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 |
Rev. William A. dePrater,
D. Min. (2009), 710 S. 28th Ave., Suite A, Hattiesburg, 39402
(582-9135; FAX 582-9136; wadepraterIII@aol.com) |
|
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT |
Mrs. Beverly Strong, 710
S. 28th Ave. Suite A, Hattiesburg, 39402 (582-9135; FAX 582-9136) |
|
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 Stated Meeting October
19, 2006
Roll
..Pages 2-4
Report of Stated Clerk............... 4-7
Presbytery Council 8-12
Amendments to Standing Rules
12-16
Report of Commissioners to General Assembly
..16-18
Task Force on Denominational Matters
18-22
Committee on Ministry........... 23-24
Bills and Overtures Committee
.24
Administrative Commission for Disaster Recovery 25
Nominations Committee
..25-27
Other Ecclesiastical Committees
.27
Program Committees
.. 28-29
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.
STATED MEETING
October 19, 2006
The Presbytery of Mississippi met for its seventy-seventh
stated meeting at Diamondhead Community Church in Diamondhead, Mississippi on
Thursday, October 19, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. with the Moderator, Rev. Chris Bullock,
presiding. The meeting began with a
service of Morning Prayer led by Rev. Chas Jones, pastor of the host church,
Rev. Scott Castleman, Rev. Sally-Lodge Teel, and Dr. John Dudley, stated clerk
of the presbytery. During the service Dr. Dudley led in a celebration of the
twenty-fifth anniversary of Diamondhead Community Church. The stated clerk also
presented memorials for the following ruling elders who had died since the October
13, 2005 stated meeting of presbytery and whose names had been reported to
presbytery:
Alexander Alford Batton,
Jr.; First Port Gibson; June 6, 2006
Thomas J. Brooks; Fondren;
July 23, 2006
Barbara P. Carroon;
Briarwood; December 7, 2005
James Austin (Sonny) Cook;
First Canton; October 17, 2006
Rick Dean; Diamondhead;
January 13, 2006
Leiland Duke; First
Vicksburg; December 9, 2005
William J. Feltus; First
Natchez; March 21, 2006
Esther S. Harder; Fondren;
May 1, 2006
Cera Leonard; Trinity
Meridian; January 6, 2006
Thomas Jasper Lowe;
Briarwood; December 8, 2005
William O. McIlwain;
Covenant; January 21, 2006
Ellen B. Menetre; First
Natchez; January 30, 2006
Steven L. Moore; Fondren;
September 5, 2006
Tom Parkin; Diamondhead
O.T. Robinson; Fondren; October
13, 2006
Ralph Stallcup; Westminster
Hattiesburg; March 8, 2006
ROLL
Following a brief recess, presbytery was reconvened with
prayer by Rev. Clint Regen. A quorum
was present with the following thirty ministers and thirty-eight elders
enrolled for the meeting:
|
Churches |
Ministers |
Elders |
|
|
|
|
|
Bay St. Louis, First |
Richard Jones, I.P. |
David Wilson |
|
Bay Springs, Gavin Chapel |
vacant |
Nona McCree |
|
Brookhaven, First |
Edwin J. Wolff, CLP |
without representation |
|
Canton, First |
Geoffrey McLean |
excused |
|
Diamondhead, Diamondhead |
Chas Jones |
Joan Parmalee |
|
Gautier, Gautier |
Chris Bullock |
Gerry Anne Woodward |
|
Gulfport, Handsboro |
Scott Castleman |
Vern Nix |
|
Gulfport, Orange Grove |
Scott Castleman |
Harold Hill |
|
Gulfport, Westminster |
Karen Bullock, Int. Assoc.Pastor |
Margaret Moyse |
|
Hattiesburg, Pineview |
vacant |
Sara Amos |
|
Hattiesburg, Westminster |
Steve Ramp |
without representation |
|
Heidelberg, Fairview |
vacant |
Marie McCullum |
|
Heidelberg, McFarland |
vacant |
without representation |
|
Heidelberg, Pisgah |
vacant |
without representation |
|
Jackson, Briarwood |
Charles Bowdler |
Anne Hodges |
|
Jackson, Covenant |
Andrew Wells |
Sue Davis Mike Wallace |
|
Jackson, Faith |
William Jones* |
without representation |
|
Jackson, Fondren |
James W. White, Jr. |
Jane Sanders |
|
Jackson, St. Lukes |
vacant |
Sallie Wilson |
|
Kosciusko, Alexander
Memorial |
vacant |
without representation |
|
Laurel, First-Trinity |
James Truesdell |
Henry Davis |
|
Liberty, Liberty |
S.S. |
excused |
|
Liberty, Unity Memorial |
S.S. |
Tom Lewis |
|
Long Beach, Long Beach |
George Barnett |
Ruth Lewis |
|
Lucedale, First |
James Rackley, S.S. |
Margaret Read |
|
Lucedale, Vernal |
vacant |
Norma Bassett |
|
Madison, Grace Chapel |
Steve Bryant |
Gerry Cain |
|
Magnolia, Magnolia |
Charles Ray, CLP** |
without representation |
|
McComb, J.J. White
Memorial |
Lane Stephenson |
Whitney Rawlings |
|
Meridian, Jones Memorial |
vacant |
without representation |
|
Meridian, Prospect |
vacant |
Kim Culpepper |
|
Meridian, Trinity |
Cory Stott |
Joyce Gibbens |
|
Natchez, First |
John Larson |
Joan Gandy |
|
Natchez, Westminster |
vacant |
Wallace Willard |
|
Newton, Pilgrim Grove |
Mattie Jordan, CLP |
without representation |
|
Ocean Springs, First |
Tim Brown |
Bruce Duckett |
|
Osyka, Osyka |
vacant |
without representation |
|
Pascagoula, First |
vacant |
Glenmary Seay |
|
Pass Christian, Pineville |
T.S. |
Vance Sprague |
|
Poplarville, Ruth Memorial |
Sally-Lodge Teel, S.S. |
David St. Louis |
|
Port Gibson, First |
Michael Herrin |
Robert St. John |
|
Sandersville, United |
vacant |
Robert Sanders |
|
Toomsuba, Toomsuba |
Clarence Roberts |
without representation |
|
Vicksburg, First |
vacant |
Jim Chaney Jessie Oldham |
|
Vicksburg, Yokena |
David Daniels, S.S.* |
Bob Friley |
|
Wiggins, Wiggins |
Bill Pettey, CLP |
James Rabby |
|
|
|
|
|
*=Excused **=Absent Without Excuse |
||
Other Ministers
Present: Emett Barfield, Martha Blount,
William dePrater, John Dudley, Andy Hoffecker, Paul Kendall, Theophilus King,
Su McLain, William Smith, and Morris Taylor
Other Ministers with Excused
Absence: All honorably retired
ministers, except those listed above as being present, Skip Ehrlich, Joe
Martin, Ron McFarland, Lynn Miller, and David Ray
Ministers Absent without
Excuse: Joe Pack Arnold, Barron Banks, and Ned Beckes
Corresponding Members:
Mickey dePrater (Presbytery of New Hope), Joan Gray (moderator of General
Assembly; Presbytery of Greater Atlanta), Russell Hays (interim pastor of First
Vicksburg; Presbytery of Foothills), Terry Newland (synod executive; Presbytery
of Sheppards and Lapsley), and Clint Regen (pastor-elect of First Pascagoula;
Mission Presbytery)
Other Visitors: Beverly Aldridge, George Bates, Linda Bates,
Dick Blount, Greg Boettner, Sue Boyd, Margaret Brooks, Bill Brown, Jim Brown,
Sara Brown, Billy Copeland, Erin Counihan, Rachel Covington, Kimberly Crawford,
Frank Cuervo, Gene Eblen, Greg Elmore, Jane Feggestad, Frances Forsyth, Roy
Gibbens, Benton Gibson, Eloise Gryder, Lou Hall, George Hamilton, Virgil
Harris, H.J. Hedgepeth, Peggie Herrington, Anne Hodges, Hank Holcomb, Stuart
Huffman, Elaine Jones, Jeff Krehbiel, Chris Lewis, Amelia Lorenz, John T.
