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

STATED SESSION MEETING

TUESDAY, January 20, 2015

 

Moderator Reverend Dr. Norm Story convened the meeting at 7:00 PM and Elder Blaine Goss of the Missions Ministry Team opened it with a prayer.

 

Elders Present:  Lyn Ames, Susan Carlson, Brad Class, Larry Felhauer, Blaine Goss,

Susan Grandle, Danielle Gurnea, Nancy Johnson, Bill Kuyper, Kat Marlowe, Winnie Quinzi, Stephen Taylor, and Dennis Thomas.

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Guests:  Deacon Moderator Bill Marlowe.

 

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 advised the Session that the Vision 2012 Committee has been developing plans for improving and modernizing the Sanctuary for the past several years.  Their current focus is on upgrading and improving the Sanctuary lighting.  One of the light fixtures under consideration was installed but was not adequate for our sanctuary.  The Session was invited to look at the light after tonight’s meeting for comment.

 

 He advised the Session that the majority of the tables in service in Watkins Hall are damaged and in need of repair or replacement.  Salt & Light Coordinator Michelle Osborne has identified 8 rectangular and 8 round tables for replacement.  He advised the Session that the cost of replacing them is $1,440 and that this funding is available from existing Memorial Funds.  The new tables and chairs are not allowed to be borrowed.  After permission is received, and the loan is recorded in the church office, ONLY the old tables and chairs can be borrowed by church members.  He asked for a Motion to approve using Memorial Funds to purchase 8 Rectangular and 6 Round replacement tables.  The Motion was made, Seconded, and Approved by Acclamation.

 

 Pastor Dr. Story held a meeting with the members attending the Iglesia del Pueblo after their services on Sunday January 11^th, to review the events of the past 3 months with them.  Their comments during the meeting indicated that they have realized they can survive as a church congregation without their founding pastor, Rev. Wayne Hawkins.  Their basic question was: Does the “Grand Church” like us?  He told them that the answer to that question is YES.  However, everyone understands that it is a challenge to communicate with each other because of the English - Spanish language barrier.  He said that there is no existing roadmap or established procedure for what we are trying to do.  It is like Surfing, in that we catch the wave, and then go where God wants us to go.

 

 He said that Pastor Rosendo Sickler from Juarez is starting to structure his Sunday Services in a more formal pattern, and last week sent us his Church Bulletin to print for next Sunday’s Service.  He said that Pastor Rosendo has connected with the people attending the Iglesia del Pueblo services and that he will try to formalize the relationship between our church and Pastor Rosendo.  He will be sending a letter to the Presbytery in Juarez formally requesting a continuation of Pastor Rosendo’s services, but at some time in the future, we may need a bilingual Associate.

 

He said that under the direction of Parish Associate, Rev. John Himes, Communion was served to 18 of our shut-in members during January.

 

 He reminded the Elders of the Annual Stated Presbytery meeting in Corona, NM on and January 30 & 31, 2015; as well as the meeting at our cluster’s sister in Deming, NM on April 24 & 25, 2015.  The short 1 hour drive to Deming should allow our church Elders, Deacons, and members to show our support to them, and to learn about how our Presbyterian form of church governance really works.  He also reminded the Session of the Elder’s Retreat here in Jones Hall on Saturday morning, March 7, 2015.

 

Clerk’s Report:  The Clerk’s Report was as written in the meeting agenda and was on the CONSENT DOCKET.

a. The Clerk requested a motion for Session approval to remove Lorene Gaines (#4596) and Beverly Briggs (#3526) from our church rolls as they both had passed away earlier in the month.  The Motion was made, Seconded, and Approved by Acclamation.

 

Approval of Minutes:   The Clerk’s Report and the approval of the Minutes of the STATED SESSION MEETING on December 16, 2014 were on the Agenda Consent Docket and were APPROVED BY CONSENT.

 

Deacon’s Report:  Deacon Moderator Bill Marlowe reported that Minutes of the Deacons January 15, 2015 meeting were written & distributed.   He reported that they had a Pizza Social before the meeting and that some of the new Deacons were unfamiliar with their attendance and service obligations.  He reported that under the guidance of Deacon Karla Martinez the Iglesia members had distributed 8,550 lbs. of food from the Roadrunner Food Bank to 115 families on Monday, January 19th.  He advised the Session that Deacon Pat Felhauer has taken over the Usher assignments for church services.

