STATED SESSION MEETING AGENDA Grace Presbyterian Church Library; 7:00pm; Tuesday, October 20, 2015
CALL TO ORDER AND OPENING PRAYER – The Rev. Trey Little
CLERK’S REPORT & ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS – David Finck, Clerk of Session • Consent Agenda
MODERATOR’S REPORT – The Rev. Trey Little • Governance Structure; Session Teams • Application for Discipleship Pilot Phase for ECO • Facilities Improvement Team Update
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
ADMINISTRATION & FINANCE MARRIED LIFE
• See written report attached • See written report attached ADULT & ENCORE MISSIONS
• See written report attached • No written report provided CONGREGATIONAL CARE WORSHIP
• See written report attached • No written report provided EVANGELISM • Task force to consider Sunday morning schedule • No written report provided • Communion FAMILY YOUNG ADULT & COLLEGE • See written report attached • See written report attached GRACE SCHOOL
• See written report attached
NEW BUSINESS: • Nominations for Grace School Foundation and Church Endowment Fund Board • Meeting of ECO Presbytery of Texas & Louisiana – Dan Malaguilla
CLOSING PRAYER
NEXT SESSION MEETING: Tuesday, November 17 STATED SESSION MEETING AGENDA – October 20, 2015
Grace Presbyterian Church Session Business Meeting
CONSENT AGENDA
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
§ Approve Minutes of the September 15, 2015 stated Session meeting.
§ Approve Minutes of three called Session meetings for the purpose of receiving new members: o September 27, 2015 (two, after 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. worship services) o October 4, 2015
§ Clerk’s Report for October 2015.
2 GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SESSION MEETING MINUTES HOUSTON, TEXAS September 15, 2015
MODERATOR The Rev. Trey Little
ASSOCIATE PASTORS The Reverend Chris French The Reverend Dr. Michael Fry The Reverend Chad Erb
STAFF Hardie Morgan, Executive Director of Ministry Support Beth Craig, Married Life Ministry Denise Phelps, Director Older Adult Ministries Susan McElroy, Pastor’s Executive Assistant
The Session of Grace Presbyterian Church, Houston, Texas met in a STATED MEETING in the Library of Grace Presbyterian Church on September 15, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.
ELDERS PRESENT: Okey Akwari, Paul Craig, Russ Chase, Jim Davis, David Finck, Monika Frazelle, Phil Grant, Morris Harper, Debbie Kaplan, Matt Kiker, Doug Lunn, Scott Maham, Dan Malaguilla, Myrna Maldonado, Paul Mancillas, John Musgrove, Ken Purgason, Lisa Schwartz, Wanda Schwarz, Rick Siegel, Jim Weatherall, Mandy Weber, Sarah Williams.
ELDERS EXCUSED: Ronnie Braden, Kevin Kiniry, Doris Looper, Kerry Moore.
CALL TO ORDER, OPENING PRAYER AND DEVOTION: The Session Packet was provided to the Session with an agenda for this meeting, the minutes of the prior Session meeting, committee reports, and other data for the Session’s review and analysis.
The clerk took roll and declared a quorum.
The Reverend Little called the meeting to order and Jim Davis opened the meeting with prayer. There were a number of guests in attendance and The Reverend Little welcomed them.
CLERK’S REPORT: Motion was made for approval of the Consent Agenda as stated below:
• Approve the minutes of the August 18, 2015 stated Session Meeting.
3 • Approve the September 2015 Clerk’s Report and all action items therein.
• Approve the calling of a Congregational Meeting on September 27, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. for the purpose of hearing and acting upon recommendations from the Church Officer Nominating Committee.
There was a second and the floor was opened to discussion. The motion to approve the Consent Agenda was then voted upon and the motion passed. The CONC provided the names of the candidates they were recommending to the Congregation.
MODERATOR’S REPORT:
The Reverend Little discussed the State of Grace event which when well. Reverend Little noted the many moving parts of Grace at this time. The three major items are: (1) Committee Structure, (2) Staff--redefining & developing job descriptions and roles, and (3) Facilities. Progress is being made on all three items. The plan tonight is to discuss the Facilities item with the Session as a follow up to last month’s preview. Reverend Little asked that the Session join him in dreaming God Sized Dreams for Grace.
The Facilities Improvement Team (“FIT”) was in attendance and presented their progress and vision in terms of improvements to the Grace facilities. The presentation was accompanied by a power point, copies of which were provided to the Session. The preliminary cost estimate for all improvements under consideration is $20--$25 million.
There was significant discussion over a number of topics including utilization, available space, funding, increased operating costs, Grace School, and a capital campaign.
