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Session Notes Committee Listing and Composition
Session... Who or What is it and how does it work?
NOTES FROM SESSION MEETING
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At the most recent Session meeting:
1. The Session received the following people as new members to the congregation: Rachel and Gerard Capizzi, Marvin Freeman, Diane Bates, Rachel Cherian and Roger M. Tirrell, Jr.
2. The Session voted to perform the redecorating recommendations of the Child Care Task Force to the child care areas of Howard House. The renovations will be performed over the summer.
3. In September, the 9:15 a.m. service will remain at 9:15, but children may be dropped off at the Parish House for Church School as early as 9:00 a.m.
4. Rix Yard will be retiring as our Business Administrator on August 29 of this year. News about a special celebration of his service will be announced when plans are made. The Management & Administration Committee is creating a job description in preparation for a search for a new Business Administrator.
5. Stephen Ministries will be asking prospective Stephen Ministers to sign up for training to be held in the next program year. Those interested may contact Cindy Alloway or a member of the Stephen Ministries Leadership Team: Beverly Tignor or Jane Whitehead.
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NOTES FROM SESSION MEETING |
May 15, 2008 |
At the most recent Session meeting:
1. Plans are being made to honor Mrs. Childs on the occasion of her retirement from our Child Care during worship. A reception will be held after (10:00 a.m.) worship on June 29 in the Narthex. Contact Jon Huston or anyone on the Worship Committee to contribute to the goodies or a purse for Mrs. Childs.
2. The Evangelism Committee is assembling a subcommittee to work on updating the church’s web site. If you have web design/master skills or a background in public relations, please contact Elder Stan Mack or another member of the Evangelism Committee to offer to serve on this important subcommittee.
3. 275th Anniversary doings: Scott Shepherd will conduct a tour of the Burying Ground after the Memorial Day Service on Sunday, May 25. At the picnic on June 1, there will be some old-fashioned games to play and a mini-Strawberry festival. And don’t forget the play to be performed in the Sanctuary on Saturday evening, June 14 at 8:00 p.m.
4. The Session received a copy of our new Congregational Health Ministry brochure – Caring for your Body, Mind, and Spirit.
5. The fall Officers’ Retreat dates are September 12-13, 2008, again at Princeton Seminary. The officers will continue to work on goals and priorities for the church, as they have done for the last two retreats. This officers’ study is definitely moving forward to be a guide for the mission and activities of the church.
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NOTES FROM SESSION SPECIAL MEETING |
April 30, 2008 |
At a nearly-three-hour Special Meeting on Wednesday evening, April 30, the Session reviewed all the past history, proceedings, investigation and financial projections having to do with the purchase of The Tailor Shop on Morris
Street, adjacent to our Sanctuary-on-the-Green property. After much deliberation and sharing, the Session voted not to pursue this purchase. |
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NOTES FROM SESSION MEETING |
April 17, 2008
At the most recent Session meeting:
1. Session is organizing its list of priorities and goals, developed in the last two Officers’ Retreats, so that financial planning can be brought in line with those priorities and goals.
2. The Church Picnic has been scheduled for June 1.
3. Session approved a resolution to bring requests for donation of items to Finance Committee before approaching the congregation. These donations are, in effect, a fund-raising activity, and all fund-raising activities must come to Finance Committee before being presented to the congregation.
4. Dedication of the Habitat Interfaith Build will be June 6 at 3:00 p.m., but until then, there is still work to be done at the site, and Friendly’s is still donating a share of its profits earned on the third Thursday of the month, where Jamie Barnette is the hostess.
5. Session voted to donate $2000 to the Presbytery’s Nairobi Partnership Committee for scholarships for Kenyan children and teens. |
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NOTES FROM SESSION MEETING |
March 27, 2008 |
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♦ The church is again being contacted by the owners of The Tailor Shop to see if we are still interested in purchasing the property. A small committee has been named to negotiate, while the Session as a whole is inquiring into how such a purchase fits with our goals and vision.
♦ The supplemental pledge campaign was successful, in that there was a $49,000 shortfall in the budget presented to the congregation at its meeting on February 3, and additional pledges, pledge increases and one-time gifts have yielded over $55,000. Session will now proceed with the original budget introduced to the congregation on February 3. The Session thanks the congregation.
♦ Session is delighted with the anticipated attendance at the upcoming Master
Greeter seminar to take place on Saturday, April 5. There are at least 80 people signed up as of this date.
