Grace Presbyterian Church

Session

In the Presbyterian Church USA the congregation is governed by the Session. This is an elected body of officers, called elders. Each person chairs a Ministry Team. The Session meets each month. Below you will find the minutes from our last Session meeting.

Session Minutes for September 24, 2009

Grace Presbyterian Church, Round Rock, Texas (PIN 11794)

Elder	Year	Team
Barbara Allen	2011 – Present	Clerk
Mike Porche Susan Moore	2011 - Excused 2010 – Present	Adult Discipleship
Tom Dugger Rick Chichester	2011 - Present 2010 – Present	Building
Connie Roalson Amanda Jones	2010 - Present 2011 – Present	Children’s Ministry
Nancy Willis Marti Good	2010 - Present 2011- Excused	Fellowship
Don Barton Howard Carr	2011 - Present 2010 - Excused	Grounds
Shirlee Peterson Tammy Stokes	2010 - Excused 2011 - Present	Health Ministry
George Scherer Tina Whalen	2011 - Present 2010 - Present	IWI
Wayne Hudgens Jana Lester	2011 - Present 2010 - Present	Mission
Brandy Haney Laura Kelly	2011 - Present 2010 - Present	Staff
Tom Alexander Lew Suders	2011 - Present 2010 - Present	Stewardship
Celeste Yeakley Joanna Mitchell	2011 - Present 2010 - Excused	Worship
John Keagy Sarah Reeves Ty Granger	2011 - Present 2010 - Excused 2010 - Present	Youth
Lauren Tarrant	2010 - Excused	Mod. Brd of Deacons
Nancy Reeves	Present	Pastor-Moderator
Mark Tarrant	Present	Associate Pastor
Lindsay Hatch	Present	Pastoral Intern
Jan Alexander	Present	Parish Associate

Our vision: The vision of Grace Presbyterian Church is to create a joyful community of faith that invites and welcomes all people to share their faith and doubts while celebrating together the gospel of Jesus Christ through worship, study, and service.

Our core values:

1. An inviting, informal and loving atmosphere

2. Embracing all as family members in Christ

3. Encouraging all ages to discover and share our God given Gifts

4. Encouraging everyday faith in a seeking and learning environment

Our goals-as approved at Session Retreat, Sept 5, 2009

1. Expand and enhance worship experiences and opportunities.

2. Provide opportunities for all ages to deepen their spiritual journeys.

3. Create opportunities to build and participate in relationships with a focus on intergenerational connections.

4. Encourage and support members to demonstrate God’s love outside the walls of Grace with the community and the world.

5. Identify, empower, train and support leaders.

Opening Prayer: Pastor Nancy

Prayer Concerns:

1. Those with health concerns: Robert Arroyo’s son with swine flu, JT Fields surgery on Monday (NAustin) , Marti Good (Cedar Park Seton for tests), Walker Hodgson (bone spur removed), Tina’s daughter Gaylen

2. Those with ill family members: Kathy Logan's mom and dad are both hospitalized, Robert Arroyo's mom, Chris Granger's mom, Shirlee Peterson's cousin, Mike Porche's mom, Kevin Reeves' mom, father of Keri Reeves & Kelly Bohl, Henry Dominguez's mom, Mark Tarrant's sister, Wayne Hudgens’ dad

Declaration of Quorum

Clerk’s report:

1. Communion: The sacrament of communion was celebrated on the following dates:

· 9:00 worship service: August 30, September 6, 13 & 20.

· 11:00 worship services: August 30 & September 13.

2. Marriages: None

3. Births: Cannon James Haney born to Malinda & Brandon Haney on September 2, and Annabeth Olivia Britcher born to Kristie & Drew Britcher on Sept 20.

4. Deaths: None

5. Baptisms:

6. New Members:

7. Membership: Current membership is 297.

8. ***Motion to approve August 27 Session Minutes. ***Motion approved.

Pastor’s Report – Nancy Reeves

1. We had a great Session Retreat. A reminder- you are to do the following

· Meet with your ministry team.

