SESSION NOTES - April 2025

 

The session meeting was held on March 20. Thanks to Karen for her service in keeping the minutes and writing the Pathfinder article for the last few years. The session discussed transparency and communication, and I will work to concisely summarize our activities each month. We understand this is important for maintaining a healthy relationship between the congregation and the session.

We reviewed congregational needs and blessings, spent time praying for the congregation, and studied together using the book Emotionally Healthy Discipleship. The normal activities and church schedule were reviewed, including the upcoming Presbytery on April 25-26 in Oreland, PA, and a new members’ class held on March 22.

We noted the financial impacts of having two weather/snow-related Sundays in February and agreed we would need to continue to monitor our financial results as our giving has fallen behind 2024. We ask for your prayer and spirit-led attention to the financial needs of our ministry.

We also spent significant time reviewing several aspects of the worship service, with most of this time focused on the Passing of the Peace where we greet each other on Sundays. We recognize there are concerns and some growing pains as we adjust to this element of worship. After some discussion, we agreed as a session on these points: It is an expression that we are a community of faith, a demonstration of our union with Christ, and it aligns with our mission to Make Disciples who Make a Difference.

If you have any comments or concerns, please continue to pray with us for our church and contact your session members.

For The Session – Ray Jenks

Popular posts from this blog

VIEW FROM THE MANSE 2.0 - April 2025

  Recently, on a Saturday morning, APC hosted a new members’ class. This class has taken different forms in recent years. It was once offered on 6 consecutive Sundays during the Sunday school hour (and we may go back to doing that in the future). But, more recently, we have been taking a Saturday morning to cover all that material in a single day. It sounds daunting, but we take breaks and conclude with lunch from the Argyle Variety. I enjoy teaching this class immensely and I am usually assisted by a ruling elder (this past time I was assisted by Wes Clark).           The class is structured around the membership questions. There are 5 of them and they can be grouped into 3 categories; what does it mean to be a Christian, how do we live as Christians, and what is the Evangelical Presbyterian denomination of which APC is a part? Here are the membership questions: 1.   Do you acknowledge yourselves to be sinners in the sight of G...
Read more

View From the Manse 2.0 - December 2025

  Someone recently made the comment that I look tired. That may be because of poor sleep in recent weeks. But in all likelihood, it is just that there are a number of hard, sad situations in the life of our church right now. It is a privilege to be your pastor and be present with you through these difficult seasons. Praying with Jesus for you all is a sweet calling. But this seems to be a common occurrence as we approach the end of the year and the season of Advent; more sadness, more darkness.           Advent is the season in the liturgical calendar that begins the year. It is time between times. We approach the birth of Christ in a manger while anticipating the return of Christ (what we frequently refer to as his second coming). And it is in this season that the church lives its life. Fleming Rutledge writes, “Advent is the season that, when properly understood, does not flinch from the darkness that stalks us all in this world. Adv...
Read more

VIEW FROM THE MANSE 2.0 - NOVEMBER 2025

  A few times throughout the year, the elders, deacons, and trustees take the time to meet together. This is important for our church because we want our leadership team working together and we want to have a common culture across the church.           During our October meeting we celebrated those who are cycling off our boards. When you are elected for one of these positions, you are elected for a 3-year term, with a good chance that you will be invited to serve for a second term.           Ellen Fullerton and Ray Steidle are cycling off the session after serving for 6 years each. They both came on session shortly after Steve and Kim moved to Texas. It is hard to believe that 6 years have passed. They both had the privilege of serving during some unfamiliar waters (pastoral transition and COVID) and I am grateful for their steady leadership.        ...
Read more