Session News
The Session of Covenant PCA holds its Stated Meetings on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the South Educational Building unless providentially changed.
Highlights from the Stated Session Meeting of November 17, 2009
Pastor-Elect Lou Veiga attended the Session meeting.
The Session passed a motion to accept RE Veiga's report on the November 2009 meeting of the Houston Metro Presbytery as information. The Session notes that former pastor Bob Roane has transferred his credentials from the PCA to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church denomination.
The Session passed a motion to accept use of the book Heaven by Randy Alcorn as a resource for the Ladies Bible Study.
The Session passed a motion to have Pastor-Elect Veiga teach a 12-week class on Family Worship for Adult Sunday School, beginning December 13, 2009.
The Session passed a motion to have Dr. Tony Curto teach the adult Sunday school class on December 6, 2009, covering the topic of missions.
The Session passed a motion to pay for the transportation costs of Dr. Joseph Pipa and Dr. Tony Curto for the ordination service of Pastor-Elect Lou Veiga.
The Session passed a motion to authorize Pastor-Elect Veiga to make changes to the worship service.
The Session passed a motion to have Dr. Pipa preach the pm service on December 6, 2009 and to have Dr. Curto give a missions update during that service.
The Session passed a motion to partner with Sermon Audio on a trial basis for three months.
The Session passed a motion to move the church luncheon for the end of November to December 6, 2009 to coincide with the ordination service for Pastor-Elect Veiga.
Highlights from the Stated Session Meeting of October 13, 2009
Andy Edwards attended the Session meeting as a Counselor.
The Session passed a motion to accept Andy Edwards' letter of resignation as Counselor to the Covenant Session.
The Session passed a motion that Covenant PCA wishes to thank Andy Edwards for his steadfast love and support over the last two years. The Session recognizes with gratitude his contribution of good and godly advice and his tireless labors in providing excellent pulpit supply until Covenant was able to call a Pastor.
The Session disbanded the Pulpit Supply Committee, since with the arrival of Pastor Lou Veiga as our full-time Senior Pastor, this activity will no longer be necessary.
The Session passed a motion to approve Pastor Lou Veiga to teach adult Sunday school for the winter quarter.
Highlights from the Called Session Meeting of October 4, 2009
Pastor-Elect Lou Veiga attended the Session meeting.
The Session passed a motion to approve disbursement of approved transitional expenses to Lou Veiga upon the successful completion of his licensure exams
The Session passed a motion to approve Covenant's participation in Operation Christmas Child.
Highlights from the Called Session Meeting of September 27, 2009
Pastor-Elect Lou Veiga attended the Session meeting.
The Session passed a motion to elect RE Scott Baker and RE Bill Stuck as delegates to the September 28, 2009 called meeting of the Houston Metro Presbytery. RE Slaikeu was elected as an alternate.
Highlights from the Stated Session Meeting of September 8, 2009
Andy Edwards attended the Session meeting as a Counselor.
The Session passed a motion to have Andy Edwards arrange for pulpit supply for dates which Lou Veiga will not be available: September 20 pm, September 27 pm, and October 4 am/pm.
The Session passed a motion to approve Diane Baker, Suzie James, and Beth Wiebe as teachers for the Ladies Bible Study.
The Session passed a motion to provide Lou Veiga with a letter of employment upon his successful completion of the HMP's licensure exams.
Highlights from the Stated Session Meeting of August 19, 2009
Andy Edwards attended the Session meeting as a Counselor, and Lou Veiga from Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary attended the Session meeting as Pastor-Elect.
The Session passed a motion to approve the concept of youth service activities proposed by Ning Gelok.
The Session passed a motion to approve Lou Veiga for pulpit supply for September 13 and 27, 2009.
The Session received a report on Worship and Christian Education. David Van Voorhis will teach the Fall 2009 Adult Sunday school class. The Ladies Bible Study will be taught by a rotation of women.
The Session reviewed Lou Veiga's progress on completing ordination exams. The Session agreed to call a special meeting of the Houston Metro Presbytery to examine Lou Veiga for ordination. The earliest that Pastor Veiga could be at Covenant full time would be in mid-October.
Highlights from the Called Session Meeting of August 9, 2009
Andy Edwards attended the Session meeting as a Counselor.
The Session passed a motion to elect RE Scott Baker and RE Ted Hess as delegates to the August 17, 2009 meeting of the Houston Metro Presbytery. RE Wayne Slaikeu was elected as an alternate.
The Session passed a motion to move the August stated meeting to August 19, 2009 so that Pastor-Elect Lou Veiga could attend.
The Session passed a motion to approve an itinerary of Lou Veiga to travel to Houston between August 15 and 20.
