Session Updates

August 2026 Update

At its August meeting, Pastor Bubar shared highlights from the summer:

· He was pleased to see members of our congregation at the Newark City Council meeting advocating for the Drop-In Center and that funding was restored.
· There are two milestone staff anniversaries this month: Kristin Ream 5 years, and Brandon Wilson, our technology and properties manager, 20 years. 
· Kristin Ream, director of faith formation, is busy working on this fall’s children’s curriculum but is struggling to find a second cooking team for Wonderful Wednesday. 
· Anna Thornburg, our communications coordinator, is now living in Powell and coming into the church on Wednesdays. She has offered to lead Wonderful Wednesday one week, and also to lead a short-term study group.
· The highlight of his week was the baptism of the Adams’ family children and the outpouring of love during this sacrament. 

Session received a report from Kristin Ream about her progress at Duke University and they approved a $4,500 scholarship for the fall semester to be drawn from the Mission Scholarship Fund. 

1500 Trees got an award for $2,500 from the Licking County Foundation and has been approached by other organizations to enter into partnerships.

The adult Bible study focusing on the book of Philippians is going well and Reverend Bubar plans to offer more Bible studies.

Chase Bank is making progress on their building and they are anticipating being back there in September.  In addition, the bank approached us about hosting an event at their mobile unit during Denison move-in week for students to set up their bank accounts.

Welsh Hills School continues to make progress with all of the inspections and licenses required for operating their new childcare program at the church.  The original lease was to start on August 1 but they requested that it be changed to September 1 and we agreed.  Cribs and other equipment have been delivered this week.

Reverend Bubar has been in preliminary conversation with another potential building use partner, a well-established organization seeking space for music lessons and rehearsals.  This will require further study and conversation with staff.   

The work on the building is mostly done but we now have a lot of blank walls.  We want the public hallways to be inviting and Pastor Bubar reached out to member and local artist Laura Atchison to help guide us in this process.  She has agreed and will be coming in to assess what we have and also make recommendations about what we might need. Session approved $2,500 for artwork around the church building, to be paid from the Joseph Fund.

Upcoming Fall Programs were discussed. Highlights include:

· Habitat for Humanity Wall Build on Saturday, September 12, at 9:00 AM at Second Presbyterian in Newark.

· Mission Fest/Oktoberfest on Sunday, September 27, at 11:00 AM.  Tables will be set up highlighting our different mission activities for people to get more information.  Light lunch will be provided and we hope to hold this outside.

· Rise Against Hunger event on Sunday, September 27, 1:00 PM at Second Presbyterian in Newark.

· First Connections Gathering on Sunday, October 11, 11:30 AM.

· On Sunday, October 18, at 3:00 PM, Philip Everingham will be playing Beethoven sonatas.

· The Rutter Requiem will be presented on Sunday, November 1, at 3:00 PM.

· Celtic Communion Service on Sunday, November 8, at 3:00 PM.

We are pleased to have an infant in the church family, so nursery care will be offered again.  Amy Dell and Wilson Foster will be the Nursery staff.

This summer, Reverend Bubar spoke to all of the program staff about the budget and planning is ongoing.

The Welcome & Inclusion Task Force is nearing the end of their work.  They are planning to come to Session meeting in September and will provide us a report on their work.

—Kathy Craig, Clerk of Session