CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

PRESBYTERY OF HAMILTON

 

III         MOTHERWELL: 3rd MAY, 2005 

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

 

Post preces sederunt

 

27.       SEDERUNT

            The Rev. James M. Gibson, Moderator, the Rev. Shaw J. Paterson, Clerk and others as per signed lists in retentis (Total –  47 Ministers;   0 Deacon:   77 Elders)

 

28.       MINUTES

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

 

29.       INTIMATIONS

            Intimations were made.

 

30.       AIRDRIE PLAN

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

 

            Parties were called and there spoke for the congregation of Airdrie: Broomknoll, Mr. Alistair McLeod.

 

            It was moved and seconded

1.                  AIRDRIE

            The Presbytery receives the Forward Planning Report anent Airdrie and approves the recommendations contained therein, subject to the concurrence of the General Assembly`s Committee on Parish Appraisal.

 

2.         AIRDRIE: FLOWERHILL

            The Presbytery resolves that the charge of Airdrie: Flowerhill should not be subject to readjustment at this time and that, in terms of the Airdrie Plan, leave be granted to call a Minister on a 7-year Reviewable Tenure or on the occasion of a vacancy in Airdrie: Broomknoll, whichever is earlier, subject to the concurrence of the General Assembly`s Parish Appraisal Committee.

            It was moved and seconded as an amendment

            To remove the words “… or on the occasion of a vacancy in Airdrie: Broomknoll, whichever is earlier….”

            On a vote being taken For and Against, it carried For.

           

3.         AIRDRIE: HIGH

            The Presbytery resolves that the charge of Airdrie: High should not be subject to readjustment at this time and that, in terms of the Airdrie Plan, leave be granted to call a Minister on a 7-year Reviewable Tenure or on the occasion of a vacancy in Airdrie: New Wellwynd, whichever is earlier, subject to the concurrence of the General Assembly`s Parish Appraisal Committee.

It was moved and seconded as an amendment

            To remove the words “… or on the occasion of a vacancy in Airdrie: New Wellwynd whichever is earlier….”

            On a vote being taken For and Against, it carried For.

           

The deliverance as amended was agreed.

 

31.       AFTER-ELECTIONS 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 his Commission by the Rev. George Donaldson, did and hereby does appoint in their place the Rev. Norman B. McKee, 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 Blantyre: Livingstone Memorial would not be nominating a Commissioner, did and hereby does appoint in their place 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 Hamilton: Burnbank would not be nominating a Commissioner, did and hereby does appoint in their place Mr. Kenneth Griffith, 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 New Stevenston: Wrangholm would not be nominating a Commissioner, did and hereby does appoint in their place 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.

Further to the Resolution of 1st March, 2005, the Presbytery homologates the appointment of the Rev. Allan W. Gibson, 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.  

Further to the Resolution of 1st March, 2005, the Presbytery homologates the appointment of 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.

 

32.       WORLD MISSION

            The Presbytery called for the report from the World Mission Correspondent, which was given in by Mr. George Baird.

 

            It was moved, seconded and agreed:

            The Presbytery notes the appointment of Miss Malti Joshi as Presbytery Missionary Partner and agrees that her Service of Commissioning will take place on Sunday, 15th May, 2005, at 6.15 p.m. for 6.30 p.m. within Overtown Parish Church, Rev. James M. Gibson to be Moderator, the Rev. Shaw J. Paterson to be Clerk, and the Rev. Nan Low to assist the Moderator.

 

33.       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 receives the report.

2.         The Presbytery thanks the Rev. A. P. Barrie. Rev. A. Moore and Mrs. A. Macauslane for endeavouring to find a resolution to continuing difficulties in a congregation, and notes that no such resolution has been found.  The Presbytery discharges the Committee.

3.         IN PRIVATE

4.         Concerning the £1,000,000 Bequest, the Presbytery notes the response of the Procurator of the Church to the effect that “church” relates to the church building itself and that the General Trustees would be responsible for apportioning any monies.

5.         The Presbytery appoints the Rev. S. Raby as Convener of its Review Committee and the Rev. M. F. Currie and Mr. J. Dickson to review the working of the Presbytery Office.

6.         The Presbytery nominates the Rev. N. B. McKee to be its Moderator for the session 2005-6.

7.         The Presbytery notes the attestation of the Electoral Register of Hamilton: St. Andrew`s as containing 354 communicants.

