CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

PRESBYTERY OF HAMILTON

 

 

 

VII        MOTHERWELL: 4th September, 2007

At MOTHERWELL: DALZIEL ST ANDREWS PARISH CHURCH HALLS on the 4th Day of September, Two Thousand and Seven years, on which day the PRESBYTERY OF HAMILTON met and was constituted in prayer.

 

Post preces sederunt

 

69.       SEDERUNT

            The Rev. Mhorag Macdonald, Moderator, the Rev. Shaw J. Paterson, Clerk, and others as per signed lists in retentis (Total - 52 Ministers;  l Deacons; 71 Elders; and  8 Corresponding Members).

 

 

70.       TRIBUTE

            The Rev. Dr. Ian R. W. McDonald, in fitting terms paid tribute to Rev Ian M. Black who died on the 19th August, 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.

 

71.       WELCOME

The Moderator welcomed Jen Robertson following her Commissioning service, Mrs. Caryl  Kyle former student and now Probationer at Uddingston: Viewpark and Mr. Keith Ross recently appointed Congregational Development Officer.

 

72.       MINUTES

            The Minutes of Meetings V and V1 (2007) were read and approved.

           

73.        AGENDA

 

74.       INTIMATIONS

 

75.       TRIBUTE TO RETIRING MODERATOR

            Mr. David Alexander, Convener of the Business Committee, having conveyed to the Moderator the thanks of the Presbytery for her valued service to the Court during her 12 months of office now ending, invited the Moderator to address the Court.  The Rev. Mhorag Macdonald replied in fitting terms.

 

76.       ELECTION AND INSTALLATION OF  MODERATOR

            The Rev. Derek W. Hughes  was unanimously elected Moderator for the ensuing year and

            after words of encouragement and prayer took the chair and addressed the Court in fitting terms.

 

77.       WORLD MISSION REPRESENTATION

            The Moderator invited Mr. John Sharp from the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme

            in Israel Palestine who outlined the work he had done for three months in Jerusalem    among peace activist.  The Moderator warmly thanked Mr. Sharp for his presentation.

 

78,        COMMISSIONS – REPRESENTATIVE ELDERS

                         Commissions from all congregations making an appointment were laid on the table. It was          noted that the Congregations of Stonehouse: St. Ninians and Motherwell: South  had                      failed to make an appointment.

 

 

 

 

          

79.        ROLL OF PRESBYTERY

 

             The Roll of Presbytery was submitted, laid on the table, and adopted as correct, showing

                                               Retired Ministers                                                          25

                                               Associate Ministers                                                       0

                                               Auxiliary Ministers                                                           2

                                               Full/Part time Chaplains                                                 2

                                               Charges (12 being vacant)                                           73

                                               Total Number of Ministers                                            86

                                               The Diaconate Active and Retired                                 5

                                              Representative Elders Elected by Kirk Session           82

                                               Additional Elders Elected by Presbytery                      16

                                               Total Number of Elders                                                98

 

80.       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

(i)      Presbytery notes receipt by the Solicitor of the Church of an offer from the legal representatives of Park Church indicating that in the event of that congregation ceasing to exist the Manse and Church should revert to the Church of Scotland.

(ii)     Presbytery agrees to instruct the Solicitor of the Church to enter into further negotiations concerning legal title, maintenance agreement and rental.

(iii)    Presbytery grants powers, if necessary and appropriate, to the Convener, Vice-Convener and Presbytery Clerk to take whatever steps are necessary in consultation with the Solicitor to the Church and to report back

      3.     Motherwell: South

(i)      Presbytery notes with pleasure the progress being made in Motherwell: South to tackle the building issues, congratulates the office bearers and congregation for that effort and assures them that they are held in the prayers of Presbytery.

(ii)     Presbytery reminds the Kirk Session of its responsibility in relation to health and safety matters concerning all congregational properties.

(iii)    Presbytery notes the request from the Kirk Session of Motherwell: South to have access to the Halls and Sanctuary of the former Motherwell: South Dalziel for particular purposes.

(iv)    Presbytery approves in principle, subject to (ii) above, use of the former Motherwell: South Daziel halls accommodation for those organisations that cannot be accommodated on 2 evenings and 1 afternoon within the buildings on the Manse Road site subject to the fact that this access will terminate immediately on the sale of the property by the General Trustees or on the completion of the new works at the Manse Road site, whichever is the earlier.

 (v)    Presbytery approves in principle, subject to (ii) above, the use of the Sanctuary of the former Motherwell: South Dalziel for specific services that cannot be accommodated within the Sanctuary of the former Motherwell: Manse Road subject to any such use being the subject of individual application with powers to the Convener and/or Vice Convener to approve such use depending on the timing in relation to Presbytery meetings.

       4.     Wishaw: South Wishaw.

         Further to several requests to the Ministries Council staff to submit a detailed report on      

         their involvement with the Minister and Kirk Session of Wishaw: South Wishaw and

         their failure to do so Presbytery instructs the Committee of Investigation chaired by Rev

         Dr John McPake to meet with the Minister and Kirk Session and to report back to

         Presbytery.

 

5.      Additional Elders

   Presbytery appoints Roy Henshaw as an Additional Elder

6.      Rev. Sharon Colvin

         Presbytery notes the intention of Rev Sharon Colvin to retire from the charge of

              Airdrie: Jackson as at 12 January, 2008.

      7.      Uddingston: Burnhead

               Presbytery noted the appointment of Rev William Cullen as Locum at Uddingston:

         Burnhead.

 8.     Organ Scholarships

      Presbytery notes that the organ fellowships for 2007/2008 have again been awarded to      Duncan Baddon and Alexandra Ferguson.

