MINUTES
Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley
Synod of Living Waters
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Stated Meeting
February 12, 2015
GOD CALLS US TOGETHER
The Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley of the Synod of Living Waters of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) met in the Stated Meeting on February 12, 2015 at Covenant Presbyterian Church, Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Throughout these minutes, Teaching Elders are indicated by an asterisk (*).
The meeting was called to order at 9:45 a.m. by Moderator Coke Clark, who then offered the convening prayer. MOTION: To elect ruling elder Jim Toomey as Vice-Moderator was adopted. Teaching Elder, the Reverend Lou Ann Sellers and Ruling Elder Jim Toomey were presented for installation as the 2015 Moderator and Vice Moderator of the Presbytery. Following the constitutional questions and prayer, the newly installed officers were warmly welcomed. The Moderator’s cross was transferred from Coke Clark to Lou Ann Sellers*. The cross was fashioned by a local artist in the Congo. The cross is made of copper and has been worn by every Moderator and reminds us of our connection with the Congo through William Lapsley and Samuel Sheppard.
Lou Ann presented Coke with a token of the presbytery’s appreciation by way of a donation to Living River in his name. Interim Stated Clerk Tom Winter presented Coke and his wife, the Reverend Molly Clark, with a gift certificate to the Olive Garden.
The body joined in singing Called As Partners in Christ’s Service. On advice of the Stated Clerk, a quorum was declared by the Moderator.
ORGANIZATION
Adoption of the Docket
The docket was adopted by common consent.
Seating of Corresponding Members
The Reverend Thomas Herwig, Evangelical Reformed Church of Germany was seated as a corresponding member.
Recognition of First-time Elders and Visitors
The Moderator recognized all first-time elders who were introduced to the body.
Election of Bills and Overtures Committee
The Moderator nominated Cat Goodrich*, Barrett Abernathy* and Elder Duke Park, Korean, Tuscaloosa for the 2015 Bills and Overtures Committee. Approved
Teaching Elders
Ministers Present (55) Excused (54) Absent (14)
Abernathy, Barrett P
Acton, Ben P
Adams, Nan P
Alexander, Frank HR E
Anderson, Michael P
Andreasen, Sam HR P
Atkerson, Rick A
Bang, Yo Chang P
Bird, Shelaine E
Booth, Ben HR E
Brooks, Richard E
Brown, Taylor, HR E
Broyles, Vernon, HR P
Bruchey, Wayne HR E
Burgess, Sid, HR E
Carleton, Rhon HR E
Carter, Clyde HR P
Casey, Lydia P
Chandler, Doris E
Chaney, Patsy HR P
Chinula, Donald A
Cho, Timothy A
Clark, Molly HR P
Clayton, Susan P
Clendenin, Monty HR E
Coker, Jeff HR E
Copeland, Brian P
Crutchfield, Bob HR E
Dantzler, Bill HR E
Davis, Becky A
Duke, Mickey HR E
Durham, Charles HR E
Durham, Erica A
Edwards, Robert P
Ephraim, James E
Epting, Bobbie P
Feagin, Debbie P
Frease, Matthew P
Genau, Joe P
Gilmer, Ron A
Goodlet James P
Goodrich, Cat P
Goodrich, Elizabeth P
Hanna, Richard E
Harmon, Dawson, HR P
Hay, Robert P
Hayes, Jeff P
Hibbard, Norman HR E
Holmes, Wendy A
Homer, John HR E
Hoop, Cathy P
Hurley, Ed P
Hurst, Clyce HR E
Inman, Robert F. HR E
Japhet, Catherine A
Jeong, Junmo P
Kang, JC P
Kelso, Hugh, HR E
Kesler, Randy P
Kim, Sung-Woong P
Kim, Young A P
Knox, Harold HR E
Laack, Lee HR E
Laney, Susan, HR E
McCarter, Neil HR P
McClendon, Bruce A
