XIV MOTHERWELL:
1st NOVEMBER, 2005
At MOTHERWELL:
DALZIEL ST. ANDREW’S PARISH CHURCH HALLS
on the 1st Day of
November, Two Thousand and Five years, on which day the PRESBYTERY OF HAMILTON
met and was constituted in prayer.
114. SEDERUNT
The Rev. Norman B. McKee, Moderator,
the Rev. Shaw J. Paterson, Clerk and others as per signed lists in retentis
(Total – 44 Ministers; 1 Deacon; 85
Elders; 5 Corresponding Members).
115. MINUTES
The Minute of Meeting XIII (2005) was read and approved.
116. INTIMATIONS
Intimations were made.
117. PRESENTATION
The Moderator presented a copy of
the Good News Bible to Dickson Keir in recognition of his Admission as Reader.
118. BIG SATURDAY REPORT
The Presbytery called for the report
of the Parish Development Committee which was given in by the Rev. Klaus
Buwert, Convener and Mr. Neil MacLennan, representing the organising Committee.
It was moved, seconded
and agreed :
The Presbytery welcomes the success
of the Big Saturday and records its appreciation of the effective co-operation
across Clyde Presbyteries. Given the
encouragement that such an event has been to the church, the Presbytery invites
the Clyde Presbyteries Planning Group to consider future events under the
umbrella of Church Without Walls and in the name of Clyde Presbyteries.
119. MOTHERWELL PLAN
The
Presbytery called for the report of the Motherwell Plan which was given in by
Mr. David Alexander, Convener of the Parish Planning Committee.
There were
laid on the table Citations from the congregations within the Motherwell
Attestation Area returned duly served.
Parties
were called, appeared and spoke.
It was
moved and seconded:
1. The
Presbytery receives the Parish Planning Plan anent Motherwell and approves the
recommendations contained therein, subject to the concurrence of the General
Assembly’s Committee on Parish Appraisal.
It was moved and
seconded as an Amendment:
The Presbytery receives
the Parish Planning Plan anent Motherwell and in relation to Motherwell: St.
Margaret’s, agrees to delete the deferred linkage and replace it with a 5-year
Reviewable Tenure, and approves the amended recommendations.
On a vote being taken
For and Against, it carried Against.
It was moved and
seconded as a Counter-Motion:
The Presbytery receives
the Parish Planning Plan anent Motherwell, rejects the recommendations
contained therein and instructs the Committee to consult with parties and
report with a Deliverance enumerating each proposal.
On a vote being taken
For and Against it carried For the original Deliverance.
The Deliverance was
then agreed.
The Rev. David W. Doyle
recorded his dissent.
The Rev. John M. A.
Thomson begged leave to dissent and complain, taking instruments, intimating
his wish to appeal and crave Extracts.
120. OVERTURE AMENDING ACT VII
(2003) ANENT APPROVAL AND ADJUSTMENT
The Presbytery called
for the presentation of the Overture given in by Mr. David Alexander.
It was moved, seconded
and agreed that Presbytery accept the Overture and there voted For 130 and nil Against.
It was further agreed
to send the following comment with the return to the Overture:
“The question of
buildings has been one that has exercised a number of recent General Assemblies
in terms of the perceived need to reduce buildings in order to make better use
of finance, potentially in releasing funds for ministries in the Church. There can be little doubt that such a
strategy makes eminent sense in a time of increasing financial restraint.
For Presbytery,
however, this will bring added pressures within the Appraisal process to arrive
at an early conclusion to the disposition of buildings:
1. Currently within
Plans where a union is not expected to take place for some time the Plan for an
area of Presbytery has not pursued the issue of buildings leaving that decision
to be made at a later date. In the
sections of the Presbytery Plan currently presented to Presbytery there are a
number of situations where the decision on buildings remains to be taken, e.g.:
·
In the Airdrie Plan the proposed union of New Wellwynd and High and the
proposed union of Flowerhill and Broomknoll;
·
In the
·
In the Strathaven Plan the proposed union of Chalmers, Trinity and St.
Machan’s.
2. There are instances in the Appraisal process where the Plan is not
definitive about the nature of readjustment in an area although recognising
that some readjustment may be necessary, e.g:
·
In the Airdrie Plan the reference to possible readjustment on the east
side of Airdrie involving Caldercruix, Chapelhall, Clarkston and Jackson.
