CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

PRESBYTERY OF HAMILTON

 

 

II          MOTHERWELL: 1st MARCH, 2005 

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

 

Post preces sederunt

 

11.       SEDERUNT

            The Rev. James M. Gibson, Moderator, the Rev. Shaw J. Paterson, Clerk and others as per signed lists in retentis (Total – 40  Ministers;  1  Deacon:  78  Elders)

 

 

12.       CONGRATULATIONS

            The Moderator offered the congratulations of the Court to the Rev. William T. Stewart and the Rev. Dr. John C. Sharp on the 25th anniversary of their ordination.

 

13.       MINUTES

            The Minute of Meeting I (2005) was read and approved.

 

14.       INTIMATIONS

            Intimations were made.

 

 

15.       SCOTTISH CRUSADERS

            The Moderator welcomed Mr. Rob Rawson, Director, Scottish Crusaders, and invited him to address the Court.  Mr. Rawson highlighted the work of the Crusaders in Scotland.

 

16.       THE GUILD

            Mrs. I. Bagwell, Convener of Hamilton North Presbyterial Council of the Guild addressed the Court on the current activities of the Guild both locally and nationally.

 

17.       VACANCY BUSINESS

            CARFIN lw NEWARTHILL

            The Presbytery of Hamilton having received notification that the Interim Ministry at Carfin lw Newarthill is to come to an end,  cited the congregations to appear for their interests.

            Parties were called, appeared and spoke.

            Presbytery agreed to the request of the National Committee that the Interim Ministry at Carfin lw Newarthil should come to an end as of 10th April, 2005.

            The Moderator thanked the Rev. Douglas Main for his work as Interim Minister and invited him to address Presbytery.

 

            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.

            CARFIN lw NEWARTHILL

            The Presbytery notes the concurrence of the General Assembly`s Parish Appraisal Committee in not pursuing adjustment in the case of Carfin lw Newarthill.

 

18.       COMMISSIONERS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

           

Pursuant to a resolution entered in the Minutes of the Meeting of 1st February, 2005, the Presbytery hereby appoints, nominates and appoints:

 

Rev. Arthur P. Barrie                                       Rev. John Jackson

Rev. Sharon Colvin                                         Rev. Nan Low

Rev. George M. Donaldson                            Rev. John McAlpine

Rev. W. Stuart Dunn                                      Rev. Agnes Moore

Rev. Andrew Campbell                                   Rev. Shaw J. Paterson          

Rev. James M. Gibson                                   Rev. Scott Raby

Rev. James Grier                                            Rev. Graham Raeburn

Rev. Karen E. Harbison                                  Rev. Dr. John C. Sharp

Rev. James G. Hastie                                     Rev. Colin A. Sutherland

The Very Rev. Dr. Hugh R. Wyllie

 

Ministers with –

Blantyre: Livingstone Memorial                       Cleland

Hamilton: Burnbank                                        Newmains: Coltness Memorial

Hamilton:  North                                              Newmains: Bonkle

Hamilton: Trinity                                              Airdrie: High

Larkhall: Chalmers                                          Airdrie: Jackson

Strathaven: Rankin                                         Coatbridge: Middle

Chapelton                                                        East Kilbride: South

Motherwell: Crosshill                                       Bellshill: West

            Motherwell: St. Margaret`s                              New Stevenston: Wrangholm Kirk

 

Mr. David Alexander, Mrs. Jean Giggie, Mr. James D. Park

Ruling Elders

Mrs. Karen Hamilton, Deacon.

 

Its Commissioners to the next General Assembly of the Church of Scotland indicted to meet at Edinburgh, the Twenty First Day of May next to come or when and where it shall happen to sit, willing them to repair thereto, attend all diets of the same, and there to consult, vote and determine in all matters that come before them to the Glory of God, and the good of His Church, according to the Word of God, the Confession of Faith, and agreeable to the constitution of this Church, as they will be answerable;  and that they report diligence on their return therefrom.

                                              

 

19.       CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE

The Presbytery called for the report of the Co-ordinating Committee which was given in by the Rev. Norman B. McKee, Vice-Convener.

 

It was moved, seconded and agreed:

 

1.         The Presbytery receives the report.

2.         The Presbytery notes the resignation of the Rev. R. M. Kent as a member of the Review Committee.

3.         The Presbytery notes that the Clerk has attested the Electoral Registers of  - Chapelhall Parish Church as having 298 members and 9 adherents;   Wishaw: Craigneuk and Belhaven Parish Church as having 196 members and 5 adherents;  and  Wishaw: Old with 380 members.

4.         The Presbytery cites the congregation of East Kilbride: Moncreiff to attend the May meeting of the Court for its own interests, concerning underpayment of Presbytery Dues.

5.         The Presbytery commends congregations within the bounds for their prayerful support of and generosity towards survivors of the Tsunami disaster and encourages local area consideration of what may yet be done to assist with the ongoing work of rebuilding.

6.         The Presbytery reminds congregations of the Disability Discrimination Act which came into force fully in October, 2004 and instructs them to address the work required without delay.

