October 2019 Session Meeting Highlights

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