The Session passed a motion to approve various youth Sunday school teachers and Bible study leaders.
Highlights from the Congregational Meeting of August 2, 2009
The purpose of the congregational meeting held at the church building after the morning worship service was to approve the Call of Lou Veiga as Senior Pastor.
With 46 of Covenant's 84 communicant members present, a quorum was declared present for the meeting.
TE Julian Zugg was elected as moderator of the meeting.
RE Bill Stuck was elected as clerk of the meeting.
RE Scott Baker represented the Session and gave a favorable report on the Call of Lou Veiga.
Mr. Ken Hoover, the Search Committee Vice Chairman, represented the Search Committee and reported on the reasons for their unanimous vote of approval for the Call of Lou Veiga.
RE Bill Stuck read the Call of Lou Veiga to the congregation.
Questions from the floor were taken and answered by the elders present and by members of the Search Committee.
The Congregation approved the motion to Call Lou Veiga as Senior Pastor by a vote of 45 to 1.
Highlights from the Stated Session Meeting of July 21, 2009
Andy Edwards attended the Session meeting as a Counselor, and Lou Veiga from Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary attended the Session meeting as a cadidate for Senior Pastor.
The Session passed a motion to receive the May 2009 financial report as information.
The Session passed a motion to receive a letter from a church member regarding youth volunteer outreach activities and to invite the member to the next stated meeting to dicuss the ideas more fully.
The Session passed a motion to receive the Pulpit Supply committee report as information.
The Session passed a motion to have a 5th Sunday combined evening service on August 30 with Southwest PCA with TE David Wakeland preaching.
The Session passed a motion to move the fellowship luncheon in August from the fifth Sunday to the fourth Sunday.
The Session passed a motion to allow TE Julian Zugg to present a missions report during the second Sunday prayer meeting.
The Session passed a motion to reinstitute the congregational meal after the second Sunday prayer meeting.
The Session passed a motion to hold a congregational meeting on August 2, 2009 for the purpose of voting on the Call of Lou Veiga to be Senior Pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church.
The Session passed a motion to approve the call of Lou Veiga to be presented at the congregational meeting.
Highlights from the Called Session Meeting of July 5, 2009
The Session passed a motion to approve the itinerary for the Lou Veiga visit of July 17 to July 27. Covenant will pay for the meals and lodging of the Veiga family, the dinner with the Search Committee, the lunch with the area pastors, the dinner with the congregation, and the food at the officer's dinner and the prayer breakfast. Individuals wishing to attend the Astro's game will pay for their own tickets.
Highlights from the Called Session Meeting of June 21, 2009
The Session passed a motion to approve a candidate visit for Mr. Lou Veiga and his family from July 17 to July 27, preaching twice on both July 19 and July 26.
Highlights from the Called Session Meeting of June 14, 2009
Andy Edwards attended the Session meeting as a Counselor.
RE Hess reported that the Pastoral Search Committee, being well satisfied with Mr. Lou Veiga, recommended him unanimously as the candidate for the position of Pastor at Covenant Presbyterian Church
The Session passed a motion to approve Mr. Lou veiga as a candidate for the pastoral position.
Highlights from the Corporate Session Meeting of June 2, 2009
The Corporate Board of Directors for 2009/2010 are RE Ted Hess, RE Scott Baker, and RE Bill Stuck.
The Corporate Officers for 2009/2010 are RE Ted Hess - President, and RE Bill Stuck - Secretary.
Highlights from the Stated Session Meeting of June 2, 2009
The Session passed a motion to receive the April 2009 financial report as information.
The Session passed a motion to urge Counselor Andy Edwards to use Deacon Doug Lindauer as much as possible for pulpit supply.
The Session passed a motion not to renew the extended second Sunday afternoon service effective June, 2009.
The Session passed a motion not to have a meal after the second Sunday evening prayer meeting.
The Session passed a motion to receive the report of the Pastoral Search Committee and their intention to interview Lou Veiga as a potential candidate.
Highlights from the Stated Session Meeting of May 5, 2009
Andy Edwards attended the Session meeting as a Counselor.
The Session passed a motion to receive the Church Without Walls quarterly report as information.
The Session passed a motion to receive the March financial report as information and to thank God for His graciousness to Covenant Church.
The Session passed a motion to receive the pulpit supply report as information.
The Session passed a motion to receive the Christian Education report as information.
The Session received a report from the Pastoral Search Committee as information.
Highlights from the Stated Session Meeting of April 14, 2009
Andy Edwards attended the Session meeting as a Counselor.
The Session passed a motion to receive a gift of Blue Trinity Hymnals from Christ Church Katy.
The Session passed a motion to move communion to the second Sunday in May because the guest preacher for the first Sunday in May is not ordained.
