THE  CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

                                                        PRESBYTERY OF HAMILTON      

 

 

VII        MOTHERWELL: 17TH June, 2008

At MOTHERWELL: DALZIEL ST ANDREWS PARISH CHURCH HALLS on the 17th  Day of June, Two Thousand and Eight years, on which day the PRESBYTERY OF HAMILTON met and was constituted in prayer.  Holy Communion having previously been celebrated.

 

Post preces sederunt

 

59.       SEDERUNT

            The Rev. Derek Hughes, Moderator, the Rev. Shaw J. Paterson, Clerk, and others as per signed lists in retentis (Total – Ministers:33   Elders: 63  and 4 Corresponding Members)

 

60.       TRIBUTE

            The Rev. John Fairful in fitting terms paid tribute to Mr. Willie Prentice, Presbytery Elder,

            who died on the 23rd May, 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.

 

61.       WELCOME

            The Moderator welcomed the Rev. Bill Jackson to Presbytery and expressed to him the good wishes of the Court.  

 

62.       MINUTES

            The Minutes of Meetings IV, V and VI (2008) were read and approved.

                         

63.       AGENDA

 

64.       INTIMATIONS

 

65.       BASIS OF UNIONCoatbridge: Clifton and Coatbridge: St. Andrew’s

            Presbytery notes the proposed basis of Union for Coatbridge: Clifton and Coatbridge:

               St. Andrew’s

           

66.       DILIGENCE OF COMMISSIONERS TO THE  GENERAL ASSEMBLY

            At the invitation of the Moderator, Miss Frances Gilmour, Elder, reported on the diligence of

            the Commissioners to the General Assembly.

           

67.      STATISTICS

            Presbytery agreed this matter be held over until September.

 

68.       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    Blantyre: Old

            Presbytery resolves to appoint the following as Assessor Elders to the Kirk Session of

            Blantyre: Old:

            Ms Sheena Bowman, (Session Clerk: Orbiston) Mr. Roy  Henshaw, (Additional Elder:                  Newarthill)  Mr. Ian Hindle, (Session Clerk: Hamilton West)  Ms Jean Kirkland,(Additional Elder:    Hamilton: Quarter  Mr James Leatham, ( Session Clerk: East Kilbride: Mossneuk) Mr. Colin   Mclean, (Presbytery Elder: Hamilton Old) Mr.John Milne, (Session Clerk/Treasurer: Motherwell:    North) Ms Catherine Murphy, (Elder:Motherwell: Crosshill)  Mr. James Spence, (Session Clerk:   Strathaven: Avendale Old and Drumclog).

 

 

             3.        Stewardship Conference:

i)    Presbytery notes with concern that 12 congregations did not follow the instruction of Presbytery to attend the Stewardship Conference held on 28 May at Hamilton: Cadzow

ii)   Presbytery instructs the Clerk to write to the Session Clerk of the following congregations seeking an explanation for their non-attendance –Hamilton: Trinity, Strathaven: West, Cleland,

      Kirk O’Shotts, Airdre: St. Columba’s. Coatbridge: Clifton, Coatbridge: St Andrew’s, East Kilbride: Moncrieff; East Kilbride: Mossneuk; East Kilbride: West; East Kilbride: Westwood, Bothwell

4.         Nominations

            Presbytery agrees the following nominations for Session 2008/2009:

           Vice Convener, Church and Social Interests              Dr Margaret Miller

            Vice Convener, Parish Planning                                 Rev Agnes Moore

            Vice Convener, Ministries Development                    Rev Arthur Barrie

            Vice Convener, Parish Development                         Rev Derek Pope

5          Church Representative, South Lanarkshire Council

            Presbytery agrees to the submission of Mr Andrew Walsh to the Church and Society Council as              the Church Representative to South Lanarkshire Council

6          Hamilton: Hillhouse

i)    Presbytery recalls the decision of 6 May to grant permission in principle to Hamilton: Hillhouse to undertake property developments

ii)   Presbytery instructs the Parish Planning Committee and Stewardship & Finance Committee to meet with local parties to discuss shortfalls and to report back.

7         Coatbridge: Blairhill Dundyvan

           Presbytery appoints the Rev. Derek Pope; Mrs Isabel Brown and Mr. George Robertson  to          undertake the review of the 5 year reviewable tenure at Coatbridge: Blairhill Dundyvan given the            4th anniversary of the induction of the Rev Pat Carruth.

