PROPOSED DOCKET FOR THE PRESBYTERY OF MISSISSIPPI

First Presbyterian Church

400 State Street

Natchez, Mississippi 39120

May 20, 2006

1. 9:00 WORSHIP Worship Leader: Rev. John Larson

Sermon Rev. William Young

Installation of Executive Presbyter

2. 10:00 RECESS

3. 10:15 ORGANIZATION OF THE MEETING Rev. Chris Bullock, Moderator,

presiding

Prayer

Determination of Quorum Dr. John Dudley, Stated Clerk

Adoption of the Docket Dr. John Dudley, Stated Clerk

Appointment of Standing Committees Rev. Chris Bullock

Bills and Overtures

Thanks

Welcome from the Host Church

4. 10:30 REPORT OF THE STATED CLERK

Requests for Excused Absences:

Minutes of Commission to install Rev. Lane Stephenson as pastor of J.J. White Memorial Presbyterian Church

Synopsis of Session Annual Statistical Reports

5. 10:40 ANNOUNCEMENTS

6. 10:45 INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS

7. 10:50 REPORT OF PRESBYTERY COUNCIL Rev. Chris Bullock

Finance Subcommittee

Personnel Subcommittee

Executive Presbyter Search Committee

Task Force on the Peace, Unity, and Purity of the Church

Task Force on the Celebration of Women’s Ordination

Consideration of Revised Standing Rules

8. 11:20 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY Rev. Jim White

Examination of Rev. Richard Jones

9. 12:00 PRAYER AND RECESS FOR LUNCH

10. 1:00 REPORT OF ADMINISTRATIVE COMMISSION FOR DISASTER RECOVERY

11. 1:20 REPORT OF ADMINISTRATIVE COMMISSION ON ORANGE GROVE

12. 1:30 REPORTS OF OTHER ECCLESIASTICAL COMMITTEES

Nominations Rev. Michael Herrin

Preparation for Ministry Rev. John Larson

Representation Rev. Sally-Lodge Teel

Trustees Mr. Chip Westbrook

13. 1:50 REPORTS OF PROGRAM COMMITTEES

Christian Nurture Committee Dr. George Bates

Church Extension Rev. Michael Herrin

Mission Mr. Bob Friley

Presbytery Hunger Subcommittee Ms. Sara Brown

14. 3:05 REPORT ON REVIEW OF SESSIONAL RECORDS

15. 3:10 CLOSING PRAYER AND ADJOURNMENT

DIRECTIONS:

First Presbyterian Church

400 State Street

Natchez, MS 39120

Traveling North on Highway 61: Highway 61 becomes Devereux Drive. Devereux Drive becomes St. Catherine Street. St. Catherine Street becomes Jefferson Street. Travel to the intersection of Jefferson Street and Commerce Street. Turn left onto Commerce Street. Stay straight to arrive at the back of First Presbyterian Church’s education building.

Maps provided by MAPQUEST

Traveling West on Highway 84: Turn left onto Hwy 61. Follow above directions labeled Traveling North on Highway 61.

INSTALLATION COMMISSION FOR ROBERT LANE STEPHENSON

J. J. White Memorial Presbyterian Church

McComb, Mississippi

February 26, 2006

The Commission to install Robert Lane Stephenson as pastor of the J. J. White Memorial Presbyterian Church of McComb, Mississippi met on Sunday, February 26, 2006, at 2:45 p.m. in the Ladies’ Parlor. The meeting was opened with prayer by the Rev. James W. White, Jr. The following members of the commission, constituting a quorum were present: the Rev. James W. White, Jr., Moderator; the Rev. Michael Herrin, Mr. Charles Ray, Mr. Stewart Robison, Dr. Lauren Lanier, and Mr. Tim Easley. Dr. Henry Lewis joined the commission later. Mr. Charles Ray was elected to serve as the clerk of the commission. The commission reviewed the order of worship for the installation service. It was agreed that the meeting of the commission would be closed with the benediction in the worship service. Members of the commission then entered the sanctuary for the serive.

