CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

PRESBYTERY OF HAMILTON

 

I           MOTHERWELL:  6th FEBRUARY. 2007  

At MOTHERWELL: DALZIEL ST ANDREW’S PARISH CHURCH HALLS on the 6th              Day of February, Two Thousand and Seven years, on which day the PRESBYTERY OF      HAMILTON met and was constituted in prayer.

 

Post preces sederunt

 

1.         SEDERUNT

            The Rev. Mhorag Macdonald, Moderator, the Rev. Shaw J. Paterson, Clerk, and others as per signed lists in retentis (Total – 54 Ministers; 2 Deacon; 79 Elders; 10 Corresponding Members).

 

2.         WELCOME

            The Moderator extended a word of welcome to Jen Robertson, newly appointed Youth Development Worker.

 

3.         MINUTES

            The Minutes of Meetings XIII and XIV (2006) were read and approved.

 

4.         INTIMATIONS

            Intimations were made.

 

5.         PRESENTATIONS

                                        

The Moderator in fitting terms paid tribute to the work of Mr David Geddes Congregational Development officer and wished him well in his new post within Rutherglen Baptist Church.

 

The Moderator in fitting terms paid tribute to Mrs Ishbel Sheridan on retiring from her post as administrative assistant within the presbytery office, and wished both herself and Craig a happy retirement.

  

 

6.                  RESOLUTION TO APPOINT COMMISSIONERS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

            The Presbytery resolved that at its meeting on 6th March, 2007  the Clerk would move       the nomination of Commissioners to the General Assembly according to the rota with the      addition of Ministers and Elders in accordance with the number of places allocated.

 

7.         PARISH DEVELOPMENT

            The Presbytery called for the report of the Parish Development Committee which was given in by the Rev. Peter Johnston, Convener.

 

            It was moved, seconded and agreed:

           

  1. The Presbytery receives the Report.
  2. The Presbytery thanks David Geddes for his work as Congregational Development Officer.
  3. The Presbytery acknowledges receipt of the Annual Team Report from East Kilbride: Claremont and commends the team on their work during 2006.
  4. The Presbytery acknowledges receipt of the Annual Team Report from Uddingston: Burnhead and commends the team on their work during 2006.
  5. The Presbytery acknowledges receipt of the Annual Team Report from East Kilbride: Mischief and commends the team on their work during 2006.
  6. The Presbytery commends Clyde Presbyteries Planning Group for the on-going work in preparation for NEXUS Scotland 2007.
  7. The Presbytery agrees to promote NEXUS Scotland 2007 to its congregations.

ADDENDUM

The Presbytery approves the application for funding to the Special Trusts of the Mission and Discipleship Council by East Kilbride:  Westwood for the amount of £2,000.

 

8.         BUSINESS COMMITTEE

            The Presbytery called for the report of the Business Committee, which was given in by Mr. David Alexander, Convener.

 

            It was moved, seconded and agreed:

 

1.                  The Presbytery receives the report.

2.                  UDDINGSTON PARK – In private:

Meeting in Open Court

3.                  DEPUTE PRESBYTERY CLERK – The Presbytery appoints the Rev. Norman McKee to the new post of paid Depute Presbytery Clerk and congratulates him on that appointment.

4.                  ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – The Presbytery appoints Miss Frances Gilmour as Administrative Assistant in the Presbytery Office and congratulates her on that appointment.

5.                  VICE CONVENER, BUSINESS COMMITTEE – The Presbytery appoints the Rev. Dr. John McPake as Vice Convener, Business Committee.

6.                  VICE CONVENER, PARISH PLANNING COMMITTEE – The Presbytery appoints the Rev. Alan Gibson as Vice Convener, Parish Planning Committee.

7.                  CONGREGATIONAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICER – The Presbytery notes the resignation of Mr. David Geddes from the post of Congregational Development Officer and extends grateful thanks for his work on behalf of the Presbytery.

