Presbytery Recap

62nd Stated Meeting                                                    Presbytery of the James

                         March 18, 2006, Union-PSCE, Richmond, VA

Hosted by Validated Ministries Clergy

(Please copy & distribute to all Church Officers & Leaders)

                                                                                                                                   March 21, 2006

Dear Friends: 

The Presbytery of the James met for its 62nd Stated Meeting on March 18, 2006, at Union-PSCE, Richmond.   This meeting was for the Stated Winter Meeting which was postponed due to weather in February.  We are most grateful to the Validated Ministers of our presbytery for hosting this meeting and providing gracious hospitality for out time at Union-PSCE.  We are most grateful, as well, to Union-PSCE for providing us the location for the meeting.

            A number of Overtures from Sessions were before the Presbytery for consideration.  There was a good lively debate and discussion.  Decorum was outstanding.

            We are grateful to God for the time and fellowship with one another in Christ.

Attendance:  79 congregations out of 113 represented (70%); 157 Elder Commissioners (69%); 126 Minister Commissioners (55.5 %); 3 Certified Educators/Elders; and 28 visitors.

 

PEOPLE        We welcomed the following ministers into the presbytery or recognized

                        changes in ministries: 

Rev. Shane Roberson, Co-Pastor, New Hanover from Trinity Presbytery.

Rev. Charles Sutton, H.R., from Peaks Presbytery.

Rev. Charles Klotzberger, Interim Pastor, South Hill, from Charleston-Atlantic Presbytery.

Candidate Yung-Suk Kim for ordination as validated minister at School of Theology, Virginia

            Union University

Rev. Bob Bluford, HR & POJ, Interim Pastor, Brett Reed 

Honorably Retired the following ministers:  Rev. Don Steele, Rev. Starke Cauthorn, Rev. Robert Pierce, and Rev. Ken Davis.

 

Enrolled Alfred Graise (Arabic Fellowship/Third Richmond) and Kendall Pearson (Meadows) as candidates to become Ministers of Word and Sacrament

 

ACTIONS:     The presbytery took the following actions:

1.                  October 11, 2005, Stated Meeting Minutes.

2.                  Installed Elder Bill Brownfield (Three Chopt) as Moderator for 2006

3.                  Balancing of Presbytery Commissioners for March, 2006 – February, 2007.

4.                  Certified ready to receive a call the following candidates:  Melissa Harmon (Gayton Kirk) and Jane Govan (Olivet).

5.                  Rev. Bill Morris as Evangelist for Tappahannock New Church Development.

6.                  Parental Leave Policy for Committee on Ministry.

7.                  Changed terms of call for Rev. David Cameron, Rockfish; as well as for Rev. H. Carson Rhyne, Jr., Rev. Nancy B. Dawson, Rev. Tim Hoyt-Duncan, presbytery staff.

8.                  Rev. Jason Whitehead and Rev. Kathryn Cameron became Members at Large.

9.                  Approved Rev. Jay Sanderford as pastor, Blue Ridge Church including terms of call.

10.              Permitted Elder Joseph Young to administer the Lord’s Supper at Oak Grove Church.

11.              Heard Rev. Jim VandeBerg on Pilot Project on Stewardship with the General Assembly.

12.              Revised the New Church Development Manual

13.              Elected persons to various boards and committees of the presbytery.

14.              Sold approximately 4 acres of land on Elko Road (New Kent County) for $138,000.

15.              Appointed Special Administrative Review Committee for Fredericksburg Korean Church.

16.              Responded to Overtures from these church sessions:

a.       Grace Covenant Church on Peace Unity Purity Task Force:  affirmatively

b.      New Hanover Church on Peace Unity Purity Task Force:  negatively

c.       Bon Air Church on saying no to torture: affirmatively

d.      Richmond, Second on Historical Foundation at Montreat:  affirmatively

17.              Responded affirmatively to two Resolutions to Concur Shenandoah Presbytery’s Overture #31 concerning the ordination of Educating Elders.  Resolutions were from Sessions of First, Charlottesville, and Fredericksburg Church Session.

18.              Engaged RSI to do a capital campaign feasibility study for Camp Hanover and New Church Development.

19.              Endorsed the Congo Resolution for free, open elections.

20.              Ratified the appointment of a Committee of Counsel to respond to Remedial Complaint from members of New Castle Presbytery:  Rev. Robert Pierce, Elder Kenna Payne (Westminster, Richmond), and Rev. Charles Grant.

21.              Learned of negotiations underway by the Trustees for possible sale of the presbytery office park.  Also learned the Trustees are interested in available space in congregations for possible relocation of presbytery offices.

 

TWO CENTS A MEAL OFFERING:  $101.65

 

NEXT MEETING:

The 63rd Stated Meeting of the Presbytery will be Saturday, June 10, 2006, at Three Chopt Church, Richmond

 

 

H. Carson Rhyne, Jr.

Stated Clerk

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Future Meetings of the Presbytery

Saturday, June 10, 2006                                                                       Three Chopt Church

Tuesday, October 10, 2006                                                                  Camp Hanover Invitation