The Rev. Michael Herrin preached the sermon entitled “Dangerous Words” and based upon II Timothy 3:10-17. The Rev. James W. White, Jr. then propounded the constitutional questions (G-14.0405) to the Rev. Robert Lane Stephenson. Elder Tim Easley directed the constitutional questions (G-14.0510a) to the congregation. Elder Henry Lewis then led the prayer of installation, after which the Rev. James W. White, Jr. made the Declaration of Installation and the commission extended the right hand of fellowship to the Rev. Robert Lane Stephenson. Mr. Charles Ray gave a charge to the newly installed pastor and Mr. Stewart Robison gave a charge to the congregation. Also leading in the worship service was Elder Lauren Lanier who read the Scripture. The service was concluded with the pronouncement of the benediction by the Rev. Robert Lane Stephenson.

SYNOPSIS OF ANNUAL STATISTICAL REPORTS

The sessions of twelve congregations failed to submit an annual statistical report for 2005. The congregations are First Bay St. Louis, Westminster Gulfport, McFarland, Pisgah, St. Luke’s, Alexander Memorial, Long Beach, First Lucedale, Vernal, Pilgrim Grove, Osyka, and Wiggins. (Note that three of these congregations are on the coast and therefore may have had difficulty with their records because of Katrina.) According to the last statistical report submitted by the session of each of these congregations, these twelve congregations together have 806 confirmed members. This number is not included in the statistics that appear in the next paragraph.

Thirty-four sessions submitted annual statistical reports, reflecting a combined confirmed membership of 6,205. This represents a loss of sixty-six confirmed members in 2005 – an average loss per congregation reporting of roughly two confirmed members. Seventeen sessions reported a net loss in membership, two sessions reported no change in membership, and fifteen sessions reported a net gain.

Of the thirty-four reporting congregations, eleven had no baptisms in 2005. In twenty-two congregations children were baptized (75 in all). In five of these twenty-two congregations there were also adult baptisms. In one congregation adult baptisms took place, but no baptisms of children occurred. A total of seven adults were baptized in congregations in our presbytery in 2005.

Here is a summary of the congregations in the Presbytery of Mississippi by number of confirmed members:

Number of Members Number of Congregations

1—50 21

51—100 8

101—200 6

201—300 5

301—400 3

401—500 1

500+ 2

Please note that ministerial changes in 2005 were summarized in the Stated Clerk’s report at the meeting of presbytery on February 16, 2006 and may be found in the minutes of that meeting.

It should, of course, be remembered that the efficacy of prayer, the praise and thanksgiving we render to God in joyful hymns of praise, the illumination of God’s Spirit that takes place in our heart and mind when scripture is read, the redeeming power of Christ at work in us when the gospel is proclaimed, the unsearchable riches of God’s grace that sustains and renews us when bread is broken and wine shared, and much more simply cannot be quantified or reduced to numbers. And that is as it should be.

REPORT OF THE PRESBYTERY COUNCIL

For Information:

Future dates of Presbytery meetings:

October 19, 2006 – Diamondhead Community Church, Diamondhead

Council authorized placing the minutes of all future presbytery meetings online at www.presbyteryofms.org. Printed copies of the minutes will be provided only upon request.

For Action:

The Council recommends that:

Presbytery endorse the mission grant proposal submitted by the session of Gautier Presbyterian Church.
The vice-moderator, Peggie Herrington, be authorized to appoint a four member committee to oversee the mission grant proposal (see action item 1 above) in the event that it is approved.
Presbytery authorize the Presbyterian Historical Society in Montreat to release to Forest Presbyterian Church items held by the society. (These items consist of a tankard and goblet placed at Montreat in 1937.)

COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY

For information:

The COM has initiated an intervention and has approved a motion requesting an administrative commission with the power to dissolve a pastoral relationship if it appears to the COM by May 20 that the intervention is not sufficient.
The COM met with members of the Administrative Commission for Disaster Recovery, the Church Extension Committee, and some Gulf Coast pastors following the called meeting of presbytery on May 2 to clarify overlapping responsibilities, determine the number of ministers from other presbyteries working within our bounds, and identify steps to be taken in coordinating the relief and rebuilding efforts with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and the General Assembly Council.
The COM reluctantly accepted the resignation of Rev. Brock Watson from the COM due to his dismissal to a new presbytery.
The COM determined it was unwilling at this time to continue discussions with Rev. William Yount, a Presbyterian Church in America minister wishing to return to the PCUSA.
The COM is investigating ways to provide professionally led clergy colleague groups in the presbytery.
Rev. Chris Bullock reported on plans for the 2006 Pastors’ Retreat the weekend of April 23. Approval was given to continue discussions with the Presbytery of St. Andrew regarding future cooperation on such a retreat.
The terms of call from the Grace Chapel Presbyterian Church to Rev. Steve Bryant were reviewed, and he was given permission to move onto the field.
Rev. Curtis Burge, a Disciples of Christ –Christian Church minister serving in a temporary capacity at Handsboro, was given permission to take the ordination exams as a step toward being accepted into the PCUSA.
The COM will continue to read session minutes at meetings of the presbytery and will announce a staggered schedule to accomplish this.
The COM reviewed the recommended standing rules of the presbytery and has several minor changes to recommend when the way is clear.
The Jackson Cluster of the COM met with Rev. Clint Regen of Austin, TX and recommended to the full membership that he be approved to be called to the First Presbyterian Church, Pascagoula, and be given permission to move onto the field.