8.                  CHURCH REPRESENTATIVES ON SOUTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL EDUCATION COMMITTEE – The Presbytery approves the submission of Mrs. Marion Dickie to the Standing Committee on Education for approval as the church’s representative on South Lanarkshire Education Committee.

9.                  CHURCH REPRESENTATIVES ON NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL EDUCATION COMMITTEE – The Presbytery approves the submission of Mr. Alexander MacLeod to the Standing Committee on Education for approval as the church’s representative on North Lanarkshire Education Committee.

10.              MOTHERWELL: SOUTH – The Presbytery notes the appointment of the Rev. John Stevenson as Locum at Motherwell: South

11.              MOTHERWELL: SOUTH – The Presbytery notes that the Model Deed of Constitution has been issued by the Delegation of Assembly to Motherwell: South

12.              LARKHALL: TRINITY – In accordance with Act VI, 2004 (anent Kirk Session Meetings), Presbytery grants permission for Mr. George Finlay to moderate the Kirk Session of Larkhall: Trinity.

13.              WISHAW: ST. MARK’S – In accordance with Act VI, 2004 (anent Kirk Session Meetings), Presbytery grants permission for Mr. David Bell to moderate the Kirk Session of Wishaw: St. Mark’s.

14.              WISHAW: SOUTH – The Presbytery agrees to the request of the Rev. Gavin Elliot of the Church’s Ministries Council, to extend until the March meeting the requirement to hear a report on the progress of discussions at Wishaw: South.

ADDENDUM

Presbytery notes that Miss Margaret E. S. Rose BD, a probationer within the bounds, has

been elected to the churches and parish of Carnbree linked with Pittenweem, with her

Ordination and Induction to take place on Wednesday 7th March.

 

9.         PARISH PLANNING

The Presbytery called for the report of the Parish Planning Committee, which was given in by the Rev. Dr. Ian Thom, Convener.

 

It was moved, seconded and agreed:

1.                  The Presbytery receives the report.

2.                  WISHAW: OVERTOWN

            Presbytery commends the minister and office-bearers for the way they have listened to the need of their parish and are seeking to respond and grants a further five year period of Reviewable Tenure.

3.         PRESBYTERY PLAN

            The Presbytery notes receipt of an Extract Minute of the Parish Appraisal Committee of 19th December 2006, concerning the Presbytery Plan in the following terms:  “The Committee concurred with the complete Presbytery plan.  The Presbytery of Hamilton was congratulated for its efforts in formulating the plan”.

4.         STONEHOUSE: ST. NINIAN’S

            The Presbytery approves the request, for their interest, to the Trustees, selling the remaining area of the Stonehouse Glebe extending to 2.865 acres to the South Lanarkshire Council for use as an extension to the cemetery there at an agreed price of £12,000 with the Council agreeing to meet all fees and expenses in connection with the sale.

5.                  SHOTTS: CALDERHEAD ERSKINE

      The Presbytery approves the professional Third Follow-on Property Report and awaits the response of the office bearers as to the contents and recommendations.

6.         EAST KILBRIDE: OLD

            The Presbytery approves the professional Third Follow-on Property Report and awaits the response of the office bearers as to the contents and recommendations.

7.         HAMILTON: HILLHOUSE

The Presbytery approves the professional Third Follow-on-Property Report and awaits the response of the office bearers as to the contents and recommendations.

8.         PROPERTY REPORTS

            The Presbytery notes with concern that some congregations are not acting on the recommendations contained within the Property Reports which are regularly provided to assist in the maintenance and upkeep of the fabric of the property under their care. 

 

10.       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 approves the request by Bellshill: Orbiston to make payment against its Ministries and Mission allocation for 2007 by instalments during the year as funds allow.

3.                  The Presbytery approves the request by Cleland to make payment against its Ministries and Mission allocation for 2007 by instalments of £500 by Standing Order from January to October, with the balance remitted by December, 2007.

