Session Summary - Octorber 2016

The October meeting of the Session was held on the 23^rd.  The following are the highlights from that meeting.

1.        The treasurer presented the monthly budget report.

¨ We are running behind in contributions compared to this time last year.

¨ Thanks to conservation efforts, our expenses are currently in the black.

¨ Troy reported on several items in the financial software that have been cleared up.

¨ The budgeting process for next year will begin at the next Session meeting.

2. At Rev. Worth’s suggestion, the Session decided to retain the current Nominating Committee.

¨ The committee will be asked to present a slate of candidates for the Session class of 2019.

¨ The committee will also present a new Nominating Committee for next year.

¨ Both will be voted on at one congressional meeting to be scheduled in the near future.

3. We have recently had several requests to use church facilities for various functions.

¨ The Session has asked the Buildings and Grounds Committee to revise and consolidate the policies that govern the use of church facilities.  This will be presented at the next Session meeting.

4. New Hope has not participated in the Food Pantry voucher program for several years.

¨ Rev. Worth has requested that we resume the voucher program again on a trial basis.

5. Election of a commissioner to attend the Presbytery meeting on November 1^st.

¨ No current Session members were available to attend that day.

¨ Rev. Worth will check with other elders to see if someone is available.

6. The Session discussed the financial review for 2015 which was just completed.

¨ The Session would like to express its gratitude to Rosie Sanislo and Hank Saeger for all the work they put in completing the financial review.

7. Several candidates have been interviewed for the position on church secretary.

¨ The committee will recommend a selection in the near future.

¨ There have been a few applicants for the organist/choir director position approved by the Session at the last meeting.

¨ None have been interviewed at this time.

8. The current youth program was discussed.

¨ The program is not working as planned for the older youth.

¨ Rev. Worth is looking at curriculum and time changes to help remedy the problems.

9. The Session has decided to purchase a fire proof safe to protect vital church records.

¨ Thanks to Hank Saeger for researching our options.

¨ Buildings and Grounds will make a recommendation at the next Session meeting.

10. The Buildings and Grounds committee presented a written report.

¨ There will be a work day scheduled as soon as the leaves fall and we get some rain.

¨ The committee is looking at a landscaper who will present a plan for cleaning up the labyrinth.

11. Fellowship reported that brown bag supper will continue on Wednesday evenings.

¨ The Kallers will be cooking a Brazilian dinner on November 9^th.

12. The Mission committee submitted a written report outlining recent activities.

¨ Rev. Worth reported on several projects that she is working on

¨ We will plan to participate in next year’s Christmas parade held at Hamilton Place Mall.

¨ She described the All Saints celebration on October 30^th.

¨ The last Sunday in November is the first Sunday of Advent.

¨ The service that day will involve the Hanging of the Greens.

The next Session meeting will be November 20^th.