A Summary of the March 29, 2020 Session Meeting

The Session began their meeting over “Zoom” at 1:45. Ruling Elders Present: Nadine Roddy, Anne Hedelt, Dan Heuchert, Will Hochstetler, Rebecca McGregor, Candace Spence, Ellen ThomasClarke, Wayne Cilimberg, Hal Collums, Dana Eastman, John Echeverri-Gent, David Heflin, Alyce Outlaw, Meredith Powell, Ruthie Buck, Jim Cauthen, Mike Moore, Ken Young. Recording Clerk Barry Parks. Teaching Elders present: Rev. Lynne Clements, Rev. Dorothy Piatt, Rev. Ken Henry. Staff present: Sandy Wilcox, Megan Sharp. Invited guest: Kobby Hoffman, Chair of the Benevolence Committee.

Highlights

• Ken Henry, Moderator, summarized a pastoral letter from the Presbytery of the James, dated March 27, 2002. In light of this global health emergency, the POJ has acted in the following ways. 1. An Inspire Gift of $2,000 is being given this coming week to each of the 101 churches, five campus ministries, two P.C.(U.S.A.) mission co-workers supported by POJ, and 26 validated ministries. It is the desire of the POJ that churches and ministries use the Inspire Gift as they see fit.  2. Advance Fund for Pastors and Certified Christian Educators. Among many of the churches in the POJ, financial resources are being stretched, slowed, or drawing to a small trickle. Members of congregations are doing their best but, as employment is threatened and investments are fluctuating, the source of giving in our churches is being strained.  Therefore, the POJ has established an Advance Fund ($50,000 so far) . . . to be used solely to sustain pastors’ and certified Christian educators’ salary, housing, and benefits during these days. 3. Video or Audio License Reimbursement. The Trustees are announcing that any of our smaller churches who may need to purchase a license for audio or video conferencing can be reimbursed for the cost of the license. Such expenses will be reimbursed to the churches upon completion of an Expense Report with supporting receipts
• Hal Collums, Worship Chair, made a motion to continue the suspension of all “in-person” worship services at Westminster Presbyterian Church from April 6 through April 30, 2020. M/S/C (Moved, Seconded/Carried)
• Ruthie Buck, Peace, Justice, and Inclusion Chair, made a motion that WPC distribute $75,530 in benevolence gifts to our non-profit partners in the community. M/S/C.  Kobby Hoffman and the Benevolence Committee will seek the guidance of the WPC Budget Committee for how and when to distribute these funds. An additional $13,550 will be held back and hopefully distributed in the future. “We aspire to give, but we cannot responsibly give with so many unknowns.”
• Session concurred with the Budget Committee that the Rugby Entrance Redesign project should be deferred. Dominion Energy has already taken down the canopy of the tree, so it is no longer the threat to passers-by it was.  We do not want to take funds out of our endowment funds when the market is so chaotic. M/S/C
• Session also concurred with the Budget Committee’s recommendation that disbursement of the remaining Session-designated benevolence funds of the 2019 surplus be deferred until later in the year. At its Stated Meeting of March 8, 2020, Session approved distributing the funds among 3 recipients: (1) the POJ; (2) our own University Mission, and (3) the Voices of Jubilee ministry. At this March 29^th Called Meeting, Session adjusted the amounts to be distributed as follows:  $6,900 to POJ as a one-time gift; $900 to University Mission; and $900 to the Voices of Jubilee. M/S/C
• Anne Hedelt, Personnel Chair, made a motion to immediately close the WPC Sanctuary, Fellowship Hall, office and Common Grounds through April 30, with the exception of special permissions granted by Ken or his designee for selected individuals to enter or work at WPC properties. M/S/C
• Anne Hedelt also moved on behalf of the Personnel Committee that the compensation of the church’s hourly employees (the Assistant Sexton and the nursery workers), who are prevented from working by the suspension of worship services and the closure of church property, be continued through April 30, 2020. M/S/C
• The Session decided to cancel its Stated Meeting of April 5, 2020, but to keep the Stated Meeting of May 3, 2020, on its calendar for now. The moderator will likely call a meeting later in April. M/S/C

In her wonderful sermon last Sunday, Dorothy referred to the uncertain period in which we now find ourselves as the “time between the before and after.” Although we are physically separated, our collective mission to serve Christ, share God’s love and work for justice during this time remains active and unchanged, albeit in a much different environment. Worship and music are now provided virtually (last Sunday’s service has over 500 views on YouTube), our Christian formation programs are now being delivered through online materials and video classes, and our Pastors and Deacons are now providing spiritual and emotional support to members of the congregation and students away from Grounds through phone calls, podcasts, group video get-togethers, and prayer partnerships. Efforts supporting our immigrant neighbors and sheltering the homeless continue, as does designating benevolence grants to mission partners in our community. Our staff is carrying on its work to manage and maintain our church facilities.

In just over a week, the church has transformed into one where Zoom, Google Hangouts and YouTube have become essential tools. As Dorothy noted, these efforts building a virtual Westminster help us to recognize that we are a community called together to share God’s love from all places, and that this calling is not limited by physical distance.

The Stewardship Committee is aware that some in our congregation may be facing challenges as a result of the economic slowdown, and that these challenges may impact their ability to give at this time. For others who may regularly give through the offering plate when we worship together, we ask that you practice financial stewardship in other ways while we are physically separated. You can give online, give using a one-time or recurring bill pay through your financial institution, or give by mail. Your faithful generosity fulfilling pledges during this period will support our being connected and spiritually nourished while apart and will help us share God’s love in new and creative ways. If you have any questions on giving, please contact Steve Brown in the church office at or 293-3133.

The Stewardship Committee