Session Meeting First Presbyterian Church Davenport, Iowa November 17, 2014

Transcription

1 Session Meeting First resbyterian Church Davenport, Iowa November 17, 2014 The regular meeting of the Session of First resbyterian Church of Davenport, Iowa was held in Fellowship Hall on Monday, November 17, 2014 Moderator Richard Miller called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm and opened with prayer. Elders Roll (=resent; E=Excused; A=Absent) Class of 2014 Class of 2015 Class of 2016 Chad Carr Mike Bawden John Affre Ralph Congdon E Bill Hawthorne E Stephanie Arp Jeff Ehrmann E John Hensel E Margaret Carr Louise Hales E Val Horvat John Gere Mark Jones E Linda Meadors E Sarah Greim E Glenn Simmonds E Jim Middleton E Kent Marcek Hugh Stafford Gavin Schermer eter Rink Jim Tucker Glen Roebuck E Emma Saskowski A quorum was present. Staff members present Rev. Richard Miller Head astor Diane umphrey Communications & Office Mgr E Tiffany Horvath, Director of Christian Education Shannon Gruhlke Finance & Facilities Manager Steve Jobman Minister of Music On motion, the agenda was unanimously approved as amended to include a report from the Foundation, the Church Government and ersonnel Committee, and the Nominating Committee. Elder Chad Carr, on behalf of the Hospitality and Welcoming Committee, moved that Allison Nisbett be approved as a member of First resbyterian Church. Chad introduced Allison to the Session. Allison attended the New Members Inquirer meeting on Sunday, November 16, 2014 and expressed her desire to join the church. She will be joining the church by rofession of Faith. The motion was unanimously approved. Allison responded to the questions of membership. Moderator Miller offered a prayer of thanksgiving. Allison was dismissed from the meeting with our blessing.

2 On motion, the following CONSENT AGENDA items were approved as presented electronically: (A full copy of the October 2014 Clerk s report presented to the Session at the November 2014 Session Meeting can be found in the appendix of the official 2014 session minutes.) The minutes of the regular Session Meeting held October 20, 2014 The REORT OF THE CLERK OF SESSION o Requests for baptism William James Kellenberger November 30, 2014 Son of Shonna Marie (Darland) Kellenberger and atrick Curtis Kellenberger Date of Birth: 08/02/2013 lace of Birth: Davenport, IA Abbigail Jean Kellenberger November 30, 2014 Daughter of Shonna Marie (Darland) Kellenberger and atrick Curtis Kellenberger Date of Birth: 07/14/2014 lace of Birth: Davenport, IA o Weddings Samantha Elizabeth Terrill and October 11, 2014 Rev. Richard Miller Joshua John Crow o Deaths Alice Larson October 2, 2014 Rev. Richard Miller James L. Stuedemann October 6, 2014 Rev. Richard Miller James Jim Henneman October 23, 2014 Rev. Richard Miller Robert Rob Cimmarusti* October 13, 2014 Rev. Richard Miller Richard G. Hachmann* October 26, 2014 Rev. Kristy arker *non-members Communion Record o In-church Communion Communion was served to 277 people at the 9:00 AM service on Sunday, October 5, Elders/Deacons serving were: Mark Jones, Craig Foster, Jeff Ehrmann, Glen Roebuck, Bruce Rickert, Elisabeth Riedesel, Jim Tucker, John Gere, Louise Hales and Deb Beshears. Communion was served to 156 people at the 11:00 AM service on Sunday, October 5, Elders/Deacons serving were: Susie Kardel, Jeanne Sherwood, Scott Sherwood and Jim Tucker. o Farthest ew Communion Communion was served to 9 people on Monday morning, October 6, 2014, by The Rev. Richard Miller and Deacon hil Eshleman. Communion was served to 3 people on Monday afternoon, October 6, 2014, by The Rev. Richard Miller and Deacon Janet Stensrud. BUSINESS OF THE CLERK Elder Mark Jones reported on the following items: Moved that the following persons be approved for membership at First resbyterian Church, Davenport.

