St. Giles Presbyterian Church - Foothills Presbytery · FoothillsPresbyteryStatedMeeting#89...
Transcript of St. Giles Presbyterian Church - Foothills Presbytery · FoothillsPresbyteryStatedMeeting#89...
Foothills Presbytery Stated Meeting #89 Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
St. Giles Presbyterian Church 1021 Hudson Rd
Greenville, SC 29615 864-244-4887
November 12, 2013 9:00 am
Registration: 8:30 am
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Directions to St. Giles: Coming in to Greenville on I-‐85 South bound:
South
Take exit 54 to merge onto Pelham Rd About 5 mins
go 2.4 mi
Turn right onto Meadow Wood Dr About 1 min
go 0.4 mi
Turn left onto Devenger Rd About 2 mins
go 1.1 mi
Turn right onto Hudson Rd Destination will be on the left
go 430 ft
St Giles Presbyterian Church
Coming in to Greenville on I-‐85 North bound:
North
Take exit 51 for I-385 toward Columbia/Greenville go 0.6 mi
Take exit 51C for Interstate 385 N/Interstate 85 N toward Greenville/Spartanburg go 0.1 mi
Keep right at the fork to stay on Exit 51C, follow signs for I-385 N/Greenville and merge onto I-385 N About 3 mins
go 2.7 mi
5. Take exit 39 for Haywood Rd go 0.2 mi
6. Turn right onto Haywood Rd go 0.2 mi
7. Take the 2nd right onto Pelham Rd About 1 min
go 0.7 mi
8. Turn left onto Hudson Rd Destination will be on the left About 3 mins
go 1.3 mi
St Giles Presbyterian Church
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A BRI E F H IST O RY O F ST. G I L ES PR ESB Y T E RI A N C H UR C H The Enoree Presbytery responded to growth in Eastside Greenville by purchasing sixteen acres of land in 1965. In 1972 a survey confirmed the need of the Eastside area for a Presbyterian congregation to provide sustenance, support and opportunities for Christian service. Services began at Eastside High School in 1972. Dr. Tom Reeves was Interim Minister. The name, St. Giles Presbyterian Church, was selected in November 1972. On May 6 1973, a Commission of the Enoree Presbytery officially organized the congregation. Reverend John C. Livingston presided at the 3:00 p.m. ceremony for the sixty-seven charter members. Dr. Alf Graham Taylor accepted the call as the first minister and assumed his post June 1, 1973. Services continued at Eastside High School until the all purpose
Road in March 1974.
In April 1987 Dr. Alf Taylor retired. Dr. George G. Wilkes, III, served from 1988 to 1995. Dr. Paul David Wadsworth served from 1997 to 2002. Rev. Matt Matthews began his service here in 2004. Drs. Doug Cushing and Wain Wesberry have served as associate pastors. Rev. Jan Culpepper served as a seminary intern, and Revs. Roland Slater and Steve Price have served as parish associates. Drs. Bob Taylor, Bob Lawrence, and John Wilkerson have served at various times as interim pastors. These, other ministers and ministers-to-be, as well as other gifted staff have been faithful leaders and friends in ministry.
eed the hungry. The form our response takes is as varied as the saints who make up our church community. Mission takes the form of everything from Blood Connection blood drives and the Greenville Area Interfaith Hospitality Network, to various kinds of partnering with Triune Mercy Center and United Ministries. We support Foothills Presbytery with monetary gifts and volunteers who serve on ministry teams. We try to put our money where our mouth is, and both as a church and individual members of it we are tryyouth do two mission trips a year beyond Greenville, and are engaged locally with our sister church at Mattoon
ampus has housed church mission teams from Virginia, The College of New Jersey, and Kentucky needing a place to stay on their way to and from points along the Gulf after the ravages of Hurricane Katrina.
At the close of worship each Sunday, bookending our benediction, we ask ourselves a question and make an
humbly with God? The affirmation is this: God is good. All the time.
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89th STATED MEETING Foothills Presbytery
9:00 A.M., November 12, 2013 St. Giles Presbyterian Church Greenville, South Carolina
**ORIENTATION FOR NEW ELDER COMMISSIONERS WILL BE HELD AT 8:45 A.M.**
Note: Items in ITALICS are part of the Consent Agenda
Order of the Day: Lunch at 12:15 p.m.
