PRESBYTERY OF THE PEAKS REPORTS PACKET August 18, 2018 Trinity Ecumenical Parish, Moneta, VA

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1 PRESBYTERY OF THE PEAKS REPORTS PACKET August 18, 2018 Trinity Ecumenical Parish, Moneta, VA Final Report of the Administrative Commission for Covenant Presbyterian Church Part I Backstory Covenant Presbyterian Church, Lynchburg, Virginia (CPC), which began with 43 charter members in 1961, has now come full circle in faithfulness, dedication, and love in serving God and God s people. Her missions at the time of her closing, which continue to be instrumental in serving the community, include the Timberlake Emergency Assistance Ministry (T.E.A.M.) Food Bank and the Mission Room, an outreach supplying people with the necessities for recovering from fire damage, fleeing domestic violence, or other type of displacement. Additional ministries, too numerous to be counted, include: Worship services held Seminary students supported Community outreach programs started Meals shared Communions celebrated Births and baptisms conducted Weddings and funerals officiated All of these missions and ministries were held or led from within the sacred space located at 108 Melinda Drive, Lynchburg, VA. These missions and ministries were the way of Covenant and reflect the love for God, which cannot be dissolved, but will continue in the hearts and lives of its members in the new worshiping communities they will call home. Following a considerable discernment period, the Session and Congregation of Covenant Presbyterian Church, in a letter dated March 19, 2017, requested the Presbytery of the Peaks to dissolve the congregation as of December 31, 2017, and to appoint an administrative commission to support and aid such dissolution. Part II Status of Membership CPC had 41 active members at the close of To date: 24 former members have recently joined or are currently visiting/attending churches in our area. Of the remaining: 1

2 1 is deceased 7 are not, to the best of our knowledge, attending or visiting any church 6 are children or grandchildren of former active members who are not all living in the area 3 are living in nursing homes or are homebound These previous members have been contacted by area churches and members of the Administrative Commission (AC). The AC is continuing to reach out to these people in hopes of helping them make the transition to a new place of worship as smooth and welcoming as possible. Their names will be held on the Presbytery rolls until the close of The pastoral needs of these former members continue to be met in a variety of ways by area PCUSA pastors. Part III Work of the Administrative Commission to Dissolve Covenant Presbyterian Church, Lynchburg On November 16, 2017, the AC made its initial report to the Presbytery of the Peaks. They shared their work to date and offered several recommendations for further work with the Session and Congregation of CPC, as well as with pertinent Standing Committees of the Presbytery. Since that report to the Presbytery, the AC has done the following: Led a closing worship service on December 3, 2017, on behalf of the Presbytery at CPC that celebrated its history, life of ministry and mission, and its courage to act on God s call on its members to new life with other faith communities; Worked with the pastor and Session of CPC to assist congregation members to transfer their membership to neighboring churches and to insure continued pastoral care for all; Arranged for disposition or use of remaining equipment, memorials, and personal property of CPC as of December 31, 2017; Worked with the Trustees of the Presbytery on final legal actions related to dissolution of the incorporation of CPC and the transfer of title for all accounts and real property to the Presbytery; Began discussions with the Trustees and the Committee on Church Development (CDC) about future use of the property and facilities located at 108 Melinda Drive. Part IV Statement from the former members of Covenant Presbyterian Church regarding future use of the property and facilities "We do solemnly covenant and agree before God and one another to walk harmoniously together as disciples of Jesus Christ in a church relationship a covenant community of worship, study, service and love. The wishes of the former members of Covenant Presbyterian Church continue to be that the property and building be used for some form of worship and to serve God and the community. Covenant held missions as one of the most important parts that helped define them as a 2

3 community of faith and would like to see that continue. One of the ways they reached out to the community was through their ministry as a food bank for the Timberlake area. The former members of Covenant would like to see this ministry continue. We are so pleased to see the building and property currently being used by the Presbytery of the Peaks and rejoice in seeing it serve as a place for the churches and people in our Presbytery to serve God. Part V Recommendations The Administrative Commission had hoped to provide specific recommendations to the Presbytery of the Peaks regarding the use of the property that previously housed Covenant Presbyterian Church, but because of the Presbytery s office needs and the ongoing work of the Presbytery s Mission Study Team, we now commend this task to the appropriate standing committees of the Presbytery. However, this Commission does put forth the following recommendations: 1. In consultation with the Committee on Church Development and the Trustees of the Presbytery, the AC recommends that the property that was previously home to Covenant Presbyterian Church be used as the temporary offices of the Presbytery of the Peaks; 2. The Trustees of the Presbytery be given the authority to negotiate and execute short-term building use agreements and to maintain the physical property; 3. That the future use of this property be guided by the stated wishes of the former Covenant Presbyterian Church congregation as communicated to the AC above, recommendations from the Presbytery s Mission Study, and input from the Committee on Church Development and the Presbytery s Board of Trustees; 4. Transfer the responsibilities of the ordinary decisions of the use of this property to the Standing Committees of the Presbytery; 5. That any members of the former Covenant Presbyterian congregation who have not transferred their church memberships to another Presbyterian congregation or another denomination, be placed on the roster of the Presbytery of the Peaks for the remainder of 2018; 6. That this Covenant Presbyterian Church Administrative Commission be dissolved with gratitude and thanks of its responsibilities as of August, 19, May the glory, honor, and blessing be to God through the work of the former Covenant Presbyterian Church, Lynchburg, and this Administrative Commission. Respectfully submitted, Suzy Edwards, RE, Chair Shirley Morris, RE Dick Boswell, RE 3