FIT made two recommendations:
1. FIT requests Session’s permission to move ahead with further refinement of the architectural concepts presented.
2. FIT requested Session’s permission to begin planning a capital campaign to fund $20-- $25 million of the recommendations presented.
Motion was made to consider each of the FIT recommendations separately. There was a second and the motion carried.
There was a motion to approve the first recommendation. There was a second and, after discussion, the motion carried.
There was a motion to approve the second recommendation. There was a second and, after discussion, the motion carried. As clarified, this means that a plan for the capital campaign will be created and presented to the Session. No capital campaign will be started without separate
4 approval of the Session and no contracts shall be signed for consultants or otherwise with regard to any capital campaign without Session approval.
There was a motion to approve FIT as a Session committee, reporting to the Session and ratifying all of FIT’s prior activities authorized by the Reverend Little. There was a second and the motion carried.
Scott Maham asked if Reverend Little could provide a timeline at the next meeting for the roll out of the new committee structure and asked if such structure could be implemented by January 2016. The Reverend Little indicated that he would work to make that happen.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Administration & Finance: The committee submitted a written report which was provided in the Session Packet. Paul Craig noted that the personnel committee was actively working on needed personnel issues and that A&F is looking at the use of Grace developed materials. Through Hardie Morgan, the committee moved to approve the budget presented. After an opportunity for discussion, there motion carried.
Adult & Encore Ministries: The committee submitted a written report which was provided in the Session Packet.
Congregational Care: No report. The Reverend Fry noted the request for endorsement for ECO ordination of Jessica Shannon. After providing information about Ms. Shannon and giving his recommendation, a motion was made for Grace to endorse Ms. Shannon. There was a second and the motion carried.
Family Ministries: The committee submitted a written report which was provided in the Session Packet.
Grace School: The committee submitted a written report which was provided in the Session Packet.
Married Life: The committee submitted a written report which was provided in the Session Packet.
Missions: The committee submitted a written report which was provided in the Session Packet.
Evangelism: The committee submitted a written report which was provided in the Session Packet. The Reverend Chris French discussed the upcoming trip to Breakaway in College Station and invited the Session.
Worship: The committee submitted a written report which was provided in the Session Packet.
5 Young Adult: The committee submitted a written report which was provided in the Session Packet.
New Business
Jim Weatherall requested that church consider creating a new directory.
It was suggested that the church put prayer cards in the bulletin or pews or find some other way for congregants to provide prayer requests in a private manner.
CLOSING
There was a motion to close, a second and the motion passed. The meeting was closed in prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
David Finck Clerk
6 CLERK’S REPORT TO SESSION GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, HOUSTON, TEXAS SEPTEMBER 15, 2015 ______
NEW MEMBERS, BAPTISMS, WEDDINGS and DEATHS SINCE AUGUST 18, 2015
NEW MEMBERS
BAPTISMS DavidDre Darko-Mensah, son of Chandra Anane-Frempong and Kwasi “Q” Darko-Mensah, baptized August 23, 2015
DEATHS Thomas “Tom” E. Prince died August 24, 2015 Marge Diehl died September 2, 2015
WEDDINGS
______
REQUESTS FOR SESSION ACTION ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2015
NO RETURNS TO ACTIVE ROLL FROM REMOVED FROM ROLL
NO DISMISSALS
NO REMOVALS FROM THE ROLL
After Session Action at SEPTEMBER 15, 2015 Stated Meeting The membership of Grace Presbyterian Church is: 833 Males; 1,154 Females Total Membership 1,987
7 CLERK’S REPORT TO SESSION GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, HOUSTON, TEXAS OCTOBER 20, 2015 ______
NEW MEMBERS, BAPTISMS, WEDDINGS and DEATHS SINCE SEPTEMBER 15, 2015
NEW MEMBERS September 27, 2015 Salome Ebode Serge Mefan Linda Bityeki-Mila Collinet Itoe
October 4, 2015 Gwynn G. Nalley Julian “Skip” Nalley, Jr. Ryan MacDonald Katherine Michelle Linman Kim Dae Il Kim Jennifer Rene McClanahan Patrick McClanahan
BAPTISMS
DEATHS Mrs. Elizabeth Jiral Bruyere died September 21, 2015 Virginia Hughes died October 4, 2015 Nelson W. Karro died October 11, 2015 Christopher Cole Knight died October 13, 2015
WEDDINGS Lynn Ashley Shafer and Colby Morgan Sorota married September 19, 2015 by The Rev. Bob Rutherford and The Rev. Dean Pogue Hailey Tait Thomas Lambert married October 2, 2015 by The Rev. Chris French Emily Dee Cave and Johnny Eugene Hyde married October 10, 2015 by The Rev. Dr. Michael L. Fry
______
REQUESTS FOR SESSION ACTION ON OCTOBER 20, 2015
NO RETURNS TO ACTIVE ROLL FROM REMOVED FROM ROLL
DISMISSALS Mr. and Mrs. Matt (Tamma) Howell
NO REMOVALS FROM THE ROLL
After Session Action at OCTOBER 20, 2015 Stated Meeting The membership of Grace Presbyterian Church is: 836 Males; 1,156 Females Total Membership 1,992
8 Houston, Texas CALLED MEETING September 27, 2015
The Session of Grace Presbyterian Church, Houston, Texas met in a Called Meeting Sunday, September 27, 2015, after the 9:00 A.M. worship service. The meeting was held in The Church Library. A quorum was declared present.
