CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

PRESBYTERY OF HAMILTON

 

 

 

XII        MOTHERWELL: 4th December,  2007

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

 

Post preces sederunt

 

125.     SEDERUNT

            The Rev. Derek Hughes, Moderator, the Rev. Shaw J. Paterson, Clerk, and others as per signed lists in retentis (Total – Ministers: 45 Deacons:  Elders: 63 and 6 Corresponding Members)

 

126.     MINUTES

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

           

127.     AGENDA

 

128.     INTIMATIONS

 

129.     TRANSLATIONS

            The Moderator expressed the good wishes of the court to Rev. Nan Low on her translation to the Church and Parish of Neilston. Parties were called, appeared and spoke.          

           

130.     RETIRALS

            The Presbytery of Hamilton having received a letter from the Rev. Sharon Colvin intimating her retiral, and having given permission at its meeting on 4th September, 2007 cited the congregation to appear for their interests.  Parties were called, appeared and spoke.

            The Presbytery agrees to loose the Rev. Sharon Colvin from her charge as of 12th January, 2008, the date of her retirement.

 

131.     REPORT ON INTERIM MINISTRY AT HOLYTOWN lw NEW STEVENSTON: WRANGHOM

       The Moderator called upon Mr. David Alexander to present the report. 

 

            It was moved, seconded and agreed.

 

1.      The Presbytery receives the report.

 

2. i       Presbytery noted with pleasure the report on progress of the Interim Ministry of  Rev. Ian Goring at Holytown lw New Stevenston: Wrangholm Kirk.

   ii        Presbytery approves the change in worship times agreed unanimously at congregational        meetings to 10.00 a.m. at Holytown and to 11.30am at New Stevenston: Wrangholm Kirk.

   iii       Presbytery lifts the sist in proceedings in the Charge and grants an unrestricted call as laid down in the Presbytery Plan.

   iv       Presbytery appoints the Rev. I. Goring as Interim Moderator.  

 

           

 

132.     BLANTYRE: OLD – COMMITTEE OF ENQUIRY

            The Presbytery called for the report which was given in by Rev. Jim Gibson. 

 

.           It was moved, seconded and agreed:

           

            1. Presbytery receives the report.

        2.i      The Presbytery agrees that the sist on the proceedings under Act 1, 1988 anent Congregations in an Unsatisfactory State in relation to Blantyre: Old be now lifted on the Minster’s return to full time work.

          ii       The Presbytery agrees to the request of the Committee of Investigation that its report on Blantyre: Old submitted to the Clerk at the end of February, 2006 be withdrawn to allow for additional consideration of the situation over the intervening period.

   iii      The Presbytery instructs the Committee of Investigation to report on its progress at the next meeting of Presbytery.

 

 

133.     REPORT ON COMMUNCATION STRATEGY

            The Moderator called upon Mr. David Bell to present the report. 

 

            It was moved, seconded and agreed.

 

            The Presbytery receives the report

           

134.     OVERTURE ANENT DISCRIMINATION

           

            The Presbytery called for the presentation of the Overture, given in by Mr. David Alexander

            It was moved, seconded and agreed

            Presbytery received the report. 

            The Overture was then put to Presbytery For or Against, and there voted For 4, Against 84.

            The Clerk was instructed to send a copy of the Report, as comments, along with the Return to the Overture.

 

135            REVIEW AND REFORM – SUPERINDENCE

            The Presbytery called for the report on Review and Reform which was given in by Rev. Cameron McPherson .

           

            It was moved, seconded and agreed.

 

1.      The Presbytery receives the report

2.      The Presbytery instructs that the following response be sent to the Panel on Review and Reform:

           

            Presbytery response

Presbytery acknowledges that there is some benefit in the principle of a five-yearly superintendence visit.  The main reservation is with the actual practice of visits which tends to result in rather bland conclusions which often fail to identify the most significant problems.
This situation in turn is largely caused by fear on the part of office bearers to expose weaknesses and in some cases possibly prejudice subsequent decisions regarding the future of the congregation.  The process would be enhanced if an element of continuity could be incorporated.

 

Presbytery is undecided regarding the question of the enforcibility of the requirements of Act II 1984.

 

Presbytery believes that there should be consistency throughout the church in the way the superintendence of congregations is carried out, provided sufficient allowance is made for the breadth of styles of congregational life within the Church of Scotland and differences in communities.

