I MOTHERWELL:
At MOTHERWELL: DALZIEL ST ANDREWS PARISH CHURCH HALLS on the 5th Day of February,
Two Thousand and Eight years, on which day the PRESBYTERY OF HAMILTON met and was
constituted in prayer.
The Clerk
moved that the Rev. Mhorag Macdonald be appointed as Moderator pro die.
It was seconded and
agreed
1. SEDERUNT
The Rev. Mhorag Macdonald,
Moderator, the Rev. Shaw J. Paterson, Clerk, and others as per signed lists in
retentis (Total – Ministers: 57 Deacons:
0 Elders:72 and 5 Corresponding Members)
2. MINUTES
The Minutes of Meetings XII, XIII and XIV (2007) were
read and approved.
3. AGENDA
4. INTIMATIONS
5. SPEAKER (WORLD
The speaker gave a
fascinating insight into work of Kwahu Presbytery in
Presbytery give
consideration to sharing related experiences.
6.
The Presbytery notes intimation from Rev. J. Gibson that
the work of the Committee of
Investigation concerning
for the Presbytery to consider.
7. APPOINTMENT TO APPOINT COMMISSIONERS TO THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The Presbytery resolves
that at its meeting on
8. ECUMENICAL AUDIT
The Presbytery called for the report
on the Ecumenical Audit as contained in the remits of the
General Assembly booklet, which was
given in by Rev. John McPake.
It was moved, seconded and agreed.
1.
Instruct
all Local Area Mission Committees to study the Ecumenical Relations Report
2007: Local Ecumenical Audit, and to produce a report detailing ecumenical
activity within their Area. The report to be transmitted to the Presbytery
Clerk by
2.
Instruct
the Business Committee to consider the appointment of an Ecumenical
Facilitator.
9. BUSINESS COMMITEE
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. Wishaw:
i) Presbytery
notes the encouraging progress made with regard to the marketing of properties
and on the intention to develop a financial plan for further works.
ii) Presbytery
instructs the Office-Bearers of Wishaw:
iii) Presbytery thanks and discharges the Committee of Investigation
at Wishaw:
3. Wishaw: Overtown
Presbytery notes the
appointment of Rev Sharon Colvin as Locum at Wishaw: Overtown.
4
Presbytery notes the
appointment of Rev James Grier as Locum at
5 Holytown
Presbytery notes that that
the Clerk has attested the Electoral Register of Holytown as containing the
names of 298 members and 18 adherents.
6 New Stevenston: Wrangholm
Presbytery notes that the
Clerk has attested the Electoral Register of New Stevenston: Wrangholm as
containing the names of 181 members and 7 adherents.
7
Presbytery notes that the
Clerk has attested the Electoral Register of Blantyre: Livingstone Memorial as
containing the names of 274 members and 14 adherents.
8
Presbytery notes that the
Clerk has attested the Electoral Register of East Kilbride: West as containing
the names of 570 members and 6 adherents.
9
Presbytery approves a joint
service of the congregations of
ADDENDA
1. Presbytery notes receipt of a Presbyterial
Certificate for the Rev. Keith Ross (Congregational Development Officer) from
the Presbytery of Edinburgh.
2. Presbytery notes that the clerk has issued a
Presbyterial Certificate to the Rev. Andrew Thomson, formerly minister at
Airdrie Broomknoll lw Calderbank.
3. Presbytery approves the list of
congregational names for OSCR purposes.
4. Presbytery instructs the Clerk to write to
the Scottish Government in response to the consultation on Water and Waste
Water Charges, intimating its concern over the financial burden which would be
placed on congregations should there be any loss of exemption.
10.
PARISH DEVELOPMENT
The Presbytery called for the report of the Parish Development
Committee, which was given in by
Rev.
J.P.N. Johnston, Convener.
It was moved and seconded.
1. Presbytery
receives the report.
2 The
Presbytery acknowledges Lynette Jardine and Sheena Wilson as having completed
their training
as Presbytery Youth and Children’s Trainers (PYCTS).
3.
The Presbytery receives the Annual Team Report from Uddingston: Burnhead
and commends
them on their work
ADDENDA
1. The Presbytery supports the application to
the
Trusts by the
children in Newmains and Morningside.
2. The
Presbytery supports the application to the
by Newmains: Coltness Memorial for funding to help cover the costs of
installation of an electric screen.
