Eastridge Session

ABOUT THE SESSION

Elders comprise the Session and work within that body fulfilling the responsibilities as designated by Church Polity, and individually as they serve as leaders in the church. Each Elder serves three years, except for the Youth Elder who serves for one year. Each Elder, except the Youth Elder, is responsible for one of the church committees by either serving as its moderator or as the liaison person between that committee and the Session. The Youth Elder assists one of the adult Elders on one of the church Committees. The Session normally meets on the first Sunday of the month.


MEET THE SESSION

Top Left: Pastor J.P. Carlson, Associate Pastor;Aaron Fickenscher, Elder represenative to Music and Worship Committee;Randy Ober, Elder represenative to Grow Committee; Christ Boden, Elder represenative to Fellowship Committee; Marcia Arthur, Elder represenative to Christian Education; Judy Heaston, Elder represenative to Nominating Committee; Aaron Douglas, Elder Representative to Outreach Committee; John Massey, Elder represenative to Youth Committee

Bottom Left: Darrell Nelson, Elder represenative to Budget and Stewardship; Hannah Lambert, Youth Elder; Debbie Hicks, Elder represenative to Personnel Committee;Lois Coleman, Elder represenative to Outreach Committee;Sandy Hilsabeck-Hastings, Elders represenative to Grow Committee; Linda Douglas, Clerk of Session

Following are some of the highlights from the August 24, 2008 Regular Session meeting: the minutes are posted on the church bulletin board near the library.

--Jeanne Giles, Homestead Presbytery Theological Education Resource Person, commended Eastridge Presbyterian Church for contributions to the 2007 National Theological Education Endowment Fund (TEF). Eastridge contributed more than any other church in the Homestead Presbytery, contributing $4,800, or $4.61 per member. Jeanne provided Session members with some historical information about the Theological Education Fund (TEF). It was established in 1989 to provide congregations a way to support all Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Theological Seminaries. The Theological Education Fund Seminary Support Network is designed to interpret to pastors, sessions, and congregations the mission and work of the Presbyterian seminaries. Jeanne distributed written information about the TEF and presented to Eastridge Presbyterian Church a framed picture of Presbyterian Seminaries in the United States.

--Approved to receive and welcome Gary Olsen, Julie Eyth, and Travis Schmit as new church members coming to us by means of reaffirmation of faith and to add their names to the Active Member church roll. These members were previously instructed and examined by GROW Committee Moderator Elder Sandra Hilsabeck-Hastings. The new members were recognized at the 9:30 and 11:00 services on August 31, 2008.

--Received a letter from Sarah Bigwood of the Valley Community Presbyterian Church, Golden Valley, Minnesota expressing appreciation for the use of the mission house on June 18, 19, and 20, 2008 while the group was in Lincoln on a mission trip to work with agencies in Lincoln that assist the poor with hunger issues.

--Acknowledged that the wedding of Jennifer Swanson and Kyle Stapp took place at Eastridge on August 16, 2008 with Rev. James W. Crelin, 3rd officiating.

--Affirmed that the memorial service for Ken Perry took place at Roper and Sons Funeral Home on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 with Rev. J.P. Carlson officiating.



--Removed Ken Perry from the active
member rolls—deceased August 15, 2008.
--Removed Deryl & Karen Travis from the active member rolls per their request, attending First Evangelical Free Church.

--Approved to add the revised church policies (See Session Minutes, August 3, 200 to the Accounting and Operations Manual with one modification: In lieu of a financial task force, Session appointed the Budget and Stewardship Committee to provide oversight and guidance in the financial operations of the church and invited trustees to nominate “accounting experts” as members of the Budget and Stewardship Committee. Session commended Brett Joseph, Business Manager, for his diligent oversight of accounting practices that impact the church.

-- Approved to receive the pastoral compensation recommended for Rev. James W. Crelin, 3rd at a 3% + 1% merit increase and for Rev. J.P. Carlson at a 3% + 3% merit increase from Personnel Committee. This recommendation will be presented at the congregational meeting on October 5, 2008.


--Elders Darrell Nelson, Judy Heaston, and John Massey attended the stated meeting of Homestead Presbytery at First Presbyterian Church, Lincoln, on August 21, 2008. Included as a part of the meeting was a discussion of procedures for bringing proposed motions before the Presbytery. The members of Presbytery approved a motion for the St. Edwards Presbyterian Church to be dissolved. A determination will be made for the disposition of the building and assets of the church. Pastor Jim was appointed to serve on the Executive Presbyter search committee. Motions were approved to close the Presbytery office and locate a presbytery hub in a church or Camp Calvin Crest by February 2010. Stated Clerk, Don Steiner, resigned effective December 31, 2008.

