20th January, 1999 1

CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

PRESBYTERY OF HAMILTON

I EAST KILBRIDE: CLAREMONT PARISH CHURCH

At EAST KILBRIDE: CLAREMONT PARISH CHURCH HALLS, on the Twentieth Day of January, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-nine years. on which day the PRESBYTERY OF HAMILTON met in hunc effectum and was constituted in prayer.

Post preces sederunt.

1. SEDERUNT

The Rev. G.S. Noble, Moderator; the Rev. James H. Wilson, Clerk; and others as per signed lists in retentis. (Total: 5 Ministers: 1 Elder).

  1. INTRODUCTION OF PARISH ASSISTANT

Following devotional exercises conducted by the Rev. Dr. John S. Sharp and the Rev. John Collard, the Moderator put to Mr. Paul Cathcart the prescribed questions. To these he gave satisfactory answers; whereupon the Moderator, by prayer, introduced Mr. Paul Cathcart as Parish Assistant at East Kilbride: Claremont. Mr. Cathcart, after having received the right hand of fellowship, was suitably addressed by the Moderator who also, in appropriate terms, exhorted the congregation.

The Clerk was instructed to forward an extract of these proceedings to the Department of National Mission.

This meeting was closed with prayer.

 

 

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Moderator

 

 

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Presbytery Clerk

2 2nd February, 1999

II MOTHERWELL, 2nd FEBRUARY, 1999

At MOTHERWELL: DALZIEL ST. ANDREW’S PARISH CHURCH HALLS, on the Second Day of February, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-nine years, on which day the PRESBYTERY OF HAMILTON met and was constituted in prayer.

Post preces sederunt

3. SEDERUNT

The Rev. George S. Noble, Moderator, the Rev. James H. Wilson, Clerk, and others as per signed lists in retentis. (Total: 66 Ministers; 2 Deacons; 86 Elders).

  1. TRIBUTE

    2. Rev. Robert Kent, in fitting terms paid tribute to the Rev. Dr. John Brown, formerly Minister at Hamilton: St. John’s, who died on 7th December, 1998. The Clerk was instructed to keep the tribute in retentis and to send a copy, together with an expression of the sympathy of the Court, to Mrs. Brown.

  2. WELCOME

The Moderator addressed words of welcome to Mr. Paul Cathcart, newly introduced Parish Assistant at East Kilbride: Claremont.

6. MINUTES

The Minutes of Meetings XVIX (1998) were read, corrected and approved.

7. AGENDA

The agenda was submitted, adjusted and approved.

8. INTIMATIONS

Intimations were made.

  1. ORDER OF THE DAY

    2. COMMISSIONERS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

    Under an Order of the Day at 6.54 p.m., the Presbytery resolved that at its meeting on 2nd March 1999 the Clerk would move the nomination of Commissioners to the General Assembly according to the rota with the addition of Ministers and Elders in accordance with the number of places allocated.

  2. BUSINESS COMMITTEE

The Presbytery called for the report of the Business Committee which was given in by the Rev. W.S. Dunn, Convener.

2nd February, 1999 3

It was unanimously agreed:

  1. BOARDS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

    2. The Presbytery nominates the following representatives to the undernoted Boards of the General Assembly as from the forthcoming General Assembly.

    Ministry…………………………………...Mr. David J. Watt

    National Mission…………………………Rev. John Collard

    Board of Social Responsibility…………Mr. Duncan M. Gray

    Board of Stewardship and Finance……Mr. James H. Munro

    Board of World Mission……………...…Rev. John Brewster

  2. MURIEL AND SOPHIA HILL MEMORIAL FUND

    3. The Presbytery notes receipt of a cheque for £85 being the annual grant from this Fund, and agrees that this sum be given to the Church Education Committee to assist in the work of the Advisers in Children’s Ministry.

  3. LOCUM TENENS

    4. The Presbytery approves the appointment of the Rev. Andrew M. McCance as Locum Tenens at Blantyre: Livingstone Memorial with immediate effect.

  4. PARISH RE-APPRAISAL COMMITTEE

    5. The Presbytery notes receipt of an Extract Minute of the General Assembly’s Parish Re-appraisal Committee of date 15th December 1998 concurring with the decision of the Presbytery of Hamilton that the charge of Blantyre: Livingstone Memorial be declared a Continued Vacancy, and an Extract Minute of date 6th January 1999 concurring with the decision of the Presbytery that the question of readjustment should not be pursued in the forthcoming vacancy at Airdrie: Broomknoll linked with Calderbank. The Presbytery further notes the agreement of all parties to these decisions.

  5. CHARITABLE DONATION

    6. The Presbytery learns with pleasure and gratitude of the receipt of a donation for charitable purposes, and homologates the action of the Clerk and the Treasurer in disbursing it according to the wishes of the donor.

