CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

PRESBYTERY OF HAMILTON

 

VII            MOTHERWELL,  4th MAY, 2004

 

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

 

Post preces sederunt

 

42.            SEDERUNT

            Mr. David Alexander, Moderator, the Rev. Shaw J. Paterson, Clerk and others as per signed lists in retentis.   (Total –  49 Ministers;    81 Elders;  1 Deacons).

 

43.            CONGRATULATIONS

            The Moderator offered the congratulations of the Court to the Rev. John Handley  on the 50th anniversary of his ordination, the Rev. Ronald Stitt on the 25th anniversary of his ordination, and the Rev. James Gibson on his appointment as a Chaplain to the Queen.

 

 44.            MINUTES

            The Minute of Meeting VI (2004) was read and approved.

 

45.            INTIMATIONS

            Intimations were made.

 

46.            CHRISTIAN AID

            The Moderator welcomed Ms Eildon Dyer, representative from Christian Aid, and invited her to address the Court.   Ms Dyer gave details of how the Church of Scotland was helping to fund a number of projects worldwide and commended them to members.  The Moderator thanked her for her interesting address.

 

47.            VACANCY BUSINESS

            COATBRIDGE: BLAIRHILL DUNDYVAN

            There was laid on the Table an appointment to the Church and Parish of Coatbridge: Blairhill Dundyvan, in favour of the Rev. Patricia A. Carruth, BD;  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 143 Communicants and 1 Adherent;  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 the Rev. Patricia A. Carruth to the Church and Parish of Coatbridge: Blairhill Dundyvan, and resolved to proceed towards her settlement.

`           The Presbytery appointed her Admission thereunto to take place on Thursday, 8th July, 2004, to meet at 6.45 p.m. for the Induction Service at 7.00 p.m., Mr. David Alexander to be Moderator, the Rev. Amelia Davidson to assist the Moderator, the Rev. Shaw J. Paterson to be Clerk.

            Parties were recalled and judgement intimated.

 

48.            AFTER-ELECTIONS OF COMMISSIONERS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

            The Presbytery took up consideration of After-elections to the forthcoming General Assembly.

            The Presbytery having learned of the resignation of her Commission by the Rev. Phyllis M. Wilson, did and hereby does appoint in her place the Rev. Henry J. W. Findlay its Commissioner to the next General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and authorises the Moderator and Clerk to sign the Commission on the Presbytery`s behalf.

            The Presbytery having learned that the Kirk Session of Glasford would not be nominating a Commissioner, did and hereby does appoint in their stead Mr. George Robertson, Elder, its Commissioner to the next General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and authorises the Moderator and Clerk to sign the Commission on the Presbytery`s behalf.

            The Presbytery having learned that the Kirk Session of Wishaw: Old would not be nominating a Commissioner, did and hereby does appoint in their stead Mrs. Alison Macauslane, Elder, its Commissioner to the next General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and authorises the Moderator and Clerk to sign the Commission on the Presbytery`s behalf.

            The Presbytery having learned that the Kirk Session of Motherwell: Manse Road would not be nominating a Commissioner, did and hereby does appoint in their stead Mr. William Hawthorne, Elder, its Commissioner to the next General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and authorises the Moderator and Clerk to sign the Commission on the Presbytery`s behalf.

            The Presbytery having learned that the Kirk Session of Shotts: Calderhead Erskine would not be nominating a Commissioner, did and hereby does appoint in their stead Mr. Robert R. Dalziel, Elder, its commissioner to the next General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and authorises the Moderator and Clerk to sign the Commission on the Presbytery`s behalf.

 

49.       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 the Rev. William Cullen transferring his membership from the Presbytery of Glasgow to the Presbytery of Hamilton.

3.         The Presbytery receives the Co-ordinating Committee’s Review of the Presbytery Review and agrees to implement necessary changes.

ADDENDA

1.         The Presbytery appoints the Rev. William McKaig as Interim Moderator of the Kirk Session of Coatbridge: St. Andrew`s during the illness of the Rev. Ian Wotherspoon.

2.         The Presbytery agrees that the Rev. John McAlpine retains his status as an Auxiliary Minister following his retirement on 1st March, 2004.

