6a. News from Session
by Cynthia Burger, Clerk of Session
At their meeting on August 14, the Session:
- Reviewed notes from the Session retreat on July 28;
- Approved a request from the Broome County Council of Churches to support the Faith in Action Volunteers’ Dining for Dollars event on October 12;
- Approved a donation to the YWCA in honor of their 125th anniversary;
- Discussed how best to move ahead with the Fresh Start program, the Community Meal program, and the Financial Assistance/Mission Loan program;
- Agreed to host workshops for a Labor–Religion Coalition of New York State event on October 16–18 (Rev. William J. Barber is one of the keynote speakers);
- Reviewed the first six months’ income and expense figures for 2017—our investments are doing well enough that the investment earnings cover our operating expenses, and giving by members is devoted entirely to mission; and
- Continued discussing ways to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Protestantism on Reformation Sunday, October 29, and the 200th anniversary of Presbyterianism in Broome County in November.
At the Session retreat on July 28, we reviewed the high and low points of the past year, considered “Where is God calling UPC?”, and enjoyed a time of fellowship and discernment at the home of Ruling Elder Sally Hunt.
Left: Sally Hunt and her dog Tucker, Cindy Burger, and Ann Garcia; Center: Suzie Northrop Raboy and Kathy Preston; Right: Doug Jones and Marie Hepworth.
