Elders/Session Minutes

  • January 13, 2026 Session Meeting Dennis Lanterman’s house 

    Pastor Jan opened the meeting with prayer at 7:00 pm. His devotional was from Psalms 121. God guards us from every evil. Our strength comes from God. God is your guardian to protect you; He guards your very life – now, always, and forevermore. Jan mentioned Bonhoeffer’s insights, relating that “only the truth can direct us. Always be true. Abide solely by the Word of God in its simplicity.” He reminds us, “God is not neutral in what happens here today!” 

    Elders present: Tiffany Daily, George Lin, Dennis Lanterman, Mike Mayer, Ramona White, Stacy Nawrocki, Dan Chirby, Elaine Liang, Jennifer Dawson, Mary Sie, Jessica Liu, Charlotte McFadden, Clerk Martha Mertz. 

    Pastors present: Jan Armstrong. 

    Visitors: Laura Chiefetz, Betty Delaney, Cheryl Chiapelone, and Linda Duncan. 

    The minutes were approved. 

    The Consent calendar was approved. 

    The Pastor’s report included the change of dates for the session meetings in February (from February 24 to Feb. 17), and from March 24 to March 31. 

    We have been updating our membership rolls from 693 to 456, reflecting removal of deceased, relocated, and long-inactive members. This action reflects pastoral and administrative alignment with actual congregational participation, with an additional list provided by Elder Jennifer Dawson. These names/persons will be contacted for accuracy. This action was approved. 

    Note that the Session minutes will now be posted on our website. 

    Pastor Jan also noted that pastoral care for congregants and families have increased; yet with reduced pastoral staff, the care at present is still manageable. He commended our very hard-working and caring staff. 

    Jan reported that during his absence, we will have a new “interim” interim – Craig Williams. Presbytery requires a month-long non-paid absence between interim posts. Jan will restart his third interim year here on Palm Sunday, March 28th. This action was approved with the same terms of call. 

    Jan has contacted Mary Naegeli (longtime friend to Jan and this church) to be the speaker for Saturday morning’s WATCH (8:30 – 9:30am) on zoom. 

    Committee Reports: A motion was passed to adjust the agenda. 

    We started with the Mission report, Jennifer Dawson: With last month’s Session approved motion to use up to $15,000 from 516120 (Local Outreach Expense), a check was cut for Pastor Jorge to seek a usable van. One was found. Thoughts were offered on how to bring our two congregations together: a suggestion was to invite Jorge’s congregation to a Lenten dinner. 

    As we were reviewing our mission partners, Elder George Lin reported on the Men’s Fellowship time (women were invited as well) with International Care Ministries, a ministry that helps the poorest of the poor. This is a very impactful ministry that transforms communities with hope. Do we have funds available; would they be a giving partner? What are we doing for people right here? What can be our next steps? The speaker was impressive and had been the CFO of Morgan Stanley, Asia. Let’s keep this conversation going; they are doing Jesus’ work. 

    The mission report included a motion from Elder Jennifer Dawson on how to effectively use the Vision Report, specifically, the survey follow-up. The motion mandated the full data to be given to the entire congregation. There were over 149 responses regarding hopes and dreams for the church. 

    The motion was seconded. Elder Ramona White disagreed with the intent of the motion: what happens to the confidentiality that was promised? Cheryl Chiapelone (co-chair of the vision Committee) defended the actions of her committee. The motion did not pass. 

    The second motion that Jennifer put forth was to inform the congregation by charts and piecharts how our funds were spent. The motion was approved. 

    Children’s Report: Astrid Barrientos reported the children learned about the Exodus from Egypt, the 40 years in the wilderness, and how God provided for the Israelites. In December, the children learned more about Christ’s birth and the evens surrounding it as told in scripture. 

    NextGen: Elder Charlotte McFadden: The students continued to learn about the Bible in both small groups and in the youth group. The Wyldlife events included a scavenger hunt plus glow in the dark games. The numbers of participants have grown to 15 kids. 

    It was noted that Shannon Provenson was currently in Georgia for additional Young Life training. 

    Personnel Report: Stacy Nawrocki: an APNC committee has been selected; they are Ann Lin, Tracey Syme, Keith Good, Dennis Lanterman, Anita Huang, Paula Crosatto, Janice Hudson, and Stacy Nawrocki (personnel representative). Their names will be presented to 

    the congregation for a vote on Sunday, February 1st, after the second service. Once approved, they will attend a call when Betty Delaney (COM) will provide some initial training for the committee. 

    Elder Nawrocki reported that Jan is required to take a one-month non paid absence from the church before he starts his third-year interim term with our congregation. The dates he will be gone are February 22 – March 25. Our “interim” interim is Dr. Craig Williams, a retired pastor and longtime friend of Jan’s. 

