Fremont Presbyterian Church of Sacramento Minutes of the Stated Session Meeting September 28, 2011

Transcription

1 Fremont Presbyterian Church of Sacramento Minutes of the Stated Session Meeting September 28, 2011 Dinner: Dr. Donald Baird introduced Rev. Jeri Viera Dahlke and Elder Dave Studer who are Discernment Team members. They joined Session for dinner and discussion. Also, during the dinner hour Elder Carol Skinner gave a brief report on planning for this year s Trunk or Treat event. Session members discussed how their ministries could participate. Call to Order: Dr. Baird, Session Moderator, called the Session meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in Ferguson Hall. He asked for prayer for Elder Don Davison who is having surgery. Motion 1: to grant privilege of the floor to those present (MSP). Dr. Baird led the Session in reading the Fremont Presbyterian Church Mission Statement: Who We Are and Our Purpose and he offered an opening prayer. Attendance (A quorum): Elders Present: Elders Excused: Elders Absent: Clergy Present: Staff Present: Deacon Representative: Others: Martin Boersma, Russell Brown, Brooks Erickson, Marcia Garrison, Char Gezi, Chris Jaime, Dan Johnson, Lynn Jordan, Vicki Meyer, Ken Moody, Clair Parsh, Carol Skinner Don Davison Andy Bodemeijer, Sean Doherty The Reverend Dr. Donald Baird, The Reverend Dr. Dan Willson James Baird, Cathy Cole None The Reverend Jeri Viera Dahlke, Cindy Engel, Elaine Moody (Clerk), David Studer Agenda: The meeting with Presbytery s Discernment Team was moved to the top of the agenda with the agreement that at 7:30, Cindy Engel would be allowed to make a presentation, following which any additional discussion with the Discernment Team could take place. Elders Clair Parsh, Marcia Garrison, Char Gezi, Carol Skinner, Lynn Jordan and Chris Jaime requested time under Announcements. Motion 2: to adopt the agenda as amended (MSP). In addition to Session minutes and Session action requests, the packet of materials for the meeting included written minutes and reports from the following: Alternative Christmas Market, Children s Ministry, Ethiopia Support Group, Finance Committee, Fremont Family Connectors, Health Ministry Team, Local Mission Committee, Stephen Ministry and Worship Ministry Team. Presbytery s Discernment Team: Although the discussion with the Discernment Team (Team) was interrupted for the Special Report on American Heritage Girls, it will be reported here as though there was no interruption. Rev. Dahlke and Elder Studer led the discussion in their role as Discernment Team members, appointed after Session s recommendation to leave the PC(USA) and move to the EPC. Their Session Minutes 9/28/2011 Page 1

2 questions included: How has the process been going? How does Session feel they re doing? How are the young people (youth) feeling about the process? Has Session talked about a percentage of the congregation that can be lost (leave the church) and still make the change work? Has Session decided if a simple majority vote of support is sufficient to affirm the recommendation? Session is responsible to the congregation as stewards of church staff and congregational members; has Session weighed these things from a financial perspective should a significant number of members leave? How will Fremont reach out to those who vote no ; what if the vote is close? Has Session thought about the structure of the congregational meeting during which the initial vote will be taken? There was discussion about each of these questions. The Discernment Team said part of their job is to ask the hard questions. They are not to discern God s will for us; they are to help us discern. They said they may speak at the October 16 th Congregational Meeting when the first vote will be taken; however, they do not want to be on the formal agenda. They asked for an advance copy of the agenda for that meeting. They said they appreciate Fremont s openness to their participation. If Session s recommendation is affirmed by the congregational vote, the Team s formal role will conclude and a Negotiating Team will be appointed. The Team said they will, however, create a letter to the congregation. Dr. Baird thanked the Team members for their diligence in attending the forums and the Session meeting. He said he hopes that if there is a separation from the PC(USA) that it will not be a total end to a relationship with Presbytery and churches within the Presbytery. He asked the Team members what happens after October 16 if the vote affirms Session s recommendation. There was some confusion about the sequence of events and the Team members said they would research the question and get back to Dr. Baird. Also, if people are looking for pastoral care from Presbytery, it will be given only if members themselves contact Presbytery. Team members thanked Session for being gracious. This section of the meeting concluded with prayer led by Dr. Willson. There was a break in the meeting at this point and the Discernment Team members departed. Special Report American Heritage Girls: Elder Carol Skinner introduced member Cindy Engel who is coordinating a new program at the church, American Heritage Girls, a Christ-centered character development ministry for girls. Cindy presented information about the ministry, which will begin meetings on October 23. Fremont s program will be the first one in the Sacramento area and already has 24 families with 38 girls signed up; 14 are not from Fremont. It is a 501(c)3 organization; Fremont, as the charter organization, owns the troop; Executive Minister Mark Eshoff is the charter representative. American Heritage Girls is an official girl partner with Boy Scouts of America. Session thanked Cindy for her presentation and Carol Skinner offered prayer for Cindy and the new ministry. Study Westminster Confession: Dr. Baird led a brief study on Chapters 2 and 3 of the Confession. He also read from The Westminster Confession of Faith by G. I. Williamson. Dr. Baird commented he finds The Message helpful in reading the texts referred to in the Confession s end notes. Clerk s Report: Motion 3: to approve the minutes of the Stated Session Meeting of August 24, 2011 (MSP). Correspondence: Session Minutes 9/28/2011 Page 2

