Session Report – 2010

The Session

Session Report 2010

The Session continues to seek God’s guidance in the work that He has set out for us.  Our congregation continues to benefit from the dedicated service of our staff members:  Rev. Angus Sutherland and Lori Clausing, (secretary).

During 2010, we welcomed: Angela Button and Audra Ermel into membership, including baptism for Audra and to baptize Isabel Donner on September 19.

During 2010, our Session prayerfully considered, discussed, and approved requests and worked on projects, including:

  • Reviewed awareness of: sensitivities, particuarly affect of physical contact through touch and handshakes; perception of power associated with authority and positions within church
  • Interview and support of Lisa Brimblecombe seeking the Session’s support and prayer as she pursues an educational path to Ministry.
  • Session approved a re-organization of elder duties
  • Good Friday worship service, a joint effort of four local churches with proceeds from the offering to the Youth Centre.
  • Responded to the Church Doctrine Committee opposing the proposal to stop Presbyterian Clergy from continuing to sign marriage licenses and issuing banns on bahalf of the various provincial and territorial governments. That our session study and discuss the marriage and wedding reports with our congregation and that we develop and enhance practices aimed at building connections between our congregation and couples married in our church and ensure all couples planning to wed receive pre-marriage education. To explore initiatives which our congregation might launch to strengthen marriages within the congregation and the wider community. That our Presbytery be urged to set aside time to discuss the first two sections of this report, including how congregations within the bounds are taking steps to improve their wedding practices and what the presbytery might do to assist congregations in improving marriage practices.
  • Publish the Grapevine quarterly and that we deliver the Grapevine Electronically to those members who have given or are willing to provide their email address (approximately half the congregation) and that the remaineder be delivered by the associated eleder, either by placing it in themember’s mail “cubby” or in person at church or during a home visit, with additional copies available at the church.
  • Leading with Care committee as established by Session be dissolved. There are two representatives: (Session) Bev Wiens and (Board of Managers) Peter McMurray. They are a two-person committee who are to remind those responsible to carry out their duties.
  • Lisa Brimblecombe as Presbytery Representative and Brian Banks as alternate.
  • George Schieven resignation from Session
  • All Session mnutes and other relevant documents microfilmed at the PCC Archives on a regular basis.
  • Re-establish Roll Clerk, with Rohini Wittke taking on the roll clerk duties.
  • Brian Banks agreed to take on the Session minutes, correspondence, annual report for annual meeting, annual statistical reports. Rohini Wittke agreed to take on the Session duty schedules, including elder duty and communion duty.
  • Appointed Brian Banks as Clerk of Session for a two-year period.
  • Continue to subscribe to the Presbyterian Record “every home program; for our congregaton and support the Mission and Outreach Committee to conduct a fundraiser involving the sale of Poinesettias and or other seasonal plants and bulbs to help to offset Mission and Outreach Budgeted expenses.
  • Soweta Marimba Youth League to join us in worship on Sunday morning October 3.
  • Christmas eve offering: devloted to Doon’s commitment to PWS&d commitment.
  • Proceeds from the Silent Auction & Bazaar will go 40% to Doon Youth Centre, 40% to Doon Presbyterian Church Outreach Programs; 20% to memorial windows.
  • Youth bake sale on December 12 with proceeds to ROOF
  • Stewardship committee to provide a power point or speaker every other week, Feb, Mar, Apr, June, Sep, Oct, Nov.

The Session Discretionary Fund was used for many purposes, including: grocery cards for those in need; assistance for congregational families; and, Session retreat costs. The 2010 Annual Pancake Supper profit was contributed to the Fund.  Krista Harrison is the Session treasurer in 2010 and reported balance of $774.84 as at December 24. 2010.

We ask that you keep us in your prayers as we grow in our faith and lead this Congregation in Christ’s Service.

Our current Session includes our Minister, Rev. Angus Sutherland, and ruling elders:Barb Blackie, Marjorie Poitras, Jill Hubick, Krista Harrison, Barb Brodhaecker, Bev Wiens,  Brian Banks, Greg Brimblecombe, Carol Docherty, Dennis Docherty, Sandi Galbraith, Cathy MacDonald, Joanne Baxter, Henny Schieven, Angus Sutherland, Rohini Wittke, Lisa Brimblecombe, John Baxter.

Respectfully submitted by Brian Banks, Clerk of Session

 

The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Galatians 5:22