11. PARISH PLANNING COMMITEE
The Presbytery called for the report of the Parish
Planning Committee which was given in by Mr. George Robertson, Convener.
It was moved, seconded and agreed:
1. Presbytery receives the report
2.
Presbytery
approves a call to Coatbridge Old Monkland on an unrestricted tenure.
3. Priority Area Parishes
Presbytery notes the revised list of Priority
Area Parishes prepared by the Ministries Council
which
includes the following Charges within the bounds. Airdrie: St. Columba’s.
Gilmour and
Whitehill. Larkhall: Chalmers. Overtown: Wishaw: Craigneuk and Belhaven.
4. Presbytery homologates the decision of the
Convener and Depute Clerk taken on 7th
December 2007
in granting permission to
the present vacancy
under the terms and conditions issued by the General Trustees.
5. Airdrie: Broomknoll l/w Calderbank
Presbytery
approves the request by Airdrie: Broomknoll linked with Calderbank to let the Manse on a caretaker basis during the present
vacancy.
6.
Presbytery approves the request by
months
under the terms and conditions issued by the General Trustees.
7.
Presbytery notes the report on the
Manse of Hamilton: Cadzow and commends the former
occupants and the office bearers
for the excellent condition of the property.
8.
Presbytery notes the report on the Manse of Blantyre: Livingstone
Memorial and commends the
former occupants and the office bearers for the excellent condition of
the property.
9.
Wishaw: Craigneuk and Belhaven
Presbytery
approves the application by Wishaw: Craigneuk and Belhaven to carry out roof
repairs
to the church, small hall and vestry. Work to enhance the sanctuary and upgrade
of
heating
system. All at an estimated cost of £64,330. inclusive of VAT. Funds are to
hand. Fully
costed
documents and tenders to be obtained. Approval of Committee on Church Art and
Architecture to be obtained for
appropriate work.
10. Airdrie: Clarkston
Presbytery
approves the application by Airdrie: Clarkston to seek grants and loans from
the
Central
Fabric Fund to cover the full costs of works carried out on the Church roof to
the sum of
£23,441.22.
The General Trustees will advise Airdrie: Clarkston on the sums to be allocated
as
grants
and loans.
11.
Presbytery
approves the application by
roof and
gable at a cost of £7,943. Permission is given to apply for the release of
funds held in
the
Central Fabric Fund to pay the costs in full.
ADDENDA
Presbytery
approves a call to
Presbytery
approves a call to Airdrie:
Presbytery
approves the application by
Grant to assist in meeting the cost.
Presbytery
approves the application by
Presbytery
instructs
i)
That
the property is in a wind and watertight condition.
ii) That ceiling damage is repaired.
iii) Faulty gas fires are repaired or
replaced.
iv) Faulty central heating boiler is
replaced.
Permission is given to apply for the
release of funds held in the Central Fabric Fund to meet the full cost of all
works
Presbytery
approves the application by Larkhall: Chalmers to upgrade external lighting
around the Church and install CCTV
cameras to increase security at a cost of £2,940. Permission is given to seek grants and loans to meet the
cost.
7. Shotts: Calderhead Erskine
Presbytery
approves the request by Shotts: Calderhead Erskine to let the Manse during the
present vacancy under the terms and conditions
issued by the General Trustees.
12. VACANCY PROCEDURES COMMITTEE
The
Presbytery called for the report of the Vacancy Procedures Committee, which was
given in by Rev. M. Lyall, Convener.
It
was moved, seconded and agreed:
1. Presbytery receives the report.
2. Presbytery notes the following actions taken
by its Vacancy Procedures Committee.
(i) Has appointed the Rev Keith Ross as
Interim Moderator at the Parish of Overtown.
(ii) Has appointed the Rev Iain Goring as
Interim Moderator at the linked charge of
Holytown and New Stevenson: Wrangholm Kirk.
(iii) Has appointed the Rev David Burt as
Interim Moderator at the Parish of Airdrie:
(iv) Has
appointed Rev John Fairful as Interim Moderator at the Parish of
Coatbridge Calder during the absence of the minister on
sick leave.
(v) Has appointed the Rev Les Thorne as Interim
Moderator at the Parish of Chapelhall.
(vi) Has appointed the Rev Graham Raeburn, Rev
Alan McKenzie and elders as the Advisory Committee for the Parish of Shotts:
Calderhead Erskine.
(vii) Has appointed Rev Ronald Stitt, Rev George
MacDonald and elders as the Advisory Committee for the Parish of Blantyre:
Livingstone Memorial.
