Session Minutes

6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 20, 2010

 

Members attending:      Laura Cooley; Nancy Coon; Susan Cowart; Sonya Edwards;  

John Hunter; Ken Morgan; Hal Moore; Gene Reed; Clint Regen, moderator;

Rick Whitlock; Marcia Willett; & Gentry Williams

 

Others present: Cody Ezell, Mamie Futch, J.W. McCloud

 

 

I.                    Following supper and word/share (2 Timothy 3:16-17) a quorum was declared and the meeting was opened in prayer by Mr. Regen.

II.                 Following motion and second, Dr. Moore was unanimously re-elected as clerk.

III.               The Session approved the following minutes:

A.                 Diaconate minutes of 6-8-10

B.                 Session minutes of 6-15-10

C.                 Session minutes of 6-27-10 (called meeting)

IV.              Session meeting attendance was reviewed

V.                 The application of Bradley Ford Lewis to be enrolled by the Presbytery of Mississippi as an inquirer was received. Mr. Lewis is currently attending Asbury Theological Seminary and expects to graduate in December 2011.

VI.              Ministry Team Reports

A.                 Student Ministry – Mrs. Cowart presented a brief report

B.                 Evangelism & Assimilation – no report.

C.                 Adult Ministry – no report

D.                 Stewardship & Finance –

1.      Following motion and second a letter to the congregation crafted by Messrs. Regen and Williams encouraging on-line giving via the church’s website was approved without dissent.

2.      The monthly financial statement was reviewed.

E.                  Communications – no report

F.                  Worship – no report

G.                 Property – no report

H.                 Personnel – no report

I.                    Denominational Affairs – Mr. Regen gave a brief update on actions of the General Assembly.

VII.            New Business

A.                 Following motion, second, and discussion, a job description for Director of Children’s Ministries (which includes serving as children’s choir director) was approved without objection. Mr. Regen and Drs. Moore & Whitlock will formulate a search team for the position.

B.                 Following motion and second, J.W. McCloud, upon reaffirmation of faith in Jesus Christ, was received as an active member of the church by unanimous vote.

C.                 Following motion and second, Cody Ezell ( who was accompanied by his aunt, Mamie Futch) was admitted without dissent to Baptism after making public his personal profession of faith (having previously received appropriate instruction and examination by Mr. Regen). Following Baptism, he will be received as an active member of the church.

D.                 Mr. Regen distributed copies of the church’s “Standard Operating Procedures.” At the Session’s next meeting he will present in writing amendments to include elimination of the Evangelism & Assimilation Team (to be replaced by a Missions Team and an Evangelism Team) and the permanent establishment of a Denominational Affairs Team.

E.                  Mr. Regen made the following Team assignments:

1.      Adult Ministries – Marcia Willett, moderator and Susan Shoults

2.      Communication – Hal Moore

3.      Denominational Affairs – Susan Cowart

4.      Evangelism – Rick Whitlock, moderator and Gene Reed

5.      Missions – Al Allen, moderator and Gentry Williams

6.      Personnel – John Hunter

7.      Property – Perry Thompson

8.      Stewardship & Finance – Nancy Coon, moderator and Ken Morgan

9.      Student Ministries – Lisa Floyd, moderator and Sonya Edwards

10.  Worship – Laura Cooley, moderator and Hal Moore

VIII.         The meeting was adjourned in prayer by Mr. Regen.

 

 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 15, 2010

 

Members attending:      Laura Cooley; Nancy Coon; Susan Cowart; Lisa Floyd;

Robert Hardy; John Hunter; Leslie Kvidahl; Barry McIlwain; Hal Moore, clerk;

Clint Regen, moderator; George Shoults; Perry Thompson; Rick Whitlock; Marcia Willett; & Gentry Williams

 

I.                    Following supper, a quorum was declared and the meeting was opened in prayer by Mr. Regen.

II.                 The Session approved the following minutes:

A.                 Diaconate minutes of 5-4-10

B.                 Session minutes of 5-25-10

C.                 Congregational Meeting of 6-6-10

III.               Session meeting attendance was reviewed

IV.              After reading from James 5, Mr. Regen alerted the Session that a Service for Wholeness, to include the laying on of hands and anointing with oil (BoO W-3.5400) may be called for Mary Catherine Williford who is ill.

V.                 Ministry Team Reports

A.                 Student Ministry – Mmes. Cowart & Floyd gave a brief report. It was noted that ~50 children were enrolled in VBS.

