NEW HOPE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Fort Myers, Florida. Minutes. STATED MEETING OF SESSION March 22, :00 pm in Room 213

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1 NEW HOPE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Fort Myers, Florida Minutes STATED MEETING OF SESSION March 22, :00 pm in Room 213 Stated Clerk of Session Jacob W. Faasse declared a quorum. The meeting opened with prayer by Dr. Bill Stephens at 7:05 p.m. ELDERS PRESENT: Ann Anderson, Tim Foster, Gary Hamilton, Warren Jalving, John Orr, Steve Boutelle, William Bliem, Barbara Griffith, Marilynn Cox, Joyce Seckinger, David Weinman, Scott Connell, Jake Faasse, Jim Frisch, Dick Grosse, Sue Laird, Tom Pelletreau, Bruce Schultz, Bob White, Paul Pierce. ELDERS EXCUSED: Dick Boyd, Tim Ficker, Karen Hobson, Rob Scharlau, Kevin Erwin, William Gold, Charles Stewart ELDERS ABSENT: None. STAFF PRESENT: Dr. Bill Stephens, Rev. Stu Austin, Rev. Howard Biddulph, Rev. Andy Cornett OTHERS PRESENT: Lowell Hamric, Treasurer, Phil Chandler, Steve Shimp DEVOTIONAL: Scott Connell: "Rejoice and Be Thankful" from Calling Jesus by Sarah Young. TEACHING TIME Pastor Bill: Leadership on a higher level APPROVAL OF MINUTES: M/S/approved unanimously. Omnibus MOTION: 1. February 22, 2011 Stated Meeting of Session 2. February 20, 2011 Called Meeting of Session (Newcomer s Coffee) COMMUNICATIONS TO SESSION: See report of the Clerk REPORT OF THE CLERK Jake Faasse This report was submitted electronically and can be edited until March 31, Annual Statistical and Financial Report for year ending 2010 For the Office of the General Assembly, Evangelical Presbyterian Church 2/25/2011 9:36:45 AM Church: New Hope Presbyterian Church PIN: Presbytery: NWEPC Address: 3825 McGregor Blvd City: Fort Myers State: FL Zip: Tax ID: Web Page: Pastor: Bill Stephens Spouse: Andrea Stephens Additional EPC Ordained Staff Stu Austin, Associate (Ethelanne Austin) Terry Bower, Assistant (Vicki Bower) Andy Cornett, Assistant (Robin Cornett) - 1 -

2 2 Additional Non EPC Ordained Staff Howard Biddulph (Jan Biddulph) A. MEMBERSHIP 1. ACTIVE MEMBERS December 31, GAINS FOR 2010 a. Profession of Faith (age 18 or over) 6 b. Profession of Faith (under age 18) 25 c. Transfer 7 d. Reaffirmation of Faith 25 e. Restored from Inactive 0 TOTAL GAINS LOSSES FOR 2010 a. Transfer 2 b. Death 3 c. Moved to Inactive 0 d. All other losses 0 TOTAL LOSSES 5 4. TOTAL ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP December 31, NONCOMMUNICANT MEMBERS ON BAPTIZED ROLL 2009: 78 Added 2010: 5 Removed 2010: 0 Total: BAPTISMS 2010 a. Infant/Child: 8 b. Adult: 6 7. AVERAGE SUNDAY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE 2009: 385 a Students 294 b Teachers and Officers 86 c TOTAL ACTIVE OFFICERS a. Elders Men 21 Women 6 Total 27 b. Deacons Men 5 Women 16 Total 21 c. Trustees Men 1 Women 2 Total 3 d. Are all trustees members of Session (unicameral system)? No B. FINANCES 9. BEGINNING BALANCE January 1, ,664, CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED a. Tithes and Offerings 1,495,534 b. Capital and Building Funds 660,675 c. Other Income 224,636 d. Aid or Sustenance 0 e. TOTAL RECEIPTS 2,380,845

