First Steps
Moderator Pro Tempore. By the first of the year,
elect a moderator pro temp. This will help run meetings and routing items for
discussion/decision.
Action/Decision items
Website. Develop a website. The one we have now is
part of my account without severability options. I did this without paying for
a service. If the session wants to continue a website, it must first decide to “make
or buy.” I don’t know how many in our congregation use our site. Most of the
calls and emails in response to our site were from people outside our
congregation. This was their first exposure to us.
You will need a domain name. These are currently available:
·
Burnsflatcpc.com
·
Burnsflatcpc.org
·
Burnsflatcpc.info
·
Cumberlandpresbyterianchurchburnsflat.com
·
Cumberlandpresbyterianchurchburnsflat.org
·
Cumberlandpresbyterianchurchburnsflat.info
·
Cumberlandpresbyterianchurchburnsflat.us
Cost? When I created and managed our web page for the first
10 years, I spent between $30 and $50 per month. Since we didn’t use all the
bells and whistles, I opted for a blog-based site at no cost (June 2016).
Facebook page. The church needs to set up a new
Facebook page if it wants to continue visibility in this way. I might be able
to separate the page from my personal stuff, but you will likely want something
more to your liking than what I have. This is an easy to do. Set up the page,
and I will put a redirect link on the one tied to my account for a few months.
World Vision Child. If the session desires to
continue this, I would suggest a different child. Someone will need to register
with World Vision. I would adopt Jesus as my own. He is on my credit card now,
so his support continues even if the offering is short. So far, we have stayed
in the black for both children.
Voting site. If the session wants to continue hosting
a polling place, someone will need to be assigned to be in charge. When Gayla
did this, it was easy. We gave her a key; she was on the site team and knew her
way around the building. The liaison does not need to be here for the entire time
the polls are open but would ensure that the building is available at 6 am and
was put back in order by 8 pm.
Simple Turnover Tasks
Bulletins – Sourcing, preparation, printing, and
distribution
Liturgists – Scheduling and promulgation
Prayer List – Compilation and promulgation
Mail pickup/open—I have one key. I think Phil has the
other. You will want someone to determine what to do with the mail (route,
reply, discard, post, or otherwise promulgate). This duty is less than a
signatory. The most likely candidate is the clerk.
Ministerial Alliance Representative—I suggest that
one of the other MA churches host meetings, but you should select a
representative to attend and be the contact for the times between meetings.
Read Board—Keep and maintain or discontinue. Few
elders use it to stay current on items that do not demand a place on our
session agenda.
Thanksgiving Baskets and Angel Gifts: Someone to keep
the pulse of those in need on a year-round basis and those who need/would
benefit from these blessings.
Some Caretaker Duties
·
Sunday Open and Close (Usually 8 am until
all leave [normally by 12:30 pm]).
·
Church Building Key Manager
·
Thermostat Manager
·
Oversee Janitorial contract, supply requests,
and performance
·
Property Manager for the Manse.
Already in Place (decision to continue)
Copier Maintenance and Replacement (includes
supplies)
Pulpit Supply—Session
Requiring Immediate Action (Early 2025)
Annual Report—The clerk and treasurer should be able
to compile this report. All information should be available by mid-January 2026.
Form attached.
Church Number: 6301
Clerk: Lines 1-8
Treasurer: 9-11
Line 12: Currently valued at about 2.1M for insurance
purposes.
Session Minutes for 2024 are due at the end of
January 2025.
Looking Forward
Form a Search Committee. Hopefully, the meeting(s)
you conducted about what you wanted in a pastor will contribute to your guidance
to this committee. I suggest putting your guidance into writing and meeting
with them to share this counsel and begin the process with prayer. A Napoleon’s
Corporal review of the guidance before issuing would be profitable.
Update the Church Information Form (CIF) and send it
to Cordova.
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