July 2015 Session Summary
August 28, 2015, 11:29am
Minutes of the Session Meeting
University Presbyterian Church
July 22, 2015
The Session of University Presbyterian Church held its July stated meeting in the church library at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22, 2015.
Elders present: Becki Evans, Jerry Lamme, Adam Miller, Chris Poole, Nicole Varnado, Sandy Wolfe, and Denise Yanaura
Moderator: Rev. Cathy Hoop
Guest: Susan Donovan.
Elders Garry Warren and Cathy Andreen, and Clerk of Session Nancy DuPree were excused. Elder Denise Yanaura took minutes.
Since a quorum was present, the Christ candle was lit to open the meeting.
Milestones:
Susan Donovan came as a candidate for membership. She requested membership by transfer of letter from Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran, Birmingham. Jerry moved that she be received; the motion passed unanimously.
There was a request to approve the wedding of Kim Colburn and Kristi Kuczinski at the church on August 15, 2015. Chris moved and Jerry seconded; the motion passed unanimously.
There was a request to approve the baptism of Zoey Elizabeth Varnado, daughter of Nicole Varnado and Rachel Walker. Chris moved and Jerry seconded; the motion passed unanimously.
The session members discussed the church’s relationship with Covenant Presbyterian Church. They enjoyed and felt welcomed during the recent experiences at Covenant’s May potluck dinner and the joint Summer Experience (Vacation Bible School). There was some discussion about Covenant’s acceptance of UPC’s More Light status, and there was mention of Covenant’s supply pastor, Neil McCarter, being quoted in Tuscaloosa News in favor of same sex marriage and Neil’s letter in Covenant’s newsletter expressing his personal and theological reasons for believing that the Bible does not condemn homosexuality as sinful. The elders agreed by common consent to invite Covenant to a joint worship service at our church with a potluck lunch afterwards. [changed to brunch before worship]
Other milestones: The sacrament of communion has been celebrated each Sunday as part of the morning worship service, as is our practice at UPC.
Before moving into the business segment of the meeting, the agenda was distributed and approved. Elders shared joys and concerns and joined in unison prayer.
Committee Matters:
Presbytery: The next meeting of the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley will be held on Friday, August 14 at First Presbyterian Church in Birmingham. Adam offered to go; elders agreed by common consent that he serve as our delegate.
Worship: Minutes of the last meeting of Worship Committee were distributed. There will be a covered dish luncheon after worship on August 16, 2015 to celebrate the arrival of the new organist, Alex Benford.
Finance: Adam distributed and reviewed the spreadsheets of May 2015 Profit and Loss Budget and Actual Budget.
Food Pantry: There is still need for peanut butter (for the beginning of school) and canned tuna. Members of Covenant Presbyterian Church will meet with the Food Pantry staff on July 29.
Peace and Justice: The Committee has requested picture book for the Aids to Inmate Mothers. The mothers will be videotaped reading the books for their children.
Upcoming meetings:
The next stated meeting of session will be held on Wednesday, August 26, at 5:30 p.m. in the church library.
On August 14, a Presbytery-wide Main Event will be held at First Prebyterian Church in Birmingham.
It was moved that the meeting be adjourned with prayer; the motion passed. The pastor offered closing prayer.
University Presbyterian Church
July 22, 2015
The Session of University Presbyterian Church held its July stated meeting in the church library at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22, 2015.
Elders present: Becki Evans, Jerry Lamme, Adam Miller, Chris Poole, Nicole Varnado, Sandy Wolfe, and Denise Yanaura
Moderator: Rev. Cathy Hoop
Guest: Susan Donovan.
Elders Garry Warren and Cathy Andreen, and Clerk of Session Nancy DuPree were excused. Elder Denise Yanaura took minutes.
Since a quorum was present, the Christ candle was lit to open the meeting.
Milestones:
Susan Donovan came as a candidate for membership. She requested membership by transfer of letter from Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran, Birmingham. Jerry moved that she be received; the motion passed unanimously.
There was a request to approve the wedding of Kim Colburn and Kristi Kuczinski at the church on August 15, 2015. Chris moved and Jerry seconded; the motion passed unanimously.
There was a request to approve the baptism of Zoey Elizabeth Varnado, daughter of Nicole Varnado and Rachel Walker. Chris moved and Jerry seconded; the motion passed unanimously.
The session members discussed the church’s relationship with Covenant Presbyterian Church. They enjoyed and felt welcomed during the recent experiences at Covenant’s May potluck dinner and the joint Summer Experience (Vacation Bible School). There was some discussion about Covenant’s acceptance of UPC’s More Light status, and there was mention of Covenant’s supply pastor, Neil McCarter, being quoted in Tuscaloosa News in favor of same sex marriage and Neil’s letter in Covenant’s newsletter expressing his personal and theological reasons for believing that the Bible does not condemn homosexuality as sinful. The elders agreed by common consent to invite Covenant to a joint worship service at our church with a potluck lunch afterwards. [changed to brunch before worship]
Other milestones: The sacrament of communion has been celebrated each Sunday as part of the morning worship service, as is our practice at UPC.
Before moving into the business segment of the meeting, the agenda was distributed and approved. Elders shared joys and concerns and joined in unison prayer.
Committee Matters:
Presbytery: The next meeting of the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley will be held on Friday, August 14 at First Presbyterian Church in Birmingham. Adam offered to go; elders agreed by common consent that he serve as our delegate.
Worship: Minutes of the last meeting of Worship Committee were distributed. There will be a covered dish luncheon after worship on August 16, 2015 to celebrate the arrival of the new organist, Alex Benford.
Finance: Adam distributed and reviewed the spreadsheets of May 2015 Profit and Loss Budget and Actual Budget.
Food Pantry: There is still need for peanut butter (for the beginning of school) and canned tuna. Members of Covenant Presbyterian Church will meet with the Food Pantry staff on July 29.
Peace and Justice: The Committee has requested picture book for the Aids to Inmate Mothers. The mothers will be videotaped reading the books for their children.
Upcoming meetings:
The next stated meeting of session will be held on Wednesday, August 26, at 5:30 p.m. in the church library.
On August 14, a Presbytery-wide Main Event will be held at First Prebyterian Church in Birmingham.
It was moved that the meeting be adjourned with prayer; the motion passed. The pastor offered closing prayer.