Malestein, Mac McGilvary, Lou Nell McLeod, O.R. McLeod, Peggy McLeod, Pete
McLeod, Bill Miller, Peggie Miller, Linda Miranda, Joe Mitchell, Bob Perry,
Charlotte Perry, E. J. (Gene) Price, Jr., Catherine Regen, Hilda Roberts, Dick
Stowe, Ann White, Judy Whittington, Reid Whittington, Mary Willard, Dan
Woodward
The docket presented by the
Stated Clerk, Rev. John Dudley, was adopted.
Rev. Chris Bullock appointed Rev. Charles Bowdler, Rev. Sally-Lodge
Teel, and elders Stuart Hoffman and Michael Wallace to the Bills and Overtures
Committee and Rev. Tim Brown to the Thanks Committee. Rev. Chas Jones welcomed the presbytery to Diamondhead Community
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.
The minutes of the
Commission to install Rev. Steve Bryant as pastor of Grace Chapel Presbyterian
Church were received and admitted to record.
REPORT OF COMMISSION
TO INSTALL
REV. STEVE BRYANT
The commission to install
Rev. Steve Bryant as pastor of Grace Chapel Presbyterian Church of Madison,
Mississippi met on June 4, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. in the pastors study. The
meeting was opened with prayer by Rev. Tim Brown. The following members of the
commission, constituting a quorum, were present: Dr. Emett Barfield, Dr. Morris
Taylor, Rev. Tim Brown, and elders Jim Herring, Revel Rawlings, and Joe
Stradinger. Dr. Barfield was elected as
moderator of the commission, and Dr. Taylor was elected as clerk. 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 installation service.
Rev. Tim Brown preached the
sermon, titled Mission Possible and based upon Matthew 28:16 20. Mr.
Herring then propounded the constitutional questions (G 14.0405) to Rev.
Steve Bryant. Mr. Rawlings directed the constitutional questions (G 14.0510a)
to the congregation. Mr. Stradinger then led in the prayer of installation. Dr.
Barfield gave a charge to the newly installed pastor, and Dr. Taylor gave a
charge to the congregation. The service was concluded with the pronouncement of
the benediction by Rev. Steve Bryant.
3. The minutes of the Commission to ordain and to
install Mr. Cory Stott as pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church of Meridian
were received and admitted to record.
REPORT OF COMMISSION
TO ORDAIN AND INSTALL
MR. CORY S. STOTT
The commission to ordain and
install Mr. Cory S. Stott as pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church of Meridian,
Mississippi met on July 16, 2006 at 3:30 p.m. in the session room. The meeting
was opened with prayer by Dr. Morris Taylor. The following members of the
commission, constituting a quorum, were present: Rev. Steve Bryant, Dr. Bill
dePrater, Dr. Morris Taylor, and elders Rachel Covington and Burt Zeller. Dr.
Arthur Jones was also invited to sit with the commission. Dr. dePrater was
elected to serve as the moderator of the commission, and Ms. Covington was
elected as clerk. 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 installation service.
Dr. Jones preached the
sermon, titled Mr. Canoe and the Ministry of Presence and based upon the
eleventh chapter of the Gospel according to St. John. Dr. dePrater then
propounded the constitutional questions (G 14.0405) to Mr. Stott. Mr. Zeller
directed the constitutional questions (G 14.0510a) to the congregation. Ms.
Covington then led in the prayer of ordination and installation. Dr. Taylor
gave a charge to the newly ordained and installed pastor, and Rev. Steve Bryant
gave a charge to the congregation. Also leading in the worship service were
elders Dr. A.M. Bubba Martin, John McCoy, Roger Soons, and deacon Jane
Beasley. The service was concluded with the pronouncement of the benediction by
Rev. Cory Stott.
4. Certificates of dismissal have been received for Rev.
Karen Bullock (Presbytery of Florida), Rev. William dePrater (Presbytery of New
Hope), and Rev. Richard Jones (Presbytery of South Louisiana).
5. The stated clerk reported that the annual audit for
presbytery required by the Book of Order has been completed. Copies are
available in the presbytery office.
6. The stated clerk reported that a copy of the session
minutes from the Hopewell Presbyterian Church has been received.
7. Copies of amendments to the Book of Order approved by
the 217th General Assembly have been received. Presbytery authorized
the moderator to appoint a committee to study the proposed amendments and to
make recommendations concerning them at the February 2007 stated meeting.
8. The following overture from the session of J.J. White
Memorial Presbyterian Church was referred to the Committee on Bills and
Overtures.
The following overture was approved by the session of J. J. White
Memorial Presbyterian Church at its stated meeting on September 10, 2006.
The
session of J. J. White Memorial Presbyterian Church is grieved and outraged by
the publication of the incendiary and libelous work of David Ray Griffin, Christian
Faith and the Truth Behind 9/11, by the Westminster/John Knox
Press. This book (which accuses the
President and the Vice President of the United States, in collusion with the U.
S. Armed Forces, both political parties, and the independent media, of
orchestrating the 9/11 attacks as a pretext of going to war) is a flagrant,
egregious, and unfounded attack on the foundations of constitutional government
in the United States and is a massive abuse of freedom of the press. It is inconceivable that the supposedly
respected and responsible publishing house of the PCUSA would stoop to printing
such gutter journalism. Such publication is a gross insult to the President,
Vice President, and others accused, reflects flagrant disregard by
Westminster/John Knox of the canons of responsible journalism, and places
Westminster/John Knox firmly in the camp of the "lunatic fringe" of
the American far left. While accusing
the U.S. government and administration of treason, the author himself asserts
that he wishes to supplant the United States "demonic regime with a system
of global government." We, the
session of J.J. White Memorial Presbyterian Church, are in disbelief that an
agency of our church would be the vehicle for an unwarranted attack on the
governmental foundation of our great and free nation, to which we and the
overwhelming majority of Presbyterians are completely loyal, regardless of
differences in political opinion.
