The Shallowford Session is the governing board of each individual Presbyterian church. At Shallowford, the Session consists of 25 elders (or leaders) to govern the 12 active committees that make up the church (committees listed below). To become an elder, you commit to serve a three-year term on Shallowford’s Session. Elders come in all shapes, sizes, and ages. Session includes a balance of individuals whose ages range widely from 17 to 78, including a youth elder who serves a one-year term.
Meeting Highlights
Omnibus Motion – Approved minutes/membership report & baptism as follows:
- To approve minutes of the Stated Session Meeting that was held on March 20, 2024.
To approve the March Membership Report, totaling 981 active members.
To approve the baptism of Harris Robert Schoonover, child of Rob and Melissa Schoonover, during the 11:00 worship service on June 30, 2024. Rev. Bradley Kibler Bond to officiate.
Financial Report – Mike Johnson provided an overview of the financial results for March 2024.
- $147,000 in giving was $19,000 below budget
- $174,4oo in expenses was $2,500 below budget
- $16,500 loss for the month
Mike commented that a significant contribution had come in on the last day of March which would raise the income level to be above the budget. This will be reflected in the April financial report. Year-to-date income is tracking closely with the budget. Year-to-date expenses are $27,200 below budget. Net income is $26,000 above budget. Senior Pastor Anna credited Andrew Lyles for the improved budgeting process.
Personnel Report
- Director of Music Search Committee: Jim Crawford reported that Lucas Gray will start his role as the Director of Music Ministries on May 13. There will be a churchwide lunch following the 11:00 worship service on May 19 to welcome him.
- Lizzie Jury reported that the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee is conducting final interviews with three candidates for the new Associate Pastor for Mission & Youth.
- Gary Budd reported that a congregational meeting will be called this summer to vote to confirm Rev. Landon Dillard as an Installed Pastor.
- Sr. Pastor Anna congratulated Maggie Johnson on her upcoming wedding and reported that Maggie’s time as the Director of Youth Ministries will officially end on May 19, 2024.
Ministry Spotlight – Adult Discipleship – Associate Pastor Landon Dillard presented an overview of the various Adult Discipleship programs at Shallowford which include Sunday School classes, Special Classes, Lenten Small Groups, Shallowford Presbyterian Women circles, and Small Groups.
Additional Staff Updates – Sr. Pastor Anna George Traynham reported that Helen Williams’ family contributed financially to the refurbishment of the monumental sign on Shallowford Road. The Williams family had made the original contribution to have the sign created and installed.
Associate Pastor Bradley Kibler reminded the Session that there will be a Called Session Meeting on Sunday, April 21 to receive the confirmands into membership.
Sr. Pastor Anna reported that Associate Pastor Bradley will join the Chapel Choir Tour and Mission Trip this summer. It will also be good to recognize Anne Thomas for the great job that she has done since stepping in as the Chapel Choir Director this year on top of her role as the Director of Children’s Choirs.
Kate Moore announced that there would be a dinner for the Session at her house on May 19 and that she would appreciate having someone from the Session help organize it.
Approved Session Action Form
- SAF 2024.13 – Elect Kate Robinson as Rising Moderator of Representative Nominating Committee
- SAF 2024.14 – Approve administering the Sacrament of Communion at Maggie Johnson’s wedding on April 26, 2024
Meeting was adjourned with prayer at 8:25 p.m.
Omnibus Motion – Approved minutes/membership report & baptism as follows:
- To approve minutes of the Called Session Meeting to Receive New Members that was held on February 11, 2024.
- To approve minutes of the Congregational Meeting to approve Terms of Call and the present budget that was held on February 21, 2024.
- To approve minutes of the Stated Session Meeting that was held on February 11, 2024.
- To approve the February Membership Report, totaling 984 active members.
- To approve the baptism of John Guy Pope, child of Rob and Leah Pope, during the 8:30 am worship service on May 12, 2024. Rev. Anna George Traynham to officiate.
