CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

PRESBYTERY OF HAMILTON

 

XVI      MOTHERWELL, 5th OCTOBER, 2004 

At MOTHERWELL: DALZIEL St ANDREW’S PARISH CHURCH HALLS on the Fifth Day of October, Two Thousand and Four years, on which day the PRESBYTERY OF HAMILTON met and was constituted in prayer.

 

Post preces sederunt

 

107.     SEDERUNT

            Moderator, the Rev. Shaw J. Paterson, Clerk and others as per signed lists in retentis. (Total –  51 Ministers;  2 Deacons;   78 Elders).

 

108.     TRIBUTE

            Mr. John Dickson,  in fitting terms, paid tribute to Mr. James Cupples, Presbytery Elder for Airdrie: Broomknoll for 15 years, who died on 9th September, 2004.

 

109.     MINUTES

            The Minutes of Meetings XIV and XV (2004) were read and approved.

 

110.     INTIMATIONS

            Intimations were made.

 

111.     VACANCY BUSINESS

AIRDRIE: FLOWERHILL

There were laid on the Table an Appointment of the Rev. Andrew Gardner to the charge of St. Andrew`s, Brussels; an Extract Minute of the Presbytery of Europe of date 8th September, 2004; the Citation of the congregation of Airdrie: Flowerhill returned duly served.

Parties appeared and spoke.

The question was put, Translate or not Translate, and it was unanimously agreed to translate Dr. Gardner from the Church and Parish of Airdrie: Flowerhill to the charge of St. Andrew`s, Brussels, declaring that his pastoral relation to Airdrie: Flowerhill shall continue until he be actually admitted to the charge of St. Andrew`s, Brussels;  and requesting the Presbytery of Europe 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 Europe.

 

PARISH PLANNING COMMITTEE

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

 

It was moved, seconded and agreed:

Presbytery sists proceedings in the Vacancy.

 

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 appoints the Rev. Derek H. N. Pope as Interim Moderator of the Kirk Session of Airdrie: Flowerhill.

 

DEMISSION OF THE REV. IAN G. WOTHERSPOON

Further to intimation received on 2nd March, 2004, the Presbytery took up consideration of the proposed Demission of the Rev. Ian G. Wotherspoon from the Church and Parish of Coatbridge: St. Andrew`s.

There were laid on the table intimation of his adherence to demit and the Citation of the congregation of Coatbridge: St. Andrew`s returned duly served.

Parties were called and appeared.

Parties were removed.

It was moved, seconded and agreed that the Presbytery accept and hereby does accept the Demission of the Rev. Ian G. Wotherspoon and looses him from his charge as from 13th October, 2004, confirming that Mr. Wotherspoon retains his status as a Minister of the Church of Scotland, and his membership of this Presbytery.

                                              

112.     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, seconded and agreed:

           

1.         The Presbytery appoints the Rev. J. Jackson, Rev. K. Harbison, Rev. S. Raby and the Presbytery Clerk as its representatives to the Conference on Flexible Tenure.

2.         The Presbytery appoints the Rev. C. McPherson as its representative to the Conference on the Rural Church.

3.         The Presbytery appoints the Rev. K. Buwert, Rev. M. McDonald and the Depute Clerk as its representatives to the Church Without Walls Briefing.

4.         The Presbytery appoints the Moderator to the Advisory Committee of the Brebner Bequest.

5.         The Presbytery nominates the Rev. J. S. Cook as the Church of Scotland representative to North Lanarkshire Council Education Committee.

6.         The Presbytery appoints Mrs. M. Dickie to the Committee on Stewartfield New Charge Development.

7.         The Presbytery appoints Readers as Corresponding Members of the Court.

 
113.     MINISTRY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

            The Rev. Michael G. Lyall introduced to the Moderator – Gavin Black, Caryl Kyle, Margaret Rose, Maxine Buck (Students in Training);  Dorothy Getliffe (Deacon in Training); Richard Beattie, Sheena Bell, Anne Clemenson, William Cruickshanks, Leslie Falconer, William Hawthorne, Eric Hislop, Dickson Keir, Elizabeth Leckie, Isaac McCleary, Georgina MacMillan, Leslie Queen, Rowan Robertson, Tom Stevenson, Ian White, William Wilson (Readers); and James McRae (Reader Emeritus).  Apologies were received on behalf of Fiona Maxwell (Probationer); Sam Hewitt, Frank Haggerty and Alex Smith (Readers).

 

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.         The Presbytery receives the report.

 

2.                  The Presbytery notes receipt of the following Study Leave applications:-

·                     Rev. Lindsay Schlόter (Larkhall: Trinity) - Research Studies at the British School in Rome in connection with PhD studies from 31st January – 20th February, 2005:  also 24th October – 6th November, 2004 attending a Course on the role of hymns/music in worship.

·                     Rev. Gordon Palmer (East Kilbride: Claremont) - Conference at Saddleback Church, Orange County, California from 14th – 30th May, 2005.

·                     Rev. Kenneth Mayne (East Kilbride: West) - Research project exploring the impact and management of change within the church from 28th March – 24th April, 2005.

·                     Rev. Bruce McDowall (Uddingston: Park) - Study tour under the auspices of Scottish Bible Society and the Turkish Bible Society to the “Seven Churches of Asia Minor” from 6th – 20th March, 2005.

 

114.     PARISH DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

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

 

            It was moved, seconded and agreed:

 

1.         Presbytery receives the report.

2.         Presbytery instructs the Local Area Mission Committees to encourage, so far as possible, every congregation in its area to send one person or one family to each other congregation to share in worship on Sunday, 21st November – “Christ the Servant King” Sunday – to mark the beginning of the Church Without Walls Year of Celebration 2005.

 

115.     PARISH PLANNING COMMITTEE

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

 

            It was moved, seconded and agreed:

 

1.         CHAPELHALL

            The Presbytery approves the request by Chapelhall to repair the bituminous felt flat roof of the lesser hall at a cost of £5,616.50 inclusive of VAT based on contractors` quotations.  Approval is also given to seek grants and loans which may be available.

 

2.         MOTHERWELL: ST. MARGARET`S

The Presbytery approves the professional Second Follow-on Property Report on Motherwell: St. Margaret`s and awaits the response of the office bearers as to the contents and recommendations.

 

116.     CONFERENCE – “WHAT HAPPENS IN A VACANCY? – THE NEW PROCEDURE”

Presbytery met in Conference, led by the Rev. Robert M. Kent and the Rev. Arthur P. Barrie on the subject of the new vacancy procedures.

 

117.     ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business the Presbytery adjourned at 8.53 p.m. to meet in hunc effectum within Wishaw: Chalmers Parish Church on Thursday, 7th October, 2004 at 6.45 pm for 7.00 pm for the Service of Union of Wishaw: Chalmers and Wishaw Thornlie Parish Churches, and Induction of the Rev. Klaus O. F. Buwert to the church and parish of Wishaw: South;  within Wishaw: Old Parish Church on Wednesday, 27th October, 2004 at 6.45 pm for 7.00 pm for the Service of Linking of the congregations of Wishaw: Old and Wishaw: Craigneuk and Belhaven; and for Ordinary Business within Motherwell: Dalziel St. Andrew`s Parish Church Halls on Tuesday, 2nd November, 2004 at 7.00 pm

 

 

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                                                                                        Moderator

 

 

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                                                                                    Presbytery Clerk