SEVENTY-THIRD STATED SESSION
OF
THE PRESBYTERY OF THE JAMES
October 17, 2009
Hosted by Orange Presbyterian Church
Orange, VA
The Seventy-Third Session of the Presbytery of the James was hosted by Orange Presbyterian Church, Orange, VA at 9:00 AM, Saturday, October 17, 2009.
Rev. John D. Storey, Moderator, called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM. Rev. Denise Hall welcomed the presbytery. She shared words of hospitality to make the Presbytery’s visit more comfortable. A time of introduction of first time Elders and visitors attending presbytery for the first time was provided as well as introduction of transferring Ministers and changes in ministry.
Presbytery was led in worship by Rev. Steven Good, Associate Pastor, Tuckahoe Church. He was assisted by Rev. Denise Hall, Orange Church, and Rev. John Turner, Member at Large. His sermon title was: “Embodying the Eucharist,” Scripture: Romans 8:12-25 and Matthew 13:24-30. Worship included the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper and the reading of the Necrology.
ENROLLMENT
The Stated Clerk declared that a quorum was present. Of the 232 Minister members 101 registered; of the 232 Elder commissioners eligible to attend 115 registered, of the 113 congregations of the Presbytery of the James 67 registered. There were also 3 people from various boards and committees, 1 Certified Educator/Elder Educators, and 23 registered visitors.
MINISTER COMMISSIONERS – Appendix II
ELDER COMMISSIONERS – Appendix III
Following worship that included Communion and a brief recess, Moderator Storey called upon Rev. John Turner for the adoption of the docket. The docket was approved.
REPORT OF THE STATED CLERK
H. Carson Rhyne, Jr. reporting
I. NOMINATIONS
A. Temporary Clerks District 7: Dick Mahlmann
District 8: Jerome Bennett
District 9: Fred Rose
B. Courtesy Committee Stated Clerk
II. COMMUNICATIONS
A. All readers of presbytery minutes for the June 2009 Stated Meeting
have given approval. Copies are at the Stated Clerk’s desk or will be e-mailed to people who request them. Commissioners from Districts 7, 8 & 9 will be asked to read minutes of this meeting.
B. The Stated Clerk is maintaining a list of program groups, affinity groups, or
special interest groups in the presbytery. To date, the Stated Clerk is aware of these groups/organizations:
Presbyterian Women: Evalyn Page, Moderator
Presbyterian Men: Stan Huie, Moderator
Black Caucus: Joseph Young, Moderator
Covenant Network: Stephen Pfleiderer, Moderator
Youth Council: Suzanne Huffine, Moderator; Erin Davidson,
Coordinator, Todd Davidson, Vice-Coordinator.
Clergy and Laity United: Carl Matthews, President,
If there are other groups or organizations with leadership and regular meetings, please contact the Stated Clerk to have them included in the listing.
C. The Annual Committee on Representation report was submitted to the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic in June, 2009. (pages 5 - 8)
D. There is now one invitation for presbytery meetings in 2010. We still need invitations for the February and June meeting. The Stated Clerk, therefore, cannot announce a meeting place for the February 20, 2010, Presbytery meeting.
E. The Stated Clerk announces that an Investigative Committee has been formed due to an allegation against a minister member of the Presbytery. This Committee was formed in accordance with Standing Rules of the Presbytery whereby the Moderator, Immediate Past Moderator, and the Stated Clerk may appoint Investigative Committees between meetings of the presbytery.
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III. COMMISSION REPORTS:
A. THE COMMISSION OF THE PRESBYTERY OF THE JAMES
APPOINTED TO ORDAIN Nancy C. Essig as Pastor, Burkeville Church, met on August 30, 2009 at 3:00 PM at Westminster Church, Charlottesville, Charlottesville, VA.
A quorum was present consisting of the following:
MINISTERS: Jim Boher, Moderator
Jane Govan, Prayer of the Day
Beverly Bullock, Prayer at Ordination
ELDERS: Joe Juel (Westminster, Charlottesville), Charge to Congregation
Martha Rollins (First Church, Richmond), First Reading
Marshall Meggansin (Burkeville), Second Reading
Visiting Guest: Rev. Rebecca Weaver, Sermon
John Dickinson
Pursuant to the assignment of Presbytery and the provisions of W-4.4000 of THE BOOK OF ORDER, Nancy C. Essig was ordained as Pastor, Burkeville Church, Burkeville, VA.
B. THE COMMISSION OF THE PRESBYTERY OF THE JAMES
APPOINTED TO ORDAIN AND INSTALL Katherine Todd Nguyen as Assistant
Director, Camp Hanover, met on September 6 at 6:30 PM at Camp Hanover (Knox Wood Lodge), Mechanicsville, VA.
