Presbytery Meeting Summary
March 28, 2017
The Beaver-Butler Presbytery held a stated meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 in the Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church, Darlington, where Mr. Robert Saulserves as Pastor. Our Moderator, Elder Tom McMeekin,and Vice Moderator,Rev. Dr. Tom Harmon,presided over the meeting. Elder Gary Saymanskyof our host church welcomed the presbyters.
The meeting was preceded by an informational presentation at 4:30 p.m. on PneuMatrix, a church transformational project of the Presbyterian Foundation for which Beaver-Butler Presbytery is one of three presbyteries invited to participate, subsidized by a grant from the Lilly Foundation. Approximately 23 persons attended from congregations interested in participating. Eight churches of our Presbytery may participate. Sessions who wish to participate need to act immediately to apply, as do persons wishing to serve as “apprentices” to be trained this year in order to work with additional churches in the future. Contact our Executive Presbyter, Rev. Alan Adams for more details.
Actions Taken:
- Agreed to the following ecclesiastical matters:
Approved the Minutes ofthe January 28, 2017 stated Presbytery meeting.
Received the Report of the Stated Clerk, the Rev. David Byers.
Received the Treasurer’s Report for January 2017.
Received the Report of the Coordinating Team in the form of Minutes.
- Heard a progress report on the Refreshing Springs Ministry (RSM). The chin-chin co-op is growing. The community garden will be expanded and include more raised beds. Seed donations are requested. Elder Jim Paff has been added to the RSM Board. The 14 churches that supported RSM in 2017 were identified and thanked. A board goal for 2017 is to increase this number. Youth of RSM danced to a recording of a pop song, Stand by You by Donna Platten. This was to express their appreciation to the Presbytery for coming alongside of and standing by RSM.
- Agreed to the following recommendations from the Ministry and Vocation Committee:
To reappoint Rev. Jordan Rimmer as temporary supply for the Westminster church, New Brighton, for 2017.
To reappoint Commissioned Ruling Elder Jeff Marquis as temporary supply for the New Salem church, Midland, for 2017.
To reappoint Rev. Rosalyn Kummer as temporary supply of the Camp Run church, Fombell, for February 1 through April 30, 2017.
To reappoint Commissioned Ruling Elder Eva Marie Barr as temporary supply for the Service church, Aliquippa, for 2017.
To approve the 2017 Terms of Call, as reported by the churches of the Presbytery.
To grant Rev. John Wiebe the status of Honorable Retirement effective April 1, 2017. Rev. Wiebe had been serving as Pastor of the Concord church, Baden.
To appoint Rev. Jim Swanson as Moderator of the Faith church, Butler, effective March 6, 2017.
- Approved all eight proposed amendments to the Constitution of the PC(USA) resulting from last summer’s General Assembly. Those amendments approved by a majority of the presbyteries of our denomination will soon go into effect.
- Agreed, by a three-fourths majority vote, to waive the requirement of the Standard Ordination Exams for the Rev. Tega Swann, in accordance with G-2.0610.
- Examined Rev. Tega Swannand agreed to receive her as a member of the Presbytery, and to concur with the action of the commissioned Board of the Refreshing Springs Ministry to call her asDesignated Pastor for that ministry for a two-year period, effective April 1, 2017.
- Thanked the pastor and people of the Mt. Pleasantchurch in Darlington, for hosting this meeting.
Other Information of Note:
- The presbyters enjoyed an array of refreshments prepared and served by the people of the Mt. Pleasantchurch.
- The presbyters shared together in Communion, served by elders of the host church. Elder Gary Saymanskypresided at the Lord’s Table, having been previously trained and authorized to do so.
- A total of 125 persons attended the meeting,which adjourned with prayer at 9:25p.m.
Next Meeting:
The next stated meeting of Beaver-Butler Presbytery will be at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at The Hill Presbyterian Church, Butler, where Rev. James Steinerserves as Interim Pastor.
Host churches are still needed for the following Presbytery meeting dates in 2018:
Saturday, January 27, 201810:00 a.m. (includes lunch)
Tuesday, November 13, 2018 6:00 p.m.
If your church is interested in hosting one of these meetings, please call the Presbytery office at 724-452-7515. Thank you!
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