McClure, John A
McCollum, Sid, HR E
McCormick, Mark P
McElrath, Pete HR E
McElveen, William HR E
McLaughlin, Wayne, HR E
McKean, Mac HR P
Moon, Hak Bae A
Mullins, Bill HR E
Mylalsingh, Emerson HR E
Nettles, Sam HR E
Newland, Terry P
Northen, Margaret HR E
O’Neill, Elizabeth P
Oh, Jyung, Ho A
Oliver, Catherine P
Patton, Finley HR E
Patton, Roger HR E
Penson, Gozie HR E
Pope, Sam P
Porter, Mary HR E
Price, Sandra HR E
Pyburn, Richard, HR E
Rains, Tom HR E
Reddick, Ross P
Reed, Leanne P
Reed, Kathy P
Reed, Nick P
Reid, Joe A
Scarbrough, Leeann P
Scrivner, Joe P
Sellers, Lou Ann P
Shelton, Jack HR E
Seitz, Craig, HR E
Sims, Charles HR P
Slane, Joe E
Speaker, Cary P
Stanford, Jim HR E
Stephens, Dan P
Stephens, Gerald HR E
Taylor, Sherwood HR E
Thompson, Ben HR E
Tice, Lisa E
Todd, Taylor P
Truesdell, Jim P
Turner, Lucy A
Waters, Dana HR E
Watson, Cody P
Webster, J. Shannon P
Webster, Charles HR E
Wells, Jim, HR E
Wills, Bill, HR E
Winter, Rachel P
Winter, Tom HR P
Winton, Carlton, HR E
Yarboro, Jonathan P
Commission Ruling Elders with Vote
Present (7) Excused (1) Absent (3)
Arellano, Ben P Haynes, Ernie P
Bonner, Jeff P Harrison, John A
Dodson, Beverly P Roser, Don P
Eich, Sharon A. A Sauser, Bill E
Fast, Joe P Veasey, Lin P
Emerick, Robert A
Executive Council Members/Presbytery Officers w/Vote
Present (4) Excused (1) Absent (1)
Carter, Eva P Hamrick, Debbie E
Frennea, Rick P Park, Duke P
Jenkins, Tyler A Smith, James P
Christian Educators, Presbyterian Women and Trustees Moderator w/Vote
Jenny Thagard P Carolyn Jordan P Bill Stribling P
Elders
Number in parenthesis by church name indicates the number of commissioners authorized. “NR” indicates that the church did not have elder representation. There are eighty-three churches in Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley. Fifty Commissioners were present.
Alexander City First (1) NR
Alexander City Robinson Memorial (1) NR
Annemanie Arlington (1) NR
Anniston Church of the Covenant (1) NR
Anniston Church of the Good Shepherd (1) NR
Anniston First (1) Keener Hudson
Anniston First United (1) Debbie D. Miller
Anniston Korean (1) NR
Auburn First (2) Jim Parker
Henry Brandhorst
Bessemer First (1) Barri Pratt
Bessemer Good Hope (1) NR
Birmingham Bold Springs (1) John Lee
Birmingham Bryan Memorial (1) NR
Birmingham Center Point (1) Libby McKean
Birmingham Chapel in the Pines (1) Missy Morgan
Birmingham Edgewood (1) Ken Smith
Birmingham Fairfield Highlands (1) NR
Birmingham First (1) Mark Aldridge
Birmingham First United of Forestdale (1) NR
Birmingham Five Mile (1) NR
Birmingham Independent (5) Fairy Sutherland
Jeff Grantham
Miller Gorrie
Wendell Allen
James R. Bussian
Birmingham Korean (1) NR
Birmingham Mountain Brook (1) Robert Dudelston
Birmingham Oakmont (1) Ralls Coston
Birmingham Riverchase (1) Margaret Bowman
Birmingham Second (1) Phyllis Vaughan
Birmingham Shades Valley (1) Bruce Ludwig
Birmingham South Highland (2) Robert L. Hunter
Cathie Bonner
Birmingham Southminster (1) Brooke Heisler
Birmingham Westminster (1) Thelma Gibson
Cuba Cuba (1) NR
Camden New Trinity (1) NR
Carbon Hill First (1) NR
Dadeville First (1) Evelyn R. Pangburn
Dadeville Woods (1) NR
Eufaula First (1) Bill Barrett
Gardendale Gardendale (1) Rodney Mewbourne
Goodwater First (1) NR
Green Pond Green Pond (1) NR
Jacksonville First (1) Carolyn Padgett
Lafayette Lebanon (1) NR
Leeds First (1) Mary Anne Moseley
Livingston First (1) Elise Edwards
Livingston Hadden (1) NR