A. Call to Order and Establishment of a Quorum 9:00 a.m. Mr. Ike Johnson, Moderator B. Welcome from the Host Church: Rev. Matt Matthews, Pastor 1. Acknowledgement of Visitors and Elders attending for the first time. C. Opening Worship: 9:15 a.m. Candidate: Kelly L. Roman, Campus Minister, Clemson University D. Presentation and Adoption of the Docket 10:30 a.m. E. Report of the Stated Clerk 10:35 a.m. 1. Communications 2. Institutional Reports: Thornwell F. Constitutional Committees 1. Committee on Ministry Elder Jeff Smith 10:40 a.m. 2. Examinations Commission Rev. George Harper 10:50 a.m. 3. Committee on Prep. For Ministry Rev. Chris Berardi 11:20 a.m. 4. Committee on Representation 5. Nominations Committee Rev. Tom Malone 11:35 a.m. 6. Permanent Judicial Commission G. Presbytery Council Report Rev. Kathy Chamlee 11:40 a.m. 1. Mission Team Rev. Julie Meredith 2. Campus Ministry Team 3. Equipping the Saints Rev. Craig Foster 4. Governing Body Team Rev. Jim Caprell 11:50 a.m. 5. Finance and Stewardship Team Elder Dick Christopher 11:55 a.m. 6. New Church Development Team 7. Unity and Community Team Rev. Richard Caldwell 8. Cultural Context Team 9. Outdoor Ministries Board Elder Tim Howard 12:05 p.m. H. Other Boards and Committee Reports 1. Racial Ethnic Cabinet -‐ Elder Belton Lane
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2. Presbytery Youth Council Ms. Donna Templeton, Presbytery Staff I. Any New Business Action on the Minutes: That the Stated Clerk and Moderator be empowered to read and approve the minutes. Adjournment and Closing Prayer
NEXT STATED MEETING February 18, 2014
9:00 a.m. place: TBA
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Committee on Ministry Report November 12, 2013
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION: The Committee on Ministry has approved:
1. Spiritual Health at the AnMed Hospitals in Anderson, SC.
2. The relationship between the Session of First Presbyterian Church, Spartanburg
and the Rev. Christi Owen Brown who serves as Interim Associate Pastor.
3. The relationship between the Session of First Presbyterian Church, Spartanburg and the Rev. Bill Arthur who serves as Temporary Supply Pastor.
4. The relationship between the Session of First Presbyterian Church, Greer and
the Rev. Brandi Casto-‐Waters who serves as Stated Supply.
5. The relationship between the Session of North Anderson Community Church, Presbyterian and the Rev. Tom Richie who serves as Stated Supply.
6. The dissolution of the relationship between the congregation of the Tyger River
Presbyterian Church, and the Rev. Doug Cushing. The Rev. Cushing has been called to begin a New Church Development in Coastal Carolina Presbytery.
7. The dissolution of the relationship between the Grace Covenant Presbyterian
Church and the Rev. Chris Berardi. Grace Covenant is, with regret, closing the Associate Pastor position. Rev. Berardi will be an at-‐Large member of Foothills Presbytery.
The Committee on Ministry reports:
1. That the Sacred Trust event scheduled for Monday, October 21 was cancelled. A new program on boundary issues regarding email and social networks will be offered at a later date.
2. That the John Calvin Commission has been organized, received their orientation
and begun their work.
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The Committee on Ministry recommends:
1. That having faithfully completed their work, the Pacolet Presbyterian Church Commission be dismissed with thanks. (The church properties were sold to a group of Baptists in the Pacolet area for $71,000.)
2. That the Report of the Nell Townsend Gracious Dismissal Task Force be
approved (see attachment) and that Attorney Nick Nicolson and Foothills Presbytery Stated Clerk, the Rev. Gordon W. G. Raynal be approve to sign the appropriate property transfer documents.
