CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

PRESBYTERY OF HAMILTON

 

IX         UDDINGSTON, 15th JUNE, 2004 

At UDDINGSTON: VIEWPARK PARISH CHURCH HALLS on the Fifteenth Day of June, Two Thousand and Four years, on which day the PRESBYTERY OF HAMILTON met and was constituted in prayer, Holy Communion having previously been celebrated within Uddingston: Viewpark Parish Church.

 

Post preces sederunt

 

60.       SEDERUNT

            Mr. David Alexander, Moderator, the Rev. Shaw J. Paterson, Clerk and others as per signed lists in retentis.   (Total – 38 Ministers; 65 Elders).

 

61.       MINUTES

            The Minute of Meetings VII and VIII (2004) were read and approved.

 

62.       INTIMATIONS

            Intimations were made.

 

63.       COMMUNION SERVICE

            The Convener of the Co-ordinating Committee expressed the Court`s thanks to the Moderator for his thoughtful and meaningful address, to the Rev. Michael G. Lyall for his conduct of Holy Communion, to the Kirk Session of Uddingston: Viewpark for the use of the sanctuary for the celebration, and to all others who had assisted in any way.

 

64.       WELCOME

            The Moderator addressed appropriate words of welcome to the Rev. William Cullen recently transferred from Glasgow Presbytery.

 

65.       DILIGENCE OF COMMISSIONERS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

            At the invitation of the Clerk, the  Rev. George Macdonald reflected on his first experience of the General Assembly and reported on the diligence of the Commissioners.

 

66.       STATISTICS

            The Clerk presented the following Statistics:

Roll as at 31.12.02                                                                              36,784

Removed :      By Death                                 875

                                                By Certificate                          281

                                                Otherwise                               433                    1,589

Admitted :        By Profession                         206

                                                By Certificate                          230

                                                By Restoration                        107                       543

Roll as at 31.12.03                                                                              35,738

Net Loss of Membership                                   1,046

 

Notices of Removal sent           163               No. of Elders                           3,122

No. on Supplementary Roll     4,484               Other Office Bearers              1,082

No. of Adherents                        997               No. of Baptisms                         601

No. of Adult Baptisms                  62 

 

67.       VACANCY BUSINESS

            LARKHALL: St MACHAN’S

There was laid on the Table an Appointment to the Church and Parish of Larkhall: St Machan’s in favour of the Rev. Alistair McKillop BD, Dip Min; his letter of acceptance with the required statement that he had used no undue influence to obtain the Call, that he accepts the basis of a 7 year Reviewable Tenure, and that he will reside in the manse; a Call as prescribed signed by  243 Communicants and 19 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 to sustain the appointment, did and hereby does sustain the appointment of the Rev. Alistair McKillop to the Church and Parish of Larkhall: St Machan’s and resolved to proceed towards his settlement.

The Presbytery appointed his Admission to take place within Larkhall: St Machan’s Parish Church on Thursday 19th August 2004, 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. Paul Grant to assist the Moderator.

            Parties were recalled and judgement intimated.

COATBRIDGE: TOWNHEAD

There was laid on the Table an Appointment to the Church and Parish of Coatbridge: Townhead in favour of the Rev. Ecilo Selemani LTh, MTh; his letter of acceptance with the required statement that he had used no undue influence to obtain the Call, and that he will reside in the manse; a Call as prescribed signed by 146 Communicants and 10 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 to sustain the appointment, did and does hereby sustain the appointment of the Rev. Ecilo Selemani to the Church and Parish of Coatbridge: Townhead and resolved to proceed towards his settlement.          

The Presbytery appointed his Admission to take place within Coatbridge: Townhead Parish Church on Tuesday 13th July 2004, 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. John Fairful to assist the Moderator.

Parties were recalled and judgement intimated.

            HAMILTON: WEST

            There was laid on the Table an Appointment of the Rev Dr William Murdoch to the Church and Parish of Craigrownie linked with Rosneath St Modan’s; an Extract Minute of the Presbytery of Dumbarton of date 8th June, 2004; a call signed by 211 Communicants; the Citation of the congregation of Hamilton: West returned duly served.

            No-one appeared for Hamilton: West.

