First Presbyterian Church 302 West Whitner Street Anderson, SC

Transcription

1 Foothills Presbytery Stated Meeting #95 Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) First Presbyterian Church 302 West Whitner Street Anderson, SC COMMISSIONER S HANDBOOK April 28, :00 am Registration: 9:30 am

2 Table of Contents Page No. Directions 3 First Anderson History 4 Docket for 95 th meeting 5-6 Report of the Stated Clerk 7 BUC Outdoor Center Transitional Board Report 10 Reid Ordination Report 11 COM Report 12 Pelzer-Williamston Plan of Union Moderator Pay 20 Examinations Report 21 V. Smith Biography 22 V. Smith Statement of Faith 23 CPM Report Council Report 26 Child Care 27 Mission Team Report 28 Equipping the Saints Report Governing Body 32 Racial Ethnic Cabinet 33 Presbyterian Youth Council 34 2 P age

3 DIRECTIONS From Greenville: Take I-85 South to exit 27 Highway 81 Turn Left on Highway 81 for 9.5 miles Turn left onto N. Murray Ave for 0.4 miles Turn right onto W. Whitner St. The Church is on the right 302 W. Whitner St. From Georgia: Take I-85 North to exit 19A Highway 76/28 After 3.6 miles the road becomes N. Main St. Highway 28 Continue straight on N. Main St. 2.2 miles Turn right onto W. Greenville St. only 495 feet Turn left at the 1 st cross street onto N. Murray Ave 0.4 miles Turn right onto W. Whitner St. The Church is on the right 302 W. Whitner St. 3 P age

4 Our Story Tired of the nearly 10 mile horse and buggy ride to Robert s Presbyterian Church, Mrs. Elizabeth Whitner put her foot down! She compelled her husband, Judge Joseph Whitner, to deed 3 ¾ acres of land for the purpose of building a Presbyterian church within the small village of Anderson, SC. Thirteen charter members organized the Anderson Court House Presbyterian Church. At that time, Anderson had approximately 200 residents. There were 26 states and only about 15 million people in the nation. Martin Van Buren was president, and My Country Tis of Thee was a new song. In 1882, the two-story, red brick sanctuary was completed that we still use today. We thank God for 175 years of faithful ministry in Anderson, and seeking to serve God in the future, have renewed our commitment to ministries of believing, loving and serving. 4 P age

5 95th Meeting Foothills Presbytery April 28, 2015 First Church, Anderson **ORIENTATION FOR NEW ELDER COMMISSIONERS WILL BE HELD AT 9:45 A.M.** Note: Items in ITALICS are on the Consent Agenda Order of the Day: Lunch at 12:00 noon A. Call to Order and Establishment of a Quorum 10:00 a.m. Chris Berardi, Teaching Elder Introduction and Welcome to the new Moderator Beverly Kelly, Teaching Elder B. Welcome from the Host Church: Dennis Tedder 1. Acknowledgment of Visitors and Elders attending for the first time. C. Opening Worship: 10:05 a.m. Preaching: Tom Evans, Teaching Elder D. Break (10 Minutes) 11:00 a.m. E. Presentation and Adoption of the Docket 11:10 a.m. F. Report of the Stated Clerk 11:15 a.m. 1. Communications and Reports G. Constitutional Committees 1. Committee on Ministry Mike Hoyt, Teaching Elder 11:20 a.m. 2. Examinations Commission Jean Weaver, Teaching Elder 11:25 a.m. 3. Committee on Prep. For Ministry Peggy Swann, Teaching Elder 4. Committee on Representation 5. Nominations Committee Tom Malone, Teaching Elder H. Presbytery Council Report Nancy Welch, Ruling Elder 11:50 a.m. 1. Mission Team Julie Meredith, Teaching Elder 2. Campus Ministry Team Carlton Green, Ruling Elder 3. Equipping the Saints Craig Foster, Teaching Elder 4. Governing Body Jim Caprell, Teaching Elder 5. Finance and Stewardship Dick Christopher, Ruling Elder 6. Unity and Community Team Amos Workman, Teaching Elder 7. BOC Transitional Board Susan Tompkins, Ruling Elder 5 P age

6 I. Other Boards and Committee Reports 1. Racial Ethnic Cabinet Belton Lane, Ruling Elder 2. Presbytery Youth Council Donna Templeton, Presbytery Staff J. Any New Business: K. Adjournment and Closing Prayer Actions on the Minutes: That the Stated Clerk and Moderator be empowered to read and approve the Minutes. NEXT STATED MEETINGS Roberts Church Anderson, SC August 9, :00 p.m. TBD November 10, P age