 

50.            STEWARDSHIP AND FINANCE COMMITTEE

            The Presbytery called for the report of the Stewardship and Finance Committee which was given in by the Rev. James G. Hastie, Vice-Convener.

 

            It was unanimously agreed:

 

1.         The Presbytery receives the report.

2.         The Presbytery receives and approves the Statement of Accounts for the year ended 31st December, 2003 and orders it to be printed in the next issue of the Presbytery Handbook.

3.         The Presbytery notes the opinion on the Statement of Accounts expressed by the Auditor.

4.         The Presbytery thanks the Rev. James Hastie, CA for his work as Interim Treasurer and in the preparation of the Statement of Accounts and Mr. A. H. Adams, CA for undertaking the Audit.

5.         The Presbytery appoints Mr. A. H. Adams, CA, to undertake the audit of the Statement of Accounts for the year ending 31st December, 2004

51.            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 receives the report.

2.                  Presbytery notes that Richard Beattie has successfully completed the prescribed course of Training for Learning and resolves that the Service of Admission to the Office of Reader takes place within Hamilton: St Andrew’s Church on 25th May 2004, Presbytery to meet at 6.45pm for 7.00pm, Mr David Alexander to be Moderator, the Rev Norman McKee to be Clerk, and the Rev Robert Kent to assist the Moderator.

3.                  Presbytery notes receipt of the following Study Leave applications – Rev Kenneth Mayne – East Kilbride: West - to attend lectures and seminars at Princeton Theological Seminary from 14th June 2004 – 11th July 2004 – including preparation and reflection.

Rev Sharon Colvin – Airdrie: Jackson - to attend lectures and seminars at Princeton Theological Seminary from 21st June 2004 – 26th June 2004.

Rev James Gibson – Bothwell – Research for M.Th (Glasgow) – 29th May 2004 – 12th June 2004 & 18th September 2004 – 2nd October 2004.

Rev Una Stewart – Strathaven: West - to attend lectures and seminars at Princeton Theological Seminary and two week attached to an American Presbyterian Church from 18th June 2004 – 17th July 2004.

4.            Presbytery notes receipt of a study leave report from Rev Derek Hughes (Motherwell: Dalziel St. Andrew’s.) in respect of Conference on Christian Healing from 17th – 19th November 2003.

 

 

52.            PASTORAL SUPPORT COMMITTEE            

The Presbytery called for the report of the Pastoral Support Committee which was given in by the Rev. Karen E. Harbison.
           

            It was moved and seconded:

            The Presbytery instructs the congregations of Hamilton: Hillhouse, Cambusnethan: Old, and Uddingston: Park to produce their Property Registers for Attestation by the next Committee night, Tuesday, 1st June, 2004.

 

            It was moved and seconded as a Counter-Motion:

            The Presbytery remits to the Pastoral Support Committee the matter concerning congregations still to produce their Property Registers for Attestation.

 

            On a vote being take, the Motion carried.

           

It was unanimously agreed:

 

1.         The Presbytery receives the report.

2.         The Presbytery notes that the Minutes of the court, pages 37-87 (2002) and pages 1-43 (2003) have been attested and found to be in order.

3.         The Presbytery notes that the Attestation of Records of the Committees of Presbytery will take place within Motherwell: Dalziel St. Andrew`s Church Halls on Tuesday, 1st June, from 7.30 – 8.45 p.m. and instructs all Conveners to ensure presentation of the relevant records.

 

53.            PARISH PLANNING COMMITTEE

            The Presbytery called for the report of the Parish Planning Committee which was given in by Mr. David Findlay, Convener.

 

            It was unanimously agreed:

 

1.         The Presbytery receives the report.

2.         The Presbytery notes the concurrence of the General Assembly`s Committee on Parish Appraisal Planning to grant Airdrie: Clarkston a call on the basis of a 5 year reviewable tenure.

3.            WRANGHOLM KIRK

            The Presbytery approves the request by Wrangholm Kirk to carry out window refurbishment to church and hall at a cost of £7,900 inclusive of VAT based on contractors` quotations.  Approval is also given to seek grants and loans which may be available.