TEACHING ELDERS: The Rev. Chris French, Pastor for Outreach and Evangelism; Moderator
RULING ELDERS: Ronnie Braden and Paul Mancillas
The meeting was opened with prayer by The Rev. Chris French.
The following people appeared before the Session and were received into the fellowship and communion of the Church:
Mr. & Mrs. Serge (Salome Ebode) Mefan by Reaffirmation of Faith
The Rev. Chris French closed the meeting with prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
Chris French Acting Clerk of Session
9
Houston, Texas CALLED MEETING September 27, 2015
The Session of Grace Presbyterian Church, Houston, Texas met in a Called Meeting Sunday, September 27, 2015, after the 11:15 A.M. worship service. The meeting was held in the Church Library. A quorum was declared present.
TEACHING ELDERS: The Rev. Chris French, Pastor for Outreach and Evangelism; Moderator
RULING ELDERS: Kevin Kiniry and Dan Malaguilla
The meeting was opened with prayer by The Rev. Chris French.
The following people appeared before the Session and were received into the fellowship and communion of the Church:
Mr. Collinet Itoe by Reaffirmation of Faith
Mrs. Linda Bityeki-Mila by Reaffirmation of Faith. Linda and her husband, Calvin Mila, have two children, Nathen Maxwell “Max” Mila, born 9-10-13 and Mika Lilly Mila, born 1-28-15.
Mrs. Felicia Ambit Awazi appeared to reaffirm her existing membership at Grace after a time of inactivity.
Ruling Elder Kevin Kiniry closed the meeting with prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
Chris French Acting Clerk of Session
10 Houston, Texas CALLED MEETING October 4, 2015
The Session of Grace Presbyterian Church, Houston, Texas met in a Called Meeting Sunday, October 4, 2015, after the 9:00 A.M. worship service. The meeting was held in the Church Library. A quorum was declared present.
TEACHING ELDERS: The Rev. Chris French, Pastor for Outreach and Evangelism; Moderator
RULING ELDERS: Paul Craig and Debbie Kaplan
The meeting was opened with prayer by The Rev. Chris French.
The following people appeared before the Session and were received into the fellowship and communion of the Church:
Mr. & Mrs. Patrick (Jennifer) McClanahan by Certificate from Chapelwood United Methodist Church, Houston, Texas. They have two daughters, Grace Elizabeth McClanahan, born 4-15-03 and Lily Katherine McClanahan, born 4-4-05.
Dae Il Kim by Reaffirmation of Faith and his wife, Katherine “Katie” Rochelle Linman Kim by Profession of Faith, pending baptism.
Ryan Edward MacDonald by Reaffirmation of Faith.
Mr. & Mrs. Julian “Skip” (Gwynn G.) Nalley, Jr. by Certificate from Christ United Methodist Church, Sugar Land, Texas.
Ruling Elder Paul Craig closed the meeting with prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
Chris French Acting Clerk of Session
11
ADMINISTRATION & FINANCE COMMITTEE September 10, 2015
The Grace Presbyterian Church of Houston Administration and Finance Committee met on Tuesday, September 10, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. in the third floor conference room.
Present: Cindy Barrett, Russ Chase, Ron Collins, Jim Davis, Vic Condrey, Paul Craig, Wade Jones, Trey Little, Scott Maham, Hardie Morgan, Judy Prisk, Dan Roberts, Bob Whitten, George Williams.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Paul Craig.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion made to approve the minutes for the August 2015 meeting was made by George Williams and was approved as amended on a voice vote.
USE OF CHURCH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Trey Little reported that he had met with current and former members of the Children’s Ministry team regarding the use of Grace materials for non-Grace purposes. After discussion, the committee adopted by common consent that a team consisting of Paul Craig, Cindy Barrett, Judy Prisk, Scott Maham and Hardie Morgan study the matter of use of Grace intellectual property for non-Grace purposes and develop a policy for presentation to the committee.
FACILITY MATTERS Trey Little provided an update on the work of the Facility Improvement Team. The team will be presenting an update to Session on Tuesday, September 15, 2015.
