The Presbytery of Hudson River April 10, 2018 Stony Point Center 10:00 AM 3:45 PM

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1 Our Vision: As members of the body of Christ, Hudson River Presbytery is called to live resurrection with passion and partnership in a changing world. The Presbytery of Hudson River April 10, 2018 Stony Point Center 10:00 AM 3:45 PM 9:30 REGISTRATION PRE-MEETING PRAYER GATHERING Theme: Inclusivity 10:00 CALL TO GATHER THE PRESBYTERS FOR GOD S BUSINESS Moderator Keith Brokaw DECLARATION OF A QUORUM VOTING THE DOCKET (including the Consent Agenda. If any presbyter wants to remove an item from the consent agenda for discussion and action s/he need only request that it be removed.) THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW ELDER COMMISSIONERS THE SEATING OF CORRESPONDING MEMBERS THE MINUTES (Appointment of readers of this meeting s minutes) WELCOME FROM STONY POINT CENTER 10:15 WORSHIP Martin McGeachy, preaching; David and Martha Harkness officiating at communion; Today s offering will go to One Great Hour of Sharing 1

2 11:00 BECOMING A WELCOMING AFFIRMING CONGREGATION- a panel discussion 12:30 LUNCH Lunch is offered by Stony Point Center for $10. 1:25 60-SECOND ANNOUNCEMENTS 1:40 COMMITTEE ON REPRESENTATION AND NOMINATIONS Heather Benedict 1:45 COUNCIL Gavin Meek 2:00 INTERIM GENERAL PRESBYTERY S REPORT Gavin Meek 2:15 COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY Erin Moore and Lisa Niven Honorable Retirement of David Harkness Lisa Niven speaking 2:30 GRANTS COMMITTEE Cathy Surgenor Self- Development of People Report 2:45 STATED CLERK S REPORT Susan De George 2:50 PERSONNEL Paul Seelman 2:55 HRP GREEN Kathleen Dean 3:00 PRESBYTERIAN INVESTMENT AND LOAN PROGRAM James Rissler Restoring Creation Loans 3:15 FAITH AND ORDER COMMITTEE Robert Trawick 3:40 NEW BUSINESS (150 copies of any new business must be in the hands of the Stated Clerk by 12:30 PM) ATTENDANCE 3:45 ADJOURNMENT *********************************************** Tuesday, September at 10:00 am is the next gathering of the Presbytery of Hudson River. The Presbytery will gather for registration at 9:30 am and for the meeting at 10:00 am at the the Presbyterian Camp and Conference Center, Holmes, New York. Those unable to attend a presbytery meeting shall submit their requests to be excused to Jean Kaiser: jean@hudrivpres.org. 2

3 PRESBYTERY OF HUDSON RIVER Presbytery Meeting January 30, 2018 The Presbytery of Hudson River met in stated meeting on Tuesday, January 30, 2018, at First Presbyterian Church, Monroe, New York, and was convened at 10:00AM with prayer. Note: MSA = moved, seconded, approved. MA = moved, approved, motions coming from committees, needing no second. MWS=Minister of the Word and Sacrament; RE = Ruling Elder, CRE = Commissioned Ruling Elder. PHR website: with a link to Hudson Happenings. Call to Gather the Presbyters for God s Business Declaration of a Quorum Moderator Peter Surgenor declared a quorum was present. Moderator Peter Surgenor Moderator Peter Surgenor Voting on the Docket Motion: to vote on the Docket and Consent Agenda. (Attachments I & II). MSA The AA/EEO guidelines were followed during the search process for all of the Teaching Elders and CREs listed in the Committee on Ministry report (Consent Agenda). Introduction of New Ruling Elder Commissioners The Moderator welcomed Ruling Elders who were attending as first-time commissioners. Seating of Corresponding Members MOTION: to seat for 2018: Brian Breault (UCC) Holmes, Noelle Damico (UCC) Presbytery Communications Director, Richard Witt (Episcopal) Rural and Migrant Ministry Director, Jennifer Kottler (Disciples of Christ-UCC) Gavin Meek s wife, Jerry Wondra, (Reformed Church in America). MSA Minutes Readers MWS Bruce Baker and RE Lisa Niven (Irvington) Welcome from First Presbyterian Church of Monroe MWS Bronc Radak welcomed presbytery to First Presbyterian Church. Bronc Radak Worship (Attachment III) Betty Tom led worship. The offering was dedicated to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and totaled $ Necrology Report (Attachment IV) Installation of Moderator Keith Brokaw and Moderator-Elect Lori Knight-Whitehouse. Committee on Representation and Nominations Heather Benedict The Committee on Representation and Nominations recommends the following:

4 MA the following resignations: RESIGN RE Dean Neely Budget, Finance & Property/Trustees, 2019 MA the following elections, with no nominations from the floor, ELECT RE Bill Doescher Budget, Finance and Property Committee, 2020 RE Eugee Whyte B, F & P/T, 2020 MWS Peter Surgenor B, F & P/T, 2019 RE Ruth Duncan Personnel, 2020 RE Stephen Lynn Synod Mission and Ministries Commission The committee s work for the future includes filling 2 positions for COM. Council (Attachment V) The attached report has information regarding the Council s work. The presbytery s theme for worship this year is inclusivity. Hudson River University will be on March 17, (Attachment VI) Gavin Meek Communications Report Noelle Damico Noelle asked for feedback on the new presbytery website, and gave instructions on navigation through the pages. General Presbyter Nominating Committee Laurie McNeill The Minister Information Form is online and there are six applications thus far. Stated Clerk s Report (Attachment VII) Susan De George The minutes of the December 5, 2017 stated meeting of the Presbytery were read by MWS David Mason and RE James Ferguson (Calvary, Newburgh). They recommend approval. MOTION: to approve no action needed for Redressing an Imbalance of MWSs and REs at this time. MSA Statistical Reports online close on February 7, They can be completed early to avoid the end of year rush. They need to be approved by session. Save the date: the annual Clerk of Session workshop and minute reading will be part of the March Hudson River University that will happen on Saturday, March 17 th 2018 beginning at 11 am and going until 3 pm at the Stony Point Center. Session records for 2017 will be examined at that gathering, including the minutes and roll books. The Stated Clerk Annual Report is attached. (Attachment VIII) Grants Committee Cathryn Surgenor Challenge to Change applications are due by March 15, Erin Moore spoke about Chester s Challenge to Change Grant and what they have accomplished. Budget, Finance & Property/Trustees Thomas Buchanan Thomas presented the 2018 budget for a vote. Moderator Keith called the question, to vote. MOTION: to approve the HRP 2018 budget. MA Yes votes-all but one.

5 The Mission and per Capita 2017 year-end reports are attached. (Attachment IX) 12:30 PM Blessing for the Meal. Reconvened at 1:30 PM 60 Second Announcements Memorial Minute for the Rev. Dr. Ronald John Sloan by Laurie McNeill. (Attachment X) Keith offered prayer for the announced events. Committee on Ministry Erin Moore & Lisa Niven Glen Reichelderfer was introduced and spoke about his Statement of Faith and something he is excited about in his new position at First Presbyterian in Mahopac. Gary Murphy, First Presbyterian Church, Pleasant Valley spoke on behalf of Rev. Shawn R. Zanicky for her retirement service. A Standing Ovation ensued. Moderator-Elect Lori Knight-Whitehouse assumed the chair. Greenbush Administrative Commission (Attachment XI) Richard Spierling The final session meeting was on October 17, October 23, 2016 was the final service after 212 years of its existence. Sale of the property was finalized this month. MOTION: to release the AC with many thanks for their work! MSA Harrison Administrative Commission Bruce Baker & Dan Love MOTION: to approve the revised terms of the report of the Harrison Presbyterian Church as outlined in the attachment. (Attachment XII) MOTION: to use a paper ballot. MSA Yes-52; No-15 Faith and Order Committee Robert Trawick Overture One on parental leave: MOTION: to approve MA Overture Two and Three: MOTION: to approve Paid parental Leave (Attachment XIII) MA, with the following amendment: Change the language to be added to the Book of Order in both overtures from "paid family leave" to "paid parental leave" in order to more accurately correspond with the rationale presented. (Attachment XIIII) Interim General Presbyter s Report Gavin Meek o Gavin gave thanks and appreciation to everyone involved in the life and ministry of this presbytery. o We need to keep in mind those pastors who are struggling financially, and keep up with the cost of living increases. o We have good relationships with each other, but some rancor and stress is coming into our midst. We need to work at these issues. o Ordinations and installations are not well attended. o Be pastoral always in all your s! It is a big part of your ministry. New Business None

6 Attendance Proclamation 63 Teaching Elders and CREs 44 Ruling Elder Commissioners 21 Visitors, officers & staff 128 TOTAL Motion: to adjourn at 3:07. MSA With no further business before the body, the meeting was adjourned with prayer at 3:07PM. The next stated meeting will convene on Tuesday, April 10, 2018, at the Stony Point Center, 17 Cricketown Road, Stony Point, NY, 10980, at 10:00AM, with registration at 9:30 AM. Minister of the Word and Sacrament Susan De George Stated Clerk Ruling Elder Wendy Spierling Journal Clerk

7 COMMITTEE ON REPRESENTATION AND NOMINATIONS Hudson River Presbytery Heather Benedict, chair The Committee on Representation and Nominations recommends the following: 1. Receive the following RESIGNATIONS: none 2. ELECT the following: Committee on Ministry RE Billye Zoa Steinnagel (South Salem, Region 2) Class of 2020 RE Deidre Lewin (White Plains, Region 2) Class of 2019 One is still sought for Region 1 and one for Region 4.

8 COUNCIL Report Hudson River Presbytery April 10, 2018 Gavin D. Meek, chair Your HRP Council recommends the following: 1. Elect William Bill Doescher as Treasurer of HRP. Bill, a Ruling Elder from Hitchcock, Scarsdale, was recommended to the Council by the Budget, Finance and Property Committee/Trustees and possesses the skills, abilities and experienced needed. Your Council reports the following for information: 1. HRU (Hudson River University) was a huge success as judged by the numbers and evaluations! Over 150 individuals members, deacons, ruling elders and pastors from nearly all of our 79 congregations gathered at Stony Point on March 17 to learn, grow and connect. A faculty of 16 was recruited from around the presbytery and beyond, sharing their knowledge and experience. There was a great deal of energy and excitement when the day started off with prayer, when we gathered together for lunch and throughout the five classes offered each session. Mission giving from HRP congregations made this event possible. It is the desire of the Council to have another HRU next spring, possibly with additional and/or different classes most especially one on evangelism/church growth and being a welcoming congregation. It was also determined that Clerk Day should continue to be a part of this event as well as possibly providing on-site childcare. 2. Mission giving funds were used to video Gavin s officer training, Susan s Clerk of Session training and the presentation on Partnerships. Those videos will be placed on the new HRP web site for access by everyone. 3. The Council is considering changes to the presbytery docket: allowing a HRP Partnership to make a brief presentation annually and a new docket item that would be entitled It works for us where church leaders can briefly share a successful ministry approach or idea that they ve developed. 4. An application for a scholarship to attend an event or training related to our HRP Ministry Goals has been developed and will be placed on our new HRP web site. 5. Given the new HRP Design for Mission and Ministry, all positions descriptions for support staff were reviewed and revised by the Personnel Committee and approved by Council. Note: all of our support staff is part-time, between 12 and 24 hours per week. 6. The Council received a request from Long Island and NYC presbyteries that HRP concur with their respective overtures concerning the Jarvie funds. The Council provided those overtures to our Faith and Order Committee for study and consideration.

9 COMMITTEE on MINISTRY PRESBYTERY OF HUDSON RIVER 10 APRIL 2018 STONY POINT CENTER The Committee on Ministry met on 6 February and 3 April 2018 and recommends the following: 1. Approve the following housing allowances for 2018: Susan De George, $12, and Gavin Meek, $36, At the church s request appoint Rachel Thompson as Parish Associate at Cold Spring for Approve the Stated Supply contract for Ruth Kent at Saugerties Reformed Church 27 November November Approve the Yonkers, Bryn Mawr Church allocation of their share of the Pruyn money to Yonkers, Good Shepherd. 5. Approve Win Peacock to moderate the congregational meeting at Yonkers, Good Shepherd 7 January Approve Rev. Peacock to preside over the sacraments and moderate the Yonkers, Good Shepherd Session monthly 6 February thru 30 April Approve the hiring of a consultant to assess the viability of the Mt. Vernon congregation and request of Council the funding, up to $12, Appoint Laurie McNeill moderator at Newburgh, Union effective 1 February Appoint Angela Maddalone moderator at Congers effective 1 March Approve Gaye Hartwig to ordain and install officers at Liberty 11 February 2018 and, retroactively, to moderate Liberty Session meeting 16 January and Annual Meeting 28 January Approve the following Interim Contract for Cliff Acklam at Middletown, United, effective date pending: Salary 51268; Housing 14400; Social Security Allowance ; Pension and Benefits 24297; Car, Study Leave, Professional Expenses 3201, by voucher; 31 days vacation; 2 weeks Study Leave; 5000 Moving Expense, by voucher, Presbytery Group Life 201, assumed. Rev. Acklam s visa application/approval could take 4 months. 12. Approve disbandment of the Washingtonville, First Discernment Team. 13. Dissolve the Commission with Hans Hallundbaek and the Parish Associate relationship with June Tompkins at Croton Falls effective 31 March Appoint Jack Cabaness moderator at Croton Falls effective 31 March At the church s request, approve Gail Burger as Parish Associate at Pleasant Plains for Approve Rev. Perry Wootten, member of New York City Presbytery to serve communion and moderate the Session at Yonkers, Good Shepherd, if the way be clear. 17. Dissolve the pastoral relationship between Larchmont Avenue Presbyterian Church and William Crawford and approve Honorable Retirement for William Crawford effective 9 September 2018.