♦ Session approved ordering new pew Bibles in “Presbyterian Blue” to go with our hymnals. They will be the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), and the congregation will be given an opportunity to purchase them if they choose, in honor or in memory of someone, or just to donate one to the church.
♦ A Child Care Task Force has been appointed to look into the impression our child care during worship services makes on members and visitors and how we can improve it.
Virginia Pontious |
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NOTES FROM SESSION MEETING |
February 21, 2008 |
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1. Session officially welcomed newly elected and installed Session members.
2. The Soup Kitchen will move its administrative offices into Howard House.
Financial arrangements will be determined by Management & Administration
Committee, Finance Committee and the Soup Kitchen, keeping church tax
consequences in mind.
3. Session authorized the relocation of the bell tables from the Narthex to the
front left side of the Sanctuary. A trial period with this arrangement will be
from April 7 to May 18, 2008, after which the relocation will be reevaluated.
4. Session authorized emailing Tower Tidings to all members and friends who
agree to receive it in this way.
5. Management & Administration Committee is putting together a list of Session procedures to memorialize how business is handled by the Session. It will, with our new By-Laws, be valuable to the Session in the future.
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NOTES FROM SESSION MEETING
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1. Session approved the Church Information Form created by the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee. Now it will go to Newton Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry for approval and then it will be posted for prospective candidates to access.
2. Session approved a change in time for the Contemporary Service from 7:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday evenings beginning on March 9.
3. Plans for the church’s 275th anniversary this year are proceeding and now include: historic notes in worship services, honoring long-time members and a Homecoming.
4. There are 15 people in the present Communicants’ Class.
5. Plans are being made for a Faith and Health Fair on May 4.
6. The Deacons plan to hold neighborhood meetings once a year. Twice a year was too cumbersome.
7. There will be parking lot attendants for the Parish House lot when the Community Theatre hosts an event, to collect donations from guests of the theatre or to preserve the lot for a church activity. |
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NOTES FROM SESSION MEETING |
December 20, 2007 |
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1. Session approved a new set of By-Laws for presentation to the Congregation at the Annual Meeting in 2008.
2. Session approved the expenditure of up to $10,000 for repair of the organ, to be performed in 2008.
3. There was discussion of the shortfall of pledges to meet the 2008 budget as it stands and how to resolve the problem. |
NOTES FROM SESSION MEETING
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November 15, 2007 |
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1. The Split Facilities Committee reported that negotiations for purchase of
the Tailor Shop are completely broken. Session thanked the committee
for its hard work and dissolved it. A new committee will be selected to
examine other options to resolve our two-facilities situation.
2. The Finance Committee is putting the 2008 budget together.
3. Parking Lot Attendants (volunteers) are helping to preserve Parish House
parking for church members and Nursery School parents so the general
public looking for free parking doesn't monopolize the lot.
4. The Evangelism Committee is working on a Lenten Devotional Booklet
for Lent 2008.
5. Donations were approved to Centro Biblico, Healing the Children, NJ
Truckstop Ministries, Morris County Sexual Assault Center in Morristown
Memorial Hospital, Neighborhood House, Interfaith Food Pantry and
Operation Love.
Virginia Pontious
Clerk of Session |
NOTES FROM SESSION MEETING |
October 18, 2007 |
At the most recent Session meeting:
1. The Session welcomed the Rev. Bob Rogers to the Presbyterian Church in Morristown.
2. Worship and Music Committee announced that its new booklet on Baptism will be available at ExPO on October 28.
3. Community and Fellowship Committee advised that the date for the Carol Sing this year will be December 2.
4. Barbara King and Paige L’Hommedieu are the Co-Chairs planning the 275th Anniversary Celebration of the church in 2008.
5. The Congregational Care Committee announced a second training session for CPR and use of the AED machines for Saturday morning, November 17. The cost is $50.
6. The Management and Administration Committee is leading the Session in reviewing a draft set of By-Laws for the church.
NOTES FROM SESSION MEETING
September 20, 2007
At the most recent Session meeting:
1. Session approved the theme for this fall’s Stewardship Campaign: Imagine More.
2. It was announced that the renovations to the Parish House are completed. The costs not covered by donations will be paid from the Endowment Fund.
3. Session is approving month-by-month changes to membership status of members who have not participated in church life for several years. At present, the membership stands at 910. This will mean less payment for per capita next year.
