The Shallowford Session consists of 25 elders (or leaders) to govern the 11 active committees that make up the church (committees listed below). To become an elder, you commit to serve a three-year term. Elders come in all shapes, sizes, and ages. The 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 – The following items were approved:

  • Minutes from Called Session Meeting to receive New Members September 1, 2024
  • Recap of Session Items and vote from September 2024
  • Minutes from Called Session Meeting to receive New Members September 22, 2024
  • September Membership Report – 978 Members

Shallowford Presbyterian School – Meredith Moseley Head of School reported on the following:

  • Reviewed SPS mission statement: At SPS, our mission is to nurture the whole child by accepting uniqueness and developing an academic, spiritual, and social foundation.
  • Current Enrollment is 133 students, 2-year-old through 8th grade; 35 staff members
  • Students support Shallowford missions including St. Francis School in Haiti, Shallowford Food Pantry, LaAmistad and more.
  • Cognia Certification in 2022
  • SPS contributes financially to the maintenance of Shallowford and to the church’s operating budget.
  • Ways SPC can support Shallowford School include contribution to the Judy Hemenway Tuition Assistance Program, substitute teach, and read to classrooms.
  • Joy of Giving Program returns this year on Dec. 7. Meredith encouraged all to participate.

Financial Report – Mike Johnson provided an overview of the financial results for September 2024.

  • Revenue is favorable to budget by $12K.
  • Expenses are favorable to budget.
  • Year-to-date income is slightly below budget and expenses are about $90K below budget.
  • Available cash is $248K.
  • Mike noted a sizeable pledge payment was made in Sept. that was not recorded but will be reflected in the Oct. financials
  • Committee budget draft requests due Oct. 31

Ripple Effects Capital Campaign Progress Report – Rev. Traynham reports we have received 54 pledges totaling $2.3 Million. Once all pledges are made, the budget for the projects will be developed.

2025 Annual Stewardship Campaign Progress Report

  • 45 families have pledged to the annual campaign
  • Please submit pledges by Oct. 27, before follow up calls begin.

Meeting was adjourned with prayer at 8:20pm.

Due to the Capital Campaign Leadership Event, there was no formal Session Meeting held during the month of September. The Omnibus motion and below and supporting documents were distributed via email.

Omnibus Motion – The following items were approved:

  • Minutes of Stated Session Meeting, August 18, 2024
  • Minutes of Called Session Meeting to Receive New Members, August 25, 2024
  • Minutes of Called Session Meeting to Receive New Member, September 1, 2024
  • August Membership Report – 975 Members
  • Approve Baptism of the son of Toby and Monica Isaac, in 11:00am worship on September 22, 2024
  • Approve Baptism of the daughter of Joel and Maki Carmical, in 11:00am worship on October 20, 2024
  • Approve Baptism of the daughter of Nichole and Nathan Crocker, in 11:00am worship on December 15, 2024
  • Approve Baptism of the daughter of Julia Styles and Derek DeJesus in 11:00am on December 22, 2024

The motion passed with no objections.

Omnibus Motion – The following items were approved:

  • Minutes of Congregational Meeting, June 2 ,2024 to call Rev. Joseph Jumper as Associate Pastor for Mission and Youth
  • Minutes of stated Session Meeting, June 19, 2024
  • Minutes of Congregational Meeting July 14, 2024, to vote on Rev. Landon Dillard’s move to Installed Pastor
  • June membership Report – 991 Members
  • July membership Report – 975 Members

Asia Lerner’s Candidacy For Ordination – Rev. Traynham introduced Asia Lerner who has been an Inquirer under the Shallowford Session’s care Asia is applying to move to the Candidate phase of the ordination process. Asia introduced herself and spoke a little of her faith journey. She was questioned by the Session. The Session unanimously endorsed her enrollment as a Candidate for Ordination.

Financial Report – Mike Johnson provided an overview of the financial results for July, 2024.

  • Revenue is flat to budget.
  • Expenses are lower than budget by about 15K due to lower spending in outreach and faith and fellowship categories.
  • Year to date income is about $37K below budget and expenses are about $96K below budget.
  • Available cash is $293K. Rev Traynham pointed out that the size in cash on hand for the past couple of years is in part due to the Payroll Protection program during COVID.

Capital Campaign Progress Report – Rev. Traynham shared the logo for the Capital campaign. The theme is Ripple Effects. She noted over 100 church members attended one or more of the four listening sessions held this summer. Based on feedback, the congregation is most excited about improving accessibility. The priorities and accessibility project ideas have shifted based on that feedback.

Personnel Report – Dianne Smith reported that following the presentation of Update to Medical Insurance Policy for Pastors-SAF 2024.19 at the May Session meeting, some session members voiced concern about cutting benefits to our pastors. After further discussion and consideration with members of the Finance Committee, the Personnel Committee is withdrawing the SAF. The committee will be discussing benefits options pastor by pastor – some may choose family benefits through their spouses. The committee will revisit the situation year by year.

Meeting was adjourned with prayer at 8:30pm.

Session Highlights – June 2024

Omnibus Motion – The following items were approved:

  • To approve Minute of Stated Session Meeting, May 15, 2024
  • To approve May membership Report totaling 992 members
  • To call a Congregational Meeting for Sunday, July 14, 2024-12:00 to vote on the installation of Rev. Landon Dillard.