Respectfully submitted, Mr. Jeff Smith, Chair
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Foothills Presbytery Examinations Commission November 12, 2013 The Examinations Commission of Foothills Presbytery has examined a Teaching Elder who is engaged in a ministry that has been validated by the Committee on Ministry and received him into the Presbytery. It has also examined a candidate who has received a call and presents her to presbytery for examination for ordination as a Teaching Elder. Their faith statements and biographical sketches are attached to this report. The Commission has also approved the terms of call for a Teaching Elder who is already a member of Foothills Presbytery. 1. The Examinations Commission has examined and received the Rev. Mike Johnston, a member of
the Presbytery of Western North Carolina, who is serving as Director of Spiritual Care at AnMed Health in Anderson.
2. The Examinations Commission has examined Candidate Kelly Roman and approved her for
examination by Presbytery. Kelly is being called to serve as Associate Pastor for University Ministry at Fort Hill Church in Clemson. Terms of Call were approved by the Commission and are as follows:
Salary/Housing: $35,300.00; SECA: $5,400.90; BOP Medical/Pension/Annuity/Death and Disability: $12,540.15; Four weeks vacation; two weeks continuing education; Cell phone reimbursable expense: $540.00; Professional Expenses reimbursable: $2,500.00; moving expenses.
Kelly will be ordained by New Brunswick Presbytery; an installation commission will be presented at the meeting of Presbytery.
3. The Examinations Commission has approved the terms of call of the Williamston and Pelzer
Churches to the Rev. A. J. Ochart to serve as pastor. AJ is a member of Foothills Presbytery and has been serving as temporary supply of the Williamston and Pelzer Churches. Section G-‐2.0504c of the Book of Order allows for a Teaching Elder employed in a temporary pastoral relationship to be eligible to serve as the next installed pastor if approved by a three-‐fourths vote of the Presbytery.
Terms of Call: Salary: $25,112.00; Housing Allowance: $13,620.00; SECA: $6,546.00; BOP Medical/ Pension/Death/Disability/Dental: $14,712.00; Auto Allowance: $1,500.00; Continuing Education: $1,000.00; Cell Phone: $1,500.00; Four weeks vacation; two weeks continuing education; 4 weeks paternity/family leave annually.
An installation Commission will be presented at the meeting of Presbytery. Respectfully Submitted, The Rev. Dr. George Harper Moderator Examinations Commission Foothills Presbytery
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COMMITTEE ON PREPARATION FOR MINISTRY November 2013
The Committee on Preparation for Ministry reports that: 1. On August 22 we:
a. Disbursed financial aid to students. b. Met with Candidate Anna George for her annual consultation.
2. On September 26 we: a. Disbursed financial aid to students. b. Received a report that Mairi Renwick was ordained in the
Presbytery of Transylvania. c. Received a report from a task force that met with Candidate
Michael McCaulley. In consultation with the CPM, Mr. McCaulley has requested that he be released from the process toward ordination as teaching elder under the care of Foothills Presbytery. The CPM concurred with this request.
The Committee on Preparation for Ministry recommends that:
1. Michael McCaulley be removed from the roll of Candidates and be released from the ordination process.
Respectfully Submitted, The Rev. Peggy Swann and the Rev. Chris Berardi, Co-Moderators
Current Members of the Foothills CPM
RE = Ruling Elder TE = Teaching Elder Class of 2013 Class of 2014 Class of 2015
TE Peggy Swann TE Wayne Cole TE Chris Berardi RE Bill Burns RE Gene McLeod RE Peggy Clark RE David Quattlebaum RE Phil Lyles TE Gene Lassiter TE Joseph Gaston TE Al Masters TE Wylie Hughes TE Dottie Metropol RE Lin Dearing RE Ann Broom Vacant TE Patrick Jinks Vacant LeAnne White, Staff
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COMMITTEE ON PREPARATION FOR MINISTRY November 2013
List of Students Currently Under Care of Foothills CPM
Inquirers (3) Date of Inquiry Name Church Educational Status Liaison to CPM 11.18.10 Chris Bailey Westminster (Greenville) Princeton Sem. (2nd year 13-14) Bill Burns 05.27.10 Erin Foster Fourth Princeton Sem. (3rd year 13-14) Chris Berardi 09.17.09 Scott Neely First, Spartanburg 2006 Grad of Harvard Divinity Patrick Jinks
Candidates (14) Date of Cand. Name Church Educational Status Liaison to CPM
08.17.13 Charmaine Smith-Miles Midway Union Pres. Chlt (4th year 13-14) Wayne Cole 08.17.13 Landon Hammett First, Spartanburg Union Pres. Chlt (5th year 13-14) Phil Lyles 04.28.13 Stan Reid Westminster (Greenville) Princeton Sem. (3rd year 13-14) Lin Dearing 04.28.13 Ridgley Beckett First, Spartanburg Columbia Sem. (3rd year 13-14) Wylie Hughes 02.19.13 Erin Gaston John Knox Columbia Sem. (3rd year 13-14) Peggy Swann 11.13.12 Terri Price St Giles Union Pres. Chlt (4th year 13-14) Peggy Clark 11.13.12 Anna George Eastminster Union Pres. Sem. (3rd year 13-14) Joseph Gaston 07.26.12 Jonathan Britt* John Knox 2013 Grad of Princeton Sem. Phil Lyles 11.06.11 Elizabeth Meador*Westminster (Greenville) 2011 Grad of Columbia Sem. Dottie Metropol 05.01.11 Kristin Reinhold * Fort Hill 2012 Grad of Columbia Sem. Dottie Metropol 02.15.11 Claire George Drumheller Eastminster 2012 Grad of Union Pres. Sem. Al Masters 11.07.10 Michael McCaulley> Mt. Zion 2011 Grad of Erskine Sem. Lin Dearing 02.16.10 Lauren Slingerland* First, Greer 2011 Grad of Columbia Sem. Gene McLeod 04.27.08 Justin Cazel* John Knox 2010 Graduate of Erskine Sem. Wayne Cole
( Signifies Call Pending) (> Signifies request to withdraw from Ordination Process)
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Foothills Presbytery Report of Council November 12, 2013
Council reports:
1. That it met for its Stated Meeting on October 8, 2013. The Fall Stated Meeting of Foothills Presbytery will be held at St. Giles Presbyterian Church on November 12, 2013.
2. That the docket and all the reports for the Fall Stated Meeting will be available
online for commissioners to download. Please read these reports prior to the meeting.
3. That the dates for the 2014 Presbytery Meetings will be as follows: February 18,
May 31 (the Statewide South Carolina Convocation is May 30, 31 at Presbyterian College), August 16 and November 11. Places: TBA.
4. That Presbytery has received an offer for the purchase of the Georgia Road property
from the Gemini Real Estate Advisors. Council voted to study the proposal and do a thorough investigation and legal study of this offer and respond within 45 days, and report to Presbytery its findings and decisions.
5. That the Chair of Council has sent a letter of prayers, support and encouragement to
the congregation of the Walhalla Presbyterian Church in response to the tragic fire that destroyed their sanctuary.
Council has approved:
1. The Call of the Rev. Deborah G. Foster to serve as Interim Associate Presbytery Pastor beginning December 1, 2013 for a term of one year and renewable every six months on the recommendation of the Governing Body Team with the approval of Council. The position will be a 30 hour a week position with the following compensation and benefits:
Annual Salary: $24,000 Housing Allowance: $24,858 Benefits: Full Pension/ Medical $16,123 SECA reimbursement $ 7,475 Travel and Continuing Education Expense included in staff costs of Presbytery Budget. Four weeks vacation/ Two Weeks Study Leave.
2. That Thornwell School and Home be granted five minutes of docket time.
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3. The sale of Christmas CDs at the Presbytery Meeting. The proceeds from these sales support a clean water program jointly sponsored by the Presbyterian Women and the Synod of Living Waters.
