• Today is Youth Sunday! We will celebrate all the exciting things that the Youth have been doing this year with a Youth-led worship service.

• 35^th Anniversary Celebration, Sunday, Sept. 23. Join us in celebrating this joyous occasion. At 9:30 am we will have a Celebratory Worship Service followed by a reception in the Great Hall. At 4:00 pm we will come together for “Gather Us In,” a concert of music and scripture. For more information or if you need a ride contact Connie Buck or Louise Dye.

• Lagniappe Ladies will meet for dinner Tuesday, October 2 at Casa Maria, 7955 Bluebonnet. For more information contact Carol Behrmann.

• Session Approved the Facility Use Request of the Baton Rouge Caledonian Pipes and Drum for practices on August 25, September 8, September 29 and October 13, 2018.
• Session approved the sale of a specially designed tee-shirt for the 35^Th Anniversary Celebration. Shirts will cost $12 and orders will be taken over the coming weeks.

• Session approved entering into an agreement with Walgreens Pharmacy to provide flu shots for the Congregation on Sunday, October 21, 2018 following worship.
• Session approved including Communion as part of the worship service on Sunday, September 23 (35^th Anniversary Celebration), December 9, 16, and 23 (Advent), 2018.
• Session approved allocating $500 from Other Benevolences to disburse $250 to Together Baton Rouge and $250 to Interfaith Federation of Greater Baton Rouge for 2018 donations.
• Session approved calling a Special Meeting of the Congregation to be held October 7, 2018 following worship for the purpose of electing two Elders to the Class of 2021 and three members from the Congregation to serve on the 2019 Nominating Committee.
• Session approved allocating Highland Presbyterian Church’s portion of the Peace and Global Witness Offering (25%) to the Interfaith Federation of Greater Baton Rouge.

• The Youth trip to Montreat, NC was a success for the six youth and the two adult advisers, Rev. Janie McElwee-Smith and Robert Stewart. Youth are preparing to share their experiences on Sunday, September 16 which has been designated as “Youth Sunday.”
• The Youth will participate in the Interfaith Federation of Greater Baton Rouge’s Hunger Walk on Sunday, September 16, 2018. Sponsorships are being sought.
• Assistance for visitation of all church members was requested by Rev. Janie. Elders were assigned church members to contact and schedule a visitation. Rev. Janie will attend all meetings which are designed to foster deeper connections, ensure every member on our rolls know that we care, and ask some questions and talk about where Highland is at this time.
• Due to Rev. Janie’s husband Brad’s medical procedures, changes to her vacation schedule included 2 days of vacation and 3 days of Medical Leave for the stint procedure during the week of August 27 – September 2, 2018.
• Rev Janie will be on vacation October 15-17 and Continuing Education October 18 – 21, 2018.

• The Tuesday Morning Study Class is doing a DVD study series titled Great Figures of the New Testament taught by Professor Amy-Jill Levine. Connie Buck, Louise Dye and Mary Martin are assisting with the study.

• Hospitality following worship each Sunday continues to be provided by various volunteers.
• Third Sunday Lunch for July was not held because of the number of church members who would be away on July 16.
• August Third Sunday Lunch was a “Hamburger Bash.”
• September Third Sunday Lunch will not be held, but a reception is planned following worship on September 23 when the 35^th Anniversary of Highland is celebrated.
• Plans for the 35^th Anniversary Celebration include a celebratory morning worship at 9:30 am and an afternoon program of scriptures and music at 4:00 pm. Aubrey Nelson is creating a musical piece for the afternoon event. Invitations to both events will be sent to the Congregation, each church in the Presbytery, former members and ministers.

• Attendance at Sunday worship for the second quarter of 2018 averaged 36 persons.  

• For the month of April, income of $14,228.60 exceeded expenses of $11,798.25 by $2,430.35.
• For the month of May, expenses of $12,588.10 exceeded income of $11,203.43 by $1,384.67.
• For the month of June, expenses of $16,481.13 (including $7,263.00 for Sanctuary ac repair) exceeded income of $6,978.76 by $9,502.37. 
• For the month of July, expenses of $10,003.94 exceeded income of $6,254.70 by $3,749.24
• For the month of August, expenses of $14,131.09 exceeded income of $7,153.40 by $6,977.69.

• The Pentecost Offering received on May 20, 2018 totaled $395. $237 was disbursed to the Presbyterian Mission Agency and $158 was disbursed to Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services.
• A letter was received from Bryce Wiebe, Director of Special Offerings and Appeals, thanking Highland for its participation in the Pentecost Offering every year since its inception 20 years ago.
•  The Peace and Global Witness Offering will be received on October 7, 2018. Minute for Mission will be conducted on September 30 and October 7.
• The Third Sunday Lunch in November (Nov. 18) will be for the benefit of Heifer International. Additional “fun-raising” activities will be included.

• Session accepted with regret the resignation of Aubrey Nelson as Music Director. Aubrey has accepted a job as Youth Music Director at St. George Catholic Church.
• Office Administrator Jennifer Hirstius has resigned due to her acceptance of a full-time position elsewhere. The Personnel Committee will consult with her about continuing bookkeeping duties for Highland on a contract/hourly basis.

• Mary Martin and Connie Buck arranged a service of scripture readings and hymns for June 24 when pulpit supply was not available during Rev. Janie’s absence.
• In July while Rev. Janie was with the Youth Group in Montreat, Elder Bob Downing presented the sermon on July 8 and Rev. Michael Elmore preached on July 15.
• A change was made to the Order of Worship moving the “Passing of the Peace” to the end of the service. Its previous location created a disruption in the solemnity of that part of the service.
• August 26 was Music Director Aubrey Nelson’s last day. A reception was held for her following the worship service.
• Rev. Robin McCullough-Bade served as Pulpit Supply September 2, 2018.