4.            COATBRIDGE: OLD MONKLAND

            The Presbytery approves the request by Coatbridge: Old Monkland to alter the sanctuary to provide toilet and wheelchair space for the disabled to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 at a cost of £11,649 inclusive of VAT based on contractors` quotations.  Approval is also given to seek grants and loans which may be available.

5.         EAST KILBRIDE: SOUTH

The Presbytery approves the request by East Kilbride: South to carry out external redecoration and roof repairs to the church costing £7,297.93 inclusive of VAT based on contractors` quotations.  Funds are to hand.

6.            MOTHERWELL: DALZIEL ST. ANDREW`S

            The Presbytery approves the request by Motherwell: Dalziel St. Andrew`s to repair the organ at a cost of £19,387.50 inclusive of VAT based on contractors` quotations.  Approval is also given to seek release of funds held by the General Trustees on the congregation’s behalf.

7.            COATBRIDGE: TOWNHEAD

            The Presbytery approves the request by Coatbridge:Townhead to carry out works to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to church and halls at an estimated cost of £49,500.  Approval is also given to seek grant and loans which may be available.

8.            CHAPELTON

            The Presbytery approves the request by Chapelton to refurbish the stained glass rose window at a cost of £6,069.50 inclusive of VAT based on contractors` quotations. Approval is also given to seek release of funds held by the General Trustees on the congregation’s behalf.

9.            UDDINGSTON: VIEWPARK

            The Presbytery approves the professional follow-on property survey and condition report and awaits the response of the office bearers to the contents and recommendations.

10.       KIRK O` SHOTTS

            The Presbytery approves the professional follow-on property survey and condition report and awaits the response of the office bearers to the contents and recommendations.

11.            MOTHERWELL: CLASON MEMORIAL

            The Presbytery approves the distribution of funds held by the General Trustees on the congregation’s behalf in terms of revised information.

12.            HAMILTON: ST. JOHN`S

            The Presbytery approves the request of Hamilton: St. John`s to sell the caretaker’s flat and awaits advice on the replacement flat for consideration.

ADDENDUM

            BLANTYRE: OLD

            The Presbytery gives approval to delegate powers to the Convener of Parish Planning Committee on the application of Blantyre: Old to seek additional funding from the General Trustees for Congregational use, in terms of the application approved in principle in November, 2002.

 

54.            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 welcomes the appointment of Barbara McDade as Schools/Churches Development Worker and encourages prayer for her in her new role.

3.                  The Presbytery thanks the Congregational Development Officer and the other tutors for running the Team Builder Course, and instructs him to build on the encouraging results by running it again in 2004/2005.

4.                  The Presbytery thanks the Children’s Ministry Team for their work throughout the past year; affirms its support for the Team and encourages them to develop it in the coming year.

5.         The Presbytery appoints Mr. Peter Lang (member at Larkhall: Trinity) as its Youth Representative to the General Assembly (2004).

ADDENDA

1.         The Presbytery appoints the Rev. K. Buwert as its Presbytery representative to the Board of National Mission.

2.         The Presbytery congratulates East Kilbride: Claremont on a further five year appointment of a Deacon or Parish Assistant from 20th March, 2004.

 

55.            LOCAL AREA MISSION COMMITTEE 1 – HAMILTON and BLANTYRE

            The Presbytery called for the report of the Local Area Mission Committee 1 which was given in by the Rev. Robert Kent, Convener.

 

            It was unanimously agreed:

 

            The Presbytery receives the report.

 

56.            LOCAL AREA MISSION COMMITTEE 4 - WISHAW

            The Presbytery called for the report of the Local Area Mission Committee 4 which was given in by the Rev. Mhorag Macdonald, Convener.

 

            It was unanimously agreed:

 

            The Presbytery receives the report.

 

57.            ADJOURNMENT

            There being no further business the Presbytery adjourned at 8.48 p.m. to meet in hunc effectum within Hamilton: St. Andrew`s Church on Tuesday, 25th May, 2004 at 6.45 p.m. for 7.00 p.m. for a Service of Admission to the Office of Reader; and for Ordinary Business within Uddingston: Viewpark Church on Tuesday, 15th June, 2004 at 7.00 p.m.

 

 

 

            …………………………………………………………….

                                                                                                              Moderator

 

                                                                                    …………………………………………………………….

                                                                                                            Presbytery Clerk