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Session Minutes ~ June 10, 2008

Gathering-We Assemble in God's Name: We light the Christ Candle. The session of Las Placitas Presbyterian Church of Placitas, New Mexico, held a regular meeting on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 6:00pm at a round table in the fellowship hall of the church. The meeting was opened with devotions and a prayer by Doug C. We are called to order.  In attendance were Moderator, Pastor Elizabeth Lyman; Elders, Kent A, Doug C, Jerri F,  Glen I, Joyce L, Martha H, Janice L, and Don T,  Pro Tem Clerk. Moderator Elizabeth Lyman declared that a quorum was present.

We Accept the Spirit to do God's Work: The Agenda is approved.  Minutes from the regular session meeting of May 13, 2008 were approved as amended (item #2 Finance Report shall read, “Session discussed additional benevolences for 2008.  Motion was……”).  

Pastor’s Report:

  1. Events

    1. Transitions: Births, Deaths, Baptisms, Weddings:

      1. Baptism of Michaela D on May 18, 2008.
      2. Death of Village resident, Tom Nordstrom -- funeral at LPPC on 5/31/08. 
      3. Bill Pruit (former member) will be interred in LPPC columbarium (died in May.)
    2.  Pastoral Care Visits: 2 in-home; 5 at church

  2. Other 

    1. Pastor Elizabeth reported on her work at Presbytery level.  She serves on the Special Needs and Relationships Committee of the Presbytery.  They met the recipients of Presbytery Grants at the last meeting.  Elizabeth will be reporting to Presbytery on the results of that set of meetings.
    2. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church USA will be meeting at the end of June.  A summary of the agenda and the top ten issues appears in the Presbyterian Magazine and is attached to these minutes.  A new Book of Order is being considered.  Pastor Elizabeth will be attending and sending back reports during the Assembly, and will submit a formal summary report to the congregation in July.
    3. Pastor Elizabeth attended the meeting of the National Association of Interim Pastors and notes several trends in the patterns of interim service and worship.
    4. The LPPC worship services for July will focus on the theme of water.  The Earth Care Committee is focusing on the global water crisis.  Vacation Bible School will also incorporate this theme into the daily study program.
    5. Session discussed the results of the outstanding “Coffee and Conversation” regarding LPPC vision and mission which was held after worship on Sunday, June 8 and led by Pastor Elizabeth.  Session affirmed that we should keep the ideas growing, and continue to invite additional thoughts.  We noted that people felt heard, and that the ideas put forward were energetic and varied  The action concepts will now be sorted into groupings and produced in written form for circulation and further consideration by the mission committee.

Clerk’s Report:

  1. Incoming Correspondence and Requests:

    1. The dates for the 2008-2009 Placitas Artists Series concerts were approved.  (See Attached schedule of events.)

    2. A Letter from Darwin A regarding the Deacon’s Fund was received.  The concern was that funds raised by the Deacons through the garage sale will go into their budget balance for the use of the Deacons.  Session noted that a sub fund is already in place.  Kent A will meet with Darwin and the Deacons to facilitate the communication.

    3.  The Notice of Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of Santa Fe, July 12, 2008 at Shepherd of the Valley Presbyterian Church, Albuquerque, NM. was received.  Doug C and Janice L were appointed as LPPC delegates to Presbytery for the July and October Presbytery meetings.

    4. A notice from Village Water Commission indicating that the church should not allow water use for other than church purposes was received and noted.  (This letter apparently was send to every resident of the village as a matter of course.)

    5. Letters of transfer were received from Sandia Baptist, Albuquerque, NM for Barbara M; from Westminster Presbyterian Church, Austin TX for Betty M and Bill H; letter of transfer from Sonoma Springs Presbyterian Church, Las Cruces, NM for Marian and Elton F.

    6. Session received a request from Pat L to become an affiliate member of LPPC (primary membership is Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church in Michigan.) Session approves  this intention.  Pastor Elizabeth will follow up and request a letter certifying membership in good standing at her home church.

