1. The Presbytery notes receipt of Extract Minutes of the General Assembly’s Parish Re-appraisal Committee of date 17th October, 2000 concurring in the decision of the Presbytery of Hamilton that the question of readjustment should not be pursued in the vacancies at Blantyre: St. Andrew’s, East Kilbride: West and Uddingston: Viewpark; concurring in the decision of the Presbytery to erect a new charge at East Kilbride: Stewartfield, and in the decision that the charge of Overtown be granted permission to call a minister under Reviewable Tenure, with a review after five years, and encouraging the congregation to use the period before the review to develop their work and mission in Gowkthrapple.

The Presbytery further notes receipt of an Extract Minute of the General Assembly’s Parish Re-appraisal Committee noting that a Parish Assistance Review at Hamilton: Hillhouse had been conducted by the Assembly’s

Committee on Parish Assistance and resolving to approve a further three-year extension to the Parish Assistance Placement from April 2001 subject to availability, and further resolving to invite the Presbytery of Hamilton to give early consideration to planning in the Hillhouse area in view of the continued growth of the area.

The Presbytery, noting intimation from the Kirk Session at Strathaven: Rankin of the resignation of Mr. Douglas Campbell as Representative Elder and the appointment of Mr. Scott Bennie, 49 Lethame Road, Strathaven, ML10 6DU, Tel. 01357 521 661 to replace him, expresses its thanks to Mr. Campbell for the service he has rendered to the Court.

The Presbytery notes receipt of a letter from the Rev. Robert A. Mackenzie, Minister at Uddingston: Burnhead, requesting permission to demit his charge with effect from 1st January, 2001 on taking up an appointment in Turin, Italy, under the auspices of the General Assembly’s Board of World Mission; resolves to take up consideration of the proposed Demission at its meeting on 5th December, 2000, and instructs that the congregation of Uddingston: Burnhead be cited to appear for their interests at the said meeting with certification that the matter will not be dealt with before 7.30 p.m. under an Order of the Day for Vacancy Business,

The Presbytery, noting receipt of application from the Rev. Ian Meredith, formerly Minister at Blantyre: St. Andrew’s, for a Certificate under Act II (1987) as amended for permission to carry out the functions of the Ministry while not holding a seat in Presbytery, instructs the Clerk to issue the appropriate certification.

The Presbytery notes with approval permission granted to the Hamilton Corps of the Salvation Army by the Kirk Session of Hamilton: St. Andrew’s to use the St. Andrew’s building for worship during the period between their present building being demolished and the construction of a replacement.

The Presbytery, noting intimation from the Kirk Session at East Kilbride: Claremont of the resignation of Mr. Alan Sherry as Representative Elder and the appointment of Mr. David Queen, 15 Strathnairn Way, East Kilbride, G74 8FT, Tel. 01355 233649 to replace him, expresses its thanks to Mr. Sherry for the service he has rendered to the Court.

The Presbytery notes that the Clerk has attested the Electoral Register of Hamilton: Old as containing the names of 786 Communicants, and that of East Kilbride: West as containing the names of 750 Communicants and 5 Adherents.

The Presbytery notes receipt of a letter from Hamilton South Presbyterial Council of the Guild expressing appreciation of the Moderator’s conduct of the Dedication Service at the opening of the Guild Banners 2000 Exhibition in Hamilton: St. John’s on 13th October.

1. WISHAW: OLD

The Presbytery approves the application of Wishaw: Old to repair the roof over the sanctuary at a maximum cost of £105,703.93 inclusive of professional fees and VAT to make safe, wind and watertight, noting this does not guarantee the retention of this building as the preferred new town centre charge. Permission is also given to apply for grants and loans which may be available. The concurrence of the Forward Planning Committee is noted.

2. BONKLE

The Presbytery approves the application by Bonkle to carry out roof repairs at a cost of £10,967 inclusive of VAT based on estimates received. Permission is also given to apply for grants and loans which may be available. The concurrence of the Forward Planning Committee is noted.

