OFFICERS AND STAFF OF THE PRESBYTERY OF MISSISSIPPI

 

MODERATOR: 

Rev. Chris Bullock (2006), 2509 Rolling Meadows, Gautier, 39553-0340 (228-457-1706; 228-355-1138; RevChris@GautierPresby.com)

VICE MODERATOR:

Ms. Peggie Herrington (2006), 2523 Guedon Road, Church Hill 39120-9460 (442-2066); joenpeg@netdoor.com

STATED CLERK:

Rev. John C. Dudley, D.Min. (2006), 710 S. 28th Ave. Suite A, Hattiesburg, 39402 (582-9135; 268-6225; FAX 582-9136; theelderjohn@yahoo.com)

EXECUTIVE PRESBYTER: 

Vacant

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT:

Mrs. Christina R. Courtney, 710 S. 28th Ave. Suite A, Hattiesburg, 39402 (582-9135; FAX 582-9136; crcourtney7@aol.com)

CAMPUS MINISTRY DIRECTOR:

Mrs. Amy Ruff, 115 North 25th Avenue, Hattiesburg, 39401

HUNGER ACTION ENABLER:

Mrs. Sara Brown, 166 Dogwood Trail, Laurel, 39443 (649-8054)

RESOURCE CENTER DIRECTOR:

Mrs. Aserelene Pickett, 710 S. 28th Ave. Suite A, Hattiesburg 39402 (582-9135; 544-7515; FAX 582-9136 aserelene@aol.com)

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Minutes of the Called Meeting—January 25, 2006

Roll...... Page 2

Overture..... 2-3

Adjournment. 3

 

Minutes of the Stated Meeting—February 16, 2006

 

Roll... Page 4-5

Report of Stated Clerk......... 6-9

..... Abortion Overture to the 217th General Assembly 7-9

..... Recognition of David Snellgrove............ 10

Presbytery Council. 11-17

..... 2005 Ecclesiastical Budget....... 11-12

..... 2005 Benevolence Budget 12-15

..... 2006 Benevolence Budget 15-17

Committee on Ministry...... 18

Recognition of Judy Sclater, Organist Fondren...... 18

Committee on Ministry (Continued).. 18-21

Administrative Commission for Disaster Recovery 21-23

Nominations Committee.. 23

Preparation for Ministry...... 24

Christian Nurture Committee.. 24

Church Extension Committee 24-25

Mission Committee 25-26

Hunger Subcommittee.................. 26

Administrative Commission on Orange Grove............. 26-27

Bills and Overtures Committee.. 27

Report of Commissioners to Synod 27-28

Review of Sessional Records...... 29

Adjournment 29

 

NOTE: It is the policy of this presbytery to authorize the Moderator and the Stated Clerk to read and approve the minutes for the presbytery.  The minutes are not printed until this approval is given.  Also, once a year, the presbytery prints a separate directory, with the committee structure, and with names and addresses of all churches, ministers, clerks of sessions, candidates, and committee members.  Also, once a year the annual audit is reported and made available to the presbytery at a regular stated meeting.

CALLED MEETING

January 25, 2006

 

The Presbytery of Mississippi held a called meeting at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. with the Moderator, Dr. A. M. “Bubba” Martin, presiding.  The meeting was opened with prayer by Rev. Chas Jones.

 

ROLL

 

A quorum was present with the following eight ministers and eleven elders enrolled for the meeting. 

 

Ministers: Charles Bowdler, John Dudley, Chas Jones, James Rackley, Steve Ramp, Clarence Roberts, Jim Truesdell, Andy Wells

 

Elders: Gene Eblen (Diamondhead), Pearce Sunderland (Westminster Gulfport), Lola Norris (Westminster Hattiesburg), Betty Simmons (Briarwood), John Walker (Covenant), Louis Watson (Covenant), Martha Gaddis (First-Trinity), R. L. Richardson (Trinity), A. M. “Bubba” Martin, Moderator (Trinity), Vance Sprague (Pineville), and Jim Cassell (First Port Gibson)

 

Visitors: Lou Nell McLoud (Vernal)

 

An excused absence was granted to all active minister members not present and all congregations not represented.

