January 2022 Session Highlights

January 26, 2022
  • Re-elected Steven Guenther and Craig Kegerise as Co-Treasurers and Kathy Yingst as Clerk of Session for 2022.
  • Scheduled Derry’s annual meeting for Sunday, February 13, 2022.  
  • In preparing for the annual meeting, the session reviewed Dr. McKinney-Whitaker and Rev. Pamela Meiland’s Terms of Call for 2022. The session voted to recommend the terms as presented to the congregation for review and approval at the February 13 annual meeting. Information regarding the transition of duties as Pastor Marie retires will also be shared with the congregation at the annual meeting.
  • The Treasurer shared the 2021 year-end financial reports. Both church income and expenses for the year were below budget. We ended the year with an approximate $27,000 loss, which will be covered with funds from the Anderson Trust.
  • Steven Guenther reviewed the Agreed-Upon Procedures report prepared by the accounting firm of Boyer and Ritter. The report reviewed Derry’s procedures, internal controls and balance sheet for the period ending 12/31/20 and found no exceptions.
  • Tim Mosher presented an update on Covid infections in our area. While the high positivity rate that has been occurring over the past months seems to be stabilizing, elevated hospitalizations and the virulent nature of the Omicron variant continue to impact our local health care system. Derry’s mask mandate remains in place at present. The session will continue to monitor our response. 
  • The session approved moving forward with repairs to the exterior of the Scout House in the amount of $25,000 – $10,000 for stone masonry repair, $10,000 for painting, and $5,000 for carpentry & contingency. The funds for the work will be taken from the Futures Fund.
  • The Communications & Technology Committee submitted a Capital Procurement Requisition to upgrade Derry’s exterior signage. These signs, which are located on and around our building as well as at the corner of Mansion Road and Rte. 422, are deteriorating, some have fallen down, and are inconsistent in design and construction. The approximate cost of the upgrade is $33,000 with funding coming from Derry’s Capital Facilities account. After reviewing proposals from several sign companies, the committee is recommending Stoner Graphix as the contractor for the project. This proposal will be reviewed by Derry’s committees and voted upon at the Session’s February meeting. 
  • Stewardship & Finance requested approval of a transfer of $250,000 from the Futures Fund to the Capital Facilities Fund. This transfer will help with repairs in and to the church building.
  • A fundraising proposal from the Christian Education Committee for a summer youth trip to Acadia National Park in Maine was approved. The proposal will offer a series of fundraising tiers at which individuals and families can donate.
  • Elected all active Elders as Presbytery Commissioners for 2020. Elders Ann Kroh and Tim Mosher were elected to serve on Derry’s 2022 Nominating Committee.