Council recommends:
1. That Presbytery adopt the attached docket, including the consent agenda. The following teams and committees have requested that their reports be removed from the consent agenda:
a) Committee on Ministry b) Examinations Commission c) Committee on Preparation for Ministry d) Nominations Committee e) Presbytery Council f) Governing Body Team g) Finance and Stewardship h) Outdoor Ministries Board
2. That Presbytery elect the following slate of candidates to serve on the
Presbytery Discernment Task Force: Ruling Elders: Mr. Ike Johnson, Mattoon Mrs. Susan Tompkins, First Greer Mr. Lin Dearing, Fort Hill TBA Teaching Elders: Rev. Lindsay Hatch, Mt. Zion Rev. Christi Owen Brown, First Spartanburg Rev. David Bailey, Central, Anderson Rev. Lud Weaver, Westminster, Greenville
(Rev. Gordon W. G. Raynal, Rev. Deborah G. Foster, Mr. Bill Sibley, Treasurer; Mr. Warren Templeton, Office Administrator and Bookkeeper, and Mrs. LeAnne White, Administrative Assistant and Camp Registrar will serve ex officio)
Respectfully Submitted, The Rev. Kathy Chamlee Chair of Council
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REPORT TO THE COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY OF FOOTHILLS PRESBYTERY FROM THE GRACIOUS DISMISSAL TASK FORCE
APPOINTED TO WORK WITH NELL TOWNSEND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
desire to leave the PCUSA began about a year ago. At the request of the session, Executive Presbyter George Wilkes met with t
the process of considering requesting dismissal to another denomination. The Committee on Ministry appointed Mary Anne Lake (elder, Belton), Ken Mattison (elder, First, Anderson), Susan Smith (stated supply pastor, Flat Rock), and David Bailey (pastor, Central, Anderson) to serve as a Gracious Dismissal Task Force working with the Nell Townsend Presbyterian Church. The task force met for orientation and training with Dr. George Wilkes on January 17, 2013. The Task Force met again on January 22, with Rev. Charlie Blakely, who has been the moderator of the Nell Townsend session for several years. He provided background about the makeup of the church, the very conservative nature of the church, and the belief that the congregation is very united in its beliefs and desire to take this step. A meeting between the Task Force and Session was scheduled for February 17. Also attending this meeting was Jackie Arnold, who serves as lay pastor of the church. Time was spent getting to know each other, discussing the ministry of Nell Townsend Church, and discussing the current situation with th
denominations to move to until after the Gracious Dismissal process began. The Task Force laid out the steps which would need to occur to reach the point of dismissal. The Session agreed to all parts of the process. The Task Force requested an opportunity to meet with the congregation at large, and this was readily agreed to by the Session. A meeting was set for Sunday, March 3, at 5 p.m. preceding their Bible study time. This meeting was held and was extremely well attended by approximately 30 people. This is basically the full active membership of the church. The Task Force was warmly received and given the opportunity to present any desired information and views, which was done at length. Discussion and questions followed. It was clear that there was no opposition to the path proposed by the Session. The Task Force asked the Session to begin the process of examining other denominations to see if they indeed found one which felt like the right fit for them. After meeting with representatives and examining the order and polity of the ECO, PCA, and EPC over the summer, the Session contacted the Task Force in August to say that they had made a decision and would like to meet to resume the process. The Task Force met with the Session again on August 25 to hear their report. They had taken their search very seriously and had good reasons for their choice. They were in unanimous agreement that they wanted to recommend to the congregation that Foothills Presbytery be requested to dismiss the congregation to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. This was the group which took the most interest in
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them, would recognize the ordination of the women in the church who are ordained, and had explained their polity and views in a compatible way.