 

Committee Reports:

 

Administration:  Written with 2 Action Items.  The Team recommended reducing the hours that the church office is open for business to 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. This change will allow the office staff to perform their regular church duties without interruption.  The recommendation was approved by Acclamation.  The 2015 Budget included as ATTACHMENT 1 to these minutes, and recommended by the Team was distributed to the Elders and discussed.  After a short discussion the recommended budget was approved by Acclamation.

 

Buildings and Grounds:  No written report was provided.  The Moderator advised the Session that he continues to look for a qualified part-time maintenance person to work 20 Hrs./week.  In the interim he has hired a custodial service that is providing 2 or 3 women to clean our buildings 5 days a week.

 

Christian Education:  Written with 2 action item.  The Team recommended approval of the youth fundraising luncheon in conjunction with the Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday, February 22, 2015; and a youth fundraising luncheon serving the Elders during their March 7, 2015 Retreat.  Their recommendations were approved by Acclamation.

 

Congregational Life and Outreach Support: Written with no action items.  The Team requested that any Elders, Deacons, or members of the congregation who has any type of outreach ideas, please send them to the Team for evaluation and possible implementation.

 

Missions: The Team did not meet and no report is necessary.

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Music and Worship: Written with no action items.  The Decoration Committee advised the Session that they normally worked after church services on Sunday to decorate the Sanctuary for the next week’s services.  In order to make their work easier, they requested that anyone moving church decorations to please return them to their original locations after their event was over.  If that is not possible, please advise Music & Worship Team members where it was moved to so it can be returned to its original location prior the Sunday’s services.

 

Foundation:  No meeting, therefore no report.

 

 

Financial Report for Dec 1 - Dec 31, 2014

 

                   Dec (Actual)    Dec (Budgeted)      YTD (Actual)      YTD (Budgeted)

Income       $44,161.26                                        $405,278.33

Expense     $36,696.66                                         $368,788.23

 

The Consent Motion to receive all Committee Reports and accept the Financial Report was approved.

 

Old Business:  a.  The Session briefly discussed how we can get more church-wide participation and involvement in Church activities like Adult Sunday School classes; fellowship and leadership activities; Stewardship; and recruitment of new members of all ages.  Elder Susan Grandle reported that the minutes of the CE Ministry Team’s July 2014 meeting contained these comments:  Our web site is unattractive & could be upgraded to provide easy access to printed copies and voice recordings of Sunday Sermons; we could consider dispensing flu shots at church; participating in the Farmers Market, Car Shows, the Soup Kitchen and community activities like Parades; we could provide regular columns or pieces of interest to the Las Cruces Bulletin; we could host an outside speaker like the one who recited the Book of John from memory.  We should update our church sign to an electronic sign that can scroll through programmed information, messages, and possibly even pictures.

b.  Elder Susan Grandle reported that we have a signed lease from Debbie Caldwell (Caldwell Child Care), as well as a deposit; but she has submitted her fingerprints and is waiting for the results of her background check by the state, before she can get her license to open.

 

New Business:  a.  Clerk of Session Carl Connor agreed to continue serving as Clerk of Session for 2015.  A Motion to elect Carl Connor as Clerk of Session for 2015 was made, Seconded, and Approved by Acclamation.

b.  The Church Treasurer position is defined as the Moderator of the Administration Ministry Team.  Therefore, Administration Ministry Team Moderator Lyn Ames is the Church Treasurer for 2015.

c.  Our 2014 Commissioners and Alternate Commissioners to Presbytery have all agreed to continue serving in their 2014 capacities.  It was pointed out that 2014 Commissioner Steve Loman is also serving as the Moderator of our Cluster, and as such he has a vote on all Presbytery business.  A motion was made to replace Commissioner Steve Loman by electing member Bruce Carlson as a Commissioner to Presbytery.  The Motion was seconded and Commissioner Bruce Carlson was elected by Acclamation.  Our 2015 Commissioners and Alternate Commissioners are:

 

2015 Commissioners                                      2015 Alternate Commissioners

Bruce Carlson                                                Greg Sherman

Lloyd Kirschenmann                                       Paul Deason

Jerry Grandle                                                Susan Grandle

Nancy Tasker-Johnson                                 

 

The next Stated Session Meeting will be Tuesday, February 17, 2015 at 7:00 PM. The Music and Worship Ministry Team will be responsible for opening prayer and meditation.

 

Adjournment: Reverend Story adjourned the meeting with prayer at 8:00 PM.

 

 

 

______________________                ______________________                          _____________      

          Carlton Connor                             Rev. Dr. Norm Story                                 Date Approved

          Clerk of Session                                   Moderator