THE  CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

                                                          PRESBYTERY OF HAMILTON        

 

 

XII        MOTHERWELL: 7th October,  2008

At MOTHERWELL: DALZIEL ST ANDREWS PARISH CHURCH HALLS on the 7th  Day of October,  Two Thousand and Eight years, on which day the PRESBYTERY OF HAMILTON met and was constituted in prayer.

 

Post preces sederunt

 

117.     SEDERUNT

            Mr. David Watt, Moderator, the Rev. Shaw J. Paterson, Clerk, and others as per signed lists in retentis (Total – Ministers:34   Elders: 47   and   Corresponding Members 8)

             

118.     WELCOME

            The Moderator welcomed to the Presbytery Mr. Philip Craven and expressed to him the good wishes of the Court.  He also welcomed Mr. David Park on his return to Presbytery.

 

119.     MINUTES

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

 

120.     AGENDA

 

121.     INTIMATIONS

 

122.     BASIS OF UNIONCOATBRIDGE: CLIFTON AND ST. ANDREW’S

            Parties were called and appeared

            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:

 

            The Presbytery approves the Basis of Union between Coatbridge: Clifton and Coatbridge:

            St. Andrew’s

 

123.     PRESENTATION OF READERS AND STUDENTS

 

      Mr. William Wilson, introduced to the Moderator – Mrs. Caryl Kyle,  Mrs. Fiona Ogg, Mr. Roderick Dick,  Mr. Richard Beattie,  Sheena Bell, Anne Clemenson, William Cruickshanks,    Francis Haggarty, William Hawthorne, Samuel Hewitt, Eric Hislop, Keir A. Dickson, Elizabeth       Leckie, Frances McCart, Rowan Robertson, Thomas Stevenson, Ian T. White, Mr. James           Murphy and Mrs. Monica MacDonald.

 

           

124.     OVERTURE ANENT ADMISSION AND READMISSION

            The Presbytery called for the report of the Committee considering Overture anent Admission and Readmission which was given in by Mr. William Wilson

 

            On a vote being taken, there voted 81 for and nil against. The Presbytery approved the Overture Anent Admission and Readmission.

 

 

125.     INSURANCE REVALUATION

           The Presbytery called for the report on Insurance Revaluations, which was given in by Mr.

           George Robertson, Convener.

 

           It was moved, seconded and agreed.

 

1.       The Presbytery receives the report.

 

2     Property Insurance Revaluation

        i )      Presbytery instructs all Congregations who have had their properties revalued for            

                 insurance purposes since 1st January 2000 to forward to the Convener Planning   

                 Committee  confirmation of such action detailing date(s) of such inspections by 31st October.

        ii)      Presbytery instructs the Parish Planning Committee to obtain competitive quotations

                 to allow all other properties and manses to be revalued and report to the

                 December meeting of Presbytery.

        iii)     Presbytery instructs the Parish Planning Committee to investigate ways that the cost of                            revaluation can be offset and report to Presbytery.  

     

 

126.    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 instructs the following East Kilbride congregations – Claremont, Greenhills, Moncreiff, Mossneuk, South, and Westwood - to enter into discussions involving the Minster and 6 representative Elders from each congregation, the discussions to be facilitated by the Congregational Development Officer, concerning the nature of the additional staffing posts, the exercise to be concluded before June, 2009.

3    Presbytery grants powers to Conveners to deal with matters of routine business in November.

4    Presbytery notes that a request to grant a let to an external body of the Halls of Motherwell: South has been refused.

5    Presbytery notes the appointment of Rev Maxine Buck as locum at Larkhall: Chalmers and grants permission to apply to the Fisher Fund for funding.

6.   Presbytery notes that Mr. Roy Henshaw having left the Kirk Session at Newarthill over the                      

      summer ceases to be an Additional Elder.

 

ADDENDA

Rev. Dr. J. McPake

The Presbytery grants permission for the Rev. Dr. John McPake to offer a course of 12 lectures in Christian Worship and Sacraments at the International Christian College in Glasgow.

Committee Appointments

            The Presbytery appoints Mr. A. Cowan (Motherwell: St. Margaret’s) and the Rev. Graham Austin (Wishaw: St. Mark’s) as members of the Parish Planning  and  Church and Social Interests Committees respectively.

 

127.     PARISH DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

 

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

            by Rev. Derek Pope, Vice  Convener.

 

            It was moved, seconded and agreed.

           

     1.    The Presbytery receives the report

 

128.     MINISTRIES DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

 

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

       given in by  Mr. William Wilson, Convener..

 

        It was moved, seconded and agreed:

 

       1   The Presbytery receives the report.

       2. Presbytery welcomes the transference of candidature of Mr. Philip Craven from Dumbarton                   Presbytery and to his placement at Motherwell: Dalziel St Andrews.

       3.  The Presbytery notes receipt of a Study Leave Application from Rev. Robert Hamilton (Airdrie:   New Wellwynd) with regard to taking time to attend eight day led retreat organised by the       Glasgow Ignatian Spirituality Centre followed by a period of reflection at the Royal Scots    College, Salamanca, Spain, from 3rd to 11th August, 2009

 

 

129.     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. (i)    Presbytery commends the minister, office bearers and members of Hamilton Old :-

            on their attitude, reflection and actions in the prevailing cultural climate which offers little space    for a local congregation. 

