CHURCH OF SCOTLAND
At
MOTHERWELL: DALZIEL ST. ANDREW’S PARISH CHURCH HALLS, on the Third Day of
December, Two Thousand and two years, on which day the PRESBYTERY OF HAMILTON
met and was constituted in prayer.
Post preces
sederunt
SEDERUNT
The Rev. Margaret F. Currie, Moderator, the Rev. James H. Wilson, Clerk,
and others as per signed lists in
retentis. (Total: 54 Ministers; 3
Deacons; 78 Elders).
The Minutes of Meetings XII and XIII were read,
corrected and approved.
The
agenda was submitted, adjusted and approved.
Intimations were made.
The Presbytery called for the report
of the Business Committee which was given in by the Rev. J. G. Munton,
Convener.
It was unanimously agreed :
1. ATTESTATION OF ELECTORAL REGISTER
The Presbytery notes that the Clerk
has attested the Electoral Register of East Kilbride: Claremont as containing
the names of 823 Communicants.
2.
PARISH REAPPRAISAL COMMITTEE
The Presbytery notes receipt of Extract
Minutes of the General Assembly’s Parish Reappraisal Committee of date 19th
November, 2002 agreeing the Presbytery Plan for Strathaven; noting receipt of
an Extract Minute of the Presbytery approving the request of Motherwell: South
Dalziel to seek grant funding from the General Trustees to undertake a
feasibility study concerning the future use of buildings in relation to
discussions concerning the Forward Plan for that area involving Crosshill,
Manse Road and South Dalziel; and concurring in Presbytery’s decision that readjustment
should not be pursued at East Kilbride: Claremont and Hamilton South lw Quarter
3. REPRESENTATIVE ELDERS
The Presbytery notes the resignation of Mr.
Alistair MacRae as Representative Elder for Hamilton: Cadzow and the
appointment of Mr. Andrew Miller, 131 Manse Road, Motherwell, ML1 2PS to
replace him.
The Presbytery notes the appointment of Mr.
Archibald Mitchell, 72 Elgin Place, Shawhead, Coatbridge, ML5 4JQ as
Representative Elder for Coatbridge: Calder.
4
HAMILTON: SOUTH LW QUARTER
The Presbytery resolves that the Vacancy
Committee at Hamilton: South lw Quarter shall have 15 members, 10 to be
nominated by the congregation of Hamilton: South and 5 by that of Quarter.
The Presbytery called for the report
of the Property Committee which was given in by Mr. R. Marwick, Convener.
It
was unanimously agreed :
1. MOTHERWELL:
DALZIEL ST. ANDREW`S
The
Presbytery approves the request by Motherwell: Dalziel St. Andrew`s to sell the
Manse of the former Associate Minister and for the proceeds to be held on the
congregation`s behalf by the General Trustees to clearance of all financial
shortfalls. The concurrence of the
Forward Planning Committee is noted.
2. HAMILTON:
CADZOW
The
Presbytery approves the Second Follow-on Property Survey and Condition Report
on Hamilton: Cadzow and awaits the response of the office bearers to the
contents and recommendations.
3. HAMILTON:
ST. ANDREW`S
The
Presbytery approves the Second Follow-on Property Survey and Condition Report
on Hamilton: St. Andrew`s and awaits the response of the office bearers to the
contents and recommendations.
4. EAST
KILBRIDE: WESTWOOD
The
Presbytery approves the Second Follow-on Property Survey and Condition Report
on East Kilbride: Westwood and awaits the response of the office bearers to the
contents and recommendations.
FORWARD
PLANNING COMMITTEE
The Presbytery called for
the report of the Forward Planning Committee which was given in by Mr. D.
Alexander, Convener.
It
was unanimously agreed:
1. The
Presbytery instructs the congregations of Strathaven: Avendale Old and
Drumclog, Strathaven: Rankin lw Chapelton, Glasford lw Strathaven: East, and
Strathaven: West to return schedules by 17th January, 2003, to allow the
Forward Planning Committee to produce a revised Reappraisal Plan for this area,
in line with the timetable for Reappraisal set out by the Forward Planning
Committee and agreed by Presbytery.
