1. ATTESTATION OF ELECTORAL REGISTER

The Presbytery notes that the Clerk has attested the Electoral Register of Blantyre: St. Andrew’s as containing the names of 323 Communicants and 49 Adherents.

2. REQUEST FOR MODERATOR

The Presbytery approves the request of Hamilton North Presbyterial Council of the Guild that the Moderator, in his official capacity, attend the Annual General Meeting of the Council within Airdrie: Flowerhill Parish Church on Wednesday,

14th March, 2001 at 7.30 p.m.

3. REV. J. STANLEY COOK

The Presbytery notes receipt of a letter from the Rev. J. Stanley Cook, Minister at Hamilton: West, requesting permission to demit his charge as from 28th February, 2001; resolves to take up consideration of the proposed Demission at its meeting on 6th February, 2001, and instructs that the congregation of Hamilton: West 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.

4. STATISTICS FOR MISSION CO-ORDINATOR

The Presbytery approves the appointment of Mr. Jonathan Buchan, 33 Mayfield Avenue, Clarkston, Glasgow, G76 7AW as Statistics for Mission Co-ordinator.

5. REV. JOHN A. McDONALD

The Presbytery, noting receipt of application for membership of Presbytery from the Rev. John A. McDonald, 17 Thomson Drive, Bellshill, ML4 3ND, formerly Minister at Cumbernauld: Condorrat, together with a Practising Certificate issued by the Presbytery of Perth, admits him to membership and extends good wishes to him on becoming a member of the Court.

6. BELLSHILL: ST. ANDREW’S

The Presbytery notes receipt of a letter from the Session Clerk at Bellshill: St. Andrew’s intimating that at a Congregational Meeting held on 19th November, 2000 it had been decided to secede from the Church of Scotland and, at the earliest possible moment, apply for membership of the United Free Church of Scotland. The Presbytery approves the appointment of the Rev. James G. Munton, the Rev. Graham L. Duffin and the Clerk to liaise with the Principal Clerk and the Solicitor of the Church on the implications of this decision.

7. AIRDRIE: NEW MONKLAND

The Presbytery approves the agreement entered into with the Kirk Session of Airdrie: New Monkland, confirmed by Extract Minute, for repayment of Accumulated Shortfalls in Mission and Aid allocations.

The Presbytery notes that the Kirk Session will remit £250 monthly for the next five years as a minimum contribution to be set against the accumulated debt in addition to current Mission and Aid contributions.

The Presbytery further notes that this will leave a maximum of £18,250 shortfall to be paid off as finances permit.

The Presbytery agrees that this sum of £18,250 be affirmed as justified for the purpose of calling a minister, but not written off.

The Presbytery resolves that the charge of Airdrie; New Monkland linked with Greengairs be granted leave to call a minister without restriction, subject to the concurrence of the General Assembly’s Parish Re-appraisal Committee.

8. REQUEST FOR CONVENER AND CLERK

The Presbytery approves the request of Hamilton: St. John’s that the Convener of the Business Committee and the Clerk represent the Court at the re-launch of the refurbished St. John’s Centre on Wednesday, 13th December at 12 noon.

The Presbytery notes receipt of a cheque for £85 bring 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.

The Presbytery notes and approves the appointment of the Rev. J.H. Loudon Melrose as Locum Tenens at Airdrie: New Wellwynd with effect from 15th January 2001.

After submission, questions and discussion the Presbytery approved the Overture Anent Ministers and Deacons in Public Office by 141 votes to none.

After submission, questions and discussion the Presbytery approved the Overture Anent Discipline of Ministers, Licentiates, Graduate Candidates and Deacons by 141 votes to none.

The Presbytery approves the application of Coatbridge: Middle to install a stained glass window in memory of Mr. W. Reid with costs to be borne by his widow. Approval has also been sought directly from the Committee of Artistic Matters. The concurrence of the Forward Planning Committee is noted.

