CHURCH OF SCOTLAND
At AIRDRIE:
ST. COLUMBA`S on the Second Day of September, Two Thousand and three
years, on which day the PRESBYTERY OF HAMILTON met and was constituted in
prayer, Holy Communion having previously been celebrated within Airdrie: St. Columba`s Parish Church.
Post preces
sederunt
99. SEDERUNT
The Rev. Margaret F Currie, Moderator, the Rev. Shaw J
Paterson, Clerk, and others as per signed lists in retentis. (Total: 39 Ministers; 3 Deacons; 75
Elders).
100. MINUTES
The
Minutes of Meeting X and XI (2003) were read and approved.
101. AGENDA
The
agenda was submitted and approved.
102. INTIMATIONS
Intimations
were made.
103. WELCOME
The Moderator
addressed appropriate words of welcome to those respresentative elders
attending their first meeting of Presbytery, to the Rev. Scott Raby newly
inducted to Coatbridge: Old Monkland
and to Miss Fiona Maxwell fourth year placement student at Motherwell: Dalziel St. Andrew`s.
104. TRIBUTE TO RETIRING CLERK
The Moderator, on behalf of Presbytery, paid tribute to the retiring
Clerk who had served the court so effectively over the last 19 years. For his
administration of Presbytery, for his help to successive Moderators and for his
pastoral care of all Presbyters he was warmly thanked. In recognition of the
courts appreciation she presented a cheque to Mr Wilson. The Rev James H
Wilson then addressed the court expressing his thanks for the privilege of
being Clerk and for the support and help of his Presbyterial colleagues over
the years. In addition he thanked the office staff both past and present
together with the Rev Norman McKee for his assistance.
105. COMMUNION SERVICE
The Vice-Convener of the Co-ordinating Committee expressed the Courts
thanks to the Moderator for her thoughtful and meaningful conduct of Holy
Communion, and to the Kirk Session of Airdrie:
St. Columba`s for the use of the sanctuary for the celebration, and to
all others who had assisted in any way.
106. ADDRESS BY RETIRING MODERATOR
The Rev. Norman McKee, Vice-Convener of the Co-ordinating Committee
having conveyed to the Moderator the thanks of the Presbytery for her valued
service to the Court during her year of office now ending, invited the
Moderator to address the Court. Miss
Currie expressed the pleasure and satisfaction she had had during her year in
the Moderatorial chair, and conveyed her warm thanks to the Presbytery Clerks,
to the office staff, and to members for the encouragement and helpfulness she
had been shown.
107. ELECTION AND INSTALLATION OF
MODERATOR
Mr David S. Alexander was unanimously elected Moderator for the ensuing
twelve months and after a prayer of dedication took the chair and addressed the
Court in fitting terms.
108. COMMISSIONS REPRESENTATIVE ELDERS
Commissions from all congregations making an appointment were laid on
the table.
109. ROLL OF PRESBYTERY
The Roll of Presbytery was submitted, laid on the table, and adopted as
correct, showing:
Retired
Ministers
...
22
Auxiliary
Minister
1
Full
Time Chaplains
2
Charges
(14 being vacant)
78
Total
Number of Ministers
.
...
89
The
Diaconate (Active and Retired)
...
4
Representative
Elders elected by Kirk Sessions
... ... 86
Additional
Elders elected by Presbytery.
22
Total
Number of Elders
108
There were laid on the Table an Appointment to the
Church and Parish of East Kilbride: Claremont in favour of the Rev. Gordon R
Palmer; 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 321
Communicants and 23 Adherents; a Certificate that the Interim Moderators
expenses had been met in full.
Parties were called, appeared and spoke.
Parties were removed.
The Presbytery being satisfied with the documents
produced, and that there was no cause to decline or delay to sustain the
appointment, did and hereby does sustain the appointment of the Rev. Gordon R
Palmer to the Church and Parish of East Kilbride: Claremont and resolves to
proceed towards his settlement.
The Presbytery provisionally appointed his Admission
thereunto to take place within East Kilbride: Claremont Parish Church on
Wednesday, 17th September 2003, Presbytery to meet at 6.45pm for the Induction
Service at 7.00pm, Mr David Alexander to be Moderator, the Rev. Shaw J Paterson
to be Clerk, and the Rev. Anne Paton to
assist the Moderator.
Parties were recalled and judgement intimated.