·
In the Coatbridge Plan the reference to possible readjustment involving
Bargeddie and Townhead.
In the situation where
unions are planned but no decision has been taken on buildings it is possible
to argue that a period of reflection and discussion is needed when a union is
proposed before tackling the issues involved in the Basis of Union especially
the issue of determining which buildings are to be used. Similarly there are good reasons in some
areas of the Presbytery leading to a situation where it is clear that some form
of readjustment may be necessary but the exact nature of that readjustment may
be uncertain, for example the development of new housing in an area.
The amendment to Act
VII 2003 proposed will put added pressure on Presbytery to arrive at early
decisions on Appraisal matters to prevent unnecessary expenditure on buildings
failing which the General Trustees will deal with any disputed issue under
existing legislation or through arbitration.
On balance, despite the
added pressure in the Appraisal process, it is recommended that the amendment
proposed to Act VII 2003 should be supported by the Presbytery as a means of
reducing expenditure on buildings.
121. OVERTURE ANENT PRESBYTERY
MEMBERSHIP
The Presbytery called
for the presentation of the Overture given in by the Rev. Robert A. Hamilton.
It was moved, seconded
and agreed that Presbytery accept the Overture and there voted For 130 and nil
Against.
122. PARISH PLANNING –
APPRAISAL
HOLYTOWN
and NEW STEVENSTON: WRANGHOLM
The Presbytery called for the report
of the Parish Planning Committee which was given in by Mr. David Alexander,
Convener.
There were laid on the
table Citations from the congregations of Holytown and New Stevenston:
Wrangholm returned duly served.
Parties appeared and
spoke.
It was
moved, seconded and agreed :
a) The
Presbytery notes that the General Assembly’s Appraisal Committee has not
concurred with the decision regarding the 5 year Reviewable Call granted by the
Presbytery to both Holytown and New Stevenston: Wrangholm.
b) The Presbytery instructs the Parish Planning
Committee to enter into discussions with the office bearers of Holytown and New
Stevenston: Wrangholm on this matter and to report back as soon as possible.
The Presbytery called for
the report of the Co-ordinating Committee which was given in by the Rev. Robert
A. Hamilton, Vice-Convener.
It
was moved, seconded and agreed:
1. The
Presbytery receives the report.
2. The
Presbytery grants permission to the congregations of Bellshill: Macdonald
Memorial and
3. The
Presbytery grants a Presbyterial Certificate to the Rev. H. J. W. Findlay.
4. The
Presbytery notes the appointment of Mrs. Georgina Macmillan as Locum Tenens of
Motherwell:
5. The Presbytery notes the success of the
Big Saturday and congratulates each of its members who served on the organising
committees.
ADDENDUM
The Presbytery agrees to grant the Rev. Elizabeth Waddell leave of absence on health grounds from 10th November, 2005 for a period of 8 weeks.
The Presbytery called for the report of the Parish
Development Committee which was given in by the Rev. Dr. Klaus O. Buwert,
Convener.
It was moved, seconded and agreed :
1. The Presbytery receives the report.
2. The
Presbytery commends the Ministry Team at East Kilbride:
3. The
Presbytery encourages congregations to attend the Prayer and Praise evening on
Sunday, 27th November at Motherwell: Dalziel St. Andrew’s Church.
4. The Presbytery encourages the Parish Development Committee and the Congregational Development Officer in the organising of the “Telling God’s Story in Hamilton Presbytery” event on 11th March, 2006, and encourages congregations to come out of their small corners and tell their stories.
The Presbytery called for the report
of the Church and Social Interest Committee which was given in by the Rev. L.
Thorne, Committee Member
It was moved, seconded and agreed:
1. The Presbytery receives the report.
2. The Presbytery urges Ministers and
Readers to participate in leading worship at Dungavel Immigration Removal
Centre, and asks them to contact the Rev. J. Grier if willing to do so.
3. The Presbytery instructs the Clerk to write to the family of Ian Manson, Director of Social Work and to the Social Care Council expressing the sincere condolences of the Presbytery on the death of Mr. Manson and to express the Presbytery’s gratitude for all that he did in the name of the Church.