4 Beth Groover, RE Kim Steinhorst, TE Stephen Earl, TE, POP Staff Report of the Committee on Leadership INFORMATION: The next Trent Colloquy will be held on October 25, 2018 at Second Presbyterian in Roanoke. Diane Baldwin and Rich Henderson reported on the 3 presentations that were made at the recent workshop. It was very well received and very well attended. (Commissioned Pastor Workgroup will work as a separate workgroup.) ACTIONS: The committee decided the Prayer Retreat would be held Wednesday, September 12, 2018 from 1-4 pm at the Peaks of Otter. Committee members were assigned specific jobs for the retreat. RECOMMENDATIONS: None INFORMATION: Report of the Examinations Committee We are bringing three candidates to the floor for the August 18 Presbytery Meeting. Their Biographical Information and Statements of Faith are included. Brian Miles, Temporary Supply at Amherst Presbyterian Church John McDonald, Interim at First Presbyterian Church, Danville Annette Goard, Pastor Elect Candidate at Clarksville Presbyterian Church Brian W. Miles Biographical Information My Faith and Family (of origin) I joined this world on November 20, 1976 and spent the first thirteen years of my life living with my mother and father in Nogales, AZ, and later, in Phoenix, AZ. To be blunt, I am not able to remember much of my childhood, either because the abuse I experienced led me to suppress it, or because end stage renal disease consumed those memories more on that later. What I do remember is this: I spent my early childhood (3-5 years old?) attending a Methodist Church, where I learning the Lord s Prayer. Aside from that, the only other memory I have is of my father, dressed as Moses, reading the Ten Commandments in the Church pulpit; and at the 4

5 same, being aware that my father was committing adultery. Not a great place to begin one s faith journey. As the years past, my family stopped attending church, and the conflict within my family intensified. My dad s abuse grew greater, and by the time I turned thirteen, I wanted nothing to do with him. Our family s dysfunction came to a head on New Year s Eve, 1989, when my father shared with me that he was divorcing my mother. The following months were a nightmare, and by the time June, 1990, arrived, I was ready to move to Evington, VA with my mom. Once in Virginia, my mom became involved in the Presbyterian Church, but knowing my dislike of organized religion, she did not force my attendance. My Faith and Health I graduated from Brookville High School in 1994 and attended Mary Washington College that fall. I had grand plans for my future; however, my health changed that. Throughout my life, I have struggled with kidney issues. I was born with only one kidney, and at eleven months of age, doctors discovered that my kidney was damaged after surgery, I had approximately 30% of one kidney left. In 1995, my remaining kidney failed and I had to receive a transplant. If childhood struggles pushed me away from God, then I believe my health struggles have been the number one issue which has brought me and continues to bring me closer to God. After my first transplant, I became involved in the Presbyterian Church shortly after surgery, as a way of saying thank you to the parishioners and clergy who supported me and my mother; and later, as I began to seek God s presence in a clearer and more direct way. By 1997, I had transferred to Roanoke College, had become involved in the local Presbyterian Church, and was agonizing over what I was supposed to do with my life. I had majored in Psychology, however, a Bachelor s degree in the subject does little to earn a living. With that in mind, I decided to listen to the small voice which kept encouraging me to go to seminary. Thus, I applied and was accepted to Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. I arrived on campus in My time at the Seminary was not easy; however, my experiences led me to discover my passion for hospital chaplaincy, and following my graduation in 2001, I became the Pediatric Oncology Chaplain at the Children s Hospital in Louisville, KY. By 2005, all was well. I was married to my wife, Kristie, and our son, Joseph, had been born. Unfortunately, things came to an abrupt halt when my first transplant failed in April of For the next two years, I experienced life in limbo, as I went to the dialysis clinic three times a week for five hours. It was a miserable, bleak existence in which I cried out to God in anger, demanding justice and healing. A third chance at life did come in 2008, when Kristie donated her kidney. Shortly thereafter, God led me to the hospice ministry, where I remained until I came to Lynchburg in Living in Lynchburg forced me to reexamine my call. For many years, I never imagined having any interest in pulpit ministry; however, the opportunity to preach---and God s gentle nudge has now led me to feel called to the Church. Brian W. Miles Statement of Faith I understand God to be many things, but at a very fundamental level, God s essence is beyond my comprehension. While I firmly believe that our God is a God of creation, compassion, power, and love, these adjectives do not come close to capturing the ultimate reality of who or what God is! God remains sovereign over all that has, does, and will exist, but God is also intimately involved in our lives. As the greatest of all paradoxes, God is the Ground of our Being. 5