Following are some of the highlights from the August 3, 2008 Regular Session meeting: the minutes are posted on the church bulletin board near the library.

--A letter was received from the Homestead Presbytery Committee on Ministry announcing a Triennial visit scheduled for August 3, 2008.
--A letter was received from Steve Robinson, Chair, Board of Trustees, regarding Mission House repairs.
--A letter was received from Steve Robinson, Chair, Board of Trustees, regarding 2007 Independent Accountants Report.
--A letter and gift cookbook were received from Sarah Bigwood and the youth group from the Valley Community Presbyterian Church, Golden Valley, Minnesota expressing appreciation for the use of the mission house on June 18,19,and 20, 2008 while the group was in Lincoln on a mission trip to work with the Food Pantries.
--Approved the wedding of Nicki Blazek and Jon Hanseling on August 8, 2009 with Rev. James W. Crelin, 3rd officiating.
--Approved the wedding of Juanita Johnson and David Garner on February 7, 2009 with Rev. James W. Crelin, 3rd officiating.
--Removed Scott, Heather, Jarred, and Jacob Weihe from the church rolls, no longer attending.
--Removed Brian and Deb Batten from the church rolls, no longer attending.
--Added to baptized member roll:
--Carter James Brady-Baptism: 7/27/08, Eastridge Presbyterian Church
--Macey Lea Brandl-Baptism: 7/13/08, Eastridge Presbyterian Church
--Approved the baptism of Wyatt Mark Hobbs, son of Mark and Whitney Hobbs, at the 9:30 a.m. service on August 10, 2008.
-- Met with Gale Barnhill and Nancy Leavitt, representing the Homestead Presbytery Committee on Ministry, who conducted the liaison triennial visit with Session.
--Approved to designate November 23, 2008 as Eastridge Presbyterian Women Thank Offering Sunday for all three services. The speaker will be Sylvana Arian from Pakistan, speaking on “Growing up in a Muslim Family”.
--Approved for Eastridge Presbyterian Women to schedule a Christmas Cookie Sale on Sunday, December 21, 2008 at all three services as a fundraiser for missions.
--Approved for the Christian Education Committee to replace the “Exploring Faith” Sunday school curriculum with “Rock Solid” curriculum for three year olds through seventh graders.
--Approved for the Board of Deacons to designate Sunday, October 26 as Pastor/Staff Appreciation Sunday and to schedule a reception between services in the McCracken Welcome Center.
--Approved to recommend Cameron McDaniel be hired as interim Youth Director from August 1, 2008 – January 31, 2009 at the same salary rate as previous youth director and to give the Youth Search Committee permission to hire a Youth Director when an appropriate candidate is located.
--Approved to increase the working hours of Brett Joseph, Business Manager, from 30 to 35 hours per week at his current hourly salary rate and to pro-rate his benefits in accordance with that salary, with the Continuing Education amount reduced by $500, to become effective on June 6, 2008.
--Approved that costs associated with utilities, maintenance (inside and outside), repairs and taxes associated with the mission home property at 5707 Sunrise Road come from Eastridge Presbyterian Church Budget Line Item 8052.
--Approved that if grant monies are approved and given to Eastridge by Friendship Home that those dollars be immediately placed into Eastridge Presbyterian Church Budget Line Item 8052 to cover costs associated with the mission home property at 5707 Sunrise Road. Costs will include utilities, maintenance (inside and outside), repairs, and taxes and any items/bills under $100 that come to the Business Manager, Brett Joseph, that he feels is appropriate to be paid.
--Approved that the dead pine tree on the mission home property located at 5707 Sunrise Road be removed as per the Trustees’ recommendation. We request that Business Manager, Brett Joseph, secure three bids and that the lowest responsible bid that conforms with the work to be done be accepted and that funding for this project come from Eastridge Presbyterian Church Budget Line Item 8052.
--Approved that the fence post on the mission home property located at 5707 Sunrise Road be replaced and that if the post cannot be replaced that the fence by removed. We request that Business Manager, Brett Joseph, secure three bids and that the lowest responsible bid that conforms with the work to be done be accepted, and that funding for this project come from Eastridge Presbyterian Church Budget Line Item 8052.
--Approved that if the fence post on the mission home property located at 5707 Sunrise Road cannot be repaired without the entire fence being replaced, that the old fence will be removed and a new fence will not be ordered until the neighbors at the adjoining property are asked about sharing the replacement cost.
--Approved that Budget and Stewardship be advised that Eastridge Presbyterian Church Budget Line Item 8052 be included in the budget for 2009 and beyond as long as the house at 5707 Sunrise Road is owned and used by Eastridge Presbyterian Church. That dollars from the previous year in this line item carry over to the next year and that additional dollars be added each year to cover expected expenses. Any additional dollars needed for major repairs should be requested from Memorial and Endowment Building Endowment.
--Approved that a task force be created to deal with issues of policy and maintenance associated with the mission house. Until the task force is created, expenses will be paid by the Business Manager, Brett Joseph, when he feels they are appropriate. Session requests that Trustees be involved in future major repairs thus treating the house like any other property owned by the church.

