Actions from the joint meeting of Deacons and Session on February 16, 2011:
We discussed the following questions: What has been working? We work well internally, and the Deacons are effective in working with the outside community. Before/after church the fellowship is evident. The large group that attends Family Camp is another demonstration of our fellowship. We work with and support the Presbytery. Our radio broadcast reaches a larger area than we realize. Did you know that WHKZ 1440 am reaches to the 422-I271 split?
What might work? Going slower and opening up more. An example is really talking to visitors at FPC. This includes during the Passing of the Peace. We need to be ambassadors, especially those who love to talk to anyone. We have a number of families with young children. Perhaps Church Growth can facilitate an evening get-together to see if there is interest in starting a small group. The Two-Sum Forum started because FPC had so many families with young children at that time. The parents were dealing with common issues.
What are our needs? The Deacons feel that the money they need to continue the community support will be forthcoming as the need is made known. The cards we sent out at Christmas can be done for Easter. We need to be more aware of the work of committees so things are not omitted when new chairs of committees are selected. Is the congregation really aware of what the committees of the Deacons and Session are and do?
Should we have a retreat? The consensus was yes. Rusty has been called to FPC as pastor. Rusty is to contact Presbytery about open dates at JBM. The format has not been decided, i.e. boards and co-opted members or open to the congregation. Perhaps an “Upside-Down” format, where there is a brief meeting during which time people list concerns. Then those with similar concerns meet to brain storm and propose means of addressing their concerns. Goals for FPC can also be set.
The joint meeting ended at 8:00 p.m. with each board then conducting its regular meeting.
Actions from the regular meeting of Session on February 16, 2011:
This was a brief meeting in part because Committee Night was cancelled by the threat of bad weather. The committees reported briefly and only items needing Session action were discussed.
We added two new members: Patrick Shannon by Confession of Faith and Tiffany Johns by re-instatement to the Active Roll. This action and correcting two omissions of removing members from the Active Roll kept our membership as of February 16, 2011, at 298.
The Baptism of Kaylee Duncan, born February 16, 2010, to Tiffany Johns, was authorized for February 27, 2011, during Worship.
The purchase of new robes was approved. The cost of the robes is $4,847.85. A down payment of one half the cost to come from the Inter-generational Mission Fund will be used to get the new robes for Easter. The proceeds from the Spaghetti Dinner will also be used to complete the payment for the robes.
Our income for January was $25,409.50 with expenses of $25,841.25. Our 2010 fiscal year is closed.
On February 6, 2011, we celebrated Communion and 131 were served.
The retreat at JBM was discussed. Session agreed that having a facilitator such as Carole Rummell or the General Presbyter, Dan Schomer, might be a good idea. Mary Ann Bromley, Lynnette Devanny and Chris Lovett will work with the representatives from the Deacons on a retreat.
Items from the meeting of the Congregation on February 13, 2011:
The congregation approved the call of Rev. Cowden as pastor of FPC. The vote was 109 in favor and 1 against. The Committee on Ministry must approve the action taken. After that there will be a Service of Installation. The date for this service has not been set.
The congregation also approved a motion to have a pre-recorded service broadcast by WHKZ broadcast as our 10:00 a.m. service on Christmas Day of 2011. We will have had the two Christmas Eve Services on Saturday with the 11:00 p.m. service extending into Sunday.
Peace, Ray Rubrake, Clerk of Session
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF WARREN 256 Mahoning Ave., NW | Warren, OH 44483 | (phone) 330-393-1524 | (fax) 330-393-1526 | (e-mail) fpcwarren@hotmail.com