STATED SESSION MEETING MINUTES SUMMARY

                        March 15, 2007 meeting

            (The minutes summarized here have been read by the individual Session members, but have not been approved in a Session meeting)

A Stated Session meeting of the Session of Covenant Presbyterian Church was held on Thursday, March 15, 2007, beginning at 7:00 pm in the Roberts Room.  A quorum was present.  The meeting was begun with prayer and a scripture reading by Rev. Morgan.  The following business was conducted:

1)                            Cyndi Fry, member of the Divine Dining committee, asked for and received approval for a Divine Dining event to be held on September 23-24, 2007.  After discussion and a question and answer period, a proposal that proceeds from the 2007 events be used to fund a new educational/outreach ministry program called Covenant Presbyterian Cooks was approved.  The program will offer healthy cooking classes to anyone, member or non-members, in 5 weekly classes offered 3 times each year in our new kitchen.  The Session also approved that $3000 of the proceeds of Divine Dining be used for Fellowship Hall restoration.

2)                            A Treasurer’s report was heard by the Session indicating that February expenses exceeded income, but that so far March was looking positive with two Sundays to go.

3)                            Rev. Morgan reported and discussed at length with the Session his vision for creating a Ministry Team for our church and gave a synopsis of some of his favorite books on church development as well as encouraged Session members to read the books.  It was reported that the weekly sermons are now on line at the church website www.cpcsherman.org in audio version as well as in written form.  Rev. Morgan is meeting at occasional retreats with a group of Presbyterian ministers to discuss innovative ideas for church development.  A called Session meeting for Sunday March 28 at 10:30 am to approve a baptism was announced.

4)                            Janet Chester, DCE, reported that Sunday School and WOW were going well.  Janet continues to serve on the Presbytery’s Kidquake Planning Team and along with Assistant Youth Director, Justin Dean, will accompany youth participants to Jr. High Youthquake later this month.  Janet also serves on the Presbytery’s Congregational Support Committee and the ACT planning team.  ACT is scheduled for Sept. 21-22 and will feature John Williams as keynote speaker.  Janet reported that the Covenant Intergenerational Mission Trip to New Orleans has only three slots left.  Keaton King will serve as director for the Mission Trip along with Rev. Morgan and Janet.  Our Youth Director, Audrey Burnett, will graduate from AC this May and will be moving away.  Justin Dean, Assistant Youth Director, will fill Audrey’s position and a new assistant will have to be hired.  Janet is going through her Christian Educator’s certification process and has completed her class work while still pending her examination.

5)                            Howard Haun recommended to the Session that a permanent and ongoing Stewardship Committee be formed to be responsible for the Stewardship Program in the Fall and the Time and Talent program in the Spring.  After discussion a motion was made and passed to elect Cyndi Fry and Rev. Morgan to recruit a team to serve as year round Stewardship Committee as soon as possible.  The Stewardship Committee would report to the Session regularly.  It was also reported that the Finance Committee will begin publishing the church’s financial report in each edition of the Kairos.

6)                            Joyce McGowen, Worship, reported that she is attending the weekly Worship Planning Team meetings.  A request to allow a wedding reception champagne toast at an upcoming non-member wedding.  After discussion, motion was made and approved that the Worship Committee be granted the authority to consider requests for exceptions to the church’s written wedding/reception policy without having to bring each request to the Session.  The written policy remains unchanged.

7)                            Cyndi Fry reported that the Fellowship Committee is planning a Progressive Dinner on Saturday, May 19.  Hosts for the appetizer and dessert courses are needed.  The entrée will be served in the Fellowship Hall.  Rev. Morgan reported that our church will join the Passion Week Services April 1-8 with the Sherman Ministerial Alliance churches.  Rev. Morgan will preach on Sunday, April 1, at the Fellowship Baptist Church.

8)                            The meeting was adjourned with the Lord’s Prayer.