 

20.       STEWARDSHIP AND FINANCE COMMITTEE

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

 

            It was moved, seconded and agreed:

 

1.         The Presbytery receives the report.

2.         The Presbytery receives and approves the Statement of Accounts for the year ended 31st December, 2004 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, C.A., B.D., for his work as Interim Treasurer during 2004 and in the preparation of the Statement of Accounts and Mr. A. H. Adams, C.A., for undertaking the Audit.

5.         The Presbytery appoints Mr. A. H. Adams, C.A., to undertake the Audit of the Statement of Account for the year ending 31st December, 2005.

           

21.       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.         The Presbytery notes receipt of the following Study Leave application – Rev. Shaw Paterson (Strathaven: Rankin lw Chapelton).  Further studies in relation to Masters in Palliative Care at Kennestone Hospital, Atlanta, from 2nd to 16th April, 2005.

2.         The Presbytery notes the change of dates for the Study leave for the Rev. John Thomson (Hamilton: Old) to 23rd March until 5th May, 2005, for research into the Reformed Church in Romania and approved the appointment of the Rev. Peter Price as Locum and Interim Moderator.

3.         The Presbytery notes receipt of a Study Leave report from the Rev. John Thomson (Hamilton: Old) – Research into the Reformed Church in Romania from 4th October to 4th November, 2004.

 

22.       CHURCH AND SOCIAL INTEREST COMMITTEE

            The Presbytery called for the report of the Church and Social Interest Committee which was given in by Mr Duncan Gray, Convener.

 

            It was moved, seconded and agreed :

 

1.         The Presbytery receives the report.

2.                  The Presbytery expresses its deep concern that the Gambling Bill that introduces “Super” Casinos could lead to an expansion in gambling, with its associated problems, without stringent controls being applied.

 

23.       PASTORAL SUPPORT

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

 

            It was moved, seconded and agreed:

 

1.         The Presbytery receives the report.

2.         The Presbytery receives the report on the Quinquennial Visit to Larkhall: Chalmers, commends the Minister, Office Bearers and Members on their outreach to their parish and community, and encourages them in their continuing exploration of how best to implement the Presbytery Plan for Larkhall.

3.                  The Presbytery receives the report on the Quinquennial Visit to Stonehouse: St. Ninian`s, commends the Minister, Office Bearers and Members on their shared vision of what it means to be a “Church Without Walls” within their parish and community and encourages them as they work sensitively to turn that vision into reality.

4.         The Presbytery receives the report on the Quinquennial Visit to East Kilbride: Greenhills, commends the Minister, Office Bearers and Members for their commitment in the face of continuing difficulties and encourages Office Bearers to explore ways of developing the congregational resources of time, talents and money.

5.                  The Presbytery notes the continuing meetings with New Charge Development and instructs the Rev. John Thomson to continue to represent Presbytery in discussions with New Charge Development and East Kilbride: Greenhills, co-opting additional Presbytery representatives as required, and to report as appropriate.

 

24.       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.         The Presbytery receives the report.

2.         The Presbytery notes the intention of the Parish Planning Committee to undertake a survey of congregations within the bounds to ascertain the extent to which buildings comply with the Disability Discrimination Act and instructs congregations to respond timeously on this matter.

3.         EAST KILBRIDE: WESTWOOD

            The Presbytery approves the request by East Kilbride: Westwood to erect a stained glass window in the Fellowship Hall costing £6,521.25 inclusive of VAT.  Funds are to hand.

4.         STONEHOUSE: ST. NINIAN`S

            The Presbytery approves the request by Stonehouse: St. Ninian`s to replace the sound system with one which has a facility for power point costing £20,000 inclusive of VAT.  Funds are to hand.

5.         AIRDRIE: NEW WELLWYND           

            The Presbytery approves the application by Airdrie: New Wellwynd to eradicate dry rot at the manse costing £7,122.85 including VAT.  Funds are to hand.

6.                  MOTHERWELL: NORTH

The Presbytery approves the request by Motherwell: North to alter church and halls for community use and in compliance of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 costing £80,925 inclusive of VAT.  Approval is also given to seek grants and loans which might be available.

7.         WISHAW: SOUTH WISHAW

            The Presbytery approves the request by Wishaw: South Wishaw to have the former Chalmers Manse occupied on a caretaker basis subject to the usual terms and conditions.

8.         UDDINGSTON: VIEWPARK

            The Presbytery approves the request by Uddingston: Viewpark to repair the roof of the Halls costing approximately £25,000.  Approval is also given to seek grants and loans which may be available.

9.         UDDINGSTON: OLD

            The Presbytery approves the Professional Second Follow-on Property Report in respect of Uddingston: Old and awaits the response of the office bearers as to the contents and recommendations.

ADDENDUM

            WISHAW: CRAIGNEUK AND BELHAVEN

            The Presbytery approves the request by Wishaw: Craigneuk and Belhaven to sell their manse and for the free proceeds of the sale to be held by the General Trustees and applied for fabric purposes of the congregation.

 

25.       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.         The Presbytery receives the report.

 

 

26.       ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business the Presbytery adjourned at 8.10 p.m. to meet for Ordinary Business within Motherwell: Dalziel St. Andrew`s Parish Church Halls on Tuesday, 3rd May, 2005 at 7.00 pm.

 

 

…………………………………………                                                Moderator

 

 

………………………………………….

                                                                                           Presbytery Clerk