Session
May 21, 2009 meeting

The Session met on Thursday, May 21, 2009 with nine members present and Moderator, Rev. Joyce W. Smothers in the social room of the church. A quorum was present. Guests for the evening were two confirmands, Shelby Fenstermaker and Tyler Linton. Pastor Joyce opened the meeting with prayer and a scripture reading from Matthew 6: 25-34. The message centered around stuff cluttering our lives. Devotions ended by reciting The Lord’s Prayer.

The confirmands read their Statements of Faith, were examined by the Session and will be received into membership on June 7, 2009. Pastor Joyce dismissed them with prayer.

CLERK’S REPORT:

Prayer requests from Lehigh Presbytery:

Carol McSwegin in the death of Rev. Dr. Bill McSwegin

Leslie Spencer wife of Rev. Stuart Spencer who was Moderator of Philadelphia
Presbytery...

Charles Wiley was seriously injured in a bicycle accident.

Margaret “Midge” Sterner Moderator of Pottsville P. W. is hospitalized.

Bonnie Forbes wife of Ken Forbes for her foot surgery.

Rev. Tillie Chase, Pastor of Mt. Bethel/Portland in the loss of her mother.

Attended the reading of Session Minutes on May 9th at Allentown First.

Thanked Sue Butchinski, Sally Heffner and their committee for the great job they did with the delicious meal served at the Presbytery Meeting on April 28th, the farewell social for Henry Distler’s service with us and for the reception after the Installation Service for Rev. Joyce Smothers.

Request for baptism of Carl and Sandy Moran’s Granddaughter Briahna Jaicee Shuey on May 31, 2009.

The wedding of Tara VanStrander and Camilo Rodrigues took place on May 18, 2009 with Pastor Distler officiating.

Property will research the possibility of reupholstering the Pulpit Chairs that are falling apart in the Social Room.

CORRESPONDENCE:

Flyers were received advertising:

– Faith and Environment Conference July 7 – 14
– The Calvin Jubilee July 8 – 11
– Cloister Meeting on Thursday, June 5, 2009 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
– Long Term Care Insurance
– Various seminars at Lombard Mennonite Peace Center

Letter of Thanks from Steve Schusett, Teaching Presbyter, thanking our church for doing such a good job hosting the Presbytery meeting on April 28. Thanks to all who helped make that a success.

Reminder Westminster needs your support with Auxiliary membership and The Giving For Living Program.

Letter inviting our congregation to participate in a Whitehall Celebrates Service on June 7th at the Egypt Park.

Thank you note from Henry and Jane Distler for the time shared with us during the interim period he shared with our congregation.

PASTOR’S REPORT:

Pastor Joyce will be teaching the Communicants Class next year.

Pastor Joyce, Joyce Wheeler and Barbara Quigg gave a verbal report on some of the high lites of the April Presbytery Meeting, informing Session members of the actions Presbytery took with Amendment B and the Korean Church.

Preached at 3 Worship Services.

Planned my own Installation Service.

Was available in the office for four hours four days a week.

Met with the Clerk of Session on several occasions.

Loves to sing and joined the choir.

Met with VBS volunteers.

Met with Presbyterian Women at the Association Meeting and Circle 1 for a luncheon.

MINUTES of April 16 and Special Meeting Minutes of April 26, 2009 were approved as presented.

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

MINISTRY REPORTS:

Worship and Music -
No report.

Christian Education -
Flowers were made by the children and presented to all women of the church on
Mothers Day.

Sunday School Teachers will be commissioned on July 17th.

Debbie Snyder will be leading our VBS again this year from July 13 – 17th

Youth Ministry -
Question was raised if Confirmation Class should be changed from 2 years to 1year. Session voted for the change.

The Banner is completed and will be hung in the Sanctuary.

Presbyterian Women -
The Association Meeting was held on May 12, 2009.

Basket Social/ Bake Sale is scheduled for October 17, 2009.

Deacons -
No report.

Turning Point -
Remember to save those old cell phones and ink cartridges.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Communication -

Tammy will be updating the Web Site.

Tammy will renew our advertisement in the Morning Call, Community Guide at a
cost of $80.

Fellowship and Group Life -

No report.

Personnel -

Will be looking for an Elder to fill the vacancy in the Class of 2011.

Will be finalizing the compensation for hours worked with Lay Commissioned
Pastor Henry Distler.

Nominating -

Is beginning a search for an Elder to replace Richard Haberern in the class of
2011.

Property -

Sue is in the process of negotiating with the family responsible for the broken window in the Chapel. Session moved that a repayment plan of $50 a month will be acceptable with the stipulation that if the debt is paid no charges will be filed.

Old Business -

The reassignment of Committee Chairs was completed.

New Business -

No report.

The next meeting – June 18, 2009 at 7:00 P.M. .

Pastor Joyce closed in prayer at 9:40 P.M.

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Barbara R. Quigg
Clerk of Session

Session minutes archive