4. Our new Interim Associate Pastor, the Rev. Bob Rogers, will be joining our staff the first week of October, if the way be clear with the Presbytery’s review.
5. The annual joint meeting of the Session and the Deacons was held as a retreat at Princeton Seminary on September 21-22. The group studied priorities and worked on a Mission Statement along with prayer and receiving communion.
NOTES FROM SESSION MEETING
June 21, 2007
At the most recent Session meeting:
1. Session gave permission for the Contemporary Service to serve communion every Sunday if the worship leaders choose, so that they would not have to come to Session for permission each time.
2. The Session passed a Resolution from the Finance Committee Regarding Financial Due Diligence Activities for the Purchase of the Tailor Shop. It includes such things as examination of leases and applicable law, inspection of the building and its systems, examination of financial records of the current owner and determination of the property’s present and future worth.
3. The Session voted to add a second full-time sexton position in order to have a better job done of the cleaning, set-ups and take-downs for the church’s activities.
4. Session reviewed a Parking Lot Policy prepared by the Building & Grounds Committee to make it safer and to allow our members to be able to park there for church business without having to deal with cars in the parking lot taking up spaces for people who are not connected with the church, but who want a free parking space while they are in Morristown for non-church purposes. The Session voted to accept the proposed policy, with the understanding that parts of it will be tweaked by the Finance Committee, Buildings & Grounds and Rix Yard.
NOTES FROM SESSION MEETING
May 17, 2007
At the May 17, 2007 meeting, the Session:
• After receiving a report from the Split Facilities Committee, voted to recommend to the congregation to purchase the Tailor Shop property on Morris Street from the tailors for $1.15 million. A Special Congregational Meeting will be called for this purpose.
• Passed a resolution from the Christian Education Committee to name the Parish House library the David C. Lawrence Library.
• Received the final report of the Envisioning Committee examining PCM’s staffing design in view of David Lawrence’s leaving. Session voted to call a Special Meeting of the Congregation to receive the report and recommend to the congregation that a new position description be created for a full-time associate pastor to continue many of the ministries the Rev. Lawrence was staffing in the past. An Associate Pastor Nominating Committee will also need to be elected to create the job description and perform the search for the additional pastor.
• The Executive Director of the Nursery School has resigned as of the end of the school year. This will give our church the opportunity to align more closely the program of the Nursery School with the ministry of the church. The Christian Education and Management & Administration Committees will collaborate on a job description before searching for another leader for the Nursery School.
NOTES FROM SESSION MEETING
April 19, 2007
At its most recent meeting, the Session:
- Granted permission for the Split Facilities Committee to negotiate a purchase contract with the owners of the Tailor Shop, subject to the approval of the Session.
- Learned that the Envisioning Committee is tabulating the responses to the Congregational Survey as they come in. The Committee will have a larger report for the Session next month.
- Received a report that the updated insurance coverage on both buildings will have a higher deductible in order to reduce the cost.
- Learned that David Lawrence is working with 15-20 people on an Older Adult Ministries Committee compiling a list of activities for which the Committee might take responsibility after the end of May.
- Learned that the church has ordered two Automatic External Defibrillator units, one for the Sanctuary and one for the Parish House. A class to learn how to use them and to instruct on CPR is being scheduled for September.
NOTES FROM SESSION MEETING
March 15, 2007
At its most recent meeting, the Session:
Set the celebration for the Rev. Dr. David Lawrence for May 20, when there will be only one service, at 10:00 a.m.
- Learned that the Lenten Devotional Booklets are being used. Evangelism Committee has been receiving positive feedback about them.
- Received a report that banisters have been installed in front of the Sanctuary for safety reasons.
- Discussed the new security policy of locking the doors of our buildings more than before.
- Learned that the church is planning to purchase two defibrillators, one for the Sanctuary and one for the Parish House. A donation of $1800 for the purchase of one has been received.
- Reminds the Congregation that One Great Hour of Sharing donations are due on Palm Sunday, April 1.
NOTES FROM SESSION MEETING
February 15, 2007
At its most recent meeting, the Session:
- In response to a request in writing from a member of the congregation, determined that all annual reports and financial data will be available to the congregation one week before the Annual Congregational Meeting to give members more time to digest the information before the meeting. This will probably necessitate having the Annual Congregational Meeting the first weekend in February rather than the last weekend in January.
