Roll Call:

• Pastor James G. Bell
• Class of 2004: Barb Lemmon (excused), Becky Mentzer, Steve Miller, Jay Reece (excused), Cathy Rinehart
• Youth Elder: Jeremy Brewer
• Class of 2005: Steve Barwick (excused), John Crew, Ginny Nappi, Jerry Parsons, Mons Schrantz
• Class of 2006: Bob Hunt, Dave Seyller, Faith TenHaken, Terry Tosh, E'Lane Tufts
• Clerk Margaret Wolf
• Guests: Class of 2007 members Jim Bouas, Judy Lindsay (excused), Kathy Tosh, John Tuttle and Lloyd Wiesemann.

The meeting was opened with prayer and devotions by Terry Tosh using The Discipline of Surrender.

Representatives of the Presbytery of Great Rivers (the COM) were with us from 7:00 to 7:45 p.m. They conducted an exit interview for the Rev. Vickie Kintzel and explained the process of finding a new pastor. Present were David Hunte, Steve Knudson and Sherrill Mixer.

The session has selected (by recommendation of the Personnel Committee (approved July 28 Minutes, p. 431 permanent records) to seek a "Designated Co-Pastor." This will be presented to the Committee On Ministry at their October 12 meeting. If approved by this presbytery committee then First Presbyterian Church of Normal will proceed in the following manner to seek such a pastor:

1. The current elected nominating committee of the church will present a slate for a pastor nominating committee (PNC). A congregational meeting will be announced and called for election of this PNC.
2. The elected PNC will use data from the current ad hoc committee soliciting input from the congregation of the needs of the church to create a church information form (CIF). This CIF will reflect the mission of the church.
3. The elected PNC will then review personal information forms (PIFs) available from the presbytery. These are applicants' forms. Other known applicants sought elsewhere can also be submitted to the presbytery COM for approval for our PNC to review.
4. The PNC will in the end recommend a candidate to the First Presbyterian Church Session and congregation for approval for hire.

Ginny Nappi is the current chair of the elected nominating committee.

Pastor's Report:

• Rev. Bell read an email letter from Elder Barb Lemmon requesting to resign from the session. Ginny Nappi made a motion we accept her resignation. Motion seconded. It carried by a vote of 10-3.
• There is still one pre-paid space for the Sept. Willow Creek "Small Group Workshop." Should an elder or church member wish to attend, call Jim Bell.
• Rev. Bell asked prayers for current members suffering from cancer.
• The Presbytery of Great Rivers has made a request to hold their May 2005 meeting at our church. Mons Schrantz made a motion we offer them the invitation. Motion seconded and carried. (This includes a lunch to be served.)
• Rev. Bell encouraged all to support the Ice Cream Social at 11:00 a.m. this Sunday, Aug. 29, and to sign up for serving in hospitality functions this coming year (ushers, greeters, farewellers, First Ambassadors, coffee servers, etc.)
• A "men's group" may be budding. Any gentlemen interested in a Sept ISU football game should see John Tuttle. He has plenty of tickets.
• The downstairs is now ready for labyrinth use this weekend, Aug. 27-28.
• Please support the city SHAREFEST. See First Focus for details.
• Hurricane Charlie Relief Fund needs to be replenished. John Crew, Mission Committee Chair, said his budget still has money that might be used.
• Accolades were given for Cathy Rinehart, Becky Mentzer and Youth Leader Jeremy Brewer with Josh Clemon's youth team for their excellent sermons and worship leadership the two Sundays that Pastor Bell was on vacation.

Treasurer's Report: July 31, 2004 Balance: $48,372.81
Terry Tosh made a motion we approve the report. Motion seconded and carried.

Budgets from Committee Chairs ('04-'05) are now due. Rev. Bell said Treasurer Jon Thetard expects an 8 percent increase in the 2005 budget from the current $603,000 to about $652,000.

