Session
November 19, 2009 meeting

The Session met on Thursday, November 19, 2009 with eleven members present and Moderator, Rev. Joyce W. Smothers in the social room of the church. A quorum was present. Guests were the Deacons — Sandy Moran, Donna Pontician, Carol Snyder, Dorothy Somers, and Carol Steigerwalt.

Pastor Joyce opened the meeting reading from the Gospel of Luke 17: 11-19 followed with an invitation to go around the table and tell something you were thankful for, Devotions were closed with a unison prayer followed by The Lord’s Prayer.

Carol Steigerwalt read the minutes from the Deacon’s meeting on October 25, 2009 and gave the highlights of the monetary donations to various mission projects. The Christmas Poinsettia order blanks are on the back railing of the sanctuary and the cost is $8 per plant.

Donna Pontician spoke about and answered questions concerning Turning Point. Carol and Tom Steigerwalt will decorate the church for Thanksgiving and all the Deacons will gather to decorate for the Christmas Holiday.

The Deacons were thanked for the work that they do and were invited to stay for the rest of the meeting.

NEW MEMBERS: Donald/Michelle Heiney, Dorothy Kehs, Sarah McClellan and Dana and Eugene Setar were received into the membership during morning worship on November 1, 2009.

CLERK’S REPORT:

I attended the meeting for the Whitehall Food Bank at Faith Lutheran Church on October 28 at 11:30 A.M. to discuss its future. The next meeting is at St. Stephens’ Episcopal Church on November 30 at 6:30 P.M.

Pastor Joyce and the Clerk of Session attended the Lehigh Presbytery Meeting at Hope of Christ Church, Summit Hill on November 21, 2009.

Reminder: check the radio, TV and the church phone for any cancellation of services due to bad weather.

Catasauqua Presbyterian Church honored Fred Kneirien for his 50 years of service as an ordained minister.

Installation services were held for Rev. Kyung Soo Lee at the Korean Church of the Lehigh Valley and Rev. Tony Sundermeier at The First Presbyterian Church of Allentown.

The per capita was supposed to remain the same as last year but has been reduced from $24.11 to $23.88.

The certificate of transfer was received from Faith Presbyterian Church, Emmaus, for Dorothy Kehs.

Barbara Quigg gave a report on the Whitehall Food Bank Meeting.

An Epiphany dinner is scheduled for January 2010.

Westminster Sunday will be celebrated on March 21, 2009 as our minute for mission during morning worship.

CORRESPONDENCE:

We received a flyer from Brainerd Center advertising the annual “Christmas at Camp” get together – See Sandy Moran for details.

Received a Thank you from Turning Point for Children’s clothing donations.

PASTOR’S REPORT:

Distributed a written report of her activities from October 16- November 19, 2009 which included:

• Preached and led worship services
  
  
• Led the worship service at Westminster Village on October 18
  
  
• Attended the CHES Meeting.
  
  
• Visited and served communion along with Carol Steigerwalt to all the shut-ins,
  hospital patients and those recovering at home...
  
  
• Attended the Presbytery Meeting at Hope Presbyterian Church, Summit Hill.
  
  
• Kept office hours Tuesdays thru Fridays.
  
  
• Attended PW Circle I Meeting.
  
  
• Will be on vacation December 27-29, 2009.
  
  
• Is presently teaching a Bible Study on Genesis.
  
  
• Installed six new members on November 1, 2009.
  
  
• Was elected to Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry.
  
  
• Was on study leave to attend Princeton Theological Seminary.
  
  
• The Church office is closed November 26 & 27, 2009.

NOTE: Pastor Joyce is in the Office Tuesday thru Friday 9:00A.M. to 1:00P.M, for anyone who wishes to meet with her.

MINUTES of October 15, 2009 were approved with two corrections. Also Special Minutes from October 18 & 25 were approved as received.

FINANCIAL REPORT Received Yr. to Date Balance Sheet, Financial Report, YTD Budget vs. Actual, Profit and Loss, Budget vs. Actual Reports for October. Reports were reviewed and filed for Audit.

At present the Benevolence fund shows a deficit balance of $89.74 and the General Fund is in the RED $9,183.27.

MINISTRY REPORTS:

Worship and Music -

A Bluegrass Worship Service in Memory of Paul Hodes, Jr. will be held on
November 22, 2009.

So far the survey regarding one or two services is in favor of only one service. 28 for one service and 14 for two services. If you haven’t replied please do so because your vote is important.

The Annual Congregational Meeting is scheduled for January 24, 2010. Please
make an effort to attend so we don’t place the responsibility of making important
decisions for the life of your church on just a mere quorum of people.

The Installation of church officers is scheduled for January 10, 2010.

It was suggested that the choir return to recessing during the last verse of the last
hymn.

Christian Education -

On December 27th, the children of the Sunday School will lead morning worship and perform their Christmas play at 10:00 a.m.

Youth Ministry -

The youth group is planning to go to the movies with an invitation extended to the
Catasauqua Presbyterian Church youth group to join them on December 12.
The deadline for the Mitten Patch is the Sunday after Thanksgiving – November
29th.

Presbyterian Women -

The profit for the Basket Social/Bake Sale netted over $1,600 and will be
distributed to our church General Fund and Westminster Village.

Deacons -

A joint meeting with Session was held on November 19th.

Poinsettia flowers will be on sale for $8 a plant.

Thanks to Tom and Carol Steigerwalt for the Thanksgiving decorations in the church sanctuary.

Turning Point -

Keep saving those old cell phones and ink cartridges.

The Angel gift-giving mission project has begun. Do not wrap the gift and make sure you place the Angel tag on the gift.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Communication -

Mary Ann Ramey placed sign up sheets on the table in the vestibule for ordering our church’s Anniversary Book. The cost is $35.00 per copy.

Tammy Seidick reported that plans are being made to contract with Olan Mills for
a pictorial directory next summer.

Fellowship and Group Life -

The Sauerkraut Dinner on October 31st was a success and cleared a profit of $635.

The Epiphany Dinner will be on January 10, 2009 at 6:00 P.M.

It was suggested to have a game night in January or February.

Personnel -

Eileen distributed copies of staff job descriptions and the Pastor’s 2010 goals for review.

Salaries for the Grounds maintenance person, custodian and choir director were
reviewed.

Nominating -

The new slate of officers will be presented to the congregation on Sunday, November 22, 2009. Ordination and Installation of elected officers is tentatively scheduled for January 10, 2010.

Property -

Sally Heffner presented a proposal from Heffner Enterprises, Inc. for cosmetic renovation of both bathrooms in the church.

There is a need to cover and lock the thermostat boxes to limit access.

Gifts of the Heart -

Tammy Seidick will be in charge of publicizing the Christmas Joy Offering that will be received December 20th.

The church has a deficit balance for 2009. This calls each member to evaluate their giving practices. Although income has increased, expenses have risen.

Old Business -

The budget for 2010 was approved at the Congregational Meeting on Sunday, November 22, 2009.

New Business -

No report.

The next meeting – December 17, 2009, at 7:00 P.M.

The meeting was adjourned in prayer at 9:30 P.M.

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Barbara R. Quigg
Clerk of Session

Session minutes archive