A quorum was present consisting of the following:
MINISTERS: Rev. Denise Hall, Moderator
Rev. Beverly Bullock. Sermon
Rev. Nancy Ferguson, Preside at the Table
ELDERS: Phil Coltrain (Grace Covenant), Old Testament Reading
Gary Smith (Bon Air), Prayer of Confession/Assurance of Pardon
Glenna Finnicum (Ginter Park), Special Music
Visiting Guest: Robert Pryor, Charge to Congregation/Charge to Minister
Pursuant to the assignment of Presbytery and the provisions of W-4.4000 of THE BOOK OF ORDER, Katherine Todd Nguyen was ordained and installed as Assistant Director, Camp Hanover, Mechanicsville, VA.
C. THE COMMISSION OF THE PRESBYTERY OF THE JAMES
APPOINTED TO INSTALL Nancy C. Essig as Pastor, Burkeville Church, met on September 20, 2009 at 4:00 PM at Burkeville Church, Burkeville, VA.
A quorum was present consisting of the following:
MINISTERS: Rev. Kenneth Davis, Moderator, Constitutional Questions, Charge to Pastor
Rev. Rodney Spencer, Charge to Congregation
Rev. Sandra Libhart, Call to Worship and Prayer
ELDERS: Shawn Haney, (Burkeville), Constitutional Questions to Congregation
Nancy Rice (Westminster, Charlottesville), Commission member
Mary Liz Carter, (Blackstone), Scripture Readings
Visiting Guest: Rev. Carson Rhyne, General Presbyter, Presbytery of James, Sermon
Rev. Charles Clubb, Installation Prayer
Kaylee Bennett (Burkeville) Opening Prayer
Pursuant to the assignment of Presbytery and the provisions of W-4.4000 of THE BOOK OF ORDER, Nancy C. Essig was installed as Pastor, Burkeville Church, Burkeville, VA.
D. THE COMMISSION OF THE PRESBYTERY OF THE JAMES
APPOINTED TO ORDAIN Alexander Lightfoot Lang as Associate Pastor, met on June 27 at 11:40 AM at Fredericksburg Church, Fredericksburg, VA.
A quorum was present consisting of the following:
MINISTERS: Rev. Howard C. Leming, Moderator
Rev. Carol C. Fisher, Prayers of the People
Rev. Denise Hall, Prayer of Ordination
Rev. Allen H. Fisher, Jr., Charge to the Newly Ordained, clerk
ELDERS: Rebecca S. Ford (Campbell Memorial), Epistle lesson and Prayer of Dedication for the Offering
Jae Lee Russo (Praise the Lord), Prayer for Illumination and Psalter
Jennifer Rowe (Fredericksburg), Call to Worship, Opening Prayer, Prayer of Confession and Pardon
Visiting Guest: Rev. Elizabeth M. Michael, New Hope Presbytery, enrolled as a corresponding member of the commission
Alexander Lang, Presbytery of the James, Candidate
E. Administrative CommissionS
1. gregory memorial presbyterian church – No report
2. Victoria Presbyterian Church (see pages 9 - 13)
3. TAPPAHANNOCK COMMISSION – No report
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IV. CONSENT DOCKET RECOMMENDATIONS WERE APPROVED:
A. Minutes for the June 16, 2009, stated meeting and the September 1, 2009, called meeting.
B. Action at the June, 2009, presbytery meeting of appointing a Special Administrative Review Committee rescinded
V. THE STATED CLERK MAKES NO RECOMMENDATIONS
2009 Committee on Representation Report
This form is used to assist the Presbytery Committee on Representation in gathering information regarding its presbytery which will be reported to the Synod and to the General Assembly. It should be signed by the Stated Clerk of the Presbytery upon completion. This report is sufficient in length, so additional pages should not be attached.
Name of Presbytery The James
Name, address, and telephone number of Presbytery Committee on Representation Moderator:
Name Dwight Clark
Address 6037 Ironworks Ct
Mechanicsville, VA 23111 Telephone 779-2247
Presbytery COR Moderator’s term beginning 2005 ending 2008
Do you have a Presbytery COR as required by the Book of Order? Yes X No
PRESBYTERY COR MEMBERSHIPMembership / Total / A / AA / H / NA / ME / C / D / Y / YA / A / SA
Male Clergy
Female Clergy / 1 / 1 / 1
Total / 1 / 1 / 1
Male Laity / 2 / 1 / 1 / 1 / 1
Female Laity / 2 / 1 / 1 / 1 / 1
Total / 4 / 1 / 1 / 2 / 1 / 2 / 1
Grand Total / 5 / 1 / 1 / 3 / 1 / 3 / 1
KEY: A-Asian, AA-African American, H-Hispanic, NA-Native American, ME-Middle Eastern, C-Caucasian, D-Differently Abled
Y (Youth) – 25 and under A (Adults) - 36-64
YA (Young Adults) – 26-35 SA (Senior Adults) – 65 and above
How often does your Presbytery COR meet? Annually
Are these meetings: (Circle One) Face-to Face Conference Calls
How often does the committee make a report to the Presbytery? Annually
What form does the report take: (Circle One) Written Oral Both
PRESBYTERY COMMITTEE ON REPRESENTATION - 2008NO / Work Unit / MC / ML / FC / FL / A / AA / H / NA / ME / W / D / Y / YA / A / SA
1 / Officers of the Presbytery / 1 / 1 / 2 / 2
2 / Presbytery Council / 5 / 2 / 1 / 2 / 1 / 9 / 7 / 3
3 / Presbytery Nominating Committee / 3 / 2 / 1 / 5 / 1 / 10 / 7 / 4
4 / Presbytery Permanent Judicial Commission / 3 / 3 / 1 / 2 / 9 / 4 / 5
5 / Commissioners to GA in 2008 / 4 / 2 / 3 / 1 / 8 / 1 / 6 / 2
On each line put one of your Synod committees, commissioners, boards, councils and/or cabinets.