- Welcomed the formation of the Congregational Care Committee to coordinate the care ministries of the church, making sure that everyone in the congregation who needs special care receives it. This committee will consist of members of the Session, the Deacons, the Samaritans, Presbyterian Women, Congregational Health Ministries and Stephen Ministries when that program is up and running. Elder Marilynn Hummer is the Moderator of the new committee.
- Learned that the Interfaith Build by Habitat for Humanity will be under “blitz” construction for three weekends (Thurs-Sun) in April. Friendly’s Restaurant is continuing to help in fundraising by donating 10% of their proceeds from the dinner crowd (5-9 p.m.) on the third Thursday of each month. Jamie Barnette serves as hostess there during those times.
- There will be a Save Darfur Rally on March 18 beginning at 2:00 p.m. on the Green. Members are encouraged to appear to lend their support for those suffering from the genocide/ethnic cleansing there that has already taken 400,000 lives.
- The Evangelism Committee urges those who want to participate in the Lenten devotional to take a copy of the Devotional Booklet for each family member rather than take only one for the whole family.
NOTES FROM SESSION MEETING
January 18, 2007
At its most recent meeting, the Session:
- Learned that the Rev. Dr. David Lawrence will be with us as an employee only until May 31, and that he will shorten his time from ¾ time to ½ time for these five months. He has only 1½ years until his retirement, and he would like to use his clinical background more during that time, teaching and possibly doing some research. His decision was accepted with regret by everyone at the meeting.
- Approved the formation of an Envisioning Committee to research the pastoral activities and make staffing recommendations to the Session for the time after May 31, when Dave will no longer be serving on staff.
- Approved the Budget for 2007, which provides for a 3% increase in salary for all the Clergy staff.
- Expressed its thanks to all those Elders who have finished their terms of service on Session in 2007: Mary Albright, Peg Ebel, Evelyn Entwisle, Janet Gould, William Ju, Helen Kingsbury, Linda Lower, Shirley Mutchler, Virginia Pierson and Ruth Ryan.
NOTES FROM SESSION MEETING
December 21, 2006
At its most recent meeting, the Session:
- Learned that a Seder is being planned for March 11.
- Learned that Koinonia has changed its meeting time to Tuesday evenings from 7:00-8:30 p.m.
- Approved the formation of a new Session Committee: the Congregational Care Committee. It will coordinate and support the work of the Associate Pastor, the Board of Deacons, the Congregational Health Ministry, the Presbyterian Women, the Samaritans and the Stephen Ministry and be staffed by the Associate Pastor.
• Approved PCM’s enrollment in Stephen Ministries by paying a one-time enrollment fee.
- Approved updating insurance coverage on our buildings to reflect more accurately their value. The Finance Committee and the Session felt that this updating was necessary, even at the additional cost of $21,000.
NOTES FROM SESSION MEETING
November 16, 2006
At its most recent
meeting, the Session:
• Approved serving the Lord’s Supper at the Contemporary Service on November 19, 2006.
• Received a report that about 20-30 of the attendees of the Contemporary Service are new to the church.
• Learned that very few of the pledge cards have been received to date. Stewardship Committee feels that telephone calls will be necessary.
• Received a report that better lighting will be provided for two Parish House stairways on or before November 30.
• Is gathering budget requests. Finance Committee must have them by December 3.
| The Session recently took under care as an inquirer into a church vocation Sarah Green who has begun her seminary studies at Fuller Theological Seminary in California in August, 2006. |
NOTES FROM SESSION MEETING
October 26, 2006
- The Session recently took under care as an Inquirer into a church vocation Sarah Green who has begun her seminary studies at Fuller Theological Seminary in California (in August, 2006).
At its most recent meeting, the Session:
- Hosted a Triennial Visit Team from Newton Presbytery in accordance with Book of Order G-11.0502c. The Appreciative Inquiry approach was used, and discussion included very moving occasions in the church’s life that Session Members related and what services and resources the Presbytery offers to the churches in our Presbytery.
- Heard a report from the Membership Involvement Committee that it has been reviewing the membership rolls and trying to contact members who have not worshiped or pledged for several years. The membership rolls will soon reflect the true membership, which will, in time, reduce our per capita payment to Newton Presbytery, Synod of the Northeast, and PC(USA).
- Learned that Ringers on the Green are planning to host a fundraising dinner on December 3 from 5:00 – 5:45 p.m. in conjunction with the Carol Sing. The dinner will feature foods from different countries. Watch for more information.
- Approved PCM’s enrollment in Stephen Ministries by paying a one-time enrollment fee.
NOTES FROM SESSION MEETING
September 21, 2006
At its most recent meeting, the Session:
- Agreed to hire the Worship Music Leader recommended by the Contemporary Worship Service Committee.
- Learned that on Parade Day, there were 99 enrolled in the Church School. In the future, that number should rise to about 120.
- Agreed to host Centro Bíblico in our facilities during its transition time between its former location to a new one it is in the process of purchasing. A committee was formed to work out details so that we won’t be conflicting with each other in our use of the church and parish house facilities.
- Approved the goal of this fall’s stewardship efforts to achieve 100% of the membership pledging.
- Received the news that an all-church retreat is in the planning stages. Watch for dates and location.
NOTES FROM SESSION MEETING: June 15, 2006
At its most recent meeting, the Session:
- Discussed with Jim Allison of The Split Facilities Committee the presentation at the May Session Meeting by Gensler Associates. Jim was asked to go to Gensler to ascertain what kind of ideas they might have for under $5 million, since their suggestions at May’s meeting were more costly.
- Received a report from Kim Conway, Co-Moderator of the Board of Deacons, in which she outlined a proposal to expand the duties of the Deacons to include a responsibility for each Deacon for the care and comfort of parishioners within a certain neighborhood. She also recommended adding three more Deacons to the Board, one in each class, to help with these additional tasks. The Session called a Special Congregational Meeting for Sunday, June 25. [Subsequently, at that meeting, the Congregation approved the addition of the three additional Deacons to the Board.]
- The Outreach Committee announced the termination of our Radio Ministry, due to its no longer being cost effective. Funds allocated to the Radio Ministry were reallocated to the ministry at the Morris County Correctional Facility.
- The Session approved payment of the registration fee for participation in Stephen Ministries.
- It was announced that the elm tree in front of the church has died due to Dutch Elm Disease and will have to be removed. Publicity among church members and in the Daily Record will be put forth to explain to the congregation and to the public the reasons for removing the tree.
NOTES FROM SESSION MEETING
May 18, 2006
At its most recent meeting, the Session:
- Received the report of the Contemporary Worship Committee and authorized the Committee to proceed with its plans to begin a Sunday evening contemporary service in September to welcome new worshippers who prefer a more relaxed worship style with praise music. The new services will be held for a year, at the end of which Session will consider how to proceed from there.
- Received a report from the Split Facilities Committee. Gensler Architects presented three early concept ideas for locating all facilities at the on-the-Green site for initial consideration. They also presented three concepts for increasing parking at the on-the-Green site. Questions from Session members about cost yielded a very rough estimate of $7-$10 million to execute one or more of the initial concepts.
- Agreed to bear the cost of Joel Strom’s mission trip to the Dominican Republic June 28-July 7, a training occasion and an opportunity for him to accompany the young people who are going on the trip.
- Elected Clerk of Session Ginny Pontious to be the continuing Elder Commissioner to Newton Presbytery meetings.
At the April 20, 2006 regular meeting of Session—
• A letter written by the Clergy Council was endorsed and signed to call for solutions to the problems involving day laborers seeking employment in Morristown.
• The Building & Grounds Committee announced that the Gensler Architects will present three scenarios for an educational facility at the May session meeting.
• The Outreach Committee announced that our church will become a PantryPartner, assisting the Food Pantry with funding, food drives and information to the congregation.
• The WMTR radio 8:00 a.m. broadcast will be discontinued because of the expense. Worship services are on the website and can be delivered to those interested in different formats.
• Jane Nast delivered 70 Easter baskets to Friends of Newark and provided Easter dinner to 12 families.
• The Worship and Music Committee is creating an “Adopt a Bell” program to create a fund to repair the bells.
• Youth Ministry is planning a first-time trip for junior highs to Pottsfield, PA on July 30-August 4. Joel Strom will be the male advisor and they are seeking a female advisor.
• Mark your calendars—EXPO will be held on Oct. 22.
Meeting of March 16, 2006
At its most recent meeting, the Session:
- Authorized the formation of a Welcoming Church Committee to be chaired by Noel Ebrahim under the Worship and Music Committee to study how our church can become more welcoming of newcomers, membership to come first from the Session and later to include other members of the congregation;
- Approved the baptisms of five children for March 26 worship services;
- Heard about the formation at the Presbytery level of a New Church Development Task Force under the leadership of the Rev. Robin Miller Curras, which group is seeking members.
