Session News: October 2022
This month, Session opened their meeting by sharing their gratitudes and a reading of 1 Thessalonians.
We ought always to thank God for you and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. [And] we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by God’s power the Lord may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
While continually overwhelmed with gratitude for the work God is doing in our midst, a major concern at the October 26th Session meeting was the continuing disconnect between what the church is receiving in tithes and offerings and HPC’s financial commitments. If present trends continue, we may soon be unable to meet payroll from these sources. However, giving has been increasing somewhat in recent weeks. Sixteen regular givers have increased their gifts, and we have added 2 more giving units. This is worthy of much celebration. It is hoped that the focus on this issue through preaching and other communication will continue to bear fruit both spiritually and financially.
Session also spent much time on many other big issues facing the church right now. Session recognizes that HPC, like the society we are part of, is undergoing rapid and continual change. Much of this change is good and is cause for thanksgiving and celebration, but change is also hard and disorienting. Our mantra through all this change is that, “With God’s help, we can do this”.
Session is working together to rethink the most effective and faithful ways to support and nurture our three major current missions: The Hopewell Youth Collective, Creative Connections Play School, and Hearts and Hammers.
Session approved three important financial requests:
The church will pay two-thirds ($932) of the cost of the psychological evaluation which Tori Paquette is required to take as part of the application process for her candidacy for Minister of Word and Sacrament. The Presbytery will pay the remainder. This payment comes from the Hansen Fund, dedicated to supporting our seminary students.
A gift of $2500 will be made to our friends at Second Calvary Baptist Church in Hopewell. This will pay for a historical marker at the site of their original church building on Second Street. It will be placed as part of their 125th Anniversary celebrations. The funds will come from the tithe off of the most recent allocation of the Sharipen bequest. The amount of that tithe will total $302,500.
Some church members and friends are facing increasing and urgent financial hardship in this time of rising costs, and from the continuing disruption which is the legacy of the Pandemic. Eviction threats, major medical bills and high mortgage payments are all needs which have been identified by the Deacons. On the recommendation of the Generosity Committee, Session agreed to give the Deacons access to an additional $50,000 to use at short notice if necessary. These funds will also come from the latest $302,500 mission allocation from the Sharipen Bequest.
As far as the Sanctuary Renovation goes: the draft construction contract received from Baxter construction will be reviewed by our legal advisor. Additionally, a lift will be installed in the sanctuary in the coming week and our last Sunday in the Sanctuary will be November 13. Starting November 20 we will be worshiping together in Fellowship Hall.
In “Presbyterian business”, Session authorized Ruth Amadio, Lauren Ghighi, Emily Knoth, Andy Hall, Isaiah Hall and Junia Menacher to serve communion.
The current Session comprises: Rev. Melissa A. Martin (Moderator), Ian Burrow (Clerk of Session), Bonnie Altieri (2024), Chris Cox (2025), Becky Ludeke (2025), Doug McCleery (2023), Ruth Mortensen (2025), Molly Peterson (2023), and Sandy Sherrard (2024).
This work is not always easy. Please continue to hold our Pastor and our Session in prayer as they seek to discern God’s will for this congregation and community, and to make prayerful decisions. Do not hesitate to contact any of us with suggestions, concerns or questions.
Ian Burrow
Clerk of Session