The question was put, Translate or not translate, and it was unanimously agreed to translate Dr Murdoch from the Church and Parish of Hamilton: West to the Church and Parish of Craigrownie linked with Rosneath St Modan’s, declaring that his pastoral relation to Hamilton: West shall continue until he be actually admitted to the Church and Parish of Craigrownie linked with Rosneath St Modan’s; and requesting the Presbytery of Dumbarton to give intimation of his 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.    

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 moved, seconded and  agreed:

 

Presbytery grants a call to Hamilton: West on the basis of a Reviewable Tenure, to be reviewed on the occasion of a vacancy at Hamilton: Burnbank lw North or at 5 years, whichever is the least, subject to the concurrence of the General Assembly`s Committee on Parish Appraisal.

            VACANCY PROCEDURE COMMITTEE

The Presbytery called for the report of the Vacancy Procedure Committee which was given in by the Rev. Robert M. Kent, Convener.

 

It was moved, seconded and  agreed:

 

Presbytery receives the report.

 

68.       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 moved and seconded :

 

1.                  The Presbytery receives the report.

2.         The Presbytery appoints Rev R. D. MacKenzie as Interim Moderator of the Kirk Session of Hamilton: Gilmour and Whitehill during the Minister’s illness.   

3.         The Presbytery appoints Rev. J. Thomson (Convener), Rev. M. Lyall and Mr. R. Marwick as its representatives to a meeting concerning Church Extension Charges in East Kilbride: Mossneuk on 17th June.

4.         The Presbytery grants permission for the Moderator to attend in his official capacity the Kirking of the Council at St Patrick’s RC Church, Shotts on 13th June 2004.         

5.                  The Presbytery grants permission for joint summer services to be held by - Bellshill: MacDonald Memorial and Orbiston with St Andrew’s United Free Church; Strathaven: East and West; Larkhall: Chalmers, St Machan’s and Trinity; Airdrie: High, Broomknoll linked with Calderbank and the New Wellwynd; Motherwell: Crosshill and St Mary’s; Uddingston: Old and Park.   

6.         The Presbytery receives and approves the new Constitution (Unitary Form) for the congregations of Newarthill and Hamilton: West.

7.         The Presbytery notes the proposal of South Lanarkshire Council to provide non-religious funeral services and regrets its intention to include, if requested, a religious component.  The Presbytery resolves to seek consultations, in conjunction with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Motherwell, with South Lanarkshire Council, on this matter and report at the earliest opportunity.  

8.         The Presbytery appoints Mr. George S. Harvie as Additional Elder from the congregation of Wishaw: South Parish Church (as from the date of the union between Wishaw: Chalmers and Thornlie).

9.                  The Presbytery notes with serious concern the intention of Dignity to offer services at the new Holytown Crematorium on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, and resolves to consult the Board of Practice and Procedure.

10.             The Presbytery appoints as its representatives - Mr. D. M. Gray to the Board of Social Responsibility; Rev. M. F. Currie to Committee to Nominate Moderator; Mr. D. J. Watt to the Board of Stewardship and Finance; Rev. M. G. Lyall to the Board of Ministry; and Rev. K. O. F. Buwert to the Board of National Mission.

11.              The Presbytery grants permission to the Kirk Session of Hamilton: North for the release of the Baptismal Register (1944-1970) held by the Archive Office in Edinburgh.

12.               The Presbytery notes the resignation of Mrs. Elizabeth Wilson and Mr. James McIntosh as Additional Elders and thanks them for their service.

13.               The Presbytery appoints the Rev K Harbison as Convener of Pastoral Support Committee; Mr. W Wilson as Vice-Convener of Ministry Development Committee; Mr. D. Alexander as Convener and Mr. D. Findlay as Vice-Convener of Parish Planning Committee;  and the Rev. P. Johnston as Vice-Convener of Parish Development Committee.

14.       The Presbytery appoints Rev. N. B. McKee as Depute Clerk.

 

It was moved and seconded as a Counter-motion to Deliverance 14:

           

The Presbytery does not approve the appointment as suggested but undertakes a review, involving the office/responsibilities of the Clerkship, and report as soon as possible.

 

            On a vote being taken For or Against the Counter-motion it carried Against.

 

            The Presbytery resolved accordingly.

 

ADDENDUM

            The Presbytery appoints the following to serve as Additional Elders from September, 2004.

