III MOTHERWELL, 3rd FEBRUARY,
2004
At MOTHERWELL: DALZIEL ST.
ANDREW`S PARISH CHURCH HALLS on the Third Day of February, Two Thousand and Four
years, on which day the PRESBYTERY OF HAMILTON met and was constituted in
prayer.
6. SEDERUNT
Mr. David Alexander, Moderator, the Rev. Norman B. McKee, Clerk and
others as per signed lists in retentis.
(Total – 51 Ministers; 91
Elders).
7. TRIBUTE
The
Rev. James H. Wilson in fitting terms paid tribute to Mr. David Forrester,
Presbytery Treasurer, who died on 16th December, 2003.
The
Rev. Randolph Scott in fitting terms paid tribute to Mr. James Taylor,
Presbytery Elder for Airdrie: New Monkland, who died on 1st
February, 2004.
The
Clerk was instructed to hold the tributes in retentis and to send a
copy, together with an expression of the deep sympathy of the Court, to Mrs.
Forrester and Mrs. Taylor.
8. WELCOME
The Moderator addressed appropriate words of welcome
to the Rev. George MacDonald, recently inducted Minister to Hamilton: South lw
Quarter; the Rev. Douglas Main, Interim
Minister at Newarthill lw Carfin; and to the Rev. Sandi Blackwood on her return
after her recent illness.
9. MINUTES
The Minutes of Meeting XVII (2003), I and II (2004) were read and
approved.
10. INTIMATIONS
Intimations were made.
11. VACANCY BUSINESS
HAMILTON: ST. ANDREW`S
There
were laid on the Table an appointment of the Rev. Norma Moore to the Church and
Parish of Jamestown; an Extract Minute
of the Presbytery of Dumbarton thereanent of date 3rd February,
2004; a Call signed by 226
Communicants; the Citation of the
congregation of Hamilton: St. Andrew`s returned duly served.
Parties
were called, appeared and spoke.
Parties
were removed.
The
question was put, Translate or not translate, and it was unanimously agreed to
translate Ms Moore from the Church and Parish of Hamilton: St. Andrew`s to the
Church and Parish of Jamestown, declaring that her pastoral relation to
Hamilton: St. Andrew`s shall continue until she be actually admitted to the
Church and Parish of Jamestown; and
requesting the Presbytery of Dumbarton to give intimation of her 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 Dumbarton.
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 F. Currie, Convener.
It
was unanimously agreed:
The
Presbytery appoints the Rev. Una B. Stewart as Interim Moderator of the Kirk
Session of Hamilton: St. Andrew`s.
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:
The
Presbytery agrees to sist proceedings in the vacancy at Hamilton: St. Andrew`s
and to await a further report of the Parish Planning Committee.
COATBRIDGE:
CALDER
There
were laid on the Table and Appointment to the Church and Parish of Coatbridge:
Calder, in favour of the Rev. Amelia Davidson, her letter of acceptance with
the required statement that she had used no undue influence to obtain the
Call; a Call as prescribed signed by 250
Communicants; 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 herby does sustain the
appointment of the Rev. Amelia Davidson to the Church and Parish of Coatbridge:
Calder, and resolved to proceed towards her settlement.
The
Presbytery appointed her Admission thereunto to take place on Wednesday, 4th
February, 2004, 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. Margaret F. Currie and the Rev. Ian
C. Wotherspoon to assist the Moderator, the Rev. Shaw J. Paterson to be Clerk.
Parties
were recalled and judgement intimated.
The
Presbytery resolved that at its meeting on 2nd March, 2004, the
Clerk would move the nomination of Commissioners to the General Assembly
according to the rota with the addition of Ministers and Elders in accordance
with the number of places allocated.
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 appoints the Rev. Colin A. Sutherland as Interim Moderator of the
Kirk Session of Holytown.
3. The
Presbytery notes the resignation of the Rev. A. P. Barrie as Convener of the Parish
Planning Committee, thanks him for his service and appoints Mr. D.
Findlay as Convener until summer 2004.
4. The
Presbytery notes the resignation of the Rev. J. G. Munton as Convener of the
Pastoral Support Committee, thanks him for his service and appoints Mr. A.
Walsh as Convener until summer 2004.
5. The
Presbytery appoints Sheriff H. Neilson, the Rev. J. H. Wilson and the Rev. H.
J. W. Findlay as its Consultation Group on the Barrier Act.
6. The
Presbytery nominates the Rev. J. M. Gibson as Moderator of the Presbytery for
the year 2004-2005.
7. The
Presbytery agrees to the transfer of oversight of Miss Fiona Maxwell from the
Presbytery of Glasgow to the Presbytery of Hamilton.
ADDENDUM
The Presbytery approves the
appointment of the Rev. Douglas Main as Chaplain to 266 (Hamilton) Squadron of
the Air Training Corps.
14. AREA
COMMITTEES
The
Presbytery received reports from Area Committees 2 (Strathaven), 5 (Airdrie)
and 7 (East Kilbride).
It
was unanimously agreed:
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. AIRDRIE:
CLARKSTON -The Presbytery grants a call to the congregation of Airdrie:
Clarkston on the Basis of a five year Reviewable Tenure, subject to the
concurrence of the General Assembly`s Parish Appraisal Committee.