The Session passed a motion to receive the Christian Education report as information.
The Session passed a motion to elect RE Baker and RE Stuck as delegates to the April Houston Metro Presbytery meeting.
The Session passed a motion to accept RE Tolsma's offer to rotate off the Session per our new Rotation Policy effective May 1, 2009.
Highlights from the Stated Session Meeting of November 10, 2008
Doug Lindauer attended the Session meeting, representing the Deaconate.
The Session passed a motion to ask the Deaconate to review all of the church's designated funds accounts and consolidate them where possible into the general fund.
The Session passed a motion to assist a member of the congregation with his desire to pursue pastoral ministry by purchasing up to $500 of theology books.
The Session passed a motion to move up the monthly fellowship luncheon to November 23, 2008.
The Session agreed to purchase ropes to fence off the last four rows of pews.
The Session received a report from the Pastoral Search Committee as information.
The Session passed a motion to declare November 19, 2008 a day of prayer and fasting for the Search Committee.
The Session passed a motion thanking Andy Edwards for his support as a counselor to the Session.
Highlights from the Stated Session Meeting of October 14, 2008
Doug Lindauer attended the Session meeting, representing the Deaconate.
The Session passed a motion to encourage Deacon Doug Lindauer to proceed with his licensure by the Houston Metro Presbytery.
The Session passed a motion to send representatives to the October meeting of the Houston Metro Presbytery (rescheduled from September due to Hurricane Ike).
The Session passed a motion to explore combined 5th Sunday service with SW PCA for November 30, 2008 as well as a combined Christmas Holiday evening service on December 28, 2008.
The Session received the 2008 PCA General Assemby minutes as information.
The Session agreed to place information about the Calvin Quincentenary on the narthex bulletin board.
The Session received a report from the Search Committee as information.
Highlights from the Stated Session Meeting of September 9, 2008
Doug Lindauer attended the Session meeting, representing the Deaconate.
The Session received a letter from Rev. Robert Cook regarding forward planning for officer training.
The Session removed certain families from the church rolls.
The Session passed a motion to send representatives to the September meeting of the Houston Metro Presbytery.
The Session passed a motion to approve the Women's Bible Study's plan to attend the play Cyrano de Bergerac.
The Session passed a motion to approve a CPR/AED class for church officers and other members of the church to be held September 27, 2008.
The Session passed a motion to have a report of the Pastoral Search committee to the congregation as soon as feasible.
The Session passed a motion to hold officer training for current Session members and officer candidates on Saturday mornings beginning in October. The training will be done by TE Billy Combs of the Houston Metro Presbytery.
The Session passed a motion to have an extended Sunday service (morning worship, lunch, afternoon prayer meeting) on the second Sunday of October, November, and December on a trial basis.
Highlights from the Stated Session Meeting of July 8, 2008
Doug Lindauer attended the Session meeting, representing the Deaconate.
The Session passed a motion to remove certain families' names from the Fall directory who were no longer worshipping with us.
The Session approved a list of COF (Committee of Fun) activities.
The Session passed a motion to purchase the GriefShare program for counseling those who grieve.
The Session agreed to transfer books and magazines belonging to former Pastor Roane back to him.
The Session passed a motion to rope off the rear pew rows to encourage the congregation to sit closer together up front.
The Session passed a motion to encourage the Worship Committee to select familiar hymns.
The Session passed a motion to write a letter to the Candidates & Credentials Committee of the HMP recommending Doug Lindauer be examined for licensure (i.e., that he be licensed to preach in the Presbytery).
Highlights from the Stated Session Meeting of March 11, 2008
- John Johnston attended a portion of the Session meeting, representing the Deaconate.
- The Session tabled discussion on the possibility of amending the Rotation Policy, pending further discussion with the Deaconate.
- The Session passed a motion to reactivate the "Committee of Fun" headed by RE Bill Stuck.
- The Session passed a motion to send RE Wayne Slaikeu to Deacon meetings as the Sessional representative.
Highlights from the Called Session Meeting of February 23, 2008
- The Session approved a list of nominees for WIC office provided by the WIC (Women in the Church).
- The Session approved two members who had volunteered to be substitute youth Sunday school teachers.
Highlights from the Called Congregational Meeting of February 17, 2008
- MRC: All recomomendations made by the Ministerial Relations Committee (MRC) of the Houston Metro Presbytery have been or are being implemented. The recommendations were: 1) Receive the resignation of TE Roane (done); 2) Work to add qualified men to the Session and implement a rotation system of service for Ruling Elders (in progress); 3) Invite a member from Presbytery to moderate Session meetings until a new senior pastor is called and installed (done - TE Greco of Christ Chruch Katy is filling this role); and 4) Establish a process for Pastoral Search that is "unrushed, deliberate, transparent and visible to all the members of Covenant PCA" (in progress).