The
session of J.J. White Memorial Presbyterian Church overtures the Presbytery of
Mississippi to take the following action:
1.
Call for the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation to send a letter of
apology to the President of the United States for the publication of Christian
Faith and the Truth Behind 9/11.
2.
Call for the General Assembly Council to send a letter of apology to the
President of the United States, expressing the deep embarrassment and regret of
the people of the Presbyterian Church (USA) for the publication of Christian
Faith and the Truth Behind 9/11 by an agency of the PCUSA.
3.
Call for the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation to recall all unsold
copies of Christian Faith and the Truth Behind 9/11 and destroy all
copies in their inventory.
4.
Encourage all its member congregations to re-examine their purchases
from the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, eliminating those that are not absolutely
necessary.
5.
Resolve not to purchase any more items from the Presbyterian Publishing
Corporation for the Resource Center or the presbytery office.
Rev.
Lane Stephenson, Moderator Jason Tate, Clerk of Session
9. A statement adopted by the session of St. Lukes
Presbyterian Church in support of the presbyterys stance on ordination
standards was received as information.
10. A letter from the session of the Wiggins Presbyterian
Church stating that all real property occupied by and used by Wiggins
Presbyterian Church is owned by Wiggins Presbyterian Church was referred to
the presbytery council and the executive presbyter for pastoral response.
11. A letter from the session of First-Trinity
Presbyterian Church endorsing the position of the session of Fondren
Presbyterian Church in opposition to the recommendations of the Task Force on
Denominational Matters was received as information.
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS
Following 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.
PRESENTATION BY THE MODERATOR OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Rev. Joan Gray, moderator of the 217th General Assembly, was introduced
by Rev. Chris Bullock. Ms. Gray spoke on her role as moderator and responded to
questions that had been prepared by the Task Force on Denominational Matters
and had been mailed to her in advance of her visit. Following a period for
additional questions for and responses by the moderator, Rev. Joan Gray read
from Ezekiel 37 and then preached what she described as the shortest sermon
anyone would ever hear. The presentation was closed with prayer by Dr. William
dePrater. Following prayer, Dr. dePrater expressed the appreciation of the
presbytery to Ms. Gray by presenting a gift.
PRESBYTERY COUNCIL
Ms. Peggie Herrington, vice
moderator of presbytery, moderated the meeting while Rev. Chris Bullock
presented the following report of the presbytery council.
For Information:
1. The council has approved setting aside $15,000 of
hurricane relief funds as the matching amount for a $30,000 Mission Program
Grant from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) for Gautier Presbyterian Church.
The grant is for 2007, the final year of the grant received by Gautier
Presbyterian Church.
2. In accord with the Standing Rules, the moderator of
council has appointed the following to serve on the Personnel Subcommittee: Roy
Williams (First Pascagoula), moderator; Jim Bell (First-Trinity); Deborah
Gambrell Chambers (Pineview); Rev. Charles Bowdler.
3. In accord with the Standing Rules, the moderator of
council has appointed the following to serve on the Finance Subcommittee: Rev.
Michael Herrin, moderator; Burt Crump (Covenant); Rev. William Jones; Joe
Stradinger (First Vicksburg).
4. A portion of the estate of Margaret T. Hall has been
left to Central Presbyterian Church in Jackson. This matter has been referred
to the trustees of presbytery.
For Action:
The Council recommends:
Handsboro Presbyterian Church
Saturday, February 24, 2007
First Pascagoula Tuesday, May 8,
2007
First Port Gibson Thursday,
October 25, 2007
The stated meeting on May 8, 2007 will
be a joint meeting with the Presbytery of
Florida and the Presbytery of South
Alabama.
Presbytery
approved action items 1, 2, 4, and 5. Action item 3 is a first reading and
shall be considered for adoption at the February 2007 stated meeting.
Rev.
Chris Bullock moved that the stated clerk and executive presbyter be authorized
to sign a one-year extension on the lease for the presbytery office at
710
S. 28th Ave, Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The motion was seconded and
approved.
FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEE
Rev.
Michael Herrin, reporting for the Finance Subcommittee, moved that presbytery
set the presbytery per capita assessment for 2007 at $10.03 and that the
following ecclesiastical (per capita) budget for 2007 be approved. (Note that
synod per capita for 2007 is $3.62, and General Assembly per capita is $5.79.
Thus total per capita assessment is $19.44.) The motion was seconded and
approved.
|
2007 ECCLESIASTICAL BUDGET |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
INCOME |
2006 BUDGET |
2007 BUDGET |
|
|
Per Capita |
|
|
|
|
Presbytery |
$62,205.00 |
$62.236.15 |
|
|
Synod |
22,701.02 |
$22,462.10 |
|
|
*General
Assembly |
34,929.47 |
|
|
|
Pastors' Retreat |
3,200.00 |
3,200.00 |
|
|
Transfer from Unrestricted
Funds |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Per Capita Income |
$123,035.49 |
$87,898.25 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses |
2006 BUDGET |
2007 BUDGET |
|
|
Per Capita |
|
|
|
|
Synod |
$22,701.02 |
$22,462.10 |
|
|
*General
Assembly |
34,929.47 |
|
|
|
Office Rent |
24,000.00 |
24,000.00 |
|
|
Stated Clerk |
|
|
|
|
Housing |
11,305.00 |
12,305.00 |
|
|
Pension/Medical |
7,100.00 |
7,600.00 |
|
|
Expenses |
50.00 |
50.00 |
|
|
Presbytery Meetings |
1,600.00 |
1,600.00 |
|
|
Committees |
|
|
|
|
Presbytery
Council |
2,500.00 |
2,500.00 |
|
|
Committee on
Ministry |
|
|
|
|
Administrative |
3,000.00 |
3,000.00 |
|
|
CLP |
2,500.00 |
2,500.00 |
|
|
Pastors' Retreat |
7,200.00 |
7,200.00 |
|
|
Preparation for
Ministry |
2,500.00 |
2,500.00 |
|
|
Nominations |
700.00 |
700.00 |
|
|
Representation |
100.00 |
100.00 |
|
|
Trustees |
350.00 |
350.00 |
|
|
Permanent
Judicial Commission |
500.00 |
500.00 |
|
|
Administrative
Commissions |
500.00 |
500.00 |
|
|
Peace, Unity,
and Purity |
1,000.00 |
0.00 |
|
|
Women's
Ordination |
500.00 |
0.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Ecclesiastical
Expense |
$123,035.49 |
$87,867.10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*General Assembly Per
Capita is a pass-through item.
