CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

PRESBYTERY OF HAMILTON

 

 

 

II          MOTHERWELL: 4thMarch,  2008

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

 

Post preces sederunt

 

18.       SEDERUNT

            The Rev. Mhorag Macdonald, Moderator, the Rev. Shaw J. Paterson, Clerk, and others as per signed lists in retentis (Total – Ministers: 46  Elders: 68 and 1 Corresponding Members)

 

19.       MINUTES

            The Minutes of Meetings 1 (2008) were read and approved.

 

20.       TRIBUTE

            The Rev. Dr. Klaus Buwert in fitting terms paid tribute to Mr. George Harvie, Additional Elder,

            who died on 27th February, 2008.  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.

 

21.       CONGRATULATION

            The Moderator offered the congratulations of the Court to the Rev. Crawford King on the

            50th anniversary of his ordination.

           

22.       AGENDA

 

23.       INTIMATIONS

 

24.       SPEAKER (NHS LANARKSHIRE SPIRITUAL CARE ) –  REV. BOB DEVENNY

            The speaker outlined NHS Lanarkshire’s plans for the development of whole time

            Chaplaincy within the area.

 

25.       PRESENTATION:  PRESBYTERY STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN – EDITH SCOTT

            The Presbytery heard from Mrs. Edith Scott (Stewardship Consultant) about the pilot

            Stewardship campaign offered by the Stewardship department in Edinburgh. 

 

26.      RESOLUTION TO APPOINT COMMISSIONERS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 

            Resolution to appoint Commissioners to the General Assembly Pursuant to a resolution

            entered in the Minutes of the Meeting 5th February, 2008, the Presbytery hereby appoints,

            nominates, and appoints:

 

            Rev. Arthur P Barrie                                                     Rev. Norman McLeod

            Rev. John Fairful                                                          Rev. John McPake

            Rev. James M. Gibson                                                Rev. Ian Murdoch

            Rev. Paul Grant                                                           Rev. Anne Paton

            Rev. Derek W Hughes                                                 Rev. Derek Pope

            Rev. Robert M. Kent                                                   Rev. Shaw Paterson

            Rev. George McDonald                                              Rev. Ecilo Selemani

            Rev. Norman McKee                                                  Rev  Una Stewart

            Rev. Alan McKenzie                                                     Rev. Rosemary Smith

            The Very Rev. Dr. Hugh Wyllie                                    Rev. Douglas Wallace          

                                                                                                 Rev. Dr. Cameron McPherson

            Ministers with -

            Hamilton: St. Andrews                                                 Airdrie: Caldercruix & Longriggend

            Hamilton: St. John’s                                                     Airdrie:  Clarkston

            Blantyre: Old                                                                Coatbridge: Townhead

            Stonehouse: St. Ninian’s                                             Coatbridge:  Bargeddie

            Strathaven: West                                                         East Kilbride: Old

            Motherwell: North                                                         East Kilbride: Stewartfield

            Wishaw: Cambusnethen Old                                     Uddingston: Old

                                                                                                 Bellshill:MacDonald Memorial lw Orbiston              

                                                                                                                                                                                                                

 

            David Park, George Robertson and David Alexander Ruling Elders

 

            its Commissioners to the next General Assembly of the Church of Scotland indicted to meet at    Edinburgh, the Fifteenth Day of May next to come or when and where it shall happen to sit,     willing them to repair thereto, attend all diets of the same, and there to consult, vote and   determine in all matters that come before them to the Glory of God, and the good of His Church,     according to the Word of God, the Confession of Faith, and agreeable to the constitution of this         Church, as they will be answerable; and that they report diligence on their return therefrom.                                                                                                                       

 

 

27.       BUSINESS COMMITEE      

            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 of Kwahu; Ghana

      a) Presbytery resolves to seek to form a link with the Presbytery of Kwahu, Ghana.

      b) Presbytery instructs the Clerk to write to the Presbytery Clerk of the Presbytery of Kwahu

          on this matter.

      3    Ecumenical Facilitator

      Presbytery appoints Rev Dr J McPake as the Presbytery’s Ecumenical Facilitator.

      4    Ecumenical Audit

            Presbytery instructs the Local Area Mission Committees to distribute the Ecumenical       Questionnaire to charges within their area and to consider the matter of ecumenical       relationships within the Local Area Mission Committee area.

      5    Airdrie: Jackson

            Presbytery notes that the Electoral Register of Airdrie: Jackson has been attested as containing the names of 321 members and 9 adherents.

      6    Rev Colin Sutherland

            Presbytery notes an Extract Minute of the Presbytery of Dumfries and Kirkcudbright admitting      Rev Colin Sutherland as a member of that court.

 

ADDENDA

      1.   Motherwell South

            Presbytery grants permission to the Kirk Session of Motherwell: South to hold a school

            service on Thursday 20th March and a Resurrection Rock service along with two baptisms

            in the Orbiston Street buildings on Sunday 23rd March.