Following are some of the highlights from the June 1, 2008 Regular Session meeting. The minutes are posted on the church bulletin board near the library.
--A letter was received from Rev. Minner Serovy, Director, Presbyterian CREDO expressing appreciation for Eastridge Presbyterian Church’s support for Rev. Crelin to participate in the recently held CREDO Conference.

--Approved the wedding of Erin Ostendorf and Ryan Dobesh at Eastridge on May 23, 2009 with Rev. James Crelin, 3rd officiating.

--Removed Elizabeth DeNino from the active rolls, transferred to Lincoln Berean Church.
--Acknowledged that the wedding of Sanford Downs and Virginia Hardy took place at Eastridge on Saturday, May 24, 2008 with Rev. James Crelin, 3rd officiating.

--Approved to call a Congregational meeting for June 29 at 10:30 a.m. for the purpose of electing two Deacons.

--Approved to call a Congregational meeting for October 5, 2008.

--Approved to call a Congregational meeting for January 25, 2009.

--Approved to grant permission for the Valley Community Presbyterian Church Youth group to use the Mission House on June, 18,19, and 20, 2008 as a part of their Mission trip.
--Approved for Rev. Mike Loudon and Rev. Don Steiner to be in the pulpit and perform the baptism of Carter Brady, son of Justin and Amanda Brady on July 27, 2008 at 9:30 a.m.

--Approved for the baptism of Macey Lea Brandl, daughter of Roger and Jana Brandl, for the 9:30 a.m. worship service on July 13, 2008.

--Approved to invite the Homestead Presbytery to meet at Eastridge Presbyterian Church. for the purpose of approving a pastor for Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church on June 19, 2008 at 10:00 a.m.

--Elders Marcia Arthur, Debbie Hicks, and Joe Marx served as Commissioners to the stated meeting of Homestead Presbytery on May 15, 2008 at the First Presbyterian Church in North Bend. Commissioners heard that communion will be served at each Presbytery meeting. Eastridge Presbyterian Church was recognized for contributions to the Theological Education fund. Suggestion were made to each church to clean rolls of inactive members in order to have a more accurate accounting of active members.

Following are some of the highlights from the May 3, 2008 Regular Session meeting: the minutes are posted on the church bulletin board near the library.

--Elders, confirmands, mentors and parents enjoyed breakfast after which members of the Confirmation Class of 2008 desiring church membership were examined by members of Session in small discussion groups.

--Approved to receive and welcome the following Confirmands into church membership and to place
their names on the Active Members church roll:

Aaron Dean Bohl
Katherine Elizabeth Janike
Jena Dawn Carrier
Dylan William Lindburg
Abby Marie Cole
Dustin Richard Lorenzen
Helen Irene Creger
Elizabeth Moore Massey
Jarred Darnell Fox
Brett Victor Meier
Erik Christian Hall
Matthew Ryan O’Rourke
Christopher John Hart
Collin Taylor Stange
Larissa Dena Irvin
Jack Kohl Sunderman

--Approved to receive and welcome Wah Wah Say and Htoo Htoo Baw as new church members and to add their names to the Active Member church roll.

--Approved to support the Human Services Federation campaign to address the core issues of poverty in our community.

--Approved the wedding of Jenna Junker and Dana Dvorak at Eastridge on May 2, 2009 with Rev. James Crelin, 3rd officiating.