8          Shotts: Calderhead Erskine

            Presbytery notes that the Clerk has attested the Electoral Register of Shotts: Calderhead             Erskine as containing the names of 522 members and 6 adherents.

9          Presbytery approves the following requests to hold joint summer services:

            Coltness Memorial and Bonkle

            Motherwell: Crosshill and St Mary’s

            Airdrie: Broomknoll, High and New Wellwynd

            Cambusnethan: North and Old

            Larkhall: Chalmers, St Machan’s and Trinity

            Bellshill: Macdonald Memorial, Orbiston and St Andrew’s UF

10        Motherwell: South

            Presbytery notes that permission was granted for the use of the former South Dalziel buildings     for the end of term service for Knowetop Primary School.

11        Complaint The Presbytery notes the course of action proposed by the Business Committee        concerning a complaint against an elder.  Having received an unreserved apology from the           elder for any hurt he had caused, the Business Committee accepted the sincerity of the apology, which should now be sent to all to whom the original correspondence has been issued.

12.       Additional Elders  Presbytery agrees to appoint the following Additional Elders for session

 

            IRENE ANDERSON                                      MARILYN HENDERSON

            ROBERT A. ALLAN                                       ROY HENDSHAW    

            GEORGE BAIRD                                          ALEXANDER H. MACLEOD

            RICHARD BEATTIE                                      JEAN B. KIRKLAND

            DAVID H. BELL                                              JAMES D. PARK

            THOMAS DONALDSON                               ANDREW WALSH

            DAVID FINLAY                                               DAVID J. WATT

            F. GILMOUR                                                  WILLIAM WILSON

            DUNCAN M GRAY                                       

            KENNETH GRIFFITHS                                            

 

 

 

 

       ADDENDA

 

       1. Organ Scholarships

           Presbytery approves the expenditure of £900 to fund 3 organ scholarships for 2008/2009

      

       2.  Complaints

            Presbytery notes receipt of complaint against two Ministers and remits the complaints to the

            Complaints Committee.

 

69.  PARISH DEVELOPMENT

 

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

       Rev. Derek Pope, Committee member.

 

       It was moved, seconded and agreed:

 

1.      Presbytery receives the report:

 

2.      The Presbytery approve the application for accredited training in Safeguarding for Sandra Hoey

             (Dalserf), David MacIver (Airdrie: Calderbank) and Ian Kennedy(Airdrie: Caldercruix &                                Longriggend).

 

 

70.   MINISTRIES DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

 

       The Presbytery called for the report of the Ministries Development Committee which was

       given in by Rev. Arthur Barrie, Committee Member.

 

        It was moved, seconded and agreed:

 

  1.  The Presbytery receives the report.

 

      2.     Presbytery notes receipt of a Study Leave report from Revd Derek Hughes (Motherwell,          

              Dalziel St. Andrew’s) with regard to his study leave on ‘The Liturgy of Funerals and the                             Pastoral Care of the Terminally Ill’ in January 2008.

      3.     Presbytery notes receipt of a Study Leave application from Ms Susan Reford, Parish                               Assistant (unattached) on a Distant Learning Course for a Diploma in Crisis Management                           from January 2008 to January 2010 

      4.     Presbytery notes receipt of a Study Leave application from Revd Alan McKenzie, (Bellshill,                     MacDonald Memorial linked with Orbiston) to investigate the theory and practice of ‘                                   Compassion Focused Therapy and Compassionate Mind Training’ and its relevance to                               Christian Pastoral Care from 14th to 20th September 2008.

      5.     The Presbytery notes the application for transference of ministerial status to the Church of                        Scotland of the Revd Geoffrey Donald McKee, minister in good standing with the Baptist                            Union of Scotland. Details are laid on the table and any comments should be passed to the                            convener of the Ministry Development Committee as soon as possible.

      6.      Presbytery approves the issue of the Guidelines for Readers as Locums to all Interim                               Moderators and to Readers appointed as Locum.

      7.      Presbytery authorises the Ministry Development Committee to be responsible for the                                supervision and deployment of Auxiliary Ministers.

 

 

71.       PASTORAL SUPPORT COMMITTEE

            The Presbytery 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 receives the report for Cambusnethan North
             Presbytery:- 

      a)  Commends Minister, Officebearers and Members of Cambusnethan: North

           for their continued faithful and committed work in both reaching in to each other and out                           to the community around.

       b) Presbytery congratulates them in particular for the work of MADE4U IN ML2 in partnership                     with other churches and the B.B. Discovery and commends them to Presbytery as good                         examples of what it means to be a “Church without walls”.

       c)  Presbytery encourages them as they look to the future especially with their Stewardship                          Programme, and commits them and the Programme to prayer.

       d)  Presbytery agrees to remit to Stewardship and Finance concerns about the new accounting                    practices and also concerns about the power rates negotiated by the Church of Scotland                          nationally.

3.         Presbytery receives the report for Wishaw Old lw Craigneuk and Belhaven
            Presbytery:-
             a) commends the Office-bearers for ensuring the continuation of the work and witness of each
                  congregation during a long vacancy, and encourages them to remain positive as they seek                      God's will for the future;
             b)  encourages Wishaw Old to confer with the Presbytery Youth Advisor in the planning of the
                   Praise Youth Services, to maximise the potential for outreach of the Saturday and Mid-                            week Clubs and to explore initiatives to promote stewardship;
             c)  commends Craigneuk and Belhaven for its pro-active approach to ministry within the parish,
                   and encourages it in its possible future involvement in the establishing of a Church Centre                        within the new Ravenscraig complex.
4.         Presbytery receives the report for Hamilton: St. Andrew's. Presbytery commends the minister,                office bearers and congregation in their continuing faithfulness and to mission in their        community high level of commitment to the ongoing ministry of the church.


 

72.       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 sorry to lose Mrs. Marion Dickie, thanks her for her tireless work on its behalf, and

            is glad that she is to remain on the local  Area Presbytery Committee.

    3.     Presbytery wishes the Rev. K. Gilchrist every blessing in her new charge.

 

 

73.       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.         Notes that Congregational annual reports and accounts submitted by 72 of the congregations in

            the Presbytery for the year ended 31 December 2007 have been examined by the committee

            for compliance with the General Assembly’s Regulations Anent Congregational Finance, with

            instances of non-compliance to be reported to the relevant Congregations.

 

 

     3.       Reminds Congregations that have not yet submitted reports for examination by the committee                  that:

       i.         Compliance with the Charity Accounts Regulations, on which the General Assembly                                    regulation are based, is a legal requirement on all charities.

      ii.          Even where professional assistance is required to present accounts in line with the new                      regulations, the cost of such assistance is much less than the tax relief and other                                 benefits derived from charitable status.

      iii.         Members of the Committee will endeavour to provide assistance where it is requested.

      iv.        The trustees of each congregation have a legal liability to file reports and accounts for                        the year ended 31 December 2007 with OSCR not later than 30th September 2008.

      v.         Urges any congregations that have not yet submitted two copies of their 2007 accounts                      to the Presbytery office to do so without delay.

4      The Presbytery

             i.         Thanks Gordon Jamieson and Edith Scott for their presentation at the Stewardship

                        Conference on Wednesday 28th May

ii.            Thanks Hamilton Cadzow for providing a venue for the conference

iii.             Welcomes the interest generated, and the arrangements already made for Edith

            Scott to meet with office bearers in congregations within the Presbytery

iv.           Encourages congregations that have not already made arrangements to meet with Edith Scott to do so as soon as possible. 

      5.               The Presbytery

              i.         approves the budget for 2008-09 at a net expenditure requirement of £70,500, reduced

                         by £16,000 taken from accumulated reserves.

ii.             Determines a net assessment for 2008-09 of £1.70 per member based on congregational Membership as at 31 December 2007.

      6.              The Presbytery notes that the Vacancy Schedule for Airdrie Jackson has been agreed.

                            

 

74.     VACANCY PROCEDURES COMMITTEE

             

         The Presbytery called for the report of the Church and Social Interest Committee which was

         given in by the Rev. Michael Lyall, Convener.

 

          It was moved, seconded and agreed:

 

      1.       The Presbytery receives the report

2.       The Presbytery notes that the Vacancy Procedures Committee has appointed the Rev                              Karen Harbison as Interim Moderator at the parish of East Kilbride: Claremont during the                        absence of the minister on sick leave.

