March Open Session Meeting Notes

Date: Tuesday, March 26, 2026

Time: 6:30 PM

Location: Faith Classroom

Attendees: Pastor Doug Sasser, Beth Fite (Chair/Lay Leader), Gene Jones, Larry Larue, Jimmy Porter, Mike LaRock, Carol Loyer, Sarah Wright, Jessica Grau, and Debra Hockey (secretary)

Welcome and Opening Remarks: The meeting began with Breakthrough Prayer.

Spiritual Formation, Gene: Jesus’ acts of compassion, healing, and deliverance. Ephesians 6 tells us about the armor of God to be used for spiritual warfare.

Leadership Equipping: UM News article handed out discussing the risks involved with moving churches forward. Key points were getting congregations out into neighborhoods and in partnership with non-profits to revitalize under-utilized space on church grounds. Churches should measure effectiveness of ministries rather than membership stats.

New Business: Reviewed the agenda for the Town Hall on 4/12.

Preschool: Registration for summer and fall in progress. Baby room is full for fall! We are seeking an added teacher (replacing Mrs. Amy who retired). Our director Mrs. Pat has secured her notary, which will make the required paperwork process for parents much easier. Weed spraying on the playground will occur over spring break (the week following Easter). Mulch needs refreshing and quotes are being secured with help of trustees.

Journey to Easter: Over 200 folks in attendance this year, with over 50 coming by bus from Richmond. Ava Prouty’s video was viewed by over 30K folks online. J2E will be a topic in the Town Hall on 4/12.

Financials: Monthly giving is in each bulletin, for the previous month. Bob Herd’s son Scott gave Gene Jones info to transfer two plots at Woodlawn. Thank you to Edie who is doing our monthly reports!

Vital Signs: Three new memberships, by transfer. One baptism coming in May. Increase in families and children at all services. There is a new 3-year agreement in place with VWU. Clergy and laity from the community have increasingly supported the Celtic prayer service. The chapel rental policy will be discussed in a small committee: Pastor Doug, Gene and Larry.

Facilities: Mortar and brick foundation fix started on March 24. Chapel work is finished. Chapel windows work happens March 27. Sign work is pending further research by Gene.

Budget:

Closing Prayer: Carol

Town Hall: 4/12 at noon

Next Meeting: 4/21 at 6:30