FINANCE MATTERS
August 2015 Financial Results: Hardie Morgan supplied the financial statements for August 2015. The results were as follows:
Unrestricted contributions (including other revenues) for the month of August 2015 were $401,500 as compared to $316,485 for August 2014. Fiscal year unrestricted contributions (including other revenues) were $673,414 as compared to $596,059 for the prior year.
August total operating expenses (net of fees collected and restricted gifts) were $373,664 which was $8,440 or 2% less than the prior year. Fiscal year operating expenses (net of fees collected and restricted gifts) were $725,624 which was $30,400 or 4% more than prior year.
The surplus for the month was $27,836 which was $93,544 favorable to the prior year. The deficit for the fiscal year was $52,211 which was $46,954 favorable to the prior year.
2015/2016 Budget Process: Hardie Morgan presented the recommended 2015/2016 budget a copy of which is attached. Bob Whitten moved that the budget be recommended to session at the September 15, 2015 meeting. After a second and discussion, the motion was approved on a voice vote.
12
PERSONNEL MATTERS Dan Roberts reported that the personnel committee had met with Trey Little, Narda Weierbach, Angela Simpson and Hardie Morgan regarding a potential organizational structure. This is still a work in progress but is moving along well.
OTHER MATTERS
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaw Update: Hardie Morgan reviewed the sections of the proposed bylaws that cover the church officer nominating committees and pastor and associate pastor nominating committees. He asked that committee members consider these matters along with the entire proposed bylaws for a further discussion at the next committee meeting.
Pastor Housing Allowance: Trey Little was excused from the meeting since the subject dealt with his compensation. In connection with the $200,000 secured housing loan that will be made to the Littles, Vic Condrey made the following motion:
That Trey Little’s housing allowance be increased by $1,837.02 a month beginning October 2015 and ending September 2024. After September 2024, the $1837.02 additional payment will cease. Rev. Little’s total monthly housing allowance after the increase in October of 2015 will be $8,087.02 or $97,044.24 per year.
Additionally, that Rev. Little be granted a one-time payment of additional housing allowance in the amount of $16,560.00.
After a second and voice vote, the motion was adopted on a voice vote.
The meeting was dismissed in prayer at 7:30 p.m. by Bob Whitten.
13 September 2015 Session Report Adult Ministries & Encore Ministries
Denise Phelps, Director Becca Lehde, Adults Administrative Coordinator Becky Morris, JOY Administrative Coordinator
ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
ACE Team: Michael Braden, Martha Hunt, Jim Leeland, Rick Siegel
Sunday Mornings: Established Sunday school classes teaching Joshua and the Bethel class resumed on September 13 along with a Pastor’s class, Doorways, taught by The Rev. Dr. Mike Fry on ECO’s Essential Tenets. The Rev. Chris French is also teaching the book DiscipleShift by Jim Putman.
Wednesday Mornings: The Struggler’s Bible Study, The Harmony of the Gospels, led by Jerry Hanlon, resumed on September 9.
Wednesday Evenings: Doug Harper’s classic book class has concluded reading Till We Have Faces and is now discussing Surprised by Joy, both by C. S. Lewis. Susan Meers’ Disciple group has also started again with a study of Twelve Extraordinary Women by John MacArthur.
Thursday Mornings: Patricia Irwin’s group resumed September 17 with Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan. Volume 1 covers The Promised Land and Volume 2 is Prophets and Kings.
WOMEN’S MINISTRY
Inspire! Women in the Word: Fall series are up and running! The 2015-16 year marks 10 years of this impactful ministry, which also gets a makeover with a refreshed name – Inspire! Women in the Word – and two separate study tracks for the day group. These are Eyewitness to Majesty – Peter: Abandoning Self for Christ by Mindy Ferguson and Interrupted: When Jesus Wrecks Your Comfortable Christianity by Jen Hatmaker. The evening group remains the same with one study option, and they have selected the Peter study as well. Kick-off for both the day and evening groups was September 8.
Two studies are also being taught with previously unreached groups. Cathy Finck is hosting a neighborhood study in her home of Beth Moore’s Living Beyond Yourself: Exploring the Fruit of the Spirit that began September 8 and Amy French started an Interrupted study with moms from Grace School and some church staff. It’s exciting to see the Holy Spirit moving Grace members into their communities to contextually share God’s Word with them!
Young Moms Bible Study: These moms took a break for the summer, but their first study of the year, Living Beyond Yourself by Beth Moore, is off to a good start.
14 All totaled, the Inspire and young moms groups have registered 151 participants!
Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPs): MOPs is no longer meeting at Grace.
