The session and the diaconate of Westminster Presbyterian Church (“WPC”) convened for a called joint meeting on 13 October 2007 in the Fleming Lodge at the New Hope Camp and Conference Center to discuss matters of common interest and, in particular, to explore opportunities for growth by “Looking at Inreach in Our Church Community”.

Moderator Jack Walchenbach was present and called the meeting to order at 9:15 A.M.  Clerk of session Doug Wellemeyer was present.

Associate Pastors Betty Berghaus and Paul Ransford were present.

Elders Bruce Cunningham, John Dancy, Alex Denson, Claudia Draffin, June Jones, Susan Landis, Sara Pottenger, Holly Huffman Schmidt, Shayne Ruffing and Eric Wolf were present.

Deacons Walt Beckwith, Bill Burig, Bill Hatch, Sarah High, Gary Lehew, Darren Skeen, Helen Tharrington and Rob Wilgus were present.

WPC staff members Barbara Fletcher and Nancy Rozak were present.

The Moderator welcomed everyone, thanked them for their attendance on a Saturday morning, and invited everyone to introduce themselves and share something of interest about themselves with the group. 

The Moderator then led a reading in unison of the WPC Mission Statement, Claudia Draffin led the assembly in the singing of the hymn “Called as Partners in Christ’s Service”, and Betty Berghaus offered an inspirational message based on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians 4:1-6, and a prayer. 

The Moderator offered a brief and uplifting report on the very healthy state of the church during this time of transition, and concluded with his observation that the Spirit of God is alive and well at WPC.

The assembly then heard briefly from session and diaconate committee leaders and members about the role of each of the church’s various committees, and their goals and plans for the coming year.  The clerk of session provided some background information concerning current committee structure and organizing principles that were affirmed by the session in 2005, based on the work of the Best Practices, Officers and Boards Committee.

Doug Wellemeyer reported on the progress of the Pastor Nominating Committee, and delivered a message from the PNC’s Moderator that already there is a healthy sense of comfort and purpose that is evident in the PNC’s work together.

Bruce Cunningham reviewed the Transition Committee’s plan to publish an annual report in early 2008, and distributed a preliminary outline for such a report.

The Moderator then introduced the main discussion topic for the meeting, “Looking at Inreach in Our Church Community”, and turned the floor over to Nancy Rozak to explain the process and lead a breakout exercise and discussion of the subject, with assistance from Betty Berghaus.

Materials were handed out containing excerpts from the Book of Order and from Gray & Tucker’s Presbyterian Polity for Church Officers concerning officers’ responsibilities, and time was allowed for everyone to read the material, with the instruction to consider again their individual and collective duties as elders and deacons.

The assembly was then divided into four smaller groups, a method was suggested for determining a leader for each group, and the groups were asked to discuss a set of four questions regarding the duties of elders and deacons with respect to needs for congregational inreach. 

After an allotted time for small group discussion, everyone reassembled and the leader for each small group reported on his group’s discussions.  The following notes in response to each of the assigned questions were recorded on a flipchart:

Q1: What are some common responsibilities that elders and deacons share?

·       Identify and care for the needy.

·       Legal responsibilities.

·       Share in leading worship.

·       Serving communion.

Q2: What is expected of elders and deacons in relation to inreach?

·       Identify needs/assess needs/act in response.

·       Act as a catalyst.

·       Visit and comfort the lonely, sick and oppressed.

·       Listen!  Communicate availability.

Q3: What in your opinion constitutes inreach at WPC?

·       Athletics, supper clubs, musicals, Stephen Ministry, choir.

·       Keeping rolls (attendance).

·       Smaller groupings.

·       Sunday school, VBS.

·       Youth group.

·       Geezers and office volunteers.

·       Retreats, mission trips/disaster relief.

·       Shelter meals.

·       Provides community, common experiences.

·       Birthday Sunday, nametags.

·       Speak to others!

·       Invite to join committee (values gifts).

·       Visits/meals/hospital visits.

·       Communication.

·       Recognize interests (T&T cards).

·       Surveys.

·       Conversation.

Q4: What are some ways that we can improve and increase our inreach at WPC?

·       Update prayer lists, post often.

·       List of shut-ins.

·       Be aware of aging issues/needs.

·       Follow-up care.

·       Perpetual visitor.

·       Officer training – meet 3 people.

·       Programs to reach out (support for divorce, cancer).

·       More open to diversity.

·       Greeting elders.

·       Talk to visitors, others.

·       Cards to those absent.

·       Adult Sunday school rosters.

·       More social events (Fellowship Committee).

·       Encourage participation in Sunday school.

There was discussion about the fact that many of these suggestions are related to Betty’s work being shared out to a greater extent among officers and members; about how, at WPC, there is a perfect opportunity for greeting and engaging new people and members alike before they enter the church for worship; about how there is a need for more church gatherings that members would choose to attend simply because they enjoy community with fellow church members; and about the opportunity for the Fellowship Committee to be more proactive by organizing such gatherings.

Due to the lateness of the hour, and having accomplished the stated purposes of the meeting, the Moderator declared the meeting adjourned.

Claudia Draffin led the assembly in the singing of the hymn “I Sing a Song of the Saints of God”, and the meeting was closed with a prayer by the Moderator at 12:30 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Doug Wellemeyer                                                Jack Walchenbach

Clerk of Session                                                    Moderator

J101307 Called (Approved 21 Oct 2007)