Presbytery Meeting Highlights – July 24, 2010

Highlights of the Stated Meeting of Cherokee Presbytery

10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 24, 2010
Kennesaw State University Campus Ministry

Many of us had not been on a college campus in years.  The KSU students and Campus Ministry members waved us in with welcoming smiles and guided us to the Carmichael Student Center for our meeting. The hospitality was awesome.  It was a different type of continuing education as we witnessed what these young Christians are doing on campus, and what they dream the Campus Ministry will become.  They shared their faith, led our music, and proved to us that our support is not wasted. We gained appreciation for Campus Ministers Dan Boles and Sheri Grove and their work at KSU and Berry.

Elder Pat Alverson (Calvary) was elected Acting Moderator and was handed the gavel by Elder Gary Pichon (Grace NCD). We will continue with Acting Moderators until the end of Rev. Mark P. Weaver’s Moditorial term.  Mark died on May 13, 2010.  Present were 33 ministers, 48 elder commissioners, and 40 registered visitors, for a total of 121.

With technical assistance from KSU staff member Eric Sales, we visited Rev. Julia Wiley and Rev. Susan Reggin via Skype.  Julia has been a minister member since 1998, has served Faith/Canton and Woodstock congregations, and has spent the last year serving a church in Scotland.  Susan’s visit to Edinburgh, UK was a social one.

The consent agenda with five action items was approved and included the finance report showing income through June of $418,549 and expense of $387,903, for a net income of $30,647.  Stated Clerk Rebecca Blackwell announced an allegation of offense has been received and that an investigating committee would be appointed.

Committee on Ministry Moderator Rev. Ken Terrell introduced Rev. Gil Ward, Honorably Retired, who was approved for membership in Cherokee Presbytery.  Gil and his wife, Rev. Joan Ward, are residents of Presbyterian Village.  Presbytery approved the Commission to Install Rev. Pete Ullmann at Calhoun First on August 15, 2010.  Following a Skype visit with Candidate Todd Reinschmidt, at his first call in Leland, MS, presbytery approved the Commission to Ordain Todd on August 1, 2010, at Cartersville First PC.  Rev. Paulo Fernando Mendes (Greater Atlanta) has been approved by the COM to labor within the bounds of Cherokee Presbytery to serve the Brazilian Christian Church as a temporary supply pastor.  A contract is being negotiated for Rev. Dana Hughes (Greater Atlanta) to serve as transitional pastor at Grace New Church Development.   Grace NCD will be chartered on November 21.

Cherokee Presbytery Campus Ministry Commission Moderator Rev. Mickey Shealy reviewed the work of the KSU and Berry Campus Ministries. Two of the KSU students, Brian Bontrager and Brian McGehee, spoke of their personal experience with Campus Ministry.  Presbytery granted power to the Commission to authorize Dan Boles and Sheri Grove to serve communion at campus worship services – after proper training.

Lunch was served by members of the Cherokee Presbytery Campus Ministry Commission and KSU students and Dan Boles.

Cherokee Presbytery’s 219th General Assembly Commissioners Rev. Mickey Shealy, Rev. Ken Terrell, Elder David Miller (Parkway), and Elder Velma Tilley (Cartersville First) shared some of their experiences during the Minneapolis meeting July 3-10, 2010.

Mission Coordinator Rev. Rebecca Blackwell expressed gratitude for review of presbytery’s Theological Statement, which was part of the worship litany.  A Communications Survey was circulated to learn the wishes of presbyters regarding the Presbytery Website, Rebecca’s Blog, the Cherokee Chat, and other communications media.

A PowerPoint presentation was given by Dickson Mwirabua, leader of the East Africa Student Fellowship which meets at Acworth PC. Dickson is one of the main leaders of Elimu Vision Initiative which supports work in Magumoni Parish in Chuka, Kenya.  Congregations were invited to help cover the cost of shipping supplies to Kenya that have been collected. The container shipment is estimated to cost $8,000 to $10,000.

Rev. Keith Gunter read scripture from Isaiah 8:18 and Col. 1:15-18 and invited table groups to share the Word with one another.

An offering in the amount of $757.50 was received for KSU Campus Ministry members to make a Mission Trip to Tennessee to give disaster assistance to victims of the recent floods.

Elder Erma Jones (John Knox) reflected on the work of the Vision Team and the development of the vision, values and theology for the presbytery. Table groups were asked to share their experiences at presbytery meetings, how they see God at work in the presbytery and how we might expand our living into our Vision through our presbytery meetings.  Consideration was given to a Resolution from Dalton First PC session that we return to quarterly meetings of Cherokee Presbytery starting with the January, 2011, meeting.

Announcements were of the Fall Leadership Event on August 21, 2010, an invitation to participate in MINDER/ Part 2 in the fall (Missional Inspiration, Nurture & Discernment to Encourage Rediscovery), and the need for suggestions to help the Nominating Committee with its work.

Reports of Teams, Committees, Commissions and Board were received as information. KSU students led us in our closing hymn.  The meeting was adjourned at 2:30 p.m. and closed by Rev. Keith Gunter.

The September 28, 2010, Stated Meeting will be at Rockmart PC, 306 S. Marble Street, Rockmart, GA., at 5:30 p.m.

The November 16, 2010, Stated Meeting will be at Presbyterian Village, 2000 East-West Connector, Austell, GA., at 10:00 a.m.