Category: Clerk of Session

Updates from the Clerk of Session

Meat Pies direct to you

Posted by on Monday, March 27th, 2017 in Clerk of Session

Hello St Andrews


                                                
It is my great pleasure to announce that meat pies are back! Here are the deets.  The order window is open now until April 28th. There is a sample order sheet below and there will be many opportunities to pick one up at the church too. Kindly spread the word so everyone gets a chance to order these "good as homemade pies." 

I have some news too - I'm working with a company in Guelph called Portions that have a pretty wide variety of gluten-free, peanut-free, dairy free, egg free and soy-free entrees prepackaged and frozen. They are deeply committed to providing exceptional quality for those that have dietary restrictions. If you are someone or know someone that would like to try some of their meals they are easily contacted. The really good news in the very near future I may be able to offer these meals directly to you. They are looking at providing a special price offer for St Andrews.  All the details are not worked out at this time. When I have the details we will have another tasting opportunity to sample their products.

Just a reminder 100% of the proceeds goes to St Andrew's in our second year of fundraising to beat the deficit.  Buon Gusto!


 
To view a larger size copy double click on picture




Continue reading »

Posted by on Monday, March 27th, 2017 in Clerk of Session



I'd like to present the St Andrews' Little Free Library that will be installed this spring on the church property. All approvals have been received from; the City of Cambridge, Session and Operations for this whimsical library.  The Christian Education Committee is pleased to sponsor this active mission and will ensure only the proper materials are offered in this library. Nancy English, Chair of CE assured Session that this ongoing offering of Christian books is an exciting new approach for the folks at the Christian Ed.


Rob for Nancy 

Continue reading »

Meet your new COS Bill Pettit

Posted by on Thursday, March 9th, 2017 in Clerk of Session


Session has formally approved the Clerk of Session Mr. Bill Pettit.

Thank you to everyone (especially Bill) on the confirmation of the new Clerk of Session for St. Andrews Hespeler. I have enjoyed being your Clerk and know that Bill is a terrific choice. Once again, thank you for your support and patience with me as COS.

sorry about the resolution of the photo above - but I think the blurry haze makes both of us seem younger and smooths out the wrinkles..... 
Continue reading »

GOOD NEWS from Session

Posted by on Monday, February 27th, 2017 in Clerk of Session

   In 2009 Rev. Jeff  Veenstra inquired if I would replace the retiring Clerk of Session. I can't remember why I did not attend Session the next time after that, but he informed me that it was unanimous and I was the new Clerk.  That's when I realized I had no idea what that really meant. Time passes and I realize I have no idea what I will do without being Clerk of Session. I am confident that if God can lead me to something he will also lead me through it. So I say so long, definitely not goodbye and expectantly await what my next adventure in life will be. Its been great being your Clerk!


 I'd like to announce that Bill Pettit will be the next Clerk of Session and I know you will treat him well like you always have for me.  You are in good hands.   

     p.s. Meat pie sales will be renewed in April - talk to you soon!
Continue reading »

The Annual General Meeting February 26, 2017

Posted by on Monday, February 27th, 2017 in Clerk of Session

THE 161st ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
 ST. ANDREW’S HESPELER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH


Sunday, February 26, 2017

Reverend McAndless constituted the meeting with a prayer, followed by a hymn sung by all.

Rev. Scott McAndless welcomes the congregation and opened the meeting.

Steve Marsh was introduced as the M.C. for the annual meeting. Rob Hodgson was introduced as secretary of the annual meeting.

Ray Godin moved and  Karen Nixon seconded that Steve Marsh and Rob Hodgson be approved as M.C. and Secretary accordingly. CARRIED.

Allison Cann moved and  Peter Moyer seconded that the minutes of the 160th annual meeting of St. Andrew’s Hespeler Presbyterian Church held on February 28, 2016, be adopted as with one correction. Page 5 of the 2016 Annual Report - “Cynthia MacDonald moved that 2015 budget, should read 2016 budget.  CARRIED.

Rob Hodgson presented the report of the Kirk Session for 2016.

