The Session and the Diaconate of Westminster Presbyterian Church (WPC) convened for a called joint meeting at 12:25 p.m. in the WPC Fellowship Hall.  The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, H.Holderness, and opened with a prayer by Elena Cleary.  

 Associate Pastors B.Berghaus and P.Ransford were present.

Elders F.Anton, B.Derr, A.Denson, D.Elvers, N.Gaddis, J.Graham, C.Haynes, J.Jones, S.Landis, B.Nicoll, D.Wellemeyer were present.  Elder M.T.Peters was absent and excused.

Deacons Elena Cleary, Carol Cunningham, Morris Griffin, Rebecca Mattern-Mielcarek, Bill Scott, Sally Keener, Bill McAvoy, Rick Overholt, Michael Reich, Donald Rufty, Nancy Safrit, Holly Borden, Bruce Capehart and John Lockhead were present.

WPC staff members N.Rozak and M.Rossman were present.

Clerk of Session D.Derr was present.

Also, members of the 2006 Confirmation Class were present.

 The Moderator declared a quorum present.

Everyone present enjoyed a delicious lunch prepared by Betsy Mangum, Sally Ransford, Kim Scott and Mary Holderness.

The Moderator then led everyone in a unison reading of the WPC Mission Statement. 

M.Rossman led everyone in the singing of the hymn “Be Thou My Vision.”

The Moderator welcomed everyone and stated the purpose of the meeting is to discuss issues of pastoral transition.

Rebecca Mattern-Mielcarek exhorted all officers of their responsibility to welcome members and visitors to WPC at every opportunity and specifically during the coffee and conversation time after each worship service on Sundays.

P.Ransford then presented a mini lecture on Congregational attitudes during the stages of church growth and transition beginning with the pioneering folks starting a new church and continuing through the ongoing life of the church to the present paralleling the history of WPC.

The Moderator led a discussion of comments from those present on a draft hand-out entitled “Some Questions and Answers Concerning Our Pastoral Transition” consisting of twelve questions and answers.  The Moderator then had everyone count off in numbers of five to form five separate discussion break out groups to brainstorm suggested changes to the draft.  They were to focus on what the Congregation might need or want to know and how to help lead the Congregation during the interim period.

The Moderator after a period of time directed everyone to reassemble into one group and then the youngest person in each of the small groups presented a report of the discussions and suggestions in each of the five groups.

The called joint meeting of the Session and the Diaconate having been completed, the Moderator declared that the meeting is adjourned with the singing of the hymn, “Oh Holy God, You Call Us Daily” and Michael Reich closed the meeting with an adjourning prayer at 2:12 p.m.

Dailey J. Derr                                                                                        Haywood D. Holderness, Jr.

Clerk of Session                                                                                                                Moderator                 

S040906 Called Joint Meeting