Financial Report – The February 2024 financial results reflected an operating income of $160,052 ($28,610 above budget) and an operating expense of $130,933 ($5,220 below budget). The net gain for the month, including Special Offerings was $33,830 (a $38,541 gain compared to the budget as the budget had forecast a $4,711 loss for the month). Our available cash reserves remain strong at $341,000.
Anna reported that the mortgage had been paid off following the generous gift that the church had received. The insurance line items in the financial report show a positive income possibly due to the reimbursement for expenses associated with the HVAC caused water damage at the entrance to the Chapel.
Personnel Report – Lizzie Jury reported that the APNC has completed the first round of interviews for a new Associate Pastor for Mission & Youth and are scheduling the next round of interviews.
Gary Budd reported that Rev. Landon Dillard’s request for installation is to be reviewed by the Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry at their meeting on March 21. Gary Budd also reported that Megan Williams has been hired as the new Music Administrative Assistant at 15 hours per week after Director of Music Search Committee: Jim Crawford reported that a candidate has been selected with an announcement to follow Easter.
Senior Paster Anna thanked the committee for their over one year of service. Appreciation cards were then circulated.
Senior Paster Anna thanked the Personnel Committee for their perseverance through the past year in which we have conducted three separate searches.
Capital Campaign Planning and Updates – The capital campaign is intended to allow Shallowford to operate without being encumbered by major capital expenditures. It’s been ten years since the last capital campaign. The campus is ready and we have an engaged congregation. The generous gift paid off the
mortgage and ensures that the organ maintenance will be well-funded. It was not intended for capital improvements. The capital campaign will focus on 1) Infrastructure, 2) Technology and 3) Accessibility. A list of proposed projects for each category was presented. The campaign is projected to run during the month
of October alongside the 2025 stewardship season.
Approved Session Action Form
- Updated SAF 2024.09.02 – Recurring Payments
- SAF 2024.12 – Approve of Image Use Policy
Meeting was adjourned with prayer at 8:32 p.m.
Approved minutes as follows:
- Stated Session Meeting – January 17, 2024
- Approved the January 2024 membership report, totaling 982 active members
Financial Report – The January 2024 financial results reflected an operating income of $191,233 ($10,013 below budget) and an operating expense of $114,128 ($20,909 below budget). The net gain for the month, including Special Offerings, was $77,104 (a $9,457 gain compared to the budget as the budget had forecast a $67,647 gain for the month). Our available cash reserves remain strong. Mike reported that Faithful One contributions were $3,000 below budget. Anna reported that giving in January 2024 was roughly $5,000 higher than January 2023.
Personnel Report – Director of Music Search Committee: Jim Crawford reported that they are continuing to interview potential candidates. The Associate Pastor Nominating Committee is receiving resumes and making good progress on reviewing candidates who could be a good fit for Shallowford.
Approved Session Action Form
- SAF 2024.06 – Authorize a 2024 Capital Campaign and Consultant
- SAF 2024.07 – Approve 2023 Annual Statistical Report
- SAF 2024.08 – Election of Treasurer
- SAF 2024.09 – Approve 2024 Recurring Payments
- SAF 2024.10 – Approve One Great Hour of Sharing Offering for March 10, 2024
- SAF 2024.11 – Motion to transition Rev. Landon Dillard from Contract to Installed Pastor
Meeting was adjourned with prayer at 8:50 p.m.
Approved minutes as follows:
- Stated Session Meeting – December 13, 2023
- Approved the December 2023 membership report, totaling 983 active members
Financial Report – The December, 2023 financial results reflected operating income of $156,798 ($43,772 below budget) and operating expense of $182,588 ($5,041 above budget). The net loss for the month, including Special Offerings, was $25,790 ($48,813 loss compared to the budget) as the budget had forecast a $23,023 gain for the month. Year-to-date results reflected operating income of $1,801,541 ($50,709 under budget) and operating expenses of $1,801,540 ($50,710 under budget). Year-to-date net income, including Special Offerings, and the operating expenses were balanced at the end of the year through a transfer of funds to Missions. Our available cash reserves remain strong.
Personnel Report – Personnel Committee Chairperson Gary Budd presented the proposed terms of call for Installed Associate Pastor Bradley Kibler and Contracted Associate Pastor Landon Dillard for the Session’s review.
