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Extracts Taken from Meeting of Tuesday 8th December 2009
Presbytery:-
1. Welcomed Guest speaker Rev John Miller.
2. Admission of Rev John Christie to the Presbytery of Greenock & Paisley.
3. Appoints an ad hoc committee consisting of Rev David Stewart, Convener, Rev Douglas Cranston, Rev Peter McEnhill, Rev Maureen Leitch and Mr Alan Grant to make the necessary preparations for the special meeting of Presbytery on April 20th 2010 to discuss the Special Commission on Same Sex Relationships.
4. A financial summary was given for each congregation. It is particularly pleasing to note that with the exception of Linwood, the amount of work prioritised as ‘Urgent’ at manses is low. The Surveyors have expressed their thanks to all the congregational office-bearers who assisted with the Surveys.
In the case of Paisley : Glenburn, the congregation was visited by the General Trustees shortly after distribution of the Surveys and indicated to the office-bearers present that they should make application for financial assistance.
The Surveys are on the table for inspection and will be filed in the Presbytery Office.
Committee members are asked to note that the next meeting of the Committee will be held in the Cornerstone, Bishopton on Thursday, 28th January, 2010 at 07:30pm.
5. Approves the appointment of the Mrs Eleanor Hood as Locum at Paisley: Castlehead from 22nd February 2010 for a period of 12 months or until the Vacancy is resolved, whichever is shorter.
6. Encourages ministers who are school chaplains or who have youth groups to establish links with one of the nine Presbyterian schools in Zimbabwe.
Invites congregations to consider raising funds to cover the cost of hymnals and Bibles in Shona and Ndebele.
Encourages congregations within the bounds to form links with individual churches and outstations in Zimbabwe, liaison being carried out through the committee.
Welcomes the monitoring role of John and Mary Miller and
a. Commits to working with them, supporting them and co-operating with them;
b. Agrees to keep them and all other partners informed about our intentions and to report regularly on our progress.
Urges congregations who decide to undertake any of the projects outlined in this report:
a. to keep the committee informed of their intentions and their progress;
c. where finance is involved, to consult with the Presbytery Treasurer on the best way of getting funds safely to Zimbabwe.
7. Notes that the proposed mediation by the Ministries Council between the congregations of Howwood, Kilbarchan: East and Kilbarchan: West has had to be postponed due to the illness of Rev. Owain Jones of Kilbarchan: East; and that this mediation will commence as soon as Mr. Jones has returned to work.
8. GREENOCK: ST. MARGARET’S
On the 19th November 2009, members of the Committee, along with the Conveners of the Vacancy Procedure and Property Committees, met with the office bearers of Greenock: St. Margaret’s to discuss the impending vacancy in that charge. The Committee did so in response to concern, expressed by the Convener of the recent Five Yearly Visit there, about the future sustainability of the congregation. It was evident to the Committee that St. Margaret’s will enter this vacancy facing considerable challenges, particularly in relation to its finances. Specifically, there is an outstanding debt of £26,673 which, if not cleared, is likely to prevent the congregation being granted the right to call. How this financial burden might be lifted is a matter beyond the remit of the Presbytery Plan Review Committee, but the Committee understands that the Stewardship and Finance Committee is actively working with the office bearers in an effort to find a solution.
Taking these factors into account, the Committee was nevertheless satisfied that i) there is a very real need for a Church presence in the local community; ii) union or linking with another congregation is not a viable option; and iii) the office bearers are sincere in their willingness to accept the challenges facing them and to commit themselves, if granted permission, to seek wholeheartedly for a new minister to lead them out of their present difficulties into a new future. The Committee would therefore ask Presbytery at this stage of the process to give St. Margaret’s the necessary encouragement by adhering to its decision in the Presbytery Plan.
Extracts Taken from Meeting of Tuesday 10th November 2009
1. Rev Alastair Cherry, newly appointed Presbytery Clerk, took the oath de fideli.
2. The Clerk intimated the death of Rev Fred J Marshall, formerly of Kilmacolm: St Columba, on 28th October 2009 and advised a full tribute would be paid at the December meeting. Other notices, which were in the hands of members, were presented by the Clerk who highlighted those necessary.
3. The Moderator thanked Mr Anderson for his diligence in serving as Presbytery Treasurer for almost 15 years and presented him with a gift on behalf of Presbytery. Rev Alan Ward was also thanked for the 3 years in which he had served as Presbytery Clerk and presented with a gift. The Moderator wished them both well as they continued to serve the church in other ways. Mr Ward replied in suitable terms.
4. Appoints Rev Suzanne Dunleavy as Interim Moderator at Kilbarchan: East during the sick leave of Rev J Owain Jones.
5. Offers sincere congratulations to all involved in the STAR project on achieving the milestone of its 10th anniversary, commending it for the significant and positive way it has helped so many in need.
6. Expresses deep concern at the impact that the ceasing of funding from the Lloyds TSB foundation (Scotland) will have on smaller charities both in Scotland as a whole and in our Presbytery in particular; Instructs the Clerk to write to local MSP’s and MP’s to express this concern as well as seeking for their support to lobby for the future the of this important funding source; Encourages congregations throughout the Presbytery to seek ways in which they can offer financial support to the affected groups through retiring collections and other benevolent funds at their disposal.