8.         The Presbytery notes receipt of a letter of resignation from Mrs. Elsie Barrie, Secretarial Assistant, due to health reasons.

9.         The Presbytery grants a Practising Certificate to the Rev. Hugh Sawers.

10.       The Presbytery notes the intention of the Rev. H. J. W. Findlay to demit his charge from 1st September, 2005.

ADDENDA

1.         The Presbytery welcomes the offer of the Council of Assembly to continue the funding of the appointment of Mr. David Geddes, as agreed with the Board of National Mission, for the remainder of his present contract and resolves to accept the administrative responsibility of his employment from 1st June, 2005.

2.         The Presbytery agrees to the request of the Rev. James M. Gibson to be succeeded by the Rev. Norman B. McKee as Moderator following the Celebration of Holy Communion on Tuesday, 21st June, 2005.

           

34.       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 the application for admission to the Church of Scotland of the Rev. Dr. Bryson Arthur.   Details are laid on the table and any comments should be passed to the Convener of the Ministry Development Committee.

2.         The Presbytery notes receipt of the following Study Leave application – Rev. John Brewster (East Kilbride: Greenhills) from 28th May to 17th June, 2005.  Lectures, seminars, workshops, reading and reflection at Montreat Conference Centre, North Carolina and Columbia Theological Seminary, Atlanta.

3.         The Presbytery notes receipt of a Study Leave report from the Rev. Lindsay Schlόter (Larkhall: Trinity).  Research Studies at the British School in Rome in connection with PhD studies from 31st January to 20th February, 2005.

 

35.       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 :

            The Presbytery notes the retiral of the Rev. Andrew Campbell (Motherwell: St. Margaret`s) from the post of part-time Chaplain at Shotts Prison as from 28th February, 2005.   The Presbytery thanks Mr. Campbell for his 18 years of dedicated service to the inmates and staff within the prison.

 

36.              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 on the Quinquennial visit to Coatbridge: Blairhill Dundyvan, commends the Congregational Board for their responsible approach to Christian Stewardship and encourages the congregation to consider opportunities for adult Christian education to help develop the spiritual life of the congregation.

2.         The Presbytery receives the report on the Quinquennial visit to Coatbridge; Middle, congratulates the Minister and congregation on the strength of their youth organisations and on their good working relationship with St. Augustine’s R.C. Church and encourages the Office Bearers to seek new ways in which the potential of the Gospel could be unleashed by the congregation outside the walls of the church.

3.         The Presbytery congratulates the Rev. James Grier on the threshold of his retirement in June on a faithful ministry in Coatbridge Middle Church and Parish, the good fruit of which is evident in the current health of the congregation.

4.         The Presbytery receives the report on the Quinquennial visit to Coatbridge; Old Monkland, congratulates the Minister and congregation on the rapid growth of the Sunday School, commends them in their attempts to overcome the limitations imposed by the distance between church and halls, and encourages the Office Bearers to consider measures to address the low level of regular giving whilst recognising that the congregation do respond very generously to special appeals.

5.         The Presbytery receives the report on the Quinquennial visit to Coatbridge: Clifton, commends the Minister, Kirk Session and congregation for recently undertaking the “Fruits of Faith” campaign, encourages the congregation to continue to seek new ways to develop both the life and worship of the congregation and their service and mission to their local community and the development of links with Coatbridge College.

6.         The Presbytery notes that the Attestation of Congregational Records has been completed and records are generally in good order.

 

37.       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 notes the agreement between the Kirk Sessions of Hamilton: Hillhouse and Hamilton: West to transfer the following areas of the parish of Hillhouse to the parish of West and amends the parish boundaries accordingly:  Broughton Place, Beattock Eynd, Corra Linn, Kirkfieldbank Way, Libberton Way, Stonebyres Court, Portrail Place, Rosebank Place, Tarbrax Way.

2.         DDA QUESTIONNAIRE

            The Presbytery notes that 17 returns are still outstanding and instructs the congregations concerned to complete and return the questionnaire by 3rd June to allow a report to be made to the Presbytery meeting in June.

3.         AIRDRIE: CLARKSTON        

            The Presbytery approves the request by Airdrie: Clarkston to eradicate rot at the church and alter church and halls to DDA 1995 requirements and up-grade the manse costing an estimated £65,000.  Approval is also given to seek grants and loans which might available.