Jim Crawford reported that the Music Director search committee has two additional candidates to interview. Fred Scott is committed until Ash Wednesday. Emily Hobson-Gallardo has been hired to serve as the new Interim Director of Music through Easter. Her current duties include teaching at Georgia State University. She is not interested in the permanent position.
Lizzie Jury presented the Ministry Discernment Profile that is being provided to the Presbytery job posting website that provides a high-level review of Shallowford and the proposed responsibilities for the Associate Pastor position. Candidates will then submit their credentials for the committee’s review. A prayer was offered for both searches.
Ministry Spotlight: Communications – Rebecca Porter presented four initiatives that represent the work of the Communications staff and committee.
- Livestream statistics for the 11:00am service
- Sacred Space magazine recap, which is available for distribution digitally and in print
- Shallowford Presbyterian Church branding, including an update to the 2019 standards and an approval process for use of Shallowford Presbyterian’s name and logo
- Street sign and reader board updates, which is being renovated to include more simplified text and the PCUSA logo
Approved Session Action Form
- SAF 2024.01 – Motion to Approve Communion Calendar for 2024
- SAF 2024.02 – Motion to Call a congregational meeting for Sunday, February 11 to approve pastors’ terms of call
- SAF 2024.03 – Motion to Approve 2024 Contracted call for Rev. Landon Dillard
- SAF 2024.04 – Motion to Call a congregational meeting for Sunday, April 14 to elect new elders and Representative Nominating Committee
- SAF 2024.05 – Motion to Approve Revised 2024 Budget
Meeting was adjourned with prayer at 8:36 p.m.
Approved minutes as follows:
- Stated Session Meeting minutes for November 15, 2023
- Approved the November 2023 membership report, totaling 979 active members
Financial Report – The November 2023 financial results reflected an operating income of $207,176 which was $66,106 above budget and an operating expense of $141,438 which was $9,618 below budget. The net gain for the month, including Special Offerings, was $66,690 which was a $76,676 gain compared to the budget as the budget had forecast a 9,986 loss for the month. Year-to-date results reflected an operating income of $1,644,743 which was $6,937 under budget, and operating expenses of $1,618,952 which was $55,751 under budget. Year-to-date net income, including Special Offerings, presently stands at a gain of $25,791. Our available cash reserves remain strong. Following November’s exceptionally positive results, the Budget Forecast for the remainder of the year projects that our final results for 2023 should be somewhere between a $49K shortfall and a $33K gain which is much better than what had been previously forecast.
Stewardship Update – Michael Hoffer reported we have received $1.69 million in pledges which is $5,000 more than last year’s pledged amount. We had 29 new people/families pledges. 50% of people increased their pledge. The current pledging represents 97% of the stated goal of a 4% increase. Thanks and praise was offered for the Stewardship Committee’s hard work.
Personnel Report – Lizzie Jury reported that the APNC is just getting started in their process for the Associate Pastor search. They have held one listening session and will hold another on January 7. They are also meeting with the Youth Committee.
Pastor Anna reported for the Music Director search committee that a candidate auditioned and that the search committee consultant had been very helpful. Fred Scott is committed until Ash Wednesday. Anne Thomas has agreed to lead the Chapel Choir’s summer tour.
Approved Session Action Form
- SAF 2023.21 Year-End Budget Surplus Allocation – Proposed usage for any surplus budget funding that may exist at the end of 2023 and includes reimbursement of up to $25K to the Personnel Committee for expenses to be incurred for the Associate Pastor for Missions and Youth search. This will free up their funding budget for other purposes. Any surplus exceeding $25K would be diverted to the Facilities Committee for capital expenditures.
- SAF 2023.22 Motion to Approve 2024 Operating Budget – The proposed 2024 budget includes a 1% increase for Personnel. The All-Church Retreat is to be deferred or scaled down. The Youth Committee budget was decreased although a high school retreat is to happen. The Music and Communications Budgets are also being reduced. The number of youth participating in Chapel Choir has not dropped off during the interim period.