l properties in the neighborhood which had sold in the past year showed an average value of $100,000. It is not a prosperous neighborhood and is adjacent to a public housing complex. To net that much on the sale of the property would require just the right circumstance of a buyer for a church at the right time. On the other hand, the building is well maintained and would certainly cost more to rebuild. We agreed together to establish a value of $100,000. The church has about $60,000 in its checking account and $152,000 invested from the sale of their manse. The Task Force asked them to consider tithing their funds on hand and stepped out to allow the Session to discuss it. After we reconvened they proposed giving Foothills Presbytery $8,000 over three years. This is a few hundred dollars more than they would have given in those three years at their current giving level. Half of that amount would be designated to causes they currently designate to and half would be undesignated, which fits their current giving pattern. The Task Force agreed that if the congregational vote went as expected we would be prepared to recommend that the church be dismissed with its property and that the church would make this three year financial commitment. Next a date of September 15 after worship was agreed upon for the congregation to vote on the
that voting would be by secret ballot; that at least 50% of active members must be present and voting; and that a vote of 75% in favor of requesting dismissal would be required for us to make a favorable recommendation to the Committee on Ministry. It was made clear that the Task Force does not make the decision, but only makes a recommendation to the Committee on Ministry which then makes a recommendation to the Presbytery for its vote. The congregational vote was held on September 15. Ken Mattison and David Bailey attended on behalf of the Task Force. Ken Mattison participated in the counting of votes. 70% of the 34 members were present. Two ballots were turned in unmarked, all the rest were marked in favor of requesting dismissal to the EPC. 92% of those who voted, voted in favor. 8% abstained. The Gracious Dismissal Task Force therefore recommends unanimously to the Committee on Ministry that it recommend to Foothills Presbytery that the Nell Townsend Presbyterian Church be dismissed to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church with its property, acknowledging with gratitude the commitment of the Nell Townsend Church to continue its giving to the Presbytery in the amount of $8,000 over three years, half designated and half undesignated. We assume that if COM concurs, the formal legal papers will be drawn up on the model of previous dismissals to be presented to Presbytery. The Task Force is grateful for the cooperative spirit of the Nell Townsend Session and congregation, and we respectfully request that the Task Force be dissolved. Submitted by David Bailey, Committee Chair Ken Mattison, Mary Anne Lake, Susan Smith September 18, 2013
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Foothills Presbytery
The Commission members present on Sunday, September 29, 2013 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Greenville, SC were as follows: Rev. Gordon W. G. Raynal, Stated Clerk, Foothills Presbytery Rev. Allen McSween, Honorably Retired Member, Foothills Presbytery Catherine Stoddard, Elder, Westminster Presbyterian Church Gaye Sprague, Elder, Westminster Presbyterian Church Margaret Watson, Elder, Fourth Presbyterian Church Other guests present at the meeting were Rev. Ludwig Weaver, Senior Pastor, Westminster Presbyterian Church,Rev. Anna Dickson, Interim Associate Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Raleigh, NC and Rev. Dr. Peter Hobbie, Professor of Christian Religion, Presbyterian College The Commission meeting was opened with prayer by Rev. Raynal who served as Moderator of the Commission. Margaret Watson was elected Secretary of the Commission. The Commission empowered the Moderator and the Secretary to review and approve the minutes after the meeting. Rev. Weaver reviewed with the Commission the order of the service and the sanctuary arrangements. The Commission recessed for the ordination service to be held at 11:15 a.m. The Moderator presided. The service was opened with singing, prayer and scripture reading. Margaret Watson and Peter Hobbie read the scripture and Rev. Jean Weaver, Parish Associate, Westminster Presbyterian gave the morning prayer.
-5, 17-22 and IICorinthians 2: 14 3:3. Moderator Gordon Raynal stated the previous proceedings of the Presbytery and explained the nature and importance of the ordination service. He then asked the Constitutional Questions to the Candidate which were answered in the affirmative. Elder Catherine Stoddard then addressed Questions to the Congregation which were answered in the affirmative. The Candidate was then ordained and installed by the laying on of hands and prayer by Rev. Allen McSween. The Moderator then gave the newly ordained pastor the right hand of fellowship and declared that Ameila
Rev. Anna Dickson delivered a Charge to Ordinand. Elder Gaye Sprague delivered a Charge to the Congregation. Following prayer and singing, the Commission was adjourned by the newly ordained and installed pastor pronouncing the benediction. Margaret Watson Secretary
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A SUMMARY OF THE 27th STATED MEETING OF THE SYNOD OF SOUTH ATLANTIC, ATLANTA, GEORGIA
OCTOBER 10-11, 2013
The Synod met at Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary in Atlanta, GA, October 10, 2013. Opening
prayer was led by Rev. Ricky Porter, Moderator.
Welcome to Greater Atlanta Presbytery area was given by Rev. Penny Hill, Executive Presbyter.