· Ask each person if they would like to continue to serve on the team this year.

· Then go over your team’s job description. You will find this in the Policies and Procedures manual.

· Next share the goals of the session. Have your team brainstorm the ways YOUR team can support these goals.

· Bring all these ideas of what YOU will be doing to the October Session meeting.

2. For several months we have discussed fund raising. I would like to make the following suggestions:

· We put together a directory of what the members of Grace do in their daily lives…work wise. If they own a business it will be listed. If that business wishes to make a donation to Grace, it will be listed there. This directory would be on the web site with a password for members.

***Motion to approve a Grace directory. ***Motion approved.

· There are a variety of businesses that will make a donation to the church if you give them the church’s name. For example, there is a search engine called goodsearch.com that will donate money for every site you visit. If you shop through goodsearch.com at goodshop.com, the various businesses will donate a percentage. For example Amazon donates 1.5%. Grace is registered as one of the non profits. Can we advertise this to our members? Can we put the logo on our web site as a way to support the ministry of Grace? Can we have a page on our web site of businesses that support Grace? All of this would only be listed on the web site and not sent out in Tues/Fri updates.

***Motion to approve putting goodsearch.com on our web site. ***Motion approved.

3. Tuesday/Friday Updates are only for updates. We keep having folks submit things that are a month away. That is what the newsletter is for. It is important that the updates” don’t become a mini newsletter. Soon folks will quit reading.

***Motion to approve only allowing weekly updates in the Tuesday/Friday updates. ***Motion approved.

4. Tenth Birthday is Nov 1! Do we want to do a big barbecue dinner? One worship service at 11. Music team is going to play 20 minutes ahead of time and 20 minutes after.

***Motion to do Bar-B-Que for 10^th anniversary and have one service at 11:00. ***Motion approved.

5. We are struggling with cleaning. I have received a proposal for a cleaning service. Can we go ahead and do this for the rest of the year? I have had a member say he/she would donate enough to pay for two months of the cleaning if we do it this year. This person wanted things really clean for our birthday and Christmas.

· Price for Cleaning Two (2) Days per Week ($509.00)

· Price for Monthly Floor Buffing ($50.00)

· Price to Strip and Refinish All VCT ($900.00)

· They supply all equipment and supplies.

***Motion to approve Jani-King Cleaning Service starting Oct. 1^st. ***Motion approv ed.

6. Yes, the flu is here. I have already had a few questions about communion. We do have the trays with individual cups. We could still “come forward” hand a cup and hand a piece of bread. What do you think?

***Motion to approve using individual cups and pre-cutting the bread for communion. ***Motion approved.

7. We keep going way over budget on our copying charges. What do you think about us having codes to copy and everyone who makes a copy must use a specific code? Probably have categories…Children’s Ministry, Youth Ministry, Adult Classes, Stewardship, scouts, etc?

***Motion to approve using codes for making copies to help track copies being made. ***Motion approved.

8. There has been a request to have a “healing ministry” or “prayer ministry” during worship. This would mean we have a person in the narthex and one in the prayer room each Sunday to pray with folks who wish prayers. What do you think?

* We want this to happen, but need to get a Team to coordinate. Jan Alexander and Tina Whalen agreed to head this up.

* This would take place during communion in 1^st service and after service in 2^nd service.

Associate Pastor’s Report – Mark Tarrant

1. At last count, we have approximately 125 children and youth in our church!

2. I would like to prepare a 3’ x 4’ poster board chart to display a list of all of the adult members of the congregation [23 or older] to chart their participation with discipleship of the Youth.

3. The Youth Praise Band would like to play the music each time I preach with Rachael Keagy joining them on vocals.

4. I have purchased a special gift for the men that attend the up-coming men’s retreat using money from the Youth discretionary fund. The card will read "From the children and Youth of Grace to the men of Grace who lead us.... Thank you!"