3. HAMILTON: CADZOW

The Presbytery approves the application by Hamilton: Cadzow to eradicate dry rot to the tower at a cost of £9,400 inclusive of VAT based on estimates received and for replacement of the remaining timber windows with uPVC double glazed type in the Manse at a cost of £6,366 inclusive of VAT based on estimates received. Funds are to hand. The concurrence of the Forward Planning Committee is noted.

4. UDDINGSTON: VIEWPARK

The Presbytery approves the application of Uddingston: Viewpark to the sale of the northern part of the garden at the Manse as a house plot and of the south part of the garden as vehicular access to the adjoining house and recommends the funds received be held on behalf of the congregation by the General Trustees for use on fabric matters.

5. WISHAW: ST. MARK`S

The Presbytery approves the professional follow on property survey and condition report on the properties of Wishaw; St. Mark`s and awaits the response of the office bearers to the contents and recommendations.

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6. NEWARTHILL lw CARFIN

The Presbytery approves the professional follow on property survey and condition report on the properties of Newarthill lw Carfin and awaits the response of the office bearers to the contents and recommendations.

It was moved as a counter-motion to Deliverance 1:

a) The Presbytery notes the action taken by the Congregational Board of Wishaw Old Parish, under paragraph 4c of Works at Ecclesiastical Buildings, to replace the dangerous church roof at a cost of £118,248.59 including VAT and professional fees. The General Trustees have been informed of this action.

b) The Presbytery reimburses the Congregational Board of Wishaw Old Parish Church the sum of £14,000 to meet the extra costs involved in emergency repairs to the church roof including professional fees. This sum being the difference between the original cost of the repair and the new costs incurred by the delay in effecting the repair. The exact sum to be worked out by the Presbytery Property Convener and the Clerk to the Congregational Board.

This motion failed to find a seconder and therefore fell.

It was moved and seconded as a second counter-motion to Deliverance 1:

The Presbytery resolves not to grant permission to Wishaw: Old to repair the roof over the sanctuary.

On a vote being taken for or against this counter-motion it carried against.

The Deliverances as presented by the Convener were then approved.

The Presbytery calls on the General Assembly’s Board of Stewardship and Finance to re-examine the current method of allocation of Mission and Aid

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contributions, and to introduce a system which takes proper account of the real and total assets of congregations, and of local expenditure beyond stipend costs.

SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS

At 7.45 p.m. it was moved and unanimously agreed to suspend Standing Orders to permit the completion of this report.

It was moved as an Addendum :

The Presbytery instructs the Presbytery’s Stewardship Committee to prepare, in consultation with all relevant parties, such evidence and argument as will be required to support the above deliverance, and to report the same to Presbytery at its February meeting.

On a vote being taken the Motion and Addendum carried.

The report as presented was then agreed.

1. The Presbytery thanks Rev. James Gibson for his service as Chaplain at Kirklands Hospital.

£2.00 per person). All registrations to Mr. Harry Webster, 126 Silvertonhill Avenue, Hamilton, ML3 7PA.

2. The Presbytery notes that the next available opportunity for training on Child Protection Procedures is on Monday 20th November 2000 at 7.00 p.m. in East

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Kilbride: Mossneuk Parish Church.. Names of those wishing to attend should be given to Mrs. Eileen Milne, Presbytery Co-ordinator, as soon as possible (01698 264320).

3. The Presbytery notes that a course entitled "Storytelling with Christmas Themes" is to be held for those engaged in Children`s Ministry on Sunday 19th November 2000 from 2 - 4.30 p.m. at Strathaven: Avendale Old Parish Church (cost £5.00 per person). All registrations to Mrs. Sheena Wilson, 12 Edmonton Terrace, East Kilbride, G75 8AS.

