REPORT OF THE STATED CLERK October 14, Items for Information

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1 REPORT OF THE STATED CLERK October 14, 2010 Items for Information 1. Correspondence During the reported period since the last regularly stated Presbytery meeting, correspondence that was received was responded to and/or appropriately routed for review and response in due course. 2. The Presbyterian Church (USA) by the Pittsburgh Presbytery v. The Rev. John Dykstra In compliance with section D of the Book of Order, as Stated Clerk I report to the Presbytery the attached Decision in the subject disciplinary case, and shall place a copy of such Decision into the Minutes of this meeting of the Presbytery. 3. Report of the Reading of Calendar Year 2009 Session Minutes, Rolls and Registers Please note the attached report of the Ecclesiastical Committee s reading of session minutes, rolls and registers for calendar year A copy of the report will be placed into the Minutes of this meeting of the Presbytery. 4. Brighton-McClure/Northminster Merger Administrative Commission, Roster Change Please note, that between regularly stated meetings of the Presbytery, the Moderator of the Presbytery, on September 8, 2010, appointed Peter Herchenroether (Elder, The Community Presbyterian Church of Ben Avon) to the Brighton-McClure/Northminster Merger Administrative Commission, to replace an elder on the Commission who was unable to continue to serve. 5. Book of Order Amendments (Part 3 of 3) Informational Event The Stated Clerk s office is sponsoring an informational seminar at the Presbytery Center on the pending Book of Order amendments. The gathering will be Wednesday, October 20, 2010 from 7 to 9 p.m. Interested persons are invited to appear and take the opportunity to register their views on the proposed Book of Order amendments which will be voted upon by the Presbytery at a Special Meeting to be convened at Mt. Lebanon United Presbyterian Church on Thursday evening, November 18, The October 20 th seminar will focus upon the suggested amendments to the current Book of Order. It will not be centered on either the proposed Belhar Confession or the suggested new Form of Government. For space planning, please call us in advance to let us know if you will be attending this seminar. 6. Associate Stated Clerk Applications The Stated Clerk s office has begun a search for an elder or minister who may be interested in being appointed an Associate Stated Clerk for Presbytery meeting enrollments. The position involves attending each regular and special meeting of the Presbytery and taking responsibility for the welcoming and computerized enrollment of meeting presbyters and visitors. Knowledge of basic data entry and Presbyterian meeting polity will be helpful. The position pays a (very) modest stipend per year. Interested persons are welcome to send a letter or of interest and background to the Stated Clerk s attention.

2 7. Written Accusation Received The Stated Clerk advises that he has received a written accusation under the Rules of Discipline against a minister member of the Presbytery. Items for Action 1. Consent Motions The Stated Clerk recommends the following item be approved by consent: #3 2. Investigating Committee The Stated Clerk requests the following persons be appointed by the Presbytery as an Investigating Committee under the Rules of Discipline: Ministers James R. Craig (Longwood at Oakmont) Catherine Purves (Bellevue United) Elders Susan Dobbins (Sewickley) Harriette McCray (Grace Memorial) Mark Krauland (East Liberty) *3. Ecclesiastical Administrative Commissions to Ordain, Install or Receive to Ordain & Install Benjamin Libert Libert The Administrative Commission elected by Pittsburgh Presbytery on September 2, 2010 to ordain and install Benjamin Libert as a minister of the word and sacrament consisting of the Moderator, Rev. Karl McDonald his designee to moderate: the Reverends Robert Marrow and Thomas Hall together with Elders De Triponey of the Hillcrest United Presbyterian Church and Barbara Metz of the Cross Roads Presbyterian Church, Monroeville by appointment on September 19, 2010 at 3:30 p.m. at the Cross Roads Presbyterian Church, Monroeville. There being a quorum present, the Commission was convened with prayer by The Rev. Steve Franklin. All things being prepared in advance, decently and in order, the Commission approved the Service of Ordination and Installation and voted to proceed to ordain and install Benjamin Libert as a minister of the word and sacrament according to the direction of Presbytery and the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The Commission moved to the Sanctuary at 4:00 p.m. and ordained and installed Benjamin Libert as a minister of the word and sacrament and associate pastor of the Cross Roads Presbyterian Church, Monroeville. Rev. Dr. Karl McDonald asked the constitutional questions, which he answered in the affirmative. The Sermon was delivered by Rev. Steve Franklin. Rev. Dr. Karl McDonald offered the prayer of ordination. The Minutes of the Commission were read and approved. Upon motion duly made, the Commission moved to adjourn at the conclusion of the Service of Ordination and Installation with the pronouncement of Benediction by the Rev. Benjamin Libert. to Install the Reverend Karen B. Anderson Anderson Ecclesiastical Administrative Commission elected by Pittsburgh Presbytery on September 2, 2010 to install the Rev. Karen B. Anderson as Associate Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Bakertown consisting of Elder Templeton Smith or his designee to moderate, the Revs. Daniel Muttart and Cynthia Reyes Fillmore; together with Elders Vera White of the Hiland Presbyterian Church, and Michael Reynolds of the First Presbyterian Church, Bakerstown. met by appointment on September 26, 2010 at 5:00 p,m. at the First Presbyterian Church, Bakerstown.

