Highlights from Session

by Cynthia Burger, Clerk of Session

The members of Session have taken the following actions in recent months:

• Rejoiced at the election of George Cummings, Allison Nyamuame, and Aaron Whitney to the Session Class of 2021, and planned the ordination of Allison and Aaron and installation of all three for September 9;
• Learned that Ann Cobb, Jean Hill, and Aaron Whitney are interested in developing the Deacons’ Ministry;
• Developed a policy concerning requests for the church to participate in other organizations’ fundraisers: in general the UPC will not purchase a table or a program advertisement but will share event information with the congregation;
• Learned that the CARES (Community Advocates Restoring Educational Standards) organization is again holding a drive for school supplies for local students and agreed to inform the congregation about this opportunity;
• Began developing a policy regarding requests from organizations or individuals for loans from the church;
• Accepted three recommendations from the Property Team, that: (1) the Terrace Room skylights be removed during the roof renovation project; (2) a heat pump to provide air conditioning be installed in the Chapel as part of the roof repair project; and (3) the heater in the Terrace Room be replaced now with a heat pump to provide heat and air conditioning;
• Approved a request from the LUMA Fest organizers and the Binghamton Philharmonic to remove several pews in the front of the sanctuary for the September 7 and 8 performances;
• Heard a report that the Community Meal program is in need of more people and/or teams to provide the meal on Tuesday nights, and discussed ways to publicize this mission opportunity to other organizations.