5. I will be doing a wedding for Mike Messer and Chrystall Wiggens on 10/03/09 in the memorial garden.

6. I would like to have a meeting with the parents of little children [2 and younger] to get feed back on the nursery and see if we need to make any changes.

7. I have started a new Sunday School class for college aged youth [18-20]

Ministry Team Reports:

1. Adult Discipleship Team – Mike Porche (chair) & Susan Moore (co-chair), Team Members: Kevin Reeves

· Sunday School- Kick off was successful in spite of the rain. New small groups also started with good turnouts.

· Men's Retreat - Flyers have been made and handed out. Emphasis will be on fellowship and building friendships. Enrollment and invitations going on now. Once approximate attendance known, food and sleeping details will be determined.

· Women's ornament exchange is on calendar for Friday, Dec 4. Sharon Carr will provide more information as time gets closer.

· Advent Sunday School is being put together by Lou Ann Moore. She is taking aspects of Rick Warren's Purpose of Christmas and aspects of Judy Pace Christie's Hurry Less, Worry Less at Christmastime. Like last year she is busy recruiting 4 people who haven't taught adults before to teach one week. All teachers will be in place by October meeting so Session can approve.

· At this time the Wednesday night small group that Lou Ann was going to lead has been put on hold. We would like to keep her class in reserve until after the holidays, and possibly use it then.

· Current small groups are the following: Monday night-Women’s Bible study at Nancy Porche’s with 15 participating, Tuesday night-Parables at Alexanders (10)-, Tuesday night-5 practices at Guenther’s,(8) Wednesday Night Freed Up Financial (8), 5 Practices Thursday night at Walkers ( ), Thursday night at Thompson’s (5), Friday morning Bible study at Grace (19), Sunday morning Psalms (8), Debate! (9), Crazy Love (8)

2. Building & Beautification Team – Tom Dugger (chair) & Rich Chichester (co-chair), Team members: Melvin Atkinson, Richard & Nancy Willis, Travis & Trish Barkley, Garry Dallo, Julie Dugger, JerryLester, Mark Tarrant, Kristie Gardner, Alecea Gardner

Several misc. repairs completed

· Doors in office adjusted to lock properly

· Mini playground gate fixed to self close and lock

· Replaced ballast in light fixture for women’s restroom – sanctuary

Planned Projects for October:

· Replace/repair pipes from pump to irrigation system destroyed by storm

· Work with Scouts to build new pump house with area for trash cans

· Replace light bulbs in sanctuary

· Replace AC filters in sanctuary

· Upgrade/replace stage – prototype tested

· Strip and wax sanctuary floor

3. . Children’s Discipleship – Connie Roalson (chair) & Amanda Jones (co-chair), Team Members: Mari Lyn Jones, Donna Lecocq.

· Rome curriculum big success, 5 teachers recruited that have not taught SS before

· Teachers are Michael and Kristina Langenohl, Chad and Lori Black (Lori will occasionally help out), Joanna Mitchell, Idalia Green, Cesar Lozano (sub)

***Motion to be approved: That the above listed people be approved as teachers for children’s Sunday School. ***Motion approved.

· Lauren Tarrant starting youth group for 2nd grade through fifth. She is looking for a co-sponsor.

· Working on reminding members that SS begins in the sanctuary at 10:10

4. Fellowship Team-Nancy Willis (chair) & Marti Good (co-chair), Team members: Marti and Bob Good, Nancy and Richard Willis, Melvin and Sharlene Atkinson, Mike and Linda Lorsenzen, Jan Root and Richard Chaffee, Mark and Karen Guenther, Jana and Jerry Lester, Dorthea Steen and Lee Joslin, Idalia Green, Sherry Lawson, Billie Cunningham, Eva Burklund, Chris Granger, Linda Ward, Sharon Carr.

· Plant exchange and potluck dinner Sat. Sept 26th.

· 3rd Fri Game night Oct 16th

· Trick or Trunk Oct 30th-this is our presentation to our neighborhood also.-Sign up for a space with the Fall Festival.

