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At Bishopton within the Cornerstone there, the eleventh day of May 2010, the Presbytery of Greenock and Paisley met as appointed and was constituted with prayer.
SEDERUNT
Rev Alastair Shaw, Moderator, with 41 ministers, 62 elders, 3 deacons and 5 corresponding members, as recorded separately.
APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from 11 ministers, 14 elders, 3 deacons and 0 corresponding member, as recorded separately.
MINUTES
The minutes of the ordinary meeting of April 13th 2010 and the special consultation meeting on same-sex relationships and ministry of April 20th being in print and in the hands of members were taken as read and approved.
APPOINTMENT OF NEXT ORDINARY MEETING
The next meeting was approved as June 15th 2010 in The Cornerstone, Bishopton.
ORDER OF BUSINESS
The order of business was approved as printed with additional items from the Business Committee and Property Committee.
NOTICES
Notices, which were in the hands of members, were presented by the Clerk who highlighted those necessary. There were three additional oral intimations.
VISITING SPEAKERS
Mrs Marion Berekis and Mrs Margaret Holmes gave a joint report of the work of the Guild in the Presbytery during the Session 2009 – 2010. A copy of the Report is held in retentis.
The Moderator thanked Mrs Berekis and Mrs Holmes for their report, and assured them of the Presbytery’s continuing prayers and support for the work of the Councils.
VACANCY PROCEDURE COMMITTEE
Deliverance
Presbytery:
1. Receives the report;
2. Notes that the vacancy at Inverkip has not yet been filled after a year and retrospectively grants the nominating committee there the usual three month extension beyond the 29th March 2010 and a further extension of three months up to 30th September 2010 in accordance with Act VIII 2003, section 26, as they have recently received positive interest in the charge.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
BUSINESS
Rev Lorna Hood, Convener, presented the report of the Business Committee and the following deliverance was approved:
Presbytery:
1. Receives the report;
2. Notes the sick leave of Rev Nan Low;
3. Notes the results of the secret ballot on same-sex relationships and the ministry as contained in appendix 1 issued tonight and instructs Presbyters to read these in conjunction with the consultation document;
4. Notice of Motion for Presbytery meeting on June 15th 2010 – to amend Standing Order number 10 to read “Composition: The Presbytery, with a view to securing the most careful and mature consideration of matters coming before it, shall appoint Standing Committees as follows: Business with responsibility for Presbytery Finance, Nominations, Disciplinary Matters and Staffing, for which an ad hoc committee may be formed; Community Interests with responsibility for Social Responsibility, Community Matters and Church Centres; Ministry; Mission & Discipleship with responsibility for Education, Worship, Safeguarding and Presbytery Chaplaincies; Property; Presbytery Plan Review; Stewardship & Finance; Superintendence with responsibility for Inspection of Records and Presbytery Visits; Vacancy Procedure; World Mission & Ecumenical Relations and an ad hoc committee for Zimbabwe.”
5. Instructs Presbyters to notify the Presbytery office if they require a hard copy of the new Presbytery Handbook for 2010-2011 by 31st May 2010;
6. Urges members to support the Presbytery social evening planned for Tuesday June 1st 2010;
7. Grants permission for Port Glasgow: St Andrew’s to worship in their hall, rather than the sanctuary, for the period August 16th until October 3rd 2010 during building investigations;
8. Congratulates Mrs Erica Wishart on being accepted as a candidate for full time ministry and approves her nomination.
WORLD MISSION & ECUMENICAL RELATIONS
Rev David McCarthy, Convener, presented the report of the World Mission & Ecumenical Relations Committee and the following deliverance was approved:
Presbytery:
1. Receives the report;
2. Gives thanks to God for the Langbank/Port Glasgow : St. Andrew’s project with Got Matar Secondary School and encourages churches in presbytery to pray for this project and to consider what they may learn from it;
3. Gives thanks to God for the work of Christian Aid, Tear Fund and similar organisations and recommends that churches in presbytery investigate and consider supporting Christian Aid’s ‘The Big Tax Return’ campaign;
4. Asks all churches in Presbytery to join with the Nepali church in their time of prayer and fasting leading up to 28th May 2010 and that Presbytery communicates this solidarity to the Nepali church;
5. Commends to churches in Presbytery the World Mission Stamp Appeal as a simple and practical means of involvement in world mission.
PRESBYTERY PLAN REVIEW
Rev Ritchie Gillon declared an interest, so the Vice Convener, Rev Andrew MacLean, presented the report from the Presbytery Plan Review Committee.
Parties had been cited to appear for their interest and there spoke on behalf of Paisley: Laigh Kirk, Ms Jan Phillips. Other parties declined their right to speak and the following deliverance was approved:
Presbytery:
1. Receives the Report;
2. (i) Instructs the congregations of Paisley: Castlehead, Paisley: Laigh Kirk, and Paisley: St. Luke’s to continue their current discussions on their joint and several futures within their planned Parish Grouping;
(ii) Instructs the Presbytery Plan Review Committee to provide all assistance to facilitate this process;
(iii) Instructs the Presbytery Plan Review Committee to bring to the June meeting of Presbytery a proposed amendment to the Presbytery Plan based on the outcome of the said discussions;
(iv) Agrees that, while the above process is ongoing, (a) the congregation of Paisley: Castlehead should not be given permission to call a Minister (in terms of Act VII 2003, section 8(2)(c)); and (b) the Reviewable Tenure of the Minister of Paisley: Laigh Kirk should remain unchanged meantime.