7. Notes that Rev Ian Fraser has been appointed as locum at Bishopton from November 1st 2009.
Extracts Taken from Meeting of Tuesday 13th October 2009
1. Guest Speaker Mrs Moira Whyte, Ministries Council. Church of Scotland enquiry and Assessment Scheme – 2 conferences per year February and June.
2. Notes the intention of the Reverend Gayle Taylor, minister at Bishopton, to demit her charge with effect from October 31st 2009 in order to take up an appointment as Associate Minister at Edinburgh: Colinton with effect from November 1st 2009 and homologates the action of the Vacancy Procedure Committee in appointing the Rev Donald Campbell of Houston and Killellan as Interim Moderator from October 1st 2009.
3. Church of Scotland Summer Missions - celebrate their 75th anniversary this year and a special Mission and Discipleship Council event will take place in Perth on 14th November 2009 at which the moderator Rt. Rev Bill Hewitt will be special guest and preacher during the worship, which will be led by Very Rev Sandy Macdonald. Registration forms are available from the Presbytery office or further information from Rev Andrew Campbell
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telephone 01783 630514. A special effort would be appreciated.
4. Notes that Rev Alastair Cherry will take over as Presbytery Clerk on November 1st and that Rev Alan Ward will stand down from the post at that time.
5. Appoints Rev Ann McCool as Convener of the Mission & Discipleship Committee from October 13th 2009 to replace Rev Gayle Taylor and further appoints Rev Glenn Chestnutt as Vice Convener from the same date.
6. Approves a grant of £425 from the Smith-Lefevre Fund to Linwood Church for work within their Sunday School and Holiday Club.
7. Presbytery Plan Review
Agrees the Basis of Union (Appendix 1) approved by the congregations of Paisley: Martyrs’ and Paisley: Sandyford (Thread Street) and Effects the Adjustment of the said charges in terms thereof.
Agrees to refer the matter of the proposed Parish Grouping of the congregations of Howwood, Kilbarchan: East and Kilbarchan: West to a Mediator to be appointed by the Ministries Council and instructs the Clerk, in consultation with the Presbytery Plan Review Committee and parties, to make arrangements with the Ministries Council for said mediation.
8. Youth Work
Given the general decline in attendance of young people at worship, the Committee is minded to assist Kilmacolm: St Columba and Houston and Killellan meet the costs of their full time and part time youth workers respectively. The Committee also feels it appropriate to contribute to the costs of the youth worker engaged by the West Renfrewshire Youth Trust and supported entirely (though in varying degrees) from the general funds of six congregations. Accordingly it has been decided to reduce as shown the 2009 M&M Contributions of the following congregations. Houston and Killellan £1,000.
9. Linwood
The congregation has serious financial problems. Monthly income is barely meeting expenses. Heating and lighting is averaging £900 per month, there is water ingress in the manse and serious maintenance needs estimated in excess of £60,000 and an M&M shortfall of £25,934 (at 30 June 2009). The congregation has sought guidance from ‘121’ to help remedy the problems and a stewardship campaign is being considered, but with affordable payment of M&M set at £1000 per month there will be considerable debt at year end. The congregation has no meaningful reserves. The Committee agreed to reduce the 2009 Contribution by £10,372.
Extracts Taken from Meeting of Tuesday 8th September 2009
1. Welcome to new members of Presbytery.
2. Thanks to retiring Moderator, Rev Arthur Sherratt.
3. Election and installation of Moderator nominee Rev Alistair Shaw, Johnstone: St Paul’s.
4. Thanks to Stanley Simpson, adult trainer, now in Kilmarnock Presbytery.
5. Admission to seat in Presbytery: Rev Gordon B Armstrong, NHS Chaplain.
6. Notes that Rev Alistair Cook will officially take over as Presbytery Treasurer from November 1st 2009.
7. Presbytery amends Standing Order 7 to read as follows:
“Clerk: The Presbytery shall appoint a part time Clerk who shall hold office during the pleasure of the Presbytery and must retire at the age of seventy. The Clerk, if not a member of Presbytery, will be subject to the jurisdiction of Presbytery in respect of his or her duties as Clerk.”
8. Approves the nomination of Alistair Cherry as successor to Rev Alan Ward as Presbytery Clerk from 21st September 2009.
9. Presbytery Prayer Co-ordinator –
Mrs Eleanor Hood has organized a further gathering for prayer secretaries/correspondents from each congregation on Wednesday the 16th September in The Cornerstone. It will be a worthwhile evening where people will be encouraged in this role and given the opportunity to meet and share ideas with others. The evening will include prayer, praise and a reflection from Fiona Marks, former Director of Alpha Scotland.
10. Back to Church Sunday
The committee once again highlights this initiative which takes place on Sunday the 27th September this year. Information and resources are available at www.backtochurch.co.uk
11. Safeguarding
A Safeguarding Learning and Development Course “Training to Train” will be held as a residential weekend on Saturday the 23rd and Sunday the 24th of January 2010 at Carronvale House, Larbert. For more information or to reserve a place, please email Andy Strachan at
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12. Publications Committee
In association with Saint Andrew Press, the Mission and Discipleship Committee supports the idea of a pilot study in selected Presbyteries and would like to invite Dr. Ken Forrest to explain further, which he hopes will result in books being displayed at churches for members for a month with a view to purchasing. 25% of any sales will remain at your church.
13. Approves the appointment of Mrs Liz Geddes, Reader, as locum at Inchinnan Parish Church from the 21st of September 2009 for 12 months or until the vacancy is filled whichever is sooner
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