3 There were seven items of correspondence directly to Session and several other items which were not specifically to Session but were shared for informational purposes. All seven of the items to Session had been ed to Session members prior to the meeting. Item 1 was a letter dated August 3 (but which was not received until August 28), from member Valerie Cummings. Ms. Cummings expressed support for leaving the PC(USA) but not for joining the EPC. She also was concerned about possible nepotism on church staff. The Clerk was requested to write a letter of acknowledgement to Ms. Cummings. Item 2 was a letter dated September 1, from Covenant Community Church of Vacaville, thanking Fremont for helping them to initiate the Alpha Program within their congregation and reaching out to the Vacaville community. Item 3 was a list of questions about Session s recommendation to leave the PC(USA) from member Carter Mosher delivered to the church office on September 7. Mr. Mosher requested the questions be answered at the Sunday Town Hall meeting. Dr. Baird reported he had already written a partial response in an to Mr. Mosher and Session decided that would be a sufficient response. Items 4 and 5 were letters from pastors who served at Fremont in the past. Each was encouraging rejection of Session s recommendation to leave the PC(USA). The first was from Rev. Don Schilling, dated September 9. The second was from Rev. Doug Huneke, dated September 11. There was discussion about these letters because they were out of order with ministerial ethics and Session decided there would be no response. Item 6 was a letter dated September 11, from members Al and Carolyn Walden. They thanked church staff and Session for their faithfulness to Jesus Christ and the Holy Scriptures and praised them for their discernment. Individual Session members had already thanked the Waldens and decided no formal response was necessary. Item 7 was a letter dated September 25, from member Linda Hogg-Wood expressing her concerns about EPC s position on divorce and her overall feeling there is a negative connotation about the word evangelical. Elder Marty Boersma volunteerd to respond personally to Linda s letter. Ms. Hogg-Wood s letter prompted a discussion about changes that may be made at Fremont should it move to the EPC. These changes may include additional examination of those being considered for leadership roles, the examination of those seeking membership, examination of currently ruling elders and those in the consistory. It was noted the change provides an opportunity for clarification of what it means to be a Christian. Other correspondence consisted of an to Session forwarding information from the Sacramento Presbytery that the documents for the September 17 Presbytery meeting were on the website; letters of support to staff members and/or select Session members from members Lois French, Kathy Chance, and Marianne Gonzales; a letter to the congregation of Fremont from the Sacramento Presbytery s Discernment Team; informational letters: to Presbytery from member Barbara Redhorse and to Representatives and members of the PC(USA) from the Byzantine Patriarch; and a letter to All Clerks from the Sacramento Presbytery forwarding policy statement documents on Separation Ethics/Former Pastor Policy. The last item was circulated during the meeting. No action was requested by Session for any of the Other correspondence. Other: The Clerk reported the following Commissioners represented Fremont at the September 17 meeting of the Sacramento Presbytery: Elders - Lance Barnett, Don Davison, Lynn Jordan, Viola Session Minutes 9/28/2011 Page 3

4 Larson, Vicki Meyer, Marlin Ogden and Nancy Smith; Clergy Dr. Donald Baird and Rev. Wally Drotts. The Clerk also requested that the dates for the November and December Stated Session meetings be established. Motion 4: that November 30 th and December 21 st be established as the dates for the Stated Session meetings (MSP). Motion 5: to accept the Clerk s report (MSP). Session Calendar: Communion October 2, 2011 Congregational Forum October 2, 2011 (1:30 p.m.) Stated Congregational Meeting October 4, 2011 November Grapevine Deadline October 10, 2011 Called Session Meeting (New Members) October 12, 2011 (7:00 p.m.) Called Congregational Meeting October 16, 2011 (1:30 p.m.) Ask An Elder October 2, 2011 (Bodemeijer) October 9, 2011 (Jordan) October 16, 2011 (Johnson) October 23, 2011 (Erickson) October 30, 2011 (Gezi) Stated Session Meeting October 26, 2011 Leadership Retreat, Zephyr Point November 4 6, 2011 Communion was served to the congregation on September 4, Dr. Baird highlighted the additional Congregational Forum when Dr. Jeff Jeremiah, Stated Clerk for the EPC, Rev. Cathy Burkholder and Rev. Nancy Duff, representatives from the EPC, would be speaking. He said Dr. Jeremiah offered to meet with Session following the Forum. Dr. Baird stressed the importance of Session attendance at the two congregational meetings during the month and he asked Session members to register for the Leadership Retreat. Consent Agenda: Motion 6: to approve the three items on the Consent Agenda (MSP). Those items were: 1) Item 9-1 Membership Report Rolls and Register For Session Meeting on September 28, 2011, Actions taken on behalf of Session during the month of August, ) Item 9-2- to authorize $29,000 in funding from the Fremont Memorial Fund to upgrade and replace the video projectors in the Sanctuary and in the Community Life Center and to replace the broken and aged JBL powered speakers used for numerous events such as Alpha, Kirkin, etc. 3) Item 9-3 to approve the serving of Communion at the Men s Retreat on Sunday, October 9. Items Pulled from the Consent Agenda: None Action Items: Financial Report: Session Minutes 9/28/2011 Page 4