  6. MR. PAUL CATHCART

    7. The Presbytery, noting that Mr. Cathcart, Parish Assistant at East Kilbride: Claremont is not yet a member of the Diaconate and thus not eligible for membership of the Court, agrees that he be granted Corresponding Membership.

  7. REQUEST FOR MODERATOR

    8. The Presbytery approves the request of Hamilton South Presbyterial Council of the Guild that the Moderator, in his official capacity, attend the Annual Business Meeting of the Council within Hamilton: St. John’s Parish Church on Thursday, 18th March 1999 at 7.15 p.m.

  8. UDDINGSTON: PARK PARISH CHURCH

The Presbytery notes that urgent remedial work requiring attention at the Manse of Uddingston: Park Parish Church has necessitated postponement of the Induction of the Rev. W. Bruce McDowall to the charge, agrees that the

  1. 2nd February, 1999

Service now takes place within Uddingston: Park on Thursday, 4th March 1999, Presbytery to meet at 6.45 p.m. for the Induction Service at 7.00 p.m. The Presbytery, noting that the Rev. Martin Johnstone is not available to assist the Moderator on the revised date, agrees that the Moderator shall be assisted by the Rev. Scott McKenna.

  1. COMMITTEE ON COMPUTERS AND COMMUNICATION

The Presbytery notes that the Committee on Computers and Communication has established a Job Description for a Web Editor and has determined that the Web Site will be located in the Presbytery Office. The Presbytery notes that by using existing equipment no extra capital cost will be incurred.

  1. PROPERTY COMMITTEE

The Presbytery called for the report of the Property Committee which was given in by Mr. R. Marwick, Convener.

It was moved and seconded:

  1. AIRDRIE: FLOWERHILL

    2. The Presbytery approves the application by Airdrie: Flowerhill to carry out a programme of repairing, cleaning and repointing of stonework to the church building in a five year phased programme at a cost of £316, 586.00 inclusive of VAT based on Contractors estimates. Permission is given to apply for grants and loans which may be available. The Clerk is instructed to forward the completed application forms to the General Trustees regarding financial limit, Historic Scotland and Central Fabric Fund and await a response. The concurrence of the Forward Planning Committee is noted.

  2. The Presbytery resolves that its approval for the carrying out of repair work at a building will not be required if the cost of the work, inclusive of fees and VAT, does not exceed £5,000 unless:

i The work involves an alteration requiring the approval of the General Trustees or

ii The cost of the work exceeds £50,000.00 or

iii The cost of the work plus the cost of work at the same building authorised by Presbytery over the previous three years exceeds £50,000.00 or

iiii The cost of the work plus the cost of work likely to be required at the same building over the following three years is likely to exceed £50,000.00

It was moved and seconded as an addendum –

In approving an application for work of this nature and cost the Presbytery acknowledges the exceptional circumstances concerning this building and this congregation and encourages Airdrie: Flowerhill to inform themselves of the fabric needs of their neighbouring parish, Airdrie: St. Columba’s, and to treat the needs of their neighbour as their own.

Suspension of Standing Orders

 

2nd February, 1999 5

At 7.17 p.m. it was moved and unanimously agreed to suspend Standing Orders to permit the Order of the Day for Christian Aid scheduled for 7.00 p.m. and the Order of the Day for Church and Social Interests scheduled for 7.15 p.m. to be taken.

12. ORDER OF THE DAY

CHRISTIAN AID

At 7.17 p.m. under an Order of the Day the Moderator welcomed Mrs. Ailsa Henderson, Area Co-ordinator for Christian Aid, and invited her to address the Court. Mrs. Henderson outlined recent developments in the work of Christian Aid and encouraged Presbytery to give its support to the agency.

  1. ORDER OF THE DAY

CHURCH AND SOCIAL INTERESTS

Under an Order of the Day at 7.30 p.m., the Presbytery called for the report of the Church and Social Interests Committee which was given in by the Rev. L. Schluter, Convener.

It was moved and seconded:

The Presbytery draws attention to the recently reported proposal of the Family Planning Association to make available through the School Nursing Service the "morning after" contraceptive pill to young people. Presbyters are invited to express concern to the Scottish Health Minister.

After discussion the Convener agreed to withdraw the deliverance for further consideration by the Committee and invited the Moderator to welcome Mrs. Dorothy Smith, Leader of the Tom Allan Counselling Service to speak. Mrs. Smith spoke about the work of the Centre.

PROPERTY COMMITTEE

At 7.50 p.m. the Clerk moved the resumption of Standing Orders and, this being agreed, Presbytery returned to the Property Committee report.