Magnolia Rock Springs (1) NR
Marion Junction Marion Junction (1) NR
Montevallo Montevallo (1) Jane Clayton
Montgomery Calvary NR
Montgomery Immanuel (1) Bill Sutton
Montgomery Korean (1) NR
Montgomery Memorial (1) Sarah Gay Edwards
Montgomery Westminster (1) Jeff Samuel
Moundville Saint James (1) NR
Northport Bethel (1) Gayle Howell
Odenville Odenville (1) NR
Opelika Korean NR
Oxford Dodson Memorial (1) NR
Phenix City First (1) Thom Peavy
Piedmont First (1) NR
Plantersville Mount Pleasant (1) NR
Reform First (1) Daisy Floyd
Selma Northern Heights (1) NR
Selma Pisgah (1) NR
Selma Valley Creek (1) NR
Springville Springville (1) Jane Griffin
Sylacauga First (1) NR
Talladega First (1) Mark Howard
Troy Williams Memorial (1) NR
Trussville Cahaba Springs (1) Dixie Robinson
Tuscaloosa Brown Memorial (1) John Nash
Tuscaloosa Covenant (1) Brad Fisher
Tuscaloosa First (3) Susan Haynes
McKittrick Moss
Scott Taylor
Tuscaloosa Korean (1) Taegun Ahn
Tuscaloosa University (1) Gillie Presley
Tuskegee First (1) NR
Tuskegee Ramsay Memorial (1) Jonathan Floyd
Tuskegee Institute Westminster (1) Judith D. Baldwin
Union Springs Union Springs (1) NR
Wetumpka First (1) Nancy Borders
Selma 1965 and Us – Joe Scrivner* - Selma reminds us of many hard Truths (See Appendix A)
A prayer of reconciliation was then offered by Thomas Herwig* followed by the body joining together to sing Lift Every Voice and Sing. (See Appendix B)
Living River – Board Chair Keener Hudson announced the Grand Opening of Living River to be April 26, 2015. Keener introduced John Erdman, the new Executive Director of Living River, who was given a warm welcome. Pictures of the Camp were shown with narration by Robert Hay
Presbyterian Home for Children – Mark Howard, President of Presbyterian Home for Children, briefly shared with the body new ministries that are being implemented at the Home. The Home now has a new transitional housing program that ministers to Alabama homeless children and their female caregivers. The first homeless family was received from First Light in January and others have followed from across the state. The new Transition to Adult Living Program for homeless single girls from the ages of 19-24 has opened a second cottage and t he first resident was received from the Mobile area. Churches and organizations may now make referrals directly to and partner with the Presbyterian Home for both programs. The first homeless House Mother has been hired from the Birmingham area to be a mentor to the younger girls. If you know of someone who could benefit from either of these new ministries please have them contact the Presbyterian Home directly.
After giving a prayer of illumination, Past Moderator, Coke Clark used Colossians 3 to deliver the message titled, “A and B; D or D; B of B.” The assembly joined in singing Called as Partners in Christ’s Service.
Executive Council – Lin Veasey
Motion: That Jim Bannon be approved to serve on the Living River Board. Approved. (See Appendix C for full report) Faith Journey and terms of call for Transitional Presbyter effective May 1, 2015 were provided. (Appendix D)
Vote on General Assembly Amendments to the PC(USA) Constitution
The proposed Amendments to the Constitution approved by the 221st General Assembly (2014) were presented to the Presbytery for vote.
Motion: Item 14-1 - Amending the Book of Confessions to include the Confession of Belhar.
Approved by a majority vote.