4.                  WISHAW: OLD

            The Presbytery approves the request by Wishaw: Old to provide toilet facilities in compliance with DDA 1995 costing £9,400 inclusive of VAT.  Approval is also given to seek grants and loans which may be available.

5.         MOTHERWELL: DALZIEL ST. ANDREW`S

            The Presbytery approves the request by Motherwell: Dalziel St. Andrew`s to have accounts for property matters, totalling £20,924.85 inclusive of VAT, being paid from funds held on the Congregation’s behalf by the General Trustees.

6.         AIRDRIE: CALDERBANK

            The Presbytery approves the request by Calderbank to seek financial assistance in relation to the matter of stolen slates totalling £21,487.61 inclusive of VAT.

7.         HAMILTON: TRINITY

            The Presbytery approves the Professional Second Follow-on Property Report in respect of Hamilton: Trinity and awaits the response of the Office Bearers as to the contents and recommendations.

8.         AIRDRIE:JACKSON

            The Presbytery approves the Professional Second Follow-on Property Report in respect of Airdrie: Jackson and awaits the response of the Office Bearers as to the contents and recommendations.

CORRECTION TO DELIVERANCE OF 1st MARCH, 2005

            WISHAW: CRAIGNEUK AND BELHAVEN

            The Presbytery recalls the Deliverance of 1st March, 2005, approves the request by Wishaw: Craigneuk and Belhaven to sell their manse and for the free proceeds of the sale to be held locally and applied only for fabric purposes of the congregation.

ADDENDUM

            The Presbytery notes the agreement of the Office Bearers of East Kilbride: Mossneuk to the request of the General Assembly`s Committee on New Charge Development to extend the tenure of the Rev. Dr. John McPake from the end of February, 2005 to June, 2006.  Presbytery further notes the commitment of the Committee on New Charge Development to provide the sum of £100,000 for the purpose of extending the Manse with any surplus to be applied to the refurbishment of the church building.

 

38.       VACANCY PROCEDURES COMMITTEE

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

 

            It was moved, seconded and agreed :

The Presbytery receives the report.

 

39.       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.

2.                  The Presbytery gives power to the Convener to nominate 5 children and 2 adults to attend the Children's Event "Break down the Walls" at the National CWW Celebration on 28th May in Edinburgh.

3.         The Presbytery commends the publicity materials for the Regional CWW event, The Big Saturday, at the SECC on 10th September, and encourages congregations to begin planning to attend.

4.         The Presbytery encourages member churches to attend the ‘Praying for the Assembly’ event on Sunday 15th May in Dalziel St Andrew's Church, from 8pm-9.15pm.

5.         The Presbytery commends the Multimedia Training Day at St Bride's Centre, Douglas on 14th May run by David Geddes.

 

40.       LOCAL AREA COMMITTEE

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

 

            It was moved, seconded and agreed :

            Presbytery receives the report.

 

41.       ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business the Presbytery adjourned at 8.58 p.m. to meet in hunc effectum within Overtown Parish Church on Sunday, 15th May, 2005 at 6.15 p.m. for 6.30 p.m. for the Commissioning of a Missionary;  and  for Holy Communion and Ordinary Business within Bothwell Parish Church  on Tuesday, 21st June, 2005 at 7.00 pm.

 

 

…………………………………………                        ………………………………………….                           Moderator                                                               Presbytery Clerk

 

 

IV         OVERTOWN: 15th MAY, 2005

            At OVERTOWN PARISH CHURCHon the Fifteenth Day of May, Two Thousand and Five years, on which day the PRESBYTERY OF HAMILTON met and was constituted in prayer.

 

Post preces sederunt

 

42.       SEDERUNT

            The Rev. James M. Gibson, Moderator, the Rev. Shaw J. Paterson, Clerk and others as per signed lists in retentis (Total – 2 Ministers: 9 Elders).

 

43.       MISSIONARY PARTNER

            Following devotional exercises conducted by the Rev. Nan Low, the Rev. Alan Greig, Convener of Board of World Mission, put to Miss Malti Joshi the prescribed questions. To these she gave satisfactory answers, whereupon the Moderator commissioned her as Presbytery`s Missionary Partner to Tabeetha School , Jaffa as Principal.

            The meeting was closed with prayer.

 

 

 

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

                           Moderator                                                         Presbytery Clerk