 

An excused absence was also granted to Morris “Skip” Ehrlich.

 

The following ministers were absent without excuse:  Barron Banks, Martha Blount, Theophilus King, Lynn Miller, and David Ray.

 

Dr. Martin expressed the appreciation of the presbytery to Dr. Steve Ramp and the congregation of Westminster Hattiesburg for hosting this meeting.

 

Dr. Martin stated that the purpose of the meeting was to consider the following overture prepared by Rev. Steve Bryant and approved by the session of First Presbyterian Church of Vicksburg:

 

The Presbytery of Mississippi overtures the 217th General Assembly to send the following amendment to the Book of Order to the presbyteries for their approval:

 

Shall G-13.0103r be amended as follows: [Text to be added or inserted is shown in italic.]

to provide authoritative interpretation of the Book of Order which shall be binding on the governing bodies of the church when rendered in accord with G-13.0112 and with the consent of a majority of all the presbyteries, or when rendered through a decision of the Permanent Judicial Commission in a remedial or disciplinary case.  The most recent interpretation of a provision of the Book or Order shall be binding.

 

Rationale

 

            Interpretations of the Book of Order can easily have the effect of altering the meaning of the Constitution even while leaving its words unchanged.  Although the proposed amendment would undoubtedly increase the number of General Assembly actions the presbyteries would be asked to approve, the amendment would nevertheless preserve the presbyteries’ constitutional right to have direct input into important changes to the way that they relate to one another.  Any changes that are binding on the governing bodies of the church should have the approval of the presbyteries.

 

After discussion the presbytery approved the overture.

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

The purpose of the call having been accomplished, the meeting was adjourned with prayer at 9:35 a.m. by Rev. Andy Wells.

 

STATED MEETING

February 16, 2006

 

            The Presbytery of Mississippi met for its seventy-fifth stated meeting at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Jackson, Mississippi on Thursday, February 16, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. with the Moderator, Dr. A.M. “Bubba” Martin, presiding.  The meeting began with the worship service led by Rev. Andy Wells, pastor of the host church.  The sermon – based upon Ezekiel 37:1-10 and titled “Out of Chaos – Hope” – was delivered by Dr. A. M. “Bubba” Martin.  Following the sermon Rev. Andy Wells led in the celebration of the Eucharist.

 

ROLL

            Following a brief recess, presbytery was reconvened with prayer by Dr. Andy Hoffecker.  A quorum was present with the following twenty-seven ministers and thirty-six elders enrolled for the meeting:

 

Churches

Ministers

Elders

 

 

 

Bay St Louis, First

Vacant

Without Representation

Bay Springs, Gavin Chapel

Vacant

Without Representation

Brookhaven, First

Edwin J. Wolff, CLP

Eugene Hanks

Canton, First

Geoffrey Mclean

David Cook

Diamondhead, Diamondhead

Chas Jones

Chuck Garrison

Gautier, Gautier

Chris Bullock  

Bill Fishinger

Gulfport, Handsboro

Vacant

Without Representation

Gulfport, Orange Grove

Vacant

Roberta Hill

Gulfport, Westminster

Vacant

Pearce Sunderland

Hattiesburg, Pineview

Vacant

Deborah Gambrell Chambers

Hattiesburg, Westminster

Steve Ramp

Eugene Fair

Heidelberg, Fairview

Vacant

Without Representation

Heidelberg, Mcfarland

Vacant

Without Representation

Heidelberg, Pisgah

Vacant

Without Representation

Jackson, Briarwood

Charles Bowdler

Wes Busbee

Jackson, Covenant

Andrew Wells

John Henegan

Mike Wallace

Jackson, Faith

William Jones

Shirley Griffin Middleton

Jackson, Fondren

James W. White, Jr.  