At its February 16, 2006 meeting, the Session of the Presbyterian Church in Morristown:
• approved the formation of a Church Historical Committee for the purpose of gathering, storing and preserving documents, artifacts, photographs, etc. important to the history of the church. John and Diane Anderson will serve as co-chairs to this new committee that will report to the Buildings & Grounds Committee.
• heard a presentation by Ginny Smith on Stephen Ministries: a video, "The Heart of Stephen Ministries," and some written materials. Session will consider making Stephen Ministries a part of the caring ministries of the church under the staff leadership of the Associate Pastor.
• Sunday morning snow arrangements were discussed. Generally, services will be held, as the Pastor can walk to church if necessary. Announcements of cancellations will be posted on the website and on the telephone answering machine to inform inquirers as to any church activities that will be cancelled due to weather.
At its regular meeting on January 19, 2006 the Session:
- approved a new policy for infant baptism. This new policy will allow the church to “Be Clear, Be Fair, and then Ritualize Baptism”. At least one parent should be on our active membership role. Parents will attend a series of 3 preparation classes for those seeking baptism. Four Baptism Sundays will be established: October, January, April and June, with all infant baptisms at the 11:00 service. The first Baptism Sunday using this new policy will be in October 2006 with classes held in September 2006.
- approved a $1,323,250 budget for 2006, which will be presented to the Congregation at the Annual Meeting. This budget reflects cuts for every committee in what they would have liked to do in 2006 and responds to the Session’s commitment to reduce the reliance on the Endowment Fund.
- approved a new contract for the Rev. David Lawrence, running from Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2006.
- received an update from the Buildings & Grounds committee on a meeting with the Gensler personnel to clarify the program needs and requirements for a possible educational facility on the Green. The Gensler firm will now translate these needs into facility and and space requirements so they can begin to design sketches.
- heard from the Outreach Committee that an agreement and written contract were negotiated with radio station WMTR to continue broadcasting our worship services, but with a change in time to 8:00 a.m. The contract is for up to one year, but the ministry will be reviewed after three months. At that time, the committee will try to determine if the broadcast is reaching those we hope to serve. The Outreach Committee would like to hear from anyone who listens to the broadcast for their input as to the importance of this mission.
- elected Ginny Pontius as Clerk of Session for a one year term
Session Notes, December 2005:
At its regular meeting on December 15, 2005, the Session
- approved a motion from the Outreach Committee to begin an on-going relationship with the First Presbyterian Church of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi in support of their community rebuilding efforts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The $10,000 previously earmarked for the First Presbyterian Church in Pascagoula, MS will go instead to the Bay St. Louis church. We hope that our hands will follow our dollars.
- learned that funding has been secured for a new music program, “Fridays on the Green”. The program will start in March. Julie Ramseyer will take over responsibility for the Tower choir, beginning in January.
- approved a sign with changeable letters to be installed in front of the Sanctuary and the Parish House. The Session will be asked to approve the final design, cost and maintenance procedures prior to installation.
- heard of plans to include a dinner as part of next year’s Carol Sing.
- learned of plans to use contracted services to fill in after Mr. Borecki’s retirement until a replacement can be found
At its regular meeting on November 17, 2005, the Session
- approved a motion from Buildings & Grounds that authorizes the Split Facilities Task Force to continue talking with the Scotto development group regarding plans to redevelop Spring Street. This committee will also be meeting with an architectural firm to develop a feasibility study for use in this redevelopment.
- learned of the retirement of our sexton, Mr. Borecki, effective December 31, 2005.
- extended the contract of Rev. Dr. Virginia B. Smith into 2006.
- combined Beth Fenske’s positions of Coordinator of Children’s Ministries and MidWeek Coordinator into one full-time, ten month position.
- heard of plans for an all-Kenya day on Sunday, Feb. 12. At this time the congregation will learn more of the work done in Kenya by our members over the summer.