    Pursuant to last Session’s personnel report, we have increased our personnel budget, being driven primarily by a new legal minimum annual salary requirement for exempt employees (new legal minimum in California is $70,304). 

    Treasurer’s Report: George Lin reported Treasurer’s Report: George Lin reported that the gift of Ann Hale’s condo was definitely a gift from God. The amount (net proceeds – $620,225.92) we received from the sale of her condo made up for the shortfall of both 2025 actual financials and 2026 budgeted financials. Accordingly, Session voted to waive our standard gifts policy and to use 100% of the proceeds of the sale from the Hale condominium to balance the 2025 results and the 2026 budget. Session also voted to approved that to the extent pledge income exceeds $700,000 for calendar year 2026 (the amount assumed in the 2026 budget), the excess will be deposited into the endowment. George emphasized that the proceeds of from the condo sale should be used prudently to grow our church according to Jesus’ teachings. We should all be grateful to Jesus and Ann Hale for their gift. Our current cash balance is healthy now. Gifts from both Ann Hale and Beth Frykberg took care of the shortfall. The budget for 2026 was unanimously approved by Session. 

    In addition, the November and December 2025 monthly financials were also approved by Session. 

    A draft of a Sections 105 and 106 Medical reimbursement plan was circulated by Jan Armstrong and presented by both Pastor Jan and George. This plan was proposed to provide medical reimbursement payments to employees, staff and congregants of the church pursuant to Sections 105 and 106 of the IRS code. After discussion, this plan was approved by Session. 

    Drafts of a Benevolence Fund SOP and guidelines was distributed to Session for consideration. It contained guidelines for emergencies, reimbursements, special needs for employees, childcare, special medical care and is an accommodation to protect our church and make sure our people are taken care of – both staff and congregants, while 

    ensuring that we are keeping in compliance with the privacy guidelines required by federal HIPAA rules. 

    The discussion turned to the question of how to pay Graham’s legal fees. Both SAC Elder Mike Mayer and church counsel, Ed Willig reached out to John Nibbelin (past elder, current lawyer, member of the congregation) for clarity. So far, the fees for Graham’s representation amount to $24K. This amount does not in any way amount to any financial aggrandizement for Graham. 

    Session will deal with this at the next session meeting with a proposal from SAC and the knowledge they have received in the interim. 

    Buildings & Grounds, Elder Dennis Lanterman: new signs have been completed in the front of the church. 

    As there was no further business, a motion to adjourn was passed. Jan prayed us out at 8:53 pm. 

    Martha Mertz, Clerk 

    SUBSEQUENT TO THE EVENING MEEETING: On Wednesday morning, January 14, at 6:51 am, an email sent to the clerk of session, the entire session, Pastor Jan, Betty Delaney and Laura Chiefetz was received from Elder Jennifer Dawson, resigning her position from Session and requesting her removal from the church’s membership. The Clerk accepted her resignation and her removal effective immediately, thanked her for her service, and wished her well in her future endeavors serving our Lord. 

    ALSO SUBSEQUENT TO THAT NEWS, on January 20, Session approved the email vote on discretionary fund spending. 

  • February 17, 2026, Session Meeting Home of Stacy Nawrocki 

    Pastor Jan opened the meeting with prayer at 7:00 pm. He gave thanks for our resilient congregation amidst many uncontrollable “hits:” Pastor Beth’s death, Pastor Graham’s unexpected administrative leave, and now the death of our beloved custodian, Onkar Sharma. He stressed the sensitive navigation of counseling, grief management, exhaustion and personal transitions. He recalled that “preaching and teaching have focused on faithfulness without applause, trust amid uncertainty, and the spiritual freedom that comes from discerning what ours is to carry – and what is not. These themes have emerged directly from the lived experience of the congregation and staff and have been received with noticeable attentiveness and gratitude. 

    Staff chapel and internal devotionals have reinforced these same themes, helping the staff name their work not merely as output, but as vocation.” He noted that the staff has been offered counseling and while the staff leadership has been strained, they are working at the very least 10% harder to fill the gaps. 

    His Pastor’s Report asked that we as Elders can help by: 1. Prayerful awareness of the pastoral load. 2. Shared discernment around sustainability. 

    He also reminded us that his contract ends on February 22 and that his new contract begins on March 28. He will take the mandatory month break between contracts. 

    Jan also shared that Tim Drisdelle is easy to work with and will be combining both modern and classical music for both services during Lent. Our “interim” interim Craig Williams seems to be a good fit. Jan mentioned that he and Tim will be at the Millbrae BART station on Ash Wednesday to put crosses on those that want the sign of cross on their foreheads. Our Ash Wednesday service will be in the sanctuary at 7:00 pm. 