5 Elder Brooks Erickson presented the financial report. The Balance Sheet as of August 31, 2011, showed Total Assets of $8.8 million, Liabilities and Funds of $2.6 million, and Net Worth of $6.2 million, including a Designated Reserve of $72,668. The Statement of General Fund Revenues and Expenses for the month ending August 31, 2011, showed Revenues for August of $121,005 and Expenses of $148,197, giving a loss for the month of $27,193. Year-to-Date, Revenues of $1,128,507 were less-than-budget by $9,442, and Expenses of $1,231,635 were less-than-budget by $20,733, giving a Year-to-Date loss of $103,128, with a variance from Budget of a surplus of $11,290. Brooks reported that monthly identified giving surprised the Finance Committee by closing lower than budgeted for August; however, he said he is looking for a good year end. Motion 7: to receive the August Financial Report (Item 9-4) (MSP). Old Business: Dismissal Reconciliation Team While all Session members have been involved in one on one discussions with members of the congregation about the recommendation to request dismissal from PC(USA), Session s Reconciliation Team had not had any activity during the month. The Team reported they will be meeting to plan an approach. Pugh Letter This correspondence had been held over from the August meeting. Dr. Baird said he would try to be in touch with the Pughs. Dismissal Negotiating Team There was general discussion about the size and composition of the Negotiating Team should it be needed but no action was taken. New Business: None Pastors Reports: Dr. Baird said he has been invited to preach on October 9 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Fruit Heights, Utah. At the time the church was chartered, Dr. Baird was the Moderator of the Presbytery and he participated in the chartering of the church. He also gave a brief report on the Presbytery of Sacramento s meeting on September 17. He said there was no major business conducted. Dr. Willson spoke about his beliefs and how they mesh with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Other Staff Reports: Minister James Baird said he is in the process of transferring his membership to Cambria in the Presbytery of Santa Barbara. He reported there will be a prayer vigil in the Chapel for the 24 hours prior to the congregational vote on October 16. A Luis Palau Festival walk will terminate at Fremont. This coming Sunday there will be a prayer walk through River Park. Executive Secretary Cathy Cole requested payment for the Leadership Retreat for those who will be attending. She also gave kudos to Session members for their involvement in the various activities generated by their recommendation to be dismissed from the PC(USA). Ask An Elder: Session Minutes 9/28/2011 Page 5

6 Elders Ken Moody, Chris Jaime and Clair Parsh reported on their weeks as Ask An Elder. Ken had nothing significant to report; Clair said he had two members thank Session for their work; Chris answered a few questions: what happens if Fremont and Presbytery cannot come to a negotiated agreement, what happens if the vote fails, and some questions about the EPC. Chris also received a supportive comment. Announcements: Elder Clair Parsh reported the annual Christmas Concert will be held December 9, 10, 11. This year there will be 900 tickets for each night and those holding tickets will be guaranteed seats until 6:45, then the doors will be open to others. There are plans for an overflow video in the Chapel. Tickets will be available on October 30. Elder Marcia Garrison reported the Peacemaking Offering will be taken on October 2. Also, helpers are needed to bake and package biscotti on October 15 and 16. Elder Char Gezi spoke about the Stephen Ministry and asked Session to be aware of members in life crisis who might need help. Elder Carol Skinner reported Angie Nevin has been hired as the Interim Children s Ministry Program Assistant. The search team for the Director of Children s Ministry is preparing for a second round of interviews. Elder Lynn Jordan reported the following names will be submitted to the congregation as nominees for church leadership and will be voted on at the Semi Annual Congregational Meeting on October 4: For Elders Patti Dusel (Outreach), Darlene Jantz (Music and Worship Arts), Linda Larson (Evangelism), Skip Ohs (Spiritual Development and Small Groups), Glen Thomas (Administration); For Deacons Brian Burch, Gaylene Caputo, Lorrie Drotts, Nelson Krause, Dan Lee, Tracey List, Mary Rutishauser, Jarrett Trask, Jan Wilson, one unfilled; For Nominating Committee Nancy Boersma, Kathy Nichols, Nancy Smith, Heidi Taghavian, Kay Vanderwold, Paul Wyatt, and one unfilled. Elder Chris Jaime said we are entering the Stewardship season and requested prayers, specifically that as many are rediscovering their faith and commitment to Jesus Christ that their passion would overflow for Fremont. Dr. Baird reported the first meeting of the new EPC Presbytery of the Pacific will take place at Roseville on October 7 and 8. Fremont s staff and Session are welcome to attend. Motion 8: to adjourn the meeting (MSP). The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 p.m. with prayer by James Baird. Elaine Moody Clerk of Session Session Minutes 9/28/2011 Page 6