At its October 20, 2005 meeting, the Session
- approved a motion to authorize the Buildings & Grounds committee to apply for a Determination of Eligibility from the Keeper of the National Register of the National Park Service. This is a formal certification that a property is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. This is the first step in a process that would make the church eligible to apply for funding from the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders for preservation projects at the church,
- extended the contract of the Reverend David C. Lawrence through December 31, 2005. His title has been changed to Parish Associate
- approved sending $5,000 from the Creative Benevolence fund of the Outreach Committee to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance for relief in Pakistan,
- learned that Yvette Carpenter is going to begin a Bible study for our youth,
- agreed that the church thermostats should be set at 68 degrees in order to conserve energy and keep heating costs down and was excited that the Youth Director Search Committee is close to finishing its work and looks forward to having a Youth Director in place soon
- After this abbreviated meeting, Session adjourned to meet with the Board of Deacons to continue the planning work the two groups began at the Officers’ Retreat in September. Under the guidance of facilitator Joel Ramseyer, the two groups worked on prioritizing and consolidating the ideas for the future of this church that were generated at that retreat.
Session Bulletin Notes, September
15, 2005
At the September 15, 2005 regular meeting, the
Session
- approved plans for our church to help
in the recovery efforts going on in the Gulf Coast after Hurricane
Katrina. These plans include:
- continuing to collect offerings of
money from the congregation, with that money going to the Presbyterian
Disaster Assistance Fund
- soliciting names of members who wish
to go to the Gulf Coast to give hands on help
- continuing to research long-term options
for continued help.
- heard of plans by the Member Involvement
Committee for a Church ExPO to be held on November 13
- discussed two exciting new programs
being considered for our members. One program will offer members an
opportunity to evaluate their gifts to help determine how best to
serve the church. The other will offer training for lay people in
one-on-one care giving during crisis situations.
- agreed to a switch from glass to plastic
communion cups. This is being done in the interest of safety, as there
have been shards of glass discovered in the communion cups.
- learned that the Children’s Library
is up and running in Room 4 of the Parish House.
- and approved the installation of two
benches and a trash container on the Parish House lawn near Baskin
and Robbins.
The benches will have a plaque to indicate that this is a gift from
the church.
- At a called Session meeting on Sunday,
September 25, 2005 the Session approved more specific plans to aid
in the relief efforts in the Gulf Coast. Monies will be made available
for:
- financial help for members of the
congregation who wish to go down to the Gulf Coast, to help cover
costs of transportation and any necessary inoculations
- financial support for organizations
in our area who are helping families or individuals from the Gulf
Coast relocate to the New Jersey area
Session Bulletin Notes, June 16, 2005
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Authorized the Split
Facilities Committee to engage an architectural firm and a surveyor,
if necessary, to conduct a feasibility study by the end of the year.
This study will give us information to intelligently pursue the
various options for creating educational space at the Church on
the Green site
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Unanimously endorsed
Elder Chip Sanders to become a “Candidate Under the Care of
the Newton Presbytery.”
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Welcomed Interim Associate
Pastor Ginny Smith.
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Heard plans from the
Membership Involvement Committee for an Activity Fair in October.
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Watched a moving video
on Modern Day Slavery as an introduction to a special presentation
on the afternoon of Sunday, October 2 on that topic. Elders agreed
to support this presentation with their participation in and attendance
at the event.
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Was pleased to learn
that the East side entrance steps to the Sanctuary will be replaced
soon. Replacement of the thresholds was not included in the original
contract and their replacement will be considered at a later time.
Session Bulletin Notes, May 19, 2005
-
Heard from the Management & Administration committee
that they have made an offer to an Interim Associate Minister. More
information will follow.
-
Welcomed news from the Presbytery of a 5-year extension
of the Nairobi partnership.
-
Learned of declining enrollment in the Presbytery
since 1970. The Presbytery encourages churches to change from a
position of maintaining their membership to one of mission, looking
at ministry in new ways.
-
Received from the Finance Committee an independent
appraisal of our church properties (buildings and contents), which
necessitates a review of our insurance coverage.
-
Reviewed attendance figures from the Member Involvement
Committee, showing an average attendance at both services in April
of 341. This average attendance continues to show growth since the
interim period.
-
Was pleased to learn that the necessary permits
have been obtained and work will begin on replacing the Sanctuary
steps.
-
Heard of criteria being established by the Outreach
committee for financial aid to mission trip applicants. This will
be presented to the committee in June for final approval.
-
Encouraged all elders to participate in the church’s
trip to the final Billy Graham Crusade on June 26
.
-
Discussed having the bell tables at the front of
the Sanctuary and voted to permit them in the front of the Sanctuary
only for the May 22 and June 12 services of worship. Worship &
Music will address the placement of the tables and bring the issue
back to Session in June.
