First Presbyterian Church of Greenville

In its stated meeting for January, the Session continued its usual practice of beginning with a devotion and hearing specific concerns and celebrations among the membership and friends ofthe church. From the Administration Ministry, a number of building use requests were heard and acted upon and an audit committee for 2008 of Shelley Basnight, Dallas Taylor, and Bill Baggett was appointed; Session voted to spend money from Restoration and Renewal funds to remove the large closet in the basement fellowship hall and to construct storage space for the Chrismon tree. Personnel items included information about office coverage during Tracy’s maternity leave, a report on the status of the search foran Administrator for Church Communications, and the year-end evaluation of staff. The Worship Ministry reported on the pulpit swap for Race Relations Sunday and plans for services during Lent and Easter.
Under the Education Ministry, a Godly Play workshop was scheduled and plans for Youth group activities for Souper Bowl were approved. The Mission Ministry reported on Mayfest plans and plans to sponsor college students on a mission trip. Under the Membership Ministry, plans for having Dr. Kirk Neely for a 3-
day visit, including several talks and a book-signing/sales event were approved. Church Treasurer Steve Murphree gave a report on the 2007 budget and noted that thanks to the membership’s increased giving in December, the total income was within 97% of the total budget expectation. Expenditures were about
94% of expected, leading to a small surplus in the budget for 2007.

The Visioning Team, which has been working for over 16 months to develop

a vision for our church over the next 10 years, presented a report and some recommendations. During its study, the Team has sought input from the Session, from the various Ministries, and the congregation at large about perceived needs
and directions of the church. As part of the vision for First Presbyterian to minister to Greenville in its current location, the Team encouraged the Session to increase the staff by adding a full-time Director of Ministries to Youth and their Families and to study alternative/additional worship opportunities. Several attempts at having a 3rd service resulted from the latter and study on this is continuing. To meet needs of increased worship space, increased Christian Education and recreational space, improved administrativespace, and improved welcoming space in the current location, the Visioning Team worked with architect Jimmy Hite to propose renovations and expansion of the physical facility. The first plan received some concerns which were addressed in devising a plan that was presented to Session in November, the various Ministries, and to the congregation at the Food & Fellowship event in January. After much
discussion, the Session voted to approve the project of the Visioning Team subject to the appointment of a Financial Team and a Building Team who will together determine the feasibility of the project and report back to Session and subject to final approval by the congregation. The Visioning Team was then
dissolved, and the Administration Ministry was directed to re-establish the Planning and Evaluation Team for continuing long-term evaluation.

Before adjournment, Bill Neely led a time of spiritual development for the Session.