The Presbytery of the Pines 210 North Bonner Ruston, Louisiana 71270

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1 The Presbytery of the Pines 210 North Bonner Ruston, Louisiana To: Minister Members of Presbytery Clerks of Session Commissioned Lay Pastors Elder Commissioners Elders Enrolled in Presbytery From: Dan Hignight, Stated Clerk Dear Presbyters, In accordance with our Administrative Manual of Operation, the Presbytery of the Pines is called to convene at 10:00 a.m. in a stated Meeting on February 21, 2015, at Ruston Presbyterian Church, 210 North Bonner St., Ruston, Louisiana. The Packet of reports for the meeting may be downloaded from the Presbytery web site, It would be most helpful in preparing for this meeting for Presbytery office to know the name of the elder commissioner(s) that will be attending. If you need a printed copy of the Packet mailed to you, please contact the Presbytery office as soon as possible. Directions to the church, as well as motel information for those who want to arrive on Friday night, are in the packet. If you require child care to attend the meeting, please contact the Presbytery Office by February 19, 2015, ( ) or call Ruston Presbyterian Church At the October meeting each congregation was given a square of fabric and instructions for making a quilt square to represent the congregation. Those quilt squares will be collected as part of worship at this meeting. We are asking that the person bringing the square to presbytery be prepared to tell, briefly, how the design on the square represents the congregation. We are trying something new at this meeting of presbytery. We will have time set aside for attendees to share something good happening in their congregations. Do you have a program which has worked well? Have you undertaken a local mission you can tell us about? Are you attracting new members? Whatever the good news is for your congregation, we want to hear about it! Please take time to read through and prayerfully consider the reports before attending the meeting. On behalf of all the agencies of Presbytery, we look forward to seeing you in Ruston.

2 Presbyterian Church of Ruston 212 North Bonner St. Ruston, LA fax: Fellow Presbyters: The session and congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Ruston join me in extending a warm welcome to all of you and look forward to having the Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of the Pines at our church on Saturday, February 21st, For those of you traveling from out-of-town and need a hotel room, there are several from which to choose. They are all just off Hampton Inn, Fairfield Inn and Suites, Holiday Inn Express. Lunch will be provided for a cost of $6 per person. Payment for your lunch can be made at the time of registration. There will be coffee and muffins before the meeting. A nursery will be available. Please call the presbytery office ( ) to register your child for the nursery. Directions for those coming from the north on Hwy 167 continue south to Alabama Ave, turn left on Alabama, church is on right at corner of Alabama and N. Bonner St. from west on 1-20 take exit 84; continue south on Tech Dr.; left on Alabama to corner of Alabama and N. Bonner St. from east on 1-20 take exit 86; turn left at top of ramp to go south on Farmerville Hwy (Hwy 33); Farmerville Hwy becomes East Georgia Ave. (Hwy 80); turn left on N. Bonner St.; church is one block south on N. Bonner St. from south on Hwy 167 continue north to Alabama Ave; turn right on Alabama; church is on right at corner of Alabama and N. Bonner St. Parking for the church is in the back parking lot, along Alabama Ave; in front of the church on N. Bonner St., and at the back of the AutoZone parking lot. We pray for your travels here, a productive meeting, and the safe return to your homes. We look forward to seeing you on February 21st. Grace and peace, Edith Hill

3 Driving Directions to the Presbyterian Church of Ruston Alabama Ave N Bonner St From I-20 or North US-167: Take US-167 exit, EXIT 85 towards Ruston/Dubach Turn south onto N. Trenton Street/ US-167 Turn left onto W. Alabama Avenue Church ahead on N. Bonner Street From South US-167: Continue north on US-167/ N. Vienna Street Turn right onto E. Alabama Avenue Church ahead on N. Bonner Street

4 DOCKET 111 th Stated Meeting Presbytery of the Pines February 21, 2014 The Presbyterian Church of Ruston 9:00 a.m. Registration 10:00 a.m. Call to Order (sanctuary) Dana Stinson, Mod. Welcome from Host Church Morning Prayer Stated Clerk, Partial Report Edith Hill Dan Hignight Introduction of New Business Introduction to Discussion 10:30 a.m. Discussion of Proposed Amendments John Scott Fellowship Hall, as directed before moving 12:00 noon Lunch 12:45 p.m. Reconvene with prayer (sanctuary) Dana Stinson Worship and the Lord s Supper Good News among Congregations Stated Clerk s Report Continued General Presbyter s Report Committee on Administration Joe Hill Corbin Lamkin Congregational & Pastoral Care Committee Edith Hill Vision & Mission Committee John Scott Voting on the Proposed Amendments Other Business Adjournment with Prayer