4.                  The Presbytery approves the request by Larkhall: Chalmers to make payment against its Ministries and Mission allocation for 2007 by instalments during the year as funds allow.

5.                  The Presbytery approves the request by New Stevenston: Wrangholm Kirk to make payments against its Ministries and Mission allocation for 2007 by monthly instalments of £500 by Standing Order, with the balance remitted by December 2007.

6.                  The Presbytery encourages all congregations to consider improving their cash position through submission of more regular claims to HM Revenue & Customs for recovery of tax on gift aid payments.

 

 

11.       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 notes the one day Conference hosted by North Lanarkshire Council on     “Religious Observance in Schools” to take place on Friday 4th May 2007 in Strathclyde           Hilton Hotel.

 

 

12.       MINISTRIES COMMITTEE

            The Presbytery called for the report of the Ministries Committee which was given in by Mr. William Wilson, Vice-Convener.

 

            It was moved, seconded and agreed:

 

  1. The Presbytery receives the report.
  2. The Presbytery notes receipt of Study leave Report from the Rev. Kenneth Mayne (East Kilbride: West) with regard to his attendance at a “Reforming the Future Conference” in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA in September/October, 2006.

 

13.       PASTORAL SUPPORT COMMITTEE

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

 

            It was moved, seconded and agreed:

 

1.                  The Presbytery receives the report.

2.                  The Presbytery notes the arrangements for Attestation of Congregations Records.

3.                  The Presbytery receives the report on the Quinquennial Visit to Hamilton: Cadzow, commends the Minister, Office Bearers and Members on their combined efforts to be a congregation which serves the present and future needs of people within their community and parish, and encourages them in co-operation with other Hamilton Town Centre Churches in their proposed appointment of Youth Workers.

4.                  The Presbytery receives the report on the Quinquennial Visit to Airdrie: Clarkston, commends the Minister, Office Bearers and Members on the healthy number of new members by profession of faith in 2006, encourages them to consider a stewardship campaign to encourage responsible giving and to proceed without delay to make the alterations necessary to comply with disability legislation.

5.                  The Presbytery approves the appointment of four Presbytery Chaplains and instructs the Pastoral Support Committee to make suitable arrangements to progress this matter.

6.                  The Presbytery approves the appointment of a Complaints Committee and instructs the Business Committee to make suitable arrangements to progress this matter.

 

 

14.       LOCAL AREA COMMITTEE 1 – HAMILTON

            The Presbytery called for the report of Local Area Committee 1 (Hamilton) which was given in by the Mr. Colin McLean, Convener.

 

            It was moved, seconded and agreed:

 

            The Presbytery receives the report.

 

 

15.       VACANCY PROCEDURES COMMITTEE

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

 

            It was moved, seconded and agreed:

1.         The Presbytery notes the following actions taken by its Vacancy Procedures Committee

  • Appoints David Watt as Interim Moderator of Hamilton: Gilmour and Whitehill during the forthcoming absence on health grounds of the Rev. R. J. M. Stitt
  • Accepts the resignation of the Rev. R.J.M. Stitt as Interim Moderator at Chapelhall and thanks him for all his work.
  • Appoints the Rev. Jim Zambonini as Interim Moderator at Chapelhall.

2.         The Presbytery sustains the call at Airdrie: High to Ian McDonald on the basis of 7-year Reviewable Tenure and appoints 22nd February 2007 for his Service of Ordination and Induction.

 

 

16.       ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business the Presbytery adjourned at 8.25p.m. to meet for in hunc effectum for the Ordination and Induction of the Rev. Dr. Ian R. W. McDonald on Thursday, 22nd February, 2007 at 6.45 p.m. for 7.00 p.m.; and Ordinary Business within Motherwell: Dalziel St. Andrew’s Parish Church Halls on Tuesday, 6th March, 2007 at 7.00 pm.