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that within the past year 25 new, active members had joined the church, there were new ministries initiated, and there was a rise in giving of time and funds by the congregation. Moreover, twenty-two persons in the congregation wrote letters to the Session in support of their minister. They were Wynn Plowden, Doug and Faith Koger, Donna Bowen, Mack, Jeanne and Patty McCarty, Mark and Susan Minegar, Ray and Kay Coleman, Joe and Vivian Murrow, Dotty Gates, Margaret and Tom Hitchcock, Jim, June, Joel and James Johnston, Barbara Kinnebrew, and Jean Montgomery.
The Session also wrote a letter to the congregation announcing plans for improvements which included, among other things, communication, expanded participation by all members, and special efforts to be devoted and undertaken to help the pastor in his work.	The	majority of the
congregation, it was to be noted, had remained neutral in this controversy. This was not uncommon, however. Either in life or in this congregation. There may be deep divisions re some, while most remain undisturbed or ignorant.
1978	started off on a better note, even if the wounds of the prior year had not fully healed. Jack Wilbanks, Mack McCarty and Mark Minegar were ordained and installed as Elders, while Ray Coleman, Tom Hitchock and Jim Johnston were ordained and installed as Deacons. Moreover, Mrs. Florence John transferred her membership to the church by letter of transfer. So did Chris and Vonnie Bodenschatz on April 23rd, except theirs was by profession of faith.
The budget for this year was $26, 300 . Included in this sum was an organist's salary, with Ingrid Ling taking over these duties on January 9,
1978.	(Ingrid always refused the salary, though. Her husband Ed had accepted the job of Chief Counsel or Chief Legal Officer back at the newly renamed space installation:	the National Space
Technology Laboratories. Later it would become the John C. Stennis Space Center.) Lucimarian Roberts was thanked by the Session, by letter, for her contributions in this area. She deserved it, gracious lady.
The movers were still unloading the Ling's