IV MOTHERWELL: 2nd MAY
2006
At MOTHERWELL: DALZIEL ST. ANDREW’S PARISH CHURCH
HALLS on the 2nd Day of May,
Two Thousand and Six years, on which day the PRESBYTERY OF HAMILTON met and was
constituted in prayer.
33. SEDERUNT
The Rev. Norman B. McKee, Moderator,
the Rev. Shaw J. Paterson, Clerk and others as per signed lists in retentis
(Total – 51 Ministers; 1 Deacon; 77 Elders; 7 Corresponding Members).
34. MINUTES
The Minute of Meeting III (2006) was read and approved.
35. CONGRATULATIONS
The Moderator offered the congratulations of the
Court to the Rev. Dr. James Martin on the 60th anniversary of his
ordination and to the Rev. Douglas W. Wallace on the 25th
anniversary of his ordination.
36. WORLD
The
Moderator welcomed Mr. Nigel Pound, Co-ordinator, Church of Scotland HIV/AIDS
Project and invited him to address the Court.
Mr. Pound highlighted the work of the Project, particularly the concern
regarding the rising numbers of HIV/AIDS cases globally. The Presbytery assured Mr. Pound of their
prayerful support.
37. INTIMATIONS
Intimations were
made.
38. THE GUILD
Mrs. H. Stewart,
Vice-Convener of Hamilton South Presbyterial Council of the Guild addressed the
Court on the current activities of the Guild both locally and nationally.
39. COMMISSIONERS
TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Pursuant
to a resolution entered in the Minutes of the Meeting of 7th March,
2006, the Presbytery hereby appoints, nominates and appoints:
Rev.
Arthur P. Barrie Rev.
Mhorag Macdonald
Rev. David
G. Burt Rev.
James M. Gibson
Rev. Dr.
Ronald J. M. Stitt Rev.
Andrew Thomson
Rev.
Lindsay Schluter Rev.
Patricia A. Carruth
Rev. Alan
W. Gibson Rev.
William G. McKaig
Rev. Derek
W. Hughes Rev.
Gordon R. Palmer
Rev.
Leslie W. Thorne Rev.
Kenneth A. L. Mayne
Rev. Agnes
P. Low Rev.
Sandi McGill
Rev. Dr.
John L. McPake Rev.
Robert A. Hamilton
The Very
Rev. Dr. Hugh R. Wyllie Rev.
Shaw J.
Rev.
Norman B. McKee
Ministers
with:
Larkhall:
Trinity
Strathaven:
Avendale Old & Drumclog Coatbridge:
Motherwell:
Dalziel St. Andrew’s East
Kilbride:
Motherwell:
St. Mary’s
Overtown Uddingston:
Burnhead
Mr. David
Alexander, Mr. J. David Park, Mr. George Robertson, Miss Margaret Graham
Ruling Elders
Its Commissioners to the next General Assembly of the Church of Scotland indicted to meet at Edinburgh, the Twentieth 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.
40. 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 that the congregations of Strathaven: Glasford, Larkhall:
Chalmers and Holytown cancelled morning worship due to the heavy snow on 12th
March 2006.
3 The Presbytery nominates the Rev M
MacDonald to be its Moderator for the session 2006-7.
4 The Presbytery appoints the following
as Conveners/Vice Conveners: Coordinating Committee – Rev R A Hamilton [C] Rev.
N. B. McKee [VC], Parish Development – Rev. P. Johnston [C], Mrs. E. Milne
[VC], Ministry Development – Mr. W. Wilson [C], Parish Planning – Rev. Dr. I.
Thom (VC), Local Area Committees: Mr. C. McLean [1], Rev. P. Grant [2], Rev. S.
Raby [6], Rev A Paton [7], Rev A MacKenzie [8]
5 The Presbytery agrees to the request
of the Rev W S Dunn to retain his seat in Presbytery.
6 The Presbytery approves the request
from the charges of East Kilbride: West, Airdrie: St Columba’s and
7 The Presbytery notes the resignation
of Mr J McRae and Mr H Webster as Additional Elders and thanks them warmly for
their length of service and involvement.
8 The Presbytery appoints the Rev. L.
Easton and Rev. A. McKillop as two of its representatives to serve on
Stewartfield New Charge Development Commission.
