Countdown - Inertia

 

Countdown – Go

Today’s countdown moment is physics, inertia, to be precise.

A body at rest tends to remain at rest. A body in motion continues to remain in motion.

Why is this important?

The first word in our commission is GO.

Jesus tied the commission to the authority he had been given—all authority.  That’s a bunch of authority.

He said, therefore, GO.

We are told to go. We have been sent. We take good news to the world.

My very first sermon to this body was on the Great Commission, delivered in 1999 in the old church building.

We had not been in town very long, but Jim was headed out for Sunday, and he asked me to preach. When Sunday came, Jim was still there. His plans had changed or that was his story.

I think that Jim was worried to turn a crusty old Leatherneck loose in the pulpit.

In the course of preparing that message, I looked up the definition of the word “GO.”  Yes, it was the 90s, and I used a dictionary. There were 81 words and phrases used to describe this very short word.

Then at the end, there was a single antonym:  to remain.

To remain, sit still, do nothing, not be moved, you can continue the list.

We are either moving—going into the world—or the next pastor needs to be a hospice chaplain. There is no fence-sitting in this inertia business.

Let’s make the word GO trend among Christians as we take the good news into the world.

Countdown – We are the Church

 

You hear this from me a lot, but it is not a Tom thing. It’s just a thing, and you were getting this from me before I was your pastor. What’s that?

We don’t go to church. We are the church

We are the church. We are called out of the world by God, set apart for God’s purposes, and sent back into the world to be his love and share his good news.

We go to worship in a building most people call a church, but realize this association didn’t happen until people started building places of worship outside of the homes where the early church met.

It’s great to have a building to gather in, but the people who follow Jesus, not the building, are the church.

You are the church.

We are the church.

There is only one church with Jesus as the head. We write different names on the building, have some varied traditions, and may baptize or serve the Lord’s Supper a little differently, but we—that’s everyone who professes Jesus is Lord—are the church.

Does this really make any difference?

Try this: Go coach a bunch of kids and repeatedly tell them that they are all losers and don’t stand a chance. See how they perform.

Next, coach a different team and tell them over and over that they are champions. See how they perform.

OK, if you actually would try the first one, don’t coach, teach, or try a leadership role. The whole concept of the beatings will continue until morale improves doesn’t ever work.

You will see the same results in older kids and even in the professional ranks. You, as the coach or teacher,  set expectations.

We, as the body of Christ, have expectations too. Consider the difference between:

I go to church and I am the church.

We are the body of Christ. That’s our identity. We are his church.

We are the church.

When we say, "I am the church," we put God’s name on who we are. Who do we belong to? We belong to the great I Am.

I am the church. You are the church. We are the church.

Be the church!

Insurance and Savings

 Most of what was shared about insurance premiums at the last presbytery was also shared by Doug Weims when we switched to Brotherhood Mutual, but we decided not to act on any cost-saving choices at that time.

One thing worth considering is building funds to a level of self-insurance to minimize our cost. I don’t think we can ever go insurance-free because of liability issues and some presbytery requirements. But we could start moving that way.

If we take out a second CD, we should add to it with whatever we save by increasing our deductible. So, if we save $500 each premium, we don’t put that in the general operating fund; we obligate it for the CD and add it to the CD upon renewal.

I suggested something like this when we paid off the loan we took out for the building. We would continue to budget the $2000 each month for our savings/CD/capital program (whatever name we had at the time), with the intent of having some self-insurance fund. We opted not to do that at that time.

To the current situation, savings on insurance and investment in a CD will seem like small savings in comparison to the very large amount needed to adequately insure the buildings that we have, but it’s that inertia thing again. Nothing happens until something is put in motion. A body at rest remains at rest—you know the spiel.

It’s the "he buried his talent in the ground" thing. The risk of putting the money in a CD is minimal. If we needed it before it matured, the most we could lose is the interest. The principal is not at risk. We get about 10-16 times the interest on the CD than we do on the savings account, where a fair amount of money now resides.

It’s also that discipline thing. Disciples should have discipline. In the case of insurance savings and what to do with it, that means if we do this, we do this with each premium. This is not a when we feel like it deal. It is a call for discipline. Our children or grandchildren might be the ones who realize a level of savings where we can significantly reduce our premiums and add to the savings.

