Moderator Report
December 2024
This year is almost in the books, but we celebrate
Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas before it’s all done. We should count
our blessings, rejoice, pray, and give thanks regardless of our circumstances.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all
circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Our standing committees have not met, but we have had
activity in these functional areas.
Missions.
We helped 6 families with Thanksgiving baskets who are members
of or connected to our congregation. We also helped several others with food
from the pantry. In the past, this committee thrived on those new to the congregation,
most of whom have moved. Many missions still produce good fruit, but we do not
have a viable committee.
Worship.
The Community Service was held on Sunday Evening, 24
November 2024. One member of our congregation was present. The liturgist
list for 2025 is posted. I confirmed
our standing order for Palms.
Education
We have not had a curriculum review beyond the teacher level
for over twenty years. We have tried on multiple occasions to have a Sunday
School Superintendent’s Report without success. VBS is an educational activity
that has continued under the direction of a core group since it was revitalized
in 2008. In the year ahead, the session may want to consider dissolving this
committee.
A membership class is planned for 18 December 2024.
Building and Grounds.
The status of spraying our acreage will be reviewed this
month, with quotes for service or other options. Last month, the session
decided to continue spraying to some degree, desiring not to regress to
previous sticker levels. This is an agenda item.
We still have a long pew in the fellowship hall. This is an
agenda item.
Much of the session business has involved acting as a
building and grounds committee. Derrick Walker has been replacing lights. Larry
Walker does most of the plumbing (sinks and toilets), but no one has a general
and ongoing situational awareness of the building.
Fellowship
On 4 December, we had a one-pot meal and decorated the
church building for Christmas. A second Wednesday one-pot meal is planned for 18
December. There are plans to make this a game night as well. We have a finger
food fellowship following an evening Christmas worship service on 22 December. It
has been a while since we experienced fellowship in the course of doing things
greater than ourselves.
Other
Annual Report. Information from the clerk and the
December 2024 Financial Report is required to complete this. It is due by the
end of January 2025.
Finances.
QR Code Link to Online Giving. Are we there yet?
Agenda item.
At the last meeting, there was some confusion about the
backpack ministry accounting and payments. In previous years, what was not
expended during the current FY was approved to be liquidated with a check to
Kendra Walker for off-season buying. This year, the payment was not made for FY
24 but posted as an advance for FY 25. A review of the past 2 years noted that
less than $400 was disbursed to this ministry. Of this, at least $350 was from
designated offerings, not budgeted funds. We have many options, among them to
do nothing differently and see if this creates a
shortfall later or address this now. Agenda Item.
The session has previously rejected this, but I would ask
that we reconsider a budget committee for 2025 so that the elder retreat
doesn’t have to begin from scratch.
Tom Personal.
Projects
in Search of a Champion.
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