FPC SESSION NOTES

Stated Meeting, Monday – December 1st, 2025

Session Action Items:


Preschool: The Session approved a request from the First Presbyterian Preschool Board that the Preschool facilitate an employer sponsorship for a current preschool teacher who is seeking to obtain her Green Card through the P.E.R.M process. Session received multiple letters of support for this from FPC church preschool families. This will be handled by the Preschool.  


Youth: Session approved a Youth Mission Trip Puerto Rico during Spring Break – March 15 – 20, 2026. They will experience a personal and cultural immersive experience while working on light construction and painting, food banks and visit nursing homes, etc. 


Committee Reports:

Finance and Endowments: John Summerford reviewed the financial condition through October. Revenue is behind budget and expenses are running under budget. FPC has a net deficit of ($88,954) see financial table. Giving traditionally has caught up in December, and we are hopeful to see that trend continue. Third quarter endowments were reviewed, and our portfolio showed a return of 12.07% through October. The Youth committee requested $5,700 from endowments to help fund a planned mission trip in March and 50% will be granted from the George Swail Trust and 50% from the Keller Fund.


Stewardship: Danny Potts reviewed progress on the current Stewardship campaign with Session. As of our meeting he stated 192 families had made pledge commitments of $1,494,799 million. Stewardship will be making calls to encourage additional pledges.


Mission: Gaines Brake reported that the Global Mission Festival is scheduled for January 25, 2026. Our speaker will be Dr. Doug Tilton, Global Ecumenical Liaison of the Interim Unified Agency of the PCUSA. Gaines reported that the goal for Global Missions contributions again will be $25,000. 


Fellowship: Jill Cilimberg reported that plans were coming together for a Women’s Retreat to be held at Camp McDowell Jan 30 – Feb 1, 2026. The speaker will be Jenni Nichols, and the theme will be Creating the Rhythm of Life.


Property: The committee met on Monday with two architectural firms with experience in church renovations and preservation. The firms are being evaluated, and a recommendation will come to Session at the January meeting.


Presbytery: The new Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Shepherds and Lapsley will be Rev. Marilyn Tucker Marek, daughter of James and Wendy Tucker. Session congratulates Marilyn!


Other: Elder James Tucker has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Presbyterian Home for Children. Session thanks James for his service.


Current Membership of FPC: 772

Next Scheduled Communion: December 14, 2025

Next Stated Meeting: Monday, January 26, 2026 at 5:30 pm

Next Presbytery Meeting: February 19, 2026, First Presbyterian Presbyterian Church, Talladega, AL


Members may view the FPC Website to see our current Officers of FPC (Elders and Deacons) at https://www.fpctusc.org/resources/officers-of-fpc.

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