6 I believe Jesus Christ to be God incarnate, and in his life and teachings, we are taught how to live humbly, show compassion, and seek justice for others. Christ was both fully human and fully divine, and as our mediator, He reconciled God with humanity. Jesus stands as a link between humans, who seem to always turn their backs on the Divine, and God. Sin or what I like to refer to as our brokenness prevents us from being in God s presence, so God comes to be in our presence (Emmanuel). It is God s grace that is extended to us through Christ s death on the cross. Finally, Christ s resurrection reminds us that nothing is greater than God not even death! In the Holy Spirit, we discover that God is always present in our lives, continually directing, renewing, and strengthening us to serve Christ in all that we do. The Spirit is ceaselessly at work in the life of the Church, breathing light into Christ s body, sustaining and directing it. I affirm that the Holy Spirit s presence is essential to our preparation and accurate proclamation of Scripture and in understanding God s desire for our lives. I believe Scripture to be authoritative; I also affirm that by directing our attention to the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, God s self-revelation is made known to us by the presence of the Holy Spirit. The Christian canon also reveals God to be of infinite love and compassion. I furthermore affirm that Scripture is the foundation upon which the Christian life is built. Humanity has the potential to perform acts of tremendous good and evil. As beings created in God s image, we possess the capacity to love and show compassion in countless ways, caring for one another and God s creation. But as individuals who possess free will, we also have the ability to turn our backs on God, denying God s presence and direction for our lives. I affirm that the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord s Supper are sacred and essential signs of the grace God has extended to us through Jesus Christ. At the waters of Baptism, we acknowledge and receive assurance of the grace that is extended to us by God through Christ; and in celebration, we are welcomed into the Christian community. At the Communion table, Christians come together to remember Christ s death on the cross and the promise of his return. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are made one with Christ, who nourishes us by his presence in the bread and wine. Thus, we are renewed to live a Christ-like life. John L. McDonald Biographical Information My favorite scripture passage is Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. There is no other explanation for how a shy young man who was perfectly happy to blend into the back row of the choir has served for over 31 years as a pastor. I have learned over time that I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me, but I cannot do them all at once and I cannot do them alone. I was born and raised in Rockville, Maryland. My parents were both elders in the Rockville Presbyterian Church and my mother was the church secretary for a time. I regularly attended Sunday school, worship services and participated in youth activities with my brother and sister. My first job in the church was as janitor for the educational wing of that church. I went to Davidson College planning on being a Biologist. God had other plans. During the Spring Semester of my sophomore year I received the call to the ministry and immediately questioned God s judgment. Why would God want someone who detested public speaking and 6

7 rarely voiced his opinion on anything in public to serve as a minister? I learned by experience that, God does not always call those who are equipped. God equips those whom God calls. After serving as a camp counselor at Camp Grier in Old Fort, North Carolina, I felt that maybe God was right. Maybe I had a roll to serve in the church at large. I attended Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, VA where my call was confirmed and I received an excellent theological education. The first congregation I served was in Broadway, Virginia just north of Harrisonburg. That congregation gently taught me all the things you do not learn in seminary, and yet are necessary to do God s work in the pastorate. During my 13 years there, we were able with the help of other churches to resettle a refugee family from Kazakhstan, feed the hungry through the community food pantry and clothes closet housed at the church and help build a Habitat for Humanity home next door to the church. I met and married my wife of almost 29 years, Ellen, while serving the Broadway church. Our sons, Nathan and Logan, were born while I served that church. Broadway will always hold a special place in our hearts. After Broadway, I served as Associate Pastor for Christian Education for Massanutten Presbyterian Church just east of Harrisonburg. During those years I had the joy of working with youth and children once again. I served as chaperone for three trips to the Presbyterian Youth Triennium and helped plan a fourth. The work was physically exhausting, but incredibly rewarding. My next stop was Second Presbyterian Church in Waynesboro, Virginia. During my time in Waynesboro, I played a part in starting a noon lunch program for anyone who needed a meal during the height of the economic recession in That program was only possible with God s guidance and with the help of over 25 other churches, businesses and other civic organizations. That program is still going strong after 10 years and they have now served over a hundred thousand meals. The last five years of my ministry I have served three different churches doing transitional ministry. The last year of my ministry in Waynesboro was spent helping that congregation deal with several questions. One of the most challenging issues we confronted was how can an aging congregation, surrounded by a neighborhood that faced both economic and demographic challenges, minister to themselves and the community that surrounds it. In Marlinton, West Virginia they needed help regaining confidence and vision after the previous pastor almost led them out of the denomination. In my last interim position in Buena Vista, Virginia, I have helped them deal with the loss of some beloved congregation members and helped them establish a new vision for their ministry community. I have truly been blessed that whenever I doubted the Lord s call, He provided just the person or group of people, the resources or the reassurance that I needed to do the work He called me to do. I have learned to trust to go where He sends me and do what He needs me to do. I have learned to play my part in the larger story of God s people for I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 7

8 John McDonald - Statement of Faith I learned the Apostles Creed when I went through confirmation class at the age of 12. Since that time, I ve used it as the basis for my belief in one God known to us in three persons. It s short and sweet and jammed packed with meaning for my life. It is a living breathing document that to my way of thinking explains my faith. I believe in God the Father Almighty... God created everything that is or was or will be. God created everything good, including humanity and gave us the responsibility to take care of all we come in contact. I have always sought to live an ecologically responsible life that shares the resources of this world with all of God s creatures. I believe in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord... One can catch glimpses of God s glory in creation, but one can only know God fully through a relationship with Jesus Christ, God s Son. You can be in awe of God s creation, but one can only experience God s grace, mercy and love, by knowing Jesus Christ. He showed us how he was the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He shows us the Way to approach God with humility, obedience and devotion. He is the beacon of Truth that never wavers, never wanders and always lights the path to God s love. He delivers us from the way of sin and death. He is the only source of the life eternal. He is the only way to orient our lives to true happiness. I know all this through my relationship to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I believe in the Holy Spirit... God is not some divine clock maker who left his creation to operate on its own. Jesus was not just some great rabbinic teacher that lived and taught thousands of years ago. I experience God even now in the power of the Holy Spirit. It binds me to others and to the great cloud of witnesses who went before. The Spirit continues to bind me to our Lord and Savior, sustaining my faith and guiding my actions each day. And how do I know all of this? I know it through the authoritative witness of the Holy Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments. They are our family album of faith. The faith stories, psalms, prophecies, gospels, epistles and wisdom writings are all witness to God s action in the world. There is no clearer explanation of who God is, what God did and continues to do and where God is leading than the Bible. I believe in the one Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church of which Presbyterians are an important part. The church at its best is the finest place to learn about God and God s action in the world. It is a flawed human institution made up of flawed and sinful people and yet it still stands as the brightest beacon of knowledge and hope in the world today. The church as the body of Christ reaches out and embraces a broken world seeking the wholeness found in relationship to our Lord. We can do no less than reflect the mercy and love shown to us through Christ. It is the only way to find eternal life. 8

