II MOTHERWELL:
7th FEBRUARY 2006
At MOTHERWELL: DALZIEL ST. ANDREW’S PARISH CHURCH
HALLS on the 7th Day of
February, Two Thousand and Six years, on which day the PRESBYTERY OF HAMILTON
met and was constituted in prayer.
3. SEDERUNT
The Rev. Norman B. McKee, Moderator,
the Rev. Shaw J. Paterson, Clerk and others as per signed lists in retentis
(Total – 61 Ministers; 0 Deacon; 83 Elders; 7 Corresponding Members).
4. WELCOME
The Moderator addressed appropriate words of welcome
to the Rev. Norman MacLeod newly inducted Minister at
5. TRIBUTES
The Rev. Klaus Buwert in fitting terms paid tribute
to Mrs. Carol Horne, Presbytery Elder at Wishaw: St. Mark’s and a member of
Presbytery’s Adult Education Team, who died on
25th December, 2005.
The Rev. Paul Grant, in fitting
terms paid tribute to Mr. Alex Golder, Presbytery Elder at Stonehouse: St.
Ninian’s, who died on 12th January 2006.
The Clerk was instructed to hold the
tributes in retentis and to send a copy, together with an expression of
the sympathy of the Court, to the families.
6. MINUTES
The Minute of Meeting
XV (2005) was read and approved.
7. INTIMATIONS
Intimations were
made.
8.
The Presbytery
called for the report of the East Kilbride Plan which was given in by Mr. David
Findlay, Vice-Convener of the Parish Planning Committee.
There were
laid on the table Citations from the congregations within the East Kilbride
Attestation Area returned duly served.
Parties
were called, appeared and spoke.
It was
moved, seconded and agreed:
The Presbytery
receives the Plan (as amended) for the East Kilbride Area and approves the
recommendations contained therein, subject to the concurrence of the General
Assembly’s Committee on Parish Appraisal.
9. 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 notes the intention of Motherwell:
3. The
Presbytery notes the intention of the Rev. Phyllis Wilson to retire on 26th
November 2006.
4. The
Presbytery notes that, following Leave to Appeal at the last Presbytery
meeting, an Appeal has been lodged with the Clerk from the Kirk Session of
Uddingston: Park against the Uddingston Attestation Area Plan.
5. The
Presbytery notes the resignation of the Rev. Dr. Klaus Buwert as Convener of
Parish Development and appoints the Rev. Peter Johnston as Convener until June.
6. The
Presbytery notes the request of
ADDENDA
1. The
Presbytery appoints the Rev. David E. P. Currie as its representative on Radio
Clyde’s Religious Advisory Committee.
2. The
Presbytery notes receipt of a letter from the Kirk Session of Hamilton: Cadzow,
dated 27th January, intimating that, following meetings of the Kirk
Session, Congregational Board and the Congregation, the decision had been taken
to close
The
Presbytery called for the report of the Parish Development Committee which was
given in by the Rev. Peter N. Johnston, Convener.
It was moved, seconded and agreed
:
1. The
Presbytery receives the report.
2. The
Presbytery acknowledges receipt of the Uddingston: Burnhead Ministry Team
Report and commends the team for the work being done within this parish.
3. The
Presbytery encourages congregations to visit “Sharing God’s Story” to be held
on 11th March 2006 in Motherwell: Dalziel St. Andrew’s.
4. The Presbytery instructs the Parish
Development Committee to review the post of Congregational Development Officer.
5. The Presbytery agrees to enter a 3-year
contract for a Schools and Churches Youth Development Worker in partnership
with Scripture Union Scotland.
6. The Presbytery welcomes a Working Group
consisting of nominated members of the Parish Development Committee and
Stewardship and Finance Committee to develop funding options of the post of
Congregational Development Officer and present options to the June 2006
meeting.
11. MINISTRY DEVELOPMENT
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 readmission to the Church of Scotland of Keith Offor who is
resident in Hamilton Presbytery.
Presbytery instructs the Ministry Development Committee to interview Mr.
Offor and invites anyone who would wish to comment on this matter to pass
details to the Convener of the Committee or the Presbytery Clerk before 17th
February 2006. Further, powers be
granted to the Committee to pass on their assessment to the Ministries
Council’s Assessment Scheme Committee which meets on 7th March 2006
prior to the next Presbytery meeting.
2. The Presbytery notes
receipt of the following Study Leave Reports -
Rev. Lindsay Schluter
(Larkhall: Trinity) – making use of the specialised facilities at Frankfurt
University in connection with PhD studies from 1st to 7th
January 2006;
Rev. John Thomson (
Rev. Dr. John McPake (
3. The Presbytery notes
receipt of the following Study Leave Application -
Rev. Mhorag MacDonald
(Wishaw: Cambusnethan North) – private study on Quantum Healing – 18th
April to 3rd May 2006.
4. The Presbytery notes the retirement of Leslie Falconer on 31st December 2005 and thanks him for his 27 years service to the Church as a Reader.
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 instructs
Kirk Sessions to ensure that the observance of major Christian festivals is not
set aside on the grounds that other faiths may be offended; and encourages Kirk
Sessions to ensure that these events are celebrated appropriately, publicly and
with joy.
3. The Presbytery, noting
with concern that this implication of giving offence is a growing problem,
encourages congregations, where it is appropriate, to raise the matter with
local authorities, and through local and national media.