· Birthday Bash week-end

5. Grounds Team – Don Barton (chair) & Howard Carr (co-chair), Team members: Carl Burklund, Henry Dominguez, Nancy Willis

· We are planning a workday for the grounds before November 1 (10th anniversary). We are looking at October 24th or October 31st.

· We need to change the marquee sign out on the street with new worship times. Where are the letters?

· Special thanks to those who have been taking trash to the street.

· Italian cypress trees have been staked after being blown over. At this point they look like they will survive.

· Sprinkler system is still inoperable. We’re coordinating with Tom Dugger on this project.

6. Health Ministry Team-Shirlee Peterson (chair) Tammy Babyak (co-chair) Team Members: Rev. Jan Alexander, Tom Alexander, Jeanne Harvey, Bruce Milligan, Mary Milligan

· 10th Anniversary Cookbook recipe deadline this Sunday.

Recipes can be submitted in 3 ways

§ On church website(Under News & Events Then Recipes)

§ Emailed to Shirleekp@aol.com

§ Left in Shirlee Peterson’s church mailbox

§ This Sunday speaker on Diabetes

§ Next month speaker on Alternative Therapies

Categories for Cookbook

v Appetizers & Beverages

v Soups & Salads

v Vegetables & Side Dishes

v Main Dishes

v Breads & Rolls

v Desserts

v Cookies & Candy

v This & That

7. Inviting, Welcoming and Involving Team – George Scherer (chair) & Tina Whalen (co-chair),Team members: Kristina Langenhol, Traci Scherer, Devin Miner, Jordan Scherer, Jo Kent, Anita Matysek, Carolyn Wyckoff, Jana Lester, Kevin Gardner, Paul LeCocq and Lynn Suders.

· T-shirt sales are going well.

· We will be having an IWI meeting soon.

· New members THIS Sunday! Meet at 10:50 in narthex.

· Cookie jars to be handed out to adults only.

8. Mission Team – Wayne Hudgens (chair) & Jana Lester (co-chair), Team members: Debra Barton, Lynn & Lew Suders, Henry & Kathy Dominguez, Betsy White

Need more involvement with Trinity Care Center. Would various teams like to take a month to attend?

· Oct 11-Kent parish

· Nov 8-Porche parish

· Dec 13- Lecocq parish

· Jan 10-L Reeves’ parish

· Feb 14-Newell parish

· Mar 14-K Reeves parish

· Apr 11

· May 9

· June 13

· July 11

· Aug 8

Be the Church Sunday afternoon-Oct 11-We will have projects for folks to do following worship.

9. Staff Support Team - Brandy Haney (chair) & Laura Kelly (co-chair)

· We have received 10 “feedback” forms from Session members. We will be sharing results with our pastors soon. If you haven’t turned yours in, please do so!

10. Stewardship Team – Tom Alexander (chair) & Lew Suders (co-chair), Team members: Jan Alexander, Chad Black, Carolyn Wyckoff, Howard Roalson, Matt Mereness

· We are working on the Fall Stewardship campaign. Tonight you will receive a first look at a budget, using your requests. The team increased a few categories because we felt the team needed more than they requested! After we receive pledges we will sit down and make the final budget. Our budget retreat will be on Nov 14.

11. Worship Team –Celeste Yeakley (chair) & Joanna Mitchell (co-chair), Members: Media – Kristi Gardner, Brad Chapin, Steve Brown, Sound – Kevin Reeves, Steve Brown, David Babyak, Ushers – Robert Arroyo Special Services – Amber Kent, Kristina Langenohl, Trisha Lange, Christina Mereness, Environment – Lynn Britcher, Planning – Rachel Keagy, Jan Alexander Music Strategy – Rachel Keagy, Kirk Hutcherson

Attendance:

Date	9:00	11:00	Total
Aug 31st	50	172	222
Sept 6	40	140	180
Sept 13	52	152	204
Sept 20	58	135	193

