Session
June 18, 2008 meeting

The Session met on June 18, 2008 with eight members present, and Commissioned Lay Pastor, Henry Distler. With a quorum present the Meeting was called to order by Henry at 7:00 p.m. He opened with prayer and devotions continuing his program with the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Ordained Officers in the Presbyterian Church (USA).

CLERK'S REPORT:

In the Clerk's absence, Henry presented the following items on her behalf:

• The Church Secretary will be on vacation from June 14-23, 2008.
• Presbytery requested prayers for Rev.'s William and Jenny Schramm, Jack Ferlino and the East Stroudburg and Hazleton Churches.
• The confirmands Jarred Shuey, Amber Schray, and Emily Hoke were received into membership on May 18, 2008.
• Vanessa Schlosser was received into membership on reaffirmation of faith and her son was baptized on May 25, 2008.

PASTOR'S REPORT:

Henry notified Session of the following concerns:

• The Hazelton Church is in a financial bind due to the constant decline in membership
• At the CHES meeting Chip Colson, Pastor of Emmaus Faith, announced he will be retiring in September 2008.
• Reminder that pledges and donations for Westminster Village "Giving for Living" campaign are still being accepted.
• Sunday July 6th will be set aside for receiving a special offering for the Allentown Rescue Mission. Session voted to match the offering up to $500.
• Received a request from the Growing Tree Daycare Center for a renewal of a contract signed by Edward Santana-Grace giving permission to use the church in the event of an emergency. Session voted to grant the request.

CORRESPONDENCE:

MINUTES of May 15, 2008 Session Meeting were received as presented with two corrections.

FINANCIAL REPORT for May 2008 was received and reviewed. Report was filed for Audit. NOTE: Per Capita for 2008 is $21.00 per member.

MINISTRY REPORTS

Youth Group -

Session voted to give permission for a field trip to a Laser Tag event.

Presbyterian Women -

Barbara R. Quigg, Sue Ayers of Stroudsburg and Vickie Bowers of Reading Pennside attended the Synod P.W. Gathering at Waynesburg College from June 11-14, 2008.

Reminder the PW needs help prior to and the day of the Ice Cream/Basket Social scheduled for July 19, 2008. Proceeds will go to the Roof Fund.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Fellowship/Group Life -

Bar-B-Q/Blue Grass Social tickets are available. June 21, 2008 from 2-6 p.m. The proceeds will go to the Roof Fund so we need your help to support this worthy cause.

Personnel -

Staff reviews were completed. Copies of current Job Descriptions were distributed to Session for review. Salary increases will be reviewed in August.

Property -

The storm hit us again with another branch falling near the garage. It was cut and stacked near the garage.

Session voted to contract Flores to install programmable thermostats on the furnaces with the intent to reduce fuel costs.

Session voted to replace a broken microphone in the sanctuary and to install a new cable in the crawl space to elimiate the static.

Our friend the groundhog is back and hopefully will be trapped very shortly.

Pastoral Nominating Committee -

Session voted to advance a $500 budget to cover committee expenses.

The next meeting – August 21, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.

Jack Wall closed in prayer.

Barbara R. Quigg
Clerk of Session

Session minutes archive