9 Annette Eckerd Goard Biographical Information I was born and raised in Mocksville, NC; baptized, confirmed and married at First Presbyterian Church. We were the family that was always there, Wednesday night prayer meeting, Sunday school and worship; vacation Bible school, any time the church doors were open we were there. When I went off to college, I took a break. I didn t stop believing, but to the consternation of my parents, I did not attend worship on a regular basis. However, whenever I came home our pastor always made a point to come by. As a girl I never realized he was paying a call when the tall, lanky man would drive up to our house and unfold himself from his VW beetle. He d knock on the door, spend a little time, and share a prayer. He was my first real exposure to pastoral care and he was quietly adept. I married a bright young attorney who got a chance to practice law in New York City in the late 1970s; and, after some time, we joined Fifth Avenue Presbyterian where our children were baptized. Not long after, we left the City for CT where we joined First Presbyterian of Greenwich and soon became active in the life of the church. A good friend once said to me one of the reasons you join a church is so your children will grow up in faith. You participate in their activities because you love them and want them to have a good experience. Then one day you look up and realize, all your best friends, all the people you love are at church! And that s what happened to us. We found a home; found our community. And it was a community that sustained us when my husband was diagnosed with Stage IV, inoperable, lung cancer. The community lifted us up in so many ways both large and small they are too numerous to recount, from meals and prayers, to friends who just sat quietly and let me talk. And I needed to talk. I was convinced that God had turned God s face from us. I couldn t see God s love or care or concern. But God was present in and through my community; my loving family and friends helped me recognize God s hope and presence in my life. And they helped me recognize God s purpose for my life. I responded to God s call by entering Duke Divinity School where I was challenged to examine my theology, grow intellectually and expand my horizons. I was challenged to move beyond the role of wife and mother to one of graduate student and theological guide; challenged to humbly claim my God-given talents as a child of God and to abandon any prior reservations I may have had. Following seminary I completed a chaplain residency at UNC Hospital where I continued to grow. As a chaplain at a Level I trauma center I learned to meet people as they were, to listen closely and name the pain that burdened them. With each pastoral encounter I grew in selfawareness, understanding and ability to serve with compassion and grace in moments of despair. I look forward to further deepening my spiritual awareness as I now begin a new chapter in my faith journey. And I am thankful for the opportunity to walk alongside my brothers and sisters in Christ as together we work to live into God s vision for us as God s people 9

10 Annette Eckerd Goard Statement of Faith I believe in God, the giver and creator of life through whom all things are made; in Jesus Christ, the head of the Church incarnate and in full communion with humanity; and, in the transcendent power of the Holy Spirit through which our Lord Jesus Christ was conceived and remains present and alive with us today. I believe humanity is earthly and vulnerable, like the flowers that wither and die; but, I also believe that our vulnerability is not our sin. We sin when we reject God s love, deny God s grace, reject communion with our creator. We are created in the image of God, free to respond to God in faithful obedience and joyful communion, in response to God s unwarranted love and grace. And when we confess our sin we are assured of God s loving forgiveness and redeeming grace. I believe that the sacraments of Baptism and Communion are the signs and seals of God s constant love and the grace through which God marks us and we profess our faithfulness to God. In his Baptism Jesus immersed himself into the sea of our humanity replete with all its vulnerability, temptation and even death, and in our Baptism we join in the passion and suffering of Christ. And so, when we view our baptism in light of Jesus baptism, and understand it as an immersion into the very passion and suffering of Christ; then we can begin to see our suffering, our vulnerability and even our death as reconciled in the body of Christ. I believe that in Holy Communion we join in covenant with the Triune God and become the Church, God s community amid diversity. Together we partake of the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ and affirm that we are one with God in Christ. In reconciling with Christ we become the reconciling Church. We renew our covenant with God and one another and are bound together in mutual sharing through the redemptive power of the Holy Spirit. We are the Church, bound in community to love God above all and our neighbors as ourselves. I believe that through the power of the Holy Spirit the Church is alive in the world today wherever two or more are gathered in God s name. And I believe we experience Church not only in worship but also in our homes, our workplaces and at the bedside. God s Church is present whenever we love one another as God has loved us and care for the stranger among us. I believe that Scripture reveals the will of God for the Church; and, that through Scripture the Holy Spirit guides us to a new awareness of God s continuing and evolving mission in the world. Scripture is the discerning light to our path, our strong and bold assurance that God is ever with us, that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. By grace through faith in the Triune Lord we are freed from the bondage of sin and death to live in faith, in hope and in love, in communion with God and with our neighbors. We are free to become God s new creation. RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. Recommend that the examination of Brian Miles (MWS), member of New Hope Presbytery, be sustained; pending his signing of the Book of Obligations; and that he be received as a member in good standing for membership in the Presbytery of the Peaks. 10

