CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

PRESBYTERY OF HAMILTON

 

lV         MOTHERWELL:  1st May, 2007  

At MOTHERWELL: DALZIEL ST ANDREW’S PARISH CHURCH HALLS on the 1st              Day of May, Two Thousand and Seven years, on which day the PRESBYTERY OF HAMILTON met and was constituted in prayer.

 

Post preces sederunt

 

34.       SEDERUNT

            The Rev. Mhorag Macdonald, Moderator, the Rev. Shaw J. Paterson, Clerk, and others as per signed lists in retentis (Total – 55 Ministers; 0 Deacon; 71 Elders; and 7 Corresponding Members).

 

35.       TRIBUTE

            The Rev Alan Gibson, in fitting terms, paid tribute to Mr J. McRae, Reader Emeritus of      Presbytery who died on 11th April, 2007.  The Clerk was instructed to hold the tribute in       retentis and send a copy, together with an expression of sympathy of the Court to his           wife.

 

36.       MINUTES

            The Minutes of Meetings lll (2007) were read and approved.

 

37.       INTIMATIONS

            Intimations were made.

 

38.       CHRISTIAN AID

            The Moderator welcomed Mrs. Eildon Dyer from Christian Aid and invited her to address the Court.  Mrs Dyer highlighted the considerable work of Christian Aid and Presbytery assured her of there prayerful support.

 

39.       GUILD

            Mrs Margaret Cupples, acting convener, of Hamilton North Presbyterial Council of the Guild addressed the Court on the current activities of the Guild both locally and nationally.

 

40.       AFTER ELECTIONS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

            The Clerk reported that there were no after elections.

           

41.       STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS

            Mr Robert Allan treasurer presented the Accounts for 2006

           

            It was moved, seconded and agreed:

 

            1.         The Presbytery receives and approves the Statement of Accounts for the

                  year ended 31st December 2006 and orders it to be printed in the next issue

                  of the Presbytery Handbook.

      2.   The Presbytery notes the opinion on the Statement of Accounts expressed by the

                        Auditor.

      3.   The Presbytery appoints Mr. A.H. Adams, CA to undertake the Audit of the                                                 Statement of Accounts for the year ending 31st December, 2007.               

 

42.       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.                  Presbytery appoints Mrs Irene Anderson as an Additional Elder.

3.                  Presbytery appoints Mrs Irene Anderson as the Presbytery’s World Mission correspondent.

4.                  Presbytery approves the request of Bellshill: Macdonald Memorial and Orbiston Parish Churches to hold joint services on the 20th May and 27th October.

5.                  The Presbytery nominates the Rev. Derek Hughes to be its Moderator for the session 2007-8.

6.                  The Presbytery appoints the Rev. Michael Lyall, Rev. Dr. John McPake, Mr. David Alexander and Mr Roger Horne, Commissioner’s to the General Assembly (2007) as members of any Commission of Assembly called between the General Assemblies of 2007 and 2008.           

7.                  The Presbytery agrees to the request from the Rev. Colin A Sutherland, Blantyre: Livingstone Memorial to demit his charge on the ground of retiral as of 31st October, 2007.

           

            Presbytery called for the report from the Parish Planning Committee which was given in by

            the Rev. Dr. Ian Thom.

 

            It was moved, seconded and agreed:

           

            Presbytery agrees to sist the vacancy proceedings at Blantyre: Livingstone Memorial.

 

8          The Presbytery agrees to the request from the Rev. Arthur P. Barrie Hamilton: Cadzow

             to demit his charge on the grounds of retiral as of 31st October, 2007.

9          Presbytery agrees to request the Ministries Council to continue funding for a locum at Blantyre: Old

 

ADDENDA

REV. L EASTON

(i)         Presbytery notes the request of the Rev. L Easton Airdrie: Clarkston to demit her                          charge with effect from 31st July, 2007.

(ii)        Presbytery resolves to deal with this matter at the meeting of Presbytery on 19th June,

            2007 and cites the congregation to attend for their interest.

(iii)       Presbytery appoints Rev. Robert M. Kent  plus Rev. Margaret F Currie to meet with the     Rev. L Easton to ensure that she is fully aware of the consequences and implication of her demission.

UDDINGSTON:  PARK

            Presbytery notes that legal discussions concerning a number of matters relating to           Uddingston: Park are ongoing.

