CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

PRESBYTERY OF HAMILTON

 

XVI      MOTHERWELL 4th November, 2003

 

At MOTHERWELL: DALZIEL ST. ANDREW`S PARISH CHURCH HALLS on the Fourth Day of November, Two Thousand and three years, on which day the PRESBYTERY OF HAMILTON  met and was constituted in prayer.

 

Post preces sederunt

 

128.    SEDERUNT

            Mr. David Alexander, Moderator, the Rev. Shaw J. Paterson, Clerk and others as per signed lists in retentis.  (Total:  46 Ministers:  1 Deacons:  81 Elders).

 

129.    MINUTES

            The Minutes of Meetings XIV and XV (2003) were read and approved.

 

130.    AGENDA

            The agenda was submitted and approved.

 

131.    INTIMATIONS

            Intimations were made.

 

132     VACANCY BUSINESS

            HAMILTON: SOUTH lw QUARTER

            There were laid on the Table an Appointment to the Charge and Parish of Hamilton: South lw Quarter, in favour of the Rev. George MacDonald;  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 229 Communicants and 13 Adherents;  a Certificate that the Interim Moderator`s expenses have 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 the appointment, did and hereby does sustain the appointment of the Rev. George Macdonald to the Charge and Parish of Hamilton: South lw Quarter, and resolved to proceed towards his settlement.

            The Presbytery appointed his Admission thereunto to take place within Hamilton: South Parish Church on Thursday, 15th January, 2004, Presbytery to meet at 6.45 p.m. for the Induction Service at 7.00 p.m., Mr. David Alexander to be Moderator, the Rev. Shaw J. Paterson to be Clerk, and the Rev. Raymond MacKenzie to assist the Moderator.

 

            Parties were recalled and judgment intimated.

 

133.    CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE

            The Presbytery called for the report of the Co-ordinating Committee which was given in by the Rev. Margaret F. Currie, Convener.

 

            It was unanimously agreed:

 

1.         The Presbytery receives the report.

2.         The Presbytery agrees to a Conference being held on Tuesday, 2nd March, 2004, Presbytery meeting for business from 7.00 – 8.00 p.m. and thereafter continuing in discussion for one hour.  The theme of the Conference will be “Ministry”.

3.         The Presbytery notes an Extract Minute of the Board of Ministry`s Committee on Ministry Finance Implementation agreeing to a grant of £200 per month for Pastoral cover at Uddingston: Burnhead during the Minister`s sick leave, for a period of 4 months from September, 2003.

4.         The Presbytery notes the Deed of Constitution Unitary Form and invites any congregation interested to contact the Clerk.

5.         The Presbytery agreed to a Farewell Service for Magnolia Mendoza, Faithshare Partner, in Airdrie: St. Columba`s Church on Sunday, 29th February, 2004, at 2.00 p.m.

6.         The Presbytery notes the resignation of the Rev. J. Zambonini, Auxiliary Minister, from his appointment at Coatbridge: Calder and thanks him for his service.

ADDENDUM

            The Presbytery agrees to the appointment of the Rev. H. Marshall Gibson as locum at Coatbridge: Calder with effect from 1st November, 2003.

 

134.    MINISTRY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

            The Presbytery called for the report of the Ministry Development Committee which was given in by the Rev. Michael G. Lyall, Convener.

 

            It was unanimously agreed :

 

1.         The Presbytery notes receipt of the following study leave applications – Rev. Derek Hughes (Motherwell: Dalziel St. Andrew`s) to attend Conference on Christian Healing from 17th-19th November, 2003; Rev. Shaw Paterson (Strathaven: Rankin lw Chapelton) Masters in Palliative Care; Rev. Bruce McDowall (Uddingston: Park) “The Footsteps of St. Paul” from 13th March-10th April, 2004;  Rev. John Fairful (Bargeddie) to attend the Shepherds Conference from 1st-15th March, 2004.

2.         The Presbytery notes receipt of study leave reports from the Rev. J. Brewster (East Kilbride: Greenhills) in respect of lectures and seminars at the joint Institute of Theology at St. Andrew`s University from 11th-15th August, 2003; Rev. M. Macdonald (Wishaw: Cambusnethan North) in respect of attendance at Ceiluradh 2003 in Dublin from 16th-22nd June 2003 and attendance at Heaven on Earth Conference at Iona and a week of reflection from 23rd August-5th September, 2003.

 

135.    PARISH PLANNING COMMITTEE

            The Presbytery called for the report of the Parish Planning Committee which was given in by the Rev. Arthur P. Barrie, Convener.

 

            It was unanimously agreed :

 

1.         WISHAW: CRAIGNEUK AND BELHAVEN

            The Presbytery approves the Professional Second Follow-on Property Survey and Condition Report on Wishaw: Craigneuk and Belhaven and awaits the response of the Office Bearers to the contents and recommendations.

2.         CALDERCRUIX AND LONGRIGGEND

            The Presbytery approves the request by Caldercruix and Longriggend to have the Manse occupied during the vacancy on a caretaker basis, subject to the usual terms and conditions.

 

 

136.    PARISH DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

            The Presbytery called for the report of the Parish Development Committee which was given in by the Rev. Klaus Buwert, Convener.

 

            It was unanimously agreed :

 

1.         The Presbytery receives the report.

2.         The Presbytery commends the course “The Funadmental Aspects of Teaching Children in Church” to be held at East Kilbride: Moncrieff Parish Church on Mondays, 24.11.03: 01.12.03: and 08.12.03 at a cost of £10.

3.         The Presbytery appoints the Rev. Klaus Buwert, David Geddes and the Rev. Karen Harbison to be the Presbytery representatives on the Youth Development Worker support group.

4.         The Presbytery commends both the Rev. Karen Harbison and Alex Govan, Ministry Team at Hamilton: Trinity, for their extreme hard work and commitment as detailed in their Field Staff report to the Committee and pray for God`s blessing on all they do in His Name.

5.         The Presbytery notes the encouraging uptake for the various courses being offered by the Congregational Development Officer and the Adult Education Team and encourages Presbyters to promote them at the Parish level.

ADDENDUM

            The Presbytery commends both the Rev. Alastair Lusk and Miss Susan Reford, Ministry Team at East Kilbride: Moncrieff, for their sharing of duties and encouraging of gifts and talents to be used, and notes with regret the feeling that Presbytery gives little support or encouragement.

 

137.    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. Anne Paton, Convener.

 

            It was unanimously agreed :

 

1.         The Presbytery receives the report.

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 anyone interested in leading worship on a rota basis at Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre should contact the Rev. James Grier.

4.         The Presbytery receives the reports of the part time health care Chaplains and commends their work.

 

138.    ADJOURNMENT

            There being no further business the Presbytery adjourned at 7.35 p.m. to meet again for Ordinary Business within Motherwell: Dalziel St. Andrew`s Parish Church Halls on Tuesday, 2nd December, 2003 at 7.00 p.m. of which public intimation being made, this meeting was closed with prayer.