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 ...