Women of Grace: WG continues to be a busy ministry, and fall activities are in full swing. The luncheon with author Elizabeth Head Black presenting her book Hand in Hand: Walking with the Psalms Through Loneliness was a success. Proceeds of underwear and socks benefited the children of Walnut Bend Elementary School.
JOY MINISTRY (FORMERLY ENCORE MINISTRY)
Encore Ministry celebrates a refreshed name – Just Older Youth (JOY)!
Medical Center Apartments: Joe Cook and Nancy Reed have both agreed to become lead persons with our apartment ministry. They will be working with Karen Welton learning the process and engaging with our guests. The Gathering: The volunteers of The Gathering have some bragging rights to proclaim – they have logged 18,080 volunteer hours and have seen 152 clients in our 15 years of service! They are making Jesus visible in sweet and tangible ways both to the clients and to their caregivers. The normal dip in client numbers has happened this fall, but we have had the addition of three new clients this month. We also have two new volunteers, Jim and Davy Denison. Powerful Tools for Caregivers: Ann McIntire and Nancy Megas are the leaders this month. There have been eight participants who connected with one another because of their shared experience as caregivers. Once again, we are hearing stories of how life-changing this program has been for them. Interface Samaritan Counseling Center will be offering the leadership training course next month. We have one or two members showing interest in becoming a leader. Common Ground: Mary Ann Wall is facilitating the group that now meets the fourth Thursday of the month from 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Ann McIntire is looking forward to connecting caregivers from The Gathering. JOY Luncheons: The luncheon on Wednesday, September 23, was enjoyed by all. We had the Sowell Family Pickers as our entertainers. Frownbusters: The clowns have now performed 442 events since they began 13 years ago. They are looking for a few new faces to join us and grow our ministry. There is discussion about possibly moving the Clown School to another location this summer. Grace to Go: The volunteer numbers are less than optimal, but the Spirit of the Lord continues to gift both those who visit and the homebound. Janet Clelland finds that sending Trey’s weekly letter to the homebound is much appreciated Manna from Grace is very excited about their new logo. The weekend group met in the Littles’ home and had a wonderful time both cooking and delivering meals. The weekday group meets at Grace and continues to not only cook and deliver food but makes small loaves of bread for our homebound members. Daytrip: This month, the group went to the Houston Ship Channel for a tour on the waterway. It was a large group with many new first-time attendees, and we had lunch afterward at Brady’s Landing.
ADULT & ENCORE MINISTRY SESSION REPORT
15 PHOTOS
JOY daytrip on a beautiful Texas day at the Houston Ship Channel.
Manna from Grace volunteers prepping meals with lots of love and laughter.
ADULT & ENCORE MINISTRY SESSION REPORT
16 Congregational Care October 2015
The personal Caring Ministries of Grace’s volunteers, staff and pastors are expressed in countless ways, daily, informally and formally. These personal caring interactions may take place in a hospital room, in a care facility, in a living room or just about anywhere people may gather. Special attention is given to those hospitalized or receiving medical treatment or facing a personal crisis.
The Caring Ministries of Grace include…. 1) The Stephen Ministry, confidential, personal spiritual support during a personal crisis; 2) Hospital Visitation, please let us know when you or someone in your family is to be hospitalized; 3) CanCare, similar to Stephen Ministry but personal care from a cancer survivor to another person experiencing cancer; 4) Blood Drives, quarterly opportunities to support our community; 5) Small Support Groups, i.e., Grief Recovery and Parkinson’s Support Group; 6) Coordination of Memorial and Funeral Services; 7) Men’s Ministries; 8) Peace by Piece; 9) Manna from Grace, delivered meals for special situations; and, 10) Counseling and Counseling Referrals.
Grace has twenty-three active Stephen Ministers. We are always searching for new referrals. Please contact Mike Fry or Sherry Louise Linville if you are aware of a potential referral. The Stephen Ministry Leadership Team is visiting groups in the life of Grace to increase referrals.
Hospital Visitation now involves a number of the Deacons and other volunteers. The monthly rotating schedule is working very well. Deacons and volunteers are making visits and telephone contacts to hospitalized people and follow up contacts.
Blood Drives with the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center are held three of four times a year. Ann Davis and Judy Dewey are coordinating Grace’s Blood Drives. The most recent Blood Drive was last Sunday, October 18th.
The Cope with Hope ministry of Grace’s Presbyterian Women has allowed a number of ladies and married couples to receive professional psychological care. There are ongoing appointments.
The Peace by Piece ministry is up and running again this month. Peace by Piece participants create prayer shawls, quilts and harnesses for special needs people in addition to being a small group ministry. PxP just sent 25 sweaters to Guatemala bringing their created and shipped total to 100!