(Because the Synod COR was listed on the previous page, it is not listed on this form).
Key: A-Asian, AA-African American, H-Hispanic, NA-Native American, ME-Middle Eastern,
W-White, D-Person with Disability
Y (Youth)-25 and under A (Adults) - 36-55
YA (Young Adults) - 26-35 SA (Senior Adults) - 56 and up
MC-Male Clergy FC-Female Clergy
ML-Male Laity FL-Female Laity
QUESTIONNAIRE
1. What were your goals for the year? (List Two)
a. To be inclusive
b.
2. How well were these achieved? 4
(On a scale of 1-5, with 5 complete achievement)
3. What have been the joys and satisfactions of your work during this past year? (No more than three lines)
4. Which of the following statements are true concerning the relationship between your Presbytery COR and your Presbytery Nominating Committee? (Check all that apply)
At least one member of the Presbytery Nominating Committee is also a
member of the Presbytery COR.
At least one member of the Presbytery COR is an observer at the Presbytery
Nominating Committee meetings.
X Your Presbytery COR meets with the Nominating Committee.
How often? Annually
5. To what degree has the work of the COR increased diversity among the leadership of
the Presbytery committees? (Circle One)
Not At All Somewhat To A Great Extent
6. Has your Presbytery exempted itself from having a COR under the provisions of
G-9.0106? If so, when?
No
7.What have been the disappointments and frustrations of your work during this past year?
Nothing to do for COR
8. Is there anything you would like to tell us that we have not asked?
Why do we continue to have COR?
Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. We give God thanks for your work as we strive to uncover the hidden and unused talent of all of God's people.
Report Submitted by: H Carson Rhyne
(Please Print) (Signature)
Phone Number 804-262-2074
The Presbytery of The James has heard and received a report, not limited to this document, of the Committee on Representation on 10/18/08 at Lord Jesus Korean Presbyterian Church (location).
Name of the Stated Clerk: H Carson Rhyne
(Please Print) (Signature)
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REPORT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMISSION OF
THE VICTORIA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH TO
THE OCTOBER MEETING OF PRESBYTERY
At the October 18, 2008 Stated Meeting of the Presbytery, the Presbytery appointed an Administrative Commission for the Victoria church in response to the Victoria Church’s request for dismissal to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) and gave the Commission the direction “to present to the Presbytery of the James at a Called or Stated Meeting the proposal and the steps to accomplish the dismissal of the Victoria Presbyterian Church to the EPC or other appropriate denomination,” “if the way be clear and provided all Book of Order requirements (be) satisfied.” (Parenthesis added). In addition the Presbytery empowered the Administrative Commission to assume Original Jurisdiction of the Session, to dissolve the Session and to assume the function of the Session of the Victoria Presbyterian Church, if necessary, to accomplish the task assigned.
The Administrative Commission began work immediately and determined that neither reconciliation nor withdrawal of the church’s declared intent to be dismissed were possible. Accordingly, after the Church met the formalities required in the Book of Order for dismissal, the Administrative Commission recommended to the Presbytery at its February 21, 2009 meeting and the Presbytery approved that:
1. The Request of the Victoria Church for dismissal be found to be in order under G-11.0103i.
2. The Request be granted under G-11.0103i under certain terms and conditions (not enumerated here).
3. The issue of any transfer of the ownership of the real property was to be reserved for future consideration and decision by the Presbytery.
4. A lease could be used regarding the real property under certain terms and conditions, including provisions for maintenance, insurance and upkeep during the period of transition.
Over the course of the next two months, the Session of the Victoria Church agreed to and did each of the terms and conditions adopted by Presbytery including the transfer of members not wanting to move to the EPC, the completion of the necessary documents for dismissal to the EPC, the turnover and safeguarding of the original records of the church (Session and Congregational Minutes) the preservation and retention of the church’s personal property, and the use of a lease to provide interim responsibility for the real property of the church. It appeared that an orderly transition was taking place, until the actual form of the lease was presented. Several minor changes were requested and agreed to. In addition, the church asked for language that said by signing the lease, the church was not waiving any rights it had in the real property. The non-waiver language requested was not objected to by the Administrative Commission, because the Presbytery had specifically reserved the real property issue for decision at a later date. The requested language was added but Session still would not sign the lease. Instead, the Session sought to enhance the language concerning its non waiver, which in essence had the Presbytery recognizing an ownership right in the real property in the church itself, and which, if accepted, would have decided the policy issue the Presbytery had reserved for later consideration.