     (ii)   on their commitment to worship and mission, their willingness to ask themselves hard questions   and their determination to move forward in faith against this existing culture and in the light of          their prospective union.

            Presbytery is confident that a strong local witness in the name of Jesus Christ will continue          through this congregation both before and after the proposed union with Hamilton North

3.         Presbytery receives the report for Coatbridge St. Andrew’s

Presbytery heartily commends the minister, office bearers and members for their committed ministry and service, applauds their very confident and positive attitude towards the future union with Clifton and encourages the development of the outreach and mission of the congregation into the new union.

Presbytery notes the disappointment of the Congregational Board that it is no longer possible to make an additional voluntary contribution to its minister’s stipend.

4.         Presbytery encourages all members to consider the appeal for two additional Presbytery chaplains and pass on the relevant information to anyone it is felt might be suitable for the        position. Presbytery notes that the profile for the position of Presbytery Chaplain is being sent to         all Session Clerks along with an intimation which may also be included in church newsletters.

 

 

130.     CHURCH AND SOCIAL INTERESTS COMMITTEE

 

            The Presbytery called for the report of the Church and Social Interests Committee which was      given by  Rev. Stanley Cook, Committee Member.

 

    1.     The Presbytery receives the report.

 

131.     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     The Presbytery notes that seven congregations have committed themselves to the Presbytery                             stewardship programme, and urges those congregations that have not already made        arrangements to meet with the Stewardship Consultant to do so as soon as possible.

 3.       Presbytery requests all congregations that have not yet done so to confirm that they have

            considered participation in the programme and to advise the decisions they have reach.

 4.       Presbytery notes that Hamilton: Hillhouse have made a commitment to pay off all outstanding   

            Ministry and Mission allocations.

 5.       Presbytery reminds congregations that presbytery dues should be paid not later that 31st   

            October, 2008.

  6.       Presbytery invites congregations to request a reduction in their Ministry and Mission contribution

            for 2009 to support strategic local mission projects, and to ensure that such request are lodged

            with the Stewardship and Finance convener before 21st October.

  7.       Presbytery reminds congregations that it is the responsibility of the trustees to appoint an

           independent examiner with the necessary competence, and it is prudent to have in place an

           appropriate letter of engagement. 

 

 

132      PARISH PLANNING COMMITTEE

 

            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.  The Presbytery receives the report. 

  2.  Holytown

       Presbytery notes the inspection of the Manse of Holytown and the Congregation and past    

       occupants are to be commended on its condition.

  3   Airdrie: High

       Presbytery approves the application by Airdrie: High to carry out repairs to the Church and Hall             roofs at a cost of £49,000 inclusive of VAT.

      Permission is given to apply for a WREN funding grant.

  4. Airdrie: Flowerhill

      Presbytery notes that total cost incurred in the upgrade of the Manse of Airdrie: Flowerhill was      £16,987.

 

ADDENDUM

Hamilton: Hillhouse

Presbytery approves the application by Hamilton: Hillhouse to replace cladding and roofing  to main hall, internal alterations to form complaint DDA toilets and enlarged entry foyer, erection of a new extension to create plant room, storage and new toilets at a cost of £254,739.75.  It is noted that

£108,000 is available from funds held.

 

133.     VACANCY PROCEDURES COMMITTEE

 

          The Presbytery called for the report of the Vacancy Procedures Committee which was given

           in by Rev. Michael Lyall, Convener.

 

          It was moved, seconded and agreed:

 

1.Presbytery receives the report.

 

2.         The Presbytery sustains the call of Wishaw: Craigneuk and Belhaven lw Wishaw: Old

 to the Rev. Robert Craig and appoints Monday 20th October, 2008 for his Service of

Ordination and Induction.

The call was signed by 342 members and adherents.

3.         The Presbytery sustains the call of Holytown lw New Stevenston: Wrangholm Kirk

 to the Rev. Caryl Kyle and appoints Monday 27th October 2008 for her Service of

Ordination and Induction.

The call was signed by 236 members and adherents.

 

134.     ADJOURNMENT

            There being no further business the Presbytery adjourned at 8.25 p.m. to meet in hunc effectum within Wishaw: Craigneuk and Belhaven  on Monday 20th October, 2008 at 6.45pm for 7.00pm             for the Ordination and Induction of the Rev. Robert Craig to the charge and Parish of Wishaw:          Craigneuk & Belhaven lw Wishaw: Old; Holytown on Monday 27th October, 2008 at 6.45pm for        7.00pm for the Ordination and Induction of the Rev. Caryl  Kyle at Holytown to the charge and          Parish of Holytown lw New Stevenston: Wrangholm Kirk;  within Coatbridge:  St. Andrew’s on      Tuesday 28th October, 2008 at 6.45pm for 7.00pm for the service of Union between the      congregations of Coatbridge: Clifton and Coatbridge: St. Andrew’s; for the  celebration of Holy    Communion within Airdrie: The New Wellwynd  at  7.00pm on Tuesday 4th November, 2008,             and for Ordinary Business within Motherwell: Dalziel St. Andrew’s Parish Church on Tuesday             2nd December, 2008 at 7.00p.m.

 

 

 

 

            ………………………………………                            ………………………………………

 

                        Moderator                                                                   Presbytery Clerk