11 2. Recommend that the examination of John McDonald (MWS), member of Shenandoah Presbytery, be sustained; pending his signing of the Book of Obligations; and that he be received as a member in good standing for membership in the Presbytery of the Peaks. 3. Recommend that the examination of Annette Goard, candidate under care of the Presbytery of Southern New England, be sustained; pending her signing of the Book of Obligations; and that she be received as a member in good standing for membership in the Presbytery of the Peaks. Committee on Ministry Report ACTIONS TAKEN ON BEHALF OF THE PRESBYTERY: 1. Approved the request of Al Jacobs to renew his authorization for a period of one year beginning July 1, 2018 and ending on June 30, 2019 to administer the sacrament of Communion to congregations in the Piedmont Neighborhood. 2. Approved the request of Barbara Jacobs to renew her authorization for a period of one year beginning July 1, 2018 and ending on June 30, 2019 to administer the sacrament of Communion to congregations in the Piedmont Neighborhood. 3. Approved the Interim contract between First Presbyterian Church, Danville and Rev. John McDonald effective June 25, 2018 to June 24, Approved the Temporary Supply Contract between Amherst Presbyterian Church and the Rev. Brian Miles effective June 3, 2018 to December 2, Approved the request of Meherrin Presbyterian Church to grant Diane Baldwin permission to conduct Communion Services from June 1, 2018 to May 31, Approved the request of Meherrin Presbyterian Church to grant Mike Price permission to conduct Communion Services from June 1, 2018 to May 31, Approved the request of New Dublin Presbyterian Church to form a PNC. 8. Approved the Interim Pastor contract renewal request between Oak Level Presbyterian Church and Rev. Jeff Kisner effective June 1, 2018 to November 30, Approved the CP contract renewal request between Hermon Presbyterian Church and Rich Henderson effective Oct. 1, 2018 to Sept 30, Approved the scholarship request for the Burke Memorial Fund awarding each of the seven applicants $ The applicants include: Christy Mitchell, Ed Soto, Janice Fraser, Lisa Marshall, William Rountree, Stewart Childress, and Lynwood Ladd. 11. Approved the request of Mizpah Presbyterian Church to waive rotation of elders due to small membership with an average attendance of 5 members. 12. Denied request of the Stated Supply contract renewal between Montvale Presbyterian Church and Rev. Rodney Wilson effective July 1, 2018 to June 30, Requested the Montvale Session complete the Stated Supply contract to include the following: 1. Details of the duties required 2. A review of the hours required. 3. Require the salary/honorarium be at the Presbytery of the Peaks recommended amount of $ Approved the Installation Commission to install Rev. Chad McCain at First Presbyterian Church, Lynchburg on Sunday, August 19,

12 Ministers of Word and Sacrament: Carl Utley, Moderator Loren Tate Mitchell Peter Thompson, To Preach the Sermon Ruling Elders: Beth Williams, First, Lynchburg, Presentation of the Minister of Word and Sacrament, Questions to the Congregation Bob Berkley, First, Lynchburg, To Charge the Minister of Word and Sacrament Beth Groover, St. Andrew, To Charge the Congregation Dick Boswell, First, Lynchburg, Moderator of the Presbytery of the Peaks To Sit with the Commission: Leigh Anne Ring, Ruling Elder, River Road Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of the James 15. Approved the request of Roanoke Valley Presbyterian Church to renew the Stated Supply Contract with Rev. Terry Blevins effective December 1, 2018 to November 30, Approved the request of Montvale Presbyterian Church to renew the Stated Supply contract with Rev. Rodney Wilson effective July 1, 2018 to June 30, Clarification and changes requested by COM were addressed and corrected. 17. Approved the request of UKirk, Virginia Tech, to form a PNC. 18. Approved the request of First Presbyterian Church, Danville, to form a PNC. 19. Approved the request of McAllister Memorial Presbyterian Church for Paul Brokaw to serve as moderator effective July 15, 2018 to July 14, Approved the temporary supply contract request between Grace Presbyterian Church and Kelvin Perry, CP effective September 3, 2018 to August 31, Approved the request of Quaker Memorial Presbyterian Church for David Gellert to serve as moderator effective July 15, 2018 to July 14, Approved to empower Jim Corson and Jim Slate, COM Members, to execute a negotiated settlement between McAllister Memorial and their outgoing Interim Pastor. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CONSENT AGENDA: 1. FOR CONSENT AGENDA: To dissolve the pastoral relationship between First Presbyterian Church, Danville and Rev. Allen Thompson effective Jan. 22, FOR CONSENT AGENDA: To dismiss Michael Fleenor, HR, to the Presbytery of New Harmony, Florence, SC. 3. FOR CONSENT AGENDA: To dissolve the pastoral relationship between Quaker Memorial Presbyterian Church, Lynchburg and Rev. Bart Edwards effective July 8, FOR CONSENT AGENDA: To dissolve the pastoral relationship between New Dublin Presbyterian Church and Rev. Andrew Taylor Troutman effective Dec. 31, FOR CONSENT AGENDA: To dismiss Rev. Andrew Taylor Troutman to Salem Presbytery where he was received on Feb. 20, 2018 to serve as pastor of Chapel of the Pines Presbyterian Church. 12