Accomplishments in Sept:

· Learning new computer system

· Getting communion bread recipe perfected

Action Items for Oct:

· Start transitioning in some simple video transitions in the media

· Take feedback on slides and improving – PLEASE SEND input to: gpcrrmedia@gmail.com

· Hold organizational meeting with team at large and align goals with session goals

· Investigate live streaming/podcasting for sermon

12.Youth Discipleship –John Keagy, Sarah Reeves & Ty Granger, Team Members: Cory Kent, Jerry Lester, Christina Mereness, Yongmi Boswell, Sandy Maranto, Tammy Babyak, Ty Granger

Intergenerational Involvement
- Need more groups that bridge age gaps:
  - Youth/Children – VBS
  - Middle school/High school – Youth group eating and games
  - Adults/Youth – Wednesday night, Revolve, Angel House, Football watching party?
  - Mark emphasized the book “When Kids Hurt”
- Youth Praise Band
  - Will play when Mark preaches (not on Oct 4^th)
Youth Group
- Time: noon to 2 PM
- Format:
  - Eat in kitchen/patio (30 min) – 2^nd through 12^th grade together
  - Play games in sanctuary (30 min) – Middle and High school together
  - Group activity/study/sharing (60 min) – break into groups
    - Candle time (last 15 min) – time for sharing and praying together as a group
- Theme: Study, Sharing, and Mission
Quarterly Event/Mission
- Mescalaro Indian Reservation Mission Trip
  - 7/18/10 thru 7/24/10
  - $479/person
  - Age 14 thru college
  - Planning for 13 youth and 2 adults (More would mean another vehicle or two besides the van and more adult sponsors)
- John Knox overnight mission
  - Possibly 11/6-7 or 11/20-21 (Mark to check availability)
  - Free if youth help clean/do projects for camp (mission)

· Mid Winters

~$150/person
High School
- Dates: 1/22-24
- Sponsors: Yongmi Boswell, Tim Maranto
Middle School
- Dates: 2/5-7
- Sponsors: Sandy Maranto, Mark Tarrant

Revolve Tour

Oct 9^th – 11^th in Dallas
Made $250 on spaghetti dinner
Oct 4^th – Girls will be commissioned to go to Revolve and represent Grace

Need Boys’ Weekend (Equivalent to Revolve for Girls)

Lake Trip/Guys’ fishing trip - Need ideas and sponsors

Hearts & Hammers – Cory Kent to bring more info to next meeting

Activities on the Calendar:
- Halloween/Trunk or Treat
  - Motion for session to approve for High School youth to organize and plan a haunted house on Oct. 30^th. Middle School and High School youth will run and clean up after the haunted house.

***Motion to be approved: for the youth to sponsor a Fun House in the church house for the Trunk or Treat Fall Festival on Oct 30. ***Motion approved.

Lock-in Oct. 30^th to 31^st for both Middle School and High School
- Sponsors: Tim and Sandy Maranto, Sarah Reeves, Mark Tarrant
- Request of sponsors to switch off or take shifts

Confirmation
- Dates: January 3^rd – Easter during Sunday School time
- Curriculum is same as last year
- Need sponsors for each confirmand
Passion Play – Cory Kent to organize
- Youth to organize and plan passion play for Tenebrae service on Good Friday
Triennium (July 2010) – Sarah Reeves to bring more info
- Work your way fundraisers outside church: Dell Diamond, Erwin Center, UT football, youth garage sale, etc.

13. Board of Deacons- Lauren Tarrant

Garry Dallo has resigned. We need to replace him. We will call a meeting of the Nominating Team.

Upcoming Dates:

Mission Presbytery meeting Oct 23-24, UPC Austin

Grace’s 10^th Birthday-November 1

Other Business:

Remind ushers they need to get here early for the 9:00 service to help set-up.

Closing Prayer: Pastor Nancy

Respectively submitted, Approved:

Barbara Allen Nancy Reeves

Clerk of Session Moderator