12. The COM examined the person selected by the PNC at Trinity, Meridian and gave permission for them to proceed with the call. More details will be given later.

Recommendations for actions:

The COM recommends that Rev. Annie Bryant be named Moderator of Session and Temporary Supply of Orange Grove Presbyterian Church.
The COM recommends that Rev. Sally-Lodge Teel be approved to continue as Stated Supply at Ruth Memorial Presbyterian Church, Poplarville.
The COM moderator recommends that Rev. Jim Truesdell be named Moderator of Session for the United Presbyterian Church, Sandersville.
The COM recommends that Rev. Andy Young be named Moderator of the Session at First Presbyterian Church, Vicksburg.
The COM recommends that the Presbytery of Mississippi secure the services of a strategic planner to study growth and development for the Mississippi Gulf Coast to assist the presbytery in its long-term plans for rebuilding and revitalizing the congregations in this area as well as planning for new church development.
The COM recommends approval for Rev. Richard Jones, H.R., to become a member of our presbytery. The former pastor of Bay St. Louis, he has returned to that community and is currently serving that congregation in an unofficial capacity.
The COM, in keeping with the requirements of G-11.0404 and G-14.0313 b. recommends that the presbytery authorize Rev. Steve Bryant, Rev. Steve Ramp, Rev. Andy Wells, and Rev. Jim White to examine Rev. Jessie Jacobs, to report the nature of the examination to the presbytery when the way is clear, and make a recommendation to the presbytery regarding the status of Mr. Jacobs. Rev. Jessie Jacobs is a minister in the Presbyterian Church of America who wishes to join the PCUSA. He has passed the required English Bible Content exam but has twice failed the other four required exams (Theology, Worship and Sacraments, Biblical Exegesis, and Polity). He is legally blind and the COM recommends an alternative examination process to be determined. Note well, this requires a three-fourths vote of the members of presbytery present.
The COM recommends that the terms of call from Grace Chapel Presbyterian Church, Madison to Rev. Steve Bryant be approved.
The COM recommends that the changes in terms of call listed following this report be approved.
The COM will read and report on any session minutes brought to be read at this meeting.
It is likely the COM will have at least one additional minister seeking membership in this presbytery present for examination at the meeting of presbytery.

Rev. J. Richard Jones

208 Victoria Street

Bay St. Louis, MS 39520

BIOGRAPHY

I was born in Philadelphia, PA and grew up in West Chester, PA. I went into the US Air Force. I attended a Presbyterian College and seminary. Since then I have served as a pastor in Presbyterian churches throughout the country. My wife and I have been married 43 years and we have three children and three grandchildren. After retiring and serving as an interim, a storm named Katrina came ashore, and now I am seeking to help the Bay St. Louis Presbyterian Church to serve the community as a Presbyterian Disaster Center and to get back on its feet after losing so many members.

WORK HISTORY:

(Most Recent First)

Luling Presbyterian Church, Luling, LA Interim 09/06/05

Retired 09/04

Bayou Blue Presbyterian Church, Gray, LA 10/01-09/04

Graham Memorial Presby. Church, Whitesburg, KY 03/96-10/01

First Presbyterian Church, Bay St. Louis, MS. 11/87 02/96

Clinton-Norwood Presbyterian Churches, LA. 07/84-11/87

Rock Spring Presby. Church, Mt. Hope, Al and 11/79-07/84

Mountain Home Presby. Church, Belgreen, AL. 11/80-07/84

Holy Trinity Monastery, St. David, AZ 02/78-11/79

First Presby. Church, Grants, NM. 01/74-02/78

First Presby. Church, Breckenridge, TX. 1974-(Interim)