What is the risk? If we had to cash it in early, the actual loss to us would be the quarter percent interest that leaving it in savings would earn. Yes, we could potentially lose ten times that amount, but only if we put the funds in a CD. If we leave them where they are, we have no chance at potential gains.

It’s the you miss 100% of the shots you never take thing. It won’t lose anything if we do nothing differently, but we gain very little.

I did not put this on the agenda as you will surely need time to assess it and weigh it against your risk tolerance, but I wanted you to think about it. I know it historically goes against our tendencies as a session.

If you subscribe to Covey’s four quadrants, this is a quadrant II decision. Maybe it will prompt us to action at some point.

If we don’t do this, it should be a deliberate decision and not a passive oversight.

Please think and pray about this.

Moderator Report - October 2025

Moderator Report

October 2025

  I have kept this report lean and linked earlier reports for more context. We do have some action items to accomplish at this meeting, but the list is shrinking.

Seek Justice. Love Mercy. Walk Humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

Missions. I think the coat drive may be OBE, but it is listed under Old Business as an agenda item.

Worship. Now is the time for people to offer a Thanksgiving or Christmas special music.

Education. Rodney is working on cancelling the curriculum for Chrissy’s class. No other changes were noted.

Building and Grounds. Hosting the Presbytery helped shrink the “to-do” list.

Fellowship. We will have two fellowship gatherings with food before the end of the year. The Thanksgiving gathering will be a full meal, and the Christmas gathering will be finger food. Both will follow a short worship service. I put fellowship meals on the Dates for Planning Purposes list for the first two 5^th Sundays in 2026.

Financial. Windstream botched our current bill. How do we want to proceed? This is an agenda item. We may want to consider putting everything in savings except $10,000 into a 6-month CD before the rates go down. Also, we need a check ($200) for our MA offering before 23 November 2025.

Other

Red River Presbytery was surely a “Well Done!” across the board.  Not to get bruised by patting ourselves on the back, but this event mobilized many within our congregation. That’s some God’s love in action.

Elder Nominations. Both Ethan and Kathy said yes to their nomination. The congregational meeting to elect is scheduled for 14 December 25.

Pastor Turnover. Kathy has taken over the janitorial contract management. If you have not already selected one, an elder on next year’s session should be assigned as a representative to the ministerial alliance. The first meeting of the new year is tentatively scheduled for 6 February. I recommend that you have a confirmation meeting on 28 December 2025 to include the elders joining the session as well as those rotating off. You will need to elect a moderator pro tempore before or at that meeting from the five who will be serving in 2026.

The Search Committee is formed. They were blessed on 5 October during the 11 am service. The session needs to decide whether to meet with them or leave the direction to the session members serving on the committee. I suggest the full session meet with the search committee so discussions are not stove-piped and the committee and the session have a meeting of the minds. A handout of what the session captured in its discussions over the past several months, presented as guidance to the committee, would be a helpful reference.

Building Access. Dwight Shephard once again has a key to our building. Living Waters has stopped maintaining much food on hand at their location and comes here. I gave Heather’s key to Dwight. He had one before, but he has not had one since we changed doors. We had fewer keys for these doors, and I waited until I could recover one. Gayla Hite has one as well. I have asked for it a couple of times, but didn’t want to be pushy over a key that likely poses no risk to our security.

Tom Personal. In October/November, I will put some of my books out in front of my office for people to take if they want them. I may have to adjust the location depending on how long we keep up the Fall Photo area.

 

 

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

Recurring Tasks

Prayer List

Insurance and Savings

Red River Presbytery Facebook page

 

 

 

Box of Chocolates Meeting

 

Anyone in the Burns Flat area interested in making or enjoying good, wholesome music, including Christian music, is invited to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Burns Flat, Oklahoma, for a meeting on 23 October 2025 at 6 p.m.

This meeting is to assess interest. Would you like to play your instrument as part of a group? Would you like to sing in a cantata or a community choir? Or do you just want a jam session every now and then? Do you have an artistic gift that you want to put to use somewhere?