Capital Campaign Planning Progress Report – Jay Turney, co-chair for the Projects Team, presented the Capital Campaign’s projects and goals and answered questions. Project Team members include Karen Kent, Dave Mogge, David Rosselot, Pamela Blass, Billy Kendall, Michael Thomas and Bruce Morris. Rev. Traynham distributed a handout with the timeline, proposed projects and chart of gifts it will take to reach the financial goal of $3,000,000 and presented slides detailing the planning progress.

There will be listening sessions on June 23 and July 21 at noon, and August 11 at 9:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.  Session members were encouraged to attend the listening sessions.

Other important dates:

  • Sept. 18, Leadership Giving Event;
  • Oct. 6, Congregational Kickoff Event;
  • Oct. 27, Response Sunday & Pigs on Fire BBQ Celebration

Financial Report – Mike Johnson provided an overview of the financial results for May 2024.

  • $95.1K in giving was about $50K below budget, 36% of that is due to lower than anticipated pledging in May.
  • $136.8K in expenses was about $20K lower than the budget mainly due to reduced spending in operations (personnel) and outreach.
  • Year-to-date income is about $70K below budget and expenses are about $60K below budget.
  • Available cash is $273K.

There is concern about the pledge deficit in May, as giving often goes down in the summer months. Bulletin and weekly email newsletter blurbs have been published to encourage the congregation to keep current with pledges.

Personnel Report – Gary Budd presented the proposed Update to the Medical Insurance Policy for Pastors-SAF 2024.19 and addressed questions.  The personnel committee recommends that we update our insurance coverage policy of all pastors and grandfathered staff to be in line with non-pastoral staff starting Jan. 1, 2025, with the implementation of the updated cost structure for PCUSA medical benefits. This is the first read for this SAF and the vote will take place at the next regularly scheduled session meeting.  Gary reported that with the recent staff additions of Director of Music Ministries, Lucas Gray and Associate Pastor for Mission and Youth, Rev. Joseph Jumper, Shallowford is fully staffed.

Approved Session Action Forms

  • SAF 2024.18 – To approve the revised Support & Endowment Plan which allows more flexibility in management.
  • SAF 2024.20 – To approve La Gonave Haiti Partnership Fundraiser during their conference and worship July 13-14.

The meeting was adjourned with prayer at 8:10 p.m.

Session Highlights – May 2024

Examination of New Elders – Class of 2027 – Brent Iredale, Toby Isaac, Andrew Lyles, Diane Prucino,
Davis Stewart, Prue Swerlick, Erin Thornton, Carolyn Shaffer. Youth Elder Class of 2025 – Madelyn Small

Omnibus Motion – The following items were approved

  • To approve minutes of the Called Session Meeting held on April 14, 2024, to receive new members.
  • To approve minutes of the Congregational Meeting held on April 14, 2024, to elect elders.
  • To approve minutes of the Stated Session Meeting held on April 17, 2024.
  • To approve minutes of the Called Session Meeting held on April 28, 2024, to receive Confirmands.
  • To approve the April Membership Report totaling 992 members.

Financial Report – Mike Johnson provided an overview of the financial results for April 2024.

  • $129.4 K in giving was $20K below budget.
  • $125.9 K in expenses was $15.6 K below budget.
  • $4.4 K loss for the month against the budget.

Mike commented that the recent issues with mail delivery delays may be affecting the receipt of checks. Approximately $7,500 in checks that had been mailed had not been received. Year-to-Date income is 20.1 K below budget. Year-to-date expenses are $42.7 K below budget. Net income is $22 K above budget. Senior Pastor

Anna confirmed that attendance numbers have declined slightly, affecting the Faithful Ones offering. Mike Johnson confirmed that the mortgage is no longer included in the budget since it has been paid off by the generous gift.

Personnel Report – Maggie Galbraith stated that Shallowford needs a new Audio-Visual contractor as the current contract has expired. This important role includes running the livestream during worship. Lizzie Jury announced that a candidate has been selected by the APNC for the Associate Pastor
for Missions & Youth position. The candidate is to be presented in a Congregational Meeting on June 2 for review and confirmation by the congregation.

Capital Campaign Planning Progress Report– Pastor Anna George-Traynham presented a slideshow outlining the Capital Campaign’s goals and current progress. The goal of the campaign is to help Shallowford serve God and our mission with an operating budget unencumbered by major capital
expenditures. The campaign is to focus on Infrastructure, Technology, Accessibility, and potentially Worship. A list of potential projects for each category was presented along with a list of the current Capital Campaign Projects Team members and Steering Team members. The next steps include listening
sessions with church members in June, July, and August to be followed by an official Kick-Off on September 22 leading to the receipt of Capital Campaign pledges along with Stewardship pledges on Pledge Sunday which will be on October 27.

Approved Session Action Forms

  • SAF 2024.15 – Elect Prue Swerlick as Clerk of Session for a one-year term.
  • SAF 2024.16 – Elect/confirm corporation officers based on any changes approved by Session for President – Thurston Cooke, Treasurer – Courtney Boyd, and Secretary – Prue Swerlick (Clerk of Session) of the Corporation.
  • SAF 2024.17 – Approved special offering for Chapel Choir Homecoming concert on June 7, 2024.

The meeting was adjourned with prayer at 8:17 p.m.

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.

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