STATED MEETING OF SESSION
OLD PRESBYTERIAN MEETING HOUSE
October 22, 2012
1. INITIAL ACTS
The meeting was called to order in Heritage Hall by the Rev. Dr. Robert Laha, Jr., at 7:00 pm. The Clerk noted a quorum was present.
Elder Roberts opened the meeting with a devotional and prayer.
Roll was taken:
MEMBERS OF SESSION PRESENT:
Marty Barolo, Kathy Callahan, Sam Chamberlain, Brian Comey, Catherine Davis, Rob Dunn, Gail Freunsch, David Gray, Linda Lanam, Alan Matney, Joe McCoy, Pete Osman, Jenny Parker, Lora Ries, Norma Roberts, Hugh Van Horn, Larry Williams, the Rev. Ann Herlin, the Rev. Dr. Robert Laha, Jr. (Moderator)
MEMBERS OF SESSION EXCUSED:
Emma Beall, Jim Beall, Laura Campbell, Gerry Cooper, Rich Johnson, Peggy Newman, Beth Sanderson, Derrick Surratt, Mark Yachmetz
OTHERS PRESENT:
Clerk of Session J.C. McElveen, Church Educator Priscilla Andre-Colton, Church Director of Music and Organist Sam Baker, Church Administrator Bob Clark, Church Youth Director Mary Pratt, Russ Fortier, of ACS Technologies.
Approval of Minutes:
Minutes of Stated Meeting of Session, September 24, 2012, approved and with the following correction:
Under "Membership and Evangelism Ministry Report, October 8, 2012," change:
"March 3, 2012" to "March 3, 2013"
and
"May 5, 2012" to May 5, 2013"
Minutes of Called Meeting of Session, September30, 2012, approved without change.
Minutes of Called Meeting of Session, October 14, 2012, approved without change.
2. COMMUNICATIONS
A letter from Westminster College, announcing the availability of scholarships, for qualified Meeting House members interested in attending Westminster College
3. COMMISSIONS TO RECORD
Baptisms: Cara Ellen and Declan Michael Corcoran, daughter and son of Shane and Courtney Corcoran, on September 30, 2012, the Rev. Dr. Robert Laha officiating
Ella Rose Fanizzo, daughter of Michael and Kelly Fanizzo, on September 30, 2012, the Rev. Dr. RobertLaha officiating
James Clayton Owens, on October 14, 2012, the Rev. Dr. Robert Laha officiating
Elsa Irene Mouligneau, daughter of Xavier Mouligneau and Andrea Cornwell, on October 21, 2012,
the Rev.Dr. Robert Laha officiating
Weddings: None
Deaths: Mary Frances May on October 2, 2012. A memorial service was held at the Old Presbyterian Meeting House on October 12, 2012, the Rev. Dr. Robert Laha officiating
Membership: By Reaffirmation of Faith (recorded in Minutes of Called Meeting for September 30, 2012)
Xavier Mouligneau
Andrea Cornwell
Nate Prum
Janice Stoliker
Peter Vincenti
Kerri Vincenti
Patricia Barry
By Profession of Faith and Baptism
James Clayton Owens
By Profession of Faith
Elizabeth McEachron
By Letter of Transfer (recorded in Minutes ofCalled Meeting for September 30, 2012)
Anna Kate Prum
As Affiliate Members (recorded in minutes of Called Meeting for September 30, 2012)
Robert Brewer
Lottie Brewer
Communion
September 30, 2012 8:30 am
October 7, 2012 8:30 and 11:00 am
October 14, 2012 8:30 a.m.
October 21, 2012 8:30 a.m.
4. ORDER OF THE DAY
Church Administrator Clark introduced Russ Fortier, Manager of Training and Implementation for ACS Technologies, who is here for a two-day "Visioning" meeting with Meeting House staff and Ministry chairs, to see how ACS software can better be used, to accomplish the Meeting House's missions.
