Saint Mark Presbyterian Church Stated Meeting of the Session January 27, 2014 Minutes The stated meeting of the session of Saint Mark Presbyterian Church was held on January 27, 2014, in Room 104/5 at Saint Mark Church. The session shared dinner at 6:00 p.m. The meeting was called to order at 6:24 p.m. Pastor Howard led us in prayer. A quorum was present. Rolls Present: Moderator, the Rev. Dr. Roy W. Howard, Associate Pastor Shelby Etheridge; Elders Jennifer Carr, Teddy Ferguson, Suzanne Lofhjelm, Mike Lutz, Meisie Roberts, Sharon Tarr, Diane Wirono, Clerk of Session George Huggins Excused: Elders Mary Casper, Alison Dewey, Karl Kaufmann, Mike Welsh Guests: Rachel Zutshi Pastor Howard opened with a discussion on goals for the Session in 2014, and discussed the three practices presented by the Reverend Joan Grey: (1) prayer, personally and communally, (2) risky obedience, (3) tithing (help one another be where you want to be). Session will pray and think about responding to these three challenges. Pastor Howard presented an invitation to serve the evening meal on the second Tuesday of each month at Crossway Montessori Communities. Session members volunteered to assist with the meal in February and March. There were prayer requests for members serving on GA committees and speaking at Presbytery. Pastor Etheridge concluded the discussion with prayer. It was MC to adopt the agenda. It was MC to approve the minutes of the 12/17/13 stated meeting with corrections, the 1/5/14 special meeting (examination and approval of officers), and the 1/18/14 special meeting (communion). CLERK S REPORT Communion: 12/18/13 (Vesper Service), 12/22/13, 12/24/13 (10:00 p.m. service), 1/5/14, 1/18/14 (Church Officer Retreat) Baptisms: Noah Robert Sandoval, the daughter of Antonia and Mario Sandoval, 01/12/14 Incoming Correspondence: Ltr dated 11/27/13 from Kirk of Kildaire, Cary, NC, requesting a transfer for Jon and Jeannie Spargur; Ltr dated 12/12/13 from St. Luke s Presbyterian Church, Dunwoody, GA, requesting a transfer for Gerald and Kari Aldridge Outgoing Correspondence: 1
Ltr dated 1/4/14 to John Hagner thanking him for his service to Saint Mark, particularly on the loan modification; Ltr dated 1/5/14 to Kirk of Kildaire transferring the membership of Jon and Jeannie Spargur; Ltr dated 1/5/14 to St. Luke s Presbyterian Church transferring the membership of Gerald and Kari Aldridge. Ordination and Installation: On January 5, 2014, the following officers were ordained and/or installed before the congregation (*previously ordained) [W-4.4000]: Elders, Class of 2016 Deacons, Class of 2016 Jennifer Carr Mary Casper* Mike Lutz* Meisie Roberts Mariechen Bresler Heather Haledjian Dave Porter Carey Stipe Gina Vitale* Preparation for Ordination/Installation: Pastor Howard led the study and preparation for ordination and installation of the Class of 2015 officers. Study sessions were held on 10/30/13, 11/17/13, and 11/20/13. The Session met with the new officers, examined them, and approved their ordination/installation on 1/4/14. [G-2.0402] Deacon Minutes: Clerk of Session Sara Coe reviewed the Deacon minutes for 2013.[G-3.0201c] It was MSC for Elder George Huggins to be permanent elder-commissioner to Presbytery meetings. OMNIBUS MOTION (Clerk): to approve Pastor Howard, Elder Huggins, Elder Wirono and Elder Welsh to make decisions concerning the Emergency Loan Fund during 2014. (Clerk): to approve Elder Huggins, Elder Wirono, and Deacon Roberts to make decisions concerning the Non-operational Budget Funds during 2014. (Clerk) to delete from the rolls Barbara DeCosta who has moved to Windsor, Canada[G- 3.0204a] The clerk was directed to send a letter of appreciation to Rev. Joan Grey for her leadership of the retreat at Hallowood Jan 17-18. The clerk was directed to poll Session for preferences for dates for Stated Session meetings in March, May, and November, to deconflict with Presbytery meetings. 2
The clerk reminded Session members to do their Annual Reports and provide information requested for the General Assembly Statistical Reports. It was MC to receive the Clerk s Report. ORDER OF THE DAY Elder Tarr and Ms. Zutshi presented the 2014 Operating Budget. After prayer and consideration, the consensus of the Session was that the items in the 2014 Budget are where they should be. Ms. Zutshi and Elders Tarr and Wirono will review the Operating Budget and be prepared to answer questions during the Annual Meeting of the Congregation. It was MC to update the signers on the Eagle Bank General Fund bank account number 0200112613 to include Rachel Zutshi, Sharon Banks Tarr and Joseph Piff, and to remove Brent Shoemaker and Jon Spargur as authorized signers. OTHER BUSINESS Pastoral Update It was MSC to bring Hudson River Gun Violence Overture to the Presbytery for a vote to send on to the General Assembly. It was MSC for Rev. Rosetta Robinson to preach at Saint Mark 02/23/14. Elders volunteered to visit Immigrant Congregations in the National Capital Presbytery. It was MSC to hold one service of worship at 11am on 03/16/14 and provide a forum at 9:30am in observance of National Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath Weekend, March 13-16, 2014. Pastor Howard reported that the projector in the sanctuary will be permanently mounted. Pastor Howard reported a successful New Members Class, with four participants. Associate Pastor Report Pastor Etheridge reported that parents with young children will begin a group to focus on raising Christians; that Saint Mark will host a NEXT Church Conference on 02/22/14; and requested support from Session to encourage youth to attend Saint Mark youth activities. Finance Ministry Update Elder Tarr presented an update. 3
Welcoming Ministry Elder Wirono presented a review of the 2014 Saint Mark Welcome booklet. The Welcoming Ministry is considering ways to improve gathering information from visitors. Personnel Ministry Update It was MSC for undesignated funds to be used to reimburse staff for the 2013 Christmas luncheon and to add the item to the Personnel budget for 2014. It was MSC to recommend the following terms of call for Pastors Howard and Etheridge and not to consider compensation for the music director, as his compensation is part of the Budget. [G-2.0804]: Terms of Call (2014) Pastor and Moderator of Session Salary $50,791 Housing $41,000 Pension/MajorMedical/Death and Disability $32,127 Employers' Contribution to SECA $7,022 Continuing Education Allowance $1000 Automobile Allowance $1500 Book Allowance $500 Expense Allowance $500 Total Package $134,440 Terms of Call (2014) Associate Pastor Salary $50,929 Housing $12,000 Pension/MajorMedical/Death and Disability $22,025 Employers' Contribution to SECA $4,814 Continuing Education Allowance $1000 Automobile Allowance $1000 Book Allowance $500 Expense Allowance $500 4
Total Package $92,768 Music Director Salary $28 852 00 BOP $12 155 00 FICA $2 207 00 Cont Ed $500 00 Subtotal $43 714 00 The meeting was adjourned at 9:18 p.m. with prayer by Pastor Howard. George T. Huggins Clerk of Session 5