LEGAL/PRIVACY

 May 11, 2004 Presbytery Meeting

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The Presbytery of Cincinnati met at Loveland Presbyterian Church on May 11, 2004. Here is a summary of what we did. 

Approved changes in calls:

• Ed Dykstra from Interim Pastor, Sycamore Presbyterian Church to Interim Pastor, Mt. Auburn Presbyterian Church

• Larry Kent (Lake Huron Presbytery) to Pastor, Sycamore Presbyterian Church

• Bruce Archibald from Pastor, First Presbyterian Church in Glendale to Honorable Retirement

• Richard Fouse (Grand Canyon Presbytery) to Member at-large

• Gary Califf from Member at-large to Pastor, First in Dubois, PA (Huntingdon Presbytery)

Appointed Charles Jones (CLP, Bantam Presbyterian Church) as Moderator of Bantam’s Session.

Celebrated the ministry of Bruce Archibald upon his Honorable Retirement.

Examined and approved Amy Merrill Willis (Seventh Presbyterian Church) for ordination as a minister of the Word and Sacrament. She has been called to a tenure-track position at Gonzaga University where she will teach Old Testament.

Elected Michelle James (Associate Pastor, Mt. Washington Presbyterian Church) to the General Presbyter Search Committee, Tim McQuade (Pastor, Loveland Presbyterian Church) to the Committee on Ministry, Venetia Springs (Winton Hills Community Presbyterian Church) to the Ethnic Church Affairs Committee, and Santana Krishnan (HR) as Commissioner At-large to the Synod of the Covenant.

Encouraged one another to participate in the Pentecost Offering, a PCUSA special offering for children at risk, the Young Adult Volunteer program, and youth & young adult ministry. The session of each participating congregation determines how 40% of the collection is to be used; 60% is forwarded for use in General Assembly programs.

Worshipped as Barbara Jean Havens (CLP, Cherry Fork Presbyterian Church) and Lynne Wells (CLP, Bond Hill Presbyterian Church) shared reflections on Romans 12 and God’s call to congregations. The offering was collected for hunger ministries designated by Mt. Auburn Presbyterian Church and by St. John's Westminster Union Church.

Commissioned people for service at the 216th (2004) General Assembly: 

Commissioners 

• Ruth Dunn (Stated Supply, First Presbyterian Church in Sardinia)

• William Lewis (Elder, Sharonville Presbyterian Church)

• Rebecca Lindsay (Elder, Community of Faith Presbyterian Church)

• Martha Sexton (HR)

Youth Advisory Delegate Morgan Moore (Member, Heritage Presbyterian Church)

Alternate Commissioners (who will serve as commissioners at the 217th GA)

• Christine Harrison (Elder, Carmel Presbyterian Church)

• Robert Keefer (Pastor, Pleasant Ridge Presbyterian Church)

• Tren Meyer (Elder, Presbyterian Church of Wyoming)

• Russell Smith (Pastor, Covenant-First Presbyterian Church)

Received an invitation and encouragement from the Rev. Ed DeLair (Miami Presbytery) to use the camp and conference facilities of Kirkmont Center near Logan, OH.

Heard an update on the work of the Blue Ribbon Panel. It is still accepting applications for scholarships to help children and youth attend PCUSA camps and conferences this summer. Application forms are posted in the “Document Center” at www.presbyteryofcincinnati.org

Approved requests from churches to apply for loans from financial institutions:

• Northminster Presbyterian Church plans to update and renovate its sanctuary and Disciples Hall.

• Carmel Presbyterian Church plans to repair and renovate its roof, exterior masonry, interior paint, and carpet.

Encouraged one another to learn more about and participate in PCUSA worldwide mission.

Welcomed Ann Philbrick, a consultant who is assisting the presbytery through a thorough process of discerning God’s will for our life together. Ann reminded us that, over time, human organizations (including presbyteries and congregations) tend to drift from their purpose and instead focus on maintaining programs, facilities, and staff. The Presbytery Council and General Presbyter Search Committee recognize that it is time for the presbytery to take some time to take a long, hard look at our purpose. The data-gathering portion of the effort will include focus groups, session member surveys, and congregational surveys. Please encourage your session to schedule a congregational survey. In addition to providing information for the presbytery, the results can be used by a local church as a tool in its own discernment process.

Renewed Yvette Dalton’s contract to serve as Associate General Presbyter for two years.

Dismissed the commission that installed Markus Watson as Union Presbyterian Church’s Associate Pastor.

Endorsed Gregory Boettner (Member, Mt. Washington Presbyterian Church) as a Theological Student Advisory Delegate to this year’s General Assembly.

Removed Judith McBride (Chaplain, Hospice at Children’s Hospital) from the presbytery’s rolls of ministers of the Word and Sacrament. She has been accepted into membership of Community Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends. 

Noted recent developments in PCUSA judicial matters:

• The Madeira-Silverwood Presbyterian Church Session has filed a remedial complaint against the presbytery concerning the Wildwood Endowment Fund. The session’s Counsel and the presbytery’s Committee of Counsel are in conversation, hoping to settle the matter before it goes to trial.

• The Synod of the Covenant’s Permanent Judicial Commission has ordered that the decision of the Presbytery of Cincinnati’s PJC [in finding that Stephen Van Kuiken had committed an offense by performing marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples] is reversed and the rebuke of him is removed. The Prosecuting Committee has filed a notice of appeal of the synod’s decision. The full text of the Synod PJC decision is posted at www.synodofthecovenant.org. 

Judicial developments after the presbytery meeting. 

• On May 11, 2004, Stephen Van Kuiken renounced jurisdiction of the Presbyterian Church (USA). And so, in accordance with D-3.0106, the General Assembly Permanent Judicial dismissed the appeal of the synod’s decision. If he had not renounced jurisdiction, the GAPJC would have heard the appeal.

Presbytery Youth Council is accepting applications for membership!
Contact the presbytery office for more information.
Phone: 513-221-4850 or 1-888-221-4238
Email: mail@presbyteryofcincinnati.org

Janis Alling Adams, Stated Clerk

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Last Updated May 21, 2004.
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