3 There being a quorum present, the Commission was convened with prayer by Rev. Daniel Muttart. All things being prepared in advance, decently and in order, the Commission approved the Service of installation and voted to proceed to the installation of the Rev. Karen Anderson to the direction of Presbytery and the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA). The Commission moved to the Sanctuary at 5:00 p.m. and installed the Rev. Karen Anderson as Associate Pastor. Elder Templeton Smith asked the constitutional questions (W ) which the candidate answered in the affirmative. The Sermon was delivered by Rev. Daniel Muttart. Rev. Daniel Muttart offered the prayer of installation. Elder John Welty asked the constitutional questions to the congregation, which were answered in the affirmative. (W b). The Minutes of the Commission were read and approved. Upon motion duly made, the Commission moved to adjourn at the conclusion of the Service of Installation with the pronouncement of Benediction by the Rev. Karen B. Anderson. to Install the Reverend James W. Kirk Kirk Ecclesiastical Administrative Commission elected by Pittsburgh Presbytery on September 2, 2010 to install the Rev. James W. Kirk as Associate Pastor of the Ken Mawr United Presbyterian Church, consisting of Rev. Karl McDonald to moderate, the Revs. Daniel B. Merry, Douglas Portz and Brenda Barnes; together with Elders Sharon Stewart of the Pleasant Hills Community Presbyterian Church, David Anderson of the Presbyterian Church of Plum Creek and Louise Schoppe of the Ken Mawr United Presbyterian Church. met by appointment on September 26, 2010 at 6:30,m. at the Ken Mawr United Presbyterian Church. There being a quorum present, the Commission was convened with prayer by The Rev. Brenda Barnes. All things being prepared in advance, decently and in order, the Commission approved the Service of installation and voted to proceed to the installation of the Rev. James Kirk to the direction of Presbytery and the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA). The Commission moved to the Sanctuary at 7:00 p.m. and installed the Rev. James Kirk as Associate Pastor. The Rev. Dr. Karl McDonald asked the constitutional questions (W ) which the candidate answered in the affirmative. The Sermon was delivered by the Rev. Dr. Daniel Merry. The Rev. Karl McDonald offered the prayer of installation. Elder Louise Schoppe asked the constitutional questions to the congregation, which were answered in the affirmative. (W b). The Minutes of the Commission were read and approved. Upon motion duly made, the Commission moved to adjourn at the conclusion of the Service of Installation with the pronouncement of Benediction by the Rev. James W. Kirk. to Install the Reverend John G. Hamilton Hamilton Ecclesiastical Administrative Commission elected by Pittsburgh Presbytery on September 2, 2010 to install the Rev. John G. Hamilton as Pastor of the Bethany Presbyterian Church, consisting of Rev. Karl McDonald to moderate, the Revs. Donald Dawson and Betty Angelini; together with Elders Sharon Stewart of the Pleasant Hills Community Presbyterian Church and Fred Gossic of the Bethany Presbyterian Church. met by appointment on September 26, 2010 at 10:30 a,m. at the Bethany Presbyterian Church. Also invited to participate is the Rev. James Tilley of the First Presbyterian Church of Rochelle, Blackhawk Presbytery.

4 There being a quorum present, the Commission was convened with prayer by the Rev. Betty Angelini. All things being prepared in advance, decently and in order, the Commission approved the Service of installation and voted to proceed to the installation of the Rev. John Hamilton to the direction of Presbytery and the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA). The Commission moved to the Sanctuary at 10:45 a.m. and installed the Rev. John Hamilton as Pastor. Rev. Karl McDonald asked the constitutional questions (W ) which the candidate answered in the affirmative. The Sermon was delivered by the Rev. Donald Dawson. Elder Sharon Stewart offered the prayer of installation. Elder Becki Price asked the constitutional questions to the congregation, which were answered in the affirmative. (W b). The Minutes of the Commission were read and approved. Upon motion duly made, the Commission moved to adjourn at the conclusion of the Service of Installation with the pronouncement of Benediction by the Rev. John G. Hamilton.