STEWARDSHIP & FINANCE
Presbytery:
1. Receives the report;
2. Attests that the 2009 accounts of the congregations listed in appendix 2 fulfil the General Assembly’s Regulations anent Congregational Finance and the requirements of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) regulations;
In addition to those congregations listed in appendix 2, the Convener advised that Greenock: Finnart St Paul’s, Lochwinnoch, Neilston, Old Gourock & Ashton and Port Glasgow: Hamilton Bardrainney should be added to the list.
3. Instructs the Clerk to contact the treasurers of the congregations advising them of the attestation of their accounts and informing them that they may now send their accounts to the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator;
4. Instructs the Clerk to advise the General Treasurer’s Department of (2) above in the designated manner and no later than the due date of 30 June 2010;
5. Agrees that the Cargill Fund be designated an “Ecclesiastical Buildings Fund” and instructs the Stewardship & Finance Committee in conjunction with the Property Committee to draw up clear and tight criteria for its use.
PROPERTY
Mr Robert Nicol, Convener, presented the report of the Property Committee and the following deliverance was approved:
Presbytery:
1. Receives the Report;
2. Approves the appointment of an Architect at Linwood to carry out an options study for the provision of a manse. Funds are available;
3. Approves the expenditure of £120,000 or thereby at Old Gourock and Ashton on improvements and adaptations to the hall in general accordance with the proposals outlined in Canata and Seggie’s drawings numbered 1911-BW-001 to 1911-BW-006. Funds are available;
4. Greenock : Finnart St Paul’s
a) Approves the use of industrial heaters at the church pending investigation of the heating system;
b) Approves the upgrading of the manse and the necessary certification to bring the manse up to a commercial letting standard;
c) Approves the application for financial assistance in the sum of £7,500 or thereby;
d) Recommends that any leasing agreement for the manse should be prepared by the Church of Scotland Law Department.
An additional item 5 was proposed and seconded
5. Agrees to the proposed work at Renfrew: Old to remove asbestos from the session room, upper gallery and below the floor of the sanctuary, repair and stabilise the steeple and tower and to deal with timber decay (dry rot) in roof timbers which are threatening the structure of the building at a cost of £189,000.
An amendment to item 5 was proposed and seconded as follows:
and instructs the Property Convener to meet with Historic Scotland, Heritage Lottery Fund and the General Trustees to clarify the position regarding grant funding.
A second amendment to item 5 was proposed and seconded as follows:
without prejudice to Presbytery’s right to approve or not approve of further work and that no grants or funding sources are accepted which commits the congregation to subsequent phases of building work.
The first amendment was subsequently withdrawn and this was approved by Presbytery.
On moving to a vote there voted in favour of the second amendment 51 with 31 against.
Item 5 of the deliverance was then approved as follows:
5. Agrees to the proposed work at Renfrew: Old to remove asbestos from the session room, upper gallery and below the floor of the sanctuary, repair and stabilise the steeple and tower and to deal with timber decay (dry rot) in roof timbers which are threatening the structure of the building at a cost of £189,000, without prejudice to Presbytery’s right to approve or not approve of further work and that no grants or funding sources are accepted which commits the congregation to subsequent phases of building work.
ADJOURNMENT
Presbytery adjourned to meet on Tuesday 15th June at 7.00pm for ordinary business at The Cornerstone, Bishopton.
Moderator
Clerk
Extracts Taken from Meeting of Tuesday 13th April 2010
1. Roy Anderson asked that Houston & Killellan’s raw deal from ‘121’ regarding our insurance policy cost be brought up at Presbytery next month. This was agreed.
2. Re Kilmacolm Old
a) Presbytery approves the expenditure of £80,000 or thereby on the eradication of various outbreaks of rot together with all items identified in the 2009 Property Inspection identified as “Urgent”.
b) Presbytery approves the applications of the congregation to various funding bodies for financial assistance.
3. Houston and Killellan
Presbytery approves the expenditure of £20,000 or thereby on rot eradication works. Funds are available.
4. Presbytery urges congregations to make use of our Presbytery Prayer Co-ordinator.
5. Presbytery supports the Conference for Kirk Session representatives regarding Back to Church Sunday.
5a. Want to know more about this? Ministers and one or two delegates from each Kirk Session are invited to our Mission and Discipleship Presbytery Conference regarding Back to Church Sunday. Mr Ian Clapperton will lead the conference at the Paisley end of Presbytery on Saturday 8th May in Renfrew Old Church Halls, Glebe Street, Renfrew, from 10am-12noon. Rev Francis Murphy will lead the conference at the Greenock end of Presbytery on Saturday 15th May in the Mount Kirk, 95 Dempster Street, Greenock.
6. Presbytery notes that applications for ‘Community Interest’ Grants close on Friday 14th May 2010 and that those eligible groups must supply details of the work of their project and their current financial position before Grants can be awarded. Applications should be sent to the Presbytery Office.
7. Presbytery approves the appointment of the Rev W. Douglas Hamilton (Greenock: Westburn) as locum at Paisley: Oakshaw Trinity from 1st May 2010.
8. Presbytery notes the closure of both Johnstone and Merchiston Hospitals and thanks Rev Tom Cant for his diligence as Chaplain at both these locations.
9. Presbytery notes that the Records of all congregations have been attested; that Parish Minister’s log books have been attested satisfactorily; and thanks those who assisted in the Attestation of Records.
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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