Rev. Heahwan Rim, Transitional Synod Executive, gave his report. He has visited/is visiting all 16
presbyteries in the Synod and reporting what the Synod does and where the Synod is going. He expressed
it is necessary to have presbytery support for funding for continued networking, grants, racial ethnic
ministry, scholarships, loans, PDA, EP/GP mentoring program, SPJC. The $1.45 per capita and $1 mission
giving is a great value for a great service, governance and mission support. Envisioning world-wide
summary report with their presbyteries. The Regional Resource Center has been relocated to the Synod
offices, managed by the Administrator. It is a totally free resource to all entities within Synod bounds.
due to
transformation ideas were exchanged including boundary change, sharing presbytery staff, etc. Newly
created Synod Chaplains Network held its first conference with 26 of 110 teaching elders attending. Six of
the attending chaplains committed to work together on the conference next year. The vision is to use
chaplains as part of the 1001 New Worshipping Communities where they serve.
Rev. Heahwan Rim, Stated Clerk, gave his report. The presbytery minutes review is being completed by
state. The SPJC is in good shape with 4 law professionals on the commission. We had one SPJC case and
it was dismissed. Membership figures for 2012 were released with the Synod in a net decline of 28
churches, 21,644 members, and 54 ministers. He acknowledged that he is here to support the ministry of
the Synod.
The Order of the Day was a video presentation from Rev. Rhashell Hunter, Director of Racial Ethnic and
Theological Seminary.
Rev. Ricky Porter, Moderator gave the Executive Administration Commission (EAC) report. Due to the
projected decline in resources the EAC met in August and approved several budgeting items to reduce the
Synod budget by $100,000.00. The decisions of the EAC are subject to the rescinded or amended by the
synod body.
The following recommendations were approved by the EAC: 1. Agnes Scott College Covenant Revision. 2.
Use $4,000.00 from the Unplanned Ministry account to help fund the cost of medical book printing for the
Laurens Cluster Haiti Mission. 3. Send $10,000.00 to GA PDA for the Colorado Flood Disaster (September
2013) relief.
The following recommendations were approved by the Synod body: 1. Replace one stated meeting (March)
with an EAC meeting. 2. Update the language in the Manual of Operations to reflect the above change in
meetings (which includes the fall Stated Meeting of Synod to move from October to September). 3.
Georgia Presbytery request to re-designate funds totaling $225,000.00 (from the sale of the Career
Development Center) to be used solely for transitional study for the future of the Georgia presbyteries. 4.
To extend the terms of call for Transitional Synod Executive until June 2018 to complete the anticipated
transition of the Synod.
Ms. Susan Gendzier, Treasurer, presented the Audit report and the 2014 proposed budget.
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The meeting was recessed and all transitioned to a group dinner held at Agnes Scott College.
There was a formal signing of the Covenant revision for Agnes Scott College by Dr. Elizabeth Kiss and Rev.
Heahwan Rim.
The meeting re-convened Friday morning with worship at Agnes Scott College Chapel let by Rev.
Gwendolyn Magby, Rev. Lisa Majoros and Ms. Gloria Graham Boyd.
New Church Development Committee s
oved.
Presbytery and General Assembly Relationships Committee report was brought by Rev. Heahwan Rim.
Congratulations to Highlands Presbyterian Church (St. Augustine Presbytery) recipient of $2,412 from the
General Assembly Mission Restricted Funds.
Covenant and Institution Relationships Committee report was given by Rev. Ken McKenzie. Revised
covenants for Thornwell Home for Children and Columbia Theological Seminary were approved.
Theological Scholarships Committee report was given by Rev. Lisa Majoros, Chair. Two applications were
approved for $500 scholarships: 1. Melanie Baum (St. Augustine Presbytery) attending Princeton
Theological Seminary. 2. Anna George (Foothills Presbytery) attending Union Presbyterian Seminary. Due
to repeatedly low submitted applications, the committee will work on revising the guidelines to be open to
Doctoral and post Doctoral students.
Committee on Representation report was brought by Rev. Alonza Washington, Chair. The following
recommendations (to ensure balance in power, inclusiveness and representation) were approved: 1. Rev.