3 o Renea Ferkel by Reaffirmation of Faith. o Josh Ferkel by Reaffirmation of Faith o amela Wolfe by Reaffirmation of Faith Each of these persons attended the New Members Inquirer meeting on Sunday, November 17, They were interviewed by elders and met with church staff and members of the Hospitality & Welcoming Committee. None were able to attend the Session meeting tonight. Elders Jones and Carr spoke to each of the inquirers. Following a second, the motion was unanimously approved. Briefly reviewed the roposed Amendments to the Constitution (C-USA). Elders were provided an electronic copy of the document provided by the denomination. Discussion and votes on these proposed amendments will occur at a resbytery of East Iowa meeting in early (The full copy of the roposed Amendments to the Constitution, C-USA can be found in the appendix of the official 2014 session minutes.) Informed the Session of an updated resbytery of East Iowa website and encouraged elders to sign up to receive the Out and About Newsletter. The 2015 Human Trafficking Conference Quad Cities has been announced for Sunday, January 11, 2015, 1-5pm, at CASI. One of the speakers will be Mark Koenig, Director of resbyterian Ministry at the United Nations. Registration is encouraged. Indicated a resbytery meeting will likely be called for Saturday, December 13, 2014, in Iowa City. The 2015 budget will be one item on the agenda. An electronic election of commissioners will be held once the formal announcement of the meeting is received. NEW BUSINESS Liz Terrill from the Foundation of First resbyterian Church requested a meeting of the members of the Foundation. On motion, the Session meeting was suspended at 7:43 pm. At 8:05 pm, on motion, the Session meeting was re-opened. FINANCIAL REORT Elder Jeff Ehrmann, on behalf of the Finance Committee, presented the General Fund Revenue and Expense Report and the Custodial/ass-Through Account Analysis through October October income was about what was budgeted. Although expenses exceed income by a small amount, we are ahead of the projection for this time of year.

4 October 2014 October 2013 Actual Budget Actual Budget General Income 79,439 72,666 58,300 78,550 Custodial Accounts Income 14,666-10,186 General Expenses 77,001 72,942 73,830 78,816 Custodial Accounts Expenses 14,666-10,186 - Surplus (Deficit) 2,438 (276) (15,530) (266) 2014 Year-To-Date 2013 Year-To-Date Actual Budget Actual Budget General Income 765, , , ,388 Custodial Accounts Income 205,846-87,094 - General Expenses 769, , , ,982 Custodial Accounts Expenses 205,846-87,094 - Surplus (Deficit) (4,070) (31,853) (38,035) (50,594) DEACON S REORT Deacon Deb Beshears reported on the following items: CRO walk raised $2690. The Deanna Witkowski Jazz Trio concert raised $3455 for the ine Ridge Medical Center The church participated in the UNCH Trunk or Treat at Halloween A Men s Breakfast was held on Saturday, November 8 and heard from Tim Tolliver resident/ceo of the Boys and Girls Club of the Mississippi Valley. Deacons are providing food for the UNCH Thanksgiving Dinner. All are invited. The prison ministry Angel Tree will be up on November 23 rd. Alternate giving tree will be available starting the week after that. COMMITTEE REORTS Worship and Music Committee Elder Mike Bawden, on behalf of the Worship and Music Committee, moved the approval of the 2015 Communion Dates as follows, noting that the Easter Communion will depend on sufficient sign-up to manage the anticipated high attendance. Communion Dates for 2015 Sunday, February 1, 9 am and 11 am Wednesday, February 18, Noon and 7:00 pm (Ash Wednesday) Thursday, April 2, 7:30 pm (Maundy Thursday) Sunday, April 5 (Easter), 9 am and 11 am Sunday, June 7, 9 am and 11 am