Whatever funds congregations |
|||
|
send to presbytery that
are specifically designated as General Assembly per capita will be |
|||
|
forwarded to the General
Assembly. |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Presbytery Per Capita |
$10.03 x 6205 = |
62,236.15 |
|
|
Synod Per Capita |
$3.62 x 6205 = |
22,462.10 |
|
|
*General Assembly Per
Capita |
$5.79 |
|
|
Due
to the troubled situation of our denomination, the Finance Subcommittee decided
not to submit a program budget at this time.
We would call to the attention of the presbytery, however, that our
financial needs have increased from 2006.
We are being asked to pay an $83,190.00 package for our new executive
presbyter, along with a $40,174.00 package for our administrative
assistant. In addition, the Church
Extension Committee has had requests for $39,000.00 in pastoral support aid for
2007, up from $30,000 which was budgeted last year. At the same time, we expect less aid from outside the presbytery
to help with our budget.
Instead
of presenting a challenge budget, a member of the Finance Subcommittee will be
contacting each of the presbyterys congregations over the next few weeks, to
find out what each congregation can pledge toward the presbytery program
budget. Once all the congregations have
been contacted, the Finance Subcommittee will reconvene and design a 2007
program budget based on the presbyterys expected income for the year. This budget will be presented for approval
at the February meeting of presbytery.
PERSONNEL SUBCOMMITTEE
In the absence of Roy Williams, moderator
of the Personnel Subcommittee, Dr. A.M. Bubba Martin presented the following
report.
For information:
X
The Personnel Subcommittee
approved the statement, Moved that $10,000 of the cash salary paid to William
A. dePrater may be considered as supplemental housing, utilities, and
appurtenances allowance to the degree that it is used as such. The statement
was referred to the presbytery council for consideration and approval.
X
The Personnel Subcommittee
moved and approved asking council to reinstate the position of a part-time
temporary receptionist/secretary for nineteen hours per week, and that the
$7430 listed in the 2005 budget be carried over to the 2007 budget. No benefits are to be paid for this
position. The position description would focus on the assisting of the current
office manager in various receptionist/secretary functions, and once approved
by the Personnel Subcommittee will then be forwarded to council for its
approval.
For action:
X
In response to the
Suggested Amendments to the Standing Rules and Operating Procedures, the
Personnel Subcommittee moved and approved that the executive presbyter
continues to be the treasurer of presbytery, and forwarded its action to presbytery
for consideration and approval at its next stated meeting. The Presbytery of Mississippi previously had
acted on this matter in approving the position description for the executive presbyter
at the October 2005 meeting of presbytery, and further in its calling of the
current executive presbyter at the May 2006 called meeting of presbytery.
This action of the Personnel Subcommittee was approved by
presbytery.
AMENDMENTS TO STANDING RULES
Rev. Michael Herrin moved that the
following amendments to the Standing Rules of presbytery be approved. The
amendment proposed to section 3.6 was removed from the motion by common
consent. The motion was then approved.
Suggested Amendments to the Standing Rules and
Operating Procedures
First Reading in May, 2006
Second Reading and Adoption in October, 2006
I. From the Committee on
Ministry
A. In 6.2.7 - delete the word "ensuring" in the last line
of the section so the section will read:
The Committee on Ministry will conduct the annual review of
sessional records, ascertaining that the actions taken by the churches as
recorded in their minutes are in compliance with the Constitution of the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and that sessions have conducted the required
annual financial review.
B. Replace the final section
of 6.2.9 with "and this Sunday does not count as vacation time" and replace the word "mandatory"
with "strongly encouraged" so this section will read:
The Committee on Ministry will plan and organize a
"Pastor's Renewal Weekend" to be held annually the weekend after
Easter. Attendance at this event is
strongly encouraged for pastors actively serving congregations, and this Sunday
does not count as vacation time.
II. From the Committee on
Preparation for Ministry
A. Change the number of
members of the Committee from 9 to 6, so that 8.1 will read as follows:
8.1 The
Committee on Preparation for Ministry shall be composed of 6 members, and it shall assist the Presbytery, its pastors and
churches, and persons preparing for ministry to fulfill the provisions of
G-14.0300.
III. From the Drafting
Committee
A. Substitute the following
for 1.2
1.2 DEFINITION. The Presbytery shall consist of all member churches
within the geographic bounds of the Presbytery and all the Ministers of the
Word and Sacrament who have been received into membership. The Presbytery has those duties,
authorities, powers, and responsibilities specified by the Book of Order in
G-3.000, G-11.000 and G-14.000.
B. Substitute the following Mission
Statement (taken from the CIF for our Executive Presbyter) for 1.3:
1.3 MISSION
STATEMENT
Locally, we seek to:
Strengthen and resource local
congregations, paying particular attention to our small churches.
Create a collegial environment of both
professional and spiritual care for minister members of Presbytery.
Equip leaders of local congregations
through nurture, education and fellowship.
Through
this work, we pray that every communicant will be more effective in the local
congregation as well as in the shared work of the presbytery
Regionally, we seek to:
Participate in shared mission and
mission projects.
Create opportunities for the people of
God to gather for education and fellowship.
Care for and oversee the administrative
work that supports our spiritual growth.
Through
this work, we pray that we deepen connections to each other and to the gospel
of Jesus Christ.
Globally, we seek to:
Encourage individuals and congregations
to enter into mission efforts beyond the bounds of the presbytery through
financial support, leadership involvement and project implementation.
Through
this work, we pray that we increase discipleship and service by bringing the
love of God in Jesus Christ to a hurting world.
C.
Substitute the following for 1.4
1.4 ORGANIZATIONAL PRINCIPLES. The organizational principles of the PMS
presuppose the fellowship of believers in covenanted relationship with one
another and with God through Jesus Christ.
The organization rests upon the fellowship and is not designed to work
without trust and love. [G-7.0103]. Our trust and love are nurtured and
strengthened by our shared commitment to these principles, mutual
accountability for our actions, and open and honest communication with each
other.
D. Omit 2.9.4, as this
practice has fallen out of use.
E. Change the words may be
to is ordinarily in 3.3, so that the section will read:
3.3 VICE
MODERATOR. The Vice Moderator shall be
nominated yearly by the Nominating Committee and will serve a term of one
year. The Vice Moderator shall serve as
moderator if and when the occasion arises and is ordinarily nominated as moderator the following year.
F. Omit the expectation that the
Executive Presbyter be the Treasurer, so that the section will read:
3.6 TREASURER. The Presbytery shall elect a Treasurer, upon
nomination by the Nominations Committee, for a term of four years, with
eligibility for reelection. This
position will ordinarily be held by the Executive Presbyter. When the office is held by the Executive
Presbyter, the term is concurrent with that of the Executive Presbyter. The duties of the Treasurer shall be to
collect the Presbytery per capita assessment, to make authorized disbursements
from this current expense fund; to receive benevolent funds from churches,
church organizations and individuals and to disburse them according to
Presbytery's budget or to their designation if restricted; to make proper
reports to Presbytery; and in consultation with the Subcommittee on Finance to
prepare budgets for benevolences and current expenses. The Treasurer shall submit quarterly reports
to the Presbytery Council and to the Presbytery. The Treasurer shall be bonded in an amount designated by
Presbytery, with Presbytery paying the bonding premiums.