Motion: Item 14-A – Amending G-2.0509, Renunciation of Jurisdiction. Approved by a majority vote.
Motion: Item 14-B.1 – Amending G-2.0607. Final Assessment of a Candidate. Approved by a majority vote.
Motion: Item 14.B.2 – Amending G-2.0610 - Accommodations to the particular circumstances of an individual seeking ordination. Approved by a majority vote.
Motion: Item 14-C – Amending G-3.0106 to add a Child Protection Policy. Approved by a majority vote.
Motion: Item 14-D – Amending G-3.0301 on the minimum composition of a Presbytery. Approved by a majority vote.
Motion: Item 14-E – Amending G-5.0102 – Interreligious Stance. Approved by a majority vote.
Motion: 14-F – Amending W.-4.9000 – Marriage. After approximately 50 minutes of floor debate, the Motion was Approved by a ballot vote of: 75 Affirmative and 39 Negative votes.
Neil McCarter offered a warm welcome to those in attendance followed by a blessing for the meal. The meeting was temporarily suspended to gather for lunch.
The meeting reconvened following lunch.
The body joined in singing Love Divine, All Loves Excelling and the Doxology followed by collecting offering that will be divided equally between CPM for candidates and the Presbytery Discretionary Fund. A prayer of Thanksgiving was offered.
Stated Clerk Report – Tom Winter*
For the Omnibus Motion -Approved
1. To record that the minutes of Chapel, Five Mile, Second, Southminster, Shepherd of the Valley, and Leeds have been read and approved with minor or no exception.
2. Approval of the November 20, 2014 (stated meeting at First-Anniston) Presbytery minutes.
3. First-Bessemer to change their name from First Presbyterian to Shepherd of the Valley.
4. To record the receipt of the minutes of the Commission to install Rev. Nick Reed and Rev. Kathy Wolf Reed as co-Pastors at First-Auburn Presbyterian on January 25, 2015 at 3:00 p.m.
5. To record the receipt of the minutes of the Commission to install Catherine Goodrich as Associate Pastor at First-Birmingham on December 7, 2014 at 3:00 p.m.
6. In conjunction with COM, the Stated Clerk moves that Riverchase church be granted a one- year waiver on Trustee term limits according to the Book of Order G-2.0404 due to the size of their membership.
7. Approval of excuses received for the February 12, 2015 Presbytery meeting. Those requesting to be excused are: Doris Chandler*, James Ephraim*, Lisa Tice*, Shelaine Bird*, Richard Brooks*, Richard Hanna*, Charlie Durham, Joe Slane.
To Record as Information
1. In accordance with Presbytery standing rules, there is no imbalance between teaching and ruling elders for 2015.
2. The deadline for Clerks of Session to enter statistical data in the PCUSA system is February 15. Clerks or congregations who are not able to enter their data should contact the Presbytery office immediately for assistance as the deadline is near.
3. The 2013 presbytery minutes sent to the Synod were approved without exception.
4. Dates and locations for reading of minutes and training for Clerks of Session are: Saturday, February 21, 9am-Noon, Covenant Tuscaloosa; Saturday, March 21, 9am-Noon, at First-Jacksonville; and Sunday, April 18, 9am-Noon, Location TBD. Another date will be set later in the Birmingham area for any churches that were not able to make it to any of the above training sessions. The Clerk respectfully requests that any minutes from 2013 or prior that have not been read be submitted no later than July 13, 2015.
5. The Stated Clerk thanks the 69 Sessions who paid their per capita for 2014 enabling the work of the larger church to continue. Ten churches did not pay their per capita.
6. The Stated Clerk received an Administrative Commission Report from Westminster-Montgomery
Motion: That the Motion from the Administrative Commission for Bryan Memorial be delayed until the May 14, 2015 meeting. Approved
Necrology Report
“I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” Hear now the 2014 Necrology of the elders of our churches who have departed the earthly service of their Lord Jesus Christ and have gone to live eternally in God’s heavenly kingdom. These names were read by the Stated Clerk, Tom Winter*.