Presbytery Meeting Highlights – October 12, 2009

It took a second try, but we finally had a presbytery meeting.  We gathered in faith and prayed for safe travel for all as streams swelled and basements flooded from heavy rains – again!  On short notice Cartersville First Church opened their doors to welcome us for the rescheduled meeting that didn’t happen on September 22.

Moderator Gary Pichon called us to order at 6:30 p.m.  There were 37 minister commissioners, 44 elder commissioners and 28 visitors present for a total of 109.  We welcomed ten elders serving as commissioners from their sessions for the first time: Ellouise Buchanan (Calvary), Jo Clark (Cartersville), David Snyder (Dalton), James Lesslie (Dalton), Bobby Ryder (Eastminster), Carol McBride (Marietta), Pam Scholtens (Mars Hill), Stephen Edge (Parkway), Jane Holmes (Providence), and Don Lacy (Trinity).

The Stated Clerk’s Report included an omnibus motion with 10 action items.  Written reports of Ministry Teams, Committees, and Commissions were received as information.

The meeting began with worship, and Rev. Zeta Lamberson brought the message based on James 1:19-27 entitled The Actions of Our Hands. Rev. Susan Reggin was liturgist.  With Rick Gomez at the keyboard, we were in especially good voice as we sang several hymns during the meeting.  Presbytery received an offering of $717.57 for the Helping Hands of Paulding County, a choice of the Providence PC.

Presbytery celebrated the dedication of lay campus ministers Dan W. Boles and Sheri Grove.  Dan serves the Kennesaw State University Campus and Sheri serves at Berry College.  Moderator Gary Pichon led a time of commissioning and presbytery pledged to support Dan and Sheri in their work.

Committee on Ministry Chair Rev. Ken Terrell introduced Rev. Joe Brice and presbytery welcomed him and his wife Sandra back home to Cherokee after a time of service in Savannah Presbytery.  Joe will be installed as pastor of the Providence Presbyterian Church in Dallas on Sunday, October 18, 2009, at 5:00 p.m.

Presbytery approved the ordination of Candidate Christie Ashton on behalf of North Alabama Presbytery for her call to Hope Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, AL.  The service will be at the Marietta First church on Sunday, November 18, 2009, at 4:00 p.m.

The Ministry Support Team made their stage debut with a skit that spoke of the Team’s mission in Cherokee Presbytery.  Their overview reminded us that they are presbytery’s channel for issues regarding Personnel, Finance, Property, Loans, Funding Mission, Stewardship, and Legal Referrals.  Team members are Rev. Don Esa, Elder Judy Greeson, Elder Lisa Marie Haygood, Rev. Maryellen Hittel, Elder Dayton Adams, and Elder Tommy Smithweck.

Mission Coordinator Rebecca Blackwell reported on her visits to churches in the presbytery and on the recent training she received as Stated Clerk.  She reported that her Blog messages will soon be available via email.  A sign-up sheet was distributed for Disaster Recovery Volunteers for the area.

The first ever Cherokee Presbytery Gumby Award was presented to the Providence Presbyterian Church for their flexibility and good nature while we dealt with the decision of whether or not to have a presbytery meeting on September 22.  The sandwiches they made for the meeting went to a first-responders’ facility to feed flood victims.

Treasurer Greg Moore gave a good financial picture for the presbytery and reminded us that we are better off than we were this time last year, despite the general financial downturn.

Even though the presbytery Bylaws are still new, it was necessary to make some minor changes to enable the corporate officers and trustees to carry out their duties in a proper way when signatures are needed on loan documents.  Presbytery approved the action.

Calhoun First church was granted permission to secure an additional $270,000 loan with the Presbyterian Investment Loan Program (PILP) which will allow them to get a certificate of occupancy for their education building.

We completed all the business in two hours and the benediction was pronounced at 8:30 p.m.

Future Meetings:

Tuesday, November 17, 2009, 10:00 a.m. – Southminster Presbyterian Church, Marietta

Saturday, January 23, 2010, 10:00 a.m. – First Presbyterian Church, Cartersville

Tuesday, March 23, 2010, 5:30 p.m. – First Presbyterian Church, Dalton

Tuesday, May 25, 2010, 10:00 a.m. – (Open)

Saturday, July 24, 2010, 10:00 a.m. – Campus Ministry at KSU

Tuesday, September 28, 2010, 5:30 p.m. – Rockmart Presbyterian Church

Tuesday, November 16, 2010, 10:00 a.m. – (Open)