The congregation heard from representatives of church committees and groups about celebration achievements in 2016, special services, as well as valuable support that individuals/volunteers provided. Presentations were provided by:

·         Music & Worship – Mary Forbes – M&W  and Corey Cotter Linforth - Music
·         Fellowship Video – Thank You
·         Mission and Outreach – Peter Moyer and Elaine McLean -co/chairs
·         Beth McIntosh Group – n/a
·         Athalie Read Group – n/a
·         Operations –  Vern Platt – overview & Thank You
·         Christian Education – Video
·         Hespeler Place of New Hope – Karen Kincaid  overview
·         Report on Financial Review _ Vern Platt [acknowledgment of Vern Platt and Patrice Wappler]  financial oversight
·         Finance Committee Report

Bob Neath moved and  Joanne Waugh seconded that the Finance Committee's Report for 2016 including the General Fund, Capital Purchase Fund, Hope Clothing, Christian Education Fund, Organ Fund, F.A.S.T. Fund, Mission Fund, Presbyterian Sharing, Endowments Fund and other funds be adopted as written and printed in the 161st Annual Report. CARRIED.

·         Budget 2017 – Ray Godin
The 2017 Budget was presented at a separate financial meeting that was held on February 22, 2017. Ray Godin provided an overview of the Finance Committee Report for those people who were not able to attend the financial meeting.

Vern Platt moved and Carol Jones seconded that the 2017 Budget be adopted as presented in the Annual Report. CARRIED.

·         Presbyterians Sharing - Video
Don Paddock moved and Bill Pettit seconded that the Congregation accept, but not guarantee the allocation of $18,200 as our fair share of Presbyterian Sharing for 2017. Inclusive of the proviso that periodic audits throughout 2017 be entertained.  CARRIED.

·         Appointment of Trustees for 2017

Vern Platt expressed appreciation on behalf of the congregation to the Trustees who have served in 2016 including Gary Stewart, Bill Winser and Glen Nixon.

Vern Platt moved and  Patrice Wappler seconded that as a congregation, we accept Gary Stewart, Bill Winser and Glen Nixon, being members in full communion of the congregation, as Trustees of St. Andrews’s Hespeler Presbyterian congregation in 2017, to hold office until successors have been selected to replace them, to hold the property of the congregation, and to borrow money upon instruction of the congregation. CARRIED.

·         Appointment for 2017 financial review
Joanne Waugh moved and Perter Moyer seconded that Vern Platt and Patrice Wappler be appointed to conduct a review of the financial records of the congregation and to report to the 162nd Annual Meeting.  Carried

·         Other Business
Rob Hodgson - expressed sincere appreciation for Ray Godin dedicated service to the church. Further, Rob expressed sincere thanks to Jane Neath, who came on board in 2015 to work closely with the Office Administrator, Treasurer, and Bookkeeper.

·         A request to post the list of Deacons/Elders assigned to Districts be available a.s.a.p.
·         No other business was brought forward.
·         Memorial for those who have passed since the last annual meeting
Reverend McAndless read the list of names of those loved ones who passed away since the last annual meeting.

·         Adjourn
Karen Kincaid moved that the 161st Annual Meeting be adjourned.

The Prayer and Benediction was pronounced by Reverend McAndless. 
Continue reading »

Every Session is required to have a Clerk.

Posted by on Sunday, February 12th, 2017 in Clerk of Session



APPOINTMENT 

Every Kirk Session is required to have a Clerk. The appointment is not for life, but only during the pleasure of the Session. Particularly in a large Session a case can be made for making the appointment only for a specified number of years. It should be recognized that even a small Session may be depriving itself of valuable talent by leaving it to one person to hold this office for potentially a very long time. There are also those who, because of other commitments, might be more willing to act as Clerk if the appointment were to be for a definite, rather than an indefinite, number of years. The person chosen does not have to be an elder. Historically the Clerk was just that, no more than what nowadays might be called a minute secretary. Now all or nearly all Session Clerks are elders. Regrettably, it sometimes proves impossible to persuade anyone to be the Session Clerk. When this happens, the minister must act as Clerk as well as Moderator of the Session, but this is a most unsatisfactory state of affairs, and it should not continue longer than is absolutely necessary. 

It would be in order for a Session Clerk to have the assistance of a secretary or typist in taking the minutes and attending to correspondence. It would be in order also for such a person to attend Kirk Session meetings for this purpose. If the Clerk is absent from any meeting of the Session, a Clerk pro tempore is appointed. 

 MAIN DUTIES 

The main duties of a Session Clerk are:- 

(a) with the Moderator or Interim Moderator to call and prepare for meetings of the Session; 

(b) to keep Minutes of Kirk Session meetings; 

(c) to attend to correspondence, including the issuing of Extracts; (d) to be responsible for all Records of the congregation; 

(e) to submit the Records of the congregation annually to the Presbytery for attestation; 

(f) generally to see to the functioning of the Session, to be concerned for the welfare of the congregation, and to have a working knowledge of the Church’s practice and procedure.

an excerpt from www.churchofscotland.org.uk/      

Revised October 2008 

Continue reading »

AGM Minutes February 28, 2016

Posted by on Friday, February 10th, 2017 in Clerk of Session

Here's what happend last year.



THE 160TH ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
 ST. ANDREW’S HESPELER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Meeting opened when Reverend McAndless welcomed attendees with a prayer, followed by a Hymn “Oh God our Help in Ages Past.”

Steve Marsh was introduced as the MC of the annual meeting. Allison Cann was introduced as secretary of the annual meeting. Motion to accept Steve and Allison in these roles was moved by Pete Moyer. Seconded by Rob Hodgson. CARRIED.

Jane Neath moved that the minutes of the 159th annual meeting of St. Andrew’s Hespeler Presbyterian Church held on February 22, 2015, be adopted as written and printed in the 160th Annual Report. Carol Jones seconded the motion. CARRIED

Rob Hodgson presented the report of the Kirk Session for 2015. The congregation heard from representatives of church committees and groups about celebration achievements in 2015, special services, as well as valuable support that individuals/volunteers provided. Presentations were provided by:

·         Music & Worship – Mary Forbes
·         Director of Music – Corey Cotter Linforth
·         Mission & Outreach, Hespeler’s Place of New Hope – Pete Moyer
·         Hope Clothing Video
·         Christian Education – Joni Smith
·         Operations – Al Craig

The 2016 Budget was presented at a separate financial meeting that was held on February 24, 2016. Ray Godin provided an overview of the Finance Committee Report for those people who were not able to attend the financial meeting.

Jane Neath moved that “That the Finance Committee's Report for 2015 including the General Fund, Capital Purchase Fund, Hope Clothing, Christian Education Fund, Organ Fund, F.A.S.T. Fund, Mission Fund, Presbyterian Sharing, Endowments Fund be adopted.” Pete Moyer seconded the motion. CARRIED.

Cynthia MacDonald moved that “That the 2015 Budget be adopted as presented in the Annual Report.” Brenda Holm seconded the motion. CARRIED.

Donald Paddock moved that “That the Congregation accept but not guarantee the allocation of $18,200 as our fair share of Presbyterian Sharing for 2016.”  Motion was seconded by Rob Hodgson. CARRIED.

Paul Witmer expressed appreciation on behalf of the congregation to the Trustees who have served in 2015 including Gary Stewart, Bill Winser and Glen Nixon.

Paul moved “That as a congregation, we accept Gary Stewart, Bill Winser and Glen Nixon, being members in full communion of the congregation, as Trustees of St. Andrews’s Hespeler Presbyterian congregation in 2016, to hold office until successors have been selected to replace them, to hold the property of the congregation, and to borrow money upon instruction of the congregation.” Bob Neath seconded the motion. CARRIED.

An independent review of the 2015 financial records was undertaken in 2015. Bob Neath moved “That an independent review of church’s financial record continue in 2016, (consistent with the process that was followed in 2015).” Seconded by Donald Paddock. CARRIED.

Additional Motions:
That the Session create a task group to develop strategies to eliminate the deficit and to develop sustainable financial plans beyond 2016 (including opening conversations with potential ministry partners). Motion moved by Bob Neath and seconded by Rob Hodgson. CARRIED.

Jane Neath moved that Patrice Wappler be designated as the internal auditor for books and records of the church in 2016. Seconded by Elaine McLean. CARRIED

Patrice Wappler expressed sincere appreciation for Ray Godin dedicated service to the church. Ray expressed sincere thanks to Jane Neath, who came on board in 2015 to work closely with the office administrator and the auditor.

No other business was brought forward.

Reverend McAndless read the list of names of those loved ones who passed away since the last annual meeting.

Trent English moved that the meeting be adjourned.

The Prayer and Benediction was pronounced by Reverend McAndless.



Continue reading »

hear ye hear ye the AGM is nigh

Posted by on Friday, February 10th, 2017 in Clerk of Session

The Annual General Meeting will be held Sunday, February 26 after worship. During this celebration of accomplishments, you are invited to a pot-luck luncheon.

The annual financial meeting will be held Wednesday, February 22 at 7:00 pm. You will be updated on the proposed 2017 Financial plan and detailed results from 2016. Plan to attend if you can. Session has responded to your call towards "financial sustainability" from last year's meeting. We are proud to unveil what has changed in one year's time.

Your participation in both of these meetings is vital to the sustainability of St. Andrews.

Session is looking for volunteers for: setup, serving and cleanup after the luncheon concludes. Please consider helping out by contacting; Rob Hodgson or Joni Smith. There will be a signup form at fellowship next two Sundays also.

Rob 

Continue reading »