Mr. Fortier gave a brief history of Automated Church Services (ACS), and he pointed out that ACS has been working with the Meeting House for 15 years. He indicated that ACS's goal is to look at a church's ministries, and fit ACS's services and systems to that church's specific needs. The goal is always a system that serves the church. He described two of ACS's many systems – one of which serves to connect people within the church, to accomplish a variety of objectives, and another that can serve as an internal marketplace. Mr. Fortier then fielded questions.
5. SPECIAL REPORTS
DIACONATE REPORT TO SESSION
None
REPORT TO SESSION FROM DIACONATE MEETING
Elder Barolo reported that Parish Associate Mercer spoke to the Deacons on "Dealing with Our Aging Population." Elder Barolo also said that if any Session member hears from anyone that he or she has not heard from their Deacon, the Deacons should be advised.
REPORT TO SESSION FROM PRESBYTERY MEETING.
Elders Barolo and Davis discussed their attendance at the Presbytery meeting on September 25, 2012. They attended a Workshop on the Palestinian situation and Church Educator Andre-Colton attended a workshop on the new hymnal. The 2013 Presbytery Budget was discussed and voted on, in the General Meeting.
6. STANDING MINISTRIES
In addition to the written reports distributed prior to the meeting, the following matters were addressed during the meeting:
WORSHIP MINISTRY
No additional report
STEWARDSHIP AND FINANCE MINISTRY
Elder Gray noted that the budget shortfall, to-date, is approximately $50,000. Depending on the income in November, it may be necessary to address this shortfall, at the November meeting.
EDUCATION MINISTRY
Church Educator Andre-Colton indicated that seventeen bags of groceries had been collected at the Children's Sabbath, for the Alive! Food Pantry.
MISSION MINISTRY
Elder Williams stated that Margaret Rizzi has been working diligently on the City of Alexandria Holiday Sharing Program. So far, several families in need have been identified. They include several teenagers, one disabled person and six or seven seniors.
The musical talents of Shaun and Jina Tirrell and their daughter Audrey will be showcased at a concert at Westminster Presbyterian Church, on November 30, 2012, at 7:30 pm. The concert is sponsored by the Meeting House, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Grace Episcopal Church and Christ Church. The beneficiary of contributions will be the Alexandria Neighborhood Health Services Inc.
Elder Williams also indicated that there has been some discussion of changing the name of the Ministry to something besides "Mission." Anyone having a good suggestion for another name for the Ministry is urged to contact Elder Williams.
MEMBERSHIP AND EVANGELISM MINISTRY
The Rev. Herlin stated that MaryAnn McKibben Dana, author of "Sabbath in the Suburbs", will be speaking at the Women's Breakfast, on January 12, 2013.
ADMINISTRATION MINISTRY
Elder Dunn reported that no minutes from the History and Archives Committee were submitted to the Session this month, but they would be submitted in the future.
Church Educator Andre-Colton reported that two more Child and Youth Protection Policy training sessions have been held, in the last month, and more need to be scheduled.
FACILITIES MINISTRY
Elder Chamberlain announced that there will be a campus clean-up day on November 17. Due to recent events, certain gutters will have to be replaced, though it may not be necessary to replace those gutters with copper gutters.
7. SPECIAL COMMISSIONS
Elder McCoy was elected to serve as an Elder Commissioner for the November, 2012 Presbytery Meeting at National Presbyterian Church.
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Elder Osman reported that the review of the Minutes of the Diaconate and the Minutes of the Trustees showed that they were in order, and appropriate entries had been made.
9. NEW BUSINESS
The next Stated Meeting of the Session will be on November 26, 2012, at 7:00 pm. in Heritage Hall.
10. JOYS AND CONCERNS
The Pastors and Session members shared pastoral joys and concerns within the congregation and in the greater world.
11. ADJOURN/PRAYER
The meeting was closed with prayer by Elder Gray at 8:12 pm.
J.C. McElveen
Clerk of Session
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