G. Add two sentences clarifying the work
of Council subcommittees to 4.6, so that the section will read:
4.6 OTHER
SUBCOMMITTEES. The Council may appoint
other subcommittees as needed. All subcommittees are appointed for a
particular and time-specific objective.
The objective and the time frame for completion of the objective shall
be made known to the Presbytery at the time of their appointment.
H. Add the following sentence to 5.4, so
that the section will read:
5.4 REPORTS. All committees that are to report at a
meeting of Presbytery shall normally furnish a copy of their report to the
Stated Clerk and to the Presbytery Office at least three weeks prior to such
meeting. All committees are to furnish a brief written report indicating the
date, time, location, members present, and topic(s) discussed at each meeting.
I. Delete two sentences from 5.6 so that
the section will read:
5.6 ECCLESIASTICAL
COMMITTEES. Ecclesiastical Committees
relate to the governance of the Presbytery.
They include the Committee on Ministry, Nominations, Representation, and
Preparation for Ministry, along with the Trustees and a Permanent Judicial
Commission. These committees report
directly to Presbytery, but will be expected to share their reports as
information with the Council at its regular meetings. These Committees will have budgets to cover their operational
costs, but will not ordinarily be expected to design or carry on programs. Their duties are defined by the Book of
Order and Standing Rules.
J. Change the first sentence of 5.7 so
that the section will read:
5.7 PROGRAM
COMMITTEES. Program Committees implement the various ministries of the presbytery
with a special focus on the mission directives determined by the Presbytery. These include Church Extension, Christian
Nurture, and the Mission Committee.
These committees will be under the direct supervision of the Council and
will report to Presbytery through the Council.
Staff resourcing will be made available to each of these committees in
addition to the Council.
K. Omit 5.11 as unnecessary.
L. Shift 6.3 to Article 30 in the
Operating Procedures section of the Manual.
M. Ask the Nominations Committee to
present two candidates for each position as General Assembly Commissioner.
7.3.6 and 7.4.4 would thus read:
7.3.6 The
Nominations Committee will place in nomination two ministers as principal and
two as alternate.
7.4.4 The
Nominations Committee will place in nomination two elders as principal and two
as alternate.
N.
Ask the Nominations Committee to present two candidates for each position as
Synod Commissioner. 7.5.3 would thus
read:
7.5.3 Two ministers and two elders shall be
nominated to the Presbytery to be Synod Commissioner. One minister and one elder shall be elected at the October
meeting each year, to take office in January following.
O.
Insert a time limit on suspension of the standing rules, so that 21.1 will
read:
21.1 The
Manual of Presbytery, including the Standing Rules and the Operating
Procedures, may be suspended for a
designated amount of time not to exceed three consecutive meetings of Presbytery
upon motion, by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the representatives
present and voting.
P.
Delete Article 22.
Q.
Substitute the following for Article 23:
ARTICLE
23. Principles of Covenant Relationship
23.1 We are a presbytery that works for the
well-being of each church and minister member as an expression of our
commitment to the body of Christ.
23.2 We are a presbytery that seeks to serve
rather than be served.
23.3 We are a presbytery that practices mutual
forbearance, forgiveness and patience in our relationships with each other.
23.4 We are a presbytery that embodies the truth
that each congregation is uniquely gifted by the Holy Spirit for its witness in
the world.
23.5 We are a presbytery that believes we are
enriched by our connectional nature of government and the fellowship within
this presbytery.
23.6 We are a presbytery committed to living out
our ordination vows.
R. Delete Article 25.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Dr. Emett Barfield presented the following
report on his attendance at the 217th General Assembly.
Let me begin by expressing my sincerest
thanks to the Presbytery of Mississippi for electing me a commissioner to the
217th General Assembly. In many ways it was the most momentous
assembly in the history of the denomination.
One aspect of the meeting that has gotten
deserved recognition is the graciousness of the Presbyterians of the Presbytery
of Sheppards and Lapsley. Their thoughtfulness and courtesy gave a redefinition
to Southern Hospitality. The ubiquitous red and blue coated volunteers went
all out to accommodate every commissioners need. I have attended numerous
assemblies, and I have never been treated better.
It would be pointless to rehearse the
actions of the General Assembly here. Certainly they have received extensive
media coverage. I would, however, like to highlight some of the actions.
The election of the moderator gave a
foretaste of the voting pattern on issues to come. With four candidates from
which to choose, Rev. Joan Gray was elected on the third ballot by a 62% to 38%
margin. This was basically the voting pattern in the majority of the
disputatious issues that followed.
On Sunday evening of the Assembly a special
period was set aside to hear reports of the Hurricane Katrina relief work in
Louisiana and Mississippi. Our coordinator George Bates gave a very informative
report that in addition to statistics provided accounts which placed faces on
the numbers of volunteers by sharing stories of the spiritual, emotional, and
physical relief they engendered. He concluded his report with an observation
concerning the enormous power of our church when it focuses on mission.
For me a lamentable action taken by this
assembly was the closing of the Montreat office of the Presbyterian Historical
Society. One of the few remaining vestiges of the Presbyterian Church in the
United States has been broken up with some parts going to Philadelphia, some to
Columbia Theological Seminary, and some returned to donors or their heirs.
Former moderator Marj Carpenter noted that preceding General Assembly Clerks
Thompson and Andrews promised that this would never happen. A perfect example
of promises made and promises not kept. The vote to move the center was 348 in
favor and 147 against. Midst all that extraneous singing we did throughout the
assembly, I would like to have closed that portion of the business with a very
appropriate chorus of Dear Lord and Father of mankind, forgive our foolish
ways.
One of the innovations at this years
assembly was the introduction of a paperless assembly. Everything was sent
electronically to laptops that commissioners were provided the opening day. It
was announced that this would be a great financial saving of paper, time, and
labor in producing reports. Then a notebook with the usual amount of
assembly-printed material was held up and the pronouncement made that you
wont have to carry this around all the time. The laptops provided to the
commissioners, however, felt like they weighed nine pounds. Furthermore, the
computers had to be taken down and set up again after each major break in the
meeting. A staff of computer techs was employed to move around the assembly
floor and get the commissioners online and keep them online during the plenaries.
Ironically my committee ultimately abandoned the laptops and returned to paper
reports because members could not effectively get and remain connected. We may
have saved a dollar on paper, but I wonder what the denomination spent on
technology!
