October 11, 2006 Dear Friends: The Presbytery of the James met for its 64th Stated Meeting on October 10, 2006, at Camp Hanover, Mechanicsville, VA. We are most grateful to the staff and Camp Board members for hosting this meeting and providing gracious hospitality for our time at camp. It was a beautiful day weather-wise. We are grateful to God for the time and fellowship with one another in Christ.
Attendance: 82 congregations out of 113 represented (73%); 141 Elder Commissioners (65%); 113 Minister Commissioners (52%); 16 Certified Educators/Elders; and 21 visitors.
We had a helpful presentation concerning Torture and Christian responses to this matter. Chaplain Ed Brogan from the Military Chaplains Council was present to make the presentation.
PEOPLE We welcomed the following ministers into the presbytery or recognized changes in ministries: Ø Rev. David Garth, Pastor, South Plains Church from Middle Tennessee Presbytery. Ø Rev. Denise Hall, Pastor, Orange Church from West Virginia Presbytery. Ø Rev. Shawn Smith, Pastor, Hartwood Church, from San Joaquin Presbytery. Ø Rev. Ed Kross, Associate Pastor, Three Chopt Church, from John Calvin Presbytery Ø Rev. Will Smith, Interim Pastor, Providence Gum Spring Church, from West Virginia Presbytery. Ø Rev, Jane Govan, Associate Pastor, Olivet Church, newly ordained. Ø Rev. Larry Chottiner, Pastor, Salisbury Church, from Donegal Presbytery. Ø Candidate Patrick Dennis, Associate Pastor, Fredericksburg Church, examined for ordination. Ø Rev. Nancy Clark, Interim Pastor, Lakeside, POJ. Ø Rev. Sarah Nave, Stated Supply Pastor, Covenant Church, POJ Ø Approved Alexander Lang, Fredericksburg Church, to be a candidate, as of June 27, 2006.
Actions of the Presbytery: 1. Approved the minutes of the June 10, 2006 Stated Meeting, and the July 19, 2006 Called Meeting. 2. Elected Rev. Rebekah Johns, pastor at Bethlehem Church, as Moderator for 2007. 3. Approved change in status for Rev. Cindy Kissel-Ito become Member-at-Large, effective 7/1/2006. 4. Approved changes in Terms of Call for Rev. Willie Woodson, First United, Richmond, Rev. Stephen Price-Gibson, Forest Hills, and Rev. Franklin Reding, Providence Powhatan 5. Authorized Elder Bob Andrews (Christ Church) to be trained to administer the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper at Christ Church in November and December 2006, and January, and February 2007. 6. Removed David Patton (Forest Hill) and Percy Strickland (Third, Richmond) from the inquiry/candidacy process. 7. Approved second readings on several changes to the POJ Manual. 8. Approved a procedure to appoint a Committee of Counsel between meetings of presbytery. 9. Approved permission for communion to be served as appropriate at 2007 Camp Hanover sponsored events 10. Approved request from Ginter Park Church to lease its steeple to Ntelos for a cell tower. 11. Approved transfer of the Richmond Central Korean Congregation property to the Atlantic Korean American Presbytery (AKAP). 12. Received the reports from the Commissioners to the 217th General Assembly and thanked them for their service. 13. Elected 42 persons to serve on various presbytery boards and committees. 14. Empowered the Business Affairs Committee when acting as a Commission the power to transfer congregational property from the current arrangement of Trustees to a corporation provided that the articles of incorporation and the deed were in accord with the trust clause in the Book of Order. 15. Approved a proposed presbytery budget for 2007 of $1,832,462. 16. Accepted the feasibility conducted by RSI that a capital campaign in the presbytery could be successful. 17. Deferred to the February meeting and to the Administrative Board the decision to contract with a firm to conduct a capital campaign. Other vendors (i.e., PCUSA Capital Campaign Service) are to be interviewed. 18. Referred Overture 06-06 from New Hanover Session (on Authoritative Interpretation of G-6.0108) to Committee on Ministry and to Committee on Preparation for Ministry for consideration. 19. Answered Overture 06-07 from Bon Air Church Session (on saying “No to Torture”) with the presentation made at the meeting by Chaplain Ed Brogan. 20. Answered in the negative Overture 06-08 from Second Church, Richmond (on the Virginia Marriage Amendment). 21. Appointed the Tappahannock Chapel Administrative Commission for the purpose of holding membership of the Chapel until the church is ready to be chartered.
Two Cents/Five Cents a Meal: $62.45
NEXT MEETINGS:
The 65th Stated Meeting of the Presbytery will be Saturday, February 10, 2007, at First Church, Charlottesville, VA.
H. Carson Rhyne, Jr. Stated Clerk 2007 Meetings, Presbytery of the James February 10 First Church, Charlottesville June 9 Ginter Park Church October 9 INVITATION NEEDED |
|
Presbytery of the James |