Dec 2022 Session Highlights

  • Met with incoming officers to hear their faith statements. Called a Congregational meeting for January 1, 2023 to elect Jennifer Toth to the office of Deacon to fill the position vacated by Bill McGregor. Ordination/installation of newly elected church officers will occur on Sunday, January 8, 2023.
  • Approved hiring David Brittain as a part-time church Custodian, Krista Holtzman as a Nursery Childcare Worker, and Elizabeth Pinelli as a long-term DDD teacher while Morgan Smink is on maternity leave. 
  • The Treasurer reported that as 2022 contributions continue to be ahead of last year and expenses are below budget projections, we will end the year with an increase in net assets. The 2023 operating budget was reviewed and approved in the amount of $1,312,000 projected revenue and $1,360,882 projected expenses. The approximate shortfall of $49,000 may be partially offset by projected personnel expense savings and committee spending.
  • Approved entering into a new lease agreement with the current tenant of the Mansion Road property for a period of one year beginning January 1.
  • Authorized the Presbyterian Women to conduct 2023 collections for the Blanket + Fund, Birthday, and Thank Offerings. The Cookie Walk/Jumbles Shop event will be held Saturday, December 2, 2023.
  • Approved a request from the Christian Education Committee to contribute $1,500 from the Futures Fund to ELhaus, a ministry program run by Derry members Luke & Elizabeth Gawron. The vision of ELhaus is to bring people of all ages and walks of life together to nurture one another and inspire community care and connection.
  • Approved a Capital Procurement Requisition submitted by the Communication & Technology Committee to improve the sound quality in the sanctuary through the addition of microphones and choir speakers. The $11,500 cost of the project was generously contributed by a Derry member. Approval of the CPR was expedited as the full amount was donated and time was of the essence to utilize the contractor’s services for the installation.
  • Received a report and Capital Procurement Requisition from the Piano Committee regarding the purchase of a 2019 Steinway Grand piano Model D at a cost of approximately $150,000. Jacob’s Music in Philadelphia has offered to bring the piano to Derry prior to purchasing it so that we would have the opportunity to evaluate it. The committee is finalizing details of its fundraising program, which to date has commitments of $50,000. After discussion, the Session voted to allow this project to move forward with the delivery of the piano for evaluation on January 8. The committee is also authorized to present its fundraising program to the congregation to determine the level of support for the purchase. The Session vote on approving or denying the purchase will occur at a future meeting.
  • The Building & Grounds Committee reported that the Session House is in dire need of repair as the building is leaning precariously and is in danger of collapse. It is unstable due to several issues, the most crucial of which is a rotted support log on the left side. A Capital Procurement Requisition was submitted in the amount of $19,000 for the preservation work, which was based on a proposal obtain from British Masonry and Restoration, Inc. Contractors to work on a building of this age are difficult to locate, and Damon Taylor, owner of the company comes highly recommended by Jim Facinelli who worked on the Session House previously. (Jim is no longer in business.) Damon has an opening in his schedule to perform the work in February but has requested a 25% deposit to hold the spot. The Session voted to approve payment of the deposit and has requested references from Damon. A vote on the full project will be taken at the January Session meeting.
  • The Personnel Committee has been meeting and discussing Derry’s staffing needs. To that end, two new position descriptions were submitted for consideration. The first, “Director of Church Life and Connection” would help committees, staff, and members provide for faithful fellowship within Derry and cultivate connections between church members of all ages. The second, the “Associate Pastor for Faith Formation,” will provide leadership in Christian education, ongoing faith formation throughout the congregation, and oversee education and spiritual development ministries for all ages. After review and discussion, both position descriptions were approved.
  • The Personnel Committee recommended transitioning M.E. Steelman from her current part-time position as Children’s Ministry Coordinator to fill the position of Director of Church Life and Connection. This recommendation was approved.
  • The term of active service will be ending in January for elders: Greg Harris, Connie Henry, Ann Kroh, Bruce McKinney, and Karen Potter. Thank you to these leaders for their dedication over the past three years including helping us navigate the challenges of the pandemic.