7 Report of the Stated Clerk April 28, 2015 The Stated Clerk reports: 1. The Foothills Presbytery Discernment Task Force has been meeting monthly since the August 2014 Meeting of Presbytery. The DTF has met with representatives of the non-constitutional teams and committees to assess the history and present mission work of each team. Attached (see the Supplement) is an interim report of their work. The DTF plans to make a major report dealing with recommendations and options at the August Stated Meeting of Presbytery. Members of the Discernment Task Force are: Ruling Elders: Susan Tomkins, First Greer; Robert McCormick, Nazareth; Lin Dearing, Fort Hill; Teaching Elders: Lud Weaver, Westminster Greenville; Lindsay Hatch, Mt. Zion; David Bailey, Central. Ex Officio Members: Gordon Raynal, Debbie Foster, Leanne White. 2. On behalf of the General Assembly Reform Group the Stated Clerk has mailed six draft GA Overtures to all 170 Presbyteries, 16 Synods and key GA leaders, and a second mail detailing plans to further the conversations and work. These communications have been sent to every Teaching Elder and to the Clerk of Session in every Foothill s congregation and have been posted on the Presbytery website. The Unity and Community Team has received the draft Overtures and has set out a calendar to study, review, meet with the GA Reform Group, perfect the Overtures, and create their recommendations for Presbytery. The Unity and Community Team plans to present all six overtures and their recommendations at the August Stated Meeting of Presbytery. Members of the GA Reform Group: Ruling Elders: Marvin Quattlebaum, Jr., Fourth; Robert Thomas, Fourth; Bill Sibley, Fourth; David Weneck, Nazareth; Dan Gissendanner, First Anderson; Ed Irick, Eastminster; Ted Morrison, St. Giles. Teaching Elders: Mike Hoyt, Fourth; Tom Evans, First Spartanburg, Allen McSween, HR; Brandi Casto-Waters, First Greer; Bill Lancaster, HR; Bill Seel, Easley; Dennis Tedder, First Anderson; Charles Blakely, HR; Annette Graham, Good Hope; Joseph Gaston, John Knox; Jim Caprell, First Simpsonville. Ex Officio Members: Gordon Raynal, Debbie Foster. 3. The Buc Outdoor Center Transitional Board held its initial meeting on March 16 th. The Board Members received a detailed packet including the history of Camp Buc and Outdoor Ministries, a report on the legal status as pertains to the Camp Buc properties, a review of the finances, and the basic options that are before us. Attached is a report from that initial meeting. The Board plans on making its major recommendations at the November Stated Meeting of Presbytery. Members: Susan Tompkins, Chair, First Greer; Tim Howard, Fort Hill; Helen Mohr, Fort Hill; Pete Roe, Westminster, Greenville; Horace Padgett, First Anderson; Ginger Mauney, First Greer. Ex Officio Members: Debbie Foster, Gordon Raynal, Warren Templeton. 7 P age

8 4. The Small Church Working Group: Since the inaugural organizational meeting in August 2013 the Group has held five gatherings for our Smaller Membership Congregations. Thirty-four of Foothills Presbytery s congregations have 100 members or less. Nineteen of those have less than 50 members. Five more congregations have fewer than 150 members. At present, none of these congregations who are without Installed Ordained Teaching Elder are in a position to Call a Full-time Installed Pastor. Paul Grier, Vice President of the Presbyterian Foundation (member at Westminster, Greenville) and Olanda Carr of the Foundation are working with the Group. The Group is presently working on issues of financial health assessment. Teaching Elder Tom Malone is leading an effort to focus on Christian Education. The Group has also raised the issues of congregation life cycle, leadership issues, new models for shared missions and work and congregational hospice work. Meeting attendance has been between 40 and 60. Twenty-one of our congregations have engaged in the work this far. The Leadership Team Members: Tandy Taylor, Tom Malone, Jimmy Cheeks, Mike Turner, Sarah Cornell, Mel Davis and Beth Hoskins. Ex Officio: Gordon Raynal and Debbie Foster. 5. Synod Boundaries: Charged by the 221st Meeting of the General Assembly (2014) the Synods are working to make recommendations to the General Assembly about the Boundaries of Synods. The Presbytery Leaders of the five South Carolina Presbyteries, with the approval of their respected Presbyterian Councils, have issued a report to the Synod of the South Atlantic Synod Boundaries group recommending that the Synod of the South Atlantic continue to exist in its present form (all the Presbyteries in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina), but that it be open to offers of other contiguous congregations or presbyteries to join us. The Synod group will issue their final recommendations for the 222 nd General Assembly later in The sale of the former Third Presbyterian Church in Greenville to the Trinity (Baptist) Church is now complete. All paperwork has been signed, received and filed and the Trinity Church has begun making payments on the loan set up by Foothills. 7. Presbytery Website: In order to modernize the work of Foothills Presbytery and to accommodate the change in operations model from that of being a centralized corporate structure to a facilitations/ communications model, a team led by Associate Stated Clerk, Debbie Foster has engaged a company in order to help us create and manage an up-to-date website. It is hoped that we can have the new site up and running by June The Stated Clerk has received the Commission Minutes of the Ordination of the Reverend Hubert Stanley Reid at Westminster Church in Greenville on Sunday, February 22, 2015, and found them to be in order (see attachment). 9. The Stated Clerk has received the reception letter by the Presbytery of Plains and Peaks for the Reverend Jesus Chuy Gallegos Blanco who is serving in a validated ministry within that Presbytery. 8 P age

9 The State Clerk recommends: 1. Having received requests for excuse from the April 28, 2015 Stated Meeting of Foothills Presbytery and found these to be in order, moves they be approved. Faithfully submitted, Rev. Gordon W. G. Raynal, Stated Clerk 9 P age