3 3 11. DISBURSEMENTS a. Local Program and Operating Expenses 1,5895,99 b. Local Capital/Building Expenditures 1,976,549 c. General Assembly Causes* (1) Per Member Giving 5,000 (2) Other Administration 10,000 (3) National Outreach Ministries 0 (4) Student Ministries 0 (5) Women's Ministries 0 (6) Ongoing Offerings/Projects 0 (7) EPC World Outreach Missionaries 0 (8) EPC World Outreach Projects 0 (9) Special Offerings 0 (10) Prior Year Benevolence 0 d. Total General Assembly Causes 15,000 e. Presbytery per Member Giving and Ministries 0 f. Non World Outreach Missionaries and Mission Agencies (not included in c(7) above) g. TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS 3,581, ENDING BALANCE December 31, , Value of all Investments December 31, Has your church given monies specifically for church planting? No a. General Assembly National Outreach 0 b. Presbytery 0 c. Direct (EPC church plants) 0 d. Direct (non EPC church plants) 0 e. Total 0 * These figures should correspond to those on your December YTD remittance statement issued by the General Assembly. If your records do not agree, please contact the Financial Manager at the Office of the General Assembly. C. ADMINISTRATION 15. Did the Session review with the pastors the adequacy of compensation for the year, 2010? Yes 16. Does the church have a stated annual congregational meeting? Yes, January Publish an annual report? Yes 17. Does the church have an annual audit? Yes 18. a. Number of EPC ordained minister(s) on staff: Full time: 3 Part time: 1 b. Number of non-epc ordained ministers under call to the church: Full time: 1 Part time: 0 c. Number of other employees on staff (not included above): Full time: 9 Part time: 38

4 19. Church Fiscal Year: From: Jan To: Dec Is the church incorporated? Yes Date Incorporated: 12/30/ Does the church have written bylaws? Yes D. PERSONNEL FOR Clerk of Session: Jacob Faasse 23. Treasurer: Lowell Hamric 24. Missions: Stu Austin 25. Women's Ministries: Jeannie McGalliard 26. Youth Ministries: Andy Cornett 27. Christian Ed: Howard Biddulph 28. Men's Ministries: Howard Biddulph 29. Small Group Ministries: Howard Biddulph 30. Gen. Contact / Ch. Secretary: Trish Emler E. PROGRAM 31. Did your church have a planning / training event for elders and/or deacons in 2010? Yes 32. Did your church have a Missions Conference in 2010? Yes, January 33. How many adult missionaries does your church support? Worship Services: a. Does your church have multiple worship services? Yes b. If yes, how many worship services per week? 3 c. Average attendance at primary worship services: (2009: 699) 2010: 649 ASSISTANT CLERK S REPORT Lowell Hamric This entire report, including motions has been tabled by common consensus until the April Stated meeting of Session. INFORMATION: Regarding the Operating Manual for Session, which has been previously assigned to the Assistant Clerk to maintain and keep current, proposed revisions are recommended: 1. It recently has been informally agreed that Administration as a council function would be removed from Personnel and combined with Treasurer functions to make a new council line for Treasurer/Administration. Because of this change and other issues, the proposed revised pages include the Index on page 1, the organization chart on page 2, the General Provisions Section 1 on pages 3-5, the Finance Council Section 5 on pages 11-12, the Treasurer/Administration Section 10 on page 21, and the Personnel Section 7 on pages A complete copy of the proposed revision to the Manual will be placed in your mail boxes at church on Friday to keep the docket transmission to a reasonable size. Changes are highlighted. 2. There have been revisions to Council names that have caused a reordering of the sections, plus some editing needed to more accurately reflect the way Session carries out its responsibilities, generating some of the proposed changes.

