STATED SESSION MEETING MINUTES SUMMARY

December 20, 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, December 20, 2007, beginning at 7:00 pm at 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:

TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Dorothy Wells reported that November ended with a year-to-date deficit of $45,000 partly because income was at 76% of budget while expenses were 106% of budget.  For the first 3 Sundays in December we have had 70% contributions in pledge income.  Reports of Income and Expenses, Balance Sheet, and Monthly Comparisons were discussed.  The treasurer’s report was accepted.

CLERKS REPORT – Session minutes for the Stated meeting of Nov. 15, 2007, and the Congregational meeting of Dec. 2, 2007 were approved with changes to the wording of the last three paragraphs of the Nov. 15 minutes.

PASTOR’S REPORT – Rev. Morgan reported that he had done 4 unique things this month—sang in the cast of an opera (Amahl and the Night Visitors), conducted a funeral with only a few hours’ notice, preached Isaiah as primary Advent text and personally followed up pledge requests and sent acknowledgement letters.  Rev. Morgan is also conducting communion and Christmas readings at The Rennaissance and The Homestead retirement centers and has accepted a position as board member of the Crisis Center effective 1/1/08.

DCE REPORT – Janet Chester reported staying busy with many trips to Presbytery where she is working on curriculum for Kid Quake, for the senior high lessons curriculum and is a participant on a national committee of PC-USA, Louisville.  Janet is also busy scheduling summer camps for youth participants, is participating in joint meetings with Worship and Christian Education, is working on coordinating meals for WOW and will conduct a review of the Disciple Bible study in January, the mid-point of the course.

COMMITTEE REPORTS – 

Finance Committee – Rev. Morgan reported on the proposed 2008      budget plan which was written by the new Stewardship Committee.  Although pledges overall have increased, we have also lost pledges due to member deaths and other circumstances. The proposed budget as it stands still needs to be trimmed and will be approved in January.  The Stewardship committee will interpret the budget throughout the year and communicate   with the congregation.  Motion was made and passed to give visitor Lyn Jostes a voice in the meeting.  Lyn, our previous church treasurer, spoke to the session about budget matters.  Our projected    income will be more accurate after all pledges are accounted for and the challenge gift pledges have been finalized on 12/31/07. There was much discussion regarding the proposed budget for '08. In order to continue existing programs, it will be necessary to supplement existing, ordinary income streams with withdrawals from the reserve fund.  The budget for '08 will be adopted during the January meeting. 

Howard Haun recommended that the 2007 budget be balance with reserve funds but the exact deficit could not yet be reported.  It was moved and approved that the concept of balancing the 2007 budget with reserve funds be approved in principal but that each session member have a veto on the balance when the actual deficit number was determined.  That deficit number will be published to all session members and a veto will require an affirmative “no” vote while silence will be deemed a “yes” vote.  Motion was made and passed that Lyn Jostes be nominated as Treasurer for 2008.  It was also announced that Dr. and Mrs. Stoolfire have given an endowment gift to the church which has been accepted by the Planned Gifts Committee. The terms of the gift are being developed.  Motion was made and passed that the gift be accepted.      The funds are currently in a CD to be designated later.  Rev. Morgan will write a thank you letter to the Stoolfire’s. 

Mission Committee -- David Gattis reported that Peggy Kemp presented a       program to the Mission Committee about Teen Mother Fund, a local program.  The Mission committee voted to give $1200 from the fund of the Mission committee to this program. 

Evangelism Committee – It was reported that a welcome brochure to be used with visitors was being developed as was a Master Greeter program to assist visitors to our church.

NEW BUSINESS – Motion was made and passed to install and ordain new Elders and Trustees on January 13, 2008.  Motion was made and passed to hold our Annual Congregational Meeting on Feb. 10, 2008.

The meeting was adjourned with the Lord’s Prayer.