    7. A letter from Eda W regarding congestion in the parking lot and suggesting new signage was received and was referred to the Building and Grounds Committee.  Jerri will talk with Max and suggest that he ask PAS to have several people on hand to direct traffic and parking at their concerts.  Pastor Elizabeth will talk with Eda about the status of her suggestion.

  2. Outgoing Correspondence

    1. None noted.

 

Financial Report:

Selected Financial Highlights:

May

YTD
     
Income (61500)  $ 15,230.45  $    85,848.84
Expenses (70000)  $(19,904.63)  $   (79,781.74)
PILP Principal (25000)  $     (955.22)  $    (4,738.53)
Effective Net  $  (5,629.40)  $     1,328.57

Notes:  Effective net would be our surplus/ (deficit) if all of the above were operating fund transactions.  Actual YTD net is $6,067.10.

The Finance Committee suggested that we ask members who are willing and able to make a separate contribution for their Presbytery mandated apportionment of $30 per person.  Last year in response to this request we received contributions of about $2,500 against our obligation of $5,000.  Session approved.  Pastor Elizabeth will determine how best to make this request to the congregation (via newsletter, special mailing, bulletin) and will direct the Finance Committee to follow up with extending this request to our members.

 

Committee Requests/ Reports: 

  1. Taskforce on Church Structure: A task group consisting of John G, Charlotte L, Jerri F and Doug C is currently studying the committee structure of the church.  They will hold meetings with committee chairs, and various “affiliate” committee groupings during the summer and will report back to Session at the September Session meeting with their recommendations for a revised organizational structure.

  2. Taskforce on Stewardship: Pastor Elizabeth, Pat L, Ellen B, Jennifer C , Glenn I and Don T have been meeting to discuss next-step-giving options for LPPC.  A report on their deliberations is attached to these minutes.
  3. Task Force on Communication and Technology request: The Communication and Technology Task Force has completed their report.  In addition, they are helping to define the core competencies required for the LPPC Administrative Assistant Position. 
  4. Personnel Committee Report: Personnel committee met on June 3rd and welcomed Eda W as a new member.  Updates to the LPPC Funeral, Memorial Gift, and Wedding policies were reviewed.  With editorial corrections, the policies were approved for submission to the June Session.  A new LPPC sexual misconduct policy, modeled around that in place already for the Presbytery of Santa Fe, was reviewed and also approved for submission to the June Session.  It was viewed as important that a policy of this nature be in place as early as possible due to the insurance ramifications suggested by our insurance representative, Kelly Rivera, at the April Session meeting. Session reviewed and approved the Sexual Misconduct Policy, The Funeral Policy, The Wedding Policy and The Memorial Gifts Policy.  These Policies are attached as addenda to the Minutes.  Each of the policies will be designed and reproduced in a tri-panel brochure format and made available in the fellowship hall information racks. The implementation of the Sexual Misconduct Policy will require thoughtful communication to the congregation.  Several steps will be undertaken to help us all realize the importance and benefit of implementing this policy.  As a first step, national background checks will be concluded on all members working with youth, and all paid staff of the congregation.  The Personnel Committee will develop a step-by-step communication and implementation process at their next meeting and report back to Session at the July Session meeting – with full implementation to be completed by the Personnel Committee on or before December 31, 2008.  The cost of these background checks will be covered by the Personnel Committee Budget.

  5. Fellowship Committee: The Fellowship Committee submitted minutes of their June 3rd meeting to Session.  Session approved all recommendations and dates as outlined in the Fellowship Committee minutes which are attached.  Please take note of the dates and policies:

    • August 17, 2008 Rally Sunday – pancake breakfast
    • October 25, 2008 Enchilada Dinner
    • November 22 & 23, 2008 Holiday Sale (Note: Fellowship will supply and sell food)
    • December 14, 2008 Tamale Dinner


Old Business: 

  1. Doug C and Janice L were appointed to serve as Commissioners to the Presbytery meetings for the remainder of 2008.

 

New Business: 

  1. Vickie D has agreed to serve as Elder/Clerk of Session, replacing Janice L who will remain a member of Session.  Vickie will serve as Clerk, without vote.  Since she has already been ordained as an Elder, this appointment requires only Session action.  Session approved this appointment.