It was moved and seconded as an additional deliverance –

The Presbytery instructs the Business Committee to prepare an Overture to the General Assembly reflecting the concern of the Presbytery of Hamilton for the needs of repair and upkeep of Church buildings in Priority Areas, bearing in mind the massive expenditure which is currently being spent on listed and traditional Churches.

After discussion it was agreed that this be accepted as a Notice of Motion for the March Presbytery following its consideration by the Business Committee. In consequence the addendum was withdrawn.

The deliverances as presented were then agreed.

6 2nd February, 1999

14. CHURCH EDUCATION COMMITTEE

The Presbytery called for the report of the Church Education Committee which was given in by the Rev. T. Nelson, Convener.

It was unanimously agreed:

  1. The Presbytery reminds Kirk Sessions of opportunities for elder training. The

course "Confidence to Care" will be led by Josie Shanks on four Tuesday evenings in March at 7.30 p.m. in Coatbridge Calder Church. The course, "Something to Share", will be presented on Saturday, 24th April 1999, 10.00 a.m. till 3.30 p.m., at Gilmour Parish Church, Burnbank, Hamilton. Registration Forms, previously issued, should be returned as soon as possible.

2. The Presbytery requests the assistance of Kirk Sessions with the timeous return of the Pro Forma issued by the Church Education Committee. Indicating the numbers of Children/Youth Workers yet to be trained by the Board of Parish Education’s qualified trainers in the Church’s Code of Practice for Protection of Children and Young People, will enable appropriate training sessions to be planned in the future.

  1. The Presbytery invites applications from suitably qualified persons to join the Advisory team in the role of part-time voluntary Youth Adviser. Anyone interested should approach the Rev. Thomas Nelson, Church Education Convener.

  2. The Presbytery welcomes the invitation from the Board of Parish Education to nominate a youth delegate to represent the Presbytery at the General Assembly, 8th – 14th May 1999, and encourages ministers to send their nominees to the Rev. Thomas Nelson, or to the Clerk, as soon as possible.

15. PARISH DEVELOPMENT AND MISSION COMMITTEE

The Presbytery called for the report of the Parish Development and Mission Committee which was given in by the Rev. J. Collard, Convener.

It was unanimously agreed:

  1. The Presbytery approves the application by East Kilbride: Greenhills for a Parish Assistant. The Presbytery notes that the Presbytery Plan envisages no re-adjustment in this area.

  2. The Presbytery approves contributions towards salary costs of Parish Assistants as follows: Uddingston: Burnhead – Mr. Raymond Deans - £nil; East Kilbride: Claremont – Mr. Paul Cathcart - £17,510; Hamilton: Hillhouse – Mr. Bill Wishart - £7, 416.

  1. BOARD OF SUPERINTENDENCE

 

2nd February, 1999 7

The Presbytery, meeting in private, called for the report of the Board of Superintendence which was given in by the Rev. J. Munton, Convener.

MINUTES WHILST MEETING IN PRIVATE OMITTED

  1. STATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

The Presbytery being once again in open Court called for the report of the State Education Committee which was given in by Mr. D. Alexander, Convener.

8 2nd February, 1999

It was unanimously agreed:

JC2000 Millennium Arts Festival for Schools

  1. The Presbytery warmly welcomes the development of the JC2000 Millennium Arts Festival for Schools in Scotland as a positive expression of the Christian context of the Millennium and a vehicle for young people to reflect on Christ’s teachings in a contemporary setting;

  2. The Presbytery urges Chaplains to encourage schools to participate in the Festival and to support the work in schools;

  3. The Presbytery urges Kirk Sessions to discuss the Festival and to provide active support in whatever way possible in schools in their area and to the JC2000 project in general.

  1. NOMINATION COMMITTEE

    2.

    The Presbytery called for the report of the Nomination Committee which was given in by the Rev. M. Currie, Vice-Convener.

    It was unanimously agreed:

    The Presbytery appoints the Rev. D. Clark, Convener and the Rev. J. Munton, together with Mr. A. McConnell and Mrs. J. Clark to be the Advisory Committee in the vacancy at Airdrie: Broomknoll lw Calderbank.

  2. ANY OTHER COMPETENT BUSINESS

It was moved, seconded and agreed as an item of Any Other Competent Business:

The Presbytery instructs the Clerk, in consultation with his colleagues in contiguous Presbyteries, to make representations to Glasgow City Council to ensure that Daldowie Crematorium does not close for two and a half days over each of the Christmas and New Year weekends in 1999.

  1. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business the Presbytery adjourned at 8.28 p.m. to meet again for Ordinary Business within Motherwell: Dalziel St. Andrew’s Parish Church Halls on Tuesday, 2nd March 1999 at 6.30 p.m., public intimation of which having been given this meeting was closed with prayer.

 

 

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Moderator

 

 

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Presbytery Clerk