MOTHERWELL: SOUTH

(i)         Presbytery notes receipt of a letter dated 30th April from the Session Clerk of Motherwell: South on behalf of the Kirk Session regarding permission to use the buildings of the    former Motherwell: South Dalziel for worship on a temporary basis until the buildings of          the former Motherwell: Manse Road are made suitable for the congregation.

(ii)        Presbytery refuses permission to use the buildings of the former Motherwell: South                       Dalziel for worship.

(iii)       Presbytery notes with concern that the installation of disabled toilet facilities has not yet    occurred and instructs the Kirk Session to proceed as a matter of urgency with this         installation.

           

 

43.       PARISH DEVELOPMENT

            The Presbytery called for the report of the Parish Development Committee which was given in by Mrs E Milne, Vice- Convener.

 

            It was moved, seconded and agreed:

 

1          The Presbytery receives the Report .

 

44.       MINISTRIES DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

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

 

            It was moved, seconded and agreed:

 

1.         The Presbytery receives the report.

   2.     The Presbytery notes receipt of a Study Leave Application from Rev.John Brewster (East                                                  Kilbride: Greenhills) with regard to attendance at the ‘National Black Presbyterian

               Caucus 39th Convention’ in Philadelphia U.S.A. from 9th to 16th July, 2007, and from 23rd

               to 30th July, 2007, to attend the ‘The Middle East in Focus’ programme at the

               Chautauqua Institution, New York, USA.       

3.         The Presbytery notes receipt of a Study Leave Application from Rev. Lindsay Schluter

             (Larkhall: Trinity) with regard to participation at the Leeds University International

             Medieval Congress from 8th – 14th July in connection with PhD studies.

 

45.       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          1  Presbytery receives the report

2               AIRDRIE: BROOMKNOLL.     

      The Presbytery approves the request to have the Manse occupied on a caretaker basis  

      subject to the usual terms and conditions. 

3          BELLSHILL: WEST

The Presbytery approves the request to repair storm damage to roof and spire costing £26,574.40 including VAT. Approval is sought to seek grants and loans which might be available.

4          HAMILTON: ST. JOHN’S)

The Presbytery approves the request to renovate the Centenary Hall costing £42,739.50 including VAT. Funds are to hand.

5          HAMILTON: WEST

The Presbytery approves the request to refurbish the kitchen in the Church costing £6,129.36 including VAT. Funds are to hand.

  6        HOLYTOWN

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: 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.

   8       BOTHWELL

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

ADDENDUM

            HAMILTON: QUARTER

            The Presbytery approves the request to rectify the water ingress at the Halls and general            external repairs to Church and Halls estimated at £6757.00 inclusive of VAT following         visitations and advice from the General Trustees.  Approval is also given to seek     grants and loans which might be available.  

             

46.       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      Presbytery receives the report.

  2    (i) Presbytery received the report on the Quinquennial Visit to Coatbridge:

            Townhead

        (ii) Presbytery commends the minister, officebearers, and members in their

             continuing witness in Townhead, especially through the work of the Pastoral

             Care Group and the Easter Encounter and encourages them in their involvement

             of children and young  People in the life of the  congregation especially through                                          the Junior Choir and encourages them to make a wider work of the church known

                work of the church  known to all members.

 

    3.       Presbytery notes the advert, as amended, for the posts of Presbytery Chaplains and                    encourages Presbyters to make this known to suitable people.

    4.       Presbytery notes that the Attestation of Committee records will take place on  

              Tuesday  5th June,  from 7 – 8 pm in Dalziel St. Andrew’s church halls.

47     NOTICE OF MOTION

      The Rev. Klaus Buwert gave notice that at the next meeting of Presbytery he would

       move the following deliverances concerning Wishaw: South Wishaw.

 

                  (i)  The Presbytery, understanding that as result of the Feasibility Study the                                                     redundant buildings belonging to South Wishaw may soon be placed on the                                               market

     (ii)   approves the letting of the former Chalmers Manse for a period from the 1st of July,                       2007.

     (iii)  approves the letting of the former Thornlie Halls for a period of six months from 1st July,     .           2007.

     (iv)  instructs the Parish Planning Committee to review these approvals in consultation

with Officebearers of South Wishaw in December,2007.

         

 

  

48.       ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business the Presbytery adjourned at 8.53.m. to meet for the celebration of Holy Communion within Cambusnethan North Parish Church and thereafter for Ordinary Business on Tuesday 19 June, 2007 at 7.00 p.m.

 

 

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                           Moderator                                                     Presbytery Clerk