Elder Monthly Update

July 2011

Dear Centerpointe Family,

We thank God for our family of faith and celebrate your involvement in this fellowship.  Thank you for your continuous prayers as God moves in our congregation in new and greater ways.  We are grateful for the opportunity to serve as your Elders.  This update is being provided to let you know about the focus of our ministry work and leadership decisions.

Our Prayers

Reverend Robert S. Vogt passed away on July 16, 2011.  Bob had previously planned his memorial service with Reverend Bill Nebo and other friends.  His service is tentatively planned for August at First Presbyterian Church in Livermore, which has a sanctuary with space for the anticipated attendance.  Reverend Nebo will officiate.

July Action Items

Greg Robitaille was given final approval as Director of Centerpointe Preschool. Communion for next month was moved to August 14^th in order to have an ordained minister present.

Ministry Work in Progress

Tim Hunt reported on the work of the Communications workgroup.  Plans are in motion to incorporate more media, personal stories and witness during Sunday services as well as on the Website and E-News.

Looking Forward

Twelve years ago, Centerpointe’s session called the congregation to a season of prayer to discern God’s will for the next 100 years of our congregation.  That season of prayer birthed the Walking by Faith capital campaign and the move to the current site after we stepped out and followed God’s nudge without knowing where we were going.  After three years at Centerpointe, the session is again calling us to 90 days of focused prayer asking how God wants us to move forward.

During this time, the elders will be engaged in a discernment process asking God what he wants us to do next.  Rian Gamble has been engaged to study a range of options for this site during this time.  Rian grew up in this congregation and felt called, after moving back to this area, to serve.  He is uniquely qualified, having worked for several years in city administration followed by five years in the development business.  He is currently the community liaison officer for the Marine Corps’ mountain warfare training center in Bridgeport, CA.  Rian’s modest compensation for this short-term assignment will come from designated funds that were given to move Centerpointe forward.

Michele Rediger

For the Elders serving on Session at Centerpointe Presbyterian Church

Dear Centerpointe Family,

In response to recent voting on a significant amendment to the Presbyterian Church (USA) constitution, I have written a paper that I hope will help you understand what has taken place and what it means for us. You can download a copy by clicking on the link below. If you have further questions, please feel free to write or call me.

Blessings in Christ, Pastor Mike

Letter From Pastor Mike on PCUSA Vote

Elder Monthly Update

September 2010

Dear Centerpointe Family,

We celebrate our family of faith and thank God for your involvement in this fellowship. We are grateful to serve as your elders. This update informs you on the focus of our ministry work and leadership decisions.

Our Prayers

As we have welcomed our new Deacons and Elders, we welcome your prayers for inspired leadership that meets the needs of the church community in a Godly and reverent manner.

September Action Items

This year, we transitioned our new elders and deacons to an earlier “school year” serving calendar.  Our new Elders-elect and Deacons Elect shared their Statements of Faith and Spiritual Autobiographies with the sitting Elders and each other. Terry Bedell, Steve Berberich, Ann Frobose, Kaveh Gooyandeh, Carolynn Harrision, and Dave Muck were formally approved and accepted as elders in the class of 2013.  Lori Feliciano, and Donna Mattie were formally approved as deacons in the class of 2013.  The newly appointed elders begin regular service as voting members in October.

Elders were pleased to receive a Pastor Ministry Description report from Pastor Mike.  We supported the review and will solicit elders to participate on a sabbatical planning work group for Pastor Mike.

Elders approved a letter to be sent to the Presbytery withholding $2,500 of our $8,288 2010 Per Capita payment to be sent to the Presbytery legal action fund in support of standards for nomination. We believe that the Presbytery is moving an individual forward in the ordination process who is clearly not committed to the authority of Scripture, the Confessions of the Presbyterian Church, or the current Book of Order. Our withholding protests the actions of the Presbytery that we believe disregard the standards of ordination contained in the Book of Order and which are contrary to the revealed Word of God in Holy Scripture. We believe that the Presbytery and member churches should wait together for the judicial process to run its course to promote unity around the constitutional procedures which we as Presbyterians have determined to be best when important theological matters are disputed.

We received and approved a financial report detailing an expected negative cash flow as unpledged giving remains well below expectations at this time.  We have changed landscaping companies to reduce costs by about 10% and increase quality. We approved a request of the Ministry Operations and Stewardship team to authorize an Ad Hoc team to meet with leaders of Synod to investigate and discuss options regarding our current loan and financing for future activities.

Controls that govern written communications and documents that pertain to legal, personnel, financial, or general operational aspects as well as software were tightened administratively to safeguard their security.

Ministry Work in Progress

Elders are moving to a schedule of gathering at least three times per month. One or two gatherings would be for prayer, sharing life together (much like a small group), and leadership development. The other two gathering times will be for the ministry business meeting (called the Session) or in Session workgroups. Elders agreed to coordinate our Work Group meetings to occur on the second Wednesday of each month to allow work groups as much practical collaboration as possible.

Looking forward

Our continuing Life Education series moves onto Presbyterian 101 and “The Miracles beginning at the end of October.  Check our website or Sunday bulletin for further information and ways to sign up.

Douglas Driver

For the Elders Serving on Session at Centerpointe Presbyterian Church

We have closed out the summer giving months and we have an unexpected shortfall going into the fall giving cycle. Our giving is behind in budget in both the Ministry and Building funds through August. This is a challenge that churches in our area and around the country are experiencing as a result of current economic conditions. We need your help in doing everything we can to bring budgets into balance. With this in mind, we want to humbly encourage everyone to make sure your giving is up to date. If you are newer to Centerpointe and have not made any stewardship commitment yet, please prayerfully consider how you can help us by your giving to have a strong financial base for our ministries. For those who may be in a position to bridge this financial gap with an additional contribution, please consider helping us meet the current shortfall. We realize everyone is trying to do their best and we want to make sure you know that no matter what your circumstances, we are thankful for your joyful generosity and  commitment to our fellowship. -The Stewardship and Operations Team

Ministry Fund       Budget           Actual         Difference
Pledge Giving     $257,094       $246,711      ($10,383)
Non Pledge         $143,308      $121,038      ($22,225)

Building Fund      Budget          Actual           Difference
Pledge Giving    $133,270        $105,617      ($27,653)
Non Pledge        $13,500         $9,541           ($3,959)