Sunday, November 13,
2011
7:00 pm
The Session and Diaconate of Lake Murray Presbyterian
Church met at Lake Murray Presbyterian Church with the following in attendance:
Senior Pastor, Dr. Ben Sloan; Elders, Jennifer Aldrich, Bill Bearden, Ben
Breland, Lovic Brooks, Peggy Burgin, Mark Clement, Gail Comalander, Eddie
Edwards, Dede Elmore, John Ferguson, Alan Grimsley, Pam Harrell, Danny Hood, Pam
Hutto, Robbie Johnson, Larry Owens, Ray Peterson, Lyn Richards, Dave Saldivar,
Lorrie Watkins, and Mze Wilkins; Deacons, Clare McGill, Mike Murrell,
Susan Adams , Susan Powell, Deborah Cox, Rebecca Good, Ann McCrary, Sally
Sandifer and Jason White. Elders
excused: Eric Rogers and Phil
Trefsgar.
The meeting was
opened with a reading of Psalm 136 and a prayer by Ben Sloan.
The following
minutes were approved:
10-9-11 Stated Session meeting
Correspondence:
11-13-11 letter from
Old Business:
Lovic Brooks distributed and reviewed a summary of the
Clerks of Session Task force meeting on October 23, 2011.
The Session approved the recommendation of the Task Force that per capita
be paid to General Assembly assuming funds available.
Lovic Brooks summarized the Table Topics input from members
at the Stewardship Dinner as follows:
Ø
A vast majority are opposed to a capital campaign
for any purpose at this time based on primarily the economy and secondarily the
ongoing denomination issues.
Ø
If there is a capital campaign, a majority
indicated it should be for kitchen renovations.
The second priority was split between paying mortgage off and new
children’s building. Very limited
support for daughter church or any other spending.
Ø
Strong consensus to hire an associate pastor with
split on whether entry level or experienced person, with the latter receiving
more support. Some questions,
concern, and confusion over what this would mean for current parish associates,
and a few suggestion to stay with parish associate model.
Ø
Majority opposed a second service as it would
split congregation and/or not necessary at this point, except on certain
occasions, e.g. Christmas and Easter.
Mixed sentiment on having a contemporary service, with some strong
opposition to it.
Ø
Other comments questions were:
·
Joining Fellowship will cause split
·
Should not send anyone to
·
Are we looking at
·
Give senior pastor 3% raise
·
Kitchen a lawsuit waiting to happen
·
Start youth session corresponding to Session
committees
·
Nice to ask for input-hope Session listens
·
What about debt reduction for Columbarium—also
need to publicize niche availability
·
Increase hours of parish associates so associate
pastor not needed
·
Get new hymnals
·
Automatic doors for one sanctuary entrance
·
Dedicate money to Montreat to improve
accessibility for disabled persons
·
Wednesday worship on regular basis
Committee Reports
Presbyterian Women-
Carolyn Owens reported that Bazaar raised around $9,000.
All women of church invited to PW Christmas party at 6:00 on 12/6.
Deacons-
Clare McGill reported 144 contacts in October.
Unsure of Helping Hands number, but it was good.
Acknowledge all for help with Sue Casebeer service and other assistance.
Finance Report-
Minutes and reports were distributed and reviewed by Mze Wilkins.
She reported on positive feedback to new Stewardship Dinner format.
Left over food delivered to Christgate.
Remaining stewardship packets to be mailed so those in attendance urged
to get their own, as well as those of neighbors and friends to save mailing
costs.
Eddie Edwards reported that a member has offered to fund new sign and
Women of Church wish you purchase storage box.
Looking at both matters.
Administration-
No meeting. Presbytery
meeting report from meeting at LMPC distributed.
Robbie Johnson, Pam Hutto, and Lyn Richards served as commissioners.
Discussed Alan Arnold letter and status of Fellowship.
Christian Education-
Bill Bearden reported that Committee meeting next week.
Lorrie Watkins discussed Night of Bethlehem plans for 5-7 pm on 12/4
where Fellowship Hall will be set up like
Fellowship-
No report but Ben Sloan noted that Montreat adult retreat went well,
Adult Christmas Party on 12/1 at Mid Carolina CC, and FEAST groups getting
organized for 2012.
Evangelism & Assimilation-
Gail Comalander reported that neighborhood walk planned for 11/19 and
seeks volunteers to meet at Church office at 9:30am.
Committee decided to discontinue yellow pages ad.
Worship-
Written minutes were distributed and reviewed by Pam Hutto.
She noted that Committee pushed back consideration of 2nd
service until later in 2012, but may revisit altogether in light of feedback
from Stewardship Dinner. Approved
committee recommendation for 2 services on 12/18/2012 and three on 12/24/2012.
Spiritual Enrichment set to start 2/5/2012.
Wedding scheduled for Saturday.
Officers urged to attend community service at LMPC on 12/20 at 6:0pm and
bring chicken dish. Continue to
pursue additional bids on new sound system to $20,000 bid.
New florist, American Floral, in place.
Property-
Eddie Edwards reported windows in gym finished.
Another flood in gym on eve of Bazaar. Several other repairs/upkeep
projects completed.
Missions –
Written minutes distributed and reviewed by John Ferguson.
Approved Committee recommendation to form partnership with Presbyterian
Church in
Personnel-
No meeting, but Danny Hood reported only 1 staff evaluation remaining.
Pat Griffith has resigned effective year’s end, but request it be kept
confidential for now. Approved
resignation. Mandy McCathern hours
reduced from 15 to 10 by mutual agreement with her.
Meeting on 11/20.
New Church Development -
Robbie Johnson reported that he has reached stop point as no finding to
move forward. Based on feedback from
Stewardship Dinner, he feels may need to suspend.
Agreed to discuss at Officer Retreat in January.
New Business
Next meeting on 12/11 to include new elder examination.
Deacons to meet and examine new deacons on normal 3rd Sunday
of month meeting in December.
The meeting was closed with prayer by Dr. Ben Sloan.
Respectfully submitted,
Lovic Brooks
Clerk of Session