Session Update

August

Justin Cowie and Ellen Clark came to the Session meeting to discuss the Y Healthy Backpack program, which addresses food insecurity for school-age children and provides food for weekends. At a mutually convenient time, Session will plan to attend a “backpack party.”

 Reverend Bubar highlighted several items on the Dashboard:

He is encouraged by our higher attendance numbers. We have had both returning members and visitors wanting to join. He was pleased with the service of healing & wholeness. The Mission Committee held a really productive retreat. The low point is Jenni Whitford’s departure.

 Our annual membership review identified 11 members as inactive (no record of worship attendance, financial contribution, or participation in any church program in at least two years). Session members were asked for their input. Wallace will reach out to these members and follow up next month.

Pastor Bubar passed out a draft of a bulletin insert highlighting opportunities this fall, focusing on Music, Children & Youth, Adults, Membership and Mission.

Session approved a Special Congregational Meeting for the purpose of electing officers, on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at 11:00 am.

Pastor Bubar suggested calling a Building Use Task Force to help determine what we want to do with our space once the building is put back together.

Session approved allocating $4500 to Kristin Ream for Duke University fees, books, housing, and travel expenses from the Mission Scholarship Fund.

Elder Fraley reported that we recently underwent an audit for 2024, and it was perfect; no recommendations or management letters. He also provided an update on the Kier Fund relative to the HVAC project. The fund has generated more interest than expected, and he doesn’t think that we will need to borrow from ourselves. Lastly, in discussing the operating budget, Elder Fraley reported that we are currently in a good place. This is the first time in several years that we are ahead of what we projected.

 In Personnel issues, Session approved a quarterly bonus for Brandon Wilson during the HVAC project in recognition of his additional duties during the project. Session also approved an Interim Faith Formation plan, specifying how Jenni’s duties would be split between the staff, and a Communications plan, since Kristin will be spending more time on Faith Formation.