- Pulpit Supply: A pulpit supply committee headed by Andy Edwards will be bringing in qualified Teaching Elders from within Presbytery and also from outside of Presbytery (such as former pastor Joey Pipa) to preach week-by-week after TE Julian Zugg leaves for Belize.
- Worship: Morning and Evening worship services will continue. A Worship Committee is being formed and needs volunteers and input. The Worship Committee will be coordinating music and the order of worship for both services. The overall structure of our worship services will remain very similar to what we have become used to, and the intent will be identical - to draw attention away from ourselves and to focus on our great God and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. However, there will be some small changes, e.g., the services will be led by a Ruling Elder. The design of the worship services will be to include participation from the congregation and to ensure continuity from week-to-week.
- Christian Education: Youth Sunday school classes will continue. Current needs include a substitute teacher for 5th/6th grade; a substitute teacher for high school; and a youth Sunday School superintendent. Please see Scott Baker if you are interested in volunteering. The Adult Sunday school class will be on "The Peacemaker" by Ken Sande. All adults are encouraged to attend.
- Bible Studies: The Katy, West Houston, and North Houston Bible Studies meet twice a month and are studying the book of Ephesians. The Sugar Land Bible Study meets weekly. A new study - the Ladies Study - begins meeting this week on every Tuesday morning at 10:00 a.m.
- Finances: The church ended the 2007 year with a budget surplus of $32,000, praise be to God! This gives Covenant approximately $117,000 in undesignated funds and over $250,000 in total cash-on-hand when including designated accounts. The deacons are still finalizing the 2008 budget, but are currently projecting a 30% reduction in giving and therefore a deficit of approximately $60,000. However, we believe that, if the Lord wills, He can grow the church and wipe out that deficit. The church is financially strong and will continue to be so, Lord willing.
- Rotation Policy: In conjunuction with the recommendation from the MRC, the Session adopted a policy for rotation of Ruling Elders at its last meeting on February 12, 2008. The entire policy is attached here. In essence, Ruling Elders will be elected for three-year Terms. At the end of a Term, they may take a 1-year Sabbatical, or continue for another three-year Term. After serving two successive Terms, a Ruling Elder must take a 1-year Sabbatical.
- Pastoral Search: We have chosen to follow the advice of the MRC and be "unrushed, deliberate, transparent and visible to all the members of Covenant PCA" in our pastoral search. Before a Search Committee can be formed, preliminary work needs to be done to ensure that we know what we are looking for in our next pastor. That is the "unrushed and deliberate" piece of the recommendation. For "transparent and visible," the Search Committee will be a cross-section of the congregation.
- Web Site: The Session desires to communicate as openly as possible with the congregation, and so this page on the website is now available.
Highlights from the Stated Session Meeting of February 12, 2008
Those in attendance: TE Greco, TE Zugg, RE Baker, RE Hess, RE Slaikeu, RE Stuck, RE Tolsma, Andy Edwards
- A Rotation Policy for Ruling Elders was approved by a unanimous vote as recommended by the MRC. Details of the implementation of the policy still need to be worked out.
- The Session worked on developing and refining the agenda and topics for the February 17 Congregational Meeting. This discussion took most of the time in the Stated Session meeting.
Highlights from the Called Session Meeting of January 26, 2008
Those in attendance: TE Greco, TE Zugg, RE Baker, RE Hess, RE Slaikeu, RE Stuck, RE Tolsma, Andy Edwards
- Rev. Fred Greco, Teaching Elder of Christ Church Katy, was elected moderator of the Session
- The resignation of RE Kindel from the Session was accepted.
- RE Ted Hess was elected clerk (pro tem).
- Andy Edwards was granted the role of advisor with floor privileges, but with non-voting status.
- The recommendations of the Ministerial Relations Committee (MRC) of the Houston Metro Presbytery regarding reorganization of the Session, including implementing a rotation system for officers, were accepted in principle. Details of implementation will need to be developed subsequently.
- It was agreed to hold a congregational meeting within the next month for informational purposes.
- It was agreed to hold a Joint Officers meeting in the near future.
- It was agreed that the Stated (standing) meeting of the Session would be on the second Tuesday of each month.
- It was agreed that the Pulpit Supply Committee would consist of Andy Edwards, Vicki Edwards, and Ellen Moore. The first action of the committee is to draft a list of potential pulpit supply candidates for approval by the Session.
- The Session prepared an initial list of activities required for the ongoing operation of the church. These activities will be further developed and shared with the congregation at the appropriate time.