9 The Presbytery homologates the actions
of the Presbytery Clerk in issuing an administrative suspension to two elders,
subject to the matter being dealt with by Presbytery at a future date.
10 The Presbytery, following a request from
the Minister and Office Bearers, appoints the Very Rev Dr H R Wyllie
(Convener), Mr A Porter and Mr W Park to a Committee of Inquiry at Airdrie:
Clarkston.
11. The
Presbytery appoints the Rev D W Hughes (Convener), Rev A P Low and Mr K
Griffiths as the Monitoring Group for the Interim Ministry at Holytown &
Wrangholm, which will become the Advisory Committee in the subsequent vacancy.
12. The
Presbytery notes the appointment of the Rev J G Munton as Locum at New Monkland
& Greengairs for Sundays and two days per week. It further notes that the congregation will
be required to pay any costs over and above the allowance granted by
13 The
Presbytery appoints the Moderator and Clerk to attend the Covenant Service for
The Church of Scotland and United Free church at Dunblane on 16th
September 2006.
14. The
Presbytery notes the request by Larkhall: Chalmers, St Machan’s and Trinity to
hold joint services on Sundays 21st May, 6th & 13th
August 2006.
15. The
Presbytery notes that the Kirk Session of Wishaw: South Wishaw has agreed to
enter into discussion with the Church’s Mediation Network (
16. The
Presbytery agrees to grant powers to the Clerk to nominate two Ministers and
two Elders from this year’s Commissioners to serve on any Commission of
Assembly for the coming year.
ADDENDUM
The
Presbytery notes the appointment of the Rev. J. Hunter as Locum at
41. 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 receives the report.
2. The
Presbytery notes the application for readmission to the Church of Scotland of
Donald Lawrie. Details are laid on the table and any comments should be passed
to the convener of the Ministry Development Committee.
3. The
Presbytery notes the application for readmission to the Church of Scotland of
Alex McAspurren. Details are laid on the table and any comments should be
passed to the convener of the Ministry Development Committee.
4. The Presbytery notes
that Stuart McIlory, 17 Dentdale,
5. The Presbytery notes
that Frances McCart has been readmitted as a Reader in the Church of Scotland.
6. The Presbytery notes
that, where permission has been given, Study Leave reports are made available,
via the Convener, to those who would like to read them and find out more about
the nature of the work done by individual ministers.
7. The Presbytery invites
ministers, on completion of their Study Leave report, to give a brief verbal
account of what was involved and what they learned during the period.
8. The Presbytery notes
receipt of a Study Leave report from the Revd Derek Hughes (Motherwell: Dalziel
St. Andrew’s) on his visit to observe work amongst the street children of
9. The Presbytery notes
receipt of a Study Leave application from the Revd Lindsay Schluter (Larkhall:
Trinity) with regard to furthering her Ph.D. studies while based in The British
School at Rome from 2nd to 20th October 2006.
10. The Presbytery notes
receipt of a Study Leave application from the Revd John Brewster (East
Kilbride: Greenhills) with regard to attendance at a seminar on “Christian
Worship and the Practices of Visual Art,” from 26th June to 7th
July, 2006, to be held within Calvin College, Michigan, USA, and from 8th
to 15th July, 2006, with regard to participation in the Chautauqua
Institution, New York State, USA.
11. The Presbytery notes receipt of a Study
Leave application from the Rev Douglas Wallace (
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 notes
North Lanarkshire Education Committee’s Working Group on Religious Observance
in Schools.
3. The Presbytery notes
North Lanarkshire Education Committee’s Conference on Chaplaincy in Schools.
4. The Presbytery seeks
nominations from Ministers for two posts as part-time Chaplains at
5. The Presbytery appoints the Rev. Mhorag
MacDonald as its contact for the Church of Scotland Advisory Group on Health
and Healing.
6.
The Presbytery notes with concern the lack of
progress in relation to the proposed development of Well Hall Home and urges
Crossreach to proceed with the proposed redevelopment as a matter of urgency.
7.