The volunteers and/or Deacons assisting in Memorial and Funeral Services are doing an excellent ministry. They have been active with in several Memorial Services Grace has hosted in recent weeks.
Grace’s men’s ministries are in a process of evaluation and redirection in alignment with Grace’s “Blueprints For A Missional Community.” After twelve wonderful years, Band of Brothers will not exist as it has. A group of men representing all ages and stages of life is now meeting to guide this process.
17 Session Report October 2015 Children’s Ministries General Information: Traci Baudin
• VBS 2016: We have been working on developing the theme for VBS 2016 and plan to roll out a video “save the date” during the Advent season. VBS 2016 will be June 13-16. • Orange Tour: Our team, along with the Student Ministries team, will be attending the one- day Orange Tour Conference in Austin on November 3.
Creative Arts – Staff Resource: Ivy Castle Simpson
• The Backyard Music Team: The kids are rocking a new fun shirt and some great songs from VBS! We are so excited to have this new big team leading worship for us on Sunday mornings. • GKM Christmas Musical: We have chosen a fun Christmas musical to perform during the Sanctuary worship services on December 13th. We'll also be looking for outside opportunities for the kids to sing the music from this program and are looking at partnering with other ministries and church members for opportunities.
Nursery Ministries – Staff Resource: Debbie Kay
• Nursery Ministries hosted Parent’s Night Out (PNO) on 9/19 from 5-9pm. Our entire Children’s Ministries team joined together to do a Frozen-themed night. There were over 50 children in attendance. Older children made an Olaf nightlight, made their own dessert of ice cream in a Ziploc bag, and then joined with preschoolers to watch the Frozen movie. The next PNO will be November 7, and the theme will be Inside Out!
18 Preschool Ministries – Staff Resource: Andrea Weekley
• Sunday School: In September, our theme was Pet Shop. We used animal imagery with the lesson that taking care of a pet is a big responsibility to remind children that God will take care of us and meet all our needs! Our memory verse was “My God will meet all your needs.” Philippians 4:19. We studied Bible stories from the Old Testament that taught kids our 3 basic truths: God made me. God loves me. Jesus wants to be my friend forever. • Grace School: Primary School Chapel meets each Wednesday at 9:15 A.M. Our first TreeHouse Chapel was 9/30, and we received lots of positive feedback from Grace School staff. Primary School Chapel will continue to meet each Wednesday throughout October. Our focus this month is how God is always with us and can help us be brave. TreeHouse Chapel for October is scheduled for 10/28.
Elementary Ministries – Staff Resource: Kali Moxley
• Sunday School: In October, we’ll be learning about Individuality: Discovering who you are meant to be so you can make a difference. This comes from the memory verse of “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young. Set an example for the believers in what you say and how you act.” 1 Timothy 4:12a, NIrV • In September, we taught about Initiative: Seeing what needs to be done and doing it. This comes from the memory verse of “Work at everything you do with all your heart. Work as if you were working for the Lord.” Colossians 3:23a, NIrV • Trunk or Treat: On October 23rd, we will host a night of fun, with our parking lot full of decorated car trunks loaded with candy and prizes. Last year we had about 500 people attend and are hoping to increase that number this year. If you are able to host a trunk and be a representation of Grace for those in the community who do not attend Grace, we would love to have you!
Student Ministries General Information: Chad Erb
• We are excited to announce that Student Ministries at Grace is fully staffed! Lindsey McDonald (middle school) and Erick Kirby (high school) joined the team in October. We are excited to begin to build and grow this ministry together with our dedicated ministry partners (new word for volunteers). • January will bring some changes in Student Ministry programming designed to make the ministry more accessible around West Houston, to pump some energy into our fellowship together, and to take our students farther down the path of discipleship. We are grateful for the support of staff and our elders and have great hope for the things God will do with student ministries at Grace!
19 Middle School – Staff Resource: Reed Brentlinger
• Sunday Morning (The Forge): We just ended our series called “For the Win” and are now starting a short 2-week series over prayer called “Real Talk”. Encouraging our kids to not over think prayer, instead just talk to God and share your heart. • Fall Activities: Two for Two was a HUGE success, and that following Sunday we had roughly 65 students on Sunday Morning. Coming up we are serving at the Houston Food Bank and we are starting to gear up for our Fall Retreat.
High School – Staff Resources: Angie Williamson
• Fall Programming- The Well and D3: We’re continuing our study of The Thread. This series is helping students learn the big-picture story of the Bible and how it’s directly woven into their lives. We just wrapped up Week 8 of The Thread study. In October, we will focus on Exodus and the story of Moses.
• Special Events: September was filled with three exciting events: Girls’ Movie Night, Guys’ Zombie Hunt, and a service project at The Forge for Families. In October, we are looking forward to the always popular event, Ultimate Game Night! Students will also be dressing up and participating in Trunk or Treat!