Eastern N.M. University, Portales, NM. Education Specialist Degree

First Presby. Churches, Ellendale + Oaks, ND. 02/68-01/72

First Presbyterian Church, Sisseton, SD. and the 09/65-02/68

Veblen and Lake Traverse (Sioux Indian) churches

FORMAL EDUCATION:

Advanced Education, Eastern New Mexico University. Portales, NM -1974

Bachelor of Divinity, Dubuque Theological Seminary Dubuque, IA -1966

Bachelor of Arts, Huron College, Huron, SD -1962

STATEMENT OF FAITH

Rev. J. Richard Jones

I have always seen myself as a seeker of God’s amazing grace and trying to understand how God, our creator, has come to us in Jesus Christ and how he is now present in all his people as the Holy Spirit. I seek to understand how he adopts us as his children in baptism and how in communion he enters us and becomes one with us. I believe that God’s grace is especially present in the sacraments. All these are great mysteries. I can only look into and seek to appropriate them into my life. I am not a finished product, but God’s grace has continued to strengthen me as I continue my spiritual journey.

I believe the Bible is God’s written word to us. In the Bible we meet with the Risen Lord of all and hear his voice. He continually calls us to come and when we respond he removes the selfishness and sin from us. The power of the Holy Spirit works in us to shape us into the image of Jesus. Then we are sent out to share his love and to be his ambassadors. We are always Christians in the making. I have always enjoyed the fellowship of God’s people and I would not like to be without it.

I believe the church is made up of those whom God calls to be his servants in the world. As the church we are the Body of Christ. When we gather we worship him, study his word, have fellowship together loving and sharing and supporting each other, and we work together to share the good news that God is present to us as Jesus Christ. When we are apart we are the Body of Christ scattered in the world.

II believe that there can be no greater blessing than to know Jesus Christ and to be part of his church. And I look forward to a glad heavenly reunion when our Lord Jesus comes again. I would also take the Apostles’ Creed as part of my statement of faith.

THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMISSION FOR DISASTER RECOVERY

A. A presentation of the disaster recovery program was made to the meeting of the Synod of Living Waters on January 30. This presentation resulted in a grant of $22,000 to the program from the Synod.

B. A grant of $140,000 to cover a three month period received from PDA. These funds are to hire more site managers, three assessors, and a business manager.

C. Donations from volunteers have resulted in more than $100,000 being deposited into the construction account.

D. Roofs have been put on more than 180 houses. Repairs of other types have been concluded on many houses.

E. A high-level task force from the General Assembly met with the commission on March 17. A process was agreed upon to re-submit a request for completing repairs to church buildings.

F. The commission has agreed to seek placement of a cluster of Young Adult Volunteers on the Mississippi Gulf Coast starting about September 1.

G. Diamondhead Community Church re-opened its facility to volunteer teams on May 1.

H. Two pick-up trucks were purchased as authorized by the commission for use at Handsboro and Long Beach. General Katrina funds were used for this purchase. A third truck was purchased for use at Westminster using construction grant funds.

I. During the month of March, 4,000 volunteers passed through the seven churches hosting teams and the four PDA Volunteer Villages.

J. Handsboro Presbyterian Church and Orange Grove Presbyterian Church have agreed to form a joint PNC and enter into a yoked relationship.

K. First Presbyterian Church of Ocean Springs has been asked to consider leading an effort to plant a new church at D’Iberville.

L. New site managers have been placed at Gautier and First Presbyterian Church of Pascagoula.

CHURCH EXTENSION COMMITTEE

The Church Extension Committee would remind congregations interested in receiving aid for the year 2007 that the application process will begin this summer. The presbytery’s policy concerning aid disbursement is as follows:

Funds from the Church Extension Committee being sent to a church for aid-support will be paid only for pastoral support. Funds will be available only for churches being served by a full-time pastor, a pastor serving yoked congregations, a COM-approved part-time pastor, a COM-approved stated supply who is an ordained Presbyterian minister, or a COM-approved Commissioned Lay Pastor.

Congregations interested in applying for aid should pick up the appropriate forms at the meeting today. The forms should be returned to the moderator by June 30, 2006 at the following address:

Michael Herrin

First Presbyterian Church

P.O. Box 517

Port Gibson, MS 39150

Members of the Church Extension Committee will visit with sessions requesting aid in July and August. By the time of the October presbytery meeting, the committee will have developed its request for pastoral support funds for 2007.