      2.   Uddingston Park

      i.    In the event of the Presbytery failing to agree acceptable wording in the Ecumenical

            Relations Committee’s Report to the General Assembly regarding Uddingston: Park

            Presbytery agrees to Overture the General Assembly in the following terms:

            It is humbly overtured by the Reverend the Presbytery of Hamilton to the Venerable the

            General Assembly to instruct the Ecumenical Relations Committee, through its Implementation

            Committee, of Assembly to enter into further discussions with the United Free Church as to                           each Denomination’s understanding of the Convenant and to agree how it should be                                 implemented in Practice, and to report to the General Assembly of 2009.

      ii.    Presbytery grants powers to the Convener and Clerk to alter and or amend the terms of the

            Overture following discussions with the Depute Principle Clerk.

 

 

            Rev. Rosemary A. Smith

 i.   Presbytery notes that the clerk has received written intimation from the Rev. Rosemary A                   Smith, Minister at Blantyre: Old, that in the interests of the peace of the church it is her intention   to Demit her Charge on Sunday 23rd March, 2008.

ii    Presbytery, having received intimation of the proposed demission of the Rev. Rosemary A

      Smith, agrees that  proceedings will be carried out in accordance with Act V111, 2003.

 

 

28.       STEWARDSHIP AND FINANCE COMMITEE

 

            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 Larkhall Chalmers to make allocation payments quarterly as they are          able, focusing on the current year, and to encourage the congregation to implement an action            plan with a view to enabling monthly payments in future years.

3.     The Presbytery

            i    thank Mrs Scott for her presentation on a Presbytery-wide stewardship programme

ii     agrees that Presbytery-wide stewardship programme should be arranged in the          

       Presbytery

iii    instructs the Stewardship and Finance Committee to proceed with arrangements for a Stewardship conference on 28th May

iv   instructs all congregations to send representatives to the planned Stewardship

      conference.     

            . 

 

29.  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, seconded and agreed.

 

      1.    Presbytery receives the report.

  1. The Presbytery notes the recent successful Elder’s Conference held in East Kilbride and commends this style of event to other Local Area Mission Committees.
  2. The Presbytery encourages Local Area Mission Committees to consider ways to facilitate church members in their area to attend The National Gathering on 3-4 May 2008.

4        The Presbytery commends the Church of Scotland’s Strategy for Young People and encourages congregations to reflect on the guidance it provides.

5        The Presbytery encourages the Pastoral Support Committee to reflect on how the guidance in

      the Church of Scotland’s Strategy for Young People could be incorporated in their work.

 

 

30.  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.       Wishaw: South Wishaw

   i.   Presbytery instructs the Presbytery Planning Committee to meet with the representatives of                     Wishaw: South Wishaw and other interested parties to establish a method of ensuring that                              all necessary funding is in place before any works to the buildings of Wishaw: South                                         Wishaw are undertaken and that the Congregation are able to service any loans which may                             be offered and to assist in preparing a programme of works.

  ii    Presbytery agrees to the marketing strategy for the West Complex in West Thornlie Street,

        Wishaw and the former Chalmers Manse site in Kirk Street, Wishaw, which includes:-

   a)  Marketing the former Chalmers Manse as a house with development potential.

   b)  Marketing the West complex buildings

   i.   The entire complex as a house and former church building with development potential.

  ii    The former house and church/halls buildings as separate entities with development

        Potential.

  iii    Further, seeks approval for a purchase of a manse as a replacement, at a cost of

        £335,000.  The manse purchase is subject to further Presbytery/General Trustees

        surveys and approvals and Convener’s approval is also sought for this.  The manse

        to be funded from sales of properties and may be subject to bridging finance.

 iv.   Seeks approval in principle to proceed with the planning of a development project

        for the Wishaw: South Wishaw  complex.  This is to allow the appointment of consultants and                 other preparatory steps.  Subsequent detailed applications relating to the project will follow.

3.        Airdrie: Greengairs

           Presbytery approves the application by Airdrie: Greengairs to treat the albi coating to the                           roof timbers and east wall of the sanctuary at a cost of £5000.Permission is given to apply for                 funding from the Landfill tax.

           Presbytery grants permission to Airdrie: Greengairs to use Greengairs Primary School for                        worship during the period of the above works.                                                    

4.          Overtown

Presbytery notes the report on the Manse of Overtown.

5.              Blantyre: St. Andrew’s

          Presbytery agrees that locally held congregational fabric funds of £12,976.00 including Vat

          be spent on replacing doors and windows.

 

 

31.       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 Hamilton: St. John's. Presbytery heartily   commends the minister, office bearers and members for their enthusiasm, their commitment to   Christian Education and Outreach and for their administrative structure facilitating effective      oversight of all areas of congregational life. Presbytery congratulates them on the high numbers       participating in Bible Study groups including the Alpha Course and on their use of their          prominent town centre position to reach out to the community through the St. John's Centre.

 

 

32.       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 encourages all ministers, session clerks, Presbytery elders to promote

            vigorously the Church and Society Council Morning of 10th May in Motherwell

            Dalziel St. Andrews, with a vision of a Presbytery forward looking and engaged

            with the world.

3.         Presbytery seeks applications for the post of Chaplain at Stonehouse Hospital on the

            Basis of 3.5 hours of service per week.

 

 

 

 

 

33.       ADJOURNMENT

            There being no further business the Presbytery adjourned at 8.46p.m to meet for Ordinary           Business within Motherwell: Dalziel St. Andrew’s Parish Church Halls on Tuesday, 6th May, 2008 at 7.00 p.m.

 

 

 

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……………………………….                    ……………………………………

                       Moderator                                                                 Presbytery Clerk