The Presbytery approves the application of Bonkle to fit a disabled ramp at the rear of the Church at a cost of £4,842 based on contractors` estimates and the removal, at no cost, of pews in the Sanctuary to accommodate wheelchairs. Permission is also given to apply for grants and loans which may be available. The concurrence of the Forward Planning Committee is noted.

The Presbytery approves the application of Airdrie: The New Wellwynd to improve the creche facilities, providing a toilet for wheelchair use and improving the creche hall at a cost of £10,335, based on contractors` estimates. Funds are to hand. The concurrence of the Forward Planning Committee is noted.

It was unamimously agreed :

1. The Presbytery receives the report and expresses its gratitude to all who helped to make the recent conference on homelessness a successful event.

2. The Presbytery welcomes Mrs. Ndlovu, Unit Manager at Well Hall Home, to her new position and expresses its support and encouragement to her.

The Presbytery approves and resolves to transmit to the General Assembly`s Board of Ministry the following Vacancy Schedules:

1. The Presbytery gratefully acknowledges receipt of the gift of £650 from the Tilp family in memory of Mary Nesbit for the work of children`s and youth ministry in St. Columba`s Parish Church, Airdrie.

It was unanimously agreed:

1. Following the decision by Bellshill: St. Andrew`s to secede from the Church of Scotland, the Presbytery recalls its decision of 7th November, 2000, with regard to the congregations of Bellshill: Macdonald Memorial, Bellshill: Orbiston and Bellshill: St. Andrew`s.

3. The Presbytery approves the Basis of Linking between the congregations of Bellshill: Macdonald Memorial and Bellshill: Orbiston, noting the intention of the General Assembly`s Parish Reappraisal Committee to concur with this decision, but subject to this concurrence, and appoints Thursday, 11^th January, 2001 for a Service of Linking, Presbytery to meet at 7.15 p.m. for 7.30 p.m.

The Congregation of Bellshill: Macdonald Memorial and the Congregation of Bellshill: Orbiston in the Presbytery of Hamilton, shall be linked as from a date to be determined by the Presbytery and that on the following terms and conditions:

There were laid on the table the Citations of the congregations of Hamilton: Burnbank; Hamilton: Gilmour and Whitehill: Hamilton: North and Hamilton: West returned duly served

It was unanimously agreed:

1. The Presbytery receives and approves the Reappraisal report on the churches in the west end of Hamilton.

3. The Presbytery encourages the congregations of Hamilton: West and Hamilton: North; and the congregations of Hamilton: Burnbank and Hamilton: Gilmour & Whitehill, to consider ways in which positive relationships and activities could be developed within the next few years to assist in preparing for union in the future.

4. The Presbytery acknowledges the participation of local office bearers in the drafting of the report and recommendations, and thanks them for their support in this.

There were laid on the table an Appointment to the Church and Parish of Strathaven: Avendale Old and Drumclog, in favour of the Rev. Alan William Gibson; his letter of acceptance with the required statement that he had used no undue influence to obtain the Call; a Call as prescribed signed by 476 Communicants and 33 Adherents; a Certificate that the Interim Moderator’s expenses had been met in full.

The Presbytery being satisfied with the documents produced, and that there is no cause to decline or delay to sustain the appointment, did and hereby does sustain the appointment of the Rev. Alan William Gibson to the Church and Parish of Strathaven: Avendale Old and Drumclog and resolved to proceed towards his settlement.

The Presbytery provisionally appointed his Admission thereunto to take place within Strathaven: Avendale Old Parish Church on Thursday, 25th January 2000, Presbytery to meet at 6.15pm for the Ordination and Induction Service at 6.30pm, the Rev. Robert M. Kent to be Moderator, the Rev. James H. Wilson to be Clerk, and the Rev. Iain M. Greenshields to assist the Moderator.

Further to its resolution of 7th November, 2000 the Presbytery took up consideration of the proposed Demission of the Rev. Robert A. Mackenzie from the Church and Parish of Uddingston: Burnhead.

There were laid on the table Certified Intimation of his adherence to demit as per the report of the Standing Sub-Committee on Demissions and the Citation of the congregation of Uddingston: Burnhead returned duly executed.