--Approved the transfer of Marcus Hellwege to Grace Chapel PCA, Lincoln, NE per his request.

--Approved the wedding of Kasey Eschenweck and Judd Smith at Eastridge on May 16, 2009 with Rev. James Crelin, 3rd officiating.

--Approved the wedding of Bobbi Jo Alley and Ryan Roberts at Eastridge on November 29, 2008 with Rev. James Crelin, 3rd officiating.

--Approved the baptism of Angela Marie Say at the 11:00 a.m. worship service on May 18, 2008.

--Approved to discontinue the purchase of cell phones by the church and to assign $400 to the following positions as additional taxable income to be used as an offset for personal cell phones: Head of Staff, Associate Pastor, Director of Finance, Director of Youth Ministries.

Following are some of the highlights from the April 6, 2008 Regular Session meeting: The minutes are posted on the church bulletin board near the library.

--Approved to receive and welcome Tim Joshua Renner and Kara Lynn Garrett Renner as new church members and to add their names to the Active Member church roll.

--Approved communion dates for the first Sunday of each month July 2008 through June 2009 and include New Year’s Eve December 31, 2008 and Maundy Thursday April 9, 2009.

--Approved the baptism of Lilyann Grace Zabka, daughter of Nick and Jenni, on April 13, 2008 at the 11:00 am service.

--Acknowledged that the wedding of Tyne and Michael Thorson took place at Eastridge on March 7, 2008 with Rev. Patrick Marshall officiating.

--Approved the wedding of Shelly Halvorsen and Timothy LaPointe at Eastridge on April 18, 2009 with Rev. James Crelin, 3rd officiating.

--Approved the wedding of Bobbi Jo Alley and Ryan Roberts at Eastridge on November 29, 2008 with Rev. James Crelin, 3rd officiating.

--Approved to form a committee to determine a recommendation for repair costs and funding of the heating and cooling systems for the 5707 Sunrise Road property.

--Approved to write a letter of thank you to Eastridge Presbyterian Women expressing appreciation for their energy, dedication, and example of missions support during the sponsored Waffleman fundraising dinner on April 3, 2008.

--Approved to receive and dedicate the Pentecost offering on Sunday, May 11, 2008.

--Approved to appoint a task force to plan and prepare a church-wide fellowship luncheon on Sunday, May 18, 2008.

-- An all-church family weekend retreat at Camp Calvin Crest is scheduled for May 9-10, 2008.

--A search committee for Director of Youth Ministry has been developed. Interviews will be scheduled in the near future.

--The youth sponsored Rock-a-thon Fundraiser was a huge success and raised $800 toward this summer’s mission trip.

-- The present Sunday school curriculum is being discontinued so Susan Taylor will be receiving samples of new curriculums for next fall and a choice will be made for Session approval soon.

Following are some of the highlights from the March 2, 2008; Regular Session meeting. The minutes are posted on the church bulletin board near the library.

- Approved to receive and welcome Richard W. Neal, Charlene Neal, Eric Bishop, and Paul Franey as new church members and to add their names to the Active Member church roll. The new members will be recognized at the 9:30 service on Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008.

- Approved the wedding of Kate Classen and Ryan Horst at Eastridge Presbyterian Church on June 8, 2009 with Rev. James Crelin, 3rd officiating.

- Acknowledged the wedding of Kristin Eberhardt and Chris Lee took place at Eastridge on March 1, 2008 with Rev. Stan Parker officiating.

-Approved the Letter of Transfer for Betty McBride to Aldersgate United Methodist church, Lincoln, NE. Removed from the Active Member Roll.

- Approved the Letter of Transfer of Kay Hesse to Southern Heights Presbyterian Church, Lincoln, NE. Removed from the Active Member Roll.

- Removed Helen McIntrye from the active rolls- deceased February 25, 2008.

- Added Preston Patrick Pike to the Baptized Member Roll. Preston was baptized on February 24, 2008, at Eastridge Presbyterian Church.

- Approved to provide additional funding to the Board of Trustees for the annual fiscal review/audit.

- Approved to provide funding to the Board of Trustees from the 2008 Capital Campaign for the installation of parking lot lighting.

- Approved for the Christian Education Committee to use the Cokesbury’s curriculum, “Beach Party” theme, for Vacation Bible School, scheduled for June 9-13, 2008.

- Approved the Congregational Bylaws in Article XV. Deacons as amended by the congregation on February 24, 2008.

