CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

PRESBYTERY OF HAMILTON

XVII MOTHERWELL 2^nd DECEMBER, 2003

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

Post preces sederunt

139. SEDERUNT

Mr. David Alexander, Moderator, the Rev. Shaw J. Paterson, Clerk and others as per signed lists in retentis. (Total: 45 Ministers: 1 Deacon: 75 Elders).

140. MINUTES

The Minute of Meeting XVI (2003) was read and approved.

141. AGENDA

The agenda was submitted and approved.

142. INTIMATIONS

Intimations were made.

143. VACANCY BUSINESS

MOTHERWELL: NEWARTHILL lw CARFIN

There were laid on the table Citations of the congregations of Motherwell: Newarthill lw Carfin returned duly served.

Parties were called, appeared and spoke.

Parties were removed.

The Presbytery notes the appointment of the Rev. D. Main as Interim Minister at Motherwell: Newarthill lw Carfin and sets the date for his introduction as Monday, 12^th January, 2004, Presbytery to meet at 6.45 p.m. for 7.00 p.m. for the Service of Introduction, Mr. David Alexander to be Moderator, the Rev. Shaw J. Paterson, Clerk, and the Rev. W. Stuart Dunn to assist the Moderator.

Parties were recalled and judgement intimated.

NEWMAINS: COLTNESS MEMORIAL lw BONKLE

There were laid on the Table an Appointment to the Churches and Parishes of Newmains: Coltness Memorial lw Bonkle, in favour of Mr. Graham Raeburn, M.Th.; 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 297 Communicants and 29 Adherents; a Certificate that the Interim Moderator’s 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 the appointment, did and hereby does sustain the appointment of Mr. Graham Raeburn to the Churches and Parishes of Newmains: Coltness Memorial lw Bonkle, and resolved to proceed towards his settlement.

The Presbytery appointed his Admission thereunto to take place within Newmains: Coltness Memorial Parish Church on Thursday, 12^th February, 2004, Presbytery to meet at 6.45 p.m. for the Ordination and Induction Service at 7.00 p.m., Mr. David Alexander to be Moderator, the Rev. Shaw J. Paterson to be Clerk, and the Rev. Margaret F. Currie to assist the Moderator.

Parties were recalled and judgement intimated.

LARKHALL: ST. MACHAN`S

There was laid on the table a Citation of the congregation of Larkhall: St. Machan`s returned duly served.

Parties were called, appeared and spoke.

Parties were removed.

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

It was unanimously agreed :

The Presbytery recalls its previous decision granting Larkhall: St. Machan`s a call on the basis of a five year Reviewable Tenure.

The Presbytery grants to this congregation a call on the basis of a seven year Reviewable Tenure, subject to the concurrence of the General Assembly`s Parish Appraisal Committee.

Parties were recalled and judgement intimated.

CALDERCRUIX AND LONGRIGGEND

There was laid on the table a Citation of the congregation of Caldercruix and Longriggend returned duly served.

Parties were called and appeared.

Parties were removed.

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

It was unanimously agreed:

The Presbytery grants to the Charge of Caldercruix and Longriggend a call on the basis of a five year Reviewable Tenure, subject to the concurrence of the General Assembly`s Parish Appraisal Committee.

Parties were recalled and judgement intimated.

144. OVERTURE ANENT APPEALS

The Presbytery called for the report of the Committee considering Overture anent Appeals, which was given in by Sheriff H. Neilson.

On a vote being taken, 121 For and 0 Against, the Presbytery approved the Overture Anent Appeals.

145. OVERTURE ANENT KIRK SESSION MEETINGS

The Presbytery called for the report of the Committee considering Overture anent Kirk Session Meetings, which was given in by the Rev. Klaus Buwert.

On a vote being taken, 121 For and 0 Against, the Presbytery approved the Overture Anent Kirk Session Meetings.

146. CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE

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

It was unanimously agreed :

1. The Presbytery receives the report.

2. The Presbytery notes the appointment of the Rev. D. Main as Interim Minister at Motherwell: Newarthill lw Carfin and sets the date for his introduction as Monday, 12^th January, 2004.

3. The Presbytery notes the attestation of the Electoral Register of Coatbridge: Calder as containing the names of 478 members and 8 adherents.