2. LARKHALL:
ST. MACHAN`S - The Presbytery grants to the congregation of Larkhall: St.
Machan`s a call on the Basis of Reviewable Tenure on the following terms and
conditions:
a)
The Tenure of the
Minister to be inducted will be reviewed on the occasion of a vacancy occurring
in Larkhall: Trinity or Larkhall: Chalmers, but not later than seven years
after the date of his or her induction.
b)
Presbytery may
not terminate the tenure of the Minister to be inducted earlier than five years
after the date of his or her induction but may terminate his or her tenure at
any time thereafter on giving him or her six months` notice in writing.
3. CHAPELHALL
- The Presbytery approves the request by Chapelhall to eradicate dry rot at a
cost of £5,442.75 including VAT based on contractors` estimates. Fund are to hand.
4. BELLSHILL:
WEST - The Presbytery approves the request by Bellshill: West to replace the boilers
to both church and halls at a cost of £17,415.00 including VAT based on
contractors` estimates. Approval is also
given to seek grants and loans which may be available.
5. HAMILTON:
OLD – The Presbytery approves the transfer of £8,000 from funds held on behalf
of Hamilton: Old by the General Trustees, to Bellshill: West, as a gift to
assist in the provision of new boilers for church and hall.
6. HAMILTON: SOUTH lw QUARTER - The
Presbytery notes the approval of the Parish Planning Committee on the condition
of the Manse at Hamilton: South lw Quarter.
7. LARKHALL:
ST. MACHAN`S - The Presbytery approves the Professional Second Follow-on
Property Survey and Condition Report on Larkhall: St. Machan`s and awaits the
response of the Office Bearers to the contents and recommendations.
8. STRATHAVEN: AVENDALE OLD AND DRUMCLOG -
The Presbytery approves the Professional Second Follow-on Property Survey and
Condition Report on Strathaven: Avendale Old and Drumclog and awaits the
response of the Office Bearers to the contents and recommendations.
ADDENDA
1. NEWMAINS:
COLTNESS MEMORIAL AND BONKLE
The
Presbytery notes the approval of the Parish Planning Committee on the condition
of the Manse at Newmains: Coltness Memorial and Bonkle and further approves the
alteration to the Manse involving en-suite facilities to be provided.
2. COATBRIDGE:
CALDER
The
Presbytery notes the approval of the Parish Planning Committee on the condition
of the Manse at Coatbridge: Calder.
3. The Presbytery notes the concurrence of
the General Assembly`s Parish Appraisal Committee regarding Presbytery`s
decisions anent vacancies at Larkhall: St. Machan`s and Caldercruix and
Longriggend.
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 -
a)
supports and
commends the application from East Kilbride, Claremont for Parish Assistance
from National Mission to continue and to build on the valuable work being done
in that Parish;
b)
notes that there
is no planned re-adjustment affecting this Parish;
c)
is satisfied that
the proposed payment towards salary is proportionate;
d) supports the Team Ministry through the Parish
Development Committee.
3. The
Presbytery notes the forthcoming football competition for Sunday Schools and
urges participating Sunday Schools to register by 29th February.
The Moderator, noting that this was Mr. Bill
Wishart`s last attendance at Presbytery, extended the good wishes of the Court
on his appointment as Deacon within the Greenock and Paisley Presbytery.
It was unanimously agreed :
1. The Presbytery receives the report.
2. The Presbytery regards the provision of
appropriate space for contemplation and reflection as essential in each
secondary school, and welcomes the opportunity to further discuss this position
with North Lanarkshire Council.
3. The Presbytery encourages all
interested parties to become involved with the consultation on Lanarkshire
Sexual Health Strategy.
19. PASTORAL SUPPORT COMMITTEE
It was unanimously agreed:
1. The Presbytery receives the report.
2. The Presbytery receives and approves
the report anent Coatbridge: Townhead and commends the Congregation for
maintaining spiritual vitality throughout a long vacancy, for the strength of
the youth organisations, for substantial participation in worship and for their
close working relationship with the local R.C. Church. Presbytery would encourage them to consider
seeking the help of the National Stewardship Promoter to increase giving.
3. The
Presbytery receives and approves the report anent Airdrie: High and commends
the Minister, Office Bearers and Congregation for their continuing Ministry and
their developing links with schools, the wider community and other Churches and
urges them to use the gifts of all their members as they continue to seek
relevant ways of being the Church in their community.
4. The
Presbytery gives notice of the arrangements for the annual Attestation of
Records and instructs that the records of all congregations be presented
timeously on the date and place specified (see Billet of Business – February,
2004).
20. ADJOURNMENT
There
being no further business the Presbytery adjourned at 8.20 p.m. to meet in
hunc effectum within Coatbridge: Calder Parish Church on Wednesday, 4th
February, 2004 at 6.45 p.m. for 7.00 p.m. for the Ordination and Induction of
the Rev. Amelia Davidson; in Newmains:
Bonkle Parish Church on Thursday, 12th February, 2004 at 6.45 p.m.
for 7.00 p.m. for the Ordination and Induction of the Rev. Graham Raeburn; and
for Ordinary Business within Motherwell: Dalziel St. Andrew`s Parish Church
Halls on Tuesday, 2nd March, 2004 at 7.00 p.m.
…………………………………………………………….
Moderator
…………………………………………………………….
Presbytery Clerk