Attendance Summary – Average Attendance for September 2015
• Nursery/Childcare – Average of 37 children in childcare on Sunday mornings. • Preschool – Average of 26 children during the Sunday school hour. • Elementary – Average of 67 children during the Sunday school hour. • Middle School – Average of 48 students during the Sunday school hour. • High School – Average of 44 students during the Sunday school hour.
20 Grace Presbyterian Church Session Report October 2015
General
40th Year Celebration – Homecoming Game In honor of its 40th year anniversary, Grace School will be hosting its first Homecoming football game and tailgate. Homecoming is set for the Thursday, October 22 game against Rosehill Christian. The tailgate starts at 4 p.m. with the game kicking off at 5 p.m.
40 Days of Giving As Grace School enters its 40th year, we are in a wonderful position to both reflect back and to look forward. We are dedicating this year to celebrating excellence in education by launching Happy Birthday Grace School—40 Days of Giving. Our Annual Fund goal, with the support of our community, is to raise $300,000 in 40 days.
AdvancED Accreditation Review This year Grace School is preparing for a five-year accreditation review through AdvancED. School leadership is in the process of collecting evidence and preparing for our review, which will take place in the spring 2016.
Boosterthon This year's fall fundraiser is the Grace School Fun Run! Family and friends anywhere in the world can support our school by giving pledges toward the number of laps a student will run on the day of the Fun Run Friday, October 16. The fundraiser will raise money for literacy and the digital library.
Admissions Open House Grace School will be hosting three separate fall Open Houses. • Middle School (6th-8th Grade) | Thursday, October 15 at 9 a.m. • Lower School (K-5th Grade) | Thursday, October 29 at 9 a.m. • Primary School (Twos-PreK 4) | Thursday, November 5 at 9 a.m.
21 Grace Session Report Date: October 20, 2015 MARRIED LIFE MINISTRY AND MINISTRY PROJECTS Staff: Beth Craig
Married Life
Weddings: To date there are twelve weddings scheduled for 2015 and seven for 2016.
Ministry Projects
Stewardship: “Picture This” is the theme for the 2015/2016 stewardship campaign, October 18- November 1. There are 2 gatherings scheduled for Time with Trey for people to ask questions about stewardship and ministry. One is schedule for Sunday, October 18, 5:00-6:00 p.m., and the second is Wednesday, October 28, 9:00-10:00 a.m.
Communication for the campaign includes videos that will be shown during worship. Our new staff videographer, Eric Guadajaro, produced the videos. Additionally there will be a photo booth the first two Sundays for our congregation to enjoy.
Commitment Sunday will be a combined worship service at 10:0 a.m. on November 1.
Advent Decorating: Advent decorations including a newly-designed Narthex tree will be installed on Monday, November 23. Poinsettias will be delivered and arranged the day after Thanksgiving.
22 September 2015 Session Report Young Adults & College Ministry
Broun Stacy, Director Becca Lehde, Administrative Coordinator
YOUNG MARRIEDS SOCIAL
One of the difficult things we have found in trying to create momentum in our young adults group is finding time for everyone to just be together. Kids, school stuff, sports, and the like all interfere with scheduling actual adult conversation. Forty-five minutes on Sunday mornings also isn’t near enough in our built-in Sunday School hour. So on Friday, October 16, we will begin what is hopefully a quarterly (at least) gathering of our large group of families and young married together for a meal and fellowship. The Rev. Trey Little has graciously provided his home for a space to meet these sweet families, and we have about 35 folks RSVP’d thus far.
FALL SUNDAY SCHOOL
We are nearing the end of our series on what it means to be “The Church.” Every time you come across the word “church” in the NT it is almost always “ekklesia” which can be roughly translate to “a gathering of citizens called out into a public place.” There is always a public dimension, a second-person, plural aspect of our faith that calls us out of very privatized, individualistic, “me and Jesus” type Christianity. We have about 3 weeks left in this series fixating on the word- pictures Jesus gives us to understand this corporate dimension: “The body of Christ,” “The bride of Christ,” “a temple of living stones.” We have been averaging 30-35 folks on Sunday mornings so our group is growing quite steadily. We will then move into the second half of the fall and into Christmas, into what idolatry looks like in Houston in the 21st century. We don’t worship wooden pagan idols somewhere in a far-off land, but the idols of our hearts are just as pervasive and dangerous. The Scriptures are filled with wisdom and prohibitions to our hearts about the nature of idols, and we will explore this using Tim Keller’s Counterfeit Gods as a helpful resource.