Gerry Wilson

Jackson, St. Luke’s

Vacant

Herman Mannery

Kosciusko, Alexander Memorial

Vacant

Without Representation

Laurel, First-Trinity

James Truesdell

Without Representation

Liberty, Liberty

S.S.

Rick Stratton

Liberty, Unity Memorial

S.S.

Tom Lewis

Long Beach, Long Beach

George Barnett*

Ruth Lewis

Lucedale, First

James Rackley

Yvette Hillman

Lucedale, Vernal        

Vacant

without representation

Madison, Grace Chapel

Ned Beckes*

Miller Brock    

Magnolia, Magnolia

Charles Ray, CLP

Lauren Lanier

Mccomb, J.J. White Memorial

Vacant

Stewart Robison

Meridian, Jones Memorial

Vacant

without representation

Meridian, Prospect

Vacant

Rachel Covington

Meridian, Trinity

Morris Taylor, I.P.*

A.M. (Bubba) Martin

Natchez, First

John Larson

George Bates

Natchez, Westminster

Brock Watson

Carolyn Mullins

Newton, Pilgrim Grove

Mattie Jordan, CLP    

without representation

Ocean Springs, First

Tim Brown*

Russell Thompson

Osyka, Osyka

Vacant

without representation

Pascagoula, First

Roger Green*

without representation

Pass Christian, Pineville

T.S.

Vance Sprague

Poplarville, Ruth Memorial

Sally-Lodge Teel, S.S.*

David St. Louis

Port Gibson, First

Michael Herrin

Jim Person

Sandersville, United

Vacant

without representation

Toomsuba, Toomsuba

Clarence Roberts

Excused

Vicksburg, First          

Steven Bryant

Bill Chausse

Vicksburg, Yokena

D.N. Daniels, S.S.*

Bob Friley

Wiggins, Wiggins       

Bill Pettey, CLP

Charles Whittington

 

 

 

*=Excused      **=Absent Without Excuse

 

Other Ministers Present:  Joe Pack Arnold, Rims Barber, Martha Blount, Annie Bryant, Lionel Cable, Knox Chamblin, John Dudley, Andy Hoffecker, Lynn Miller, David Ray, William Smith, and Richard Swayze

 

Other Ministers with Excused Absence:  All honorably retired ministers, except those listed above as being present, Morris Ehrlich, and Ron McFarland  

 

Ministers Absent without Excuse:  Barron Banks and Theophilus King

 

Corresponding Members:  Robert Barnes (Presbytery of Santa Fe), Bert Carmichael (Cherokee Presbytery), Geoffery Gathairu, and David Snellgrove (Presbytery of St. Andrew)

 

Other Visitors:  Dianne Anderson, Norma Bassett, Mrs. Linda Bates, Val Bolmes, Mrs. OK Batte, Frances Braswell, Sara Brown, Curt Burge, Pauline Carter, Scott Castleman, Beth Covington, Tonya Favreau, Sis Fryant, Bill Furr, Berta Gene Griffin, Dan Grimes, Jemye Heath, Morella Henegan, Peggie Herrington, Marvin Hicks, Al Hillman, Dean Holder, C. A. Hollingsworth, Jamie Hubbard, John Hubbard, Stuart Huffman, Todd Johns, Chris Lewis, George B. MacNeill, Marian MacNeill, Cassandra McCardle, Cynthia McCraw, Lou Nell McLeod, Peggy Miller, Rev. Larry C. Mills, Bess Moffatt, E. V. Price, Jr., Jerry St. John, Robert St. John, Judy Sclater, Mary Louis Shaw, Clark Simmons, Nancy Steelz, Lane Stephenson, Bill Stevens, Ernie Strahn, Robert W. Stratton, Annie Ruth Thigpen, Jerry Waddell, John Knox Walker, Jr., Louis Watson, Jean White, William Yount