Tim Black (Tampa Bay Presbytery) as Moderator-Elect. 2. Committee Chair for Administration and
Relationships Committee from Florida, Ministry Support Committee from Georgia and Budget and Finance
Committee from South Carolina.
The 2014 proposed budget was approved.
Racial Ethnic reports were given by Rev. Joe Rigsby, African-American Consultant; Rev. James Lee, Korean-
American Consultant; Rev. Joiner Orozco, Hispanic-American Consultant.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance report was given by Rev. Ken McKenzie. His new position and title is
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance-Disaster Preparation Consultant (PDA-DPC) in which he will work to
provide 2 training events to each presbytery per year within the states of Georgia and South Carolina.
Association of Smaller Congregations report was brought by Rev. Lawrence Peebles, ASC President. They
have done many workshops all over the country and would love to work more within Synod bounds. Rev.
Joseph Small will be the keynote speaker at the May 2014 conference at St. Simons Island.
Presbyterian Women report was brought by Ms. Ann Barnwell, PW Moderator. She also shared the PW
Vision of becoming more relevant and having influence with younger women through social media and
other participation.
The new committees broke out for the purpose of electing a chair. There are as follows: 1.
Administration and Relationships Committee: Mr. Hayward Mabgy, Chair (Tropical Florida); Ms. Connie
Herr, Vice Chair (Central Florida). 2. Ministry Support Committee: Rev. Lisa Majors, Chair (Greater
Atlanta); Rev. Gwendolyn Magby, Vice Chair (Tropical Florida). 3. Budget and Finance Committee: Rev.
Lawrence Peebles, Chair (Trinity), Vice Chair Vacant.
Closing prayer was brought by Ms. Nancy Reimer, Moderator-Elect, who prayed over the outgoing Class of
2013 Commissioners as well as our new Commissioners who will be joining us in 2014.
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A SUMMARY OF THE BUSINESS MEETNG OF THE
SYNOD OF SOUTH ATLANTIC, INC. OCTOBER 11, 2013
Business Meeting of the Synod of South Atlantic, Inc. opened in prayer by the Moderator.
Proceeds, as was distributed to all prior to the meeting. o The current owner of the Gainesville Student Property is Synod of South Atlantic, therefore
100% of the proceeds from the sale belongs to Synod. o The student center building was constructed, 100% funded by First Presbyterian Church
Gainesville, plus land. o The proceeds from the property sale shall be invested by the Synod of South Atlantic in the
Presbyterian Foundation. o Interest earned from this investment shall be given to First Presbyterian Church Gainesville
(PCUSA) through the Presbytery of St. Augustine for Gainesville Campus Ministry beginning the first quarter of 2015. Interest earning minimum $81,000 maximum $90,000 (anything over $90,000 in earnings will be used for other synod ministry.
o Gainesville Campus Ministry program must be approved by the Presbytery of St. Augustine or validated ministry of the Presbytery of St. Augustine and must be developed by the end of 2014.
o Presbytery of St. Augustine determines success or lack of success of Gainesville Campus Ministry.
o Synod has the right to re-evaluate the Gainesville Campus Ministry Funding Program every 5 years with the right of fund re-designation, only if Gainesville Campus Ministry program is unsuccessful.
yterian Church Gainesville requested to make a few remarks.
o He thanked the Consultation Team for the proposal that specifically names First Presbyterian Church Gainesville (PCUSA) as recipient of the grant money.
o He shared his thoughts on the recommendations:
o The Synod agreed to release ½ of the yearly interest income after June 2014 providing the campus ministry plan is received at the Synod by then.
Mr. Steve Benz, Executive Presbyter, St. Augustine Presbytery stated while the presbytery has not reviewed this document, he feels that the St. Augustine Presbytery will approve the plan to support the campus ministry.
The Consultation Team recommendation was unanimously approved as presented. The Synod of South Atlantic, Inc Business Meeting was adjourned with closing prayer by Moderator,
Rev. Ricky Porter. The 28th Stated Meeting of Synod will be held September 18-19, 2014 in Jacksonville, Florida.