-
Elected Carolyn Green as Clerk of Session for a
6-month term, effective at the June meeting, and concluding December
31, 2005.
Session Highlights in April
At the April 21, 2005 Session Meeting...
• Endorsed Linda Gaden for the Commissioned Lay Pastor Program.
• Heard about plans to attend the Billy Graham crusade at Flushing
Meadows on June 24-26, 2005.
• Approved a new Program Based Budget process, which would begin
in April. In this way, the congregation will know more about program
plans when approving each year’s budget.
• Welcomed Mary Jo Hashagen as the new Finance and Administration
Secretary and Deborah McComber Bye as the new Publications and Publicity
Coordinator.
• Received the summary of the March 2005 Worship Attendance showing
an average attendance of 288.
• Noted the date for the All Church Picnic as June 5, 2005 at
the Parish House.
-
Session approved a preliminary job description for
a Youth Director, and has authorized the Management and Administration
Committee to initiate a search process. It also approved the formation
of a Youth Director Search Committee to be comprised of two representatives
of the Youth Ministry Committee, two parents, one representative
from the Management and Administration Committee and one young adult
.
-
There will be an Easter Egg Dyeing Event on Saturday,
March 26, at the Parish House.
-
Contributions to Tsunami Flood Relief now total
$15,200 from the congregation.
-
The Split Facilities Committee is continuing to
elicit proposals from architects, and another meeting is planned
with the owner of the Tailor Shop and the Spring Street developers.
After fact-finding in these three areas, the Committee will present
their findings to the Session for further instruction.
-
There will be a synopsis of church school lessons
beginning in the March Tower Tidings.
-
The newly formed Community and Fellowship Committee
will plan a congregational activity about every six weeks, focusing
on different groups within the congregation.
-
A review of attendance figures shows an average
worship attendance in January of 346, when the snowed-out Sunday
was removed from the calculations.
-
Amanda Boyadjis has been selected as the church’s
Wedding Coordinator, with Jan Frazier as her assistant.
-
Receipts from the Souper Bowl of caring were $471.25,
which was above the national average.
-
The Youth Ministry Committee has a commitment to
begin a senior high school Bible study and to work with the Christian
Education and Worship and Music Committees to
form a task force on baptism education. The focus of this program
would be to continue to work with the parents of recently baptized
children and follow up with them throughout the first four years
after the baptism.
Session Highlights in January
At the January 20, 2005 Session meeting…
-
Session approved the increase to full time
for the Reverend Dr. David Lawrence. Session heard the letter
of resignation of Sue Woodruff, effective April 22, 2005.
-
The Session feels a serious effort must be
made to stop relying so heavily on the Endowment to support
the budget. With this in mind, Session instructed the Finance
Committee to take $15,000 less from the Endowment Fund, and
together with Session Chairs balance the disbursement side.
-
Session approved a total expenditure of $13,935.74
from Creative Benevolence 2004 to be disbursed in Africa,
Kenya, Peru, Nepal and Thailand as well as $10,000 from Creative
Benevolence 2005 for the tsunami relief effort.
-
The Christian Education committee is looking
into a different curriculum and class setting for 5th and
6th graders.
-
Elder Lew Bohn reported that there were 224
visitors on Christmas Eve.
-
The Management & Administration Committee
will be drafting a job description for a Youth Director.
-
The Split Facilities subcommittee is considering
having a facilities study done.
-
Replacement of the steps at the Church on
the Green will begin as soon as the weather permits.
Session Highlights in December
At the December 16, 2004 Session meeting
-
Marion Galbraith presented the newest
information brochure about the church, which will
be available to new and prospective members. Anyone
interested in giving the brochure to visitors should
see Marion or Reverend Morrison.
-
Marion also presented three options for a
tagline for the church. After much discussion, the Session
decided to continue studying the use of a tagline.
-
The Session approved several motions to clarify
the relationship between the Nursery School and the Church.
-
The Children’s Library Room in the Parish
House is expected to open officially on January 16.
-
The 20th Century Fox Film Company has approached
the Church about using the burying ground as a location shoot
for an upcoming film. The Buildings and Grounds committee
will investigate the request and if all conditions are met,
will enter into a contract with the company.
-
The Session accepted the resignation of Interim
Associate Pastor Elizabeth Morrison, with gratitude for her
hard work and best wishes for her in her new position. Elizabeth’s
last Sunday will be January 23, 2005. There will be a reception
in her honor between the two services on that day.
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