 

The docket presented by the Stated Clerk, Rev. John Dudley, was adopted.  Rev. Chris Bullock was installed as the new moderator.  The Stated Clerk presented a gavel to Dr. A. M. “Bubba” Martin as a token of the presbytery’s appreciation for the excellent job he did as moderator in 2005.  Rev. Chris Bullock appointed Rev. Charles Bowdler and Elders Charles Ray and Jimmy X to the Bills and Overtures Committee and Rev. James Truesdell to the Thanks Committee.  Rev. Andy Wells welcomed the presbytery to Covenant Presbyterian Church.

 

REPORT OF THE STATED CLERK

Communications and other matters presented by the stated clerk were handled as indicated:

 

1.      Excused absences were granted as requested and as reflected in the roll for this meeting.

 

2.      Certificates of dismissal for Rev. Ned Beckes and Rev. Lane Stephenson have been received from the Presbytery of St. Andrew.    

 

3.      In partial fulfillment of the requirements of G-11.0305a the stated clerk presented the following report on ministerial changes in 2005:

 

I.

Ministerial Changes 2005

 

 

 

Ministers on Roll, January 1, 2005

61

 

 

Ministers Deceased

1

(Joe McConnell)

 

Ministers Dismissed to Other Presbyteries

4

(Lisa Easterling, Paul Means, Chuck Roberts, Joe Wright)

 

Ministers Dismissed to Other Denominations

0

 

 

Permanent Removal from the Roll

1

(Greg Eubanks  - G – 11.0406c)

 

Ministers Received from Other Presbyteries

3

(Chas Jones, William Jones, Ned Beckes)

 

Ministers Ordained by the Presbytery

0

 

 

Ministers Received from Other Denominations

0

 

 

Ministers Restored to the Roll

0

 

 

Ministers on Roll, January 1, 2006

58

 

 

Number of Installations

2

(Chas Jones, William Jones)

 

Number of Dissolutions

5

(Lionel Cable, Roe Callaway,

Lisa Easterling, Paul Means, Chuck Roberts)

 

 

 

 

II.

Commissioned Lay Pastors

5

(Mattie Jordan, Bill Pettey,

Charles Ray, Wade Spooner,

Edwin J. Wolff)

 

 

 

 

III.

Churches on Roll, January 1, 2005

46

 

 

Additions

0

 

 

Dissolutions 

0

 

 

Churches on Roll, January 1, 2006

46

 

 

 

 

 

IV.

Certified Christian Educators

1

(Martha Blount)

 

 

 

 

V.

Inquirers on Roll, January 1, 2006

2

(Scott Castleman, Calvin Triplett)

 

Candidates on Roll, January 1, 2006

1

(Sara Melton Craig)

 

4.      The stated clerk commended those sessions that have already completed the annual statistical report and encouraged those sessions that have not yet done so to complete the annual statistical report by the deadline of February 22, 2006.

 

5.      The stated clerk presented as a first reading the revised Standing Rules for the presbytery.  Discussion and action on the Revised Standing Rules will take place at the May 2006 meeting of presbytery.

 

6.      The stated clerk reported that during the maternity leave of Christina Courtney, the administrative assistant, he has with the concurrence of the moderator employed Cassandra McCardle as secretary/receptionist and Wally Gregg as bookkeeper.

 

7.      The following overture from the session of Covenant Presbyterian Church was referred to the Committee on Bills and Overtures.

