Session and Diaconate Meetings

The Session and Diaconate met last night. The two boards meet the fourth Tuesday of the month. We meet together in Fellowship Hall at 6:30; have devotions, prayer, and announcements. Then the Session moves into Fellowship Hall east to conduct serious business while the Diaconate sounds like they are having a party. I had to quiet them down one time. Anyhow, here is some of the Session business conducted:

- approved officer nominees from the Nominating Committee
- approved proposals for the three church budgets (General, Missions, Building)

You will be receiving in a couple of weeks a mailing with the nominees and budget proposals. Mark on your calendars now December 2 for the congregational meeting to elect officers and vote on the budgets.

- heard report from the Strategic Planning Committee
- heard report from the Trustees who give a monthly update on the church's financial status
- heard reports from the pastoral staff
- heard reports from the church commissions: Church Planting, Family Life, Growth and Maturity, and Missions
- heard reports from the parish elders

There were other reports and pastoral matters to discuss. The meeting went long for us, a little past 10:00. Usually we are done before 9:30. Let me encourage you now, to hold up the Session and Diaconate each fourth Tuesday. We are well aware of the high responsibility given to us by Christ in our shepherding and service to the church. Thankfully, God has given to both boards a spirit of unity and, I would say, humility that allows us to work together for the good of the church.