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.