5th October, 1999 50

CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

PRESBYTERY OF HAMILTON

IX MOTHERWELL, 5th OCTOBER, 1999

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

Post preces sederunt.

107. SEDERUNT

The Rev. J.S. Cook, Moderator; the Rev. James H. Wilson, Clerk; and others as per signed lists in retentis. (Total: 53 Ministers; 3 Deacons; 85 Elders).

108. MINUTES

The Minutes of Meetings VII and VIII (1999) were read, corrected and approved.

109. AGENDA

The agenda was submitted, adjusted and approved

110. INTIMATIONS

Intimations were made

  1. BUSINESS COMMITTEE

The Presbytery called for the report of the Business Committee which was given in

by the Rev. W.S. Dunn, Convener.

It was unanimously agreed:

  1. REV. J.H. LOUDON MELROSE

    2. The Presbytery, noting receipt of application for membership of Presbytery from the Rev. J.H. Loudon Melrose on taking up residence within the bounds, together with a Presbyterial Certificate issued by the Presbytery of Lochaber, admits him to membership and extends good wishes to him on again becoming a member of the Court.

  2. REV. WILLIAM M. GLENCROSS

The Presbytery acknowledges receipt of an Extract Minute from the Presbytery of Ayr of date 7th September, 1999 confirming that the Rev. William M. Glencross had presented the Presbyterial Certificate granted to him by this Presbytery to the Clerk

    1. 5th October, 1999

of that Court and that his name had been added to the Roll of the Presbytery of Ayr.

  1. NOTICE OF MOTION

    2. The Presbytery notes that at its meeting on 2nd November, 1999 the Business Committee will move that speeches by ministers demitting their charge be permitted only on the occasion of retirement, and that Standing Orders 47 and 48 be amended accordingly.

  2. ORDINATION ANNIVERSARIES

The Presbytery agrees that with immediate effect ministers will be invited to address the Court only on attaining the fiftieth anniversary of their ordination.

ADDENDUM

PARISH RE-APPRAISAL COMMITTEE

The Presbytery notes receipt of an Extract Minute of the General Assembly’s Parish Re-appraisal Committee of date 21st September, 1999 concurring in the opinion of the Presbytery of Hamilton that the question of readjustment should not be pursued in the vacancy at Coatbridge: Calder. The Presbytery further notes the agreement of all parties to this decision.

  1. PROPERTY COMMITTEE

The Presbytery called for the report of the Property Committee which was given in

by Mr. Wilfred Walker.

It was unanimously agreed:

  1. NEWARTHILL

The Presbytery approves the application of Newarthill to resurface footpaths and replace edging to footpaths at a cost of £8,000 inclusive of VAT and fees based on Contractor’s estimates. Permission is also given to apply for grants and loans which may be available. The concurrence of the Forward Planning Committee is noted.

2. HAMILTON: SOUTH

The Presbytery approves the application of Hamilton: South to replace the central heating boiler to the church at a cost of £25,800 inclusive of VAT and fees based on Contractors’ estimates. Permission is also given to apply for grants and loans which may be available. The concurrence of the Forward Planning Committee is noted.

  1. BELLSHILL: MACDONALD MEMORIAL

    2. The Presbytery approves the application of Bellshill: Macdonald Memorial to rent the Manse during the vacancy subject to the usual terms and conditions.

  2. BLANTYRE: OLD

The Presbytery approves the Professional Follow-on Property Survey and Condition report on property at Blantyre: Old and awaits the response of the office-bearers to contents and recommendations.

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  1. STATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

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

It was unanimously agreed:

NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL: SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS CONSULTATION

The Presbytery welcomes the issue of the consultation document "Ensuring Rights and Meeting Needs" relating to a review of Special Educational Needs provision in North Lanarkshire and commends the Council for undertaking a wide ranging review, within the context of changing attitudes and recent legislation, which places the principle of inclusion at the heart of the policy.

114. 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. I. Murdoch, Convener.

It was unanimously agreed:

  1. The Presbytery notes and welcomes the approval of the application by Trinity Tots Under 5s to the Priority Areas Fund for a grant of £8971 over 3 years towards capital and revenue costs of their community project.

  2. The Presbytery approves the application by East Kilbride: Moncreiff Parish Church to the Board of National Mission for a Parish Assistant. The Presbytery notes that the Presbytery Plan envisages no re-adjustment in this area.