2. EAST
KILBRIDE: MOSSNEUK
The
Presbytery, following discussion and agreement with the Kirk Sessions of East
Kilbride: Mossneuk and East Kilbride: Greenhills, approves the inclusion of the
area defined below within the parish of East Kilbride: Mossneuk:- the area
comprising the following streets – Langholme, Ennerdale, Derwentwater,
Coniston, Ullswater, Borrowdale, Grasmere, Buttermere, Thirlmere, Windermere.
3. STRATHAVEN
ATTESTATION AREA FORWARD PLAN (PART 1)
The Presbytery, following the
concurrence of the Parish Reappraisal Committee with the Presbytery`s Forward
Plan for the Strathaven Attestation Area (Part 1), resolves to remove the sist
on the vacancy proceedings at Larkhall: St. Machan`s.
ADDENDA
1. COATBRIDGE: TOWNHEAD
The Presbytery resolves that the
charge of Coatbridge: Townhead should not be subject to readjustment at this
time and that, in terms of the Coatbridge Plan, leave be granted to call a
Minister without restriction, subject to the concurrence of the General
Assembly`s Parish Reappraisal Committee.
2. COATBRIDGE:
CALDER
The
Presbytery resolves that the charge of Coatbridge: Calder should not be subject
to readjustment at this time and that, in terms of the Coatbridge Plan, leave
be granted to call a Minister without restriction, subject to the concurrence
of the General Assembly`s Parish Reappraisal Committee.
3.
COATBRIDGE: CLIFTON
The Presbytery resolves that the charge of
Coatbridge: Clifton should not be subject to readjustment at this time and
that, in terms of the Coatbridge Plan, leave be ganted to call a Minister under
Reviewable Tenure, to be reviewed 5 years after the induction of a Minister,
subject to the concurrence of the General Assembly`s Parish Reappraisal
Committee.
The Convener reported that he had
received an Extract Minute from Parish Reappraisal in the following terms:
“The
Committee resolved to invite the Presbytery to reconsider its Plan for future
ministry in Kirk o` Shotts and in the charges surrounding Kirk o` Shotts. Once such a reconsideration had taken place
it would be helpful if the Presbytery could then consider what buildings would
be necessary to facilitate this ministry and mission. In making this request the Committee expressed a willingness to
participate in whatever way the Presbytery felt appropriate in the process of
reconsideration.”
Presbytery reaffirms without delay
that Kirk o` Shotts is a necessary building.
It
was moved and seconded and on a vote being taken it carried for.
Under
an Order of the Day 7.47 p.m. the Presbyery called for the report on Overtures
which was given in by the Rev. Robert Kent
After
submission, questions and discussion, the Presbytery approved the Overture
anent Vacancy Procedures by 116 votes to 1.
Mr.
David Alexander presented the Overture anent Appraisal and Adjustment of
Charges.
After
submission, questions and discussion, the Presbytery approved the Overture
anent Appraisal and Adjustment of Charges by 119 vote to 0.
The Clerk presented
the Overture anent Act 5 1984 as amended.
After
submission, questions and discussion, the Presbytery approved the Overture
anent Act 5 1984 as amended by 117 votes to 0.
BOARD
OF MINISTRY
The Presbytery called for the report
of the Board of Ministry which was given in by the Rev. S. J. Paterson,
Convener.
It was unanimously agreed :
1. The
Presbytery notes receipt of a study leave report from the Rev. Karen Harbison
(Hamilton: Trinity) following attendance at a “Heaven on Earth” conference at
Iona together with time for research into worship materials, between 20th July
and 3rd August, 2002.
2. The
Presbytery notes receipt of a study leave report from the Rev. John Brewster
(East Kilbride: Greenhills) following attendance at a conference on preaching
at Newport, North Carolina, with time for associated reading and an opportunity
to compare and contrast two Presbyterian Churches, between 25th May and 10th
June, 2002.
COATBRIDGE: BLAIRHILL DUNDYVAN
Total Members – 464
1999 Total General Income - £45,615
1999
Endowments - £382
2000 Total General Income - £47,392
2000 Endowments - £389
2002 Proposed Stipend - £18,737
Travelling and Listed Expenses shall be paid in full.
£300 shall be paid to the Insured
Pension Fund.
STONEHOUSE: ST. NINIAN`S
Total Members – 541
1999 Total General Income - £50,505
1999 Endowments and Glebe - £1,353
2000 Total General Income -
£58,080
2000 Endowments and Glebe - £1,436
2002 Proposed Stipend - £19,063
Travelling and Listed Expenses shall be
paid in full.
