The Annual Joint Meeting of the Session and Diaconate was held at 5:30 p.m. in the Chapel. Each committee chair presented their committee's mission statement and goals for the 2026-2027 program year. This presentation provided all officers with a clearer understanding of each committee's work and fostered discussion regarding opportunities for coordination, collaboration, and mutual support among the committees. There was a regular stated Session meeting and a meeting of the Diaconate after the Joint Meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
Session approved the baptism of David Hibbard Vincent, son of HD and Christina Hibbard Vincent, on Sunday, October 25, 2026.
Presbytery: Session commissioned Elders Ellen Potts, Kit Moss, and Forest Wilson to represent FPC at the Presbytery meeting on November 19, 2026.
Worship: Session approved the following dates for Communion – December 13, 2026, and in 2027 January 3, February 7, February 10 (Ash Wednesday), March 25 (Maundy Thursday), March 28 (Easter), April 18, and May 9.
Finance and Endowments: Jonathon Hood reported total budgeted receipts are behind YTD by ($152,454) while YTD expenses are below budget by ($79,849). Net amount for the year is a current deficit of ($72,605). Funds were received from the Estate of Jeff Binford to establish the Jeff Binford Organ Recital Series. Session expressed gratitude for this generous gift to the church.
Properties: Forest Wilson reported successful results from the diagnostic water testing conducted to test the FPC building complex. He stated it was a good investment and now we can determine scope for waterproofing the campus to stem these persistent leaks. This is part of the project for restoration of First Presbyterian. A generous FPC member recently donated the funds to purchase a new 2026 Ford Starcraft Allstar Bus for the church. This bus will accommodate 12-14 passengers + 2 wheelchairs and will be used for LOGOS transportation as well as trips, retreats, and conference transportation. Session is very grateful for this donation.
Mission: Mary Burns announced the Global Mission Festival date of January 24, 2027, with our featured speaker being the Rev. Lori Maxey, Executive Director of The House Tuscaloosa. The theme will be addressing poverty. Serve Saturday was successful with approximately 70 participants serving at several of our agency partners.
Stewardship: As of the date of this Session meeting, 97 pledges had been received. We are grateful for the pledges that have come in and encourage all to prayerfully make a pledge to support the operations and mission of the church.
The Long-Range Planning and Stewardship Committees are working together to interview consulting firms that can assist First Presbyterian Church in preparing for a capital campaign to address the church's long-term needs, particularly those related to the restoration and preservation of the physical facility. The Properties Committee is working with the architect to finalize the proposed scope of work and develop updated cost estimates. Session anticipates receiving recommendations from these committees in the near future.
The next stated meeting of the Session is Monday, October 26th at 5:30 p.m. Please visit https://fpctusc.org/resources/officers-of-fpc for a list of the officers (Deacons and Elders) serving your church.