MINUTES – DRAFT, PENDING FORMAL APPROVAL BY SESSION

Session Meeting – First Presbyterian Church, Altadena

August 7, 2008  7:30 p.m.

Present:  Pastor Margo Houts, Sam Gin, Nina Lau Branson, Barbie Ishida, Stan Inouye, Pete Morris, Dorothy Kirkland, Bob Hayashi

Excused:  Ted Tajima, Debra Williams 

I.          Opening Devotional and Prayer (20-25 minutes) (Pastor Margo)

II.         Quorum Established.  MSC to approve Agenda

III.        Our Ministry Together           

A. Worship – (Items 1-4 below)  An observation by Pastor Margo for  a need to better coordinate the activities between the  Intergenerational Worship Team, the Music Ministry team, Worship Environment Team, and Worship so that all groups communicate and interact more effectively.  Pastor Margo offered to be part of an umbrella group consisting of one liaison from each of the teams whose role it will be to make sure that these four groups are in coordination with one another.

1. Intergenerational Worship Team – Formerly called “Family Worship Team” meets weekly, headed by Debra Williams.

2. Music Ministry – Meets on the third Tuesday of the month.

3. Worship Coordination/Coordinator – There has been no Worship Team for the past couple years.  Nina has been carrying this responsibility as worship leader and in planning and implementing Sunday service.

4. Worship Environment Team 

5. Prayer Ministry after Service – With Session concurrence, Pastor Margo will explore with others the desire and need to have a special prayer time immediately following Sunday worship. 

6. Intercessor Prayer Team – Two prayer teams are meeting.  The first is comprised of members and friends who meet intermittently.  This team was approved by Session earlier in the year.  The second prayer team is more informal…a small group of personal friends who pray together.  Pastor Margo advised that the Session has the responsibility and authority, as elders, to be aware of and provide spiritual cover for all prayer groups.                                  

B. Hospitality

1. Evangelism 

         a. Visitors – (Not discussed)

2. Outreach 

         a. Designate coordinator for CROP Walk on Sunday, Oct. 19.  Recruiter Rally scheduled for Sept. 6 at 9 am at First Baptist in Pasadena – Barbie Ishida will approach Virginia Christman and husband Allen to inquire if they would be willing to coordinate the CROP Walk for this church.

3. Hospitality to Seniors 

         a. Caring Cooks

         b. Senior Task Force 

         c. Ministry to Friends at Home (shut-ins) – Pastor Margo indicated that there seems to be a lack of awareness of visitation and home communion activities to Friends at Home.

4. Potlucks 

          a. PW and Deacons alternate (for Session reminder that Potlucks are coordinated between these two groups)

5. MSC to approve the Worship Institute’s request that Altadena Presbyterian host (provide space and refreshments) for a Southern California gathering on worship renewal in October or November.  There will be no cost involved for the church.  The church will be responsible for the logistical set up and clean up.

6. Congregational Care:  Funeral/Memorial Planning (Support for coordinators Bob Uchida and Ted Tajima) – Pastor Margo will approach the Deacons about the possibility of taking over the funeral and memorial service coordination, with leadership and support from her.  She will also provide training with the Deacons on their responsibilities per the Book of Order.  In addition, so that there is better coordination and awareness between elders and deacons, it was suggested that an Elder be assigned as liaison to the Deacons.  Pastor Margo will inform Bob Uchida and Ted Tajima that we are working on a plan to relieve them after their many years of dedicated service as coordinators.

7. Recognition for Rev. Dr. Tina Blair’s service here as moderator and pulpit supply. -  Sam Gin and Bob Hayashi will work on an appropriate farewell and thank you for Rev. Tina.

