My First Session Meeting -- TONIGHT!

As I prepare for my first meeting as moderator of the Session, I've got a conflict going in me. On the one hand, I'm committed to handling our work expeditiously (no meeting should ever run past 10 PM, and I'll be aiming for 9:30) and on the other, I've got a long list of questions, ideas, and topics to address.

In case anyone is interested, here's a list of some of the items coming for Session's response:

• Pastor Jim Poinsett leading devotions and sharing parting perspectives with Session
• Request from Kaethe Bierbach to be placed on Inactive Roll
• Request from Lami Adebayo to resign from Trustees
• Organ Recital/Fundraiser Friday, October 22, 7:30 PM & designation of proceeds
• Proposal from CE & Personnel to hire Sarah Lucas (assisted by Shina Abraham) as seminarian to work with youth. (This falls within the budget.)
• Death of member Philip Corper
• “Field of Flags” project (submitted by Tom Britton) for more info: http://www.somerscongregational.org/Ministries/Field-of-Flags/history.html (Refer to Social Justice Committee?)
• Outreach opportunity—Sept. 14 Primary Election and Nov. 2 General Election – Request Membership Committee consider promotional displays and fliers, and perhaps even coffee/goodies for General Election?
• Interim Pastor’s Report
• Confirim Oct. 10 date for Baptism of Jenna Marie Simkins
• Approve Baptism of Lauren Louise Crawford on Oct. 17
• Roadmap for the Interim Process (from here to a called pastor in 23 months)
• Study leave at the Lombard (IL) Mennonite Center Conflict Mediation training Oct. 4-8

If you have questions or comments about any of these topics (or other matters) speak to a Session member, or call me at 201-406-8991.

--Jack Lohr, Interim Pastor