George Baird (Hamilton: St. John`s)

William Barnstaple (Motherwell: South Dalziel)

David Bell (Wishaw: St. Mark`s)

Sheena Bell (Hamilton: Gilmour and Whitehill)

John Dickson (Airdrie: Broomknoll)

Thomas Donaldson (Wishaw: Old)

David Findlay (Airdrie: Calderbank)

Duncan M.Gray (Coltness Memorial)

Kenneth Griffith (Airdrie: Clarkston)

James McRae (Strathaven: Avendale Old)

David Nairn (East Kilbride: Old)

James D. Park (Hamilton: West)

Alexander Porter (Hamilton: Cadzow)

Frank S. Reford (Motherwell: Dalziel St. Andrew`s)

Andrew Walsh (Strathaven: Rankin)

David J. Watt (Airdrie: New Wellwynd)

Harry Webster (Hamilton: Cadzow)

William Wilson (Hamilton: North)

Robert B. Young (Hamilton: Hillhouse)

 

            The  deliverance as amended was agreed.

 

69.              STEWARDSHIP AND FINANCE COMMITTEE

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

 

            It was moved, seconded and agreed:

 

1.         The Presbytery receives the report.

2.                  The Presbytery approves the budget for session 2004-05, including the allocation of £7,500 from accumulated funds.

3.                  The Presbytery determines an assessment of £1.48 per member based on membership statistics as at 31st December, 2003.

 

70.       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 moved, seconded and  agreed:

 

1.                  Presbytery notes that Georgina McMillan 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: Quarter Church on 24th June 2004, Presbytery to meet at 6.45pm for 7.00pm, Mr David Alexander to be Moderator, the Rev Shaw Paterson to be Clerk, and the Rev George Macdonald to assist the Moderator.

 

2.         Presbytery nominates the Rev Derek W. Hughes and Miss Frances Gilmour to be considered as Assessors for the Church of Scotland Enquiry and Assessment Process.

 

71.       PASTORAL SUPPORT COMMITTEE       

The Presbytery called for the report of the Pastoral Support Committee which was given in by Mr. Andrew Walsh, Convener.

           

            It was moved, seconded and  agreed:

 

1.         The Presbytery receives the report

2.         The Presbytery notes that the annual attestation of committee records has been completed.

3.         The Presbytery notes that in terms of Act 11 (1984) eight congregations have been visited during the year and found to be in order.

4.         The Presbytery receives and approves the report on Hamilton: West, congratulates and encourages the congregation in its forward-looking response to Church without Walls and its annual review of givings.

5.         The Presbytery receives and approves the report on Airdrie: Flowerhill and commends the Minister, Office bearers and Members for their work on their building project, while maintaining and developing their worship and their witness in their community. The Presbytery encourages them to continue to develop links with their local Primary School and to build on the strong organisations that they have at this time.

6.         The Presbytery receives and approves the report on Strathaven: West and encourages the Minister Elders and Board Members in the work they are doing in difficult circumstances, to try and turn their vision of Mission into reality and commends them on their initiative in inviting David Geddes to work with them in a Leadership Conference.

 

72.       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 moved and seconded:

 

1.         Presbytery receives the report.

2.                  Presbytery approves the basis of union between Wishaw: Chalmers and Wishaw: Thornlie, subject to the concurrence of the General Assembly’s Committee on Parish Appraisal.

3.                  DELEGATED POWERS

The Presbytery grants permission to the Convener to act on its behalf, in consultation with Presbytery’s Property Consultant, in matters of property requiring approval during the summer recess and instructs him to report with due diligence on all matters dealt with to the Presbytery at the meeting on 7th September 2004.

4.         EAST KILBRIDE: WEST

            The Presbytery approves the application by East Kilbride: West to replace the halls at an estimated cost of £450,000 based on contractors` tenders.  Approval is also given to seek grants which may be available.

5.         BLANTYRE: OLD

            The Presbytery homologates the decision, under powers, of the Parish Planning Committee, inter alia: The Presbytery approves the application of Blantyre Old to have £100,000 transferred from the Consolidated Stipend Fund to the Consolidated Fabric Fund.

6.         BLANTYRE: OLD

            The Presbytery approves the application by Blantyre: Old to renovate the church at a cost of £541,214 inclusive of VAT based on contractors tenders earlier approved in principle on 05.11.02.  Approval is also given to seek grants and loans which may be available.