Meeting was adjourned with prayer at 8:33 p.m.
Approved minutes as follows:
- Stated Session Meeting minutes for October 18, 2023
- Approved the October 2023 membership report, totaling 980 active members
Financial Report – The October, 2023 financial results reflected operating income of $153,305 that was $38,343 below budget, and operating expense of $129,400 which was $20,265 below budget. The net loss for the month, including Special Offerings, was $18,078 which was a $60,061 loss compared to the budget as the budget had forecast a 41,983 gain for the month. Year to date results reflected operating income of $1,437,566 which was $73,044 under budget, and operating expenses of $1,477,514 which was $46,133 under budget. Year to date net income, including Special Offerings, presently stands at a loss of $39,628. Our available cash reserves remain strong. Mike Johnson stated that a large pledge gift had come in at the end of October. He also presented a Budget Forecast for the remainder of the year that projects that our shortfall at the end of the calendar year will most likely be between $52,545 and $88,496 below our total 2023 budget of $1,852,250.
Stewardship Update –Angela Wittenauer and Michael Hoffer stated that current pledges are $200,000 behind our stated goal of a 3% increase but are ahead of last year’s amount. They are contacting members who have not pledged yet.
Personnel Report – Jim Crawford reported that Zoom interviews were conducted with two more candidates for the Director of Music Ministries position. The church has contracted with a consultant to assist the search. Sr. Pastor Anna reported that William Fred Scott has agreed to remain as the Interim Director of Music through Easter and that Ann Thomas has agreed to lead the Chapel Choir’s summer tour. The Chapel Choir’s numbers have held steady during the interim period.
The ANPC met last week and is planning to conduct listening sessions on December 17 at noon and on January 7, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. Pastor Bradley Kibler is working closely with the ANPC. The name of the position has been changed to the Associate Pastor for Mission and Youth to encourage more candidates.
Approved Session Action Form
- SAF 2023.20 – Approve Offering at Sounds of Christmas Concert to be held on December 10, 2023.
Meeting was adjourned with prayer at 8:10 p.m.
Approved minutes as follows:
- Called Session Meeting to receive New Members – September 24, 2023
- Approved the August 2023 membership report, totaling 985 active members
Financial Report – Financial Report The September, 2023 financial results reflected operating income of $172,640 ($31,457 above budget) and operating expense of $171,670 ($15,139 over budget. Net gain for the month, including Special Offerings, was $971 ($15,319 gain compared to the
budget). Available cash at the end of August was $178,637. Year-to-date results reflected operating income of $1,284,262 ($34,701 under budget), and operating expense of $1348,115 ($25,867 under budget). Year-to-date net income, including Special Offerings, presently stands at a loss of $63,533. Our available cash reserves remain strong.
Stewardship Update – Angela Wittenauer requested that Session members turn in their own pledges by this coming Sunday and encourage people in groups that they may attend to send in their pledges.
Personnel Report – Anne-Sophie Hankla and Bill Kendall will be co-chairing the ANPC, which is being formed and whose proposed members will be approved by the congregation. The Music Director Search Committee is still receiving resumes and conducting interviews. Anna expressed appreciation for their continued service.
Shallowford School Report – Shallowford School (SPS) Head of School Meredith Moseley and Assistant Head of School Maggie Casner presented the report on the status of the school. Highlights of the presentation included the following:
- This year has the first graduating 8th grade class.
- 146 students / 40 staff members
- Reverend Landon leads chapel each month.
- Jennifer Rhodes provides counseling for Social and Emotional Learning.
- Started in 1964 as a kindergarten.
- Rebuilding enrollment and programs following Covid.
- SPS supports various Shallowford missions.
- Tuition is roughly one-half of typical private schools. 15% of students receive tuition assistance resulting in a $60,000 deficit that is made up through donations.
- SPS shares expenses for the use of the church’s facilities with the church.
- SPS has opportunities for volunteering.
Approved Session Action Form
- SAF 2023.19 – Approve Fundraiser for Montreat Children’s Worship & Music Conference
Meeting was adjourned with prayer at 7:55 pm.