5 Sunday, August 9, 9 am and 11 am September 5 (Stronghold Retreat) Sunday, October 4, 9 am and 11 am Sunday, December 6, 9 am and 11 am Thursday, December 24 (Christmas Eve), 9:00 pm Farthest ew Communion during the week following Sunday communion services Church Government and ersonnel (CG&) Elder Louise Hales, on behalf of the CG& Committee, presented the following report on their interviews with Session committees regarding possible restructuring. Background and Response Nominating Committee Found uneven representation of elders on various committees Suggested restructuring some committees: Congregational Development & Fellowship Hospitality and Welcoming/Technology Heritage Church Government & ersonnel Committee interviewed committees What do they see as their mission? With what groups do they interact? How do they see themselves fitting in with the other committees? What type of communication do they need with session? Heritage Committee Works independently Interacts with current and former members, the public, other committees Expertly maintains historical and current artifacts roud of their mission, work and service Because of the breadth of their work, not appropriate to made subordinate to another committee Interaction with session is periodic, and could be accomplished through staff liaison (Diane) Technology Committee Works most closely with Music and Worship, but with all other committees, as well (175 th, Heritage) Currently sees itself as a committee of technicians ( mechanics ) Has not considered itself a visionary committee, but willing to consider Meets irregularly, as needed Feel they could offer solutions to other committees Self-starters, with minimal need to report to session; staff liaison (Diane) could serve as session link Hospitality and Welcoming Enthusiastic and proud of their accomplishments Recognized the touch points with Congregational Development & Fellowship BUT after discussion, felt their focus would be lost if combined Needs more representation from session, perhaps a vice-chair Felt periodic joint meetings with CDF would help eliminate gaps and overlaps and provide crossfertilization of ideas

6 Congregational Development & Fellowship Highly loyal to their committee and each other - enthusiastic Feels their plate is full with current structure and responsibilities Doesn t feel they have the time to expand to small group ministry Take-aways All committees feel proud of their work and accomplishments, and feel a bond through it None of the committees expressed an appetite to combine with another, or to be a sub-committee All feel better communication among committees would be beneficial The liaison with session does not have to be the same for all committees The church may have some unrealized potential to use the committees enthusiasm and expertise Recommendations Convene a visioning session of church leaders define a vision; identify opportunities Session Executive Committee should be an exchange for ideas, resource needs, interactions among committees Chairs (or representative) of all committees to attend Committees report per a set schedule Committees present summary of goal status and motions at session meeting following report to SEC CG& work with moderator to set schedule Detail Committee Reports Executive Committee strategic and tactical discussion Current Goals Successes Issues and roadblocks Needed resources (people, money, etc.) Next goals in cycle (what they ll be working on next) How is the mission of the church affected by this goal (Great Ends, goals)? Session Summary of above Motions as needed The Session appreciated the work in meeting with the committees and the thoughtful recommendations. The Session discussed various aspects of the report. No motions were made, but the need for a visioning session, the role of the Executive Committee in improving communications among committees, and the need to capitalize on the energy of these committees were all positively supported in the discussion. Nominating Committee Elder John Gere, on behalf of the Nominating Committee, indicated they were very close to completing nominations for Elders for They will be nominating 4 Elders for full terms and 1 for a 2 year term. The committee is seeking a greater number of nominations for Deacons; 12 for 3-year terms, 2 for 2-year terms, and 1 for a 1-year term. They have 9 Deacon nominations yet to confirm. Many of those approached for Deacons have declined. The Session had some discussion on why Deacons are less likely to accept a nomination for a second term. In general, it was felt that the work for Deacons could be quite heavy. Some ideas generated included reducing the number of projects undertaken or changing the length of terms. These are ideas that can be discussed in leadership meeting in the near future. Also

7 discussed was the need to encourage relatively new members to consider leadership positions. Hospitality and Welcoming Elder Chad Carr, on behalf of the Hospitality and Welcoming Committee, reminded the Session that this next week was New Member Sunday. The new members will be introduced to the church and a reception will be held between services. The Session is encouraged to greet with the new members at the reception. Elder Carr also reported that a luncheon will be held on December 7, 2014 for all individuals who joined the church in He requested that each Session committee have a representative at the luncheon to answer questions and discuss with the newer members how they can become involved. OLD BUSINESS None STAFF REORTS Diane umphrey, Communications and Office Manager, shared thank you letters written to the members of the 175 th Anniversary Committee. Session members signed each letter. Shannon Gruhlke, Finance and Facilities Manager, reported that 216 pledges had been received totaling $651,000. Follow-up is planned by the Stewardship Committee with those who have not yet responded with a pledge. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 pm. Elders Mark Jones, Jim Tucker, and Hugh Stafford, who are ending their service on Session in December, were encircled by the other members of Session as thanks were given for their gifts through the laying on of hands. Moderator Miller closed the meeting with prayer. Moderator, The Rev. Richard E. Miller Clerk of Session, Mark E. Jones