£400 shall be paid to the Insured
Pension Fund.
NOMINATION
COMMITTEE
The Presbytery called
for the report of the Nomination Committee which was given in by Mr.J.D. Park,
Vice Convener.
It
was unanimously agreed :
1. The
Presbytery notes the resignation of the Rev. A. Thomson as Interim Moderator of
the Kirk Session of Coatbridge: Townhead as of 3rd December, 2002, thanks him
for his service and appoints the Rev. S. M. Spence in his place.
2. The
Presbytery notes the resignation of the Rev. R. A. Hamilton as Interim
Moderator of the Kirk Session of Wishaw: Old as of 31st December, 2002, thanks
him for his service and appoints the Rev. W. M. Murdoch in his place.
CHURCH
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
The Presbytery called
for the report of the Church Education Committee which was given in by the Rev.
K. E. Harbison, Convener.
The Convener asked the Moderator to
invite Mrs. Mary Coles to speak to the developments in Child Proection
legislation and practice.
It was unanimously agreed :
1. The
Presbytery notes that a training course entitled “Fundamental Aspects of
Teaching Children in Church” has been arranged for Sundays, 19th and 26th
January and Sunday 2nd February, 2003, 2 – 4.30 p.m., to be held in Cadzow
Church, Hamilton. Further information
is available from the Children`s Ministry Advisers.
2. The
Presbytery notes the developments in Child Protection legislation and practice
and urges all Kirk Sessions to implement new procedures as soon as their Child
Protection Co-ordinators have been processed through the new vetting system
(Disclosure, Scotland). Further
information is available from the Child Protection Trainers.
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. C. Murdoch, Convener.
It
was unanimously agreed :
1.
The Presbytery notes
the proposed local contributions for the calendar year 2003 for the salaries of
the following National Mission staff: David Geddes (Congregational Development
Officer – Hamilton Presbytery) - £10,000:
Susan Reford (Parish Assistant – East Kilbride: Moncrieff) - £15,000:
Alex Govan (Parish Assistant – Hamilton: Trinity) - £110; Raymond Deans (Parish
Assistant – Uddingston: Burnhead) – Nil: William Wishart (Deacon – Hamilton:
Hillhouse - £1,000: and considers that these proposed contributions are
appropriate and proportional to available resources.
The Presbytery called for the report
of the State Education Committee which was given in by the Rev. J. S. Cook,
Convener.
It
was unanimously agreed:
1. The
Presbytery nominates Mrs. Marion Dickie as the Church Representative on South
Lanarkshire Council from May, 2003.
2. The
Presbytery notes the unanimous acceptance of Mrs. Marion Dickie`s nomination by
the Assembly Committee on Education and of their advice to South Lanarkshire
Council of this nomination.
3. The
Presbytery nominates the Rev. James G. Munton as the Church Education
Representative on North Lanarkshire Council from May, 2003.
4. The Presbytery notes the unanimous
acceptance of the Rev. James G. Munton`s nomination by the Assembly Committee
on Education and of their advice to North Lanarkshire Council of this
nomination.
4.
The Presbytery welcomes
the publication of the consultation document on Religious Observance in
Scottish Schools.
6. The
Presbytery welcomes the opportunity to attend consultation meetings and to
provide responses to the questionnaire to the Scottish Executive.
7. The
Presbytery invites Kirk Sessions who respond to the questionnaire to provide
copies to the Assembly`s Committee on Education.
8. The
Presbytery notes the web site www.ltscotland.com/religiousobservance
from which copies can be obtained.
The Presbytery called for
the report of the Stewardship Committee which was given in by Mr. A. D.
McHenry, Convener.
It was unanimously agreed :
1. The
Presbytery encourages congregations who are financially sound to assist those
within the bounds who are having difficulty in meeting their commitments by
making payments on their behalf towards shortfalls and accumulated shortfalls.
There
being no further business the Presbytery adjourned at 9.09 p.m. to meet in hunc
effectum within Motherwell: Dalziel St. Andrew`s Church Halls on Tuesday,
21st January, 2003 at 8.00 p.m. to debate the report of the
Presbytery Review Committee; and for Ordinary Business within Motherwell:
Dalziel St. Andrew`s Church Halls on Tuesday, 4th February, 2003 at
7.00 p.m. of which public intimation having been made, the meeting was closed
with prayer.