1. The Presbytery approves the Basis of Severance of the link between Bellshill: St. Andrew`s and Bellshill: Orbiston and notes that, subject to the approval of the Parish Reappraisal Committee of the General Assembly, this will take effect as from the date of union of Bellshill: St. Andrew`s with Macdonald Memorial, and their subsequent linking with Bellshill: Orbiston.

2. The Presbytery approves the Basis of Union between Bellshill: St. Andrew`s and Bellshill: Macdonald Memorial, subject to the approval of the General Assembly`s Parish Reappraisal Committee.

3. The Presbytery approves the Basis of Linking between the congregations of Bellshill: East (formed by the union of St. Andrew`s and Macdonald Memorial) and Bellshill; Orbiston, subject to the approval of the General Assembly`s Parish Reappraisal Committee.

Parties were recalled and judgement intimated.

Total Members: 322

1997 Total General Income: £38,006

1997 Endowments: £101

1998 General Income: £42,155

1998 Endowments: £103

2000 Stipend: £17,323

Travelling and Listed expenses shall be paid in full.

£Nil shall be paid to the Insured Pension Fund.

The Presbytery re-affirms that ministry costs shall continue to be shared in a ratio of 10:90 between Carfin and Newarthill.

1. The Presbytery notes that the Minimum Stipend for 2001 has been declared at £18,016 and a manse, representing an increase of £693 (4%) over that for 2000.

1. (a) welcomes the opportunity to comment on the enquiry, appraisal and assessment scheme proposed by the General Assembly’s Board of Ministry, but suggests that the consultation should have been undertaken in advance of the pilot enquiry process currently underway or should be undertaken at its conclusion so that lessons, if any, may be readily established

(b) supports the aims of the proposed new scheme, particularly the greater involvement of the local church and the assessment of potential candidates over a sustained period of time;

(c) is concerned about aspects of the implementation of the proposals in the context of smaller Presbyteries and suggests that consideration should be given to encouraging those Presbyteries to work together as a means of spreading the resource requirements and enabling enquirers to obtain a diversity of settings for the enquiry process.

2. In terms of the areas which should be addressed by an enquirer at an early stage, the Presbytery suggests that:

(a) the enquirer should be required to demonstrate a period of sustained involvement in his or her own church both before and during the initial enquiry process. It is recognised that this will require to be considered in the context of the need for confidentiality in an enquirer’s interest to be preserved at this stage;

(b) care requires to be given to the choice of coordinator within the Presbytery so that the enquirer can have confidence in the nature of the initial enquiry and subsequent assessment process, but without loss of the objectivity which a coordinator will require to bring to that task;

3. The Presbytery welcomes the opportunity to participate in the coordinated enquiry and assessment process (a) as a means of enhancing the

contribution which local views will make to the assessment of candidates and (b) returning involvement to where it properly lies. While the proposals will bring an onus of responsibility, the Presbytery does not envisage the need for additional resources beyond those proposed other than time and commitment.

4. With the addition of a requirement for a candidate to demonstrate an ability to use discretion and appropriate confidentiality in various settings, the Presbytery considers the proposed areas for exploration during appraisal and assessment to be comprehensive. It is noted, however, that the areas for exploration are inevitably subjective and not objective and this may lead to issues in terms of interpretation, feedback and, ultimately, assessment.

(c) considers the importance of uniformity and consistency as key to the success of the proposals;

(d) proposes that comprehensive guidelines on the scheme are prepared in its support and that Presbyteries are given an opportunity to discuss these in advance of their implementation;

(e) suggests that the Board of Ministry makes clear that the proposals are not aimed at stifling the diversity of characteristics of those called to serve as Ministers of Word and Sacrament;

(f) notes the importance of the careful selection of those nominated to serve as coordinators and Presbytery representatives in the new scheme and the requirement for in-depth training.

There being no further business the Presbytery adjourned at 9.00 p.m. to meet again for Ordinary Business within Motherwell: Dalziel St. Andrew`s Parish Church Halls on Tuesday, 5^th December 2000 at 6.30 p.m. of which public intimation having been made, this meeting was closed with prayer.