November 2011 Session Meeting Minutes
December 2011 Session Meeting Minutes
2011 SESSION HIGHLIGHTS
January:
* The Session approved a budget that restored a 10% apportionment to local and global mission.
* Approved the replacement of the heating and air conditioning unit in the Pastoral Counseling Center.
February:
* Received the good news that 6 of the 16 families that will host Afghani children in the Solace for Children program are from South Jacksonville Presbyterian.
* Received the news from L&A that new survey instruments to evaluate the Pastors were implemented and completed.
March:
* Received the good news that the Preschool had passed its annual inspection from the Department of Children and Family Services.
* Authorized the completion of a new church photo directory.
* Approved that 10% of each unrestricted estate gift be allocated to the Mission and Outreach Benevolence Account. This is a reduction of the past tradition of allocating 25% of each unrestricted estate gift.
April:
* Received the report from the Site Plan committee, updating the Session on the committee’s membership, the selection of the architect, the church’s usage study, and that the reserve study was being redone.
* Reported that Annie McMillan had moved from Inquirer to Candidate in the Preparation for the Ministry process and that she will be presented at Presbytery on May 3rd.
* Approved funds from the Benevolence Fund to support Leone Faust and Dr. Jim Campbell who will be a part of the Presbytery Mutual Mission Medical Team.
* Launched the new website.
May:
* Learned that the Worship committee had selected a new florist for altar flowers.
* Received the annual report of the Preschool from the Director, Charlotte Mercer, and the Treasurer, Susan Burns.
* Received the report that 185 people affiliated with South Jacksonville Presbyterian Church attended the Nehemiah Assembly
June:
* Received an update on the ongoing difficulty with getting the Sanctuary windows sealed.
* Heard plans from the L&A committee to work on a sabbatical for Dr. Kolb in 2012.
* Received the news that Vacation Bible School was proceeding without incident with 80+ children in attendance.
August:
* Heard a report that over 65 children are involved in the children’s ministries on Sunday morning and Wednesday evening.
* Continued to hear good reports from the membership about the “Ten at Ten” summer worship schedule.
September:
* Received the completed Phase II report from RS&H Architects. It included 3 possible master site plans for the facility that would address the issues of a lack of an identifiable entrance, a safer traffic pattern, better handicap accessibility, and improved green space.
* Received news that the summer conference and mission work in New Orleans of our middle and high school youth was a success.
October:
* Received the report that the Sanctuary windows are getting sealed, that the Sanctuary repainting has commenced, and that the Pastoral Counseling Center awnings have been replaced.
* Received the report from L&A that the office staff reviews have been completed.
November:
* The new church photo directories were distributed.
* Approved Phase III of the master site plan work with RS&H.
* Replaced the planters that had been vandalized at the end of Thacker Street.
December:
* Reviewed the plans for the international mission trip to Guatemala.
* Examined and approved the ordination of new elders.
* Approved the replacement of the windows in the Pastoral Counseling Center.
* Approved a major revision of the Preschool By Laws, reducing the Preschool Advisory Board to the Chair, the Treasurer, and a church liaison.
* Approved a reorganization of the Session committees into Ministry Concentrations.
