  Written with no action items.  In order to streamline our expense reimbursement process, the team decided to require all check requests to be submitted by each Wednesday.  The checks for those requests will be written and available on Friday afternoon.

 Buildings and Grounds:  Written with no action items.

 Christian Education:  Written with no action items.  The team has received 14 paid deposits for their June Mission Trip, and more deposits are expected shortly.

 Congregational Life and Outreach: Written with no action items.  The team approved changing their name to:  Congregational Life and Outreach Support.  They made this change because they believe that OUTREACH is a church wide responsibility and they are ready to support everyone’s efforts as well as their own,

 Missions: Written with no action items.

.Music and Worship: Written with no action items..

 Foundation:  No meeting, therefore no report.

 Columbarium:  No meeting, therefore no report.

 Financial Report for Jan 1 - Jan 31, 2014

                    Jan (Actual)    Jan (Budgeted)       YTD (Actual)      YTD (Budgeted)

Income       $31,883.57                                      $31,883.57

Expense     $25,119.45                                     $25,119.45

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

 Old Business:  The election of our 4^th Commissioner to Presbytery was deferred to the regular March meeting of the Session

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

 The next Stated Session Meeting will be Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at 7:00 PM. The Buildings & Grounds Ministry Team will be responsible for opening prayer and meditation.

 Adjournment: Reverend Story adjourned the meeting with prayer at 8:08 PM