13 6. FOR CONSENT AGENDA: To dismiss Rev. Kelly Kaufman to the Presbytery of the James. 7. FOR CONSENT AGENDA: To dissolve the pastoral relationship between Holbrook Presbyterian Church and Rev. Ronald Johnson effective July 20, FOR CONSENT AGENDA: To dissolve the pastoral relationship between Grace Presbyterian Church and Rev. Jane Johnson effective Sept. 2, FOR CONSENT AGENDA: To grant Katherine Snyder Honorably Retired Status in the Presbytery of the Peaks. 10. FOR CONSENT AGENDA: To dismiss Rev. Caitlin Hoy to the Presbytery of Eastern Virginia where she will be serving as the chaplain of Williamsburg Landings Retirement Community in Williamsburg, VA. 11. FOR CONSENT AGENDA: To dismiss Rev. Ron Johnson to Redstone Presbytery where he will serve at Third Presbyterian Church, Uniontown, PA. 12. FOR CONSENT AGENDA: To dismiss Rev. Jane Johnson to Redstone Presbytery where she will be a Member at Large. 13. FOR CONSENT AGENDA: To grant permission for Jacob Kave to labor outside the bounds of the Presbytery of the Peaks as he seeks endorsement to serve as an Air Force Chaplain in the Reserves. 14. FOR CONSENT AGENDA: To approve the 2018 Terms of Call report for installed pastors. RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. Recommend the approval of the following terms of call for Annette Goard to serve as Pastor for Clarksville Presbyterian Church. Salary and Housing $46,000 SECA $ 3,519 BOP $17,020 Auto Reimbursement $ 4,800 Cont. Ed. $ 1,200 Vacation 4 Weeks Annually Study Leave 2 Weeks Annually Total Cost $72, Recommend that COM be allowed to assign an Installation Commission to ordain and install Annette Goard to serve as Clarksville Presbyterian Church. 3. Recommend to commission Naomi Hodge-Muse for limited pastoral services at Grace Presbyterian Church, Martinsville, as a Commissioned Pastor, including authority to conduct sacraments. 13

14 2018 Terms of Call for Pastors with Church Manse 50% 0f Base Cash Total Cash Total BOP 2018 Terms Pastor Church Salary Salary DUES Received % of Call # 2018 Minimum TOC With Church Manse 30,209 3,004 33,213 9,063 44,000 1,200 16,280 N/A 50, # Manse Rental Value BOP Effective Salary Presb. of Peaks Escrow Other Church Payments (See Note 2) Cost to Church See Note 1 1 Bowman, Matthew Maysville & New Store 31,083 3,091 34,174 9,325 40, ,728 yes 2,500 53, Brokaw, Paul Clifton Forge 38,400 3,819 42,219 11,520 49,920 1,200 18,470 yes 61, Chorle, Kenneth Falling Spring (Rockbridge) 36,000 3,580 39,580 10,800 46, ,316 yes 56, Fraser, Janice Appox CH & New Concord 40,000 4,005 44,005 12,351 53,520 1,200 19,802 yes 1,169 66, Grimes, Jason High Bridge 37,200 3,740 40,940 11,687 50,645 1,200 18,739 yes 1,758 65, Leach, M. Keith College, Hampden-Sydney 39,053 3,884 42,937 11,716 50,769 1,500 18,784 yes 63, Lee, Russell (2015) First, South Boston No report received Makin, Don Christiansburg 29,945 5,754 35,699 17,084 74,029 4,149 27,391 yes 27,000 94, Marshall, Gary Mallow 33,596 3,460 38,556 11,630 50,398 1,300 18,647 yes 5,172 58, Mitchell, Christy Diamond Hill 30,698 3,053 33,751 9,209 39,907 1,200 15,789 yes 50, Mitchell, Monte Fellowship 32,500 3,500 36,000 12,000 44,500 1,100 16,465 yes 53, Pugh, Mikel Chatham 40,651 4,378 45,029 13,509 54,160 1,500 20,039 yes 66, Smith, James Campbell Memorial No report received Soto. Eduardo Altavista 32,500 3,554 39,286 10,817 46,873 1,200 17,187 yes 5,836 63, Unroe, Allison Fairlawn 46,818 4,666 51,484 14,178 61,439 1,200 22,733 yes 5,443 80, Wiederholt, John First, Collinsville 24,881 2,565 27,446 7,736 33, ,023 yes , Note 1: Cost to Church does not include travel reimbursement, continuing education or professional reimbursement expenses for the pastor Note 2: Other Church Payments include additional SECA payments over 50%, deferred payments (403b, etc.), optional dental or insurance, utilities paid by the church, etc.,etc. 14

