Session
December 17, 2009 meeting

The Session met on Thursday, December 17, 2009 with ten members present, two guests- Janet Grantz and Barbara Haberern, and Moderator, Rev. Joyce W. Smothers in the social room of the church. A quorum was present. Pastor Joyce opened the meeting reading from the Good News Bible, John 1: 1-18, followed with prayer.

NEW MEMBERS: Janet Grantz was examined by Session and will be received into membership on December 20, 2009.

CLERK’S REPORT:

I attended an organizational meeting for the Whitehall Food Bank at St. Stephens Episcopal Church with the intent of joining with other churches in the Whitehall area to lighten the load of the St. Stephen’s Parish. At the next meeting an executive board will be elected and assignments distributed. Each church is asked to have several people volunteer to work on the third Monday and Tuesday of each month to assist in distributing the food. We hope all the churches will participate and then each person will only have to volunteer once or twice a year. If available and willing to help please contact B. Quigg 610-264-0851.

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 local radio stations (WAEB AM 790 and WFMZ FM 69) and the church phone for any cancellation of services due to bad weather.

PLEASE NOTE: Per capita was supposed to remain the same as last year, but has been reduced from $24.11 to $23.88 by the Presbytery.

Come to the Epiphany dinner scheduled for January 10 at 6 P.M.

CORRESPONDENCE:

Our Mission pledge for 2010 will be $2,500.00. Please note that on the church envelope there is a line for benevolence.

Received a Thank You from The Caring Place for all the coats we sent.
Lehigh Presbytery prayer requests:

• Rev. Eleanor Allen – Hazleton Presbyterian Church - celebrated her 40th year as an ordained minister of Word and Sacrament.
• Joe Fisher - Resource Center Director for Beaver-Butler Presbytery
• Family of Hiram Delp - Community Church of Mt. Bethel/Portland
• Steve Shussett’s colleague - Mark
• Family of David Knauert
• David Hinds
• Corrie Miller
• The arrival of Rev. Dennis Zimmerman’s granddaughter Zuri Olive Zimmerman born on December 13, 2009.

There will be an Easter Vigil on April 3, 2010 and the Presbytery is looking for people who would like to contribute to this worship service on one of the holiest nights of the year.

The IRS mileage rate has been reduced to $0.50 a mile.

We were reminded by the Teaching Presbyter, Steve Shussett, to care, nurture, appreciate and support the ministers of the Word and Sacrament especially during big holiday seasons when the pressures are the greatest. Keep them in your prayers.

PASTOR’S REPORT:

Distributed a written report of her activities from November 20- December 17, 2009 which included:

• Preached and led worship services.
• Attended the December CHES Meeting.
• Visited and served communion to shut-ins, hospital patients and those recovering at home.
• Attended the Presbytery Meeting at Hope Presbyterian Church, Summit Hill.
• Keeps office hours Tuesdays thru Fridays.
• Attended PW Christmas Dinner.
• Taught confirmation classes.
• Is presently teaching a Bible Study on Genesis—next two classes are Jan. 5 and
  19 at 6 P.M.
• Met with Chair of Worship, Clerk of Session and those seeking
  membership.

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

MINUTES of November 19, 2009 were approved with one correction. Also approved were the Congregational Meeting Minutes from November 22, 2009.

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.

MINISTRY REPORTS:

Worship and Music -

The Installation/Ordination of new church officers will be on January 10, 2010.
Christian Education.

Christian Education -

On December 27th the children’s Christmas play will be presented in worship.

Youth Ministry -

The trip to the movies was cancelled due to weather report.

Over a hundred caps, gloves, scarves and socks from our Mitten Patch were
received and delivered to the 6th Street Shelter.

Presbyterian Women -

The year ended with a Christmas Luncheon at the Terrace Restaurant on December 5, 2009.

Deacons -

The Deacons were thanked for the work they have done in their ministry to others, and for decorating for special holidays.

Turning Point -

Keep saving those old cell phones and ink cartridges.

Received a Thank-you note for all the donations they received from our church
family.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Communication -

Mary Ann Ramey received the Anniversary Books, which have been reprinted
and will be sold at $28.00 per copy.

Olan Mills will publish our pictorial directory and appointments for pictures will
be April 15 – 16, 2010 from 3 to 9:30 P.M. and April 17 from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M.

In the recent poll, 39 of our church members voted to have one worship service
and 19 voted for two. Session voted to go with the majority vote. (There will
only be one Sunday Worship Service.)

Fellowship and Group Life -

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

Personnel -

Daniel Schedler will continue to do lawn service.

John Bowman will be paid to remove snow from our sidewalks and parking areas.

Nominating -

We need two people to volunteer to serve as Deacons for the Class of 2012.

New Members -

Janet Grantz will be received Sunday, December 20, 2009 into church membership.

Property -

Sally Heffner reported on a proposal to upgrade our bathrooms.

Session chose Dominion to serve as our electric replacement company.

The Copier service contract fee has increased and Session has decided to purchase
a new copy machine with FAX and scanning capabilities, and try to sell the present one.

Gifts of the Heart -

A letter regarding the Per Capita apportionment and stewardship will be mailed to
the Congregation in January.

Old Business -

An expression of thanks was extended by the Session to Sally Heffner for her
service as an Elder.

New Business -

Ruth Young and Judy Sukanic are retiring from their positions at Westminster
Village at the end of December. They dedicated patience, concern, time and
talents in very special ways to all who came in contact with them. Remember
them in your prayers.

The meeting was adjourned in prayer at 8:50 P.M.

--------------------
Barbara R. Quigg
Clerk of Session

Session minutes archive