 

Presbytery would be happy to see strategic planning as a compulsory requirement for congregations, with superintendence visits monitoring and reporting on the process but not necessarily initiating or maintaining it.

 

Presbytery requests that consideration be given to the following suggestions:

 

Investigate ways in which congregations might be helped and supported to engage in strategic planning.

 

Investigate the viability of a few highly trained individuals (perhaps only two) being employed by the church specifically to lead local teams for all quinquennial visits. 

 

 

136.     BUSINESS COMMITTEE

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

 

            It was moved and seconded

 

            1.   The Presbytery receives the report.        

       

2    Mrs Maxine Buck

  i   Presbytery notes that Mrs Maxine Buck a candidate for the auxiliary Ministry has successfully completed her training and is due to be Ordained and Introduced to an appointment within      Presbytery.     

 Ii   Presbytery agrees that her Service of Ordination be held on Wednesday 12th December, 2007 within Chapelton Parish Church, with Presbytery to meet at 6.45pm for 7.00pm.

iii  Presbytery appoints Mrs Buck to serve as Auxiliary Minister in the Church and Parish of Strathaven: Rankin lw Chapelton for a period of one year from the date of her Ordination.

      3    Work at Church Buildings and Manses

            Presbytery instructs the Parish Planning Committee to devise a method of monitoring work at      Church Buildings and Manses which have been approved by Presbytery to ensure that the terms of the deliverance relating to such work and costs are complied with in full.  They are also            instructed to ensure that Grants and Loans obtained for specific works are used for that             purpose alone.  Proposals to be brought before Presbytery for approval as soon as possible.

      4    Complaints Committee

  i   Presbytery approves the extension of membership of the Complaints Committee from three members to six.

 ii   Presbytery approves the appointment of Mr. Alan Cox, the Rev. Karen Harbison and the Rev. Anne Paton. as members of the Complaints Committee

      5    East Kilbride Housing Developments

            Presbytery instructs the Parish Planning Committee to consider the implications of the planned additional housing in East Kilbride in relation to the Presbytery Plan for East Kilbride, to consult with the Ministries Council and to report back on this matter in due course.

      6    Presbyterial Panel.

            Presbytery approves the appointment of Rev Dr J McPake, Mr D Alexander and Mr C McLean as the representatives of the Presbytery on the Presbyterial Panel.

      7    Wishaw: St Mark’s

            Presbytery notes the appointment of Rev Maxine Buck as a Pastoral Assistant at Wishaw: St Mark’s on the basis of one day per week.

      8    Parish Planning Convener

 i    Presbytery notes the resignation of Rev J Thomson as Convener of the Parish Planning Committee

 ii    Presbytery approves the appointment of Mr G Robertson as Convener of the Parish Planning Committee.

      9    Interim Moderator Training

            Presbytery notes that Mr D Alexander has completed the training course for Interim Moderators.

      10  Hamilton: Cadzow

            Presbytery notes that the Clerk has attested the Electoral Register of Hamilton: Cadzow as containing the names of 657 members.

 

 

 

 

   ADDENDA

  

1.         Motherwell: North

The Presbytery notes the appointment of Mr. John Milne as representative elder for

          Motherwell: North.

 

2.         Uddingston: Burnhead The Presbytery notes that the clerk has attested the Electoral Register of Uddingston: Burnhead as containing the names of 278 members.

 

3.         Ministries Council

       The Presbytery notes that following discussions with the secretary of the Ministries Council it was  agreed that a meeting would be held to discuss the Presbytery’s concerns in relation to phased return to work but that no such meeting has as yet been held.

 

4.         Motherwell: South The Presbytery grants permission for the use of the Sanctuary of the former Motherwell: South Dalziel buildings for the annual service for Knowetop Primary School on 19th December, 2007 and for the Sunday School nativity Play on 23rd December, 2007

 

 

5.         Wishaw: South Wishaw

 

           It was moved and seconded.

 

         The Presbytery agrees to appoint the Rev. Mhorag MacDonald to the chair to allow the Moderator to duplicate the Addenda in the name of the Business Committee anent Wishaw:

            South Wishaw.

 

           On a note being taken For or Against it carried against.

 

(i)                  Presbytery notes that contrary to the Deliverance of 6th November instructing the office bearers to ensure that progress on marketing the property is made to the meeting of Presbytery of 4 December no such report has been received.

