Presbytery Meeting Highlights – January 23
February 4, 2010 by Betty Cheek
Filed under Meetings & Events
Highlights of the Stated Meeting of Cherokee Presbytery
10:00 a.m., Saturday, January 23, 2010, First Presbyterian Church, Cartersville
Full minutes can be downloaded here Part 1, and Part 2
Our docket began with the Moderator, Elder Gary Pichon leading the commissioning of Rev. Mark P. Weaver as the Presbytery Moderator for 2010. The new Moderator appointed Rev. Susan Reggin Discernmentarian and Elder Carol Watkins (New Lebanon/Grace) Parliamentarian for the duration of his term. Elder Betty Cheek (Presbytery Staff) was appointed Recording Clerk. Gary Pichon will serve as the 2010 Moderator of the Coordinating Team.
There were 54 elder commissioners, 44 minister commissioners, and 24 visitors present for a total of 122. Thirteen elders were serving as presbytery commissioners for the first time.
It was a “fasten-your-seatbelt” kind of day, as we traveled the mission field from different perspectives and wrestled with questions of how best to do mission in different parts of the world. We met two inspiring young people from Marietta First PC, Emily Law and David McPherson, who told us of their mission trips to Honduras and Mexico. Emily wants to go back to Honduras and will speak at your church if invited.
We learned a new word, Skype, as we looked into the faces of missionaries Tom and Judy Harvey through the internet-based, video conferencing tool, and heard of their work in the Overseas Center for Mission Studies in Oxford, England. The Harvey’s also shared a great resource for us to check out; Paul Collier’s book “The Bottom Billion.”
Our Skype call to Miami had technical issues, but we did learn about the Self-Development of People ministry which seeks to empower the poor, oppressed and disadvantaged people of the world by helping to change the structures that perpetuate poverty. On Skype we saw the face of Rev. Paul Bayerl, who was attending the SDOP Conference in Miami. SDOP is a PCUSA ministry supported by the annual One Great Hour of Sharing offering.
The Committee on Preparation gave us the news that Joseph Song (Bethany) has been received as an Inquirer, making a total of seven Inquirers and ten Candidates in the presbytery. Rev. Fritz Bogar, Rev. Julie Ferguson and Elder Ralph Walker were elected Ordination Exam Readers for 2010.
Cartersville First PC invited us to lunch, and we took a break in their fellowship hall.
Our offering for Bartow/Cartersville Resource Center was $654.
We didn’t need Skype to visualize what flooding can do to people’s lives, because it was right in our own back yard. Our PDA Flood Response Coordinator, Elder Sue McConnell (Woodstock) presented us with an update of actions and finances and told us of long-term care being planned for Cherokee, Cobb, Paulding, and Douglas Counties.
Report was made on response to the Haiti disaster and support to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance was urged. Hygiene kits are needed as well and are being distributed by Church World Services.
The Committee on Ministry reported the mutual dissolution of the pastoral relation between Rev. Don Esa and First Presbyterian Church, Marietta, effective January 31, 2010. The congregation approved the dissolution at a meeting on January 17.
News was shared that Candidate Paul Sherwood (Marietta First PC) has a call pending. Ordination was set for February 25, 2010, if the way is clear. Presbytery approved Rev. Mark Weaver, Rev. Ray Jones, Rev. Jim Speed, Elder Velma Tilley and Elder Becky Cameron to serve on the Administrative Commission to Ordain Paul.
The lives and service of twenty-four elders and one minister that died in the past year were honored during worship: Rev. Paul Kapperman, Elders Stan Bridges, Robert Chisholm, Laurance Cross, Katy Culp, Jim Dunkin, Hollee Dyson, Howard Frost, Barbara Gurley, Marilyn Hammill, Frank Harris, Sue Henry, David Howell, Lisa Hudson, Willis James, Bob Kirby, Robbie Lou Mashburn, Grady McCalmon, Pauline Ransom, Bill Ridenour, Buck Rodgers, Said Shaheen, Wayne Walker, Harrison Williams, and Sara Wyatt.
Reports of Committees, Commissions and Teams were received as information. Mission Coordinator and Stated Clerk Rev. Rebecca Blackwell’s report included a consent agenda with two actions. News was shared that monetary gifts made January 12 to February 28, 2010, to Haiti are deductible for 2009 income tax. Report was made that the Bethany PC congregation would vote January 24 on joining for one year the new Korean-American Presbytery being formed, and then returning to Cherokee Presbytery. During that year they would support the mission of both presbyteries.
Rev. Susan Reggin spoke of the success of the MINDER project, which pulled together several small congregations in the presbytery to share ideas of re-development. Marietta First PC was acknowledged for giving funds which made the project possible. Funds remain for a second series.
Treasurer Rev. Greg Moore presented the Profit and Loss Statement with a total income of $758,449.92, total expense of $641,526.03, and net income of $116,921.89. Cherokee Retreat Center ended the year “in the black” and has 40 campers registered for the 2010 season.
Rev. Byeongho Choi announced that Bethany PC is co-host for a tri-presbytery fundraising event for New Church Development on February 27, 2010, at 5:30 p.m. at Bethany PC.
Sixes PC announced dedication of its new building on Sunday, February 28, 2010, 12:00–2:00 p.m. and a Walk Through the Bible Seminar March 7.
The Nurturing Disciples Team announced the 2010 Winter Leadership Event on Saturday, February 27, 2010, 9:00 to 3:00, at the Cartersville First PC. Rev. Ray Jones, Coordinator for Evangelism for the PCUSA will be the keynote speaker. Morning and afternoon workshops will be offered.
Presbyterian Women Moderator Elder Nancy Collins announced the PW Annual Gathering and Growthshops on Saturday, March 13, 2010, 8:30 to 2:15 at Eastminster PC, Marietta. Minister Member Rev. Julie Jensen will lead worship. Minister Member Rev. Julie Ferguson will lead Bible study.
The meeting was ended at 2:20 p.m. and closed with prayer. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, March 23, 2010, at 5:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, Dalton, GA. Registration will begin at 4:30 p.m.