15 Pastor Church Number responding /out of: /1 / Terms of Call for Pastor Providing Own Housing Base Cash Salary 50% 0f Housing +Utilities Allowance Total Cash Salary BOP Effective Salary Total BOP DUES 2018 Terms rec'd Other Church Payments (See Note 2) Cost to Church (See Note 1) # 2018 Minimum TOC Pastor proving own housing 30,698 3,053 9,209 42,960 39,907 15,789 N/A 58, # 1 Aldas, Mathew Raleigh Court 20,000 3,443 25,000 48,443 45,000 16,650 yes 0 65, Allen, Kyle Covenant, Roanoke 43,106 5,822 33,000 81,928 76,106 28,159 yes 110, Anderson, George Second, Roanoke 65,546 9,222 55, , ,426 51,218 yes 18, , Brown, Dale Cumberland 33,751 3,500 12,000 49,251 45,751 16,928 yes 66, Childress, Stewart Bluemont/Mayberry 41,338 5,412 24,000 70,750 69,238 25,618 yes 1,500 97, Chisom, Janet Salem (Assoc) 21,043 3,446 24,000 48,489 46,243 17,110 yes 1,200 66, Dickerson, Linda Northside 36,218 4,703 25,264 66,185 63,639 25,036 yes 2,157 93, Earl, Steve Presby of Peaks 27,911 4,673 28,500 61,084 56,411 20,872 yes 9,200 91, Edwards, Bart Quaker 42,539 5,167 25,000 72,706 69,171 25,593 yes 1,632 99, Hickman, G. Michael Gethsemane 8, ,023 26,023 22,485 14,604 yes , Hinchcliff, Mark First, Martinsville 42,326 4,626 18,140 65,091 70,365 26,035 yes 91, Jeffreys, Kim Madisonville 25, ,000 25,000 14,000 yes , Jeffreys, Herndon Brookneal 28,560 2,846 8,640 40,046 37,200 15,464 yes 55, Link, Elizabeth Second, Roanoke (Assoc.) 39,176 5,491 32,600 77,267 71,776 26,557 yes , Marshall, Lisa Low Moor 13,278 1,678 5,063 20,019 20,261 13,431 yes 1,920 35, McCain, Chad First Lynchburg 20,000 3,825 30,000 53,825 50,000 18,500 yes 72, McLavey, Robert Floyd 38,000 3,825 12,000 53,825 50,000 18,500 yes 72, McNair-King, Melissa First, Pulaski 32,500 3,672 15,500 51,672 48,000 17,760 yes 69, Miller, Cydney Bea Trinity Ecumenical 40,167 6,133 40,000 86,300 81,799 30,266 yes 1, , Mitchell, Loren Covenant, Roanoke 38,556 4,260 17,136 59,952 55,692 20,606 yes 0 80, Rheinhold, Kristin Green Ridge, Roanoke 29,310 3,251 13,190 45,751 42,500 16,100 yes 61, Roberts, J. David Saint Andrew, Lynchburg 30,000 4,208 25,000 59,208 55,000 20,350 yes 79, Robinson, Thomas Farmville 49,073 4,519 10,000 66,806 62,287 23,046 yes 2,905 94, Robinson, William Salem 45, ,500 68,666 68,666 25,406 yes 94, Salley, John Bedford 30, ,000 54,600 57,000 21,090 yes 2,400 78, Taylor, Catherine Blacksburg 51,733 6,133 28,431 86,297 88,722 35,252 yes 8, , Thompson. Peter First. Lynchburg 42,274 6,294 40,000 88,568 83,906 31,045 yes 2, , Thompson, Rachel Second, Roanoke 47,494 4,398 10,000 61,892 57,494 21,273 yes , Whaley, Andrew Raleigh Court, Roanoke 52,466 6,156 28,000 86,622 82,880 30,666 yes 2, , Whitfield, R Morgan Forest 42,500 5,508 29,500 77,508 72,000 26,640 yes 104, Williams, Brent Colonial 34,008 4,573 25,776 64,357 63,504 23,496 yes 3,720 91, % of Call Note 1: Cost to Church does not include travel reimbursement, continuing education or professional reimbursement expenses for the pastor Note 2: Other Church Payments include additional SECA payments over 50%, deferred payments (403b, etc.), optional dental or insurance, utilities paid by the church, etc.,etc. 15

16 Report on the Committee on Preparation for Ministry INFORMATION: Next meeting is Wednesday, October 10 at Bedford Presbyterian Church. Met with Karen Watson to discuss becoming a candidate. We will bring a recommendation for her candidacy to the November 2018 Presbytery meeting. ACTIONS REPORTED: We voted to require that all people under care of this committee who are seeking ordination from this point forward complete one unit of CPE before being certified to seek a call. RECOMMENDATIONS: We recommend that Jennifer Powell be accepted as a candidate in her ordination process. Her faith statement is attached. Jennifer Powell Statement of Faith My faith statement essentially embraces the ideals expressed in the Apostle's Creed, as I believe in the Triune, Holy God. ' I believe in God the Father Almighty who created all of heaven and earth. I believe in a Creator God who saw darkness in the world, drew boundaries around it, and shined a holy Light into it. I am in awe of God's creation and the artistry in which the world was created. Every system, every color, every minute detail expresses God's love for God's Creation. I believe in a Creator God who, from the Beginning, sought communication and relationship with humankind, for in the Beginning was The Word and the Word was God. I believe in a Creator God who so loved the world and desired relationship so much that God sent God's son, Jesus Christ to the people of the world-all people. I believe in Jesus Christ, who was sent to the world in an outpouring of Love from God the Father. I believe in Jesus, who was both wholly Divine and human. Jesus entered into a sinful world to show us how to live, how to love, and to restore our relationship with God. Jesus Christ was crucified with the sins of all humankind upon Him. The resurrected Christ defeated sin and the sting of death. Jesus Christ is the Savior of the World, and all redeemed and restored by His saving grace. Through Jesus Christ, we know eternal life. What Christ did for all of humankind humbles my heart and soul, and I am overwhelmed by this act of love and sacrifice for all. I believe in the Holy Spirit, another form of the Living God's outpouring of love and restoration of relationship with us. Christ did not leave us alone in this world. We have the Holy Spirit to continue to teach us, guide us and correct us. The Holy Spirit inspires us and shows us, through Christ's example, that faith is lived out in action. I believe in the Word of God, for the Word is God. Through Scripture and the Holy Spirit, we believe and "do." God finds us. Faith is a relationship with God, made possible through Jesus and illumined by the Holy Spirit. As the bride of Christ, I believe the Church engages in unity with Christ and should be at one with 16

