The following summarizes the reports,
discussions and actions from the October 2019 Stated Meeting of the Session of
Calvary Presbyterian Church.
Clerk’s Report:
Session approved 12 changes from active membership to inactive status Average
September worship attendance: 2019 = 247,
2018 = 268, 2017 = 360.
The Giving Team reviewed the plans and timeline for the 2020 Annual Giving
campaign.
Special donations: As of October 1, members and friends had
contributed $3,643 in support of the Adult Mission Trip to Tijuana. The funds
will be used to purchase food and necessary personal items for migrant adults
and children housed in temporary shelters.
Amy Hockman, Finance Team
Chair, gave an update on the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) work on the 2020
budget. The preliminary budget includes increased funding for a new head
pastor’s salary and the accompanying mandatory PC(USA) contributions. Mission
Team chairs are meeting with the JBC in October and November to present their
proposed budgets..
Session approved the Youth
Ministries Team holding three types of fundraising events to support the 2020
youth mission trip.
MISSION TEAM REPORTS:
Education & Spiritual Formation – Adults (Kathy Bear, chair)
- A
variety of educational seminars are planned for nearly every Sunday in October
and November.
- The
Centering Prayer group, led by Doug Person, continues to meet on Sunday
mornings at 9:15.
- Men
of Calvary Bible Study, led by Rev. Chinn, continues their Monday 8-9 am studies
- Women
of Calvary Bible Study, led by Rev. Lee, will meet 11/14 and 12/12 at 6 pm (no
October meeting)
Education – Children’s Ministries Mission Team (Erin King, chair)
- September
2019 average attendance in programs: Sunday
Studio 20 children, 10 caretakers; Wednesday playgroup 93 children 5 caretakers
- Children
1-5th grades (including the 2nd & 3rd grade class) walked with David
Barnes, Alison Faison and Carole Grubb to the Lounge where they had a snack and
a docent tour with artist and long-time educator, Heidi Hardin, creator of the
“Families of Abraham” exhibit.
Education – Youth Ministries Mission Team (Zanne Mrlik, chair)
- 4th and 5th graders are enthusiastic,
spiritual, and fun. Starting to feel the pinch of the small space devoted to
the class.
- 18-20 confirmands are participating in the weekly confirmation
classes.
- Starting in October, Youth Fellowship will be held at the church
the second Sunday of the month from noon to 3 pm
Faith in Action (Betsy Dodd, chair)
- Updates
on Poverty Partners and other community outreach:
- Boys and Girls Club – Emi Alexander and Joni Lachman – Weekly SAT
prep sessions ongoing.
- New Door Ventures – Jane Bryson and Sally Durgan – Going
well with the current cohort; Jane Bryson and Toni Vandekemp recently
volunteered in Oakland.
- Raphael House – Mary Kate Wheeler – Volunteers needed
for 10/31 Halloween event for families; volunteers also needed for
Adopt-a-Family holiday gifts drop off and pick up.
- SF Achievers – Betsy
Dodd – Jane Bryson attended a Giants game with her mentee on 9/11.
- SF Food Pantry – Paula Jesson and Betsy Dodd – Served 295
clients on 9/14; 9/21 pantry staffed by volunteers from all 5 participating
churches, followed by a meeting for church coordinators to introduce new Head
Coordinator Sharon Mortz
- International
Immigration – Stephanie Gee – Need
volunteers for sidewalk vigil on 10/11 outside ICE building in
SF, 11:30 – 12:30. Put a hold on providing dinners for the Honduran asylum
seeker family due to the immigrant’s schedule.
- Annual
FIA Sunday 9/22 – Representatives from SafeHouse, NDV, Raphael House, SF Achievers, Boys and Girls Club, Food
Pantry/Interfaith Winter Shelter, International Mission/Living Sanctuary were
on hand at tables in Calvin Hall to provide information about their
organizations.
Fellowship – Adults (Kathy Hanson, chair)
- 130
people attended the 9/8 Homecoming Potluck Lunch, including the bagpiper who
played before and in the worship service.
- 35
people attended the 9/28 Tiburon Sunset Cruise and enjoyed the beautiful sunset
and city/bridge lights
Fellowship – Young Adults (Eddie Higgins, chair)
- Faith
& Formation – Several CYA members attended the annual Community Spiritual
Retreat led by the Deacons on 9/21
- Community
service – helped serve at St. Martin de Porres for Calvary’s 5th
Saturday shift; continuing to do SAT tutoring at the Boys and Girls Club;
helped with ushering at the Hymns to Swear By service and helped serve at the
ice cream social that followed
- Social
– continuing monthly happy hours; hosted a game night 8/22
Membership – New Members (Dale Barnes-Anderson, chair)
- Next
new member class will begin Friday night, November 1st.
Membership – Nurture & Database (Susan Hempstead, chair)
- Continued
to reach out to members who don’t seem to be involved at Calvary, and made
recommendations regarding changes in membership status for Session approval
Worship and Music (Jennifer Miller, chair)
- Continuing
to recruit volunteers. Hosted an information table in Calvin Hall following the
Focus on Mission on Sunday, 9/15, and 23 people signed up for a variety of
W&M opportunities.
- 90
– 100 people attended the 9/13 special Chamber Concert to dedicate the Chapel
piano.
- Working
on plans for Advent; the theme will be “Repeat the Sounding Joy”, which is especially
pertinent given the 300th
anniversary of the hymn Joy To The World
Respectfully submitted,
Lois Dress, Clerk of Session
ClerkofSession@calpres.org