    Elders in Attendance: Stacy Nawrocki, Jessica Liu, Jason Oldendorp, Dennis Lanterman, Ramona White, Mase Warner, Mike Mayer, Dan Chirby, Tiffany Daily, Elaine Liang, and Martha Mertz, clerk. 

    Pastor: Pastor Jan. 

    Visitors: Betty Delaney, Sam (Sungwoo Kim). 

    Clerk’s Report: The minutes were approved as written. The only correspondence was the email from Elder Jennifer Dawson resigning her term as elder as well as removing her name from membership. Stacy met with Jon Becker regarding some concerns about what “administrative leave” meant pertaining to Graham’s ability to be in the church building. 

    The consent calendar was also approved. 

    Leadership Report: Elder Ramona White reported that Elder Jason Oldendorp helped find a new deacon for the church. We are still in need of deacons. 

    She also raised the question of having a session retreat, which would be a time of fellowship and learning. Are we interested? Should we have a speaker? Should we go off campus? We decided to table this issue, perhaps pondering our needs for the church. 

    B&G Elder Dennis Lanterman noted that some of our ordered signs came with the wrong-sized letters, so we are waiting on that. Also, Marie Frykberg is asking if we are considering someway to memorialize Beth. Perhaps a plaque ? In the memorial garden? Other suggestions were made. B&G will discuss this in committee and come back to us with a suggestion. 

    Mission Elder Jason Oldendorp has been working on recruiting both new members and keeping current/past members to the mission committee. 

    Care Elder Dan Chirby asked for a clear definition of the Benevolence Fund – funds set up for caring for the poor – and the Mental Health Fund. Elder Mike Mayer spelled it out for us. Two funds exist: one has $16K which is the mental health fund – for those that cannot afford help. The second fund is the pastor’s discretionary fund, called the benevolence fund. 

    Betty Delaney, COM representative, suggested that the new standing rules of the presbytery might be helpful to us here. 

    Mike Mayer, SAC chair: reminded us that our church is both a California corporation (state) and a 5013C (federal). We need to be aware of this as we consider these two proposals regarding the church’s payment of legal fees pertaining to the two complaints against Graham. 

    The first proposal is in answer to the Jennifer Dawson complaint. This includes 8 charges against Graham. Graham’s lawyer, Nadine Stocklin, issued a 32-page rebuttal to the presbytery in the fall, and we have had no response. 

    Here’s what we have done: 1. Legal fees amounting to $24K have been paid. Since then more bills have come in, totaling $47.2K. Since presbytery has not responded yet, we are pausing our legal representation for the time being. However, we want to pay for services rendered. 

    2. Graham has had to sign an “undertaking.” 

    3. Going forward all bills must be okayed by both George Lin (Treasurer) and Mike Mayer (SAC chair). 

    Discussion followed. One comment especially resonated: we want to see programs, mission, etc., being paid by pledges, but not for legal fees. Yet we are accountable to care for our pastor and our church with expert legal advice. (Yes, something to ponder.) Payment for the legal fees was passed. 

    The second proposal is to pay the legal fees for the second complaint, which at this time is $16.5K. We propose to pay the fee and pause the legal investigation as well. This was passed unanimously. 

    Treasurer’s report: Elder Mike Mayer gave the report as Elder George Lin was unable to attend the meeting. The church is tracking to plan. Tiffany is continuing to work on the outstanding pledges. 

    Our pledges total $783,000. Last year the total was $260K more. Last year included $188K from people who have died and $110K from people who have moved away. However, we are experiencing a huge 

    shortfall with the preschool in large part because California now offers a free program that will provide day care for younger children. We have changed our entrance ages to accommodate these children. However, a free program as opposed to one that needs payment is hard to pass up. We are working on how to make our preschool sustainable. 

    Also, we are engaging with John Nibbelin to help with this situation. We will have a financial review this year of discretionary funds. We will employ the same firm as our review in past years. The firm is SDMayer, Mike’s brother’s firm. Mike recused himself from all decisions regarding this matter. Finally, we have incurred about $72K in legal fees for Graham’s defense of the two investigation committees. (Session subsequently voted to approve these payments.) 

    Financial Report: Mike Mayer for George Lin: January financials approved. 

    The APNC have met with Betty three times. 65-70% of the training and output has been accomplished. 

    The Membership report was passed. Our current number is a membership of 451. 

    March 31 and April 28 are the next two Session meeting dates. 

    Jan prayed us out at 8:52 pm. 

    Martha Mertz Clerk