(viii) Has appointed the Rev Mhorag Macdonald, Rev
Gary Caldwell and elders as the Advisory Committee for the Parish of
Overtown.
(ix) Has appointed the Rev Derek Hughes and Kenny
Griffith as the Advisory Committee
for the Parishes of Holytown l/w New Stevenson Wrangholm Kirk.
13. STEWARDSHIP
The Presbytery called for the report of
the Stewardship and Finance Committee which was given in by Mr. R. Horne, Convener.
It
was moved, seconded and agreed:
1. Presbytery receives the report.
.
2 . Presbytery authorises a reduction in the
Ministry and
3. Presbytery reminds congregations that they
should now have in place arrangements to pay their
Ministry and
a.
Presbytery
authorises Uddingston Burnhead to make payments quarterly provided they
implement an action plan with a view to enabling monthly payments in 2009.
4. Presbytery authorises the following
congregations to make Voluntary Additional Payments on behalf of their ministers in 2008:
Airdrie: The New Wellwynd, Bothwell, and
5. Presbytery
urges congregations to notify the Committee in good time of difficulties
in compliance with the timescale for the new
format annual reports.
14. CHURCH
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
encourages all congregations within the bounds to explore and make us of
the web site www.justchurch.info.
3. Presbytery alerts congregations to the event
organised by Church and Society on
4. Presbytery gives thanks for the devoted work
of the Rev. James Fraser at Stonehouse Hospital
and wishes him every blessing on his retiral.
5. Presbytery seeks applications for the post of
Chaplain at
of 3.5 hours service per week.
6 . Presbytery appoints the Rev. Kay Gilchrist to
the Committee on Spiritual Care NHS Lanarkshire.
15. PASTORAL SUPPORT COMMITTEE
The
Presbytery called for the report of the Pastoral Support Committee which was
given in by Rev. Dr. D.C. McPherson, Convener
It
was moved, seconded and agreed:
1. Presbytery receives the Report. .
2.
Presbytery receives the Quinquennial report on Airdrie Jackson and
commends the Minister,
Kirk Session, Congregational
Board and Congregation for their witness. Presbytery notes that this church is well
placed at the heart of its parish and encourages the congregation to develop to its full
mission potential the recently introduced Sunday evening
informal social gatherings for members, friends and neighbours in homes within
the parish. Presbytery is encouraged by the
lively Sunday morning worship and involvement of a
worship team; a Thursday evening Youth Club with over 100 members and the use
of their premises by community groups.
Presbytery notes that as
3. Presbytery receives the Quinquennial report
on Uddingston Viewpark.
Presbytery congratulates the Minister,
Office Bearers and members of Uddingston Viewpark Church on their laudable
stewardship and the significant progress made towards achieving their ministry and mission
goals over the last five years. The congregation is encouraged
to pursue with prayerful diligence the next phase of their project and to continue to move towards making Viewpark
Church an example of the "Church Without Walls "model.
4. Presbytery receives the Quinquennial
report on Bothwell.
Presbytery commends:
the minister, office bearers and
congregation for the sustained and thoughtfully planned work they have undertaken in the renewal
of their facilities the office bearers on their support
for the minister and their willingness and openness to grasp with vision the
place of their church in the town and wider area.
The congregation on their warmth and welcome.
Presbytery recommends:-
That the minister be supported in undertaking
reflective study on his involvement with the Church
nationally and locally.
That exploration be made of ways the minister
can be supported in his responsibility for baptisms, weddings and funerals.
That a priority be made of re-establishing
the strength of various church organizations including the Sunday School.
5. Presbytery requests that all
congregations within its bounds carefully note the date and time of the attestation of records for
their area and ensure that all relevant records will be available
and produced for attestation.
6. Presbytery assures congregations that notwithstanding the
foregoing request, in view of the new regulations, some allowance will
be made this year for later submission of the audited statement of accounts.
16. MINISTRY
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
The
Presbytery called for the report of the Ministry Development Committee which
was given in by Mr. W. Wilson, Convener
It
was moved, seconded and agreed:
1. Presbytery
receives the Report. .
2.
The Presbytery notes the application for
transference of ministerial status to the Church
of
convener of the Ministry
Development Committee as soon as possible.
17. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further
business the Presbytery adjourned at
.
………………………………. ……………………………………
Moderator Presbytery Clerk