 

DRAFT OF ABORTION OVERTURE

            WHEREAS, resolutions previously passed by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) have led to a general belief by members of the Church and the public at large that the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) approves the practice of abortion, even partial birth abortion, going so far as to oppose any limit on abortion (Minutes of the 204th General Assembly (1992)), Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), pp. 372-373; and

 

            WHEREAS, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) confesses in the Book of Order:

           

(1)   That God created the heavens and the earth and made human beings in God’s image, charging them to care for all that lives.  G. 3.0101; and

 

(2)   That the Church of Jesus Christ is the provisional demonstration of what God intends for all of humanity. G. 3.0200; and

 

(3)   That the Church is called to participate in God’s activity in the world through its life for others by, among other things, ministering to the needs of the powerless. G. 3.0300; and

 

(4)   That the Church is called to undertake this mission even at the risk of losing its life, trusting in God alone as the author and giver of life.  G. 3.0400; and

 

            WHEREAS, God has revealed through the Scriptures:

 

(1)   That as the author and giver of life, God has known each one of us even before we were formed in the womb, Jeremiah 1:5; Psalm 139:13; that God has created each of us, male and female, in His image, in the image of God all people have been created, Genesis 1:27; and that God has set us apart to be his subjects, having made us the objects of His compassion and grace, even before our birth. Psalm 22:10.

 

(2)   That having been made in the image of God, the Word of God commands us that we shall not kill, Exodus 20:13; that this Commandment requires that we use all lawful endeavors to preserve our own life and the life of others and also forbids us to take our own life or the life of our neighbor unjustly, or to undertake any act that would tend toward the unjust taking of another person’s life.  The Shorter Catechism 7.067-7.069.

 

(3)   That God watches out for, protects, and defends the cause of all people, including, the weak, the afflicted, the fatherless, and the oppressed, and God listens to their voiceless cries in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify them no more.  Psalm 10:14, 17-18.

 

(4)   That God calls His Church to do these things on behalf of the Kingdom of God so that the will of God might be done on earth, and when doing so, to remember that God also calls us to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. Proverbs 31:8.

 

(5)   That God charges us as members of his Church not to oppress or to do any wrong or violence to, among others, the fatherless, Jeremiah 7:6 and 22:5; and that between life and death, God has commanded us to choose life so that we may come to love God, follow his Word, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him, as the Lord of our life.  Deuteronomy 30:19-20; and

 

            WHEREAS, the Church has spoken out and forbidden the practice of abortion even as it stood in the midst of a society and government that condoned abortion and in doing so, has distinguished itself and set itself apart from virtually all civil governments that down through history have condoned practices of abortion, infanticide, and involuntary sterilization based on a variety of doctrines and beliefs that are a scandal to the compassion and grace that God, as the author and giver of life, has for all his people as well as a scandal to his active work, message, and ministry of reconciliation which   God in the name of his son, Jesus Christ, calls us as his Church to undertake in all relationships of life (Excerpts from The Confession of 1967); and

 

            WHEREAS, “The Church comes under judgment of God and invites rejection by man when it fails to lead men and women into the full meaning of life . . . or withholds the compassion of Christ from those caught in the moral confusion of our time.”   The Confession of 1967.  

 

            NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the 217th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.):

 

1.      Affirms that God alone is the “author and giver” of life and reveals in Scripture that the miracle of life begins at the moment of conception. Therefore, the Church opposes the practice of abortion (the premature ending of a pregnancy with the intent to end the life of the embryo or fetus by means of surgical intervention or administration of medications, or any other method that leads to a similar result), except when abortion is necessary (a) to protect the life of the mother as determined by a competent, licensed physician, where the continuation of the pregnancy would, more likely than not, result in  either the mother or the unborn child not surviving continuation of the pregnancy; and (b)  in cases of rape and incest where there is a finding by a competent, licensed physician that carrying the unborn child to term would, more likely than not, result in serious, long-lasting and debilitating mental and emotional distress of the mother.

 

2.      Acknowledges that individuals are confronted with unwanted pregnancies in a number of circumstances, including: pregnancy of a minor child;  pregnancy of those believing they are incapable or unable to provide  properly for the care and Christian nurture of the child.  The Church lovingly welcomes those individuals and seeks to share their burden with compassion.  All members of the Church are urged to minister to those contemplating abortion by prayerfully seeking the guidance of Scripture and offering counsel and assistance to ensure the child receives loving care and Christian nurture. 