5 5 MOTION: That the proposed revisions to the Operating Manual for Session named above be approved effective May 1, INFORMATION: The other council sections have undergone cursory review and editing to make them generally applicable to New Hope. They have never undergone a complete review to reflect the way we do or plan to do church business at New Hope. MOTION: That all council chairs review and edit their section of the Manual to reflect the above intent. Also, if the document can be simplified and shortened, it may become a more useful and used governance document. All Session members are invited to submit any proposed changes as well. All these should reach the Assistant Clerk by April 15, He will then incorporate them in a further and hopefully final major revision of the Manual to be considered for approval at. SENIOR PASTOR S REPORT Dr. Bill Stephens: Brief report on Florida Presbytery. ASSOCIATE PASTOR S REPORT The Rev. Stu Austin: Sean Austin has made profession of faith. ASSISTANT PASTOR S REPORT The Rev. Howard Biddulph: Report received ASSISTANT PASTOR S REPORT The Rev. Andy Cornett: report on changes in confirmation, outreach verses just teaching. APPROVAL OF DOCKET MOTION M/S/approved unanimously REPORT OF THE TREASURER Lowell Hamric INFORMATION: 1. Per the attached condensed income statement and balance sheet attached, for February, 2011, operating income exceeded expenses by $3, Both income and expenses were below trend, with expenses below slightly more. After two months, income has exceeded expenses by $43, About $30,000 in offerings was given in December, 2010, earmarked for 2011 offerings, and that accounts for much of the operating surplus. For two months of 2011 vs. 2010, income is up about $7,500 and expenses below 2010 by almost $51,000. The loan balance on the land purchase was $84,000 at the end of February, and after two Sundays in March, it was $50, The property tax exemption for 2011 we filed in February has been approved. 3. Since the timeshare gifted to New Hope in early 2009, but not properly titled and recorded in Oceola County (Kissimmee) to New Hope until , and with the timeshare (Vacation Village at Parkway) after that, Session needs to decide the disposition of the time share ownership. It is a two bedroom unit for week 25 (usually the last full week in June), Unit We have paid the taxes and maintenance fees for 2009 and 2010 in the total amount of around $1,500, and the legal work to gain clear title was done pro bono. Session has previously established a policy that property donated to the church, except for miscellaneous personal property, shall be sold as soon as reasonably possible, such as stocks, bonds, etc. This detail is being provided so that first year ruling elders are fully informed. After very much time spent investigating this issue, it is the conviction of the Treasurer after extensive research that the property has negative value into perpetuity. Timeshare units are the most oversold and under water of all classes of real property, there is no market, and they are considered toxic property. The real downside is that the owner is liable forever for annual taxes and maintenance fees, periodic assessments to replace carpet, furniture and fixtures, potential hurricane damage, etc. Repeat, there is no market; you cannot sell them to knowledgeable buyers. From all this discussion, my recommendation is to utilize one of a number of companies that specialize in transferring

6 ownership. I have had numerous contacts with one called TimeshareOut.com (Timeshare Closing Services, Inc.). For a fee under $4,000, they will transfer the unit to a third party, including all closing costs. If we do this immediately, we will get a partial credit for the 2011 maintenance fees we have already paid. For information, Session approved the sale of the unit in March, 2010, when we thought we had clear title. Another option has been suggested, and that is to offer the timeshare to our members to the highest bidder, and if no bidders, offer to give it to whoever might take it. I would reluctantly accept this option only if we offer it with full disclosure, informing any interested parties of all the advantages and disadvantages of becoming the new owner. MOTION: Treasurer, Lowell Hamric, M/S Motion failed That Session authorize the Treasurer as the agent of New Hope to enter into a contract with Timeshare Closing Services, Inc., at a cost of up to $4,000, to transfer ownership of the timeshare unit to a third party. If it is deemed proper to have a trustee sign the contract, then that will be done. MOTION: Barb Griffith/seconded by Bruce Schultz That session offer the timeshare to the church members and friends with the stipulation that the highest bidder over one dollar will get the timeshare. A full disclosure of all details will be explained to any bidder. If not sold after 60 days, New Hope is to enter into a contract with Timeshare Closing Services, Inc. REPORT OF COUNCILS 1. FINANCE/STEWARDSHIP Rob Scharlau (Chair), Jon Orr, Chuck Stewart Report received. INFORMATION: The Finance Council met on March 15th. Month end financials were reviewed and discussed. February results can be found in the Treasurer s report. We continue to make great strides in the Stepping Out in Faith Campaign. As of 3/13, approximately $51,000 is still needed to payoff the land loan. This is on pace to meet our goal of having the land paid for by Easter. Several ideas were discussed surrounding an event to celebrate the completion of SOIF. One suggestion was to have a brief announcement at each of the Easter services followed by refreshments and cake after each service. We also discussed the possibility of a mailing that would be sent to the congregation thanking them for their support and providing info regarding the work that is being done to keep us moving forward toward the next phase of our project. 2. CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Tim Foster (Chair), Steve Boutelle INFORMATION: March 22, 2011 Session Meeting MOTIONS: Tim Foster M/S/ approved unanimously 1. Approve the new college-aged ministry, Fusion, with a leader team of Krissy Bashor, Betty Parkinson, and Dawn Moore. This program provides fellowship for 18 through 25 year olds who are in school, working or have just graduated. 2. Approve the Women s Mission trip to the Dominican Republic and Good Samaritan Orphanage tentatively from May 28th through June 4th. INFORMATION: Early Childhood Ministry: MOPS held the Julie Barnhill event on Tuesday, February 22 with approximately 140 in attendance. Julie spoke on dealing with the realities of motherhood. Children s Ministry: The Eggstravaganza is scheduled for Sunday, April 17 th with planned water slides and games. Student Ministry: Soul Station is well attended and is currently studying Genesis

