1.    INITIAL ACTS
The meeting was called to order with prayer in Heritage Hall by the Moderator, the Rev. Dr. Robert Laha, Jr., at 7:06 p.m. The Moderator noted that a quorum was present.
The Director of Christian Education, Priscilla Andre-Colton, led a reflection drawing from the Book of Acts and an article of the Alban Institute. She concluded with prayer.

Roll was taken:

MEMBERS OF SESSION PRESENT:  Camilo Bearman, Rebecca Bostick, Ed Cassidy, Dona de Leon, Cynthia Douglass, Douglas Feaver, James Foley, Rev. Ann Herlin, Eric Johnson, Kem Toole Johnson, Richard Johnson, Jeffrey Lenn, Joseph McCoy, Larry Rood

MEMBERS OF SESSION EXCUSED: David Anderson, III, Lee Dorman,  Thomas Downey, Denise Ferguson, Cristy Gallagher, Christine Heiby, Peggy Jeens, Carole Kordich, Robert Neitz, Cary Pugh, Beth Sanderson

MEMBERS OF SESSION ABSENT: None

OTHERS PRESENT:  Christian Educator Priscilla Andre-Colton; Business Administrator Casey Naatjes

    The minutes of the stated meeting of Session of January 28, 2008, and the called meeting of February 3, 2008, were moved, seconded and approved as distributed.

2. COMMUNICATIONS

    The Moderator reported that Presbytery has authorized the Session to proceed with negotiations for a cell phone antenna with Pegasus Communications in the bell tower.
    Elder McCoy shared a written communication from Don Dahmann, a member of the History and Archives Committee. Mr. Dahmann expressed concerns about the preservation and maintenance of the facilities at the Meeting House.

3. COMMISSIONS TO RECORD

Baptisms:    None.
    
Weddings:    None.
 
Deaths:    Elizabeth Tuttle (m) died 2/7/08, memorial service at OPMH on February 11, 2008, Rev. Dr. Robert Laha officiating.

Membership:    It was moved, seconded and approved to dismiss from the inactive roll with letter of transfer the following members:
    
Joel Don Leonard to Salisbury Presbyterian Church, Midlothian, VA;  

It was moved, seconded and approved to transfer the following members to the inactive roll:

        Joan and Ralph Widnor (moved out of area)
        Mary Jowell

Celebration of the Lord’s Supper:     8:30 a.m. services on February 3, 10, 17 and 24, 2008, and February 3, 2008 at 11:00 a.m.
                

4. 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 STEWARDSHIP & FINANCE – Elder R. Johnson moved the adoption of the following budget for 2008:

    Revenues                                     $1,542,982

    Expenses
    Facilities Ministry                             113,500
    Mission-Outreach Ministry                   267,400
    Education Ministry                              43,050
    Worship Ministry                                64,465
    Administration Ministry                       861,006
    Membership & Evangelism Ministry         14,000
       Stewardship Ministry                      1 77,061
    Board of Deacons                                2,500
    Total                                         $1,542,982
    
    For comparison purposes, Elder Johnson provided the actual revenues and expenses for 2007, showed percentage increases for each of the major categories and showed percentages for each component as a part of the total budget. As a motion of the Ministry, it did not require a second.

    The Administration Ministry’s budget included staff salaries. On behalf of the Personnel Committee, Elder Cassidy explained that Presbytery’s recommended cost-of-living adjustment this year was 2.7%. Elder Cassidy explained that each staff member’s position was reviewed and evaluated with each staff person. The revised rate for each person reflected a cost-of-living and merit increase.

    Brief further discussion about the budget ensued. The motion was then approved unanimously.

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION – Educator Andre-Colton reported that a new adult ed cycle of classes was commencing. She reported that the Sunday school collection to construct a well in Africa has met its goal. She informed Elders that the called meeting to examine confirmands would occur following the 11:00 a.m. worship service on April 13.

MINISTRY OF MISSION AND OUTREACH – On behalf of the Ministry, Elder Foley moved that Session approve May 18, 2008, as Service Sunday. The event will require that the 10:00 a.m. worship service commence one week earlier than usual. The event will call for members to attend church ready to work following the service. A wrap-up session will take place following the work details for snacks and sharing of experiences. The motion was approved unanimously.

Associate Pastor Herlin announced that on March 9 during the adult education hour a Presbyterian from Pakistan (Veeda Javaid) would discuss the mission efforts of the Presbyterian Board of Education in Pakistan.
 
     MINSTRY OF MEMBERSHIP AND EVANGELISM – Elder Rood reported that the silent auction conducted at the annual dinner raised $5,000 for mission projects; he reported that approximately 200 members attended.
    
    It was moved, seconded and approved to authorize the Moderator to set the time for the called meeting of the Congregation to elect officers.

    MINISTRY OF ADMINISTRATION – Elder Feaver stated that the Music Director Search Committee’s work is ongoing and that it anticipates a recommendation before too long.

    The job description prepared by the Youth Director Search Committee was presented for information purposes and for informal feedback.

    Elder Feaver stated that the Education, Worship and Administration Ministries are considering a formal space use study to be conducted by an outside consultant. Elder Feaver and Elder Cassidy, chair of the Personnel Committee, informed Session that the Administration budget included funds for the part-time position of Parish Associate. Without a formal vote, the Session authorized the Senior Pastor to talk to potential candidates and to shape a job description for consideration by Session.

    MINISTRY OF FACILITIES – Elder McCoy stated that his ministry has compiled a list of special projects of a non-emergency nature needing completion; the total cost of such projects is estimated at approximately $200,000. Although most of these items can await completion when funded through the capital campaign, Elder McCoy’s ministry has identified about $50,000 in high-priority matters. Elder McCoy moved that the Session allow the Facilities Ministry to draw up to $50,000 for such high-priority repairs during 2008 from the reserve fund with no more than $7,500 for any particular item. Following discussion, the motion was approved unanimously.
    
    The pastors shared pastoral concerns within the Congregation prior to their departure from the meeting.

5. NEW BUSINESS.  At 9:15 p.m. the pastors departed and Elder Cassidy, as chairman of the Personnel Committee, presented the terms of call as proposed by his committee. He moved that Session recommend to the Congregation the following terms of call in 2008, in summary form, for the Associate Pastor:

Associate Pastor

Effective salary subtotal    $67,130
Total costs                     $96,959

    Following discussion, the motion was approved unanimously.

    Elder Cassidy then moved that Session recommend to the Congregation the following terms of call in 2008, in summary form, for the Senior Pastor:

Senior Pastor

Effective salary subtotal    $130,852
Total costs                     $194,782

    Following discussion, the motion was approved unanimously.

    The terms, in greater detail, are reflected in the minutes of the annual meeting of the Congregation. It was then moved, seconded and approved unanimously to call the Annual Meeting of the Congregation for March 9, 2008, following the 11:00 a.m. worship service, for the purpose of acting upon the recommended terms of call.

    The meeting was closed with prayer by Elder Douglass at 9:50 p.m.