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:

  • Approve Minutes of Stated Session Meeting, May 20, 2026
  • Approve May Membership Report – 971 members

Financial Report – Andrew Lyles presented the following slide that outlines the May Financial Report. We are in good shape financially for the year to date.

Capital Campaign Update –Anna reports it’s going great! Expressed appreciation to Jay Turney and the committee for their leadership and day-to-day involvement.

  • Funding: Received just over $2 million, so $1.4 million to go. On track with budget. Have not yet needed to tap into the construction loan that session approved in April.
  • Projects:
    • Accessible walkway: Trees are down. Digging for the footings is happening.
    • Food pantry expansion: almost complete. Walls are up, flooring is in, and electrical is in place!
    • New signage: designs have been approved.
    • Sanctuary sound: demo has already begun.
    • Education Building Bathrooms: demoed and leveled.

Security Update – Carolyn Shaffer gave the following report:

  • Exploring evacuation, communication, and security. Evacuation routes will be posted.  
  • Some lightbulbs have been replaced to increase security
  • We will be locking doors at 10:15 on Sundays for 10:00 worship
  • May need an elder on call during worship to be an extra pair of eyes to assess security needs and to alert authorities, ambulance, etc if necessary.

Approved Session Action Forms:

  • SAF 2026.12 PushPulse Security Communication App Funding. The motion was discussed; questions were answered.

Meeting was adjourned with prayer at 8:00 pm.

Omnibus Motion – The following items were approved:

  • Approve Minutes of Stated Session Meeting, April 22, 2026
  • Approve April Membership Report – 982 members
  • Approve the baptism of Poppy Caroline Bond, daughter of Billy and Bradley Kibler Bond, during the 10:00 am worship service on Sunday, June 21, 2026. Rev. Rebekah LeMon to preside.
Financial Report – Andrew Lyles presented the following slide that outlines the April Financial Report. Andrew noted that revenue is down due to a timing variance relative to the expected pledge. We are in good shape financially for the year to date.

Shallowford School Update – Diane Prucino gave the following report:

  • Meredith Mosely, Head of School, will retire at the end of the 2026-27 school year after 15 years of service. We will celebrate her over the coming year.
  • The School Board has begun considering the challenges Meredith’s retirement presents, the challenges the school is currently facing, and the role the school will play in the community moving forward.  
  • Currently, the school is not meeting budget, in large part because enrollment is down, especially in the middle school grades. The school is financially independent from the church.
  • The school board has decided to retain a consultant to help with the school’s strategic plan and the search for a new Head of School. Funds from the Employee Retention Tax Credit that the school received will be used to help finance the Consultant.

Capital Campaign Update – Jay Turney, Chair of the Projects Team, gave the following report:

  • The building permit was approved, and construction starts May 26.  It is expected to continue through August.
  • Construction will include a new covered walkway with 5 ADA parking spaces, education building restrooms and men’s restroom in the narthex renovation, new carpet in the anctuary and narthex, new sanctuary sound booth and system, Food Pantry expansion, Ramp renovation outside the Great Hall to become ADA compliant, new lift in the choir room, ADA compliant doors at entrances with fobs to enhance security. Expected cost $2.6 million with $400K in contingency. Line of credit approved by the session last month.
  • We will be out of the sanctuary on June 28, July 5, and 12, in all likelihood.

Security Update – Carolyn Shaffer gave the following report:

  • Carolyn, Steve Whiten, Macy Moser, and Robby Robinson are on this task force.
  • Emergency procedures have been reviewed.  We need an evacuation plan for emergencies that includes organized relocation and communication.  There will likely be a church-wide evacuation drill in August.
  • We will have on-site security during children’s or youth programs.
  • Researching the use of a security app.
  • Session members asked about improved lighting and perhaps reaching out to the Presbytery as a resource.

Approved Session Action Forms:

  • SAF 2026.09 – Elect Prue Swerlick Clerk of Session for a one-year term
  • SAF 2026.10 – Elect/confirm corporation officers based on any changes approved by Session, for President-Andrew Lyles, Treasurer-Courtney Boyd and Secretary (Clerk of Session)-Prue Swerlick of the Corporation
  • SAF 2026.11 – Elect Support and Endowment Committee

Meeting was adjourned with prayer at 8:30 pm.

Omnibus Motion – The following items were approved:

  • Approve Minutes of Stated Session Meeting, March 18, 2026
  • Approve Minutes of Called Session Meeting, March 22, 2026, to receive Confirmands as new members
  • Approve Minutes of Congregational Meeting, March 22, 2026, to Elect Elders & Representative Nominating Committee
  • Approve March Membership Report – 972 members
Examination of New Elders – Active elders and incoming elders were assigned to small groups for examination of the incoming elders to Session. Anna provided some context for the discussions for examinations. New elders were examined in small groups.
Financial Report – Mike Johnson presented the following slide that outlines the March Financial Report

Celebrating Outgoing Elders – Pamela Blass, Kay Bryant, Jim Crawford, Elizabeth Hankla, Mike Johnson, Lizzie Jury, Dick Pope, Kate Robinson, Carter Robb. Anna addressed outgoing elders individually, expressing her appreciation for their specific contributions to the Session and offering her prayers for them as they rotate off, giving each a devotional book in appreciation for their service.
  • Joseph reminded us of the ongoing Shallowford Apparel sales fundraiser for the Youth mission trip to Alaska. Upcoming fundraiser- electronic device collection.
  • Confirmation is this Sunday. Elders are encouraged to attend the faith statements at 9:30. It is inspiring AND it is a Session meeting to accept new members.

