Presbytery of Eastern Oregon
Presbytery Council
January 23, 2009
DRAFT Minutes
The winter stated meeting of the presbytery council of the Presbytery of Eastern Oregon was called to order with prayer by Rev. Kate Bottorff, moderator, at 2:30 PM. Council members Rev. Bottorff, Rev. Linda Toth, Pastor Todd Bensel, Rev. Jean Hurst, Rev. Steve Toth, Pastor Richard Patt Sr. and elder Pete Wells, Stated Clerk, participated. Also participating were elder Joe Carmichael, and Rev. Dorothy Knudsen of the nominating committee.
The council adopted the agenda for this meeting. Pastor Bensel moved to approve the minutes of the September meeting of the Presbytery Council with grammatical changes. Motion was seconded and adopted.
General Presbyter Rev. Linda Toth stated that the shared ministry board of the presbyteries of Boise, Kendall and Eastern Oregon has asked the Presbytery Council to review Eastern Oregon's experience with the shared ministry program. Council members are asked to send questions and comments to Rev. Linda Toth by February 13. She will compile the responses and direct further inquiry to Council members for response before the March 13 meting of the council.
General Presbyter Rev. Linda Toth reported on the status of the Covenant Presbyterian Insurance Program. When the program discontinued operation in June, 2009, there were approximately $1.5 to $2.5 million in claims against the program pending. The class A. members, presbyteries and synods, have been asked to be assessed to create a fund for the payment of these claims. The assessment amount for the Presbytery of Eastern Oregon would be approximately $15,700. If at least 85% of the class A. members approve the bylaw change that would permit the assessment, the assessed members would make three payments over two years for their share of assessments. If less than 85% of the class A. members vote to approve the necessary bylaw change, the Covenant Presbyterian Insurance Program would likely be liquidated.
General Presbyter Rev. Toth and Stated Clerk elder Wells presented a proposed amendment to the Presbytery standing rules to increase the size of the nominating committee to provide broader exposure of the committee to the variety of gifts in the Presbytery. The proposal would change the committee membership from 3 to 6 members, five elected by the Presbytery plus the vice moderator of Presbytery, a voting member of the nominating committee. A motion by Pastor Bensel was seconded and approved by unanimous consent. The proposal will be presented to the Presbytery at the March meeting.
Pastor Bensel reported on the status of rebuilding the Pilot Rock Community Presbyterian Church following he fire. The building project is substantially complete. The church has a temporary permit to occupy the building. The remaining construction item is to mark the handicapped parking spaces. The church has received approximately $685,000 from insurance to cover the cost of the building items to date. At this time the church is without furnishings. Pastor Bensel expects an additional $220,000 to repay an internal church loan and to furnish the building. He is assured that the necessary amount will be forthcoming from insurance. The church expects a formal welcome and open house in early March and to host the Presbytery meeting the weekend of April 17.
Rev. Steve Toth reported for the committee on ministry. In response to a letter to the Hope Presbyterian Church session and to Rev. Jim Glover the church session wrote to the committee on ministry that the session asks that the relation of Rev. Glover as stated clerk be terminated on December 31. The committee on ministry has concurred with that request and has written with concerns regarding the relationship with the Hispanic congregation worshiping in the church sanctuary, insurance, and the position of church treasurer. The committee has also asked that Rev. Glover not participate in pastorial duties with the church and encourage Rev. Glover to worship with another congregation. Pastor Bensel has been appointed to moderate the church session meetings and Rev. Roger Harworth has been appointed to moderate the congregational meeting on February 21st. The committee is not aware of the arrangements for pulpit supply.
The Rev. Steve Toth, for the committee, reported that Rev. Ginger Johnston will be taking sabbatical for five weeks and the committee authorized elder Sarita McCaa to celebrate communion at Grace Presbyterian Church on February 7.
The council reviewed the arrangements for the March 20 meeting of the presbytery at the Mount Vernon Community Presbyterian Church. Mileage reimbursement will be $.25 per mile for one official participant and $.29 per mile for two or more official participants in a vehicle. Overnight lodging for one night will be reimbursed for official participants. Rooms are available at the blue Mountain Motel in Mount Vernon for $39.95 per night including tax. Home stays are also available. Contact Pastor Richard Pat for information. Official participants are minister members of Presbytery, commissioners from churches, other members of the Presbytery Council, and one person from each church to present it that church's mission program.
Pastor Bensel moved to recommend to the Presbytery the agenda for the March 20 Presbytery meeting in substantially the form proposed by the stated clerk. The motion was seconded and adopted.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned with prayer by Pastor Bensel at approximately 3:45 PM. Rev. Bottorff announced that she will not be available to moderate the March 13 meeting of the Presbytery Council and asked Pastor Bensel to be the moderator for that meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Peter H. Wells,
Stated Clerk
Presbytery of Eastern Oregon
Presbytery Council
January 23, 2009
DRAFT Minutes
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