5 The following churches had their minutes and rolls and registers approved with commendation: Amity Elfinwild Pleasant Hills Comm. Aspinwall Forest Hills Rennerdale, 1 st Bakerstown, 1 st Fox Chapel Riverdale UP Baldwin UP Greenfield Ross Community Ben Avon, Community Hamilton Second, Wilkinsburg Bethany Hebron UP Sewickley, the PC Bethel Hiland Shadyside Baulah UP Ingram, UP in Sixth Bower Hill Comm Jefferson UP South Side Brighton-McClure Ken Mawr UP Southminster Brookline Blvd UP Korean UP Springdale UP Carnegie Lebanon Swissvale Castle Shannon, 1 st McKeesport Tarentum, 1 st Central, Tarentum Moon Run Union, Robinson Twp Clinton UP Mt. Hope Comm. Unity UP Concord Mt. Lebanon UP UP of Universal Dormont Mt. Pisgah Valley Duquesne, 1 st Mt. Vernon Comm. Wallace Memorial East Liberty North Hills UP Waverly UP East Union Northmont UP Westminster Edgewood, 1 st Parkwood UP Wexford Community Whitehall UP The following churches had their minutes and/or rolls & registers approved with exceptions: Bellevue UP Glenshaw Mt. Nebo UP Bethel UP Grace Memorial Mt. Washington PC of Bethesda UP, Elizabeth Grand View UP Noblestown UP Bidwelll UP Hampton UP Oakdale UP Community House Church Hawthorne Avenue Oakmont Covenant-Community Heritage Olivet UP Crafton Heights, 1 st UP Hillcrest UP Pine Creek Crafton UP Hoboken Pittsburgh, 1 st Cross Roads, Gibsonia Homestead UP Sharon Community Eastminster John McMillan St. Andrew s UP Emsworth UP Knoxville United Sunset Hills UP Forest Grove Liberty Turtle Creek, 1 st UP Friendship Comm. Lincoln Place Verona UP Gladden UP Logans Ferry

6 The following churches failed to have their minutes/rolls & registers read or were only partially read this year: Beechview UP PC of Coraopolis Mosaic Community Bellefield Cross Roads, Monroeville Mt. Pleasant UP Bethesda UP, Pgh Deer Creek UP Mulberry Boston, 1 st UP Elizabeth, 1 st Natrona Heights Braddock, 1 st UP Forest Avenue UP Neville Island Brentwood Gibsonia, 1 st Northminster Buena Vista UP Glenshaw Valley Open Door Bull Creek UP Hazelwood Pleasant Unity UP Calvert Memorial UP Hebron, Clinton PC of Plum Creek Chartiers Valley UP Hot Metal Bridge Riverview UP Cheswick Indianola UP Round Hill Christ Community Kerr Sampson s Mills Clairton, First Linway UP Third Community of Reconciliation Montours Valley View

7 THE PERMANENT JUDICIAL COMMISSION of THE PRESBYTERY OF PITTSBURGH of THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (U.S.A.) DECISION Presbytery of Pittsburgh For The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) v. Rev. John C. Dykstra Minister of Word and Sacrament ARRIVAL STATEMENT This is a Disciplinary case which has come before the Permanent Judicial Commission as a result of a Charge having been submitted against Rev. John C. Dykstra, a Minister of Word and Sacrament and a member of the Presbytery of Pittsburgh. JURISDICTION STATEMENT The Permanent Judicial Commission finds that it has jurisdiction, that the Rev. Dykstra is a Minister member of the Pittsburgh Presbytery, and that the charge against Rev. Dykstra was filed by the then Investigating Committee within the time limits set forth in D HISTORY The Investigating Committee in this matter, appointed by the Moderator of the Pittsburgh Presbytery pursuant to its standing rules, was convened on May 21, On May 7, 2010 the Investigating Committee filed a single charge against the Rev. Dykstra. A pretrial conference in matter was held on June 8, 2010 at which time the Charge was received into the record as PJC Exhibit 1. In addition, at that time a Plea Agreement dated May 7, 2010 and signed by the Prosecuting Committee and Rev. Dykstra was entered into the record as PJC Exhibit 2. Insofar as the Rev. Dykstra had been prevented from attending the pretrial conference by reason of his then recovering from heart surgery, an authorization from the Rev. Dykstra that the pre-trial conference proceed without him, and with his counsel the Rev. Jeff Tindall, Esq., representing him there, was also admitted into the record as PJC Exhibit 3. It was argued at the pre-trial conference by Counsel for the Rev. Dykstra that insofar as the Parties in this matter had entered into a Plea Agreement on the Charge, such plea agreement meant the Permanent Judicial Commission was required to proceed solely under provisions of D h of the Rules of Discipline. However, the Moderator and the Clerk of the Permanent Judicial commission determined that since the facts, circumstances and Charge in this case were not such that a mediation, restitution or other inter-party grievance settlement could likely be involved, a Plea Agreement between the Parties did not place the processing of this matter within D h. The Moderator and Clerk of the Permanent Judicial Commission determined that the case thus was to proceed under provisions of D (6) of the Rules of Discipline.

8 The members of the Permanent Judicial Commission (absent Elder John Matta who had recused himself), plus certain members of the Permanent Judicial Commission Reserve Roster, convened in the matter on September 15, At such convening the Permanent Judicial Commission confirmed the pretrial conference decisions of the Moderator and the Clerk. CHARGE The Charge in this matter is as follows: Beginning in about the late summer of 2007 and continuing until about early 2009, you, JOHN C. DYKSTRA, while serving as an associate pastor at the Bethany Presbyterian Church in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania, had an extramarital sexual affair with a female member of your congregation, namely, "A" (for purposes of this charge). This action is contrary to Exodus 20:14 and to G b of The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). THE PLEA To this Charge, and pursuant to the terms of the Plea Agreement, the Rev. Dykstra pled GUILTY, which Plea the Permanent Judicial Commission found to be voluntarily submitted, and which the Commission accepted. THE PLEA AGREEMENT and SUGGESTED CENSURE Pursuant to the Plea Agreement between the Parties, the Prosecuting Committee thereupon urged the Permanent Judicial Commission to consider and enter a Censure of the Rev. Dykstra in accordance with the terms of the Plea Agreement. There being no further matters to consider the Permanent Judicial Commission went into executive session to consider the matter of a Censure. The Permanent Judicial Commission concurred in the Censure suggested by the Prosecuting Committee, as had been agreed to by the Rev. Dykstra, and thereupon in open session the Permanent Judicial Commission announced that it had determined to Censure the Rev. Dykstra in the terms as set forth in the Plea Agreement between the parties, and as set out here following. CHARGE WITH VERDICT As to the sole Charge stated above the Permanent Judicial Commission finds the Rev. John Dykstra GUILTY in accordance with his Plea of Guilty to such Charge. ORDER The Permanent Judicial Commission, acting as a court of the Church, therefore imposes upon the Rev. John C. Dykstra the CENSURE of temporary exclusion as follows: a. Rev. John C. Dykstra will be temporarily excluded from exercise of ordained office for a period of no less than 18 months and for a period of no more than 30 months, and b. The temporary exclusion from exercise of ordained office will be deemed to have begun on June 8, 2009 when the Rev. Dykstra voluntarily suspended his duties and privileges as a Minister of Word and Sacrament, and c. Rev. Dykstra will continue his participation in counseling with the Pittsburgh Pastoral Institute until such time as his counselor determines that Rev. Dykstra is fit and ready to return to his duties and privileges as a Minister of Word and Sacrament and provides a report detailing the progress Rev. Dykstra made with regard to issues of sexual misconduct and ministerial boundaries and that Rev. Dykstra is fit and ready to return to the duties and privileges of a Minister of Word and Sacrament to the Pittsburgh Presbytery Committee on Ministry, and

9 d. Upon receipt of a report as set forth above, Rev. Dykstra is immediately free to go to the Committee on Ministry and seek reinstatement by the Presbytery and, e. Upon reinstatement, Dykstra will thereafter be free to seek a call in accordance with the requirements and procedures set forth in the Book of Order. (PJC votes 9-0 in favor of accepting plea agreement). PARTICIPATION, ABSENCES AND NON-PARTICIPANTS The following members of the Permanent Judicial Commission were present for the full Commission hearing in this matter and participated in reaching its decision: The Revs. Jean Henderson (Moderator), Emily Miller (Clerk), Ann Morris, Bruce Byers, Thomas Hall II, and Elders Jean Kennedy, Dwight Howes, and Carolyn Wood, in association with Permanent Judicial Commission Reserve Roster member the Rev. Stewart Pollock. The following member of the Permanent Judicial Commission recused himself from the Commission for this matter and did not participate in its deliberations: Elder John Matta. The following members of the Permanent Judicial Commission Reserve Roster were present and participated for the full Commission hearing in this matter, but took no voting part in the decision: Elder Kears Pollock. DATE Dated this 15th day of September, /s/ Rev. Jean Henderson Rev. Jean Henderson, Moderator, Permanent Judicial Commission /s/ Rev. Emily Miller Rev. Emily Miller, Clerk, Permanent Judicial Commission