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May 2008Head Usher... Melissa Thompson
SESSION DIGEST... 1. The meeting was opened with a devotion and prayer given by Betty McClanahan. 2. The docket for the April 15, 2008 Stated Meeting was reviewed. Rev. Hoffman made a suggestion to combine the New Business and Other Business into one category - Unfinished Business - and move to after the committee reports. It was also suggested that the Correspondence come as part of the Clerk’s Report. A statement was made that the Website Committee now needs to report and there needs to be a space for the definition of Rev. Eddie Nash’s responsibilities. The changes were approved and Anne Sergent was thanked for serving as Clerk. 3. There was no Treasurer’s report. A motion was approved for Bernard Beavers to open an interest-bearing account at First Century Bank for no more than $75,000.00 to be deposited. Motion Seconded and Approved. 4. Prayer Concerns: Scott Campbell, Justin Kanne, Joseph Peery (Iraq), Kelly Necessary, T. C. Bowen, Mary Witten, Richard Witten, Bill Osborne, Charles Asbury, Susie Bell, Mildred Pennington, Russell Fletcher, T. J. Rasnick, Lucy Jeff Heierman and Greg Matney. 5. A letter was presented asking for Craig and Sheryl James to have their membership transferred to Gladeville Presbyterian Church in Wise, Virginia. 6. Bonnie Jones from the American Cancer Society asked if the Tazewell County Relay Teams may meet at the Tazewell Presbyterian Church from time to time. This action was transferred to the Property Committee. 7. A letter from Abingdon Presbytery was mentioned asking for a Special Offering to be taken for the purpose of assisting the Big Stone Gap area with the Tornado damage that was recently done. 8. Dr. James Grant will be the guest speaker on June 8th, 2008, and Chris and Melissa Brown have asked to have their infant daughter baptized on a Sunday when Dr. Grant is here. 9. The Clinch Valley Community Action has asked to use the church for a special program/dinner on Marriages in May or June. 10. Anne Sergent reported that the Declaration of Intent and check were sent in January; however another copy of the Declaration of Intent was mailed to presbytery in March. 11. Kathy Wright reported the Christian Education Committee met on April 13, 2008. There was a discussion regarding setting up board members for the preschool board. Youth Sunday has been set for April 27th and Graduation Sunday has been set for June 1st. Teachers were assigned for Vacation Bible School. A Sunday School teacher is needed for next year for the K-2 class. The committee reported that Eddie Nash has been asked to conduct confirmation classes. 12. Joe Bowen reported that the Finance committee met on April 13th. There was a discussion as to who would present the treasurer’s report at each Session meeting. Joe Bowen revealed the honorarium for guest speakers is being underpaid. The minimum the presbytery allows is $150.00 for two services and mileage at the government rate. He also indicated this could be the reason some speakers are not wanting to return to the church. Joe Bowen presented as information that the account with Scott and Stringfellow has been opened with Bernard Beavers and Joe Bowen as Trustees. 13. Jerry Cromer reported that the committee met and discussed the housekeeping and improvements. The committee would like to donate the folding chairs in the storage area to Mary’s Presbyterian Church. Jerry Cromer also reported that the committee was working on the trees that were to be dedicated to Grants. 14. Anne Sergent reported that the committee has not met; however, they are planning to meet soon. A discussion was made as to the need for liturgists. Joe Bowen and Pat McPherson have been working on helping to get liturgists for guest speakers. 15. Vicky Rinehart reported for this committee on various names on the prayer list. She reported on the birthday party for Mary Witten at the conference room at Heritage Hall on May 2nd at 1:00; the church is invited to attend. Irene Moore’s 99th birthday will be April 22nd. Session members were asked to pick member/families of the congregation to reassure them of their presence in church during this time. 16. Karen Ray reported that the committee was moving along nicely with stacks of PIF’s to look through. A suggestion was made that the PNC make an announcement in church from time to time to reassure the members that the committee was progressing. 17. Kim Thomas reported that the website committee has met three times since last session meeting. They spoke about what needs to be on the website. A discussion was made as to the mission statement that is on the website and what statement should be on the site. The committee recommends that all committees need to meet and write a statement about how their committee is responding to God’s call. 18. Definition of Rev. Eddie Nash’s responsibilities: occasional moderator, occasional pulpit supply, conduct confirmation classes, be a Sunday School teacher and be a visitor with the Pastoral Care Committee. 19. Dennis Hoffman closed the meeting with prayer.
Relay for Life The Relay for Life Walk has been scheduled for Saturday, June 14th, 2008, beginning at 12:00 noon at Southwest Virginia Community College. There will be a Kid’s Walk at 4:00 P.M. (If interested, need to pre-register). The child raising the most money for the American Cancer Society will win a bike and helmet. The Relay for Life wishes to thank everyone for supporting the paid luncheon on Sunday, April 20th. We raised nearly $500.00 - proceeds of which goes to the American Cancer Society. Candle Lighting Luminary Ceremony Order Form
Do you sometimes feel like your life is not as important as others who you think are smarter, richer, or more famous? After watching TV, reading the newspaper, or surfing the internet, you learn about people who are able to influence others because they have discovered a link to the cause of a rare cancer, or they have been able to give an enormous amount of money to the homeless or the starving. It feels as though the small things that we do in our everyday life just don’t compare. Today you drive your two children to school and discuss their busy day with them - making them realize how important their activities are. You have volunteered to help in your child’s classroom listening to young children read their favorite story - giving encouragement and praise for even the slightest success. After school, you need to drive your children to their piano lesson and then if you are not too late - to soccer practice. You help with homework, prepare dinner, bathe and get your children ready for bed, read a favorite bedtime story, and recite bedtime prayers with your young family. Did you make a difference in the world today because of your activities? God thinks so! We may not feel that we’re in a position to have an impact on the world, but each of us has the opportunity to influence someone. Mothers and fathers can train their children to grow up as followers of Jesus Christ, and in turn, their children will grow and influence others in their life. Maybe we can touch a neighbor, a friend, or someone at work who needs the touch of God’s love and truth. The only requirement for becoming a powerful influence is a willingness to be used wherever God has put us. We never know who will be positively influenced by our actions and words. Our everyday activities are as important as the activities of others who are in the news or who are guests on talk shows. Continue to always touch the lives of those around you, your family, friends, and neighbors, in physical, emotional, and spiritual ways. Your activities will flow through them into even greater ways. “Serve the Lord with gladness!” (Psalm 100:2) One local church has this bit of advice written on their sign. “7 days without God makes one weak.” Through God, we are strong in our words and actions with others. Joan Flynn and Kim McGraw
Report from the Pastor Nominating Committee The PNC would like to let the congregation know that we are hard at work. We have begun the process of reviewing Pastor Information Forms. It has been a very time-consuming process - but also - very energizing to the Committee. The task we started a year ago is now underway. The Committee members are very excited about the process and according to our Presbytery office, we are right on schedule! Karen Ray, Chairman
University of North Carolina at Asheville |