4. The Presbytery instructs
the Clerk to send a copy of this Deliverance to the Church and Society Council,
Roman Catholic Diocese and
The Presbytery called for the report of the Parish Planning Committee which was given in by Mr. David Findlay, Vice-Convener.
It was moved, seconded and agreed.
1. The Presbytery receives
the report.
2.
WISHAW: CAMBUSNETHAN OLD AND MORNINGSIDE
The Presbytery approves the request to increase the capacity of the Vodaphone equipment and to erect two antennae in the tower on behalf of Strathclyde Fire and Rescue WAN in addition to the existing equipment belonging to Strathclyde Police and Vodaphone. Costs to be shared by the installers.
3.
COATBRIDGE:
The Presbytery approves the request to have costs for fitting double-glazing at house for a retired minister costing £2,899.97 paid from funds held on the congregation’s behalf by the General Trustees.
4. BELLSHILL: WEST
The Presbytery approves the request to provide access ramp and toilet in compliance of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 costing £16,046.00 based on contractors’ quotations and to seek grants and loans which may be available.
5. AIRDRIE: CHAPELHALL
The
Presbytery approves the request to upgrade the manse costing £8,566.93
including VAT based on contractors’ quotations and to seek grants and loans
which may be available.
6.
MOTHERWELL: CARFIN
The
Presbytery approves the request to provide access ramp and toilet in compliance
of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 based on contractors’ quotations and
paid for from funds held on the congregation’s behalf by the General Trustees.
7.
The
Presbytery approves the request for £5245.95 additional to that approved on 2nd
November 2005 and further fabric invoices totalling £19,500.28 together
amounting to £24,746.23 from funds held on the congregation’s behalf by the
General Trustees.
8.
The Presbytery approves the request to alter toilet facilities in compliance of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and to refurbishing the kitchen together costing £29,048.70 including VAT based on contractors’ quotations. Funds are to hand.
9. AIRDRIE:
HIGH
The
Presbytery approves the request to repair the organ costing £28,563.08
inclusive of VAT based on contractors’
quotations. Funds are to hand.
10.
The
Presbytery approves the professional Second Follow-on Property Report and
awaits the response of the office bearers as to the contents and
recommendations.
11.
WISHAW: OLD
The
Presbytery approves the professional Second Follow-on Property Report and
awaits the response of the office bearers as to the contents and
recommendations.
12. LARKHALL: TRINITY
The
Presbytery approves the professional Second Follow-on Property Report and
awaits the response of the office bearers as to the contents and
recommendations.
13.
The
Presbytery notes the approval of the Parish Planning Committee on the condition
of the Manse of Hamilton: St. Andrew’s.
14. PASTORAL SUPPORT COMMITTEE
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 of the Quinquennial visit to
3. The Presbytery commends
the Minister, Office Bearers and members of Hamilton: North for their
commitment, energy and vision and for encouraging a warm and rich sense of
fellowship within the life of the Church; congratulates the congregation on
their recent 250th anniversary, the way in which that was marked,
and encourages them as they plan for the future in partnership with others.
4. The Presbytery commends the Minister,
Office Bearers and members of Hamilton: Burnbank for their commitment and
resilience in difficult circumstances, congratulates the congregation on their
recent 125th anniversary, the way in which that was marked, and
encourages them as they plan for the future in partnership with others.
15. 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
the request by Cleland, East Kilbride: Greenhills, Larkhall: Chalmers,
Motherwell: St. Margaret’s, Motherwell: St. Mary’s, Newarthill, Bellshill:
Orbiston and Wishaw: Old, to make payments against Ministries and Mission
Allocations for 2006 other than by Standing Order for 12 equal monthly
instalments.
3. The Presbytery agrees
that, in the absence of other funds, the Congregations named in Section 2 of
this Deliverance, may defer commencing of payments until April 2006.
4. The Presbytery
re-affirms that payments of equal value should be made on a regular basis from
April to December 2006 so as to ensure that allocations are met in full.
5. The Presbytery encourages all
Congregations to consider improving their cash position through submission of
more regular claims to HM Revenue and Customs for recovery of tax on Gift Aid
payments.
16. PRESBYTERY REVIEW
The Presbytery called for the report
of the Presbytery Review Committee which was given in by the Rev. Scott Raby,
Convener.
It
was moved, seconded and agreed:
1. The Presbytery reaffirms the committee
structure for Local Area Mission Committees as defined in the minute of 1st
April 2003, and instructs the Co-ordinating Committee to follow this structure
when next nominating members of Presbytery to serve on Local Area Mission
Committees.
2. The Presbytery instructs Local Area
Mission Committees to nominate a Presbyter member. Who may be the Convener, to
represent it with due diligence as a member of the Co-ordinating Committee.
3. The Presbytery encourages Presbyters to
give full consideration to serving on their Local Area Mission Committee when
completing the next information form in May 2006.
4. The Presbytery instructs Conveners of
Local Area Mission Committees to give regular written reports to Presbytery,
either through presentation at Presbytery meetings, or “tabled” for perusal by
Presbyters.
5. The Presbytery urges Conveners of
central Committees, where possible, to share matters thought to be of “local”
interest or importance with Local Area Mission Committees for consideration and
feedback.
17. 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, 7th March 2006 at 7.00 p.m.
…………………………………………………
Moderator
…………………………………………………..
Presbytery Clerk