The Presbytery encourages Presbyters to inform
themselves about the trafficking of women during the World Cup in
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
receipt of an Extract Minute of the Parish Appraisal Committee of 18th
April 2006, concerning the Presbytery Plan in the following terms:
The Committee concurred
with the plan with the exception of the Coatbridge Attestation Area and subject
to the following changes and clarifications:-
a)
Larkhall: Chalmers, St. Machan’s and Trinity –
structure of staffing for the united charge: one minister and one other.
b)
Overtown – plan for the congregation at the end of
the ten-year plan: unrestricted.
c)
Airdrie: High, New Wellwynd and St. Columba’s –
structure of staffing for the united charge: one minister and one other.
d)
Airdrie: Caldercruix, Chapelhall, Clarkson and
Jackson – plan for the congregations at the end of the ten-year plan: parish
grouping of two linked charges, each consisting of two congregations; structure of staffing for the parish
grouping; two ministers and one other.
e)
Identification of charges where further additional
staff will be deployed, taking into account the size of parishes, and their
Priority Area status.
f)
Clarification of the nature of additional staff.
g)
Confirmation from the Presbytery that the
presentation of the Plan in grid format, with the precision of details this
makes possible, represents its decision.
3. The
Presbytery instructs the Parish Planning Committee to consult with office
bearers of Charges affected and report back at the June Presbytery Meeting.
4. The Presbytery instructs
the Parish Planning Committee to bring forward a Staffing plan to the June
Presbytery Meeting.
5. The Presbytery instructs
the Parish Planning Committee to commence a further appraisal of the Coatbridge
Attestation Area and to report back as soon as possible.
6. The Presbytery notes the decision of
the Presbytery of Glasgow to accede to the request of the Presbytery to adjust
the boundary between the two Presbyteries in
7.
The Presbytery approves
the request to erect a telecommunications mast in the church tower with all
costs being paid by Vodaphone.
8. WISHAW: CRAIGNEUK AND
BELHAVEN
The Presbytery approves
the request to eradicate rot and subsequent redecoration costing £9,510 based
on Contractors’ estimates. Funds are to
hand.
9.
The Presbytery approves
the request to replace the central heating boiler and fit thermostatic valves
to all radiators costing £5,766.90 including VAT as approved by A. MacOwan
Associates. Funds are to hand.
10. WISHAW: CAMBUSNETHAN OLD
AND MORNINGSIDE
The
Presbytery approves the request to upgrade toilet accommodation to comply with
the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 costing £14,558.36 including VAT based
on Contractors’ estimates. Funds are to
hand.
11. STRATHAVEN: AVENDALE OLD
AND DRUMCLOG
The Presbytery approves
the request to repair the pipe organ costing £17,472.25 including VAT based on
Contractors’ estimates. Approval is also
given to apply for grants and loans, which may be available.
12. DALSERF
The Presbytery approves
the request for approval in principle to investigate the erection of halls
accommodation costing an estimated £70,000 adjacent to the church. Plans and costs to be provided for full
approval when available.
13.
MOTHERWELL:
The
Presbytery approves the request to remove the pipe organ console from the
chancel and place it in storage pending a possible future rebuild of the pipe
organ. Funds are to hand.
14.
WISHAW: ST. MARK’S
The
Presbytery approves the Professional Second Follow-on Property Report and
awaits the response of the office bearers as to the contents and
recommendations.
15. NEWARTHILL AND CARFIN
The Presbytery approves
the Professional Second Follow-on Property Report and awaits the response of
the office bearers as to the contents and recommendations.
16. BELLSHILL: WEST
The Presbytery approves the
Professional Second Follow-on Property Report and awaits the response of the
office bearers as to the contents and recommendations.
44. PASTORAL SUPPORT COMMITTEE
The Presbytery, meeting in private,
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 Airdrie: New Wellwynd, commends the
minister, office bearers and members for their enthusiasm and co-operation
leading to a vibrant congregation including all ages, serving both members and
parish, and encourages them in their worship, work and witness and in the new
ways they are developing these.
3. The Presbytery notes that the
Attestation of Congregational Records for 2006 has been satisfactorily
completed and that records were generally found to be in good order.
The
Presbytery, meeting again in open Court, 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 receives the report on the Sharing God’s Story event.
3. The Presbytery welcomes the success of the Sharing God’s Story event and thanks the planning team for their work.
46. ADJOURNMENT
There
being no further business the Presbytery adjourned at 9 p.m. to meet for Ordinary Business within
Uddingston: Old Parish Church on Tuesday,
20th June 2006 at 7.00 p.m.
…………………………………………………
Moderator
…………………………………………………..
Presbytery Clerk