B.                 Evangelism & Assimilation – no report.

C.                 Adult Ministry – no report

D.                 Stewardship & Finance –

1.      Mr. Williams has crafted a letter to the congregation encouraging use of on-line giving which will soon be mailed.

2.      The monthly financial statement was reviewed.

E.                  Communications – no report

F.                  Worship – Mr. McIlwain gave a brief report.

G.                 Property –  Mr. Shoults gave a short update on various projects..

H.                 Personnel – no report

I.                    Denominational Affairs – Mr. Regen asked that members of the Session pray for the work of the upcoming meeting of General Assembly to be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota

   VI.              At this time Mrs. Erin Majure Willcutt (church member and president-elect of the     Pascagoula Kiwanis Club) entered the meeting and presented a request that the club be allowed to use Schneider Hall at noon on Tuesdays for its weekly meetings. The club will pay the church $100/month and church functions will have priority for use of the room. At this time Mrs.Willcutt left the meeting. Following motion, second, and discussion the request was granted without dissent. Following this, Mr. Williams left the meeting.

VII.            At this time the following officers-elect entered the room (class of 2011

            elder – Dr. Whitlock was already present):  Class of 2013 Elders –

            Sonya Edwards, Ken Morgan, Gene Reed, Susan Shoults; Class of 2013                     Deacons – Rex Cunningham, Sybil Lambert, Annie McRee, Maura Whitlock;

            Class of 2013 Trustee – Joe McRee.

            As proscribed by the BoO (G-14.0240), the elders & deacons-elect were                     examined by the Session after which their examination was approved without                   dissent. Installation/ordination is scheduled for the 10:45 a.m. service on                         Sunday, June 27, 2010 (Mrs. Lambert noted that she will be absent on that day                         and installation will be scheduled for another time). Elder-elect Al Allen and                               deacon-elect Adam Askew will be examined by the Session prior to the time                         of installation. At this time the officers-elect (except for Dr. Whitlock) left the               room and Mr. Brad Lewis entered.

VIII.         Mr. Lewis, a student of Asbury Theological Seminary, requested that this          congregation serve as sponsoring congregation (BoO G-14.0403) in his          preparation for the Office of Minister of the Word and Sacrament through the              Presbytery of Mississippi. Following motion, second, and discussion, Mr.            Lewis’ request was endorsed unanimously. Mrs. Cooley will serve as Mr.                     Lewis’ liaison with Presbytery.

IX.              The meeting was adjourned in prayer by Mr. Regen during which the service of those leaving the active session was acknowledged and during which thanks and supplication for Mr. Lewis’ preparation for the ministry was included.

 

          6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 25, 2010

 

 

Members attending:      Laura Cooley; Nancy Coon; Robert Hardy; John Hunter;

Leslie Kvidahl; Barry McIlwain; Hal Moore, clerk; Clint Regen, moderator;

George Shoults; Perry Thompson; Marcia Willett; & Gentry Williams

 

Also present: Joseph Powell

 

I.                    Following supper, a quorum was declared and the meeting was opened in prayer by Mr. Regen.

II.                 The Session approved the following minutes:

A.                 Diaconate minutes of 4-6-10

B.                 Session minutes of 4-20-10

C.                 Session e-mail poll of 5-18-10

III.               Session meeting attendance was reviewed

IV.              Ministry Team Reports

A.                 Student Ministry – no report

B.                 Evangelism & Assimilation – no report.

C.                 Adult Ministry – no report

D.                 Stewardship & Finance –

1.      Messrs. Williams and Regen are crafting a letter to the congregation encouraging use of on-line giving.

2.      The monthly financial statement was reviewed.

E.                  Communications – no report

F.                  Worship – no report

G.                 Property –  Mr. Shoults gave a short update on various projects and noted that the Handbell Choir Room would be made ready for anticipated Handbell choir rehearsals.

H.                 Personnel – no report

I.                    Denominational Affairs – Mr. Regen asked that members of the Session pray for the work of the upcoming meeting of General Assembly to be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

 V.                 Recovery Today – At this time, Messrs. Terry Walton (founder & director), David Whitaker and four other participants of the Recovery Today program joined the meeting. They gave an update on this substance abuse program (that has met in Schneider Hall at 6 p.m. on Mondays since December 2009) and requested use of the same room at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Mr. Whitaker will assume responsibility on behalf of the group for opening and closing the church as needed. Following motion, second, & discussion, the Session voted without dissent to grant their request. The Session requested that these meetings be publicized in the bulletin and on the website. Mrs. Coons left the meeting prior to the vote.