I heard a lot of talk about miscellaneous
issues during the assembly. For instance, there was considerable concern with
the employment practices of private enterprises (e.g., Taco Bell) as well as
the disparity between the salaries of CEOs and the average member of the work
force. Yet I heard no mention of the imbalance of the salaries in the CEOs of
the Office of the General Assembly, the General Assembly Council, and the Board
of Pensions on the one hand and the assembly work staff on the other.
Another talking point was the continued
concern over the hemorrhaging of membership combined with an ongoing loss of
income in our denomination. Great distress was expressed about the downsizing
of the staff in Louisville, those faithful servants who have ministered to the
denomination faithfully and efficiently. One elder who was in corporate
management dryly observed that we might better operate by reversing the
downsizing and reduce staff from the top. His observation was that when an
entity continually loses constituency and income it is fundamental to change
the one in charge.
Again, please accept my undying gratitude
for the privilege of representing our presbytery at the 217th
General Assembly. Because of this experience I am reassured more than ever that
Gods Church will prevail. As the hymn so stirringly puts it,
The church of Christ in every age,
Beset by change but Spirit-led,
Must claim and test its heritage
And keep on rising from the dead.
Respectfully
submitted,
Emett
H. Barfield
Elder Margaret Brooks also reported on her
attendance at General Assembly.
TASK FORCE ON DENOMINATIONAL MATTERS
Dr. Emett Barfield presented the following report of the Task
Force on Denominational Matters.
For Information:
1. The Task Force would
remind the presbytery of the press release approved at the May 20, 2006 meeting
of presbytery, which can be found on pages 26-28 of the minutes. The press release contains brief summaries
of the presbyterys positions on divestment, scripture, marriage, ordination
standards, and abortion.
2. The Task Force would also
call to the presbyterys attention the resolution adopted at the July 13
meeting of presbytery, which is as follows:
The
Presbytery of Mississippi does hereby,
Declare
that the action of the 217th General Assembly in the passage of
Recommendation 5 of the Peace, Unity, and Purity Task Force Report, is a
grievous error seriously lacking Biblical, Confessional and Constitutional
integrity, and of such magnitude that it places the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
in a state of constitutional crisis, requiring that the Presbytery of
Mississippi re-evaluate the nature of its relationship with the General
Assembly,
Reaffirm
its strong conviction that all constitutional requirements for ordination,
including G-6.0106b, are binding on all the sessions and presbyteries of the
Presbyterian Church, (U.S.A.), and none are subject to being considered
"inessential" by any governing body of the Church,
Reaffirm
its resolution that no exceptions to the requirement that all deacons, elders,
and ministers must "live either in fidelity within the covenant of
marriage between a man and a woman or in chastity in singleness" will be
allowed within the jurisdiction of this presbytery, and
Resolve
that any governing body of the Presbyterian Church, (U.S.A.) which abrogates
this requirement has broken fellowship with the Presbytery of Mississippi.
Ministers from such unbiblical, unconfessional, and unconstitutional
presbyteries will not be received for membership in this presbytery unless they
personally affirm their belief in and their willingness to be governed by this
requirement.
3.
The presbytery has already taken action on per capita payments to the General
Assembly. On February 15, 2003, the
presbytery approved the following recommendation of council: That the presbytery forward only those per
capita funds received from a particular church to the General Assembly. This action was incorporated into standing
rule 16.2.2, which reads in part, Only those funds actually received from
particular churches which are designated to pay General Assembly per capita
will be forwarded to the General Assembly.
Please note that the presbytery has taken no action to alter its
commitment to pay all of the per capita requested by synod. Synod per capita will thus be paid
regardless of congregational remittances.
4. In an effort
to fulfill its mission to help the presbytery re-evaluate
the nature of its relationship with the General Assembly, the Task Force
approved the following questions which have been submitted to the Moderator of
the General Assembly, along with a request that she answer them at some time
during her visit to the Presbytery of Mississippi:
a. It is the considered
opinion of this presbytery, expressed in our overture to the GA, that a
critical flaw of the PUP report was a failure to distinguish between scruples
of belief and scruples of practice. Do
you agree?
b. We are concerned that
sessions and presbyteries might allow ordinands to declare scruples not only to
matters of faith, but also to matters of polity. How can ordinands promise to be governed by the churchs polity
and abide by its discipline at the same time that they are openly declaring
that they will not in fact be bound by part of the Book of Order?
c. G-6.0106b declares that
individuals who practice certain behaviors will neither be ordained nor
installed. Sessions and presbyteries
are the governing bodies of this church which carry out ordinations and installations. G-6.0106b thus places clear limitations, not
only on the behavior of ordinands but also on the ordination and installation
powers of sessions and presbyteries.
How can the PUP report justly allow ordinands freedom of conscience to
override these limitations?
d. The Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.), in a letter to presbytery stated clerks dated September 8,
declared the following to be unconstitutional:
Actions by a presbytery that in essence set aside the assemblys
authoritative interpretation of G-6.0108 and require subscription to all or
specific constitutional standards,
and Mandates that presbyteries seek to place on sessions for
procedures or content for the examination of candidates to be elders or deacons
beyond those specified in the Constitution or its authoritative interpretations. How can it be unconstitutional for sessions
and presbyteries to enforce the constitution within its jurisdiction?
e. The Stated Clerk of the
Presbyterian Church, U.S.A., in his Advisory Opinion 19, asserts that
presbyteries are responsible for enforcing the PCUSAs claim to all its
congregations property, despite the fact that this responsibility is not
listed in G-11.0103. He also implies
that synods should intervene if presbyteries choose to be generous with
congregations that desire to depart from the PCUSA with their property, even
though G-8.0301 clearly allows presbyteries the power to determine what happens
to property when a congregation ceases to use it as part of the PCUSA. Do you agree with the Stated Clerks analysis?
f. The Presbyterian
Publishing Corporation has publicly embarrassed the entire denomination by
allowing a spurious attack on the President of the United States to be
disseminated as legitimate academic discourse.
Given that this corporation is neither funded nor meaningfully
controlled by the denomination, what can we do about this?
For
Action:
1. The Task Force recommends
that presbytery charge the moderator with appointing a study group composed of
members of CPM, COM and representatives of the Task Force to look at the Essential
Tenets and Reformed Distinctives of San Diego Presbytery to develop
guidelines for examining candidates within our presbytery.
2.
The Task Force recommends that the presbytery adopt the following resolution
concerning property:
The Presbytery of
Mississippi is hereby resolved:
That the great ends of the
Church found in G-1.0200 explain the purpose for the existence of the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.),
That therefore whenever
congregations pursue those ends they are in fact using their property for the
benefit of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.),
That it trusts its
congregations to make their own decisions concerning how best to use their
property to accomplish the great ends of the church,
That many of its congregations
believe they hold clear title to their own property,
That the Presbytery of
Mississippi recognizes all its particular churches as having the ability to
sell, lease, mortgage, or otherwise encumber any of their real property without
further written permission of the presbytery,
That the Presbytery of
Mississippi recognizes all its particular churches as having the ability to
acquire real property subject to an encumbrance or condition without further
written permission of the presbytery,
That it shall take no action
to enforce any general trust interest claimed by any higher governing body
against any property, real or personal, held by any of its congregations,
That it will not resist any
congregation of the Presbytery of Mississippi which would ask the courts of the
State of Mississippi to clear its property of any claims made by higher
governing bodies against that property, and
That these statements be
transmitted through the sessions of all the particular churches of the
presbytery.
