Look at what’s happening with the Session Committee:

• The Grace Session met on June 19, at 6:00 pm. In the Grace Parlor. Catherine Neelly Burton opened the meeting with prayer.
• Catherine explained that a Transition Team has been formed, whose members include: Jasper Lesage, Carolyn Shaw, Bill Vavra, and Ginny Vincent. This team is responsible (with Session) for worship planning, i.e., liturgy, music, and liturgists, as well as contacting new members and visitors.
• The Nominating Team has begun its search for members of the Interim Pastor Nominating Committee (IPNC).
• Debbie Garber, pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church, serves as the Session Moderator and the Presbytery Liaison.
• Ben Rivers is excited about taking on the responsibilities of the Children’s Ministry.
• Janet Rhoads arranged for pastors to fill the pulpit from June 25 to August 27. The pastors are Amy Baumgartner, Larry Cracraft, and Cheryl Hoops.
• Financial reports were given and received, as were other reports.
• Bill Vavra reported that the following individuals have agreed to serve on the Interim Pastor Nominating Committee: Tom Bloxham, Dale Haury, Bob Ross, Jocelyn Pafume, and Anne Burris.
• Ron Ford has agreed to fill an open position on the Board of Trustees.
• Larry Cracraft has agreed to serve as the Moderator of the July 2 Congregational Meeting to approve these candidates.
• A love offering for Catherine was approved.
• The next Session meeting is on July 17.
• Jasper Lesage closed the meeting with a devotion.

April 17, 2023 – Stated Meeting

• The Grace Session met on April 17, 2023, at 6:00 pm in the church parlor. Steve Hooper (clerk) shared a devotional.
• A motion was approved to remove Covid messaging from the church website and weekly emails.
• Catherine led a discussion about JLL staffing related to finances.
• Financial reports were given and received. Other reports were provided.  An update was given on the updated cook/food ministry position. In its new iteration, the cook’s responsibilities have been modified and do not currently involve food purchasing or menu planning.
• The baptismal font renovation for the sanctuary font is in a holding pattern as lighting is searched for.
• Joys and concerns were shared, and the meeting was closed with prayer.

March 20, 2023 – Stated Meeting

• The Grace Session met on March 20 at 6:00 pm. The meeting began in the church alcove with dinner with the confirmation class.  After dinner, the Session, confirmands, and staff broke into two rooms for discussion. Before the meeting the confirmands had shared their written faith statements.
• The Session joyfully voted to receive four confirmands into membership upon their making a public profession of faith (and baptism for one). The three making a public profession of faith are Brennan Bean, Colin Buteyn, and Hope Juhnke. Catie Harrison will make a public profession of faith and be baptized.  Confirmation Sunday is March 26 at both services.
• The confirmation class left, and the Session moved to the church parlor for the remainder of the meeting. Laurie Haury led a devotional.
• Catherine reviewed the two-year Vital Congregation program that Grace did from 2018-2020. There was a discussion about whether to renew this program.
• Financial reports were given and received. Other reports were given.
• The meeting was closed with the sharing of joys and concerns, and prayer.

April 2, 2023 – Called Meeting

• The Grace Session held a called meeting at 10:15 am on Sunday, April 2, in room 103 for the purpose of welcoming a new member. We joyfully received Karna Shroeder into membership by reaffirmation of faith.
• The meeting was opened and closed with prayer.

Full Session minutes are available upon request.

January 23, 2023

• The Grace Session met on January 23 at 6 pm in the church parlor. The meeting was opened with a devotional led by Catherine Neelly Burton.
• Scott Frazier, representing the Board of Trustees, was in attendance for the presentation of the 2023 budget. He and Catherine presented and answered questions. The 2023 budget was approved.
• Financial reports were given and received. Other reports were received.
• The Session discussed the upcoming congregational meeting.

January 29, 2023

• The Grace Session met on January 29 at 12:30 pm in the church parlor. The meeting was for the purpose of examining new officers.
• Newly elected elders and deacons shared their faith statements.
• All were approved for ordination and/or installation.
• The faith-filled meeting was opened and closed in prayer.

Full Session minutes are available upon request.

December 19, 2022

• The Grace Session met on December 19 in the church parlor. The meeting was opened with prayer and closed with a devotional led by Charlene Randle.
• Financial reports were given and received. Other reports were received.
• The session celebrated the many gifts of the church that are on display during the Advent season. We are blessed with volunteers who create events (hanging of the greens and brunch), create art and decorate our spaces and share music.

January 15, 2023

• The Session met for a called meeting to welcome new members. The meet was held at 12:15 pm in the church parlor.
• We welcomed Les and Kimberly McDarty by letter of transfer from East Heights UMC. We welcomed Pat Benjamin and Diana Saunders by reaffirmation of faith.