C. Unity 

1. Finances 

        a. Financial Reports as of June 30, 2008 – Based on financial reports, the church has received less income than last June 30, 2007  ($74,000 in 08 versus $99,000 in 07).  Total expenses are about the same ($101,000 in 08 versus $98,000 in 07).  Discussed the need for a proactive approach to addressing the budget in relationship to the church’s primary mission, and the establishment of a visionary team on church finances.  Sam Gin indicated that he would talk with Dave Sakamoto of the Stewards and report back to Session. 

        b. Frank Tanaka Trust – Church beneficiary – Upon his death, Mr. Tanaka provided in his trust a substantial gift to the church which is currently being processed by attorneys and accountants.  His attorney has indicated that they will keep the church informed. 

        c. Disposition of Love offerings from Gospel Concert – Dorothy Kirkland will contact Chris Iwamiya concerning the love offerings given at the Gospel Concert in memory of George Iwamiya.  Pastor Margo explained that in the future, it is necessary that Session both authorize in advance the receipt of offerings, with knowledge of how the offerings will be distributed…that it is not appropriate that the church act as a clearing house for other ministries outside of this church.   

        d. Stewardship Campaign – Pastor Margo will meet with Stewards.  Sam Gin and Pastor Margo will work on a stewardship letter which should be sent out to the congregation in the next month.

2. Personnel Matters 

       a. MSC to approve the written Covenant between Rev. Margo Houts and First Presbyterian Church, Altadena

3. Interim Tasks 

      a. Strategizing First Steps – As part of her responsibilities as Interim Pastor to prepare the congregation for the new permanent pastor, Pastor Margo proposed a series of cottage meetings preferably at the homes of various members.  Session concurred.  Groups of 10-12 are ideal.  Questions, similar to the appreciative inquiry process, would be discussed in small groups, and a lot of listening is necessary.  Elders would assist Pastor Margo.  All information would be recorded and shared with the congregation.  The focus is history of our church, pain and healing.    

      b. Set Date for Session Retreat – Focus is teambuilding.  Tentative dates are September 12 and 13, from dinner to dinner. 

      c. Spiritual Security of Church Property – Pastor Margo will talk with Stewards about physically securing the church property, but she indicated that Ministers and Elders must take control of the spiritual security of the property.  There have been several signs and incidents indicating that aggressive action is required in the name of Jesus.

4. Christian Education 

      a. Criminal Records Check for Volunteers in Children and Youth (carry over to next meeting) 

      b. Stability in Nursery (carry over to next meeting) 

      c. Initiating Membership Class – With Session concurrence, Pastor Margo will begin membership classes in January or February of 09.

IV.        Consent – All items below were approved.

A.         Approval of Minutes of  Session  meeting of  June 12, 2008 (e-mailed).

B.         Clerk’s Records: 

1. Request by Knox Presbyterian Church for a certificate of transfer from First Presbyterian Church, Altadena, for Mark Baker-Wright who has been active and worshipping at Knox and would formally like to unite with the Knox congregation.

2. Haru Okuda, Member 328, passed away on July 23, 2008.  Memorial service will be held in the sanctuary on August 16, 2008, officiated by Rev. Dr. Margo Houts and Pastor George Egami.

C. Recommendation of Stewards to discontinue Earthquake Insurance effective July 2008.  By email vote in July 2008, Session unanimously approved this recommendation.

D. San Gabriel Presbytery – Digest of Meeting of July 8 (e-mailed)

E. Review of PW Minutes – Pastor Margo expressed the need to have all official minutes forwarded to Session for review and discussion, if needed.

F. Review of Deacons’ Minutes – Pastor Margo expressed the need to have all official minutes forwarded to Session for review and discussion, if needed.

G. Approval of Ministers and Elders to serve The Lord’s Supper at their discretion in 2008.

V.         Other Business  - None

VI.        Closing Prayer (Pastor Margo and Elders)

Respectfully,

DOROTHY KIRKLAND

Clerk of Session

Summary

The membership of First Presbyterian Church, Altadena (FPCA) includes 261 active members, with approximately 100 attending Sunday worship.  Most of these active members are Nisei over age 70.  There are 298 inactive members on the rolls and there are approximately 40 active non-members who participate regularly in church activities. There are two Sunday morning adult education classes with over 30 persons involved in the Sunday morning Adult Education class with an average of 20 in the classes. We have 10 children irregularly in the Godly Play curriculum, 4 in the nursery, and 11 irregularly in youth group activities.

We are currently in the process of seeking a new senior pastor. The Rev. Dr. Margo Houts is serving as our Interim Pastor and Moderator of our Session.

Pastors Nicholas Iyoya and Harriet Johnson, both honorably retired from active ministry and both former ministers of our church, have graciously agreed to carry on the role of visitation ministers for our infirm and hospitalized congregation members.