Rationale
All the ruling elders and Ministers of the Word and
Sacrament have promised to show the love and justice of Jesus Christ in their
ministries, especially in the context of the government and discipline of the
Church. We believe there is little justice
in the way that church property is considered to be held by the Presbyterian
Church, (U.S.A). Congregations should
not be burdened by the expenses of purchasing, building, and maintaining places
of worship and study if they do not ultimately control what happens to their
buildings and property.
We maintain it is inadequate to say that the PCUSA owns
the property of all its member congregations because such a statement is
present in the Book of Order, because individual congregations didnt have an opportunity
to vote on whether that requirement would be in the Book of Order. Presbyteries, not congregations, vote on
changes to the Book of Order. It is
just as impossible for presbyteries to transfer titles to property that they do
not themselves hold as it is for the PCUSA simply to assert that it has title
to all the property of all its member congregations.
We acknowledge that a clause stating that all property is
held in trust for the denomination was already in the PCUS Book of Order before
reunion. But neither the Presbytery of
Central Mississippi nor the Presbytery of South Mississippi approved of that
change to the PCUS constitution. It
cannot be assumed that any congregation in the Presbytery of Mississippi in
fact wanted to transfer their property to the PCUS through such a
constitutional change.
While in 1983 the PCUSA Book of Order allowed a window of
opportunity for congregations to leave the new denomination with their
property, it is unreasonable to assume that because congregations did not leave
that they desired to transfer the title of their property to the PCUSA. There are numerous reasons for staying
within a denomination and numerous reasons for leaving. It is quite possible that many congregations
disapproved of the property provisions in the Book of Order but wanted to stay
with their presbyteries for relational or ecclesiological reasons.
The experience of the Presbytery of Mississippi proves
this. The Central Mississippi
Presbytery voted in 1982, by a vote of 15 for and 40 against, to reject the
changes to the PCUS book of order that included the use and benefit
clause. The same presbytery, one year
later, voted for reunion by a similar margin 36 for and 19 against. It is therefore irrefutable historical fact
that many Mississippi Presbyterians while favoring reunion opposed giving away
their church property. Simply staying
within the denomination creates no implied trust to benefit the PCUSA.
The Presbytery of Mississippi, by this action, expresses
its trust in its congregations. The
Presbytery, however, cannot act on behalf of higher governing bodies. It is possible that, while the Presbytery
calls for love and justice to be demonstrated where it comes to congregational
property, the Presbyterian Church, (U.S.A.) may continue to claim ownership of
the property belonging to the congregations of the Presbytery. Only the courts of the state of Mississippi
can make final determinations concerning the validity of such claims.
Through
its antecedent presbyteries, the Presbytery of Mississippi has gone on record
as opposing the use and benefit clause of the PCUSA constitution. And so as a matter of pursuing the love and
justice of Jesus Christ, the Presbytery of Mississippi will not interfere with
any of its member congregations which desire to act to clear their titles of
any claims made on them by the higher governing bodies of the Presbyterian
Church, (U.S.A.).
Action item 1 was approved.
It was moved and seconded to
refer action item 2 back to the Task Force on Denominational Matters for
further clarification. The motion was approved.
RECESS FOR LUNCH AND THANKS COMMITTEE
Rev. Tim Brown led the presbytery in prayer giving thanks to God
for his goodness and grace to us. During lunch Mr. Brown expressed the
gratitude of the presbytery to Rev. Chas Jones and the members of Diamondhead
Community Church for the splendid way in which they hosted this meeting.
COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY
Rev. Jim White presented the
following report of the Committee on Ministry.
For Information:
The Committee on Ministry:
Rev.
John Malestein (Christian Reformed), Westminster Gulfport
Rev.
H. Reid Whittington (Baptist), Prospect
Mr.
Allan Singletary (Presbyterian elder, former Baptist minister), Jones Memorial
Action items 4-6 were approved. Presbytery
then proceeded to examine for membership Rev. Clint Regen, pastor-elect of First
Pascagoula, and Rev. Rusty Hays, interim pastor for First Vicksburg and to
examine for approval as temporary supply with permission to administer the
Lords Supper Rev. John Malestein and Dr. Reid Whittington. All four read their
statements of faith and then related their Christian experience. They were then
examined on their views on the sacraments, theology, and polity. The
examinations having been sustained as satisfactory, action items 1-3 were approved,
and Rev. Rusty Hays and Rev. Clint Regen were enrolled as members of the Presbytery
of Mississippi.
The following terms of call for Rev. Clint
Regen were approved:
Salary $31,000
Housing 30,465
Car Allowance 2,500
Board of Pensions 18,747
Other Insurance 2,000
Continuing Education 2,300
FICA payments 7,720
Books and Periodicals 750
Total $95,482
BILLS AND OVERTURES COMMITTEE
Rev. Sally-Lodge Teel reported for the
Bills and Overtures Committee. The committee recommended that presbytery
approve only item 4 in the overture from the session of J.J. White Memorial
Presbyterian Church. The recommendation was defeated. A motion was made to
reconsider the overture. The motion was approved. A motion to table the matter
until the February 2007 stated meeting was made. The motion was approved.
Concerning a request from the session of
Grace Chapel that presbytery instruct the trustees to take whatever steps may
be necessary to transfer to Grace Chapel the deed to a parcel of land on the
Grace Chapel campus, the committee recommended that presbytery instruct the
trustees of presbytery and the session of Grace Chapel to cooperate in
determining the proper disposition of property titled in the name of the
presbytery in a manner that fully protects the presbytery, Grace Chapel, and
the trustees. This recommendation was approved.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMISSION FOR DISASTER RECOVERY
Mr. R.L. Richardson presented the following
recommendation of the Administrative Commission for Disaster Recovery:
That the number of members on the
Administrative Commission for Disaster Recovery be increased from seven to
sixteen by adding one representative from each of the ten congregations on the
coast except Diamondhead Community Church (there already being a member of
Diamondhead on the administrative commission) and that the nine additional
representatives be appointed in such a way that parity between minister members
and elders be maintained.
The recommendation was approved.
NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE
Rev. Michael Herrin, reporting for the
Nominations Committee, moved that the following nominees be elected to the
positions indicated. The motion was approved.
Presbytery Stated
Clerk: John Dudley
Synod Elder
Commissioner: Bob Friley
Synod Committee on
Representation: Barron Banks
Synod Permanent Judicial
Commission: Andy Wells
Council At Large
(2008): Roy Williams
Council At Large
(2010): Steve Bryant
Trustees
(2010): Bill Cook
(2010): Eugene Fair
Committee on Representation
(Moderator) William Jones
(2009) William Jones
(2009) ?
