January 20, 2022

Dear First Pres Members and Friends,

We hope that this winter season is finding you healthy and well. 

2022 was a rich and eventful year in the life of our church. Despite a continued season of transition, we felt God’s presence sustaining our members and ministries and trust that this grace will continue in the months ahead.

Session met on Monday, January 16. Much of our gathering centered on thanking our outgoing officers and welcoming new elders.

Please join us in thanking the Ruling Elders who have concluded their active service:

• Jennifer Ray Beckman (Faith Formation)
• Jennifer Carle (Personnel)
• Vicki Gansner (Worship)
• Laura Raws (Faith Formation)
• Vicki Schroeder (Personnel)
• Doug Sherman (Finance)

We also welcomed those who are joining Session for a first term:

• Beth Congdon-Martin
• Gail Coxe
• Taryn Gross
• Jim Haughton
• Gail Rader
• Diane Rosier Miles
• Karl Schroeder
• Dick Seiwell

With the reception of these new elders, the 2023 Session Committees are as follows (*denotes committee chair; **denotes that the elder is returning for a second term):

Congregational Life

Mary Hambleton

Trisha Minicozzi

Faith Formation

Gail Coxe

Taryn Gross

Jean Russell*

Finance

Beth Farcht

Dick Seiwell

Bob Smith*

Missions

Anna Bentley**

Suzy DeGeorge*

Peter Guman

Nominating Committee

Diane Rosier Miles

Personnel

Gail Rader

Karl Schroeder

George Zumbano*

Worship

Tracy Burke*

Beth Congdon-Martin

Jim Haughton

Youth

Amanda Blevins*

Holly Reigner

Frank Skomorucha

Annual Fund Update –Finance provided an update on the Annual Fund campaign and the 2023 budget plan. Pledges for 2023 have increased to nearly $890,000, almost identical to the 2022 pledge total. While still below our goal of a 5% increase there has been tremendous progress over the past few weeks. Finance also presented a draft budget for 2023 with total expenses projected at $1,190,629. Unfortunately, income is projected at $1,168,131 resulting in a deficit of about $22,500. The plan is to further refine the budget and present a balanced budget to Session in February. The budget will be shared with the congregation at the Annual meeting in February (please stay tuned for a date, to be announced shortly).

For additional information, please contact Finance Committee Chair Bob Smith.

Thank you for being a congregation that is such a joy to serve alongside. We feel privileged to act as your Session in the year ahead, and look forward to serving with energy, joy, imagination, and love.

In Christ,

Pete Galloway

Clerk of Session

pete.galloway@yahoo.com

Caroline Cupp

Executive Pastor

ccupp@firstpreswc.com