5 STATED CLERK As we move into a new year, Sessions are reminded a Clerk and Treasurer are to be elected for a specific period (G , G ); be sure to review and see if a renewal of term of service is needed. Sessions are also reminded that their financial records are to be audited or reviewed annually (G-3.011). Sample bylaws and manual of operations for a congregation may be found at: These samples try to cover everything, so some parts may not be applicable to your particular situation adapt these to fit your needs; they are samples, not precise fill-in-the-blank resources. Each Session shall also have a sexual misconduct policy. Most insurance companies have good samples, or you can check out the at the denominational site: The following recommendations are made: 1. That the docket for this meeting be adopted. 2. That the minutes of the October 18, 2014, meeting of presbytery be approved as circulated. 3. That corresponding members be seated. 4. That the following ruling elders be enrolled members of presbytery while serving as moderator or moderator of a presbytery committee or ministry: Dana Stinson, and Corbet Lamkin. 5. That Presbytery elect a Nominating Committee Class of 2015 Class of 2016 TE RE TE Moderator RE TE RE Vice-Moderator 6. That Presbytery elect Edith Hill as Commissioner to the Synod of the Sun for the Class of 2016.

6 Teaching Elders who are Honorably 7. That the following rolls as of Dec. Retired 31, 2014, be admitted to record: 8. Teaching Elders in Validated Ministries within Congregation 1. ALBRIGHT, JOHN 2. ARNOLD, John C. 3. ARNOLD, Susan 4. BRANCH, Alford L. 5. BROWN, Dianne E. 6. CURRIE, T. Christian 7. FARIS, Philip A 8. FREEMAN, James D. 9. HIGNIGHT, R. Kathleen 10. KAYE, Erin P. 11. KENNEDY, Mark E. 12. LOOMIS, Daniel G. 13. MOODY, Allison 14. MORGAN, Michael D. 15. REINOWSKI, Thomas K. 16. ROBERTS, David 17. SEARIGHT, Bill 18. SEARIGHT, Sarah 19. SENTELL, Beth 20. VANHOOK, James A., Jr. 21. WORTHAM, George 1. BURNS, Ralph M. 2. GRISSO, E. Lee 3. GROVES, Grantland M. 4. KIM, Stephen K. 5. MCCLELLAND, John D. 6. MCDOWELL, Bryan L 7. MCLARTY, Philip W. 8. MURRAY, Spencer C. 9 STELZ, Rosemary 10.STIPP, R. Rhodes 11.TOMPKINS, Jerry R 12.VANCE, A. Arthur 13.WILLIS, William C. Teaching Elders Serving in Other Validated Ministries 1. HIGNIGHT, J. Daniel 2. HILL, Joe Teaching Elders Who are Members at Large 1. KIM, Jung Jin 2. KIM, Young Doo 3. MOORE, Lauren 4. NYGAARD, Robin 5. PERRY, Lindsey 6. POPE, John-Nelson Ruling Elders Commissioned to Serve Congregations 1. BROWN, Ron 2. CHILDS, Kay Travis 3. COBB, Charlotte 4. HILL, Edith 5. WEBBER, Clyde Ray

7 REPORT Congregational and Pastoral Care Committee February 21, 2015 The Congregational and Pastoral Care Committee provides nurturing support and assistance to congregations and pastors to further the ministry of Jesus Christ throughout the Presbytery of the Pines. This committee has many of the same functions of the Committee on Ministry and the Committee on Preparation for Ministry in the previous structure. We ask that you keep all the churches of the presbytery in your prayers, especially those that are going through transitions: Athens, Trinity, Bossier City Shreveport-Bossier Korean Crossett El Dorado Smyrna Homer Mansfield, First Frierson, Good Hope Mansfield, Red Lick Natchitoches Shreveport, St. Andrew Shreveport, First Shreveport, Hollywood For persons who are exploring their call to full-time ministry or who are in the process as inquirers, candidates, or enrolled in the commissioned ruling elder program, we ask your prayers for: Courtney Bacon Lisa Schrott Brenda Holder Al Rawls Harry Clinton Shelia Martin Gordon Christy RECOMMENDATIONS 1. That the presbytery receive this report as information. 2. That the presbytery enter into its records the following actions taken acting under commission powers authorized by the Presbytery: A. Approved the Transitional Pastor Agreement between Trinity Presbytery Church, Bossier City and Rev. Kris Crawford effective February 1, B. Appointed the following moderators of session: 1) Smyrna Presbyterian Church, Grand Cane Rev. Beth Sentell

