Roll Call:

• Pastor James G. Bell
• Class of 2005: Steve Barwick (excused), John Crew, Jerry Parsons, Mons Schrantz, Kathy Tosh
• Class of 2006: Bob Hunt, Dave Seyller, Faith TenHaken, Terry Tosh, E'Lane Tufts
• Class of 2007: Jim Bouas, Judy Lindsay, Cathy Rinehart, John Tuttle, Lloyd Wiesemann
• Class of 2008: Phil Eaton, Rob Kelley, Joni Painter, Jon Thetard, Kathy Tosh
• Youth Elder Matt Wiesemann
• Clerk Margaret Wolf

Call to order by Moderator Rev. Jim Bell. Devotions and prayer were led by Kathy Tosh on blessings.

Roll Call. A motion was made and passed to excuse Steve Barwick. A motion was made and passed to seat guests, Phil Eaton, Rob Kelley, Joni Painter and Jon Thetard.

Treasurer's Report: The current balance is $34,610.27.

Pastor's Report: Jim Bell shared the following information:

• Artist ideas for the Lois Odman windows. The session, in general, suggested more contemporary designs be sought in keeping with the church sanctuary.
• A request has been made to Jim by a non-member mother for a non-member couple for a wedding ceremony to be performed by him in the sanctuary. Before a decision, Jim has requested to meet with the bride and groom. Session complied.
• The next presbytery meeting is Sept. 13. We have space for two commissioners. Please contact Jim to volunteer.
• Sunday, Sept. 18, the newly elected elders will be ordained/installed:
  • At 8:30 service: Phil Eaton, Joni Painter and Kathy Tosh
  • At 11:00 service: Jon Thetard and Rob Kelley
• Retiring Elders Steve Barwick, Mons Schrantz, John Crew and Jerry Parsons were thanked for serving and giving so generously of their many talents. Tonight was their last meeting. Session members were also invited to contribute to the accolades.

Clerk's Report:

• Minutes of Session, July 27.
• Minutes of Committees: Membership, Aug. 8; Property, Aug. 9; Stewardship, Aug. 3, Christian Ed., Aug. 10; Adult Ed, Aug. 10; Children's Ministries, Aug. 10; Personnel, Aug. 10; Mission, Aug. 10, Health Ministries, July 19; Small Group, August 10; Congregational Life did not meet.
• Communion: served August 7
• Current active membership: 502
• Deaths: 1, Kenn Hurt on July 29, 2005
• Baptisms: 0
• Marriages: 0
• Review of clerk's report for presbytery on August 20 in Washington, IL. Approved.

A motion was made and passed to accept the Clerk's Report.

Old Business:

• Pastor Nominating Committee — Phone interviews have been conducted with two candidates. The committee will now hear them speak as guests in undesignated pulpits. They have also requested more PIF's from presbytery.
• Stewardship — Judy Lindsay reviewed the final plans for "Get on Board" on Sun., Aug. 28. Committee chairs may set up after 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, 27th, if they wish. The Sunday festival is from 11:00-1:00 including lunch.

New Business:

• Mission — Jerry Parsons requested Mons report on Sunday's praise concert for Habitat income. The goal was $7,500. $7,644 was given! The session thanked Jerry.
• Mission — Kathy Tosh reported that there was a great response to the Sheridan and Brigham School supplies drive. Thanks to donations and the leadership of Irene Nordine and Becky Byrd, 60 children at Sheridan were supplied. 15 children at Brigham were equipped. Jim suggested perhaps a Sept. 9/10 Share Fest project might be done at Brigham. Kathy will make that offer.
• Christian Education — E'Lane said we're ready for fall classes to begin on Sept. 11. A Blessing!, new curriculum for 6, 7 and 8th grades, was approved via way of the Christian Education minutes in the Clerk's Report.
• Membership — Terry Tosh noted the evangelism plans in the minutes attachment. He encouraged session members to be the first to set an example in evangelism.
• Personnel — Dave Seyller told of the formats for performance review of Pastor Jim and his staff. This will be completed by the September 28 session meeting.
• Stewardship — Judy Lindsay made a motion (for her committee) that we switch to a "unified budget" system, where the building and operating budgets are done in one campaign. After discussion the motion was seconded and passed. The budget will reflect both.
• "Gather at the River" presbytery conference is Oct. 28-29 in Peoria. Plan to attend!

Upcoming dates:

• Share Fest Community Event on September 9 and 10
• New Member Orientation — October 9 and 16. * SESSION members needed.
• Baptism — September 18
• Installation/Ordination of New Elders — September 18
• Sept. 4 — ONLY ONE SERVICE at 10:00 a.m. in Great Hall. Jim Bouas volunteered to help set up the room.
• Next Communion — Sept. 11 — Worship at 8:30 and 11:00.
• December 11 — one special all-church Advent service at 10:00.

Items of Interest:

• Marjorie Kehl will be honored at the presbytery's gathering of women on Sept. 15. First women ordained elders will be recognized.
• There are still spaces available for the September small groups conference.
• The "Web Master", Amy Tuttle, needs updates for the session committees. Chairpersons should please contact her.

Joys and concerns were shared. Meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m. with prayer led by John Crew. The next meeting is September 28. Dave Seyller will lead devotions.

Respectfully submitted,

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James G. Bell, Moderator

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Margaret Allen Wolf, Clerk