10 BUC TRANSITIONAL BOARD (BTB) COUNCIL REPORT Monday, March 16, 2015, Westminster PC Pre-meeting reading was ed to BTB members 2/23/15. The package included several documents regarding the history of Camp Buc, timeline, photos of the camp facilities, maps, Pete Roes contract review, Horace Padgett s financial review, and a report from Program Director, Steve Cummings. There were also documents about how other camps have handled similar circumstances. BTB reviewed the Discernment Task Force Committee report from Gordon Raynal and Debbie Foster: #4: Upon recommendation of the DTFC, the Presbytery Council approved the creation of a Transitional Board to address the future of the Outdoor Ministries and the Buc Outdoor Center. Pete Roe provided a completed legal review of the issues related to our ownership of the Camp and Cabins (#8 of the pre-meeting reading ed on 2/23/15). Horace Padgett has provided an overall financial assessment (#9 of the pre-meeting reading ed on 2/23/15). As the operation of the BOC has continued to run significant and increasing deficits over the last years, as Presbytery s financial resources have declined, as the task of running a summer camping program and a year round rental business has changed the dynamics of operating BOC, and as the nature of camping ministries have changed, the Transitional Board will endeavor in the coming months to help Presbytery to understand the options before us and the best path forward. BTB approved Steve Cummings contract through December 31, 2015, in order to have it line with the fiscal and calendar year. Steve is exploring a 2015 fall camp as well as spring and fall camps in addition to summer camp in Gordon shared the true financial position BOC is in, the demand it is placing on the presbytery, and with current Gracious Dismissals ending in 2017, plans must be made for BOC to become self-sustaining. Gordon also reminded us of the greater faithfulness, the thing, which we should not lose sight of Outdoor Ministries for the nurturing, educating and equipping of our children, youth and adults. We are also responsible for being good stewards of God s creation of Camp Buc and all that he has so richly blessed us with. BTB developed a list of possible options to consider: work toward 501c3, sell property, meet with Nature Conservancy, acquire cabin rental/leasing company, and any others we may add as we continue our work. BTB suggested timeline: Tuesday, October 6: Recommendation presented to Presbytery Council Tuesday, November 10: Council approved recommendation presented to Stated Presbytery Meeting Respectfully submitted by Susan Tompkins (Chair) Members: Tim Howard, Helen Mohr, Ginger Mauney, Horace Padgett, Pete Roe, Susan Tompkins Ex-officio: Gordon Raynal, Debbie Foster, Warren Templeton 10 P age

11 FOOTHILLS PRESBYTERY Report of Commission to Ordain Hubert Stanley Reid. ******************************* The Commission met on February 22, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Greenville, SC. Commission members present were: Moderator: Rev. Ludwig Weaver, Senior Pastor, Westminster Presbyterian (Greenville) Teaching Elders: 1. The Rev. Leigh Stuckey, Assoc. Pastor, Westminster Presbyterian (Greenville) 2. The Rev. Jean Weaver, Parish Associate, Westminster Presbyterian (Greenville) 3. The Rev. Gordon Raynal, Interim Executive Presbyter, Foothills Presbytery 4. The Rev. Christie S. Gravely, Assoc. Pastor, Easley Presbyterian Others present: Ruling Elders Tim Reed, Westminster Presbyterian (Greenville) Bill Starnes, Grace Covenant Presbyterian Bill Burns, First Presbyterian (Spartanburg) The Commission meeting was opened with prayer by Moderator, Ludwig Weaver. Leigh Stuckey was elected Secretary of the Commission. The Commission was recessed for the ordination service. The Moderator presided. The service was opened with singing, prayer, and scripture reading. Ruling Elders, Tim Reed and Bill Burns lead in prayer, and Ruling Elder, Bill Starnes read the scripture. The sermon was preached by The Rev. Christie S. Gravely on the text (topic): Duty or Delight. The Moderator stated briefly the previous proceedings of the Presbytery and pointed out the nature and importance of the ordination service. The Moderator and Executive Presbyter propounded the Constitutional Questions to the Candidate, and these were answered in the affirmative. The Candidate was then ordained by the laying on of hands and prayer by The Rev. Jean Weaver. The members of the Commission then gave the newly ordained pastor the right hand of fellowship. The Moderator then declared that Hubert Stanley Reid (Stan Reid) had been ordained. A Charge to the pastor was delivered by: The Rev. Leigh Stuckey. Following prayer and singing, the newly ordained pastor pronounced the benediction. The Commission adjourned with the benediction. 11 P age

12 The Committee on Ministry report: Committee on Ministry April 28, A Triennial Visit was conducted with the Pendleton Session. The Committee on Ministry has approved: 1. The Interim Pastor agreement between the Session of the Limestone Church and the Rev. Nathan Wheeler. 2. The Stated Supply Pastor agreement between the Session of North Anderson Community Church and the Rev. Tom Richie. 3. The Stated Supply Pastor (CRE) agreement between the Session of Unity Presbyterian Church and Mike Turner. 4. The addition of Rev. Roger Lovett, a retired Baptist Minister, to the Pulpit Supply List. 5. A change in the Terms of Call between the McCarter Church and the Rev. Darrel Fetzer. 6. A Session Moderator Compensation Policy. (see attachment) 7. The Plan of Union for the Pelzer and Williamston Churches. (see attachment and below) The Committee on Ministry recommends: 1. That Foothills Presbytery approve the Plan of Union of the Pelzer and Williamston Presbyterian Churches and that per that plan: A. The Pelzer Presbyterian Church be dissolved on May 3, 2015 B. The united congregations be renamed, Faith Presbyterian Church on May 3, C. The Plan of Union as a whole (this includes the Call of Rev. Aaron Ochart to continue his service as Pastor, Session organization, etc.) D. That Foothills Presbytery celebrate the life of the Pelzer and Williamston Presbyterian Churches, and the new united Faith Presbyterian Church with a time of prayer. E. That the Pelzer/ Williamston Commission be dissolved with thanks. Respectfully submitted, Rev. Mike Hoyt, Chair Rev. Mike Johnston, Vice Chair 12 P age