We have two persons on the pastoral staff: Deborah Williams (Director of our children and youth efforts), and Virginia Christman, our Fuller Seminary Intern.  Our staff also includes Alice Young (church secretary) and Ted Tajima (newsletter editor).  Our session has staffed for the future, stretching us and encouraging us to grow spiritually and numerically.

Church facilities, at 2775 Lincoln Avenue, include a sanctuary (seating 300), a Christian education building (eight classrooms plus offices), and a social hall and kitchen (dining room for 250; assembly for 430). We also own a manse. Our operating budget for 2008 is just under $250,000 and we have just under $520,000 in reserves. We have 105 giving units that pledged about $136,000 last year. We also had 116 persons (separate from giving units), give about $70,000 for specific projects or designated giving. Our members tend to be most generous with specific projects and with designated giving.

Small Groups

Numerous groups carry out regular ministries of the church (committees, choir, and a monthly hot meal ministry).  The Presbyterian Women (PW) gathers in various configurations for Bible study, for crafts, and in circles.  Presbyterian Men meet quarterly with others in our Japanese Presbyterian Church (JPC) network of eighteen churches.  In addition, of about 130 active youth and adults at FPCA, about 1/2 are involved in weekly or biweekly Bible studies or "support" groups.  Some of these groups have historic and ongoing ties with some of the mission activities.

Events

Our corporate history, the significant of our relationships, the importance of gathering around meals, and our outreach into the community are all embedded in the events of our annual calendar.  The monthly potlucks, holiday meals, and the Spring chicken dinner allow us to be hospitable to ever broadening circles of family and friends.  Worship near Memorial Day gives time for names to be read and candles lit in memory of those who have been part of our extended family.  The children of the church and neighborhood enjoy the Easter egg hunt, on one summer Sunday we worship and picnic in a nearby park, and our summer beach picnic is enjoyed for intergenerational fun.  We appreciate conversations during our spring church hike and the shared breakfast, and the fall CROP walk provides money for hunger alleviation.  The annual rummage sale brings inexpensive items to family and neighbors.  Our largest event is the Fall Festival, which celebrates the 1968 move into our present facilities and welcomes the broader Japanese American community and our local neighbors to a day of games, food, fund-raising, and memories.

Denominational Relations

The First Presbyterian Church, Altadena, decided to become Presbyterian in the mid 1940s.  For over 50 years, our laity and clergy have taken a vital interest in the business and concerns of denominational bodies.  In recent years, elders have faithfully attended Presbytery meetings, and some pastors and delegates have served presbytery committees.  An FPCA elder was elected as a commissioner to General Assembly, and two of our elders serve have served as Trustees of Monte Vista Grove Homes, a Presbyterian retirement home for pastors, missionaries, and spouses.  We continue to participate generously in regular and special, denominationally sponsored missions and projects, and about 7% of our annual budget go to General Mission.  PCUSA students at Fuller Theological Seminary are often welcomed as interns.  Our Presbyterian Women contribute to the San Gabriel Presbytery and have sent representatives to PW's national gatherings.   

Mission Activities

In additional to financial involvement, FPCA has an ongoing relationship with several missionaries as noted below:

Our Missionaries 

Tim & Juji Boyle, Japan

Dr. & Mrs. Joseph Kang, St Petersburg, Russia

Michael & Chris Mason, Japan

John & Anne Wheeler-Waddell, Ethiopia 

Please visit our Missionary News to learn more about our missionaries and their work.

First Presbyterian Church of Altadena has sent over 20 men and women into ministry and mission.  These include positions as pastors, counselors, chaplains, and ministers in Christian agencies, denominational executives, and missionaries.

Locally and ecumenically, we are significantly involved in the annual Church World Service/CROP walk, we give financially and participate in service with Union Station (a multi-service rehabilitation center), we give financially to the Ecumenical Council of Pasadena Areas Churches (ECPAC) to support their work with needy families, and we contribute financially to the local cold weather shelter and to Five Acres (a home for youth).  The PW supports Project Angel (the county hospital’s fund for needy families) and Friends Outside (a prison project), and several other mission projects.  The total annual amount of these commitments is about $8,000.