7 Women s Ministry: Circles of Friendship held a Spring Gathering on Thursday, February 24 with approximately 65 in attendance. Andrea Stephens spoke on the ministry to the SWFL Juvenile Detention Center. There are numerous other activities listed in the Women in Ministry newsletter DENOMINATIONAL RELATIONS INFORMATION: No Report 4. EVANGELISM /MEMBERSHIP/FELLOWSHIP Dick Grosse (Chair), Joyce Seckinger MOTION: To approve the statistical report (attached.) INFORMATION: EVANGELISM 5K Race Saturday, April 2, We need 60 volunteers. MEMBERSHIP Council members mentor 17 new members with quarterly contact to assure assimilation. Eggstravaganza is Sunday, April 17, EMF to provide food. FELLOWSHIP The Picnic in the Park was held at Lakes Park on March 12, 2011 with 150 New Hope members enjoying the food and fellowship. Miracle Baseball Night & Fireworks is being planned for May 28, We have a block of 70 tickets. Information: The EMF Council continues to sponsor or conduct the following additional ongoing activities: Welcome Center, Café Hope, Event Tent, Visitor Mugging Program, and Newcomers Coffee. 5. LOCAL MISSIONS Paul Pierce (Chair), Scott Connell, Jim Frisch, Bill Gold INFORMATION: 3/7/11 Local Mission Council Meeting Minutes Present: Gordon Johnson, Joan Frisch, Scott Connell, Bill Gold, Paul Pierce, (Andrea Stephens, work; Dave Weinman, school activity; not able to be present) 1. The minutes of the 2/7/11 Local Missions Council meeting were approved. 2. New Business: a) Gordon Johnson s two page update of Gabriel House s status, and the hiring of Mindy Hoeth, as part time executive director, was discussed, and council members questions were answered. b) Bill Loy s 3/5/11 report to Local Missions, highlighting one of Young Life s individual ministries, was informative and spiritually uplifting, an excellent example of an organization regular(ly) providing New Hope with reports of its activities and accomplishments... [see 7 of Session s 8/24/08 New Hope Presbyterian s Community Ministries Council Organizational Evaluation.] c) A discussion followed regarding Session s 8/24/08 instructions. Gordon Johnson noted that Session revised Community Ministries Council organizational evaluation criteria 2 ½ years ago. Paul Pierce related that when he was given initial pastoral guidance/instruction by Pastor Bill and Associate Pastor Stu, the 1-7 criteria was reviewed; that in keeping with his (Paul s) fiduciary duty to the

8 church as chairperson, evidence of opportunities for New Hope volunteers, a financial report to the church, etc. would be requested of agencies receiving New Hope donations. Bill Gold strongly expressed that Local Missions had never been held accountable or required to seek such data in years past. Paul assured Bill that the data could easily be obtained at no cost or inconvenience to the agencies we sponsor. Scott, Joan, and Gordon also contributed to the discussion. d) In keeping with Local Council s desire to communicate with each sponsored agency s activities and accomplishments, Bill Harward will be invited to our 4/4/11 Local Missions meeting. e) Paul, and possibly Joan, will visit Verity in the next few weeks. f) Paul will send s to each agency we sponsor, encouraging them to inform New Hope Local Council of their need for volunteers, mentoring, or support. All volunteer or other needs will be forwarded to Trish, Ceci, and Kathy, and, with pastoral approval, placed in the church bulletin, and on New Hope s website. 3. After closing prayer, the meeting adjourned at 8:20p.m. Respectfully submitted, Paul Pierce, Chair, Local Missions 6. PERSONNEL Warren Jalving (Chair), Jim Frisch, Karen Hobson, Sue Laird, Bruce Schultz INFORMATION: 1. Hired Ed Harger for the custodial position 2. The council is in the process of reviewing and updating position descriptions for all personnel 7. PROPERTY Gary Hamilton (Co-Chair), Tom Pelletreau (Co-Chair), Dick Boyd, Bob White INFORMATION: No Report 8. SPIRITUAL CARE Bill Bliem (Chair) INFORMATION: No Report 9. WORLD MISSIONS Tim Ficker (Chair), Marilynn Cox, Kevin Erwin, Joyce Seckinger INFORMATION: Meeting of March 15th, 2011 In attendance: Tim Ficker, David Weinman, Joyce Seckinger, Jim and Judy Mayer, Marilynn Cox, Jo Ann Fosselman. Guest Missionary presenter: Mark Horrocks Summary of the Missions Conference, January 2011 will be discussed at the April 13th meeting with reports submitted by the principal leaders. Included will be ideas that need to be carried forth to future mission conferences. On Palm Sunday Lance and Elizabeth Edwards will be with us for all three services. We are considering having a table set up on the patio with information. On September 25th, the Holstens (MAF Missionaries) will be with us for the Sunday services. 8

