Opening Prayer and Devotions: Becky Mentzer

Roll Call:

• Pastor James G. Bell
• Associate Pastor Vickie Kintzel
• Class of 2004: Barb Lemmon, Becky Mentzer, Steve Miller, Jay Reece, Cathy Rinehart
• Youth Elder: Jeremy Brewer
• Class of 2005: Steve Barwick, John Crew, Ginny Nappi, Jerry Parsons, Mons Schrantz (excused)
• Class of 2006: Bob Hunt, Dave Seyller, Faith TenHaken, Terry Tosh (excused), E'Lane Tufts
• Clerk Margaret Wolf

A motion was made and seconded to excuse Mons Schrantz and Terry Tosh. Carried.

Pastor's Report:

• So far there are six applicants for the Christian education positions. These have been given to E'Lane and Dave.
• The bids are out for the building expansion. They are due by March 2 at 2:00 p.m. They will be opened on March 2 at 5:00 p.m.. The treasurer has given a top limit of $1,600,000. We have raised $1,200,000 in pledges. Three companies are bidding. We may need a special called session meeting early in March. It is hoped to have the building underway in April. Pastor Bell reminded the session that this bid does not include furniture, sound systems, change orders and the required landscaping from the city.
• Materials on the Order of Elders were distributed. Jim asked that interested elders sign it ‘"yes" and put it in his mailbox. There is a discount if enough elders are interested.

Associate Pastor's Report:
There are nearly 270 participants in the Purpose Driven Small Groups. She appreciates the new energy created in the church from the efforts of everyone involved. There will be a midpoint meeting of Purpose leaders March 3, 7:30 a.m. Vickie thanked Ginny Nappi for the photocopy job of the Scriptures used in the study sessions.

Treasurer's Report:
January 31, 2004 balance is ($4,842.03)
Jim explained the reasons for the negative balance. A motion was made by Steve Barwick, seconded by Steve Miller to accept the Treasurer's Report. Carried.

Clerk's Report:

• Approval of minutes January 28, 2004 stated meeting. Motion carried.
• Record of serving Holy Communion — Sunday, February 1, 2004. Both services.
• Record of baptisms — none
• Communications — none
• Ordained and installed as elder on Sunday, February 15. 8:30 a.m. — Margaret Wolf
• No changes in rolls. Current active membership: 506

Consent Agenda:

• Accepted minutes of the following committees: Health Ministries, January 20, Met again February 17; Marketing, January 28; Christian Education, February 4; Christian Education: Children Subcommittee, February 4, Youth Subcommittee, February 6; First Peacemakers, February 8; Property, February 10; Mission, February 11, Stewardship, February 11; Small Groups, February 16.
• There were no meetings for Worship, Personnel, Gifts and Memorials.
• There were no minutes received for the February 4 Congregational Life meeting.

Session Agenda:

Old Business:

• Cathy Rinehart said they were still trying to buy an AED.
• Becky and Ginny reminded members that they should have received the revised Vision Statement.

New Business:

• No one was elected as our presbytery commissioner. The first meeting is February 24 at 9:30 a.m. in Pekin. Jim will seek a former elder to attend. He thanked John Crew and Joan Edgren for past services.
• Outreach Committee (15 minute review of Web page and Policy at request of Bob Hunt.) We moved to the sanctuary to view the new Web page presented by "Web Master," Amy Tuttle. Also present were members of the Marketing Committee: Darrin Brant, Rob Mentzer, Ian Malcolm and John Anderson.

  Everyone was VERY impressed and appreciative of Amy's professional work. The Proposed First Presbyterian Church of Normal Web Site Policy was distributed back in the lounge meeting. Cathy Rinehart made the motion, seconded by Steve Barwick, to accept the Web site as presented and the site policy.

Information:

• 7:00 p.m., February 25—Communion/Ash Wednesday Service
• March 7—Communion Sunday
• Aprril 25—Youth Talent Night
• May 16—Youth Sunday
• June 12-20—Youth Mission Trip
• February 29—Next baptism
• April 18—New member classes (3 Sundays)
• March 24—Session meeting. Ginny Nappi leads devotions and prayer.

Jim shared illness concerns in the church, as well as asked for support in his work with troubled churches in the presbytery. He also asked special note be made for Amy Tuttle's hard work on the Web page and for Vickie and Becky's diligent efforts for launching the Purpose small groups.

The meeting was adjourned with prayer at 8:35 p.m.

_____________________
James G. Bell, Moderator

_____________________
Margaret Allen Wolf, Clerk