Kirk Session Report

Meeting of April 19th, 2012, 7:00 p. m.

Attending:D. Joice, N.Fisher, K. Cowan, J. Moore, R. Bauman, D. Gillingham, J. Peters, J. Hake, B. Ramsay, G. Pollard, S. Gingrich, G. Anderson, Interim Moderator.

Absent: D. Wellman

• G. Pollard opened with prayer and a devotion from 1st Peter, chapter 5, verses 1 - 10.
• The elders provided information on their districts and a season of prayer followed.
• The Agenda and Minutes were approved.
• G. Pollard advised 150 people were served communion on Good Friday and 216 on Easter Sunday.
• The approval of a joint cruise on the Island Queen for our St. Andrew's family in Parry Sound and our brothers and sisters from St. Andrew's, Huntsville was carried. A Committee was struck to facilitate this joint venture and more information regarding time, date and costs will be forth- coming. The Search Committee joined the meeting.
• Rev. G. Anderson thanked all the members of the Search Committee, especially J. Hake and L. Moon for all their hard and dedicated work.
• The Search Committee provided Session with their personal impressions resulting from the interview of Tuesday, April 17th and portions of the taped interview were shown to Session members. It was a unanimous decision to have the candidate come and preach for The Call to St. Andrew's on June 3rd, 2012.
• The Search Committee will look after facilitating that week- end so that the congregation as opportunity to meet the candidate before Sunday, June 3, 2012.
• Thanks from J. Hake and G. Pollard were extended to the Search Committee and Session for all their hard work and also to our Interim Moderator, G. Anderson.
• Property: Trustees, G. Ryder and R. Anderson attended the Session meeting to present the tender's quotes that they have received to date for the new roof. They are still awaiting one more quote and will come back to our meeting on April 28th, 2012. Both Trustees stressed that the roof needs to be repaired this summer.

The meeting adjourned and closed in prayer. We will meet again, April 28th, at 11:00 a. m.

In-Session Report from meeting of February 25, 2012

The meeting opened with a welcome from Interim-Moderator, the Rev. George Anderson and he lead a devotional from Ephesians. We followed the devotional time with praise and prayer for our church family.

The following business took place:

• Business Arising: An ad will be placed in the church bulletin after Easter for candidates that would replace our Administrative Assistant, Karin Cowan who will retire on August 30th, 2012.
• Interim Moderator's Report: George Anderson reported that the Search Committee have received more applications. John Hake & Laura Moon are both doing an excellent job in their roles as facili- tator and chair. We can expect that we will be sending out Search Committee members to hear candidates by the end of March.
• Finance Committee: Karin Cowan & Bonnie Ramsay reported that the budget for 2012 was complete and the Annual Report has been run and is available for the congregation.
• Property Committee: Ray Bauman & Dennis Gillingham reported that light bulbs were being replaced, the vacuum cleaner had been fixed and they are still awaiting a quote from the construction company on the roof repairs.
• Missions Committee: Nancy Fisher reported on the dental team mission trip to Nicaragua. She advised that her husband Rob Fisher deserves a pat on the back for all the work & preparation that he does just to get things prepared for these mission trips. This was concurred by all the Session members. Nancy spoke about the upcoming March 2012 trip in which 42 people would be going to Nicaragua on a building and repair trip. These 42 people were coming from Barrie, Parry Sound and the Mennonite Brethren Church in the Waterloo area. Nancy advised that the Missions Committee hope to have Brian and Linda Crawford speak at our Missions Sunday in October. Also, John Fuller has accepted the position as the Canadian Director of OMF beginning in June 2012. There was a motion to ask the Rev. Gary Robinson to come and speak after his Nicaragua Medical team trip in April. Sunday, May 6th, 2012 was proposed. Nancy Fisher will ask Gary.
• Discipleship and Outreach: John Peters advised that we have 8 small groups going strong. He also reported that Karl Murch was doing a great job. There was a motion which carried that Karl be granted 4 weeks holidays.
• Christian Nurture: Joan Moore reported on the pastoral team and many of our St. Andrew's family are being visited by either one or a pair of elders. Bonnie reported that Mrs. Price had agreed to come for a day and speak with the ladies of the church and that we were awaiting a final date.
• Dennis Gillingham advised that he was asked about saying the Lord's Prayer on Sundays. Discussion followed and it was noted that it could be said or sung and that decision could be up to the person leading the service.
• New Business: That John Hake and Karin Cowan prepare a motion for the Annual Meeting to extend the terms of the Elders by 2 years to 2014.
• George Anderson is going to approach Kevin Houser to see if he would like to preach on an upcoming Sunday.