It was moved, seconded and agreed that the Presbytery accept and hereby does accept the Demission of the Rev. Robert A. Mackenzie and looses him from his charge as from 1st January, 2001, confirming that Mr. Mackenzie retains him status as a Minister of the Church of Scotland, and authorises the Clerk to issue him with a Presbyterial Certificate.

The Presbytery resolves that the charge of Uddingston: Burnhead should not be subject to readjustment, and that leave be granted to call a minister without restriction, subject to the concurrence of the General Assembly`s Parish Reappraisal Committee.

There were laid on the Table an appointment of the Rev. R. Fraser Penny to the Church and Parish of Dunkeld; an Extract Minute of the Presbytery of Dunkeld and Meigle thereanent of date 5th December, 2000; a Call signed by 191

98 5th December, 2000

Communicants and 10 Adherents; the Citation of the congregation of Airdrie: New Wellwynd returned duly served.

The question was put, Translate or not translate, and it was unanimously agreed that Presbytery does and hereby does translate Mr. Penny from the Church and Parish of Airdrie: New Wellwynd to the Church and Parish of Dunkeld, declaring that his pastoral relationship to Airdrie: New Wellwynd shall subsist until he be actually admitted to the Church and Parish aforesaid; and enjoining him to await for and obey the orders of the Presbytery of Dunkeld and Meigle as to the time of his admission to his new Church and Parish, and requesting the Presbytery of Dunkeld and Meigle to give intimation of his admission as soon as it takes place.

The Clerk was instructed to forward an Extract Minute of these proceedings to the Clerk of the Presbytery of Dunkeld and Meigle.

Parties were recalled and judgement intimated.

The Presbytery resolves that the charge of Airdrie: The New Wellwynd should not be subject to readjustment, and that leave be granted to call a minister without restriction, subject to the concurrence of the General Assembly`s Parish Reappraisal Committee.

The Presbytery appoints the Rev. D. Doyle to be the Interim Moderator of the Kirk Session of Airdrie: The New Wellwynd.

The Presbytery appoints the Very Rev. Dr. H. R. Wyllie, Convener and Rev. W. S. Dunn, together with Mr. W. Wilson and Mrs. F. Macdonald to be the Advisory Committee in the vacancy at Airdrie: The New Wellwynd.

The Presbytery receives the Annual Team Reports from the Ministers and Deacons, at present working together in East Kilbride: Claremont, Hamilton: Hillhouse, and Uddingston: Burnhead Parishes, and commends these team ministries both for their effectiveness and for their importance to the life and witness of the Church. It approves the agreed contributions from congregations towards the cost of their Deacon: East Kilbride: Claremont - £18,540 plus expenses; Hamilton: Hillhouse - £7,725 plus expenses; Uddingston: Burnhead - £0.

1. Presbytery nominates the Rev. Rosemary Smith as part-time chaplain to Kirklands Hospital as from 1st December, 2000.

2. Presbytery acknowledges that Wishaw General Hospital, due to come on line in May 2001 will fall within the bounds of Hamilton Presbytery.

3. Presbytery resolves to enter into discussions with the Presbytery of Lanark and the present management of Law Hospital Trust regarding the future of hospital chaplaincy for the new hospital at Wishaw.

4. Presbytery resolves to investigate, in partnership with local health boards, trusts and other relevant health professionals, the possibility of setting up a hospice/palliative care unit in South Lanarkshire.

There being no further business the Presbytery adjourned at 8.34 p.m. to meet again in hunc effectum on Thursday, 11^th January, 2001 at 7.15 p.m. for 7.30 p.m. for the Service of Linking of Bellshill: Macdonald Memorial and Bellshill: Orbiston; in hunc effectum within Strathaven: Avendale Old on Thursday, 25^th January, 2001, at 6.15 p.m. for 6.30 p.m. for the Ordination and Induction of the Rev. Alan William Gibson; and for Ordinary Business within Motherwell: Dalziel St. Andrew`s Church Halls on Tuesday, 6^th February, 2001 at 6.30 p.m., of which public intimation having been made, this meeting was closed with prayer.