 

 

81.       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          Presbytery thanks Robin Marwick for his years of service as Property Consultant.

3          BLANTYRE; LIVINGSTONE MEMORIAL       

            The Presbytery approves the request to reslate the roof of the Halls costing £12,670 based          on contractor’s quotations.  Funds are to hand.

4.         UDDINGSTON; VIEWPARK

            The Presbytery approves the request to seek a loan of £150k. from the General Trustees             to act as a bridging loan until grant funding is received for their forthcoming project.

5.         STRATHAVEN: RANKIN lw CHAPELTON

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

6          LARKHALL:   Presbytery noted the proposal of the Steering Group from Larkhall:

            Chalmers, Larkhall: St Machan’s and Larkhall: Trinity to appoint a Chartered Surveyor,

            with a remit to assess the potential of all the land and buildings associated with the three churches and report within three  Months at a cost of £2500 + VAT. Approval is given to   seek grants and loans which may   be available.

.

 

 

 

82.       STEWARDSHIP AND FINANCE

            The Presbytery called for the report of the Stewardship and Finance Committee which was given in by Mr. R, W. Horne, Convener

           

            It was moved, seconded and agreed:

1.      The Presbytery receives the report.

2.      Presbytery reminds all congregations that their 2006 accounts and OSCR forms must be     submitted to OSCR not later than 31st October 2007.

  1. Presbytery urges all congregations to send representatives to the accounts training workshop appropriate to the turnover of their congregation.
  2. Presbytery invites congregations to notify the Convener of the Stewardship and Finance Committee, not later than Monday 22 October 2007, of local mission or major property projects being undertaken in 2008, which may be supported through modification of the proposed 2008 allocations for the Ministries and Mission Funds.

 

 

 

 

 

83.       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 receives the report.

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

  (i)   have approved the release of the Rev Sandi McGill from the Parish of Uddingston:

        Burnhead to assume the Call to St Nicholas Cardonald Parish Church in the Presbytery

        of Glasgow.

       (ii)    has appointed the Rev Alan Gibson as Interim Moderator of the Parish of East Kilbride:

               West.

 (iii)    has appointed the Rev Patricia Carruth as Interim Moderator at the Parish of Uddingston:

         Burnhead.

 (iv)   accepts the resignation of the Rev. Jim Zambonini as Interim Moderator at Chapelhall  

         and thanks him for all his work.

 (v)   has appointed the Rev Amelia Davidson as Interim Moderator at Chapelhall.

 (vi) has appointed Rev Robbie Hamilton, Rev. Ian MacDonald, Alan Cox and Robin Wood               .        as the Advisory Committee for the parish of Hamilton: Cadzow.

(vii)  has appointed Rev Agnes Moore, Rev Derek Hughes and elders as the Advisory               

      Committee for the Parish of Airdrie: Clarkston.

    (viii) Has appointed Rev Klaus Buwert, Rev Gavin Black and elders as the Advisory       Committee                                      

            for the parish of Uddingston: Burnehad

   (iv)   Presbytery has approved the release of the Rev Kenneth Mayne from the Parish of East

      Kilbride: West to assume the Call to Paisley: Martyrs in the Presbytery of Greenock and

            Paisley.

 

 

84.         MINISTRIES DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

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

 

         It was moved, seconded and agreed:

1.        Presbytery receives the report.

2.        The Presbytery notes receipt of a Study Leave Application from the Rev. Lindsay Schluter (Larkhall: Trinity) with regard to her PhD studies while based at Leeds University International Medieval Congress in July 2007

3.        The Presbytery notes receipt of a Study Leave Application from the Rev. Derek Hughes (Motherwell: Dalziel St Andrew’s) to reflect on the liturgy of funerals and to read widely on the pastoral care of the dying and to take some time to consider publications on the conduct of funerals from 18th to 31st January 2008.        

4.        The Presbytery notes the application for transference of ministerial status to the                 Church of Scotland of Rev David Brian Dobby, minister in good standing with the                   Methodist Church in Great Britain. Details are laid on the table and any comments                       should be passed to the convener of the Ministry Development Committee as soon as        possible.

 

             

 

85.       PASTORAL SUPPORT COMMITTEE

The Presbytery the called for the report of the Pastoral Support Committee, which was given in by Rev. Dr. D. Cameron McPherson, Convener.

 

It was moved, seconded and agreed.

1.          Presbytery receives the report.

2.           The Presbytery approves the appointments as Presbytery Chaplains of: Rev. Leslie

            Thorne, Rev. Jim Hastie, Mrs. Gillian Fraser and Mrs. Margaret McKenzie.   The                Presbyter receives the Quinquennial report on Kirk O’ Shotts and warmly commends the         Minister, Kirk Session and congregation on their perseverance and hard work in achieving     the restoration of the church buildings.  Presbytery encourages the congregation in their         resolve to attract lapsed members back and to utilise the restored building as fully as             possible.  Presbytery notes with concern the absence of any congregational work with      children and young people and would encourage the congregation to seek help and      advice in this direction.

3.         The Presbytery receives the Quinquennial report of St. Andrew’s Blantyre and commends

             the minister, office bearers and congregation for their continued faithful witness and         mission to  the people of their parish; and encourages them as they continue to explore     new and innovative styles of worship and move forward with the implementation of the new     unitary constitution.

 

 

 

 

 

86.       ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business the Presbytery adjourned at  9.06pm to meet for

Ordinary Business within Motherwell: Dalziel St. Andrews Parish Church Halls on Tuesday 2nd October  2007 at 7.00pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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                       Moderator                                                                 Presbytery Clerk