Council convened February 11th for its January retreat after two weather cancellations.  Council moderator Kevin Bowers facilitated a discussion of Jesus' story of the great banquet in Luke 14: 16 through 30, including the cost of discipleship.  This naturally led to considering ideas about what this means for working together as presbytery in light of our agreed vision: "Nourished by the living waters of Jesus Christ, we awaken, enliven and enhance worshiping communities to courageously extend their branches and bear new fruit in the Spirit."

• Kevin transitioned with prayer from Bible study to focus on the current context of our congregations and to begin to answer, "What are we going to do about it?" with an inventory of personal gifts and congregational gifts for ministry.
• Teams, committees and commissions clustered into three small groups to name possible goals and priorities for their current work.  Out of those conversations came some specific plans for teams to work together with small congregations and churches in transition, and to provide more events that encourage connections across churches and new possibilities for ministry.
• There was consensus that most goals and priorities will be influenced by key decisions concerning Geneva Center and staffing and structure yet to emerge from Joshua Journey Team II recommendations.
• Stewardship Ministry Team and Financial Consultant Eric Herzog reviewed with Council preliminary end-of-year financial statements for Geneva Center and for Presbytery showing unexpected shortfalls.  Six congregations have yet to contribute the remainder of their per capita and mission commitments. 
• Actions of Council:
  • Approved using Account 07 Council Action (LPC) funds to cover Geneva Center shortfall for calendar year 2013 up to $50,000.
  • Provisionally approved 2014 budget for Geneva Center and approved paying anticipated operating shortfall from Account 07 Council Action (LPC).
  • Approved motion to put on hold all efforts to hire a director for Geneva Center until Joshua Journey II Team makes its report.
  • Approved acceptance of grant from Smock Foundation for $33,000 to provide half the funding for ramp into hallway for hotel rooms, to be placed in escrow until decisions are made about Geneva Center during next few months.
  • Directed that team of Frank Vardeman, John Ritchie and additional member of Geneva Center Ministry Team be empowered to meet weekly for next few months to provide oversight and make essential decisions concerning current GC operations including 2014 summer camping program, with any costs to be paid from Account 07 Council Action (LPC).
  • Approved Corporate Resolution for officers Kevin Bowers, Jeff Cover and Linda Long.
  • Approved travel funding and change in job description for Stated Clerk to attend biennial General Assembly meetings.
  • Received update on University Church and pending sale of the North Street property by the Synod.

Adjourned with prayer at 3:15 pm EST after postponing other items pending before Council to its March 18th meeting.

- Linda Long, Stated Clerk

we awaken, enliven and enhance worshiping communities

to courageously extend their branches  

and bear new fruit in the Spirit.