Approved Session Action Forms:

  • SAF 2026.06 – Approve special offering for Chapel Choir Homecoming concert on Sunday, June 14, 2026.
  • SAF 2026.07 – To authorize taking out a $600,000 construction loan from United Community Bank for the Ripple Effects Capital Campaign
  • SAF 2026.08 – To approve a twelve-week sabbatical for Rev. Anna George Traynham in 2027.

Meeting was adjourned with prayer at 8:23 p.m.

Omnibus Motion – The following items were approved:

  • Approve Minutes of Stated Session Meeting, February 22, 2026.
  • Approve February Membership Report – 964 Members
  • Approve the baptisms of Nick Thrailkill and Tony Davis at the 11:00 am service on Sunday, March 22, 2026. Rev. Joseph Jumper to officiate.

Financial Report – There was a discrepancy in the 2026 budget numbers, so the corrected Financial Report will be reviewed during the April Stated Session Meeting.

Music Ministry Spotlight – Lucas led us in some inspired singing and gave us highlights of the music ministry. He welcomes all to join the Chancel Choir.

Additional Committee & Staff Updates

  • Anna thanked Landon for organizing the Lenten small groups and gave an overview of Holy Week.
    • Maundy Thursday (4/2) service 12 pm in the chapel and 6 pm around tables for dinner in the Great Hall. Landon encouraged everyone to make dinner reservations early.
    • Joseph will lead Good Friday services at 12 pm in the chapel and 7 pm in the sanctuary.
    • Easter egg hunt 10:00 am Saturday, April 4. Landon encouraged folks to donate eggs.
    • Easter day: 7 am sunrise service, 8:30 am chapel service, 11 am service in the sanctuary. Breakfast available between services.
  • Joseph reported there is a habitat build on March 28. Please sign up to help.
  • Joseph reminded us of the ongoing Shallowford Apparel sales fundraiser for the Youth mission trip to Alaska. Upcoming fundraiser- electronic device collection
  • Confirmation is this Sunday. Elders are encouraged to attend the faith statements at 9:30. It is inspiring, and a Session meeting to accept new members.
Approved Session Action Form:
  • SAF 2026.05 – That the Session approve an additional fundraiser for the youth during the month of May, selling opportunities for church members to receive postcards from our youth on the mission trip in exchange for donations.
The meeting was adjourned with prayer at 8:30 pm.

Omnibus Motion – The following items were approved:

  • Approve Minutes of Stated Session Meeting, January 21, 2026.
  • Approve Minutes of Congregational Meeting on February 1, 2026, to receive the 2026 budget and approve pastors’ terms of call.
  • Approve Minutes of the Called Session Meeting on February 8, 2026, to receive new members.
  • Approve January Membership Report – 963 Members

Financial Report – Andrew Lyles reviewed January financials. Revenue unfavorable to budget – down $21K to budget and $70K to last year. Expenses favorable to budget – down 32K to budget. Net income was up $11K to the budget.

Ministry Spotlight: Children’s Ministry – Pastor Landon reviewed the Children’s Ministry for the upcoming year. She is seeking volunteers for Vacation Bible School – June 1-5, 2026.
Faithful Leadership Exercise – Small groups discussed options for posting on the Shallowford Road sign. Messaging will rotate every two weeks.
Additional Committee & Staff Updates
  • Carolyn Shaffer encouraged all to sign up for a Lenten Small Group. The groups meet on Wednesday evenings in Lent.
  • Carolyn announced that Abby Bunn will start as an intern in the fall of 2026, working 10-12 hours a week. Rev. Bradley Bond will supervise.
Approved Session Action Forms:
  • SAF 2026.02 – Approve 2026 Recurring Payments
  • SAF 2026.03 – Approve collection of PCUSA One Great Hour of Sharing Offering
  • SAF 2026.04 – Approve that we move to one Worship as One service at 10:00 am on Sundays in June and July 2026.
The meeting was adjourned with prayer at 1:45 pm.

Omnibus Motion – The following items were approved:

  • Approve Minutes of Stated Session Meeting, December 17, 2025
  • Approve November Membership Report – 963 Members

Financial Report – Mike Johnson reviewed the December and 2025 financials. The Church is in great shape financially. We ended 2025 with a $182K net income. That amount will be placed in the reserve funds.

Review Pastors’ Terms of Call – Anna distributed terms of call for the 4 pastors. These will be presented for congregational approval at the Jan. 25 or Feb. 1 (depending on weather) Congregational Meeting. Questions were answered. The Session agreed and affirmed that we had an excellent pastoral staff.

Additional Committee & Staff Updates
  • Officer nominations for 2025 will open this week.
  • Joseph encouraged all to sign up for the Rise Against Hunger event on Feb. 1.
  • Erin Thornton announced that the Worship Committee will be submitting an SAF next month, requesting that Worship as One be held on Sundays in June and July 2026 at 10:00 AM. Please contact her with any questions.
  • Carolyn Shafer announced that Lenten small groups will be held on Wednesday evenings again this year. She encouraged all to sign up. Women’s retreat will be held this September 11-13, 2026.
Approved Session Action Forms:
  • SAF 2026.01 – Approve Communion and Special Offering Dates
The meeting was adjourned with prayer at 8:40 pm.

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