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- The Coordinating Council of the Presbytery of Carlisle recently drafted a new Purpose Statement and solicited comments on the statement from the various church sessions. As requested, Derry’s session reviewed and commented on the statement. Pastor Stephen will pass our comments to the Council.
- May’s financial reports show that year-to-date actual income continues to be ahead of expenses.
- Approved awarding a Brong Scholarship to Natalie Taylor for her final year at Messiah College.
- Stewardship & Finance requested that persons authorized to open a new Vanguard account be updated to Craig Kegerise, Pastor Stephen and Sandy Miceli. This authorization does NOT include access to the funds in the Vanguard accounts or ability to change any investment directives. The sole purpose is for the opening of a new account. The request was approved.
- The Health & Wellness Team requested approval to permit Derry member, Bob Foster, to use Fellowship Hall to conduct Shin Shin Ryu classes, a form of martial arts based on Japanese swordsmanship. The practice emphasizes presence of mind and calmness. There is no sparring or fencing. Participants utilize wooden and blunt swords to improve individual technique. The classes would be open to Derry members as well as community participants. The session approved the request subject to times and days that coordinate with the church calendar.
- Reviewed a Capital Procurement Request to fund landscaping work in the church cemetery. After restoring the cemetery (upgrading the walls, removing several trees, restoring the tombstones) there are high and low spots which need to be leveled and reseeded. The cost of the project is $10,937. Elders were asked to share the CPR with their respective committees, and the session will vote on the proposal at a future meeting.
- Approved Stewardship & Finance’s request to add Patrick and Lindsey Plassio as committee members. The Plassios, who recently joined Derry, live in Texas and will be joining the committee meetings via Zoom. We are happy to welcome their participation.
- The Personnel Committee brought three matters before the session which were approved:
- After conducting a review of M.E. Steelman’s performance six months into her new position, the committee recommended increasing her salary to $50,000 (an increase of $4,000).
- Sue George submitted a request for a 20-day sabbatical in April 2024 to coincide with the 300th anniversary trip to Ireland and Scotland. During that time, she will be photographing the sites and gaining a deeper understanding of Derry’s past. Sue plans to document the experience with pictures, stories, and reflections in a format that those who are not on the trip can easily access.
- As Pastor Stephen, Sue George and Kathy Yingst will be participating in the 300th anniversary trip in 2024, Debbie Hough will be contracted to assist with office coverage while they are away.