Session

The session consists of eight Elders who are elected by the congregation for staggered three-year terms.  With the Pastor as moderator, these Elders exercise leadership, government and discipline; encourage the congregation in the worship and service of God; renew people for their tasks within the church and for their mission in the world. They individually and jointly strengthen and nurture the faith and life of the congregation.

Elders also provide opportunities for evangelism; receive members into the church; lead the congregation in participation in the mission of the whole church in the world; provide for the worship of the people of God; provide for the growth of its members and for their equipment for ministry; develop and supervise the educational program of the church; establish and manage the annual budget; provide for the administration of church programs; manage church property, including memorial gifts, and maintain relations with higher governing bodies of the church.

Meetings of Session included the Officers’ retreat and regular meetings on the second Tuesday of each month, except August, to conduct the business and promote the mission of the church.  The annual Congregational Meeting was held on January 28,2007. Additional congregational meetings were held in 2007 on June 3 to announce the retirement of Rev. Jane Harmes, and on December 9 to elect new Officers and Nominating Committee representatives. The minutes of the LPPC Session meetings and church rolls and records for 2006 were reviewed by the Presbytery of Santa Fe on February 3,2007 and were approved with minor exceptions.

At the Officers’ retreat Session determined to focus attention this year on strengthening communication between Session and the committees of the church, some of which are chaired by non-Elders. The Session oversees these  committees of the church: Adult Christian Education, Building, Christian Education for Youth,  Earth Care, Fellowship, Finance, Grounds, Membership & Evangelism, Mission & Outreach, Personnel, Stewardship, and Worship & Music. Ad hoc committees are formed as needed like the Church Expansion Program Committee and the Communications & Technology Task Force.

Leadership Retreat

On April 12th, the Session, committee chairs and other leaders of the congregation gathered for an all-day “discovery” retreat. Guided by Pastor Elizabeth’s insights into where our church is now (Click here to read her clear description of our transitional church.), the 24 lay leaders shared stories of what makes LPPC a meaningful place for them, brainstormed visions for the future, and worked together to discern what changes in structure might be needed in this time of transition.

Many THANKS to Elizabeth for her visionary leadership and for offering an opportunity for these dedicated members of our congregation to spend time together focusing on the current and future well-being of our flock.

COMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY TASK FORCE

The Communications & Technology Task Force has been busy interviewing individuals and groups about our present needs and future dreams in these important areas in the life of our church. THANKS to everyone who has so generously shared your helpful expertise, insights, and concerns with us.

If you have not yet been contacted and would like to share your perspectives on our current methods of communicating—and the technology that supports it—WE WOULD WELCOME YOUR INPUT. Please contact Nancy T or Jerri F to add your wisdom.

We are researching software, hardware, and equipment options and plan to make a preliminary report to Session on March 11th—but there is still time for your voice to be heard! Thanks for speaking up!

New Church E-mail Address: The LPPC office is up and running on higher speed internet—at last! Please change your online address book to the new church e-mail:

Finance Committee 

The Finance Committee meets monthly to review the financial status and activities of the Church, and to make recommendations to Session regarding financial matters, plans, and concerns. Responsibilities of the Finance Committee include, but are not limited to, the following: tracking income and expenses of the church, identifying, training, and overseeing persons who count church income on Sundays and at special services and events, preparing annual budgets for Session review and approval, engaging annually an objective independent reviewer of church finances and financial operations, overseeing the church’s endowment funds and other balance sheet funds, maintaining a financial management plan or handbook of policies and procedures, and handling liability and property insurance matters. This committee also provides oversight of the activities of the Treasurer and Financial Secretary of LPPC.

Personnel Committee

The Personnel Committee held one hour meetings generally on the first Tuesday of each month.  During the initial part of 2007, the principle activity was to complete the review, editorial correction, and finally publication in April of the revised LPPC Leadership Manual. While there were extensive changes from the original issue back in 2000, still additional changes were foreseen during the final review. Consequently, the committee plans to undertake an update to the manual during this coming year that will add some sections missing in the original and expand upon areas found to be incomplete or less than sufficient during the review.

There were no major issues or concerns to be addressed by the committee during this past year although a major change in the life of the church occurred with the retirement of our long time pastor, Reverend Harmes. The Committee was not directly involved with the hiring of an interim Pastor nor will it be involved with the hiring of a new permanent Pastor to replace Rev. Harmes as these are Session functions, but looks forward to working with Reverend Elizabeth Lyman, our Transition Pastor, during this coming year.