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Review of Session Minutes
November 6, 2022 @ 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
My fellow clerks, and my fellow session moderators,
As we all move into what likely is the “Post-Covid Era”, I am glad that many more options for schedules and activities are back open to us. At the same time, I am convinced that we dare not forget the lessons and learnings which have come to us during our individual and shared experiences over the past couple of years.
It is now time for the annual Reviews of Session Minutes by our presbytery. First, we are ready to resume a traditional format for these mutual reviews. There will be regional opportunities for session clerks (or their representatives) to gather in person. An equal but alternative First, the way we have offered these reviews lately gives clerks new options to send their minutes for the required reviews. The hybrid format for 2022 gives you the following options. Pick whichever matches your style, calendar, geography, driving preferences, and convenience:
• In-person gatherings: Choose any one of the meetings listed below. Bring both your official Minutes Book and your Book of Rolls and Registers. My thanks to Tim Harmon, John Dietz and Buddy Ward for hosting and coordinating these.
• Deliver your official books (and the Review and Checklist documents) to one of these host churches: Please do this before the scheduled meeting at each site. Please call that church office to confirm their office’s open days and hours.
• Deliver your books and documents to the Presbytery Office by November 1 (at Elmwood Avenue Presbyterian Church, 2816 Elmwood Avenue).
• Submit your minutes by e-mail to LakeErieClerk@outlook.com by November 1. If using the e-mail option, you need not scan from the official signed book. You may send e-versions of the final drafts of your Session-approved minutes from the computer of your clerk or office staff. Also include the completed Review and Checklist documents. (It is very helpful if you rename your documents with the city and name of your congregation because our reviewers will do better with a document named “FaithtownThirdChurch_March2022_Session” than one named “Minutes.doc”. Thanks!) Please use the LakeErieClerk address, which will be for me and our incoming clerk.
• Bring or deliver your two books, Review, and Checklist to the November Presbytery meeting. This is a back-up option; the earlier choices are better, unless you need the extra time, especially if you are catching up on multiple unreviewed years or have a new session clerk. (Honestly, the in-person review events are some of the best choices for less-experienced clerks. You get a gentle review, have your questions answered, and learn techniques and priorities from your colleagues who also fulfill this unique and important role.)
In ALL of these options, clerks are asked to fill out two forms in advance. Bring or send in::
1. The REVIEW sheet for annual minutes reviews.
2. The CHECKLIST of vital documents and decisions for sessions and congregations.
I have simplified and reformatted these forms, making it much easier to fill them out online or on your computer. Everyone still has the option to print out the document and hand-write your responses.
Many sessions have sent in previous years for reviews online, by e-mail or in small groups. If you already sent 2019-2020 and 2020-2021, there is nothing further you need to do for those years. If you have this year plus others from before to submit, please do a Review sheet for each year. Only one version of the Checklist is needed.
As I now am closing out my term as your stated clerk, please let me add a few additional notes for those who serve the Lord and serve the people as clerks:
1. Yes, these reviews are technically “mandated” requirements, but primarily I see them as helpful encouragement and mutual support for you as a clerk. The idea-sharing helps you see what works elsewhere, gives you flexibility to adapt to what works where you are, and connects you with some neighbors you can call or contact for advice or reassurance.
2. The work of the clerk is important, but reviews such as this are not aimed at you personally. You do important work, but so does your moderator and partnered elders. These are not “your” minutes … they belong to the full session, as soon as the elders vote to approve or amend them!
3. Presbyterians are big on networking and mutual accountability. A solid review of minutes of one level of councils by another level of council helps to guide each other, head off omissions or irregularities which could mushroom into big problems later, and lets some of your presbytery partners know of the joys and concerns each session and congregations face.
4. Ask for help or advice when you individually or your session or a sub-group need clarification or ideas. We really do benefit from getting interpretations of Book of Order or parliamentary matters, getting more-objective insights from our ministry partners, and knowing that none of us are in this alone as we seek to be faithful, each of us in our unique acreage of God’s massive garden.
5. I will be ending my term as stated clerk for Lake Erie Presbytery later this month. In the next few weeks, I continue to be available for questions and consultations. My successor can be contacted through the phone number and e-mail of the Presbytery Office. Beyond these next few weeks, know of my gratitude – to our Lord and to you – for the privileges I have known to serve, to learn, to assist, and to grow. It has been a full and blessed seven years!
Blessings on your new, reshaped, continuing, and familiar ministries!!
Jesus’ Peace, Hope, Joy!
Greg¬¬
Rev. Greg Gillispie
Stated Clerk, Presbytery of Lake Erie
PRESBYTERY OF LAKE ERIE – SESSION MINUTE REVIEWS – AUTUMN 2022 (updated 9/12/22)
Thursday, October 6 10:30 am Elmwood Avenue Presbyterian, Erie
Elevator is available at the west doors, 2816 Elmwood Avenue.
(This gives a daytime option, but is early due to my transition from clerking. Feel free to use a different location or method.)
Sunday, October 23 3:30 pm Second Presbyterian, Oil City
Accessible entrance = south ramp and doorway on Reed Street, 111 Reed, Oil City.
Tuesday, October 25 7:00 pm First United Presbyterian, Edinboro
Accessible entrance = the north/front double doors, closest to the highway. 4281 Route 6N.
Sunday, November 6 3:30 pm North Warren Presbyterian Church
The Church Street entrance has elevator access. 200 South State Street, North Warren.
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