4. The Presbytery notes the resignation of the Rev. J. G. Munton as the church representative on North Lanarkshire Council and nominates the Rev. Dr. A. Gardner in his place.

5. The Presbytery approves the appointment of the Rev. Nan Low as Chaplain to 498 (Wishaw) Squadron of the Air Training Corps.

ADDENDUM

1. The Presbytery receives and approves the new Constitution (U.P.) of Uddingston: Park Church, dated January, 2003.

2. The Presbytery notes the report, presented by the Rev. I. Murdoch, on the General Assembly`s “Task Force for Change”.

147. PARISH PLANNING COMMITTEE

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

It was unanimously agreed:

1. AIRDRIE : NEW MONKLAND

The Presbytery approves the request by Airdrie: New Monkland to rewire the church hall at a cost of £8,282.73 including VAT based on Contractors` estimates and for release of funds held on the congregation’s behalf by the General Trustees. Approval in principle is also given to form toilet and access for the disabled costing an estimated £62,000 subject to the submission of appropriate drawings and costs, and for seeking grants and loans which might be available.

2. STRATHAVEN : AVENDALE OLD

The Presbytery approves the request by Strathaven: Avendale Old to upgrade the kitchen at the halls at a cost of £12,870.95 including VAT based on Contractors` estimates. Funds are to hand.

3. CHAPELHALL

The Presbytery approves the request by Chapelhall to have the Manse occupied during the vacancy on a caretaker basis.

4. WISHAW: OLD

The Presbytery approves the request by Wishaw: Old to have the Manse occupied during the vacancy on a caretaker basis.

5. COATBRIDGE: CALDER

Report on Coatbridge: Calder and awaits the response of the office Bearers to the contents and recommendations.

148. STEWARDSHIP AND FINANCE COMMITTEE

The Presbytery called for the report of the Stewardship and Finance Committee which was given in by Mr. D. Watt, Convener.

It was unanimously agreed :

1. The Presbytery receives the report.

2. The Presbytery approves the Mission and Renewal Fund Allocations for 2004.

3. The Presbytery agrees that additional stipend payments may be made in 2004 by Airdrie: New Wellwynd (10%), Blantyre: Old (5%), East Kilbride: Old (5%), East Kilbride: South (10%), Hamilton: Cadzow (10%), Hamilton: Old (15%), Hamilton: St. John`s (15%), Motherwell: Crosshill (5%), Bothwell (15%), and Wishaw: Cambusnethan North (5%).

149. PARISH DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

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

It was unanimously agreed :

1. The Presbytery receives the report.

2. The Presbytery appoints Sheena Wilson to the Youth Development Worker Management Support Group, known as the Lanarkshire Management Group.

3. The Presbytery thanks Bill Wishart for his work in making the multi-media equipment available to congregations within the Presbytery; and notes that from mid-January 2004 the equipment will be

available from David Geddes, Congregational Development Officer.

4. The Presbytery instructs the Parish Development Committee to begin the process of revising the Presbytery Mission Statement in the light of the revising of Presbytery Structures.

150. MINISTRY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

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

It was unanimously agreed :

The Presbytery supports the aims and proposals for Review of Candidature outlined in the Board of Ministry’s document “Annual Review of Candidature”.

151. 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. A. Paton, Convener.

It was unanimously agreed :

1. The Presbytery receives the report.

2. The Presbytery nominates the Rev. William McKaig for the vacancy for a Chaplain at Coathill Hospital.

152. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business the Presbytery adjourned at 8.10 p.m. to meet again in hunc effectum within Newarthill Parish Church on Monday, 12^th January, 2004 at 6.45 p.m. for 7.00 p.m. for the Service of Introduction of the Rev. Douglas Main, BD as Interim Minister; in Hamilton: South Parish Church on Thursday, 15^th January, 2004 at 6.45 p.m. for 7.00 p.m. for the Induction of the Rev. George MacDonald; and for Ordinary Business within Motherwell: Dalziel St. Andrew`s Parish Church Halls on Tuesday, 3^rd February, 2004 at 7.00 p.m. of which public intimation being made, this meeting was closed with prayer.

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Moderator

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Presbytery Clerk