(ii)                Presbytery notes that the Minister of the charge determined not to pursue his

    appeal intimated at the meeting of 6th November.

      (iii)        Presbytery reaffirms its decision of 6th November that the manse of the charge of Wishaw: South Wishaw shall be either the Manse of the former Wishaw: Chalmers or another suitable property purchased for that purpose.

   (iv)        Presbytery instructs that, in marketing the property, the option of the sale of the entire Thornlie site, should be included in the sale notice.

    (v)        Presbytery instructs the Committee of Investigation to meet with the Minister and office bearers to examine and report on the sequence of events following on from the submission of               the Feasibility Study in May 2004.

 

 

 

137.  PARISH PLANNING

 

      The Presbytery called for the report of the Parish Planning Committee, which was given in by

      Mr. George Robertson.

 

       It was moved and seconded.

 

      1.   Presbytery receives the report.

 

      2.   Hamilton Old Parish

            Presbytery approves a claim submitted for release of interest accruing from capital held in the Consolidated Fabric Fund. 

 

           

ADDENDUM

          Blantyre: Livingstone Memorial

       (i)    Presbytery notes that the Ministries Council has not concurred with the decision of Presbytery  

              to grant a 5 year reviewable tenure or on the occasion of a vacancy to Blantyre: Livingstone

              Memorial.

       (ii)   Presbytery recalls the decision to grant the above call and instructs the Parish Planning

              Committee to have further conversations with the Ministries Council and interested local  parties.

 

 

138. 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.       Presbytery receives the report

 

      2.       The Presbytery again reminds congregations that by now their arrangements should be well  advanced for their 2007 annual reports in the new format required by OSCR and the 2007          Regulations Anent Finance, and urges congregations not sure of any aspect of compliance with         the Regulations to contact the Committee without delay.

3.         The Presbytery reminds congregations that any congregation wishing to pay 2008 Ministry and    Mission allocations other than by monthly standing order over 10 or 12 months MUST apply to       the Committee for Presbytery agreement.

 

 

139.     CHURCH AND SOCIAL INTEREST COMMITTEE

 

            The Presbytery called for the report of the Church and Social Interest Committee, which   was     given In by Mr. A.J. Sutherland, Convener.

 

            It was moved, seconded and agreed:

 

 1.   Presbytery receives the report.

           

        2. Presbytery is grateful for the work undertaken by the Rev. J. Handley at the Airbles Road  Centre, notes his retiral from that post, and wishes him every blessing.

        3.    Presbytery thanks the Rev. Allan Brown for his uplifting report on Shotts Prison and wishes him the best of health on his return to duty there.

  4.   Presbytery commends to all congregations the work of our national Church and Society Council.  Furthermore it proposes that the relevant details of Presbytery Elders or a.n. other in each congregation, be put on a database to allow Church and Society Council to communicate with congregations.

 

 

 

140.     PASTORAL SUPPORT

 

            The Presbytery called for the report of the Pastoral Support Committee, which was given in

            by Rev. Dr. D.C. McPherson

 

            It was moved, seconded and agreed:

 

   1.      Presbytery receives the report.

   2.      Hamilton South & Quarter

(i)  Presbytery receives the Quinquennial report on Hamilton South & Quarter and commends the minister, officebearers and members of both congregations in their service and ministry, recognising progress in finances, confidence, team spirit and links with the wider community. 

            (ii)  Presbytery commends the congregations for their realistic and faithful outlook and      encourages them to pursue developments in worship, teaching and ministry to back their      outward looking emphasis.   

 

 

 

141.     PARISH DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

 

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

 

            It was moved, seconded and agreed:

 

            1.    Presbytery receives the Report. .

            2.    The Presbytery appoints Miss Frances Gilmour as Safeguarding Training Coordinator

 

 

 

142 .    ADJOURNMENT

            There being no further business the Presbytery adjourned 9.33 pm at to meet in hunc effectum    within             Bellshill: West Parish Church for the service of Introduction for Mrs. Marjory Burns as a    Deacon in the Bellshill Churches on Thursday 6th December at 6.45 pm for 7.00 pm:  within        Chapelton Parish Church for the Ordination of Mrs. Maxine Buck as a Auxiliary Minister on 12th          December at 6.45 pm for 7.00 pm and for Ordinary Business within Motherwell: Dalziel St.       Andrew’s Parish Church Halls on Tuesday, 5th February, 2008 at 7.00 p.m.

 

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