This is to say that we don’t know where this will lead, but we want to find out. For starters, who is interested? Let’s see who in the community has been looking for such an outlet, ministry, or just the fellowship of others who are musically or artistically inclined.

Let’s call this the Forrest Gump Box of Chocolates Meeting. You never know what you’re going to get, but let’s find out.

Meet with Mike Kiser at 6 pm on 23 October 2025 at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Pray for the Search Committee

 

The Search Committee is established and ready to work. We blessed them Sunday morning and ask that you keep them in your prayers in the months ahead. This item is Refrigerator Worthy.

 

Lori Schneberger

Ethan Delp

Desarae Simmons

Garrett Stegall

Kristy Denbo

Faith Schneberger

Kylie Denbo

Dylan Walker

Kenzie Delp

Heavenly Father,

Bless these men and women who have accepted this charge to search for a new pastor. Grant them wisdom, patience, and joy in the work they are doing for this body of believers. Grant them eyes to see and ears to hear your leading during this time. Grant them your strength when they feel weak. Lead all of us to encourage them. Help them grow through the experience so you can trust them with more in the future.

Lord, Bless our Search Committee.

Amen

Countdown – Connect the Disconnected

 

Countdown – Connect the Disconnected

Some years ago, I adopted a phrase that I pair with our sharing of the gospel. Those words were "connect the disconnected."

There are many who have professed their belief in Jesus and not taken a single step forward in their discipleship. They may have thought that when they professed Jesus is Lord that was the end of the race.

It’s likely that they still pray, especially when the rent is past due.

It’s likely that they believe in everything they professed.

It’s likely they asked you to put their mother or son on our prayer list.

It’s likely that they, in many ways, do want to please God.

But they are stuck in their preexisting patterns, disconnected from the body of Christ and from abundant life.

So, remember, part of what we do is reach out to these people as well and invite them to come home, even if they have never been here before.

There is a family of faith for everyone.

Moderator Report - September 2025

 

Moderator Report

September 2025

 

 I have kept this report lean and linked earlier reports for more context. We do have some action items to accomplish at this meeting.

Seek Justice. Love Mercy. Walk Humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

Missions. We helped 69 children with school supplies.

Worship. Changes discussed in the Worship Meeting are implemented.

Education. NTR

Building and Grounds. Improvements have been continuous over the past few weeks.

Fellowship. New (combined) teams are posted.

Financial. I asked Phil to reduce his thoughts to writing on the Division of Treasurer Duties so it could be examined by the session before the meeting. (Pending). Mandy has not received any of the funds we agreed to support this class.

Other

Red River Presbytery will be in the books by the time of our meeting. We need to share the information from the meeting as well as capturing costs and lessons while the event is still fresh in our minds. I expect Kathy to have considerable thoughts on the experience, but we should all take a moment to share a lesson or two for future endeavors.

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. The nomination process begins at this meeting.

Ethan Delp       Yes

Danny Rush      Not at this time

Rick Reeves      If needed.   

Kathy Stegall     If needed 

Larry Walker      No response

Rodney Chilton As a last resort 

Carolyn Murray  No response   

 

Pastor Turnover. Kathy will take over the janitorial contract management on 1 October. Garrett will take over supervising the rental of the manse on 1 December. Rodney will take over bulletin preparation beginning 1 December. Tom will cease financial transactions on behalf of the church on/about 1 December.  I expect 21 December 2025 to be my last Sunday in the pulpit as your pastor.

The Search Committee is to be confirmed at this meeting. Bless the search committee has been moved to 5 October 2025.

Tom Personal.

I also expect 2025 to be the last year that Sharman does Angel Gifts or F4. She might be back for F4, but we have significant travel in the first part of 2026, so she would not be present for half of the Wednesdays in the spring. She might continue with the backpack ministry intake if that ministry continues.

I have stopped my “I’m not going to be here Sunday” texts. I think I placated the emotions that prompted the request; they were not efficacious, and subsidized complacency on the part of the session. If the 6-12 months of notices I have provided don’t do the trick, a last-minute text isn’t going to help.

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

Recurring Tasks

Prayer List

Red River Presbytery Facebook page

 

 

Countdown: Quick, Slow, Slow

 

I hope that everyone knows James 1:19-20. It is a memory verse that most of you have mastered. Let’s master the guts of this verse in application. It’s quick, slow, slow.

Quick to listen is the first to listen. The person who will commit to listening to the other person or persons before expressing their own thoughts. Being understood is a basic human need. Stepping out to say, “I’m going to listen until I understand you—might not agree with you—but I will commit to understanding you.

Slow to speak means you can’t talk and listen at the same time. It validates that I have committed to listening first. I still want to have my say and want you to understand me, but you go first. I will keep quiet, except to ask something for clarification, and I will listen.

Slow to anger does not mean never getting angry, but anger is never our first resort, and we should have a very slow fuze. God will judge the wicked, and he wants us to reduce his work in that area not by being angry for him but by bringing the wicked to repentance and right standing in the blood of Jesus. Anger sometimes feels justified, even righteous, because we know that this would really anger God. But God said that vengeance and anger belong to him.

Our anger cannot produce a righteous life. It’s not effective. It is a waste of our efforts and detracts from our mission of sharing God’s love with the world.

Quick, slow, slow, remember those three and save both regret and the valuable allocation of your time to something with no good return.

Remembering the whole verse helps too.

Countdown – TURN

 The countdown continues...

I had the lead-off sermon at my second year of PAS. I knew that I would preach on the Parable of the Talents. I also knew it wouldn’t be the only time that I would do that, and I have preached this parable over 100 times here, and probably 200 more over the years in various places.

This parable is a gold mine of wisdom and insight!

I came up with an acronym that I think covers some essential lessons. There is a whole bunch more to this parable, but this is what comes up repeatedly. Here it is.

TURN

T is for trusted. All of the servants were trusted with money in accordance with their ability. They had a preexisting relationship with their master before this parable began. They were trusted servants. Even the third servant was trusted with a substantial investment in his ability.

U stands for urgency. The first two servants put their talents to work at once. They were ready to be trusted more, and because of that, they could put their master’s money to work immediately.

R is for Return on Investment (ROI). The master expected a return on the trust he placed in his servants.

N is for No Fear. Every servant had to contend with fear, but only the third one was debilitated by fear. We all deal with fear, but we should not be afraid. Our desire to produce a return for our master should be enough to overcome whatever fear is taunting us. If you must be afraid, be afraid of not pleasing your master, but fear does not govern the trusted servants thinking or actions.

This acronym brings us to the question, what did we do with what our Master (the Lord) gave us. We must realize that we are his trusted servants, are to act with urgency, are to produce a return on our Master’s trust, and that fear does not govern in our lives.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge… The key word there is beginning.

Perfect love casts out fear.

I hope you continue to read the Parable of the Talents and find some value in the acronym.

We are God’s Trusted Servants!

Countdown

 

I have about 100 days left to shepherd this body. It’s a common thing to look at the first 100 days of a presidency. I think that started with JFK.

My experience as a commissioned officer was that you had 30 days to know your job, and then 30 days to start making a difference.

But how we finish is just as important, if not more important as how we begin. The session is on a course to make the transition as smooth as possible. That may be seamless, or it might take a while. It is a process of discovery and discernment by both the church body and the candidates. It’s not just getting a person in the pulpit.

Next Sunday, we will bless the Search Committee at this service.  I don’t know that we have ever done that here. I’m not sure if many other church bodies have either, but it seemed appropriate to the task before them.

From what was discussed at the elder retreat, I think the session plans to fill the pulpit with messages from some of your elders. I remember the days when James Hendrix and I did that until Duawn got here.

It was enriching for us.  I have offered some transition planning and counsel to the session, but hope this one is received. Don’t just fill the time. Bring the message that God placed on your heart.

That applies to anyone who might take a turn, not just the elders. It is not public speaking, though it shares many qualities and aspects. It is the exhortation of the word.

That’s looking to the beginning of 2026.

Concurrently, in these last 100 days, I plan to offer for consideration and contemplation some things that I hope will survive my time here. These are things that have come up again and again over the past 18 years that I hope have some lasting impact and are worth further consideration.

Where to begin?

God loves you. Love one another. After giving out wristbands to the school kids that we shared the good news with in 2012, I thought I needed something to take to Africa with me.  GOD LOVES YOU – LOVE ONE ANOTHER was the ticket.

If it was on target there, how much more here?

GOD LOVES YOU – LOVE ONE ANOTHER

Is that the whole story? No, but it’s a segue to it.  There is story on both sides of those two phrases and a whole bunch in between.

We know that God is love and that he loves us. We know that love in Christ Jesus. We know that one of the best responses to receiving his mercy, love, and grace—all are truly love—is to love one another as much as Christ loved us.

The wristbands that we used to have—that seems to be something that will retire with me, but you will find something else, and I will continue to order them in my personal ministry—are not bling; they are beginnings to greater conversations.

So, I begin this countdown with God loves you. Love one another.

I plan to finish strong and to do the things that facilitate the future operations of this body.

I plan to finish strong and expect you to hit the deck running in 2027.

So, let’s begin these 100 days with GOD LOVES YOU. LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

The countdown continues...

TURN

Quick, Slow, Slow

Connect the Disconnected

Be the Church

Inertia

Obituary for Heather Andrea Spence

 

Heather Spence

18 February 1978 – 19 August 2025

 

Heather Andrea Spence was born on 18 February 1978 in Beaufort, South Carolina.  

As a child, she lived in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Iowa, and California. She attended schools across the country and graduated from University High School, Orlando, Florida in 1996.

She graduated from Orlando Technical Center in the School of Culinary Arts in 1998. After culinary school, she worked several years with prominent chefs at Universal Studios in Orlando.

She later moved to Burns Flat, Oklahoma, and worked many years at the Great Plains Regional Medical Center in Elk City, Oklahoma, even after losing her gallbladder and one kidney. She was a shining star with a caring and welcoming smile in the Emergency Room.

She was twice awarded Employee of the Year during her career there.

After losing most of one leg and most of one hand, she could no longer work, but she was determined to recover, walk again, and return to the job that she loved most.

She had a unique mixture of determination and kindness, and seldom did you see one without the other.

She had no children and is survived by her parents, Tom and Sharman Spence of Burns Flat, Oklahoma, her brother, Christopher Spence and wife Courtney, aunts, uncles, and cousins.   

She was loved by family and friends in many places.

She went to be with the Lord on 19 August 2025.

Recurring Tasks

This is a short list of Recurring Tasks/Coordination Efforts required. It is a guide only, but hopefully useful in turnover and for the new pastor.

It is not a "daily" checklist.

Order

Copy paper

Toner for copier

Toilet paper

Paper towels for restrooms

 

Schedule

Fire System Inspection (Annually)

Oil Change (Annually, unless usage increases significantly)

Change HVAC filters (Annually)  

Congregational Meeting (to elect elders) – announce for 3 weeks prior to meeting

 

Nominate/Select

Elder & Alternate for Presbytery (NLT March/August) to RRP Clerk

Elders to serve on the session (2-2-1)

 

Externally Driven Events

Postal Carriers Food Drive (Spring/Summer)

School Food Drives (November)

 

Discern

Who needs extra help at Thanksgiving and Christmas (Baskets)

Who needs help (other

FEED THE PLAYERS & 5th QUARTER Schedule for 2025

 

FEED THE PLAYERS & 5^th QUARTER

2025 SCHEDULE

 

GAME DAY	FTP	5th QTR (After the Game)
29 AUG	28 AUG – BF FBC	LW
5 SEP	4 SEP – DC FBC	BF FBC
19 SEP	18 SEP - LW	CPC
7 NOV	6 NOV – CPC	DC FBC  @ CPC

 

 

These are the planning factors. Most come from input/experience over the past few years.

Constraints

Limit to 1 of each

DC FBC needs to use BF facility for 5^th Qtr (The presumption is that many students walk to 5^th Qtr)

Target Meal Time is 6 pm

Restraints

Churches do not want both FTP & 5^th Quarter in the same week

We do not want to conflict with Homecoming Activities.

Special Circumstances

DC FBC & CPC will hold joint 5^th Quarter on 25 October 2024

There is no FTP or 5^th Qtr on Fall Break Week

Moderator Report for August 2025 (Elder Retreat)

 

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 5^th 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

 

 

Moderator Report for July 2025

 

 Moderator Report

July 2025

 

Seek Justice. Love Mercy. Walk Humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

Missions. NTR

Worship. NTR

Education. NTR

Building and Grounds. The front doors have been repaired—no change to other projects.

Fellowship. Our turnout for the last fellowship meal was small. I suggest we cancel the last 2 Fifth Sunday meals and focus our fellowship gatherings on the Thanksgiving and Christmas meals that follow those evening services. The next fellowship meal is scheduled for 31 August 2025 (Team 3). Agenda Item.

Other

Elder Retreat. The Elder Retreat is scheduled for 9 August 2025 at 8 am. The agenda will be promulgated soon.

Elders, please begin your prayer and meditation regarding your nominations for our next elders or reducing the size of the session. Here are the responses from elders so far.

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   

 

Pastor Turnover. You have what you need to formulate your part of this equation.  

 

Projects in Search of a Champion.  

Dates for Planning Purposes.

Unfinished Business.

Previous Reports

Template for Janitor ICA

 

Independent Contractor Agreement

1.  Independent Contractor Agreement.  This agreement is for contract janitorial services between the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Burns Flat, Oklahoma (hereafter referred to as church)   and                                                                                                                                (hereafter referred to as contractor).  This is not an employment contract.

 

2.  Scope and services contracted.  The following services are required weekly within the recurring windows provided.  The church will provide the contractor access to the building during these periods.  The contractor will clean to the church’s satisfaction the following areas of the church each week during the windows provided.

 

Sunday 8:00 pm to Wednesday 8:00 am

Sanctuary (pick up, straighten pew supplies, vacuum pews and floors)

Offices (pick up, dust, vacuum)

Empty all trash containers in church

Entry way and main hallway (sweep, mop, vacuum)

Bathrooms (clean all, replace tissue and towels)

 

Wednesday 9:00 pm to Sunday 6:00 am

Kitchen (clean all external surfaces on counters, floors, and appliances; inside of microwave and ovens)

Sanctuary (pick up, straighten pew supplies, vacuum pews and floors)

Empty all trash containers in church

Entry way and main hallway (sweep, mop, vacuum)

Classrooms (pick up, vacuum)

Disinfect all door handles

Bathrooms (clean all, replace tissue and towels)

 

The contractor defines the manner and means of cleaning within the windows provided.  The contractor should note scheduled church events so as not to conflict with these events.  Schedules are available from the church.  From time to time, the contractor will be required to work around short notice events (e.g. funerals).

The contractor is not required to be bonded, but must carry medical insurance on all contractor employees.  The contractor will submit to the church a list of all employees that may be used in the performance of this contract.

The contractor may use church supplies such as vacuum cleaners, brooms and mops, and other non-consumables provided they are cleaned and returned ready for use in their assigned location.  The church will provide supplies to be used by the congregation (e.g. toilet tissue, paper towels, hand sanitizer, etc.). The contractor will provide all consumable cleaning supplies (e.g. rags, cleaners, disinfectants, etc.)

 

 

3.  Consideration and payment.  The church will pay the contractor $                                                         each month for the services listed above.

The contractor will invoice the church on the last day of the month for the month’s contract service just completed.  The church will remit payment within 15 days of receiving the invoice and certifying satisfactory performance.

 

 

4.  Effective dates of performance.  This contract is effective                                                         2011 and is for a period of                                  months unless otherwise terminated.

 

 

5.  Changes and termination.  Either party may terminate this contract at any time for cause.  Liquidated damages for such termination are limited to the part of the contract performed up to the termination date plus one month’s contractor fee.

Either party may terminate this contract with a 30-day written notice.  Such notice must be delivered by service to:  Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Box 8, Burns Flat, Oklahoma 73624 or in person to the church’s designated representative.

Any changes to this contract must be in writing and signed by both parties to be effective.

6.  Complete Agreement.   This is a basic contract between the church and the independent contractor.  It is written and intended to be executed as a complete contract.  No single part constitutes a contract within itself.

 

 

For the church:                                                                                  For the contractor: