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, 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.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
Omnibus Motion – The following items were approved:
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Approve Minutes of Stated Session Meeting, December 17, 2025
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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.
- 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.
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SAF 2026.01 – Approve Communion and Special Offering Dates
Omnibus Motion – The following items were approved:
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Approve Minutes of Stated Session Meeting, November 19, 2025.
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Approve November Membership Report – 963 Members
Financial Report – Mike Johnson reviewed the financials for November and year the year-to-date. The income for November appears lower than expected budget-wise because we received a pledge in October that typically arrives in November. Expenses were favorable to the budget. YTD revenue and expenses are favorable to the budget.
Stewardship Update – Carolyn Shaffer expressed her gratitude for the Stewardship committee, the session and the congregation for their generosity. There were 263 pledges for 2026, up from 254 for 2025. The amount pledged was 5% above that pledged in 2025. It was a successful Stewardship campaign. Anna expressed her gratitude for the hard work and generosity as well.
Zo American Church Update – Joseph Jumper read a statement from Khai Samte, pastor of the Zo American Presbyterian Church, one of our mission partners. Khai is under the care of the Session for his ordination. The Church meets in our chapel on Sunday mornings. Although it is a small group, they broadcast via cell phone to many Zo people throughout the world. The current US administration’s immigration policies have impacted the church and Khai asks for our prayers. We are encouraged to pray for the Zo church and look for ways to support them. Joseph offered a prayer for their congregation.
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SAF 2025.16 – Approve Youth Fundraisers to assist with cost of 2026 Mission Trip to Alaska
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SAF 2025.17 – Approve the following allocation of the Employee Retention Tax Credit, which totals $522,373:
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$261,187 for Shallowford Presbyterian School (50%, tied to their number of employees)
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$261,186 for Shallowford Presbyterian Church (50%)
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$26,119 for Mission (10% tithe of SPC’s portion), for unrestricted use by Mission Committee
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$50,000 to establish a reserve fund for the Personnel Committee for future expenses e.g., sabbaticals, parental leaves, and/or benefit $185,068 to Shallowford Presbyterian Church operating reserves, which will allow the church to maintain 2-4 months of operating cash on hand.
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- SAF 2025.18 – Approve the operating budget for the calendar year 2026.
Omnibus Motion – The following items were approved:
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Approve Minutes of Stated Session Meeting, October 21, 2025
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Approve October Membership Report – 963 members
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Approve the baptism of Mills Anderson Foster on Sunday, November 23, 2025. Rev. Anna George Traynham to preside. Vickie Moreland will represent the Session.
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Approve the baptism of Sutton Camille Pursley on Sunday, December 7, 2025. Rev. Anna George Traynham to preside. Former elder Carié Cato to represent the Session.
Financial Report – Mike Johnson reports Oct. was another great month, ending $ 3K favorable to budget. Year-to-date, we are $220K favorable to budget. Cash balance is $414K. Andrew Lyles reported that the ERC amount is 550K, which will be split pretty much evenly between the church and school. Next month, the Finance Committee will have a recommendation for allocating the church’s portion of the funds.
Stewardship Update – Anna thanked Committee chairs Carolyn Shafer and Brent Iredale, and committee members Julie Kendall and Davis Stewart, for a successful Stewardship Drive. Julie and Anna reported that we have more people pledging and more money pledged than in 2025.
- 251 pledges received
- 25 members who did not pledge for 2025 (new or returning) have pledged $93,120 for 2026!
- 30 members who made pledges in 2025 have not yet submitted for 2026.
- Pledge Goal: $1,861,547 (5% increase in pledges totals $88,500) Total Pledges Received as of 11/16/25: $1,745,208 Gap to Pledge Goal: $116,309. Anna thinks we will likely reach a total 2.5-3% increase in pledged amount for 2026 (+ 2025 Budget Non-pledged Income: $141,300; expected to be similar in 2026)
The purpose of the Congregational Care committee is to show love and support to every member of the congregation, no matter the age or stage. Bradley reviewed the various ministries, expressing gratitude for the congregation members who lead and volunteer.
- Prayer Network
- Weekly fresh flower delivery
- Prayer shawl ministry
- Take them a Meal
- Care ministers
- Faith and Grief group
- Birthday cards
- 65ish and up quarterly gatherings
- Home Communion-please contact Kate Robinson if you are willing to participate
- Christmas Caroling
- Care packages
- SAF 2025.14 – Approve Offering at Sounds of Christmas Concert, December 14, 2025
- SAF 2025.15 – Approve a Congregational Meeting on Sunday, January 25 (after worship) to approve 2026 Budget and Installed Pastors’ Terms of Call
Omnibus Motion – The following items were approved:
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Approve Minutes of Stated Session from September 17, 2025
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Approve August Membership Report – totaling 966 members
Financial Report –Mike Johnson reports September was a good month financially. Revenue was higher than expected due to a large pledge paid in September that was expected in November. Cash Balance is $380,000. Committee chairs are to submit their 2026 budgets by Oct. 31. Most budgets have been submitted, and most committees have requested a higher budget for 2026. The committee is still working with the school on the distribution of the ERTC funds.
Stewardship Update
- Dedication Sunday, Pigs on Fire, Oct. 26
- Session members, please have pledges in by Oct. 26
- The testimonials shared during worship have been meaningful.
Capital Campaign Update
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The bid for expanding the interior was much higher than anticipated. After considering the entire scope of plans, the committee has asked the architect to revise plans.
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New plans include 5 ADA parking spaces in the lower parking lot with a covered ADA accessible walkway to the building entrance, and updating the men’s restroom outside the sanctuary, which will require revising the stairs leading to the narthex.
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The committee is working hard, meeting twice a month, to finalize plans and projects.
- Reviewed many aspects of the committee’s work, such as the list of committee members, worship planning logistics, attendance trends, monthly usher captain plan
- New projects like Advent decor and paraments
- Lucas shared that the new robes have arrived. Nov. 2, the choir will lead Worship as One with Requiem for the Living, composed by Dan Forrest, Choral Scholars from GA State have joined the choir. Planning is underway for 2026 to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the organ installation.
- Session members can help with worship by volunteering to be an usher captain, helping with Advent decorating and un-decorating, supporting the Choral Scholars-Let Erin know how you want to help.
Omnibus Motion – The following items were approved:
- Approve Minutes of Stated Session from August 20, 2025
- Approve August Membership Report – totaling 968 members
Financial Report – Mike Johnson reports that August had lower revenue through pledge income but overall it was a good summer. Andrew Lyles reports that the Employee Retention Tax Credit funding has been received. The Finance Committee is figuring out the distribution between the church and the school. They will come back with final numbers once they are available.
Stewardship – Brent Iredale reports that everything is ready to go. Aiming for a 5% increase over last year’s goal. Session members please get your pledges in as quickly as possible. The Stewardship Committee would like to report to the congregation that 100% of the session has pledged.
Capital Campaign Update –
- We received our initial bid package from Lichty last week, and it is over our budget. In it, the costs are broken down into spec (e.g. plumbing, concrete, electrical). We have asked Lichty to repackage the bid package by project (e.g. new accessible entrance, new ADA parking, Education Building restrooms, men’s sanctuary restroom, etc.). We expect the revised big package by the end of September, at which time the committee will begin to make decisions
about our next steps. - We are committed to honoring the promises made in this campaign to address accessibility, infrastructure, worship, and technology improvements on our campus.
Committee & Staff Updates:
- Question about Trunk or Treat and Landon reports that we will take a break from Trunk or Treat this year and reassess next year.
- Joseph highlighted an upcoming Habitat for Humanity build on October 4 and the youth mission trip to Alaska this summer.
Meeting was adjourned with prayer at 7:53pm.