1.    INITIAL ACTS

The meeting was called to order with prayer in Heritage Hall by the Moderator, the Rev. Dr. Robert Laha, Jr., at 7:05 p.m. The Moderator noted that a quorum was present.

The pastors shared pastoral concerns within the Congregation and the Moderator shared a devotion on the Gospel of John and a prayer.

Roll was taken:

MEMBERS OF SESSION PRESENT: David Anderson, Rebecca Bostick, Ed Cassidy, Dona DeLeon, Lee Dorman, Tom Downey, Cynthia Douglass, Douglas Feaver, Denise Ferguson, James Foley, Christine Gallagher, Rev. Ann Herlin, Christine Heiby, Eric Johnson, Kem Toole Johnson, Richard Johnson, Carole Kordich, Cary Pugh, Larry Rood, Beth Sanderson

MEMBERS OF SESSION EXCUSED: C. L. Bearman, Peggy Jeens, Jeffrey Lenn, Joseph McCoy, Robert Neitz

MEMBERS OF SESSION ABSENT: None

OTHERS PRESENT: Trustee Bob Wiles, Deacon Mike Hazzard, Elder Rick Leveridge

    The minutes of the stated meeting of November 26, 2007, and the called meeting of December 9, 2007, were moved, seconded and approved as distributed.

2.     COMMUNICATIONS – The Moderator noted a request from Covenant Network for an increased pledge. The Clerk acknowledged a thank-you letter from Western Presbyterian Church for our expressions of concern after their recent fire.  

3.    COMMISSIONS TO RECORD

Baptisms:    Eliza Marilyn Reeder (b.5/10/07), daughter of Jerilyn and Eric Reeder, on 12/9/07, Rev. Robert Laha officiating;

Joshua Ashton Shriver, (b.12/16/06) son of Elaine Gort and James (Allen) Shriver, on 12/16/07, Rev. Ann Herlin officiating.
    
Weddings:    None

Deaths:    Shannon Elaine O’Connor (nm) died 11/21/07, memorial service at Woodbridge Moose Lodge on 12/1/07, Rev. Ann Herlin officiating;

James Lansburgh, III, (nm) died 12/12/07, funeral service at OPMH on 12/17/07, Rev. Robert Laha and Rev. Ann Herlin officiating.
    

Membership:        

    Restore from inactive to active

        Andrea “Anie” Baker (formerly Andrea Moore)

    Dismiss from active roll with letter of transfer:

        D. Rook Moore, III to The First Presbyterian Church of Holly Springs, Holly Springs, MS;

        Julia Kelly Pearson, to Tuckahoe Presbyterian Church, Richmond, VA;

        William Gray and Havila Mitchell, to Trinity United Methodist Church, Alexandria, VA.

Communion:    December 2, 2007; 8:30 and 11:00 am
                    December 9, 2007; 8:30 am
                    December 16, 2007; 8:30 am
    


4.     ORDER OF THE DAY
    
Report on cell antenna.  Trustee Wiles and Deacon Hazzard led a discussion on their negotiations with Pegasus Communications regarding locating cellular antennae in the bell tower.  Elder R. Johnson, on behalf of the Stewardship and Finance Ministry, moved that the Session authorize the Trustees to enter into a marketing contract with Pegasus on behalf of the Session and report back to Session progress on negotiations with particular cellular providers. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously after additional discussion.

Capital Campaign.  Elder Leveridge was introduced as the Chair of the upcoming capital campaign and led a discussion of the current status and plans for the campaign, his research regarding use of a consultant, his rationale for recommending that the Meeting House retain a consultant, including alternative approaches thereto, and the credentials of Robert J. Kukla. On behalf of the Stewardship and Finance Ministry, Elder R. Johnson moved that OPMH, through the Moderator and the Chair of the Capital Campaign, Richard J. Leveridge, to enter into a consulting relationship with Robert J. Kukla of the Church Financial Campaign Service (“CFCS”), an affiliate of the Presbyterian Church (USA), in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in a proposal sent to the Moderator by Mr. Kukla dated November 5, 2007.  Specifically, OPMH will retain Mr. Kukla to serve as its Capital Campaign consultant for the total compensation of $42,000 payable in three installments of $14,000 each.  The first installment, which is due upon contract execution, shall be paid from remaining proceeds of OPMH’s previous Capital Campaign called the “Gracious Gifts” campaign.  The balance shall be paid from new revenues generated from the upcoming Capital Campaign. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously after additional discussion.

5.    SPECIAL REPORTS

    Report from Presbytery – The Moderator distributed the NCP Session Visit Report.

6.     STANDING MINISTRIES:  In addition to the written reports distributed prior to and at the meeting, the following matters were addressed during the meeting:

    MINISTRY OF MEMBERSHIP AND EVANGELISM – Elder Rood led a presentation on plans for the upcoming congregational dinner on Feb. 24, and options for providing child care were discussed.

    MINISTRY OF ADMINISTRATION – Elder Feaver led a discussion of the job description for the minister of music and the church information form and reported on the progress  of the search committee the youth educator position, chaired by Elder Robert Dunn.

    MINISTRY OF FACILITIES – No additional oral report was made.

    MINISTRY OF WORSHIP – The Moderator noted the success of “Noonday Noels” during Advent.  Elder Heiby on behalf of the Worship Ministry moved that the Session authorize the Clergy to schedule all baptisms for worship services through 2008. Elder Heiby also moved that the Session approve the following communion schedule: each Sunday morning at the 8:30 service; at the 11:00 service on the first Sunday in February, April, June, August, October and December; Maundy Thursday. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously.

    MINISTRY OF STEWARDSHIP AND FINANCE – Elder R. Johnson distributed budget numbers and reported on the status of the stewardship campaign and solicited Elders to call members to urge them to send in their pledges.

    MINISTRY OF EDUCATION – Elder Sanderson noted that the Adult Education program begins the new year with a new offering from Dr. Bruce Douglass and that member Ed Willis is taking a break from facilitating bible study for the next term.  In addition, she noted the formation of a Youth Advisory Counsel that would include Elder Gallagher and member Nancy Davidson and 2 or more youth. Rev. Herlin mentioned the upcoming Reformed Institute convocation on January 26, 2008, at NPC with Dr. Nicholas Wolterstorff presenting the topic “Can Human Rights Survive Secularization?”.

    MINISTRY OF MISSION AND OUTREACH – Elder Toole reported on the success of alternative giving.  


7.    SPECIAL COMMISSIONS. None.

8.     UNFINISHED BUSINESS. Plans for a Session Retreat on January 5, 2008 were discussed.

9.     NEW BUSINESS. None.
    
10.     ADJOURN/PRAYER – The meeting adjourned with prayer by Elder Dorman at 9:35 p.m.



                            Cary D. Pugh                                            

                            Clerk of Session