Clerk's Report:

• Approval of minutes for Stated Meeting, July 28, 2004 and the Addendum of home communion visits.
• Acceptance of Session Records Report - Approved Presbytery Review of Permanent Church books at Canton, Ill. on August 14 (pages 389-431).
• Communications:
  • Transfers of Membership, 1: July 6. Melissa Evenson to Arvada Presbyterian Church, Arvada, Colo.
  • Thank your from Meghan Rhoades, Youth Triennium
• Record of Serving Holy Communion: Sunday, August 1, 2004
• Marriages: 1, July 3. David Davis VI and Dawn Michelle Hillegass (Rev. Bell)
• Baptisms: 3
  • July 18: Ayden William Carlson and Tyler Edward Carlson
  • August 1: Kenedi Grace Boucher
• Deaths: 1, August 4, Betty Graves
• Current Active Membership: 519

Consent Agenda:

Accept minutes of the following committees as posted ( July and August meetings): July 7-Christian Education and Corrected Edition; July 13-Property; July 14-Mission; July 19-Outreach; July 20-Gifts & Memorials; July 27-Health Ministries; July 28-Marketing; Aug. 4-Small Group Ministries; Aug. 4-CE, Adult Ed and Children's Ed; Aug. 8-Peacemakers; Aug. 9-Outreach; Aug. 10-Property; Aug. 11-Personnel; Aug. 11-Stewardship; Aug. 11-Mission

It was moved and seconded to accept the Clerk's Report. Motion carried.

SESSION AGENDA:

Old Business:

1. Damaged carpet status (July 28 Session Report). Mons Schrantz explained the solution to the problem. After much negotiating, etc. it was decided to buy new carpeting rather than accept the cleaning and reinstalling of the old carpet. After the insurance settlement, etc. the total cost to the church as $5,250. The new carpet was installed in time for PlayMates to start their year.
2. E'Lane Tufts reported her home bound communion committee met. They will do the quarterly visits at Advent time and will welcome elder help. Monthly a phone call is made to each shut-in.

New Business:

1. John Crew, speaking for First Peacemakers and the Mission Committee, requested that the Clerk of Session write a letter to the Bloomington City Council to urge the council and the mayor to support the proposed Living Wage Ordinance. They believe that the city workers and contract workers benefiting the City should be paid enough to afford to live in the local community. ($8.58/hour) John made a motion to send this letter. Motion seconded. It carried by a vote of 12-1. Clerk Margaret will send the letter, with a copy to all session members.
2. Rev. Bell explained that tables and chairs have been ordered for the new addition. Due to the cost of several change orders, higher costs of the sound system, landscaping and furnishings, the furnishing committee will be doing a campaign for donations for CHAIRS ($25.00 each) and TABLES ($240). Tables and chairs are to arrived about Dec.1.
3. Kelley Marion, CE director, children, would like to become a certified christian educator. To do this, she must have the status of a full time position. She requests no more money. The Personnel Committee has recommended this be granted. David Seyller made the motion this be done. Motion seconded and carried.
4. Joys and concerns were offered.
5. The next regular session meeting/study session will be September 22. Devotions will be led by John Crew.

Information and Future Dates:

• Sept. 12: Fall Worship and Church School Classes begin
• Sept. 19: New elders installation
• Nov. 10: Presbytery records/statistics workshop
• Sunday, Aug. 29 at 11:00 a.m.: Ice Cream Social and Hospitality Training (Bob Hunt, Outreach Committee); the Noisy Offering will be collected. The 10:00 a.m. service will be contemporary.
• Saturday, Sept. 11 morning Sharefest work: a Habitat for Humanity House (Pam Reece), Snacks (Katherine Stelle); Chiddix Landscaping (Steve Barwick); Food Bank (Susie Thetard)
• Sunday. Sept. 19: Connecting Point and "Artists Among Us" Show (Becky Mentzer, Small Groups Committee)
• Monday, Oct. 11, 5:30 p.m.: Estate planning seminar (Margaret Wolf, Gifts and Memorials Committee)

The meeting was closed at 9:20 with prayer led by Rev. Bell.

Respectfully submitted,

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James G. Bell, Moderator

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Margaret Allen Wolf, Clerk