3. The Presbytery resolves that the Service of Introduction of Mr. Alec Govan as Parish Assistant takes place within Hamilton: Trinity Parish Church on Thursday, 11th November, 1999, Presbytery to meet at 7.15pm for 7.30pm, the Rev. J. Stanley Cook to be Moderator, the Rev. James H. Wilson to be Clerk, and the Rev. Iain Murdoch and the Rev. Karen Harbison to assist the Moderator.

  1. BOARD OF SUPERINTENDENCE

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

116. ORDER OF THE DAY

BOARD OF MINISTRY

Under an Order of the Day at 7.00 p.m. the Presbytery, being again in open court, called for the first part of the report of the Board of Ministry which was given in by Mr. D.J. Watt, Convener.

PRESENTATION OF STUDENT AND READERS

Mr. Watt introduced to the Moderator Mrs. Nan Low and Derek Peat, Divinity Students, Miss Anne Clemenson, Mr. William Cruickshanks, Mr. Leslie Falconer, Mrs. Elizabeth Leckie, Mr. James McRae, Mr. Leslie Queen, Mr. Rowan Robertson, Mr. Ian White and Mr. William Wilson, Readers, together with Mr. Sam Clark, Mr. Eric Hislop and Miss Sheena Bell, Readers in training, and they were suitably addressed by him. Apologies were received from Mr. Gavin Black, Mr. Frank Haggerty, Mr. William Hawthorne, Mr. Sam Hewitt and Mr. Alexander Smith.

117. CHURCH AND SOCIAL INTERESTS COMMITTEE

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:

  1. The Presbytery receives the report on the proposed financing of the Food Standards Agency and notes its contents.

  2. The Presbytery receives the report on the involvement of South Lanarkshire Council in the Jubilee 2000 campaign and notes its contents.

  3. The Presbytery receives the report on developments of the parking situation at Monklands Hospital and notes its contents.

It was moved and seconded as an addendum to the Deliverance:

Add new Number 4

 

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The Presbytery, as a matter of principle, opposes the introduction of car parking charges at Monklands Hospital and instructs the Clerk to convey to the Board, to MSPs within the bounds and to the Minister for Health the concern of Presbytery on this matter.

On a vote being taken For or Against it carried For

The Deliverance as amended was then agreed to.

  1. ORDER OF THE DAY

    2. STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE

    Under an Order of the Day at 7.35 p.m. the Presbytery called for the report of the Stewardship Committee which was given in by the Rev. A. McCance, Vice-Convener.

    It was unanimously agreed:

    The Presbytery receives the draft figures in respect of Mission and Aid Allocations for 2000 and invites congregations to seek clarification, where necessary, of individual allocations from the Convener before Tuesday, 19th October and agrees to consider the figures for approval at the November meeting of Presbytery

  2. 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 receives the resignation of Mrs. Josie Shanks as Elder Trainer, effective from 6th September 1999, thanks Mrs. Shanks for her outstanding contribution to the ministry of the church over the past 8 years and prays God’s blessing for her future.

  2. The Presbytery notes that the courses "Being an Elder" to be held in Larkhall: St. Machan’s Church during October and November, and "Something to share" in Hamilton: Gilmour and Whitehill Parish Church in November will take place as planned and that all intending participants should register with Mr. H. Webster, 126 Silvertonhill Avenue, Hamilton. Tel. 01698 425512.

  3. The Presbytery invites applications from interested parties for the post of Honorary Elder Trainer within the bounds with responses to be in the hands of the Convener, Rev. Tom Nelson, by 31st October 1999.

  4. The Presbytery receives the publicity material from the National Adult Adviser of the Board of Parish Education on Adult Education Resources and encourages congregations to respond.

  1. HOSPITALS AND HOMES COMMITTEE

 

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The Presbytery called for the report of the Hospitals and Homes Committee which was given in by the Rev. I. Greenshields, Convener.

It was unanimously agreed:

  1. The Presbytery nominates the Rev. Iain M. Greenshields as locum part-time chaplain at Kirklands Hospital until February 2000 during the absence of the Rev. James M. Gibson on military service in Kosovo.

  2. The Presbytery notes the resignation of the Rev. William M. Glencross from the post of chaplain at Bellshill Hospital, and expresses its grateful thanks to him for nearly twenty years of faithful ministry in this capacity.

  3. The Presbytery notes the chaplaincy vacancy at Bellshill Hospital (two sessions of 3.5 hours per week) which could be filled either by two chaplains covering one session each or by one chaplain covering both sessions. All recommendations, enquiries or applications should be submitted to the Rev. Iain Greenshields by 31st October, 1999.