13 Plan of Union Between the Pelzer Presbyterian Church and the Williamston Presbyterian Church Revised: March 1, 2015 I. Process The process of joining the Pelzer Presbyterian Church and the Williamston Presbyterian Church is one that began over a decade ago. Many informal conversations occurred between members of the respective churches. One member even had been a member of both churches, and felt that they would do well together. The first step was the yoking of the two churches under the Rev. John Hallman who was called back, after being a student minister for the Pelzer church. The Williamston church was looking for a minister at the time, and the search committees discussed the possibility of calling Rev. Hallman to both churches with their respective Sessions. The Sessions agreed, and Rev. Hallman was called to the now yoked pair of churches. Over the years, the two churches were brought closer together through joint Wednesday evening Bible Studies, their shared Food Bank ministry, and joint services throughout the year. Services were normally held at 9:30 am and 11:00 am respectively at either church on a four month rotation; combined services were held on Christmas and Easter, during the season of Lent, part of the Summer, and on the fifth Sunday of months with five Sundays with a luncheon after service. In 2008, a plan was proposed by the Sessions to combine all services for the two churches on a rotating schedule. While the plan received a wide majority from each church, it did not pass the eighty-five percent threshold set by the Sessions of both churches, and so was not adopted. The next major step towards merging the churches started in 2012 when the Sessions worked together to create a plan for combined services starting in The Sessions worked diligently to educate the congregations through several informational meetings, letters, and conversations on the reasons for combining services, the financial outlook of each church, and the eventual goal of merging the two churches. In December of 2012, both congregations approved the plan for combined services, and have been meeting together since then. In addition, the Sessions have met in combined meetings since that time, learning to work together to do what God has called them to do. During all of this time, the ultimate goal has been to bring these two churches together as one church, it was stated clearly in Session meetings, shared with the congregational meetings, and discussed with Presbytery staff. The formal move towards merging the two churches began in the summer of 2013 when both Sessions started seriously setting forth plans to do so. The Committee on Ministry was contacted through 13 P age

14 the Stated Clerk, George Wilkes, and he was elected as the liaison to the Sessions. Rev. Wilkes met with the Sessions to discuss this process, and the Sessions were told to let him know when any decisions were made. Over the next few months, several meetings with each congregation were hosted to give the members again an understanding of the financial outlook for each of their churches, their membership, as well as the plan to start the process of merging the churches. In spring of 2014, The Sessions elected a 'Unification Committee' of four people, two from each church, to come up with a plan for merging the two churches. Over several weekly meetings, this plan was written, and the committee hosted informational meetings for all members to get an idea of what the plan would look like. The committee wrote a "Unification Proposal" which was reviewed, modified, and eventually approved by both Sessions. At the end of April the plan was sent to every member and further informational meetings were hosted, some together and some as separate churches, to discuss the proposed plan. The Stated Clerk, now Gordon Raynal, was informed of the plan, and it was given to the Committee on Ministry. A joint congregational meeting was set for June 8th, a quorum established from both congregations, and after an opportunity for members to speak for or against the plan, a separate ballot vote from each congregation was taken, and the plan was approved by both churches above the declared sixty percent majority set. The congregation was then asked to submit possible names for the new merged church. Over thirty different names were submitted. "Faith Presbyterian Church" received a majority vote, and was set as the proposed new name for the merged congregation. During this time, the Sessions began talking with Mr. Paul Grier, of the Presbyterian Foundation which assists in the merging of churches within the Presbyterian Church (USA). His experience helped the Sessions understand some of the nuances and potential pitfalls of church mergers. Committee on Ministry moved to create a commission to look into the merger, which was approved by Foothills Presbytery at their November 2014 meeting. Both Sessions look forward to working with the Commission and Presbytery to quickly approve the merger of the two congregations. II. Plan of Union A1. Our goal is for a balanced unification. In order to accomplish this, the structure of the Session going forward would be as follows: Neither congregation would elect new elders to begin service in Two elders would rotate off as usual from each Session at the end of this year. This would leave four elders remaining to serve from each existing 14 P age

15 congregation in A new Session would then be formed and made up of the remaining eight elders (4 from each existing congregation) at the time of merger. These eight elders would serve throughout 2015 to govern newly established Faith Presbyterian Church. Two more elders from each former individual congregation would then rotate off the Session at the end of One new elder from each former individual congregation would then need to be elected for a new three year term on the Session for for the Faith Presbyterian Church. This would bring the Session back to the normal six person level with three serving from each former individual congregation. From that point forward, two elders would rotate off each year, and two new elders would be elected each year to three year terms from the congregation of Faith Presbyterian Church. Beginning in 2017, there would no longer be any further separation of, or reference to, previous church membership. We are not planning on leaving the Presbyterian Church (USA). B1. All assets of both existing churches would be combined into one church. It is further proposed that the existing funds of the Pelzer Presbyterian Church, as of the date of becoming Faith Presbyterian Church, be held in a designated account to maintain all repairs, maintenance, utilities, and all other expenses associated with the operation of the property in Pelzer. There would be no further funds added to that account other than those generated by the property itself through leasing and other income generating opportunities from that property. Every effort will be made to use the property, in God honoring ways, and seek to keep the building as self-sustaining as possible. The Session and members of Faith Presbyterian Church will endeavor to seek another congregation, ministry, etc., which will be able to lease the building and at least offset the cost of keeping the building in Pelzer open and maintained. The Sessions are currently in conversations with a ministry who is interested in using the building. The Session will continue to oversee the use of the building for weddings (one of which is scheduled for November) and other events which will also provide funding for the operation and maintenance of the building in Pelzer. If those funds are depleted to $20,000 or eighteen months from the merger (whichever comes first), with no reasonable hope of a solution, the Session, shall at that time review options of selling the building in Pelzer. All proceeds shall go to Faith Presbyterian Church for their ongoing ministry and shall be distributed to the Presbytery, Food Bank ministry, and other mission through the budget as usual. In the event of the sale of the building, the pipe organ shall not be considered a part of the property and will be moved, sold, or donated in its own right. One condition of a property sale would be the preservation of the windows until such time as Faith Presbyterian Church builds a new building or otherwise can use the stained glass windows. 15 P age