Further to its resolution of 13th August, 2003 the Presbytery
took up consideration of the proposed Demission of the Rev. Ian O Coltart from
the Church and Parish of Wishaw: Chalmers.
There was laid on the table Intimation of his
adherence to demit and the Citation of the congregation of Wishaw: Chalmers returned
duly served.
Parties were called appeared and spoke.
Parties were removed.
It was moved, seconded and agreed that the Presbytery
accept and hereby does accept the Demission of the Rev. Ian O Coltart and
looses him from his charge as from 31st August, 2003, confirming
that Mr. Coltart retains his status as a Minister of the Church of Scotland,
and his membership of this Presbytery.
Parties were recalled and judgement intimated.
CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE
The Presbytery called for the report of the Co-ordinating
Committee which was given in by the Rev Margaret Currie, Convener.
It was unanimously agreed:
The Presbytery appoints the Rev David Doyle to be
Interim Moderator of the Kirk Session at Wishaw: Chalmers.
PARISH PLANNING COMMITTEE
The Presbytery called for the report of the Parish
Planning Committee which was given in by the Rev Arthur Barrie, Convener.
It was unanimously agreed:
The Presbytery agrees to sist proceedings in the
vacancy at Wishaw: Chalmers and to await a further report of the parish
Planning Committee.
Further to its resolution of 17th June, 2003 the
Presbytery took up consideration of the proposed Demission of the Rev Dr James
S. Salmond from the Church and Parish of Holytown.
The Clerk laid on the table Intimation of his
adherence to demit and the Citation of the congregation of Holytown returned
duly served.
Parties were called, appeared and spoke.
Parties were removed.
It was moved, seconded and agreed that the Presbytery
accept and hereby does accept the Demission of the Rev. James S. Salmond and
looses him from his charge as from 30th September, 2003, confirming that Dr.
Salmond retains his status as a Minister of the Church of Scotland, and his
membership of this Presbytery.
Parties
were recalled and judgement intimated.
CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE
The Presbytery called for the report of the
Co-ordinating Committee which was given in by the Rev Margaret Currie,
Convener.
It was unanimously agreed:
The Presbytery appoints the Rev Norma Moore to be
Interim Moderator of the Kirk Session at Holytown.
PARISH PLANNING COMMITTEE
The Presbytery called for the report of the Parish
Planning Committee which was given in by the Rev Arthur Barrie, Convener.
It was unanimously agreed:
The Presbytery agrees to sist proceedings in the
vacancy at Holytown and to await a further report of the parish Planning
Committee.
111.1 CO-ORDINATING
COMMITTEE
The Presbytery called for the report of the
Co-ordinating Committee which was given in by the Rev Margaret Currie,
Convener.
It was unanimously agreed:
1. The
Presbytery agrees to seek the appointment of an Interim Minister for the
congregation of Newarthill Linked with Carfin.
2. The Presbytery appoints Rev Norma Moore as Interim Moderator of
the Kirk Session of Holytown.
3. The Presbytery appoints Rev David W Doyle as Interim Moderator of
the Kirk Session of Wishaw: Chalmers.
4. The Presbytery agrees to the appointment of Mr I White as locum
at Wishaw: Craigneuk & Belhaven.
5. The Presbytery agrees to the appointment of Rev L Thorne as locum
at Chapelhall.
6. The Presbytery notes the resignation of Mr James Frew as an
Additional Elder and thanks him for his service.
7, The
Presbytery notes the application of Rev P Johnston for paternity leave and
grants him leave of absence from 6th 19th October 2003.
8. The Presbytery thanks the Convenors and members of the Review
Committee and discharges them.
1. The Presbytery agrees that the Conference meeting planned for
October is now to take place on Thursday 27th November, 2003 at 7pm
and will be led by the Rev John Bell on CH4.
The October meeting on the 7th will be for ordinary business.
2. The Presbytery notes the resignation of the Rev John Handley as
Precentor and thanks him for his many years of faithful service.
The Presbytery called for the report of the Church and
Social Interests Committee which was given in by the Rev Anne Paton, Convener.
It was unanimously agreed:
1. The Presbytery notes the visit of the Convener, along with
representatives from Church and Nation Committee and the Committee on
Education, to Dungavel Immigration and Removal Centre. The Presbytery commends the pastoral support
offered to both detainees and staff, by Churches in the Presbytery.
2. The Presbytery notes the vacancy for a Chaplain at Coathill
Hospital to cover one session per week. Interested parties should contact the
Convener.