 

We Go Out in God's Name: We offer thanks for God's presence in our ministry through closing with prayer.

 

We Adjourn to Serve:

Next session meeting at 7:00 p.m., July 8, 2008  Devotions by Joyce

 

Proposed Session Devotions Schedule:

June

Doug

 December Glenn
July

Joyce

 January, 2009  Jerri
August

No meeting

 February Martha
September Kent March Doug
October Janice April Joyce
November Don May Kent

Consent Agenda and Committee Reports:

  1. Top Ten List of Issues before the 218th General Assembly (2008):  Before each General Assembly, the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly shares what he considers to be the top ten issues coming to the assembly, based primarily on overtures that have been submitted and his travels and conversations with Presbyterians across the church. Here is the Clerk’s non-prioritized list for 2008.
    1. A Revised Form of Government:  The Form of Government Task Force was created by the 217th General Assembly (2006) to propose a revised polity that would be more flexible, foundational and appropriate for a mission Reformed church in the 21st century. The task force is bringing a revised Form of Government for adoption by the assembly and recommendation to the presbyteries.
    2. Partnership in World Mission: The 217th General Assembly called for a consultation between the General Assembly Council World Mission program and a variety of mission initiators in the PC(USA). The fruits of that consultation will be before this assembly in a call for an “Expanding Partnership in God’s Mission” that involves a wide variety of groups working together for the renewal of PC(USA) World Mission.
    3. PC(USA) ecumenical stance and covenants: The 218th General Assembly will take action on a number of ecumenical items, including a proposed new policy on the ecumenical stance of the PC(USA) and covenant agreements with four different churches: the Korean Presbyterian Church in America, the Episcopal Church, the Catholic Church and the Moravian Church. 
    4. Peace, unity and purity of the PC(USA):  Several proposals concerning the peace, unity and purity of the church will be before this year’s assembly, including fresh ways to use discernment in our life together, reconsideration of some or all of the actions of the previous assembly in this area and proposals to change the constitutional standards for ordination.
    5. The Belhar Confession: This assembly will be asked to act on a proposal to take the first step toward adding the Belhar Confession to The Book of Confessions. This confession grows out of the experience of Christians in South Africa and is an affirmation of the biblical call to Christian unity and racial reconciliation.
    6. Middle East concerns: Before this General Assembly will be a variety of overtures and advocacy committee proposals to strengthen the PC(USA)’s witness to peace with justice in relation to both Israel/Palestine and Iraq.

    7. Elections: A Moderator of the 218th General Assembly (2008) will be elected to a two-year term, and a new Stated Clerk of the General Assembly will be elected to a four-year term.

    8.  Growing God’s Church Deep and Wide: The General Assembly Council is challenging the whole church to adopt a two-year commitment to grow the church in membership, in discipleship and in diversity. 

    9.  Domestic social justice concerns: This assembly will address a large number of social justice concerns, including the adoption of a new Social Creed, as well as the adoption of major policy papers on serious mental illness, energy and global warming, pay equity for women, homelessness and electoral reform.

    10.  A church for future generations: One assembly committee will do generative thinking as it focuses on the church’s ministry to and with youth to ensure a church for future generations.

  2. Stewardship Task Group – Notes on the Discussion 6-5-08 Notes to the Task group and to LPPC Session Present:  Jennifer C, Ellen B, Pat L, Glen I, Don T (note taker) and  Pastor Elizabeth Lyman.

    1. The Nature of Giving.  Session has begun to address the nature of money and our theology of its use.  We all come from different positions regarding our understanding of and feelings toward money.  When people catch a strong and attractive vision of who we are and what we are doing, they (we) will give with joy.  The seminar in Sante Fe emphasized that we need to ask each generation in a way that each can best hear the call.

      We need to ask ourselves

    • What would you like to see LPPC be and do?

    • Who among you has the freedom to give more?

    • What can and should the church do for this community? (the need)

    The motivation for giving “I want to give because it pleases me and gives me joy.” is quite different from the rational, “I am giving to do what I am supposed to do to support the organization.” The second is an obligation and often needs to be pulled out of people. The first is a positive energy that is often contagious – “Hey, this is so much fun, I think I’ll do it again.”

    1. Our current picture  While we were creating our current 2008 year budget, we faced a bit of a financial stretch at the same time that we were losing our long-time pastor.  We therefore formed a budget we can live with -- one that allows us to pay all our bills with a little juggling.  However, because we faced a time of anxiety about the future, we did not dream about the bigger vision, “What could be possible?” LPPC is now arriving at the comfortable place where we can pay all of our fixed costs.  That is a wonderful milestone to reach (having been a Presbytery supported mission church up until ten years ago, and having struggled to make ends meet during the past decade as we also paid for the new addition).  We now are successfully meeting a budget of about $200,000, which includes about 5% in mission giving.Our real fixed budget need for 2009 (which includes capital payments on the mortgage and an increase to 10% in mission giving will require about $225,000 in revenue.  It looks like we should be able to reach this giving level.
    2. Our Unique Position.  We are in an enviable position in the Presbytery.  We are one of the few churches that are growing, and the members who are moving into the community of Placitas from elsewhere bring significantly greater financial resources than the average New Mexican. The Presbytery has given support to our congregation for more than 100 years.  Now, we are not only self-supporting, but also for the first time we are on the cusp of having resources we can use outside of ourselves to give back to the community and the wider church.  This won’t happen automatically without the vision of a new future that sets aside the mentality of scarcity and replaces it with the far more joyful approach mentality of abundance.
    3. Our next step Challenge/opportunity.  Since we have now reached the plateau at which we can pay all of our fixed yearly costs, every dollar raised above those costs can go directly into mission giving – responding to community and wider church mission needs. 
      • Our projected 2009 break even budget of $225,000 will allow for mission contribution of about $22,500 (10%). 
      • If, however we were to raise an extra $25,000 (an 11% revenue increase) our mission giving would more than double to $47,500.
      • If we were to receive an extra $50,000 above our fixed costs in 2009 (an increase of 22%), our mission giving could triple.

       A few years back we attained the wonderful position at which our congregation could actually support itself.  We have now arrived at the glorious time in our history at which we can dream about a wider generosity in serving needs outside of our own internal congregational self-support.  Now that the fixed costs are finally covered, we as a church can really begin to dream, and to listen to God’s special call to us in this place.
      LPPC is poised to move up to the next plateau (or is now at one peak and ready to begin climbing up to the next higher peak ahead of us.)  We are at a time of potential transition.  However, there is no automatic guarantee that we will choose to move forward.  Instead we could now just enjoy the comfort, rest on our laurels, rejoice that we have enough to support ourselves, and stop challenging ourselves to do more.  Of course, if we do that we will not reach our potential as a community of the faithful disciples.  We will not serve our community as effectively as we could.  Over time, without a driving vision, we will likely begin to diminish in passion and effectiveness – step-by-step sliding into mediocrity, not mission.

      • What do we want to do as a mission church when we grow up?  Well, we are grown up now. 

      • What are we now going to be and do as a community of faith?  Well, we now have the luxury and the responsibility to make it up and make it happen!

      These questions do not allow us to hold on to the “old stewardship attitudes” but rather challenge us to embrace a new outlook on joyful giving as we seek out the fullness of our calling in this place.  We can begin to challenge ourselves to reach for the next level of vision and service.  Most of our new members are all from somewhere else.  Maybe we have each been called here to this place for a special purpose.  Great.  What is that purpose?  And how are we going to identify it?

    4. A Next Step Strategy  ( One we tried out ourselves during the meeting)  We need to meet with each other for substantive discussions about these questions as we get to know each other better.  These community conversations will help us take the temperature of our passions and identify the needs and problems that we see around us. 
      • What are we each concerned about? 
      • What really gets inside our souls and generates concern, even passion?
      • What will generate and drive and focus our energy?

      As we identify the needs that we as a church community feel passionately called to address, both locally and across the globe, we believe that the necessary money will become readily available.  As we articulate those visions to the wider Placitas community we expect to find that many non-members will begin asking permission to contribute and participate with us in our efforts.

      We, the stewardship task group, decided to test this process among ourselves at this meeting – asking, “what are you most concerned about?”  Here are the variety of responses from among our committee members.

      • Alleviating hunger in Placitas – kids and older adults
      • Dealing with the destructive effects of Meth
      • Substandard housing – helping to remodel and repair
      • Providing glasses for kids
      • Working on access to health care for all
      • Affordable housing
      • Remembering that even the poorest among us in Placitas is several economic notches above most of the world.
      • Reach out to world problems, not just local
      • The challenge our current war veterans face in dealing with their spiritual and invisible wounds as they return
      • The need for senior support, and accessible senior housing in Placitas.

      This exercise and discussion was a great and energizing start for our committee.
      Then, on Sunday, seventy worshippers gathered after church and took the same next step.  Together we began identifying the problems about which we each care deeply. ( A written record of the ideas will be distributed soon).
      The positive energy was palpable……..and, oh yes, a food pantry will start in the East property house within the next 60 days!  Hallelujah. We, the task group, will meet again at 9:30  AM on June 12th.   Any Session member wishing renewed inspiration is welcome to attend! – admission is free

Respectfully submitted,
Don T., Clerk Pro-Tem of Session

 

2008 ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING MINUTES

 January 27, 2008

The Annual Congregational Meeting of Las Placitas Presbyterian Church of Placitas, New Mexico, was held on January 27, 2008, at 12:10pm. in the sanctuary of the church.

Prior notice of the meeting was given on three consecutive Sundays: January 13, 20 and 27, 2008.

The meeting was opened with prayer by the Moderator, Rev. Elizabeth Lyman. Approximately 50 voting members and three non-voting friends were present, including currently-serving elders. The Clerk of Session reported that a quorum was present, and the meeting was called to order.

Copies of the 2007 Annual Report were distributed. It contained the following: the meeting agenda; 2007 Annual Congregational Meeting Minutes; the 2007 LPPC Pastoral Report, submitted by Rev. Ken Cuthbertson, who had been the Temporary Supply Pastor from October, 2007, through January 15, 2008; a Transitional Pastor’s Report from Elizabeth Lyman; the report of the Session, and the 2007 Annual Membership Report; and the Board of Deacons Report. These were followed by the annual reports of the Committees of the Session, annual reports from other church committees, and annual reports from other groups related to the church. Accounting Reports, included the General Operating Budgets for 2007 and 2008, were presented, along with a narrative explanation of the Presbytery of Santa Fe Supporting Christ’s Mission in 2008. Following was the letter and financial statement from Urbielewicz and Murphree, CPAs with statement of financial position, statement of activities and schedule of 2007 programs. The 2008 Terms of Call of the Transitional Pastor was the last item in the annual report.

The minutes of the January 28, 2007 Annual Congregational Meeting, previously approved by the session were received. The congregation voted to authorize the Session to approve the minutes of the 2008 Annual Congregational Meeting held on this date. 

Church treasurer Doug H. reviewed the financial Statement of Activities for the year ending on December 31, 2006 and the Statement of Financial Position for the year ending December 31, 2007. He noted that there are errors due to computer problems, which will be resolved by the accounting firm. Doug thanked Administrative Assistant Darwin A. for his commitment and help in keeping track of the church’s financial assets and expenditures.

Financial Committee chair Kent A. presented the operating budget for 2008.

Rev. Lyman presented the 2007 “Transitions” report, which included the names of those who were baptized, those who were married, those who have died, and those who have joined our church. The report was received with a prayer for the deceased.

There was no old business to discuss. No new business was brought before the body.

The congregation voted to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was closed with prayer by Rev. Lyman at 12:30pm.

Respectfully submitted,                            

Janice L.,  Clerk of Session

Rev. Elizabeth Lyman, Moderator

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