Session Minutes

October 22, 2025

 

  • In person attendees: Dave Hinkley, Krista Batchelor, Chrissie Gallaher, Pastor Steve and Robert Dennison.
  • Zoom attendees: Marsha Brooks, Margie Fielder, Carmie Messenger and, Pete Capazolli.
  • Absent: Charles Henry and Gary Lowe.
  • Pastor Steve opened the meeting with prayer and the devotional at 7:00PM.
  • September 18 and congregational meeting of October 5th minutes reviewed and approved.
  • Interim pastor’s report which included a schedule for “Minute for Church”, a short presentation by committee chairs before church service was discussed.
  • Session training material provided by First Presbyterian Church of Cumberland, MD was discussed. A 45 to 60 minute interview of each Session member with the interim pastor is planned for the month of November 2025. The mutually agreeable schedule is being created now.
  • The wild turkey visiting the cemetery was discussed. It was the opinion that the turkey will move on naturally.
  • The expenses of the Women’s group were discussed. Concern was expressed that the expense items shown on 2024’s report were not clear as to their intent and that the purpose of the group was not being followed. Efforts to rectify that concern were to follow.
  • We held a detailed discussion of all committee reports/minutes on the docket.
  • We discussed culling and adjusting the church rolls. After much review, we found that the rolls were not actually available for culling.  We decided to start updating the membership information and establish a formal list of official members immediately.
  • A concern for blocking traffic view by the advertising sign in the east parking lot was expressed by some members of the congregation. We decided to refer moving the sign to Trustees to correct that hazard.
  • Motion was made and seconded that any advertisement or announcement to be placed in the church bulletin or on the church website, not actually from Bethel or its sponsored groups, requires Session approval. Motion carried with one dissenting vote from Pastor Steve Nofel.
  • A Fall congregational meeting to elect church officers, nominating committee members at large and any other pertinent items to be brought before the congregation, is scheduled for December 14, 2025, at 11:45AM after church service.
  • The decorative table made from the old sanctuary doors is to be moved from the front of the sanctuary to the foyer to improve space usage.
  • Starting in November 2025, a new Session section will be created on the Bethel website. It will include the previous month’s approved Session minutes and any other applicable Session messages.
  • Next meeting on November 20, 2025, at 7:00PM.
  • Meeting adjourned at 8:25PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

David Hinkley, Clerk