17 Christ's teachings. Through holy union with Christ, the church shares Christ's love for and with the world. Through Christ, the Church is enabled to be a blessing to the world, fulfilling the Abrahamic covenant. Through the sacrament of baptism, we are reminded of our union with Christ and God's covenant with us. We are reminded that we are not our own; we belong to God through God's unconditional love; through the saving grace of Christ. Through the sacrament of Holy Communion, we are reminded of the Holy Father's plan for redemption, Christ's sacrifice for all, and the Holy Spirit's continued intercession for us. Our response is a Great Thanksgiving at the Table of God! I believe Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, and through Him, I believe in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. INFORMATION: Report of the Trustees of the Presbytery of the Peaks The Trustees of the Presbytery of the Peaks met on June 5, 2018 by conference call and on July 11, 2018 by conference call. ACTIONS REPORTED: 1. Approved the filing of a police report regarding the vandalism at the Matthews Manse in Chatham. 2. Approved listing the Matthews Manse As Is with Wilkins Realty in Chatham. 3. Authorized John Fedison to negotiate offers with the realtor if within 20% of the asking price. RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. FOR CONSENT AGENDA: Recommend the Presbytery approve the release of the reversion clause on a 2.8 acre tract of land and building (Tax map 121-A-28 and Tax map 121-A-29) for Elon Evangelical Presbyterian Church. The tract and building were used as rental property, however the legal, building and zoning requirements for rental property has forced the session to a decision to sell. The proceeds from the property sale will be used to construct a pavilion near an existing playground on the church property and to make improvements to the manse. The Reversion clause will remain in effect on the church building and manse properties. (This action was approved at the May Presbytery meeting however the tax map numbers provided by the church and the acreage amount were incorrect.) REPORT OF PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN INFORMATION: Recruitment is going well for positions on the Coordinating Team Summer Gathering went well had 12 ladies in attendance Annual Gathering is September 29 at Westminster in Lynchburg 17

18 ACTIONS: Shelda Wills and Helen Dean to attend Churchwide in Louisville, KY Diane Patty continues working with Missions in the community Janice Wells is working with local organizations in support of Justice and Peace Continue working with young ladies to ensure they understand what Presbyterian Women do in support of the church and the community. Continue the public relations to let our church and the community know that Presbyterian Women are here to help and support our youth and women RECOMMENDATIONS: None. INFORMATION: Report of the Session Records Workgroup The Session Records Work Group continues to receive and review both past and current session minutes. Please see the Addendum for the quarterly report showing the running record of minutes submitted for review. Churches are reminded to pick up minutes that have been reviewed by the Session Records Work Group at the end of each Presbytery meeting. Picking up the minutes will save the Presbytery mailing cost Past or current sets of minutes may be submitted for review at any time. However, 2017 session minutes are due for review during the year 2018, and the Work Group reviews session minutes alphabetically by church name at each Presbytery meeting. The remaining schedule for the review of 2017 session minutes is as follows: Churches whose name begins with J-O (August 18) Churches whose name begins with P-W (November 15) The Work Group will conduct another Session Records Workshop/Training Event to assist Clerks of Session in January Specific information will be sent to all Clerks of Session in late November. Any questions concerning minutes can be asked of Dave Hayes at the addresses below, at any time. Please feel free to ask! Churches that do not bring their 2017 Session Minutes to a Presbytery meeting are asked to send them, along with a completed Session Records Review Form, to Dave Hayes, Chair of the Session Records Work Group, Blacksburg Presbyterian Church, 701 Church Street, S.E., Blacksburg, VA Any questions concerning Session Minutes should be directed to Dave at or davidlavhayes@gmail.com. Churches should NOT send Minutes to the Presbytery Office! 18

19 Materials to assist Clerks of Session in their duties, including the Session Records Review Form are available on-line through the Presbytery website at Click on Resources ; next click on Forms & Documents ; and finally click on Session Records to view these materials. INFORMATION Report of the Stated Clerk The Minutes of the Presbytery were submitted for review according to procedures established by the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic. After review, they were found to be complete and in order. At the request of the Presbytery Cabinet, the Stated Clerk, the COM liaison, and the Chair of COM will meet with the Session of the Providence Presbyterian Church in response to their letter stating that they wish to consider being dismissed to another denomination. RECOMMENDATIONS 1. FOR CONSENT AGENDA: That the minutes of the one hundred sixteenth Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of the Peaks (May 3, 2018) as reviewed by those persons designated by the Standing Rules, be approved. 2. FOR CONSENT AGENDA: That motions be reduced to writing and sent to the clerks table before discussion. 3. FOR CONSENT AGENDA: That all committee reports be received. INFORMATION: Report from the Committee on Church Development Working on improvement of grant request project Regional follow up meetings on church vitality continue with thoughts for the next steps Working on reorganization of the Committee on Church Development for greater effectiveness in all areas of responsibility Reviewing Committee on Church Development s involvement in disposition of properties ACTIONS REPORTED: 1. Granted request for $ to Grace Presbyterian Church to help with expenses of participating in the Community Fair. RECOMMENDATIONS: None. 19

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