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Bethlehem Church Stated Meeting October 26, 2013
NOVEMBER, 2013
Presbytery of the James Called meeting-August 26, 2013 Stated Meeting-October 19, 2013
Review
Tuckahoe Church, Called Meeting August 26, 2013
PRESBYTERY IN REVIEW Called Meeting of Presbytery of the James August 26, 2013 Over two hundred and twenty people gathered at Tuckahoe Presbyterian Church on Tuesday August 23 for a called meeting of the Presbytery of the James. The presbytery was called together to deal with three items of business: to act on a report from the Committee on Nominations, to examine candidates for ordination, and to have a general discussion about settlement agreements with congregations wishing to depart from the Presbyterian Church (USA). New pastor, Rev. Patrick Dennis welcomed the presbytery to the Tuckahoe Church. The meeting went well and the hospitality was excellent by the church. We examined for ordination and approved the following: Kathryn Lester-Bacon (Philadelphia Presbytery), to become Associate Pastor, Second Church, Richmond, VA Todd Davidson (Three Chopt) to become Associate Pastor, Three Chopt Church, Richmond, VA. Nelson Reveley (Grace Covenant) to become Chaplain at St. Christopher’s School The presbytery had a discussion concerning settlement agreements with congregations requesting dismissal from the PCUSA. Three questions helped to structure the discussion. 1. What is the impact on the Mission of the Presbytery of the James and what are the Presbytery's fiduciary responsibilities when churches choose to depart leaving no denominational presence in a community? 2. What are the most important things you consider are the greatest value, significance or importance in assessing a congregation's mission value to our fellowship? 3. How does the Presbytery determine the fair value of all assets of the departing congregations in light of what we know it costs to replace a PC(USA) witness? Teaching Elder Sarah Nave led in prayer for the presence of the Spirit of God to give the presbytery calm and clear discernment. Teaching Elder Robert Johnson spoke about the spiritual aspects of the issue, emphasizing that our Lord's command to love applies above all during hard times, such as the presbytery faces now. Teaching Elder Arch Wallace explained the implications of a case recently decided by the Permanent Judicial Commission of the General Assembly, Tom v. Presbytery of San Francisco. At 5:15 PM Moderator Wallace declared the meeting adjourned and led in the closing prayer.
Nelson Reveley
Kathryn Lester-Bacon
PRESBYTERY IN REVIEW Stated Meeting October 19, 2013 The Presbytery of the James held its 85th Stated Meeting on Saturday, October 19, 2013, at Bethlehem Presbyterian Church in Mechanicsville, VA. The meeting was well attended and the Bethlehem hospitality was gracious. We were privileged to meet in the new sanctuary of the Bethlehem Church. The congregation had worked very hard to welcome us and we are indebted to them for their fine work. We welcomed new ministers to the presbytery: Todd Davidson (Three Chopt) Wonho Chang (Praise the Lord Korean) Caitlin Deyerle (Southminster) Marvin Lindsay (New Covenant) Roger Nicholson (HR) Nelson Reveley (St. Christopher's School) Kendall Pearson (Charlottesville First). We examined four inquirers who were approved to become Candidates to become Teaching Elders in the PCUSA: Lynne Clements (Orange) Andy Morgan (Richmond, Second) James Taneti (Ginter Park) Jaechul Pi (Three Chopt) We examined and approved for ordination James Edward Salyers, candidate from Redstone Presbytery, to be Pastor, Mechanicsville Church, Mechanicsville, VA We honored Rev. Starke Cauthorn for 30 years of service as Hunger Committee Moderator. We heard from Eric Hoey, Dirctor of Evangelism and Church Growth, PC (USA), about new programs in evangelism.
Todd Davidson
Attendance: 99 of 195 Teaching Elders attended: 95 of 195 Ruling Elders attended: 75 of 111 congregations represented: In addition, the following actions were taken by the presbytery: Approved the June, 2013, Presbytery minutes. Authorized the Stated Clerk to appoint three persons of the Session Records Committee to conduct General Administrative Reviews of Sessions which do not submit records for review. Endorsed Ruling Elder Heath Rada for Moderator of the 221st General Assembly to be held in June, 2014, in Detroit, MI. Elected Ruling Elder Jack Corley (Grace Covenant Church) as 2014 Moderator for the presbytery. Elected persons to various teams, committees, and commission. Elected Commissioners to the 2014 General Assembly to replace Alternate Commissioners who attended in 2012: Rev. Steve Hodges, Rev. Clay Macaulay, Rev. Mary Jane Winter. Elected Alternate Commissioners to the 2014 General Assembly: Rev. Brenda Halbrooks; Rev. Joshua Andrzejewski; Rev. Rebekah Johns; Rev. Gordon Mapes; Elder Tonya Johnson (Eastminister); Howard (Mack) Curle (Hebron); Elder Deborah Rexrode (Orange); and Elder Melissa Phillips (Salisbury). Approved the Camp Hanover Purpose Group Board to assume the function of the capital development of the Camp. Approved for sale property in Sussex County owned by First Church, Hopewell. Approved the balancing of commissioners to (Continued on page 3)