3. The Presbytery requests that all Hospital Chaplains complete
their annual reports and forward to the Convener by 31st October
2003.
The Presbytery called for the report of the Parish
Planning Committee which was given in by the Rev Arthur Barrie, Convener.
It was unanimously agreed:
1. Coatbridge: Old Monkland
Presbytery approves the
request from Coatbridge: Old Monkland
for release of Funds held on Congregation`s behalf by General Trustees to cover
cost of work to Manse in preparation for the new Minister totalling £16,334.25
inclusive of VAT based on Contractors quotations.
Approval is also confirmed on suitability of the
Manse following the visit of 4th August.
The Presbytery approves the
request from Hamilton: Hillhouse to
improve the external areas in conjunction with South Lanarkshire Council and
paid for by the Council subject to the approval of the General Trustees.
3. Airdrie: Broomknoll
The Presbytery approves the request from
Airdrie: Broomknoll to upgrade the organ
at a cost of £5,569.50 inclusive of VAT based on Contractors estimates. Approval of Committee of Artistic Matters
has been received. Funds are at hand.
4. Uddingston: Viewpark
The Presbytery approves the request from
Uddingston: Viewpark to upgrade facilities both internally and
externally at an estimated cost of £186,850 inclusive of VAT.
Approval is also given to seek grants and loans which may be available.
5. Larkhall: Chalmers
The Presbytery approves the request from
Larkhall: Chalmers to fit security
lighting and window protection and guards at the Church at a cost of £3,650
inclusive of VAT. Approval is also
given to seek grants which may be available.
6. Wishaw: Thornlie
The Presbytery approves the Professional
Second Follow-on Property Survey and Condition Report on Wishaw: Thornlie and
awaits the response of the office bearers to the contents and recommendations.
7. Strathaven: East Linked with Glasford
The Presbytery approves the Professional Second
Follow-on Property Survey and Condition Report on Strathaven: East linked with
Glasford and awaits the response of the office bearers to the contents and
recommendations.
8. Motherwell: South Dalziel
The Presbytery approves the Professional Second
Follow-on Property Survey and Condition Report on Motherwell: South Dalziel and awaits the response of the
office bearers to the contents and recommendations.
9. Coatbridge:
Blairhill Dundyvan
The Presbytery approves the Professional
Second Follow-on Property Survey and Condition Report on Coatbridge: Blairhill Dundyvan and awaits the response
of the office bearers to the contents and recommendations.
10. East Kilbride:
Claremont
The Presbytery notes the approval of the Property Committee on the condition of
the Manse at East Kilbride: Claremont.
The Presbytery called for the report of the Pastoral
Support Committee which was given in by Mr Andrew Walsh, Vice Convener.
It was unanimously agreed:
Presbytery
receives and approves the Report anent East Kilbride : Moncrieff;
commends the Minister, Parish Assistant, Office-bearers and Congregation
in the efforts to serve a busy Parish;
encourages the Kirk Session to consider ways of helping with the large number
of funerals, and supports them in their endeavours to develop their Christian
Education programme and in reaching out to the Parish.
The Presbytery called for the report of the Stewardship
and Finance Committee which was given in by Mr David Watt, Convener.
It was unanimously agreed:
The Presbytery notes that all Congregational
accounts for the year ended 31st December 2002 have been examined
and found to be in satisfactory order and in compliance with the General
Assembly`s Regulations anent Congregational Finance.
The Presbytery called for the report of the Ministry
Development Committee which was given in by the Rev Michael Lyall, Convener.
It was unanimously agreed:
The Presbytery nominates as a candidate for the
Auxiliary Ministry of the Church of Scotland, Maxine Buck, Brownlee House,
Mauldslie Road, Carluke, who has successfully attended an Assessment
Conference.
112. ADJOURNMENT
There
being no further business the Presbytery adjourned at 9.05 p.m. to meet in
hunc effectum within East Kilbride: Claremont Parish Church on
Wednesday, 17th September, 2003 at 6.45 p.m. for 7.00 p.m. for the Induction of
the Rev. Gordon R Palmer and for Ordinary Business within Motherwell: Dalziel
St. Andrew`s Church Halls on Tuesday, 7th October, 2003 at 7.00 p.m. of which
public intimation being made, this meeting was closed with prayer.
..
Moderator
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Presbytery Clerk