(2010) Rims Barber
(2010) Margaret Shaw (Youth,
Westminster Hattiesburg)
(2010)?
Committee on Preparation for
Ministry
(Moderator): Tim Brown
(2010): John Larson
Committee on Ministry
(Moderator): Rev. Jim White
(2010) Rev. Sue McLain
(2010) Annie Ruth Thigpen
(2010) Rev. Lynn Miller
(2010) Betty Simmons
(2010) ?
(2010) David Soons (Elder,
Trinity Meridian)
(2009) Ed Wolff
(2008) Karen Bullock
Presbytery Permanent
Judicial Commission
(2013)
(2013)
(2013)
Church Extension Committee
(Moderator): Chris Bullock
(2010) Chris Bullock
(2010) Betty Arnold
(2010) Roberta Hill
(2010) Rachel Caldwell
(2008) Clint Regan
Christian Nurture Committee
(Moderator): Leigh White
(2010): Leigh White
(2010): Cory Stott
(2010): Mark Tucker (Elder, First-Trinity Laurel)
(2009): Martha Blount (in place of Jim Rackley)
(2008): Scott Castleman (in place of George Bates)
Mission
(Moderator): George Bates
(2010): Betsy Lipscomb
(2010): Bubba Martin
(2010): George Bates
(2008): Clarence Roberts
(2009): Lane Stephenson
Hunger Subcommittee
Moderator: Pam Gee
(2009): Diane Blankenhorn
(2010): Wyatt Brumfield
(2010): ?
Campus Ministry Board
(Moderator): Geoff McLean
(2009) Jim Rackley
(2009) Barron Banks
(2010) Rev. Geoff McLean
(2010) Gayle Sanders
Self Development of People
(2010) Betty Arnold
(2010) Dorothy Daniels
(2010) Michael Honeysucker
(2008)?
(2008)?
Cooperative Committee on
Ordination Examinations Readers
Rev. Martha Blount
Rev. John Dudley
Rev. Sally-Lodge Teel
Rev. Jim White
The presbytery then met in clusters to elect members of the
Nominations Committee. The following were elected:
Coast Cluster David St. Louis, Class of 2010 (elder, Ruth
Memorial)
Hattiesburg/Laurel/Meridian Cluster Sara Amos, Class of 2010
(elder, Pineview)
Jackson Cluster Rev. Charles Bowdler, Class of 2010
(Briarwood)
Southwest Cluster Linda Young, Class of 2010 (elder, J.J.
White Memorial)
The presbytery elected Dr. Steve Ramp to be the moderator of the
Nominations Committee for 2007.
OTHER ECCLESIASTICAL COMMITTEES
Rev. John Larson, reporting for the Committee on Preparation for
Ministry, introduced Joan Gandy, an elder from First Presbyterian Church of
Natchez. Mr. Larson presented the recommendation of the committee that Ms.
Gandy be enrolled as an inquirer. The recommendation was approved.
Rev. Sally-Lodge Teel reported for the Committee on
Representation, underscoring the importance and value of inclusiveness in the
work of the presbytery and commending the Nominations Committee and the
presbytery on the inclusiveness evidenced in the people elected to committees
at this meeting.
The trustees had no report.
PROGRAM COMMITTEES
On behalf of the Christian Nurture Committee, Dr. George Bates
reported on the Junior Camp led this past summer by Leigh White of First
Presbyterian Church in Vicksburg and the Fall Youth Retreat in which over four
hundred youth from three presbyteries participated. Dr. Bates reminded
commissioners of Kaleidoscope 2007 which will take place next February at
First-Trinity Presbyterian Church in Laurel.
On behalf of the Church Extension Committee, Rev. Michael Herrin
reported that the committee has received requests from five small congregations
for pastoral support in the amount of $39,000 for 2007.
On behalf of the Mission Committee, Mr. Bob Friley called
attention to the report of the committee contained in the White Book for this
meeting.
MISSION
COMMITTEE
The Mission Committee met on September 7, 2006 at 10:00 am at the presbytery
office.
The meeting was opened with prayer by Bill dePrater. The minutes
of the previous meeting were approved.
Linda Bates gave an update on the work on the coast. A group is
working on homes of members of First Presbyterian Church in Pascagoula. The
number of homeless people on the coast is now about 5,000. We are asking
churches around Handsboro to help with the needs of the homeless. A plan for
volunteers to evacuate in the event of another hurricane or other disaster has
been set in place.
Jim Bell gave a report on plans for a shelter to be housed at
First-Trinity Church in
Laurel. The
shelter would be made available to the Red Cross. He also stated that the
church housed seventy-five people after Katrina.
Bob Friley
stated that the committee has spent most of the budget for 2006 due mainly to
cuts made after Katrina. All Mission
Committee projects for 2006 have been completed.
Jim Bell gave a report on the English as a Second Language program at First-Trinity.
This program is designed for those whose native language is Spanish. About ten
people are participating.
Bob Friley reported on his trip to Brazil. The president of the
church in Brazil stated that there is not a need for the renewal of our
partnership agreement in writing. They
are happy with the relationship between the two presbyteries and see no significance
in doing a formal signing. The Presbytery of the Northeast sent a banner from
Brazil for each church in our presbytery and a plaque for the office for the
cistern project.
Thirty-seven
cisterns were credited to the Presbytery of Mississippi from July 2005 to July
2006. Churches from our presbytery have contributed about $3,000 through June
2006. Covenant Presbyterian Church recently informed the Mission Committee that
they were forwarding $4,000 to the Outreach Foundation for the cistern project
in Brazil.
Linda Bates gave
a report on the pre-school. Our mission team helped to install a bucket
irrigation system at the pre-school so that they can grow their own
vegetables. Linda Bates showed pictures of the children in the school. They
want to build a play ground as a future project. The children are also being
taught basic English. The school has thirty-three students.
Covenant
Presbyterian Church will have a mission program February 23-25, 2007.
Andrew Adair
will be the speaker. The Mission Committee will meet on February 23 with Mr.
Adair.
HUNGER SUBCOMMITTEE
Ms. Sara Brown, reporting for the Hunger
Subcommittee, announced that the Souper Bowl Sunday offering will take place on
February 4, 2007 and that the offering for Living Waters for the World/Clean
Water will be received on February 18, 2007. Certificates were then presented
to representatives of congregations that participated in One Great Hour of
Sharing in 2006.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, presbytery
was adjourned with prayer by Rev. Scott Castleman at 3:10 p.m. to meet in its
next stated meeting at Handsboro Presbyterian Church on Saturday, February 24,
2007.
Rev. Chris
Bullock, Moderator
ATTEST: ______________________
Dr. John C.
Dudley, Stated Clerk John C. Dudley,
Stated Clerk