June 2024 Session Highlights

July 3, 2024
  • Approved Baptism for the children of Derry members Ashley & Brian Shields – Jack (age 5) and Benjamin (age 2) – for Sunday August 18
  • Approved the use of the church building for the following events:
    • Wedding of Keiren Quaid and Devon Campbell (non-members) on Saturday, Oct 19, 2024, to be officiated by Rev Shawn Gray – use of the Chapel plus rooms for the wedding party.
    • Market Square Concert for a musical program in the Sanctuary on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at 7:30 pm.
    • Member, Bob Foster’s request to conduct a swordmanship seminar on Friday & Saturday, Sept 27-28, 2024 in Fellowship Hall.
  • Approved hiring Austin Pease as a summer AV intern on a part time basis (25 hrs/wk) for six weeks.
  • Received a financial report from the Stewardship & Finance Committee.
  • The Communications & Technology Committee will be selling polo shirts embroidered with the church logo at a cost of $25 each. 
  • Out of an abundance of caution, the Building & Grounds Committee made a motion to lock all church doors, except #9 (courtyard entrance) on Sundays from 10:40 to 11:30 am beginning on July 14. We have had no security threats to the building. However, the committee believes it is a simple step we can take to increase security. The full Session agreed and approved the request.
  • In conjunction with this request, Personnel introduced motions to approve an updated job description for Derry’s Building Sexton and to hire Ron Zell in that position. Ron will be working part time between 8 am and 1 pm on Sundays as he handles room setups, makes sure our walkways are clear and safe, welcomes people into the building, and oversees security cameras and emergency response. These motions were also approved. 
  • Several other requests from the Personnel Committee were received and approved:
    • Job description for a Finance Director position as we prepare for Sandy Miceli’s retirement at year end.
    • Hiring of Megan Rhen as a substitute and Stephanie Crandall as a lead teacher for Derry Discovery Days. 
  • Approved Derry Discovery Days’ request to add Anna Melcher and Meghan Eirkson to the DDD Board beginning in August. 
  • DDD will be holding its fall festival on Saturday, October 5 offsite. In case of rain, they requested use of Fellowship Hall on that date, which the Session approved.