THEOLOGY ON TAP
Our first collaborative “Theology on Tap” was a raging success! On Tuesday, September 15, around 90 young adults from across Houston gathered at a space provided by Chapelwood United Methodist Church for a happy hour after work. A panel of pastors from City Church, Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, Chapelwood United Methodist Church, and Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church discussed the topic of “Faith in the Workplace.”
23 It was an incredible time of fellowship, provocative question-asking, and encouragement in Christ. Our next gathering will be on Monday, November 16, and we hope to carry this momentum into the holiday season. Please pray for fruit that the Lord would draw many to Himself in these times.
MISSIONAL COMMUNITIES
We have officially launched a number of our missional communities in the young adult realm. We have about 40 people involved in three different groups so there are still many learning challenges in this first season. They are predominantly young adults and college-aged students who are geographically relative (i.e., composed of people who live in close geographic proximity). They are meeting together weekly in homes, sharing a meal, praying for and encouraging one another. We hope these groups are also outward facing enough to think through how they can faithfully engage a specific neighborhood or people group with the gospel.
YOUNG ADULTS & COLLEGE MINISTRY SESSION REPORT
24 Resolution Regarding Grace School Foundation
It is resolved that the following individuals be appointed to the Grace School Foundation board for terms ending December 31, 2016 or until their successors are named, whichever occurs later.
• Liz Walgamuth - Grace School Head of School • Les Davis - Grace School Finance Committee Chair • Sarah Williams - Grace School Committee • Jerry Hanlon - Grace School Committee • Hardie Morgan - Grace Church Executive Director Ministry Support
Resolution Regarding Grace Presbyterian Church Endowment Fund
It is resolved that the following individuals be nominated to stand for election to the Grace Presbyterian Church Endowment Fund Board of Trustees Class of 2018.
• Scott Maham • Robert Whitten
25 October 13, 2015 REPORT TO SESSION Subject: Meeting of ECO Presbytery of Texas and Louisiana, 9/25-26/15 From: Daniel Malaguilla Wowsers! That’s how my daughter would have described a presbytery meeting that was truly a blessing of worship, simple reporting, examination of pastoral candidates, learning, and Christian fellowship and networking. Presbytery leaders declared the meeting very well attended; Grace was represented by ten people: six staff members, three members of Session and a guest. Among other things, I learned that:
• The Presbytery has 19 congregations—18 from Texas, 1 from Louisiana. • There are 11 Ministry Teams (not “Committees”) in various stages of development, all but one with Grace representation: o Presbytery Council – Ken Purgason o Ministry Partnership – Chris French o Church Assimilation – Paul Craig o Finance and Stewardship – Ken Purgason o Pastoral Ministry Ordination – Debbie Kaplan o Church Planting – Kevin Kiniry o Mission Affinity – Joan Cantrell, Denise Phelps o Permanent Judicial Council – Stan Beyer o Legal – Vic Condrey o Nominating – Trey Little, Beth Craig o Communications - ? After Ministry Team reports were given, attendees were invited to divide into breakout groups dealing with diverse topics: “The next season in ECO”, “Mission Affinity and Pastor Covenant Groups”, “ECO Theological Task Force”, “Health Benefits”, and “Digital World/Social Media”. On both days, I attended the MAG (Mission Affinity Groups) sessions, which sought to answer the questions:
• Why MAGs? • How to join/put together a MAG • How to keep your MAG running
26 The able leader of the sessions was the Rev. Anna Kent of Huntsville, Alabama, who works half-time as the Presbytery’s MAG resource. An additional resource is Bob Hughes of Windwood Presbyterian. Why a MAG?
• Because having fellowship with other congregations is biblical. • Because we promised to form/join one as part of our covenant with ECO. • To obtain/give support and have mutual accountability among members. • To try to ensure that we have healthy churches and church leaders. Who should participate from Grace and for how long?
• Elders on Session (at least 1/3) and other active church leaders. • At least 2-3 years, to establish relationships and maintain continuity. With whom should we partner?
• Context is all-important o Geography o Ministry interest and focus o The more in common (theology, polity, goals), the better. o Skype? “Go-to-meeting”? • Any denomination as long as theology does not get in the way. • “Date” to make sure of compatibility How do we get it going?
• Pastoral staff may have an idea. • Use a leader with a passion for this (elder, staff) • Presbytery resource may have leads. • Elders on Session may have existing relationships. • Invite one or two churches to coffee to explore interest. How do we keep it going?
• Use a leader with a passion for this (elder, staff). • Ensure that the Elders give it priority. • Use the “Narrative Questions” available on the Presbytery website as common discussion topics (one per meeting). • Make sure to have an external focus, not an interest in interior numbers • Meet at least once a year; more often is better. Note: Grace met in a MAG early last year with First Pres San Antonio, but there has been no further activity. Respectfully submitted.
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