MISSION COMMITTEE

The Mission Committee met March 27, 2006 at Belhaven College.

Present: Bob Friley, Ann Catron, Renee Belote, Betsy Lipscomb, Joe Martin, Sara
Brown. Visitors: Bill and Judi Young from Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship, and Michael Herrin.

Ann Catron is the representative from Presbyterian Women where she serves as Mission
Advocate. She will be a member of this committee for this year. She gave a report on the
cleaning kits, personal kits, casseroles and the kitchen shower for the women in the
churches on the coast.

The committee went over the budget and approved it to be sent to the presbytery budget
committee. The committee approved paying for the annual visit to Brazil. The purpose of the visit this year is to renew the partnership with the Presbytery of Northeast in Brazil for the next five years.

Bill Young from Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship gave information on the work of the
Frontier Fellowship and showed slides. The committee voted to send $150.00 to Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship to help defray Bill’s expenses. Bill Young closed the meeting with prayer.

During lunch Joe Martin reported on mission work at Belhaven. This work includes business students, a marketplace for mission, and a mission vision to students.

It was suggested that one meeting be held next year at Belhaven College with Joe Martin responsible for getting a speaker.

Report as printed in ‘The Voice’

Belhaven and Presbytery Mission Committee Host

Bill Young – Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship

On Monday, March 27, 2006, Belhaven College and The Presbytery of Mississippi’ s Mission Committee were treated to an enlightening presentation from Bill Young (PFF) at Belhaven College.

Those in attendance were Joe Martin as Belhaven’s host and Committee member, Bill and his wife Judy, Bob Friley (Missions Facilitator), Mission Committee members (Sara Brown, Betsy Lipscomb and Renee Belote), and Ann Catron representing Presbyterian Women.

Prior to Bill Young’s presentation, the Mission Committee held its regularly scheduled meeting. Bill and his wife were our special guests. Bill’s presentation of Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship’s activities followed along with a spirited question and answer session.

HUNGER SUBCOMMITTEE

For Information:

The offering today will be given to Clean Water.

The reports on the offerings for Clean Water and Souper Bowl Sunday are attached. In summary, sixteen churches donated a total of $9,909.74 to Clean Water/Living Waters, and eight churches reported donations totaling $2,712.00 on Souper Bowl Sunday. It your church has not reported its Souper Bowl Sunday offering or sent in its Clean Water offering to the presbytery office, please encourage your church office to do so as soon as possible.

The One Great Hour of Sharing offering was taken on Easter, April 16, 2006. All the churches are reminded to send this offering to the presbytery office as soon as possible. This offering is divided among three programs: 32% to Self-Development of People, 32% to Presbyterian Hunger Program, and 36% to World Services which includes Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.

A compilation of the 2005 Hunger Survey that was sent to each church is included with this report. Thirty-one churches have responded. The Hunger Subcommittee would like for all the churches that have not done so to return their surveys as soon as possible.

CLEAN/LIVING WATER OFFERING
		AMOUNT
	115397 MISC REMIT	275.00
	11370 FIRST-TRINITY LAUREL	408.00
	11503 TRINITY MERIDIAN	862.00
	11570 GRACE CHAPEL MADISON	82.00
	20283 FIRST CANTON	900.00
	20285 BRIARWOOD JACKSON	1,907.83
	20288 FAITH JACKSON	133.64
	20307 YOKENA VICKSBURG	750.00
	20744 HANDSBORO GULFPORT	85.00
	20748 WESTMINSTER HATTIESBURG	821.02
	20756 UNITY MEMORIAL LIBERTY	500.00
	20758 FIRST LUCEDALE	205.00
	20759 VERNAL LUCEDALE	250.00
	20761 J. J. WHITE MCCOMB	1,500.00
	20767 WESTMINSTER NATCHEZ	353.00
	20774 FIRST PORT GIBSON	715.25
	3553 PROSPECT MERIDIAN	162.00
TOTAL		9,909.74

SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY
CHURCH	AMOUNT
PROSPECT	$186.00
FIRST LUCEDALE	$140.00
FIRST PASCAGOULA	$881.00
HANDSBORO	$156.00
TOOMSUBA	$50.00
VERNAL	$259.00
YOKENA	$232.00
FIRST-TRINITY	$808.00