The next meeting will be Saturday, March 31st, 2012 at 10:00 a. m.

George Anderson closed in prayer.

• Present: J. Peters, R. Bauman, D. Gillingham, D. Wellman, B. Ramsay, S. Gingrich, J. Hake, D. Joice, K. Cowan, G. Pollard.
• Regrets: None
• Interim Moderator - Rev. George Anderson

The meeting opened with a devotional read by Rev. G. Anderson. The elders reported on praise and concern items within their districts. A time of prayer followed.

The following motions were approved:

• B. Ramsay appointed as Assistant Clerk and new Executive Committee member.
• Homologate the motion from December 4, 2011 to accept our church profile and advertising for the vacancy in the Presbyterian Record.
• the approval to hold an Easter Sunday breakfast with proceeds donated to the upcoming youth missions trip in March 2013
• Carolien Murch came reported on the upcoming budget for the Missions Committee. Carolien was thanked for her hard work and we were grateful for her presentation.
• Karin Cowan announced her plans to retire from her secretarial job At St. Andrew's effective August 30, 2012. The upcoming staff vacancy was referred to the executive committee to deal with and report back to session.
• Karin Cowan also requested and was granted a change to their office hours effective March 23. She will be working four days per week in the office with a Monday to Thursday workweek.
• Correspondence was received from D. MacDonald on behalf of  Habitat for Humanity.
• A thank you card was received from Karin Cowan for her Christmas gift.
• George Anderson provided a list of upcoming speakers

The following committees presented their reports:

• The Finance Committee presented a draft budget for the year 2012 and it was Accepted by session.
• The Property Committee advise and they are awaiting quotes on doing a new roof over the flat area of the kitchen.
• The Missions Committee read a letter from Gary Robinson approving changes to the direction of funds to Three Fold Ministries.
• The Discipleship and Outreach Committee reported to use small groups were being formed with Gene Hilts and Tom Bell as facilitators.
• The Christian Nurture Committee were advised that the Ladies Fellowship Circle would like permission to host a one-day retreat and invite Mrs. Price to come and speak. This would be open to all ladies of local churches and possibly some in Huntsville and surrounding areas. This was discussed and approved with the advice to keep the date away from the month of September.
• Joan Moore and Nancy Fisher reported on the formation of a Pastoral Care Team to visit anyone that would like a home visit.
• Karin Cowan reported on the church participation in the Doors Open event on September 29, 2012.

Under new business

• three dates were confirmed for communion - March 4, April 6, and April 8.
• the church accessibility policy was moved to our next meeting.
• Rev. Anderson presented information about his upcoming sermons.
• The next meeting will be February 25, 2012 at 11 AM.
• The meeting closed with prayer.

Session met in regular meeting with the Rev. George Anderson, interim-moderator.

• Pastor George reviewed the list of supply preachers lined up for the next few weeks. We all agreed that it is a real blessing having Rev. Larry Freeman twice a month for continuity.
• The committee structure of session was discussed and it was decided that the Discipleship and Outreach be combined because of overlap. The committee are to meet to review their mandate and decide what is urgent and what can be left.
• A contract to repair the flat roof over the gym was accepted.
• Karl Murch has been hired on a contract for 1 year as a half-time Youth and Young Families Coordinator.
• The Executive Committee presented the suggested names for the Search Committee:
  • Christine Anderson
  • Rob Fisher
  • John Hake (elder)
  • Peggy Hawthorn
  • Doug MacDonald
  • Karl Murch
  • Laura Moon
  • Joan Moore (elder)
  • John Peters (elder)
  • Bonnie Ramsay (elder) (Secretary)
  • George Ryder
  • This was accepted by Session and has been accepted by the congregation.

Submitted by Gord Pollard, Clerk of Session

Session Report for May 2008
Session met on Monday, May 12th.Click on the read more link to access the report.

The monthly report from our Kirk Session outlining the main decisions they made on behalf of the congregation.

Session meets monthly on the second Tuesday. Here is a brief report of this month's session meeting.

Session met on their regular scheduled meeting night, Monday, June 6th.

• Elder’s districts have had some revisions and lists were distributed and any further revisions will be dealt with at the special Session meeting on Saturday, morning, June 17th. .
• The treasurer reported that givings are ahead of last year at the same time but we are behind budget.
• The Missions Committee reported on three different teams that are going to Nicaragua under the auspices of ‘Three-Fold Ministries’
  • November 11th - 19th led by Kawartha Lakes Bible College, Peterborough.
  • January 10th - 20th, 2007 led by Sarnia Baptist Church, with team members from St. Andrew’s and OTES (Operation Temporary Emergency Shelters). They will build a house for Karl and Heather and their child.
  • March 7th - 21st (approximately) a team of Messengers from St. Andrew’s.
• A new committee has been established to oversee St. Andrew’s various methods of communication from within and without the church. This committee is called the ‘Impressions Committee’ and chaired by John Hake.
• The report from the visitation committee of Presbytery was read and accepted. It commends all of us for our manner in bringing glory to God.

• Session met for the first time since the election of new elders. Dennis Gillingham, Steve Gingrich and John Hake were welcomed to the meeting and the operation of Session was explained.
• Maria Cornelisse and Bill Richmond were thanked for their dedicated service. .
• Session is planning to meet on Saturday morning, June 17th to discuss Elder's Districts and the Committees of Session. .
• A group of ladies called "Heaven Scent" who sing Christian songs have requested an opportunity to sing in our sanctuary. This has been arranged for Saturday, June 10th and will be combined with a report from "The Messengers" on Nicaragua. A free-will offering will be received.
• Emily Robinson is returning to Camp Mini-Yo-We again this summer and has been given permission to contact the congregation for support. It was agreed that we would try to arrange for a CPR Course to be given in the church facility.

• The Session met on Tuesday, April 4th. Since the Presbytery Visitation Team was here for its tri-annual visit, the business of the Session was kept to a minimum. The Visitation Team consisted of The Rev. Michael Barnes and elder Jan Kaye from Bracebridge, as well as The Rev. Craig Cook and elder Jane Locking from Orillia.
• Because of Gord Pollard. s illness, the Session appointed Don Cowan as Acting Clerk.
• Dave Anderson reported for the Nominating Committee that the ballots for the election of elders had been counted and that all five nominees had received solid support from the 94 members of the congregation who voted.
• Karin Cowan, Dennis Gillingham, Steve Gingrich, John Hake, and John Peters have been elected for a 6-year term. The timeline for valid objections will extend from April 4th to April 9th and the date for the ordination of elders will be Sunday, April 30th. The congregation will be encouraged to meet with the newly elected elders at the coffee time following the ordination service. The Session meeting on May 2nd will include both the elders who are leaving the Session and the new elders.
• The 2006 Summer Ministry series is set with five speakers (McPhail, Archibald, Robinson, Vissers, and Hancock) on the theme of "Role Models from The Old Testament" and a brochure is in the works.
• Only two comments were received in response to the bulletin announcement about the proposed change in format and those were considered before the Session decided to authorize a one-line envelope format.
• The Outreach Committee indicated that the new small group for Young Families was scheduled to begin April 5th.
• The Good Friday service will be celebrated at the Pentecostal Tabernacle on April 14th at 10:30 a. m. and will include communion.
• There will be an Easter Sunday morning breakfast here at St. Andrew. s (8:30 a. m.) followed at 10:30 by worship and a communion service.

• Session decided to seek an increase in the number of elders. We would like to reach a total of 16, which means 6 new faces plus 2 who are letting their names stand from the current roster.
• There is a surplus of unrestricted funds that will be discussed at the Annual Meeting. Session is proposing a motion suggesting where it is needed.
• We have a new fire exit plan which has been approved by the Fire Marshall.
• The KFC and TECh groups are doing well and the high school group that meets on Thursdays is showing spiritual growth.
• The Presbyterian Record has very few subscribers now and it is suggested that each person make their arrangements.
• Presbytery will be making their biannual visit this year.

• Some time was spent discussing the election of elders scheduled for March of this year. .
• Don Cowan reported on a letter received from Craig & Dorothy Cook. He is doing some work from home while undergoing radiation therapy. They still need our prayers. .
• Finances for the year were good and we will have to wait for the audited report to know if there is a surplus. .
• The Parry Sound Nursery School is using our facility four mornings a week and are very pleased with our nursery for their space. .
• The Youth groups are starting up again this week and have plans for a retreat and a short outreach trip in the city. .
• The Leading with Care program as prescribed by the Presbyterian Church in Canada is coming together. There will be more information at the annual meeting. .
• The summer ministry is being set-up and will follow last years pattern with a new theme. . T
• The communion dates have been set for 2006: February 5th, March 5th, April 14th, April 16th, June 25th, September 3rd, October 1st and December 3rd.

• The Visitor Follow-up Committee have plans to make our front entry and our side lobby more welcoming. Brochures explaining what goes on at St. Andrew’s are part of the plan.
• Our current financial picture is quite good & all the funds to the Missions we support have been sent.
• "Leading With Care" a protocol which is a directive from Presbytery is coming together for implementation in 2006.
• The Parry Sound Nursery School will be using our nursery facility on the mornings of Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday beginning in January 2006.
• Pastor Gary made a presentation of the report from his recent trip to Nicaragua with Bob Fisher. Gods leading andthe potential for ministry there is overwhelming.

• Session has granted permission to the Parry Sound Nursery School to use our facilities, beginning in January 2006, pending the outcome of required government inspections
• Some of the Committees from the Visioning process are starting to function and some are taking a little longer to come together.
• We have declined to purchase a license from the Town of Parry Sound to use our sandwich board signs to notify people of our activities. We are pursuing other means of advertising.
• Judy Locking has volunteered to help Dot Joice in the Library.
• Givings have stayed steady this year and we are not too far behind budget.
• The Property Committee are trying to find a way to keep kids from climbing on the roof of the gym.
• Donations will be received for our own Benevolent Fund this season as well as the Salvation Army Hampers.

• A discussion was held regarding the Congregational Meeting of September 26 to deal with the Vision Committee Report. Various committees will be struck as a result of the congregation adopting the Vision Committee Report. It was decided at the committees and their mandates would be REPLACEed into the bulletin as to give everyone a chance to volunteer for a committee in their area of interest.
• We received Standing Committee reports.
• Jacqui Daub is no longer helping in the Library and it is hoped someone will come forward to replace her.
• Heather Murch is the new Coordinator of Small Groups.
• We are thankful for the financial support of the congregation and currently we are behind budget by ,332 for the year.
• Plans are well underway for the Missions Conference.
• The "Emergency Planning" proposal was received as a 'working document'
• The 'Leading with Care Policy' was received and an introduction video was viewed. Session will form the 'Leading with Care Committee'.