3.       The Presbytery sustains the call of Wishaw: St Mark’s to the Rev Graham Austin and                                appoints 8th .August 2008 for his Service of Induction.

           The call was signed by 171  and 11 adherents.

4.        Presbytery sustains the call of Airdrie: Jackson to the Rev. Kay Gilchrist and appoints

           Wednesday 2nd July, 2008 for her Service of Induction.

           The call was signed by 195 members and 23 adherents.

 

 

 

75.  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.      Ravenscraig

Presbytery instructs the Parish Planning Committee to examine the Presbytery Plan as it relates to Motherwell and other local charges to incorporate the development at the

 

Ravenscraig township and hold conversation with Ministries Council and Emerging Ministries Task Group to establish additional staffing for this unique opportunity and report to a future meeting. Presbytery notes the positive contribution by the Motherwell Area Mission

Committee in discussions to date.                        

3.       Strathaven:West

Presbytery notes the provision by Strathaven: West of a walled garden within Church      grounds and commend the Congregation and local groups for this imaginative project.   

       4.      Strathaven: Rankin

Presbytery, further to granting approval in principal, gives full approval to Strathaven: Rankin to replace the Hall roof and suspended ceiling at a cost of £17,340.92. based on competitive tenders.   Funds are to hand.

       5.      Granting of Powers

Presbytery instructs the Convener to deal with property matters of an urgent nature during the summer recess and to report with diligence to the Presbytery Meeting on 2nd September.

 

ADDENDUM

        6.      Strathaven

                In the event of a vacancy occurring in a Strathaven charge  Presbytery sists proceedings in

                the vacant  charge to allow the Parish Planning Committee to hold conversation with all

                parties in Strathaven and report.

                                                                                    

 

76.          LOCAL AREA COMMITTEE 1 – Hamilton

             The Presbytery called for the report of the Local Area Committee 1, which was given in

              by Mr. Colin McLean.

             

              It was moved, seconded and agreed.

 

          1.   The Presbytery receives the report.

 

77.          LOCAL AREA COMMITTEE 2 – Strathaven

             The Presbytery called for the report of the Local Area Committee 2, which was given in

              by the Rev. Norman McKee

             

              It was moved, seconded and agreed.

 

            1.  The Presbytery receives the report.

 

78.           LOCAL AREA COMMITTEE 3 – Motherwell

 

              The Presbytery called for the report of the Local Area Committee  3, which was given in

              by the Rev.Gavin Black.

 

               It was moved seconded and agreed.

 

            1.  The Presbytery receives the report.

 

  79.         LOCAL AREA COMMITTEE 4 – Wishaw

 

              The Presbytery called for the report of the Local Area Committee  4, which was given in

              by the Mrs. Roberta Hutton

 

               It was moved seconded and agreed.

 

      1.   The Presbytery receives the report                             

       

 

 

       80.      LOCAL AREA COMMITTEE 5 -   Airdrie

 

                  No report submitted.

 

 

       81.          LOCAL AREA COMMITTEE 6  -  Coatbridge

 

                     No report submitted

 

   82.         LOCAL AREA COMMITTEE 7 -  East Kilbride

 

              The Presbytery called for the report of the Local Area Committee  7, which was given in

              by the Rev. Anne Paton.

 

               It was moved seconded and agreed.

 

1.   The Presbytery receives the report.

 

      83.         LOCAL AREA COMMITTEE 8 -  Uddingston& Bothwell

 

              The Presbytery called for the report of the Local Area Committee  8, which was given in

              by the Mr. Stan Cook.

 

               It was moved seconded and agreed.

 

1.   The Presbytery receives the report.

 

 

84.       ADJOURNMENT

            There being no further business the Presbytery adjourned at 9.25pm to meet in hunc effectum

            for the Induction of the Rev. Kay Gilchrist on Wednesday 2nd July, 2008 at 6.45pm for 7.00pm.

            and for the Induction of the Rev. Graham Austin on Friday 8th August, 2008 at 6.45pm for

            7.00pm. and for ordinary business on Tuesday 2nd September.

 

 

 

.

 

 

 

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

                       Moderator                                                                Presbytery Clerk