- Approved to receive with love and regret the resignation of Anna Gallatin as Director of Youth Ministries.

- Approved to develop a search committee, as designed by the Personnel Committee, for filling the position of Director of Youth Ministries.

Following are some of the highlights from the February 3, 2008; Regular Session meeting. The minutes are posted on the church bulletin board near the library.

- Nineteen deacons joined the elders to share and discuss matters of mutual concern using a small group discussion format.

- A report, including a vision statement, on the Eastridge Presbyterian Church 2008 Campaign: Completing What We Started was received by Rex Bevins.

- Received and affirmed the General Mission Pledge for 2008.

-Received and affirmed the 2007 Church Record to be submitted to the PCUSA.

- Approved the wedding of Matt Johnson and Emmaly Stelk at Eastridge on 6/12/09 with Rev. J.P. Carlson officiating.

- Acknowledged that the wedding of Penny Hytek and Jake Winterburn took place at Eastridge on 1/12/08, with Rev. James Crelin, 3rd officiating.

- Added to Baptized Member Roll:
Kendall Helena Anderson – Baptism: 1/13/08, Eastridge Presbyterian Church
Cameron David Dubas – Baptism 1/13/08, Eastridge Presbyterian Church
Christian Allan Remington – Baptism 1/20/08, Eastridge Presbyterian Church

- A motion was approved to amend the congregational bylaws in Article XV. Deacons in order to add an annual one-year Youth Deacon term upon the approval of the congregational meeting called for 12:05 pm Sunday, February 24th.

- A motion was approved for Rev. James Crelin, 3rd, Rev. J.P. Carlson, and Director of Christian Education Susan Taylor to attend the Association of Presbyterian Church Educator’s meeting in San Diego, California, February 11-16, 2008

- A motion was approved to call a Congregational Meeting for Sunday, February 24, 2008 at 12:15 p.m. for the purpose of amending the congregational bylaws in Article XV. Deacons in order to add an annual one-year Youth Deacon term.

- A motion was approved for the following 2008 youth fundraisers: Pizza Bake and Delivery, SCRIPT, Garage Sale, Spaghetti Feed and Apple Pie Bake.

- The following elders will attend the stated Homestead Presbytery meeting on Sunday, February 16, 2008 at Steele City Presbyterian Church at 10:00 AM: Aaron Fickenscher, Lois Coleman, and Chris Boden.

- Total active members to date: 1018. Average Attendance at Sunday Worship: 456.

Following are some of the highlights from the January 6, 2008; Regular Session meeting. The minutes are posted on the church bulletin board near the library.

- Received and welcomed Trevor and Lindsey Walsh as new church members.

- Judy Heaston, Aaron Douglas, Aaron Fickenscher, Hannah Lambert and Chris Boden were
installed as elders on December 30, 2007.

- Beth Kalnins, Robert and Kate Swanson, Chris Boone, Linda Mitchell, Steve Sheridan, Sharon
Irvin, and Virginia Hardy were installed and ordained as deacons on December 30, 2007. Carol
Eddins and Ken Stading were installed as deacons on December 30, 2007, having been previously ordained.

-Received and welcomed Kate, Caroline, and Aaron Janike as new baptized members.

- Approved a church budget for 2008 of $718,000. The budget will be present to the congregation
at the January 27, 2008, Congregational Meeting.

- Approved to affirm the pastoral compensation packages as approved by the congregation at the 10/072007 Congregational Meeting.

- Approved the baptism of Kendall Helena Anderson at the 9:30 service on January 13, 2008.

- Approved the baptism of Cameron David Dubas at the 11:00 service on January 13, 2008.

- Reviewed an Eastridge Presbyterian Church 2008 Campaign Calendar Worksheet developed
by Rex Bevins. The initial meeting of the Campaign Advisory committee is scheduled for
Thursday, January 24, 2008.

- Brett Joseph was elected Church Treasurer for 2008.

- Linda Douglas was elected Clerk of Session for 2008.

- CD/DVD’s of each Sunday service are now being duplicated and are available the same day
at the Welcome Desk.

- Jack Lorenzen will lead a Spiritual Gifts class this spring in preparation for our Sunday of Discernment.

-Total active members to date: 1020. Average attendance at Sunday worship: 456

- A congregational meeting is scheduled for January 27, 2008, to review the reports of various organizations and to transact any other business that may properly come before the meeting.