VI.              Officer Nominating Team – Mr. Shoults presented a brief report and named a partial slate that will be completed prior to the Congregational Meeting scheduled for 6-6-10. Following their election and training by Mr. Regen, the candidates will be examined by the Session on 6-15-10. Pending successful examination, they will be ordained/installed on Sunday, 6-27-10.

VII.            The Session received a letter (see attached) from Jeri Hardy, Susan Shoults, Doris Smith, Maura Whitlock, and Marcia Willett. Mr. McIlwain joined the meeting at this time.

VIII.         New Business

A.                 Mr. Powell asked permission that a 20’ freight container be positioned on church property (near the dumpster) to collect goods for Haiti earthquake relief. The request was granted without dissent.

B.                 Mr. Regen, on behalf of the Vision Team, asked that the Session endorse an Outreach Event (hot dogs with church grill & water at Beach Park on 6-27-10). $2000 which had been previously designated for the Ethiopia mission trip, but which is no longer needed for that purpose, will be used for the Outreach Event. Following motion, second, and discussion the request was granted without dissent.

C.                 Mr. Regen shared information and encouraged participation in the Willow Creek Leadership Summit Teleconference to be held at Church on the Rock on August 5-6, 2010.

IX.              The meeting was adjourned in prayer by Mr. Regen.

                                          

6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 20, 2010

 

Members attending:      Laura Cooley; Nancy Coon; Lisa Floyd;

Robert Hardy; John Hunter; Leslie Kvidahl; Hal Moore, clerk;

Clint Regen, moderator; George Shoults; Perry Thompson; Rick Whitlock;

Marcia Willett; & Gentry Williams

 

Others present: Ellis Armond, Sonya Edwards, Richard Jacobson,

Justin Walley, & Brian Wright

 

 

I.                    Following supper, a quorum was declared and the meeting was opened in prayer by Mr. Regen.

II.                 Mmes. Cooley and Edwards presented Miss Armond and Messrs. Jacobson, Walley, & Wright for examination by the Session. Following successful examination, the Session unanimously voted that they be received as members of the church. Following this, Mr. Regen lead the group in prayer. Confirmation is scheduled for the 10:45 a.m. service on Sunday, May 2, 2010.

III.               The Session approved the following minutes:

A.                 Diaconate minutes of 3-2-10

B.                 Session minutes of 3-16-10

C.                 Session minutes of 4-11-10 (called meeting)

IV.              Session meeting attendance was reviewed

V.                 Ministry Team Reports

A.                 Student Ministry – no report

B.                 Evangelism & Assimilation – no report.

C.                 Adult Ministry – no report

D.                 Stewardship & Finance –

1.      Mr. Williams reported that on-line giving via the church’s website has been activated and encouraged its use. He and Mr. Regen will craft a letter to the congregation updating them on this development.

2.      The monthly financial statement was reviewed.

E.                  Communications – no report

F.                  Worship – no report

G.                 Property – Mr. Shoults presented a brief report.

H.                 Personnel – no report

VI.              It was noted that Mrs. Sandra Morgan has been appointed to represent the Diaconate on the Officer Nominating Committee.

VII.            New business

A.                 The Session agreed that Alice Kate Berry may conduct a for-profit summer art camp at the church without charge.

B.                 At Mr. Regen’s request, the Session agreed without dissent that $8,000 of budgeted “undesignated benevolences” be used to help fund the church’s Ethiopia mission trip.

C.                 A Congregational Meeting was called for Sunday, June 6 to elect new officers. Officer training by Mr. Regen will follow with examination by the Session on Tuesday, June 15, and Ordination/Installation scheduled for Sunday, June 27 at the 10:45 a.m. service.

VIII.         Dr. Moore presented a report and recommendation from the Director of Music Search Committee. Following motion, second, and discussion the Session voted unanimously that the Personnel Team offer (pending satisfactory reports from his references) Mr. Richard Cullen Sawyer the position (part-time Director of Music with responsibility of the adult choir and handbell choir) to begin Wednesday, May 19 (if his schedule allows). An annual salary of $23,000 will be offered. (See attachment for position description.)

IX.              Messrs. Regen and Shoults gave a report on their recent mission trip to Haiti

X.                 The meeting was adjourned in prayer by Mr. Regen.

 

6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 16, 2010

 

Members attending:      Laura Cooley; Nancy Coon; Susan Cowart; Lisa Floyd;

Robert Hardy; John Hunter; Leslie Kvidahl; Barry McIl