16 After unification, all tithes and contributions to Faith Presbyterian Church would go to support the salaries of the minister, organist, choir director, benevolences, etc., along with maintaining the properties in Williamston. All future contributions to Faith Presbyterian Church would flow into the accounts currently held by the Williamston Church. The names of all accounts shall be changed to Faith Presbyterian Church. It would be understood prior to unification by both Churches that the buildings in Williamston (church building, manse, and food bank) would be the primary buildings of Faith Presbyterian Church for the foreseeable future. Most weekly services will be held in the sanctuary in Williamston, with fifth Sundays on months with five Sundays and special services being held in the sanctuary in Pelzer with the oversight and approval of the Session. The building in Pelzer will continue to be considered an asset of Faith Presbyterian Church, and the Session will continue to have oversight of building usage, rental, etc. It is the hope of both Sessions that a God honoring use will be found for the building in Pelzer such as another congregation using it or that it be used for an ongoing ministry. Every effort will be made to ensure that this building be preserved as long as possible. It is also agreed that the stained glass windows can be best preserved in place until they may be incorporated into a new church building in the future. Regardless of the future use of the Pelzer building, every effort will be made to preserve the safety and integrity of the stained glass windows and the pipe organ. It is the hope of the joint Sessions that continued growth of Faith Presbyterian Church will not only allow for the justification of maintaining both church buildings but necessitate the two buildings to support the growth and outreach of our congregation. It is the intent of the Session(s) to preserve as many of the elements of both current church buildings as possible and incorporate them into our worship lives both now and into the future. Faith Presbyterian Church shall be named as successor in interest to both the Pelzer Presbyterian Church and the Williamston Presbyterian Church. Any testimonial, trust, or foundational gift that is granted to either church shall be received by Faith Presbyterian Church on their behalf. All property is held in trust for the use and benefit of the Presbyterian Church (USA). 2. It is the intention of the Sessions to evaluate the incorporation of important components of the Pelzer Church into worship to represent the joining of our two former separate congregations into one body of Christ. Items of particular interest are the historic pipe organ, the baby grand piano, select furniture, and paraments within the Pelzer sanctuary. The sanctuary in Williamston will be remodeled, incorporating elements from both churches, and providing at least symbolic change for all members. 16 P age

17 C. The Rev. Aaron Ochart would continue to be the minister of Faith Presbyterian Church. Lee Gray would remain as our organist and Debra Brooks-Gray as our choir director. D. The original "Unification Proposal," being approved by a sufficient majority of both congregations, shall be considered consent for this "Plan of Union" which has reordered and further clarified the content therein so that it may be found decent and in order; no substantive changes have been made. The Sessions of each church shall approve the final wording of the Plan of Union to be submitted to the Committee on Ministry through their duly elected Commission. The Plan of Union shall be provided and explained to the congregation for their information. The joint Sessions of both churches and the constituted Session of Faith Presbyterian Church shall have the authority to adopt bylaws for the merged church by way of a majority vote. 1. As stated above, the four members of the Pelzer Presbyterian Church Session and the four members of the Williamston Presbyterian Church Session shall be constituted as the Session of Faith Presbyterian Church, and will serve the remainder of their terms. At the end of said terms, they shall rotate off and new Ruling Elders chosen as described in section A1. The Session shall continue to include members of Faith Presbyterian Church in leadership of their various ministries. E. The new merged congregation shall be known as Faith Presbyterian Church, The united Sessions of the Pelzer and Williamston congregations shall be given authority to create a new corporation or modify the Articles of Incorporation and/or Bylaws of the corporation to accurately describe the new congregation. F. The responsibility of planning the final services of the two congregations as separate congregations as well as planning the initial service of the merged congregation shall belong to the united Sessions of Pelzer and Williamston Presbyterian churches with Presbytery participation. Conclusion: The twelve members of our joint Sessions have spent countless hours in prayer and discussion to reach where we are today. We recognize and respect the deep emotions that exist within each congregation concerning this effort at unifying our two churches. We sincerely believe that through our difficult discussions, compromises, tears and concessions, we have arrived at the closest plan humanly possible to respond to God's will for us in our community. We can all see God's hand at work in this united congregation. Who could have ever imagined the things we have accomplished together in His name? The joint Sessions' reasoning in making this proposal is that our two current congregations are far better together than we are apart. Our love for each other far exceeds any differences that separate us. The joint 17 Page

18 Sessions honestly believe this proposal represents the best opportunity available to obtain sufficient support from both congregations and Presbytery to allow us to move toward the goal of uniting our two congregations. We are thankful for the help and wisdom provided by the Presbyterian Foundation, Merging Commission, and Presbytery staff, as we have all sought to represent the will of Christ. We respectfully submit this proposal for your consideration, and ask that you prayerfully consider the opportunity this proposal offers for the unification of our individual churches into one congregation. III. Presbytery The Presbytery must vote to approve the merger; as such the Sessions of Pelzer Presbyterian Church and Williamston Presbyterian Church respectfully ask that Foothills Presbytery, through the Committee on Ministry and their Unification Commission, take the following actions: 1. Change the name of the Williamston Presbyterian Church to Faith Presbyterian Church, effective 3 May, 2015 a. Authorize the Session of Faith Presbyterian Church to assert claim to any property of the Williamston Presbyterian Church not known at this time or property which may come to the Williamston Presbyterian Church as the beneficiary of a will or trust not known at this time. 2. Approve the dissolution of Pelzer Presbyterian Church, effective 3 May, a. All property is held in trust for the Presbyterian Church (USA). Authorize the Session of Faith Presbyterian Church to take possession of all real and personal property, financial records, inventories of equipment, bank and brokerage accounts, and musical instruments held by Pelzer Presbyterian Church and arrange the transfer of title to Faith Presbyterian Church. b. Authorize the Session of Faith Presbyterian Church to assert claim to any property of the Pelzer Presbyterian Church not known at this time or property which may come to the Pelzer Presbyterian Church as the beneficiary of a will or trust not known at this time. 3. Grant that the current Sessions of each church (Pelzer- Steve McGregor, Boyce Parks, John Snipes, and Judy Snipes; Williamston- David Doss, Lynn Edwards, Ann Leigher, and Jim Simpson) be named the Session of Faith Presbyterian Church, with all the rights and responsibilities thereof, until the end of their current terms. 18 P age