 

3.      While not condoning abortion, extends the love of Christ to those who have suffered its practice.

 

Rationale:

 

Resolutions previously passed by the General Assembly of the PCUSA have lead to a general belief that the PCUSA approves a woman’s right to choose abortion, even partial birth abortion. Comments found on Items 11-01 and 11-02 by the Committee on Social Witness Policy at the 216th General Assembly, stated, “women have the ability and responsibility for making good moral choices regarding a problem pregnancy”, and “The church should support a woman’s decision regarding a problem pregnancy, whatever her decision may be.”   Those resolutions also call for furnishing information and papers on the subject and for counseling.

 

The PCUSA should stand clearly against the practice of abortion and, as an even greater witness, extend the compassion and ministry of Christ’s church to those people who are considering such a decision or have been affected by its practice.

Note:            Some of the above language is from an Overture from the Presbytery of Upper Ohio Valley to the 216th General Assembly (2004). That overture called for insertion of similar language in the Book of Order, and it was defeated at that General Assembly, and some quotes from the Committee on Social Witness Policy are taken from the “Rationale” in recommending Disapproval of the Overture (Overture 04-5, Item 11-01 found in the minutes of the 216th General Assembly).

 

8. The 2006 Presbytery Directory will soon be completed and ready for distribution.  (The directory cannot be finished until presbytery takes action on the report of the Nominating Committee at this meeting.)

 

9. The Presbytery of Kendall has concurred with our overture concerning divestment in Israel adopted at the May 17, 2005 meeting of presbytery.

 

10. The stated clerk encouraged members of all congregations in the presbytery to help in hosting the 217th General Assembly which will meet in Birmingham, Alabama June 15-22, 2006.

 

11. The Synod of Living Waters has approved without exception the minutes of the Presbytery of Mississippi for 2004.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS

            Rev. Steve Bryant made an announcement concerning links on the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) website to objectionable material.  Elder David St. Louis made an announcement concerning “Welcome to the Family,” a workshop focusing on attracting and involving newcomers into our congregations.  The workshop is to be held at Ruth Memorial Presbyterian Church on Saturday, March 25, 2006.

 

            Following these announcements, visitors and first-time elder commissioners were introduced.  Minister members of other presbyteries were welcomed as corresponding members and granted the privilege of the floor. 

 

RECOGNITION OF DAVID SNELLGROVE

            The Stated Clerk presented a gift certificate to Rev. David Snellgrove in honor of his service as the Interim Executive Presbyter from September through December 2005.  Mr. Snellgrove served diligently and faithfully in this capacity, providing great guidance to the presbytery in its recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina.

 

GREETINGS FROM THE BOARD OF PENSIONS

            Mr. Clark Simmons, our area representative with the Board of Pensions, spoke briefly concerning the programs offered to ministers and church employees by the Board.

 

PRESBYTERY COUNCIL

Dr. A. M. “Bubba” Martin presented the following items of the Presbytery Council report.

 

For Information:

1.      Future dates of presbytery meetings:

May 20, 2006 (Saturday) – First Presbyterian Church, Natchez

October 19, 2006 – Diamondhead Community Church, Diamondhead

2.      With the purchase of a new copier for the presbytery office, the old copier has been sent to Handsboro Presbyterian Church for the use of the Disaster Recovery Administrative Commission.

3.      Presbytery Council declined with thanks the offer of First-Trinity Presbyterian Church that the presbytery office be moved to their facilities in Laurel.

4.      The 2006 Presbytery Directory will be distributed shortly after the February meeting to permit time for the committee assignments to be finalized.

5.      The draft of the Standing Rules distributed at this meeting will be considered for approval at the May meeting of presbytery.

 

The following items for action were approved by presbytery.

 

For Action: