It was announced that a memorial gift of $300 had been received in memory of Dr. Roy Sampson, an additional gift of $700 is expected soon.
Reporting on the meeting of the National Capital Union Presbytery, it was announced that the Presbytery voted for the union of the Presbyterian Church in the United States and the United Presbyterian Church in the United States by a vote of 321 to 3. The Reverent Stanly Wherry was elected commissioner to the General Assembly to be held in Atlanta. In March it was reported that enough Presbyteries have voted in favor of the Church Reunion that assures the Church will be reunited during the General Assembly later in the year.
The Commitment Committee of the Session presented the idea and guidelines for a Shepherding Committee. The goals are to make contact at least twice annually with members under your care, to inform the Minister of any special needs or events in the lives of the members, to follow-up on any special concerns, and make special efforts to greet them and be aware of any changes in their attendance that might indicate special needs.
The Presbyterian Women have planned a Blanket Sunday for the Church World Service.
The committee on Strengthening the Church has arranged for a new adult class to be taught by the Moderator.
The worship committee has recommended a Christmas Eve service with music and communion at 11:00 PM.
Membership is now at 295 and a Pictorial Directory is in the planning stage.
- 1984 -
A resolution was passed that allowed for the Church to refinance an indebtedness of $31,700 payable to the Peoples National Bank. The bank has extended the maturity date for an additional three years and it is in the best interest of the congregation to refinance this indebtedness.
The Stewardship and Mission committee reported that Jack and Marcia Nonweiller, who are serving in Bangladesh, have been chosen to receive partial support from this Church. The committee would like to have the congregation more aware of our support. It was agreed that a series of study sessions on Peacemaking will be held on Sunday mornings.
The Witness Season offering totaled $906.75 and will be used in support of the Nonweillers in Bangladesh. A workshop for Peace '84 will be held in late April at the National Presbyterian church.
A special offering received on Maundy Thursday was collected and sent for North Carolina Relief.
The Senior Highs are active and are planning a beach trip, youths have registered for summer camp, and a joint Vacation Bible School is planned with the Lutheran Church.
The Memorial Committee agreed to have the pulpit chairs repaired and reupholstered, purchased a new chair for the vestibule, and to contribute $1500 toward the patio outside the Memorial Lounge.
The use of the church building by a group of mothers for a "Mother's Day Out" program was approved.
The idea of a phone chain was approved to notify officers of special concerns of our membership.
Presbyterian Women were commended for their continued support for missions.
Two persons attended a Kerygma Workshop and plans are being made to begin a Kerygma Bible study next year.
The idea of a friendship registration was approved by the Session.
At the conclusion of the peacemaking classes the Session approved the formation of a task force to address the peacemaking program of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and recommended proper roles and actions of this church.
A particular Sunday was designation in each month as Food Collection Day.
The Senior High group was granted permission to sell Christmas trees (profit from the tree sales to be used for Missions).
The Evangelism and Membership committee stated that they would like to try a monthly prayer breakfast on Sunday morning at which communion would be served.
The Thanksgiving and Joy Gift Offerings were received an it was approved to receive a loose offering at the Christmas Eve service for the relief of African hunger. It was also approved to provide $200 to the Loudoun County Social Services to purchase coats for needy youth and to provide $100 to the Senior High group to help a needy family.
Two Christmas Eve services were held, one at 7:00 for family worship and one at 11:00 for Communion.
- 1985 -
God's covenant with creation is given as grace and peace. God continually renews the Covenant through our Lord Jesus Christ. God's peace heals, comforts, strengthens, and frees. Responding to God's Covenant, and on behalf of its membership, the Session of the Leesburg Presbyterian Church now commits itself to peacemaking during this decade. In fulfilling this commitment, we support programs in seven major ways: Worship, to help provide worship that points to the reality of God's peacegiving. Prayer and Bible Study, to encourage the members of the congregation to receive God's peace in their own lives and through prayer and Bible study to seek it for today's world. Family, to enable and equip members to grow as peacemakers in their families, congregation, and community. Domestic Justice, to help the congregation to work for social, racial, and economic justice, and to respond to people in the community who are caught in poverty, hurt by unemployment, or burdened by other problems. Global Justice, to encourage support of human rights and economic justice efforts in at least one area of the world. International Peace, to work to reduce international tensions, to crease mechanisms for constructively resolving conflicts between nation. Financial Support, to support financially a peacemaking effort.
A member of the task force will be appointed to be our contact with the Presbytery Peacemaking Task Force and with the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program to receive and distribute information and resource materials which will help us to fulfill this commitment.
In July a congregational meeting was held to authorize the Trustees to borrow up to $20,000 for renovation of the Sanctuary. This was approved by the congregation.
In a letter from the Music Director, Mary Page Lay, she submitted her resignation due to illness. She stated that in 1978 she gave the second division of the organ to this Church in memory of her parents. At this time she requested that a small plaque be placed on the cabinet of the second division the would be engraved "To the glory of God and in memory of Lawrence Shepherd and Elizabeth Howser Hutchinson".
The Stewardship and Mission Interpretation Committee reported that monies were collected totaling $200 for Mexican Earthquake Relief. This committee is assisting the St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Purcellville in establishing a directory for Emergency Assistance. Also the Session approved this committee's recommendation that a sub-committee on Aging will be established. The committee will consist of representatives from the Session, Board of Deacons, and the Presbyterian Women. The committee will seek to establish a plan and coordinate a program for the aging.
The Presbyterian Women reported that they are making banners on faith and requested that they be ale to display them in the Fellowship Hall.
The Christian Education and Nurture Committee recommend that a part-time educator for our Christian Education be hired. Reverend Wherry reported that a member had indicated they would underwrite the salary of such a person at $2500 yearly.
In this year 16 members were added while 12 transferred and 8 lost by death. The total active members at year end was 304.
- 1986 -
The total operating and benevolence budget for 1986 is approved at $137,820.
The Moderator will meet with the Administrative Committee to make recommendations for a task force to look at the structure of government in our Church.
As part of the local mission of this Church, the Food Closet will receive year round emphasis. The sub-committee on aging has prepared a letter for all members over 60 asking them to assist in assessing needs. The initial response to this letter indicated the desire for visitations to be most important. A contribution of $200 was sent to the Loudoun Abused Women's Shelter.
The task force on Governing Structures presented its report in June. The purposes, activities, and life of the Church is clearly defined in the Book of Church Order (Presbyterian Church USA). The form of government in a particular Church is only a means to that end, but an extremely important means that contributes to the success or failure. This task force recommended that we retain the bicameral system of government with re-defined function of the Session and the Board of Deacons. Because our first responsibility is to be a caring Church, the task of the Board of Deacons would be one of compassionate pastoral ministry to the congregation. The role of Trustees would remain the same. All other task of the church would come under the general control of the Session.
A complete organizational plan was set forth and approved. "The tasks of the Leesburg Presbyterian Church are to provide and offer: Christian Education, Evangelism, Worship, Leadership, Mission, Staffing, Communication, Stewardship, Service, Support Groups, a physical setting and any other task that may be deemed necessary in meeting the 'great ends' of the Church. There shall be three Trustees elected by the congregation. The role of the Trustees is to hold, encumber, and transfer property for the church, to execute deeds, and to manage any special funds of the church - all subject to the authority of the Session. The Board of Deacons shall consist of nine members, elected in three consecutive classes. The responsibilities shall come under the following areas of service: Congregational Life and Pastoral Care, Christian Service, Liaison with the Session. Specific programs of visitation, recognition, and support were listed together with service projects that included Food Closet, Special Transportation needs, and community concerns. The Session shall consist of 15 members, elected in three consecutive classes. The Pastor shall serve as Moderator and the Session shall elect a Clerk from its members annually. The mission and government of a particular Church is the responsibility of the Session and these responsibilities shall be carried out by the Office of the Clerk and six Standing Committees: Christian Education, Worship, Stewardship and Finance, Property, Evangelism, and Mission & Witness. Special committees would be Personnel/Administration, Nominating Committee, Bequest Commission, and the Memorial Committee. Church organizations will be Presbyterian Women, Youth Group, and the Softball team.
This reorganization is to be fully in place by January 1987. The recommendation was passed by a congregational vote 58-7.
Elder M. Kline has ordered material and will make new Communion cloths. These will be used for the first time at the Christmas Eve Communion service.
The Nonweilers are back in the United States from Bangladesh. David Barnhart and his wife Rosemary Sebastian will be supported as their replacements.
The motion was made and carried unanimously to grant Etta Rhoads and Margaret Dudly the status of Elder Emeritus.
A donation has been made to have the pipes revoiced on the organ. Work should be completed before Christmas.
A celebration was held on November 30th to honor the tenth anniversary of Reverend Wherry's pastoral relationship with this Church.
A letter was received informing the Session that we will receive a bequest of $1000 from Mrs. Mae Adams.
A Stewardship campaign was kicked off with a spaghetti dinner at the Church.
A reception was given by the Presbyterian Women for the choirs following the Joy Gift Service.
Food baskets were prepared by groups and individuals for the Loudoun Abused Women's Shelter. The balance of the Mission Endeavor Fund was also given to this organization. $150 from the local Mission Fund was sent to the Victim Witness program.
The young adults have had several socials and fellowship seems to be strengthening.
42 new members have been received into membership this year, the Evangelism Committee will present each one with a commemorative tree ornament.
The annual report for the Bequest Commission's activities and use of monies from the Gilmore fund was presented. We were able to assist three of our young people attending college, four young people attended summer camp and three attended the U.N. New York trip. We also helped some victims of the disastrous flood in West Virginia who attended Davis and Elkins College.
- 1987 -
The proposed budget for this year was approved at $150,590.
The worship committee recommended that we should have Communion on the first Sunday in each month. This motion was carried.
A letter was drafted and sent informing the congregation of Peggy Simpson's plight and giving them the opportunity to make a monetary contribution. St. Andres Presbyterian Church has expressed an interest in joining us in her assistance.
The Mission & Witness committee reported on our new Mission Support project, the Laguna Presbyterian Church. The Witness Season offering was pledged to this mission. The church will be introduced to the congregation via the newsletter and Minute for Mission.
Permission was given to the Leesburg Methodist Church to use our sanctuary from May to September for special events while their sis being renovated.
In May, a motion was carried to support a local peace group in asking for volunteers to provide a meal at Glaydin School where an orientation will take place about the Peace March to Russia.
The Evangelism committee invited Dr. Richard C. Halverson, Chaplain of the U.S. Senate to lead a series of evening services in September.
The motion was passed to have an informal worship service form 8:45 - 9:30 AM
The gift of $2500 for a computer/word processor for the church office has been given. The gift was accepted and the purchase is to be investigated.
Approval was given to begin a 2 cents a Meal Program in our Church.
A fireproof cabinet for the church records was purchased. Presbyterian Women donated $500 toward this purchase. Locks have been put on the kitchen cabinet containing the silver.
The Property committee has reported to the congregation that a special sub-committee, the Parking Lot Committee, has awarded the contract for site development to the firm of Patton, Harris and Rust. The preliminary plan envisions expansion of the parking lot on the south side of the Church and paving of the entire parking lot providing storm drainage, curb, and landscaping. The cost of the entire project is estimate d$125,000. The entire estimated cost could be financed by users of a portion of the parking lot (assumed 40 users at $50 per month). Maintenance and insurance at $2500 per year would leave $17,500 net to service debt. This net income would be adequate to pay off the $125,000 over a 10 year period at a 10% interest rate.
The Stewardship dinner was a success with about 70 members in attendance. Almost $70,000 was received in pledges on Dedication Sunday. The committee is hopeful that we will end 1987 in the black.
Current enrollment is 340.
- 1988 -
A $1000 bequest was received from the estate of Mae Trittipoe Adams, it was decided to add this to the Kincaid Fund.
The congregation authorized the Trustees to borrow up to $125,000 for the purpose of renovating the present church parking lot.
A series of Lenten suppers were held each Wednesday evening during Lent.
The highlight of the Mission Season was a weekend of activities centered around the visit of Elder Clarance Acoya from Laguna Presbyterian Church.
A special offering was collected to be sent to the Tincher family who are in special need of support during the long term treatment of Clay.
A committee was created to establish by-laws for the Church.
The Property committee has had air conditioning installed in the Fellowship Hall, and reports that parking lot renovation is being held up at this time awaiting approval by the town council.
The Evangelism committee provided several opportunities for new members to get acquainted and event for the entire congregation to gather and enjoy the fellowship.
The Session voted to increase the number of Deacons from 9 to 12.
The Mission & Witness committee organized a trip to the Laguna Mission to assist them for a week with building and repair jobs. Nine members went and shared a wonderful time. On World Wide communion Sunday, the bread used was brought back as a gift form the Laguna membership to symbolize our sharing.
The first 2 cents a meal offering was collected. It was also decided that on the Sunday each month when this offering is collected that the loose change offering be added to this program. The 40% of this 2 cents a meal collection that says in the local church is to be used to supply this congregation's Food Closet. This committee contributed $125 toward the expenses of Claudia Radel for her summer work project in Nicaragua. Claudia shared her experiences with the congregation upon her return.
The Bicentennial committee received approval for their plans for a celebration in 1989. This year is the 200th anniversary of the fist General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in American and is also the 185th Birthday of the Leesburg Presbyterian Church.
The Stewardship and Finance committee have proposed a program to have pledges to retire the present debt of the Church by the Birthday celebration.
- 1989 -
To be continued ...
Wednesday
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