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. UDDINGSTON:
VIEWPARK
The Presbytery approves the request
to redesign the church costing an estimated £1,321,000. Approval is also given
to seek grants and loans which may be available.
3. AIRDRIE: NEW MONKLAND lw GREENGAIRS
The Presbytery approves the request
to upgrade the manse costing £7,312 inclusive of VAT based on contractors’
quotations paid for from funds held by the General Trustees on the
congregation’s behalf.
4. MOTHERWELL: CROSSHILL
The Presbytery approves the request
to construct a ramp access at the front entrance of the church, costing £18,024
inclusive of VAT based on contractors’ quotations. Funds are to hand.
5.
The Presbytery approves the request
for the use of their halls by an after-school club with the premises adapted to
suit current legislation of the Care Commission, and Fire and Local
Authorities. Costs to be met by the
prospective tenant.
6. AIRDRIE: BROOMKNOLL
The Presbytery approves the request to replace the
double glazing to the manse and allied redecoration costing £7,875 inclusive of
VAT based on contractors’ quotations.
Funds are to hand.
7. MOTHERWELL: ST. MARY’S
The Presbytery approves the request
to repair roofs and external plumber work costing an estimated £133,000. Approval is also given to seek grants and
loans which may be available.
8. AIRDRIE: NEW MONKLAND lw GREENGAIRS
The Presbytery approves the Professional Second Follow-on Property Report and awaits the response of the office bearers as to the contents and recommendations.
ADDENDA
1. WISHAW: ST. MARK’S
a) The
Presbytery notes the concurrence of the General Assembly’s Appraisal Committee
with the Presbytery’s decision to grant a 7 year Reviewable Call to Wishaw: St.
Mark’s. Presbytery also notes the
non-concurrence with the proposed restriction of this 7 year Reviewable Call
being linked to a vacancy at either Cambusnethan North or Cambusnethan Old
whichever is the earlier, instead proposing the restriction to be linked “to
the occasion of a vacancy at a neighbouring charge whichever is the earlier.”
b) The
Presbytery accepts this amendment and instructs the Clerk to make the necessary
change to the Wishaw Plan and advise the General Assembly’s Appraisal Committee
accordingly.
2.
The Presbytery approves the request by
127. 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 notes that, in relation
to payment of Ministries and Mission Allocations:
I.
the constitution approved by the General Assembly for its Stewardship
and Finance Committee requires that “each Congregation shall transmit
contributions towards its allocation in 10 or 12 equal monthly payments during
the current allocation year by bank standing order unless permission is granted
by the Presbytery to allow payments to be made under some other arrangement.
II.
instructs Congregations to make allocation payments for 2006 in
accordance with this requirement;
III.
advises a Congregation that may be unable to comply with the
requirement to apply, giving due reasons, for permission to adopt an
alternative arrangement not later than 31st December, 2005;
IV.
instructs the Clerk to notify all Congregations in writing accordingly.
3. The
Presbytery approves the Ministries and Mission Allocations for 2006.
4. The Presbytery approves that part of
the Presbytery’s Ministries and Mission Allocations allowance for 2006 be used
to write off accumulated shortfalls of £5,000 at each of Airdrie: St.
Columba’s, Cleland, Motherwell: St. Margaret’s, and Kirk O’ Shotts.
5. The Presbytery agrees that voluntary additional stipend
payments may be made in 2006 by Airdrie: New Wellwynd (10%), Bothwell (15%),
Chapelton lw Strathaven: Rankin (5%), Coatbridge: St. Andrew’s (10%), East
Kilbride: Old (5%), East Kilbride: South (10%), Hamilton: Cadzow (10%),
Hamilton: Old (15%), Hamilton: St. John’s (15%), Larkhall: St. Machan’s (5%),
Motherwell: Dalziel: St. Andrew’s (10%), Motherwell: South Dalziel (5%),
Strathaven: Avendale Old (15%), Shotts: Calderhead Erskine (5%), Wishaw:
Cambusnethan North (5%), Wishaw: South Wishaw (10%) and Uddingston: Old (10%).
128. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further
business the Presbytery adjourned at
9.25 p.m. to meet for Ordinary Business within Motherwell:
Dalziel St. Andrew`s Church Halls on Tuesday, 6th December, 2005 at
7.00 p.m.
…………………………………………………
Moderator
…………………………………………………..
Presbytery Clerk