19 4. Authorize the Commission (or Stated Clerk) up to one year to grant letters of dismissal to members of either church who choose not to remain with Faith Presbyterian Church. Moderator- The Rev. Aaron Ochart Clerk of Pelzer Presbyterian Church Judy Snipes Clerk of Williamston Presbyterian Church Ann W. Leigher Chair of Merging Commission- The Rev. Dr. Mike Johnston Stated Clerk of Foothills Presbytery- The Rev. Gordon Raynal 19 P age

20 Committee on Ministry Session Moderator Compensation G states: If there is no installed pastor, or if the installed pastor is unable to invite another moderator, the presbytery shall make provision for a moderator. The Committee on Ministry (COM) of Foothills Presbytery appoints teaching elders to moderate Sessions when there is no installed pastor, stated supply, or intentional interim minister in the church. Since these teaching elders accept this responsibility in addition to their other commitments, the COM strongly recommends that a Session agree to pay the teaching elder $75 plus IRS mileage rate for each Session meeting that requires attendance except when the minister may already be there for example: preaching on Sunday morning with the Session meeting held before or after the service. 20 P age

21 The Examinations Commission reports: Foothills Presbytery Examinations Commission Report April 28, That it has examined the Reverend Vaughn Smith, a member of West Virginia Presbytery, who has been called by the Walhalla Church to be their Pastor. Rev. Smith was examined in the areas of Personal Faith and Call to Ministry, Bible, Theology, Sacraments and Polity. Upon the completion of his examination the Commission voted to approve the Call. Further, the Commission voted to approve the terms of Call: Salary - $21,200, Housing Allowance - $31,800, FICA - $8,109, Professional Expenses - $3,000, Board of Pensions - $20,825. The Rev. Smith will be introduced on the Floor of Presbytery. The Installation Commission will be presented at the meeting. Respectfully submitted, Rev. Jean Weaver, Chair 21 P age

22 A Brief Autobiography of Vaughan Smith (1/2015) Born in Oil City, PA, raised in Titusville, PA, I grew up with small town values and in what was then the United Presbyterian Church. We attended church frequently, but not every week. By the sovereignty of God, when I was 4 years old, I began a life-long friendship with Barry Cressman, who was then a student at Princeton Theological Seminary. A year or so after I met Barry, he became the pastor of the congregation my family attended. My relationship with Barry taught me many valuable lessons. One of the most influential of these lessons concerns the importance of pastors developing relationships with the children of the congregation. Even as a five year old, I was interested in Barry s sermons because it was my friend who was speaking, not some stranger in a black robe. His friendship played a major role in leading me to Christ and into the ministry. As a 12 year old, I felt powerfully moved to read the Bible from cover to cover. I was not a great reader, and the only Bible my family had was a KJV. For reasons I can attribute only to God, I persevered and finished my first reading of the Bible in a year and half. There was a lot I did not understand. Yet, during that first read of the Bible I became completely certain that the Bible is a book like no other. I knew that it was uniquely inspired by God and that I would be studying it for the rest of my life. Years later as a first year student at Princeton Theological Seminary, I read Calvin s Institutes, and I learned the name for what I had experienced during that first reading of the Bible. I had experienced the inward testimony of the [Holy] Spirit (Institutes ). I remain firmly convinced that the Bible is God s unique Self-revelation and our highest authority in all matter of faith and of life. Although I loved the Lord from a young age and greatly enjoyed reading and studying Scripture, as a teenager I had no desire to become a pastor. I wanted to serve God and people in the psychiatric field. Consequently, my first degree was a B.S. in psychology. After three years as a counselor, I had a disagreement with my supervisor over praying with patients. I prayed for the patients, and when patients asked me to pray with them, I did. I was written up for praying with patients twice. My supervisor told me that I had to leave my faith outside the hospital so I quit. My refusal to refrain from praying with patients injured my reputation within the mental health community, and I could not find a new position. Needing some source of income while I considered my options, I took a job at Dairy Queen. God knew what God was doing. It was at Dairy Queen that I met and fell in love with my wife, Cathy. After a little more than a year at Dairy Queen, I finally got a another opportunity in the psychiatric field. Although I was delighted to be back in my chosen profession, I came to feel that God was calling me into the ordained ministry. I called Barry and told him about it. Barry said, I wondered when you would finally figure that out! Cathy and I married in 1992 and we moved to Princeton so I could attend seminary. I have served as a PC(USA) pastor since ordination in 1997, and for the past 10 years I have also served as an adjunct professor of Old Testament, New Testament, and Church History. Cathy and I have one child, Cheyann, age 13. Our little family is excited about this new chapter in our life. We don t know what the future holds, but we do know and trust The One who holds the future! 22 P age

