Moderator Report
August 2025
Unlike previous reports for the elder retreat, which
summarized the previous month's business and activity, I have kept this report
lean and linked earlier
reports for more context.
Seek Justice. Love
Mercy. Walk Humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
Missions. NTR
Worship. NTR
Education. NTR
Building and Grounds. NTR
Fellowship. The last two 5th Sunday
Fellowship Meals are cancelled. Our fellowship time will be focused on the services
and meals with Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Other
Finances. The session is not pursuing cost reductions
for our insurance
or phone bills. The quote from Dobson for 1 phone line and 500 Mbps internet is
on the read board.
Priorities. Only two elders completed the priority
exercise. As we were flirting with the law of small numbers, if most
participated, the minimal response received voids any collective value that
might have been achieved other than the individual thinking invested by those
who did the exercise.
VBS Wrap-up. Decorations and materials need to be
taken down and stored or discarded following backpack issue.
Elders, please continue your prayer and meditation
regarding your nominations for our next elders to serve on the session or
reducing the size of the session. Here are the responses so far concerning
willingness to serve.
Ethan Delp Yes
Danny Rush Not at this
time
Rick Reeves No
response
Kathy Stegall No
response
Larry Walker No response
Rodney Chilton As a last
resort
Carolyn Murray No response
Tom Personal. I expect to cease my financial
transactions on behalf of the church on/about 1 December 2025. I’m asking
someone to take over the Manse Management on 1 December 2025. I expect that
Presbytery (BOM) will appoint me as the Burns Flat CPC session moderator once
I’m gone. Logistically, it makes sense; however, I intend to be available for
questions and leave the moderating to the pro tempore most of the time.
I also expect 2025 to be the last year that Sharman does
Angel Gifts or F4.
Pastor Turnover.
Elder
of the Month (EOM). We did this when Duawn was here, but subsequently
expanded the liturgist pool, and elder leadership duties atrophied. The
transition time is a good time to revive it, at least for 3 months until the
session finds something better.
The EOM
will serve as liturgist or arrange for liturgists, open and close the building
on Sundays, Wednesdays, and other days in which there is something offered to
the entire body. The EOM will check doors and thermostats, building
cleanliness, and items in need of repair or maintenance (e.g. toilets, ice
machine, freezer).
The EOM
should coordinate with the pulpit supply (or new pastor) for Sunday services. I
recommend that during the month of service, the EOM attend the session meetings
regardless of whether they currently serve in that capacity. While the session
still governs, the EOM list for the first 3 months is drawn from our most
experienced elders. Not all may be serving on the session.
January
– Phil Delp
February
– Rick Reeves
March –
Rodney Chilton
Turnover Confirmation Brief/Meeting. I suggest a Transition
Confirmation Session Meeting on 28 December 2025. It is only a confirmation brief
if the agenda has been explored and possibly addressed in advance. Agenda Items
might include:
o
Moderator Pro Tempore
o
Insurance POC
o
Pulpit Supplies (if the new pastor is not on
board)
o
Answering Machine Message Updates
o
Notification Systems (Facebook, Website, Texts)
o
Confirm EOM or adopt another system
o
Mail and Routing
o
Informing External Agencies/Groups of changes
(AA, Election Board, school, etc.)
o
Renter/Manse Management
o
Janitor Oversight
o
Bulletin Supply and Preparation
o
Fire Safety Compliance and Inspection
o
Submission of 2025 Minutes and Annual Report
(January 2026)
o
POC for Presbytery
o
Bulletin Board Management
o
Supply Requisition
o
Copier Management
o
Assignment/Review of Fund Administrators
o
Manage Liturgical banners/seasonal items
o
Announcing closure/cancellation of services
(Inclement weather)
o
Review Smart Pack
o
Review the Turnover list and transition items
previously provided to the session
o
Other
Links to information not included in the report.
Dates
for Planning Purposes.
F4 Schedule
Worship
Meeting Report
Projects
in Search of a Champion.
Unfinished
Business.
Previous
Moderator Reports
Unfunded
Deficiencies
Online
Giving Link
2024
Annual Report
Smart
Pack
Turnover
Background Documents
Budgeting
References
ICA
– Pastor Template
ICA
– Janitor Template
Red
River Presbytery Facebook page