8 2) First Presbyterian Church, Mansfield Rev. Beth Sentell 3) First Presbyterian Church, Natchitoches Edith Hill 4) First Presbyterian Church Rev. Lauren Moore C. In response to the call of the Shreveport-Bossier City Korean Presbyterian Church examined Rev. Jung Suk Seo. D. Dissolved the commissions of Ron Brown with Smyrna Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church, Mansfield effective December 31, E. Dissolved the pastoral relationship between Rev. Daniel Looms and First Presbyterian Church, El Dorado and enroll him as member-at-large effective January 31, 2015.

9 REPORT Vision and Mission Committee Report February 21, 2015 The Vision and Mission Committee met for its inaugural meeting on Saturday, January 31 For information: The committee took the following actions: Assigned TE Erin Kaye as clerk, and will elect a vice-moderator at a future date Discussed the need to fill the empty membership positions. Planned the February 21 Presbytery meeting, and discussed formats and speakers for future meetings. Discussed future events, retreats, and Presbytery meetings

10 REPORT Committee on Administration February 4, 2015 The Committee on Administration (Business Affairs) will be responsible for all financial and budget matters; stewardship; personnel; real estate; assurance that all Presbytery resources are managed in a competent, efficient, and transparent manner. The Committee met on Saturday, January 31, 2015 at the presbytery office. After a period of introductions and orientation, the committee spent time reviewing the budget approved by presbytery in October, Due to incomplete financial income data, no adjustments to that budget are being offered. RECOMMENDATIONS 1. That the presbytery receive this report as information. 2. That all references to "General Council" contained in any presbytery financial documents be changed to "Committee on Administration" (Business Affairs). 3. That the presbytery give budget supervision authority to the Committee on Administration (Business Affairs). Any actions taken pertaining to this authority shall be reported to the presbytery at its next meting. 4. That the presbytery consider moving to two stated meetings a year beginning in That the Financial Snapshot of 12/31/14 be received. 6. That The Presbyterian Church of Crossett be authorized to sell their manse and maintain any proceeds realized from such sale.

11 FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT December 31, TITHES AND OFFERINGS PLEDGED PER CAPITA TOTAL 341,911 44, ,051 GOVERNING BODY INCOME DISTRIBUTION GOVERNING BODY PERCENT TOTAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY 5% 19,303 SYNOD 5% 19,303 PRESBYTERY 90% 347,446 TOTAL PLANNED INCOME - TITHES AND OFFERINGS 386,051 SOURCE OF FUNDS FOR PRESBYTERY BUDGET SOURCE BUDGET YTD INCOME OVER/UND ER % BUDGE T TITHES AND OFFERINGS 347, ,167-7,279 98% PER CAPITA 44,140 40,772-3,368 92% OTHER INCOME 20,300 21,741 1, % INCOME FROM CAMPS 10,000 24,580 14, % TOTAL 421, ,260 5, % PRESBYTERY DISTRBUTION AGENCY BUDGET EXPENSES REMAININ G PRESBYTERY COUNCIL % COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY 8,750 4,230 4,520 48% COMMITTEE ON PREPARATION FOR MINIST 3, ,374 1% COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS (18) 137% COMMITTEE ON REPRESENTATION % PERMANENT JUDICIAL COMMISSION % CHURCH DEVELOPMENT AND MISSION 20,500 20, % FAITH EDUCATION 10,700 7,809 2,891 73% PERSONNEL 235, , % REAL ESTATE 25,500 37,702 (12,202) 148% BUDGET & FINANCE 36,986 36, % POLITY 3,100 3,555 (455) 115% CAMP AND CONFERENCE CENTERS 68,679 76,679 (8,000) 112% OTHER % TOTAL 413, ,804 (7,863) 102% C:\Users\Admin2015\Documents\Copy of Financial Snapshot 2014