7.         WISHAW: OLD

            The Presbytery approves the application by Wishaw: Old to repair the tower at a cost of £4,570.75 including VAT based on contractors` tenders.  Approval is also given to seek grants and loans which may be available.

8.         EAST KILBRIDE: SOUTH

            The Presbytery approves the application by East Kilbride: South to alter the halls to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 at a cost of £23,323.75 inclusive of VAT based on contractors` tenders.  Approval is also given to seek grants and loans which may be available.

9.         COATBRIDGE: MIDDLE

            The Presbytery approves the application by Coatbridge: Middle to alter the church and halls to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 at an estimated cost of £7,000.  Funds are to hand.

10.       AIRDRIE: CLARKSTON

            The Presbytery approves the Professional Second Follow-on Property Report on Airdrie: Clarkston and awaits the response of the office bearers as to the contents and recommendations.

 

            It was moved and seconded as an addendum to the Deliverance:- add a new Section 11.

 

11.       MOTHERWELL: NORTH

            The Presbytery approves the request from Motherwell: North to apply for housing for the Minister more centrally located in the parish of North Motherwell and of a type similar to most of the parishioners.  This to further enable a community ministry with the aim of being a community church and subject to the concurrence of the General Trustees and the Board of Ministry.

 

            It was moved and seconded as a Counter-motion to Deliverance No. 11

           

            The Presbytery instructs the Parish Planning Committee to discuss this matter further and report back.

 

            On a vote being taken For or Against the Counter-motion, it carried Against.

 

            Rev. J.M.A. Thomson, Rev. J. H. Wilson and the Rev. H.J.W. Findlay begged leave to dissent and complain.

 

            The Deliverance as amended was agreed.  

 

73.       PARISH DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

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

 

It was moved, seconded and  agreed:

 

1.                  The Presbytery receives the report.

 

 

ADDENDUM

            The Presbytery thanks the Child Protection Trainers George Harvie, Mary Coles, Andrew Wynd and Eileen Milne for their important work in making Church a safe place for young people.

 

74.       CHURCH AND SOCIAL INTEREST COMMITTEE

            The Presbytery called for the report of the Church and Social Interest Committee which was given in by the Rev. Anne Paton, Convener.

 

            It was moved, seconded and agreed:

 

1.         The Presbytery receives the report.

2.         The Presbytery welcomes publication of the final reports of the Scottish Executive’s Religious Observance Review Group, as an opportunity for the church and for schools to improve the quality of religious observance for all young people in Scotland’s schools.  It hopes that religious observance will continue to reflect the primarily  Christian tradition of Scotland.

3.         The Presbytery urges the Scottish Executive Education Department to continue their guidance that all primary school pupils should take part in religious observance not less than once a week.

 

75.       LOCAL AREA MISSION COMMITTEE 3 – MOTHERWELL

            The Presbytery called for the report of the Local Area Mission Committee 3 which was given in by the Rev. Derek H.N. Pope, Convener.

 

            It was moved, seconded and agreed:

 

            The Presbytery receives the report.

 

76.       LOCAL AREA MISSION COMMITTEE 8 – UDDINGSTON AND BOTHWELL

            The Presbytery called for the report of the Local Area Mission Committee 8.

 

            It was moved, seconded and agreed:

 

            The Presbytery receives the report.

 

77.       ADJOURNMENT

            There being no further business the Presbytery adjourned at 9.55 p.m. to meet in hunc effectum within Hamilton: Quarter Church on Thursday, 24th June, 2004, at 6.45 p.m. for 7.00 p.m. for the Setting Apart of a Reader, Mrs. Georgina McMillan;  within Coatbridge: Blairhill Dundyvan Church on Thursday, 8th July, 2004 at 6.45 p.m. for 7.00 p.m. for the Induction of the Rev. Patricia Carruth, B.D.; within Coatbridge: Townhead Church on Tuesday, 13th July, 2004 at 6.45 p.m. for 7.00 p.m. for the Induction of the Rev. Ecilo Selemani, L.Th., M.Th., within Larkhall: St. Machan`s Church on Thursday, 19th August, 2004 at 6.45 p.m. for 7.00 p.m. for the Induction of the Rev. Alistair McKillop, B.D., Dip.Min.; and for Ordinary Business within Motherwell: Dalziel St. Andrew`s Church Halls on Tuesday, 7th September, 2004 at 7.00 p.m.