Clerk's Corner
In our Stated Session Meeting on January 21, 2020, Richard announced in the Moderator’s Report that incoming Senior Interim Pastor, Kim Clayton, would be in town that week. Kim was able to manage a brief break from her leave-taking work at The Brick Church so that she could be in Atlanta to meet with us. During that time, Richard was able to schedule initial meetings with Kim and members of the staff and the Session. Those meetings took place on Thursday and Friday.
 
During the Session gathering, Kim described her background and career path, which is soon to lead to our shared ministry here at Trinity. It was clear that she takes the importance of her new charge very seriously as she spoke of the prominent role that Trinity plays in the constellation of churches in the Presbyterian denomination. She reminded us that as one of the larger, more visible churches, blessed with resources to accomplish many things, we are important not only for our congregation’s sake but also for that of the denomination and the broader community of faith.  
 
Kim emphasized with us how highly she values preaching, music, teaching, and also administration striking a resonant chord with everyone in the room. And she also stressed the importance of communication especially during the interim period - noting her practice of sending a monthly email to the congregation during her time at The Brick Church.  
 
As she spoke about the interim process, she described how she prefers to work using a 
collaborative management style and through that, how she plans to work with us in the interim process here. She further stressed that it is essential for all of us in the process to prepare to work together and be responsible for one another as owners of the process. And in that work, she also reminded us of the importance of respectful and open dialogue and how we should discourage sidebar conversations which may sow division.  
 
Kim followed up from those meetings with a letter to the staff and congregation. 
This was sent to everyone as an email/mailer on Monday, January 27, 2020, and also placed on the front page of the Trinity Pastoral Transitions web page ( trinityatlanta.org/pastoral-transition ).  
 
Kim’s first day will be Monday, March 2, and her first Sunday in the pulpit will be March 8, 2020. Plans are already underway to welcome Kim and begin the interim process. If you have suggestions or questions, please contact Interim Pastor Hiring Committee members Lesley Carroll, Chair ( lesleycarroll@comcast.net ), Juanita Watson ( currie1026@gmail.com ), Steve Karasick ( karasick@bellsouth.net ), Sarah Shoup ( sarah.k.shoup@gmail.com ) or Karen Simmons, Executive Assistant to the Senior Pastor ( ksimmons@trinityatlanta.org ).
 
In other news of the Session’s January 21 meeting, Velma Tilley and Craig Pendergrast presented a motion from Mission that Trinity becomes a campaign partner of the Second Chance Legislation’s efforts to expand Georgia’s expungement laws removing from public access specific misdemeanor and felony records after a period of time with good behavior. The presentation followed a series of Adult Education classes on the subject which Velma convened this quarter. Today, Georgia has one of the nation’s most restrictive sets of expungement laws, which create lifetime barriers in matters such as housing and employment.  The motion, which carried, adds Trinity’s name to a broad list of religious, community, and non-profit organizations that support this change in Georgia law.
 
Betsy Lyles Swetenburg reported on Commitment’s progress. As of the meeting, total pledges had passed the $3.5MM threshold and had reached $3.6MM by February 9. This total, while short of this year’s aspirational goal of $3.925MM, reflected an average 4.2% increase in year over year pledge amounts received so far. It was acknowledged by the staff and Session that the shortfall will have budgetary impacts, but despite not reaching our goal, in times of transition such as we are in now, the pledge increases garnered and the many positive comments received, reaffirm our congregation’s commitment to giving and support for Trinity’s mission.  The Session thanked Betsy and Chairs, Susan Foxworth Hamilton, and John Shepard again for their efforts on our behalf, and, of course, the Session and the Commitment team also extend their thanks to all who have made pledges in this year's campaign. And, for those who may have forgotten to pledge (or may wish to add to their 2020 pledge), you may certainly still do so by clicking here .
 
Christine Quillian later reported that the Finance committee is working to finalize year-end results for the church and will be preparing a 2020 budget in the coming weeks for Session approval as the Commitment Campaign is concluded. 
 
In other, very positive news from the Trinity Trustees at this meeting, Charlie Moseley reported that an anonymous member has generously donated funds to support significant maintenance projects at Trinity. The gift totaling $250,000 will seed a self-perpetuating fund that will be managed by the Trustees, excess income from which will be made available to the Property Committee subject to Session oversight. The funds will be used for significant, non-recurring expenses outside of our ongoing annual operating budget. The Session enthusiastically approved the motion to create the new Trust Fund and discussed ways to publicize its creation and encourage donations to it.
 
Finally, I would like to conclude with two special notes of gratitude for our church. 
The first, in recognition of Trinity’s screening of the movie "Like" sponsored by Youth and Family Ministry and Stephen Ministry on January 26 in the Loft. The IndieFlix Original documentary explores the impact of social media on our lives. And after viewing the eye-opening film, the audience of Trinity members and friends in the community was then provided a forum to discuss important questions raised concerning social media and how to manage its use. The second, in recognition of our members and staff, both new and long-standing. During 11:00 am worship on February 9, Trinity celebrated the reception of eight new members who joined our faith community, and later in the service we celebrated the commissioning of nine long-standing members and staff who will soon be traveling to Cuba to represent us through their good work with our mission partners there.  
 
In our daily lives in the life of the community we share, we have much to be thankful for here and so much to look forward to through Trinity.  
 
Let us be joined in that spirit as we journey onward together in the exciting work of this amazing church!
Alex Erwin, Clerk of Session