23 Brief Statement of Faith Vaughan Smith I believe in, trust in, rely upon, and daily dedicate myself to better knowing, loving, and serving the One True Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I believe that the Holy Scripture of the Old and New Testaments is the written Word of God, and that when Scripture is interpreted to believers by the same Holy Spirit who inspired its writing, believers find in Scripture the unique Self-revelation of God and God s authoritative instruction for living new life in and for Christ Jesus. I believe that in God s loving and righteous goodness, the One Triune God acted, and is still acting, to restore the sin-ruptured relationship between God and God s fallen creation. At the right time, and in an act of Self-sacrificing love, the Eternal Word of God voluntarily set aside his heavenly glory, took upon himself human flesh and nature, and entered this world as a fully human and fully divine being named Jesus, son of the Virgin Mary, and Son of God. Jesus lived a perfect life of obedience to and of fellowship with the Father and the Holy Spirit, and he thus set the example toward which we prayerfully strive. He bore our sin in his body on the cross, and all who trust in him are now restored to a right relationship with God. On the third day, the Father raised Jesus from the dead. Jesus now serves as Head of the Church Invisible and as our perfect High Priest. The Lord Jesus did not leave his sheep alone when he ascended. Rather, with the Father, he sent God the Holy Spirit to dwell within us, to guide us, to teach us, to empower us, and to conform us to the likeness and character of Jesus. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus himself is present with us, and it is by the inward work of the Holy Spirit that we know Jesus as our personal Savior and Lord. God freely calls undeserving women and men into the community of the redeemed the Church, the grace-saved family of God and this diverse community is unified in and only in Christ. Created, called, and sustained by God s grace; nourished through the Word and Sacraments, governed by Scripture, and surrendered to its Head; led, gifted, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, and motivated by love and gratitude, the Church of forgiven sinners enjoys the awesome privilege and responsibility of participating with Jesus in his on-going ministry of self-giving, redeeming love. Until the blessed Day when Jesus returns in power and glory at the end of the age, we pray, praise, work, and wait, as we continuously strive to better know, better love, better serve, better share, and better glorify the great Triune God of our salvation. 23 P age

24 CPM Report to Presbytery March 24, 2015 The Committee on Preparation for Ministry reports that: 1. On January 22, we: a. Received reports and updates on students under care of CPM. b. Met with Candidate Ridgely Beckett for final assessment. Following a wellreceived examination, Ridgely was approved to be certified ready to receive a call, pending completion of degree requirements this spring. 2. On February 23, we: a. Received reports and updates on students under care of CPM. b. Met with Glenda Wickstrom (John Knox) for an interview and her request to become an Inquirer under care of Foothills Presbytery. In affirming Glenda s sense of call, CPM approved her enrollment as an Inquirer. She is currently a student at Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta. c. Met with Candidate Terri Price (St. Giles) for her final assessment. Following a well-received examination, Terri was approved to be certified ready to receive a call, pending completion of degree requirements this spring. 3. On March 26, we: a. Received reports and updates on students under care of CPM. b. Received report that Stan Reid was joyfully ordained and will serve as Stated Supply Pastor at Grace Covenant Church in Mauldin. c. Received report that Jonathan Britt was joyfully ordained and will serve as Associate Pastor at St. Thomas Presbyterian Church in Houston, Texas. d. Met with David Randolph (Fourth) for an interview and his request to become an Inquirer under care of Foothills Presbytery. In affirming David s sense of call, CPM approved his enrollment as an Inquirer. He is currently a student at Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta. Respectfully Submitted, The Rev. Patrick Jinks and the Rev. Peggy Swann, Co-Moderators 24 P age

25 CPM Report to Presbytery March 24, 2015 Current Members of the Foothills CPM RE = Ruling Elder TE = Teaching Elder Class of 2015 Class of 2016 Class of 2017 TE Chris Berardi RE Bill Burns TE Patrick Jinks RE Ann Broom TE Andy Casto-Waters RE Beverly George RE Peggy Clark TE Joseph Gaston TE Ralph May TE Gene Lassiter TE Dottie Metropol TE Jennifer Sheorn Vacant RE David Quattlebaum RE Fred Tolly Vacant TE Peggy Swann Vacant LeAnne White, Staff and Debbie Foster, ex-officio List of Students Currently Under Care of Foothills CPM Inquirers (9) Date of Inquiry Name Church Educational Status Liaison to CPM Scott Neely First, Spartanburg 2006 Grad of Harvard Divinity Patrick Jinks Andrew Whitehead Westminster (Greenville) Union Pres - Rich. (1 st Yr 14-15) Ann Broom Robert Bannan First, Spartanburg Columbia Sem. (1 st Yr 14-15) D. Quattlebaum Ginger Shuler First, Spartanburg Union Pres. Chlt (2 nd Yr 14-15) A. Casto-Waters Charlie Pratt John Knox Union Pres. Chlt (3 rd Yr 14-15) Gene Lassiter Colin Pettigrew Ft. Hill Union Pres. Rich (1 st Yr 14-15) Dottie Metropol Jason Moore First, Spartanburg Erskine (Final Yr 14-15) Patrick Jinks Glenda Wickstrom John Knox Columbia Sem. (1 st Yr 14-15) Beverly George David Randolph Fourth Columbia Sem. (1 st Yr 14-15) Chris Berardi Candidates (8) Date of Cand. Name Church Educational Status Liaison to CPM Chris Bailey Westminster (Greenville) 2014 Grad of Princeton Sem. Bill Burns Erin Foster Farry Fourth 2014 Grad of Princeton Sem. Chris Berardi Charmaine Smith-Miles Midway Union Pres. Chlt (5 th Yr 14-15) J. Fouse-Sheorn Landon Hammett First, Spartanburg Union Pres. Chlt (6 th Yr 14-15) Dottie Metropol Ridgley Beckett First, Spartanburg Columbia Sem. (4 th Yr 14-15) Dottie Metropol Terri Price St Giles Union Pres. Chlt (5 th Yr 14-15) Peggy Clark Kristin Reinhold * Fort Hill 2012 Grad of Columbia Sem. Patrick Jinks Lauren Slingerland* First, Greer 2011 Grad of Columbia Sem. Dottie Metropol (* Signifies Certified Ready for Ordination Pending a Call ) (Signifies Call Pending) (> Signifies request to withdraw from Ordination Process) 25 P age

