Read the opening article, Highlights of October Session Meeting, below or click here to download a PDF of the full edition from FPCC’s website.
| Opening Prayer – CLP DeVonn Powers, Moderator Approvals of Session Minutes and Clerk’s Reports – Elder Jon Myers Consent Approvals Session approved request from Mission Team to assemble up to two Thanksgiving boxes for the needy served by Hope Solutions. Correspondence A letter regarding postponement was sent to LCA Architects to defer the long range facility planning project until a new pastor is on board. Commissioners for Presbytery Meeting Session appointed CLP Darryl McCollum, CLP DeVonn Powers, Elder David Dowell, and Elder Jon Myers as Commissioners to the November 15 Presbytery meeting, which will be held on Zoom. David Stearns agreed to attend if David Dowell cannot. Presbytery has rescheduled their next regular meeting from November 8 to November 15 to avoid meeting on Election Day. To avoid a conflict with the Presbytery meeting, Session rescheduled its next meeting from November 15 to the 8th. Moderator’s Report – CLP DeVonn Powers • FPCC’s April 2019 Safe Church Policy (Policy for Ensuring a Climate of Safety). The final report will be posted on the FPCC website. CLP Rebecca Chase will be responsible for conducting training sessions. • FPCC’s 6-month initial contract with social media and advertising organization CMI expires at the end of October. Research indicates that another firm, “Church Candy”, will be more cost-effective and provide greater public awareness for FPCC. Since this is continuing an existing service, leadership will work to engage Church Candy, to be effective in November. Funds for this service will be budgeted for 2023. Deacon Report – CLP Rebecca Chase The Deacons are planning to restart serving home communion to home-bound members. Steps will be taken to make sure there are enough home communion kits on hand, and teams will be formed to serve. Finance – Elder David Stearns presented details of the expected 2023 income (congregational giving, rental and investment income). He presented details of proposed 2023 budgets for each team and committee, with the exception of Personnel, which will be finalized later. Elder Jon Myers presented an initial, proposed 2023 budget for Personnel, which takes into account the vacant pastor position, compensation for our four Transition Ministry Partners, and personnel changes during 2022 that were not adequately funded. Session plans to complete the budget process at its November meeting. Worship & Music – Ron Potts Session approved a new loop system for the Sanctuary to aid the hard of hearing. The new “Copper Loop System” for assisted listening devices cost $6,158 and will replace the old system, which had become unreliable and was not designed to accommodate musical sound. In addition, it would not work with the newer hearing aid technologies. Acknowledgment was given to DeVonn Powers for her “Breast Cancer Navigation” trip to Israel and her ongoing efforts to raise funds for that cause. Connections Report – Jim Whitfield Elder Jim Whitfield reported on planning for FPCC’s October 29 Oktoberfest celebration and the December 11 Christmas Concert reception. New Business Session approved a motion by Elder Ron Potts to authorize receiving contributions to the Dawn Chiappino Concert Fund at FPCC’s December 11, 2022 Christmas concert. Next Session Meeting: 7 pm on November 8, 2022 in the Fireside Room. By David Dowell and Jon Myers |