  4. The Presbytery notes that only nine annual reports have been received from part-time hospital chaplains, and instructs all chaplains yet to make a return to do so immediately.

  1. BOARD OF MINISTRY

The Presbytery called for the report of the Board of Ministry which was given in by Mr. D. Watt, Convener.

Deliverance 1 was taken in private.

It was unanimously agreed:

  1. MINUTE WHILST MEETING IN PRIVATE OMITTED

  2. TRIALS FOR LICENCE

    3. The Presbytery notes that an application to be taken on Trials for Licence has been received from Mrs. Agnes Paterson Low, 54 Aitken Street, Airdrie, preparation for same to be arranged in due course and in accordance with the regulations.

  3. READERSHIP

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    56

    1. The Presbytery nominates Miss Sheena Bell, 2 Langdale, East Kilbride and Mr. Gavin Black, 11 Torrance Road, East Kilbride as Candidates in Training for the Readership and prescribes the Scottish Churches Open College course programme of Training for Learning and Serving.

    2. The Presbytery, in accordance with the General Assembly’s recommendations, authorises that these candidates may claim from the Presbytery up to 50% of the applicable course fees.

    3. The Presbytery resolves that the Service of Admission to the Office of Reader in respect of Mr. Eric Hislop takes place within East Kilbride: West Parish Church on Wednesday, 17th November, 1999, Presbytery to meet at 7.15pm for 7.30pm, the Rev. J. Stanley Cook to be Moderator, the Rev. James H. Wilson to be Clerk, and Mr. David J. Watt and the Rev. Shaw J. Paterson to assist the Moderator.

4. REVISION SCHEDULE

The Presbytery approves and resolves to transmit to the General Assembly’s Board of Ministry the following Revision Schedule:

CLELAND

Total Members: 330

1996 Total General Income: £30,573

1996 Endowments: £354

1997 Total General Income £26,404

1997 Endowments £365

1999 Proposed Stipend £16,737

1999 Ministry requirement £17,026

1999 Proposed Aid drawn £5,000 (1998 Aid drawn £nil);

Travelling and Listed Expenses shall be paid in full.

A further revision Schedule shall be completed in three years from the date of this approval.

5. STUDY LEAVE

    1. The Presbytery notes receipt of application for study leave from the Rev. Derek W. Hughes (Motherwell: Dalziel St. Andrew’s) in respect of participation in the first module of a course in counselling skills from 21 October to 5 November 1999 and awaits consideration of this by the General Assembly’s Board of Ministry.

5.2 The Presbytery notes receipt of a study leave report from the Rev. Dr. Mary Henderson (Overtown) in respect of study of the Waldensian Church at Bergamo, Italy, during 1 to 8 July 1999.

5.3 The Presbytery notes receipt of a study leave report from the Rev. Dr. Mary Henderson (Overtown) in respect of attendance at the Clinical Theology Association conference during 31 August to 3 September 1999.

  1. WORLD MISSION COMMITTEE

The Presbytery called for the report of the World Mission Committee which was given in by Miss M.L. Archibald, Vice-Convener.

It was unanimously agreed:

57 5th October, 1999

The Presbytery expresses concern that we maximise opportunities for sharing with other cultures and communities to develop our understanding of issues in other countries by

  1. acting as host for visiting Mission Partners

  2. seeking out and welcoming overseas students

  3. using the opportunity of Study Leave to go abroad with the Board

  4. supporting the One World Week events at Airdrie: St. Columba’s between 17th and 24th October 1999.

  1. NOTICE OF MOTION

    2. The Presbytery took up consideration of the following Motion of which notice had been given by the Rev. Quintin Blane.

    It was moved and seconded:

    That Presbytery appoint a broadly-based ad-hoc committee to examine all aspects of its structures and procedures with a view to equipping Presbytery to engage most effectively in its tasks of mission, enablement and management as we proceed to a new millennium, and to bring at least an interim report to the February meeting.

    After discussion it was unanimously agreed:

    The Presbytery approves the Notice of Motion and remits the appointing of the ad-hoc Committee to the Nomination Committee for its consideration and subsequent report to Presbytery.

  2. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business the Presbytery adjourned at 8.31 p.m. to meet again for Ordinary Business within Motherwell: Dalziel St. Andrew’s Church Halls on Tuesday, 2nd November 1999 at 6.30 p.m., of which public intimation having been made, this meeting was closed with prayer.

 

 

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Moderator

 

 

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Presbytery Clerk