26 Foothills Presbytery Council reports: Presbytery Council Report April 28, As previously reported at the January Stated Meeting, Council approved a child care policy for the Stated and Called Meetings of Presbytery. The policy was reviewed and approved at the March Council meeting. (see attachment) 2. At the March meeting, the Council received a report from the Stated Clerk and Associate Stated Clerk concerning the transitions going on in Presbytery. At the Summer Stated Meeting of Presbytery on August 9 th, Presbytery will received major reports concerning the work of the Discernment Task Force and from the Unity and Community Team regarding the Overtures from the GA Reform Group. At the November 10 th Stated Meeting, the Presbytery will receive a follow-up report from the Discernment Task Force, a report from the Buc Outdoor Center Transitional Board, and deal with the budget for Council urges every Session to read the Report of the Stated Clerk and enter a season of prayerful discernment in preparation for the coming discussions and decisions Foothills must make in All the Teams and Committees of Council are on the consent agenda for this meeting. The following teams and committees have important written reports for our Sessions to consider: a. Mission Team b. Equipping the Saints c. Governing Body d. Finance and Stewardship e. Presbytery Youth Council 4. That Council approved the agenda and set the Docket for the Spring 2015 Stated Meeting. 5. Approved that the Summer 2015 Stated Meeting will be held at Roberts Church on Sunday, August 9 at 2 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Nancy Welch, Chair of Council 26 P age

27 Foothills Presbytery Child Care Policy for Stated and Called Meetings of Presbytery As a response to the vows made in baptism, churches that host Stated and Called meetings of Foothills Presbytery will be responsible for providing child care. All Churches that host will have a Safe Place Policy, in addition to the required Sexual Misconduct Policy. Those who need childcare will contact the host church no later than ten (10) days before the meeting with the age and number of children needing to be cared for. Churches are asked to cover as much of the childcare cost as they are able to cover. 27 P age

28 Mission Team Report April 2015 The Mission Team of Foothills Presbytery has met to discuss the focus of its work for The team has decided to contact members of our Presbytery s Equipping the Saints Team about and partnering on a project. We are inviting The Rev. Ray Jones from the General Assembly Presbyterian Mission Agency s office of Evangelism to Foothills Presbytery. He has accepted our invitation and is working with both teams on a one-day workshop with a focus on church Evangelism in a time of great cultural shift within our religious landscape. Rev. Jones will present the work and research behind the recently introduced Engage project/study. Engage is about effective evangelism that is part of a disciple making church culture that emphasizes both the importance of social justice and faith sharing. It begins with the Jesus question, who do you say that I am? The workshop will explore this question by moving through three main components: Engage the Gospel Discipleship Your Community Members: Whitney Moss, Ray White, Marion Boozer, Julie Meredith (Chair), Sam Wiley, Matt Matthews, Manella Calhoun 28 P age

29 Equipping the Saints Team Report, April 2015 The Mission of the Equipping the Saints team is to Equip, Nurture and Connect the 61 churches of Foothills Presbytery. Peer and Sustain Groups Youth Leader Roundtable - Meets every other month at the Presbytery Office. Dates for 2015: April 7 (topic: Building a Volunteer Team), June 2, Aug 4. Oct 6, and Dec 1 Foothills Faith Builders Meets for lunch/fellowship on alternate months at the presbytery office. Ruling elders /volunteers are attending as well. Meeting Dates for 2015: Jan 12, May 11, July 13, Sept 14, Nov 9. APCE Group will be sharing resource take-a-ways Monday April 13, 12.30pm at the Presbytery Office. All are welcome. Small Church cohort Gatherings Topics they are covering include congregational financial assessment and health, human needs, pastoral and educational needs. The next gathering is at Piedmont Church April 16 th. Spiritual Formation in the Small Church ~ A series of 4 Retreats/Workshops (The Notebook Brigade) are being offered in The first event is scheduled for May 23 at McCarter Presbyterian. Contact Tom Malone for more information. A variety of more formal and informal peer group gatherings/study groups take place across the Presbytery. If you are interested in joining a group or starting a new one, please contact Allyson Helvie (Piedmont) or Debbie Foster (Presbytery). Mentors Support for pastors (new and those who have been serving) and church professionals in Foothills Presbytery is a priority, especially those on their first call. We are exploring ideas on how to welcome a person when they first arrive and assigning a sponsor. Follow up with the expectation that the person needs to have a mentor and ask, How can we support you in finding the mentor you need? Also mentioned was the usefulness of peer groups, with different connections needed in different parts of ministry. Connections across denominational lines are also valuable. Barnabas Leadership Group Providence Presbytery, contacted Debbie Foster about ways the two Presbyteries might work together to seek funding for training of ministers and educators with Stan Ott s Leadership/Coaching opportunity. Courses, Curriculum and Workshop Development Looking Ahead How can the use of technology can make our ministries more Effective and Efficient? Whether it's sharing information via a Facebook page, providing ministerial efforts on a church website, or using technology to make your office run more smoothly, there is a huge opportunity to leverage inexpensive, or even free applications and services to make things better.the bigger challenge is that there is a wide range of experience levels out there. Every level, from beginner to expert can still use technology to bring glory to God, but how? Are there certain tools that a 29 P age