9 GUEST PRESENTATION: 9 Mark Horrocks spoke to the committee about HABITAT FOR HOPE based in Memphis, Tenn. Mark and Melissa have started a program to assist families who have a very sick child receiving medical treatment in the Memphis hospitals and must also carry the burden of caring for the family and other siblings. Assistance is provided in temporary housing, emotional support for the family and the marriage, and guidance as serious decisions are made. Three apartments and two guest rooms are available for use at no cost to the families. Since families have received assistance. Mark is now seeking assistance from area churches to take on the cost of building cabins that can house families on a temporary basis. The cost would be about $100,000. This includes funds to build the cabin, furnish it and provide meals when a family uses it. Mark will speak during the services on Sunday and a table will be set up on the patio for members to find out information. Some ideas are a mission trip with the youth to help out with meals and hospital visits. WMC has moved its regular meeting time to the 2nd Wednesday of the month, 12noon 1:30pm. Next meeting is April 13th at the church. The May 11th meeting will be at the campus of NMSI and the Vogels will be presenting to the Council. 10. WORSHIP Ann Anderson (Chair), Marilynn Cox, Barb Griffith INFORMATION: WORSHIP COUNCIL March 8, 2011 MOTIONS PASSED: Confirmands taught by Pastor Andy & Krissy will have the option of being baptized by immersion at Ft Myers Beach or by sprinkling at the church worship service. Recommended the purchase of a wireless microphone headset for Pastor Stu 2 Easter Banners will be purchased for the sanctuary. An outdoor contemporary Easter Sunrise service will be held Easter Sunday, April 24 at 7:00 am followed by a breakfast for Sunrise Service attendees only. INFORMATION: Lenten Banners arrived & the word sacrifice misspelled. The office will handle the exchange or refund. Maundy Thursday, April 21 Communion Service at 6:30 pm. More ushers are needed for Easter Sunday 11:00 service Easter lilies remembrances will be $10.00 each & will be handled by the church office. Moody Bible Institute Symphonic Band concert March 18 at 7:30 pm o Final plans for the dinner for Moody students o o Final plans for assigning students to host families letter going out in the next day or so. Discussed the rearrangement of the sanctuary to accommodate the 55 students, their instruments, & music stands. New Hope Americana Concert - April 9 at 7:30 pm o Discussed sanctuary decorations of the red, white, & blue bunting loaned to us by Shell Point. New Hope Greeter letters prepared by Tom Anderson will be mailed this week. Next meeting: April 12, 2011 at 5:00 pm at New Hope in Room 205.

10 10 REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES 1. NOMINATING COMMITTEE 2. VISION MISSION STATEMENT Bill Gold OLD BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS: Prior to the Stated meeting of Session, session members met to hear a presentation by Parker /Mudgett/Smith Architects Inc. at 5:45p.m. MOTION: Warren Jalving M/S/Bob White approved unanimously: To name Parker/Mudgett/Smith Architects Inc. the official architects for New Hope Presbyterian Church. MOTION: Bruce Schultz M/Seconded by Jon Orr approved unanimously: Warren Jalving and Bob White to gather a list names who are qualified and willing to work on the building committee. The list will be presented to Session at the April Stated meeting from which the session will elect the committee. The Session heard the profession of faith from 16 students. MOTION: Tim Foster M/S/approved unanimously: To accept all the students professions of faith in lieu of an examination and welcome them into the church family of New Hope Presbyterian Church. CLOSING PRAYER AND ADJOURNMENT at 8:45p.m, with prayer By Rev. Howard Biddulph. The next Stated Meeting of Session will be TUESDAY, April 26, 2011 at 7:00pm in Room 213. Information and motions for the April Agenda should be submitted to Trish by 5:00pm Wednesday, April 20, Rev. Dr. Bill Stephens Moderator Jacob W. Faasse Clerk of Session