10 18. Appoint Elizabeth Smith-Bartlett moderator at Larchmont effective 9 September Dissolve the pastoral relationship between Irvington Presbyterian Church and David Harkness and approve Honorable Retirement of David Harkness effective 30 June Discontinue the Parish Associate relationship with Martha Harkness and Irvington effective 30 June Appoint Daniel Love moderator at Irvington effective 30 June Approve, retroactively, the Service and following Installation Administrative Commission for Jean-Paul Marshall at Rye, 17 March 2018: Moderator, Ruling Elder Keith Brokaw (Monroe), the Rev. Daniel Love, Ruling Elder Douglas Destabebler (Rye), the Rev. Elizabeth Smith-Bartlett and Ruling Elder Yzette Swavy-Lipton (Scarsdale). 23. Approve the Service and following Installation Administrative Commission for Abbie Huff, Saturday, 14 April 2018, 10:30 AM, New City, Germonds: Lori Knight Whitehouse, Moderator; Rev. Angela Jo Maddalone, Rev. Sarah Henkel; Rev. Katie Rivera Torea; Elder Janis Upeslacis, New City/Germonds; Elder Lori Hylton, Palisades and Elder Carol Dornbush, Pearl River/Nauraushaun. 24. Dissolve the pastoral relationship between Peter Johnson and the New Hampton, Denton Church and approve Honorable Retirement of Peter Johnson effective 31 May Appoint Sue Varden moderator at New Hampton, Denton effective 31 May Appoint Judy Anderson moderator at Middletown, Scotchtown. 27. Appoint William Bavoso moderator at Liberty. 28. Approve the following terms for Russell Duncan as Stated Supply at Thompson Ridge, Hopewell effective 22 June 2018 thru 31 December 2018, 25 hours/week: Salary ; manse and utilities; Social Security allowance ; Travel 2000,by voucher; Study Leave 2 weeks and!000, by voucher; Presbytery Group Life 201; 31 days vacation; moving expense, 6000,by voucher. 29. Approve Validated Ministry renewals for the following, for 2018, forms received and reviewed by Dan Love and Lisa Niven: Barbara Devir, Pablo Diaz, Allynn Dunn, Laurie Ferguson, Christian Iosso, Ryan Kersting-Schlimgen, Jed Koball, Rhonda Kruse, Leslie Mott (approved January 2018), Dorothy Muller, Debra Northern, Douglas Phillips, Harriet Sandmeier, Dorinda Violante and Daniel Yang. The following are outstanding: Kirk Bingaman, Martha Louise Harkness, Sam Speers and James Walkup. 30. Approve commissioning of Hans Hallundbaek as Presbytery CRE for Prison Ministry and validate that ministry for Approve renewal of the following Stated Supply relationships effective 1 January 2018 thru 31 December 2018: Pam Allen, For Faith Parish; Johanna Andritz, Monticello; Lynn Boyer, Brewster; Tom Buchanan, New Rochelle; Doris Chandler, Cold Spring; Zora Ficarra Cheatham, Millerton; Douglas Grandgeorge, Amenia/Smithfield; David Frost, Patterson; Eric Hall,

11 Eastchester; J. Edward Lewis, Newburgh/Calvary; Ted Miller, Salt Point/Westminster; Carol Miller, Ancramdale and Pine Plains;l Luanne Panarotti, Pleasant Plains; Win Peacock, Yonkers/Bryn Mawr Park; Jeniffer Rodriguez, Ossining; Katie Rivera Torea, Haverstraw; Margery Rossi, Wappingers Falls; Anne Wood, Jeffersonville. Florida, Port Jervis and Bedford outstanding.

12 Stated Clerk s Report April 10, 2018 FOR ACTION -C- The minutes of the January 30, 2018 stated meeting of the Presbytery were read by MWS Bruce Baker and RE Lisa Niven (Irvington). They recommend approval. Clerks of Session Day was held at Stony Point Center on May 7, Collaborative review of session records were conducted with the following recommendations: Approve Without Exception Bethel Congers Cornwall Florida Highland Jeffersonville Katonah Lake Huntington Liberty Livingston Manor Mahopac Marlboro Milton Monroe Monticello Mount Kisco Mount Vernon Newburgh (Union) New City (Germonds) New Rochelle (First) Pearl River Pine Plains Pleasantville Port Chester Roscoe Rye Scarsdale South Salem Staatsburg Thompson Ridge Approve With Exception Amenia (Smithfield) Brewster Carmel Chester Cold Spring Croton Falls Dobbs Ferry Freedom Plains Goshen Haverstraw Hortonville Irvington Larchmont Middletown (Scotchtown) Middletown (United) Montgomery Newburgh (Calvary) New City (New Hempstead) New Rochelle (Korean) New Windsor Ossining Otisville Palisades Patterson Peekskill Pleasant Valley Port Jervis Salt Point Scarborough Wappingers Falls White Plains Yonkers (Good Shepherd) Yonkers (South) Yorktown Beacon

13 Did Not Participate (Those noted * have not had their records reviewed for two years. Those noted ** have not had their records reviewed for three years or more.) **Ancramdale **Bedford * *Campbell Hall **Eastchester *Harrison **Hillburn Millerton New Hampton Pelham *Pine Bush Stony Point **Washingtonville (Bethany) Washingtonville (First) Wassaic Yonkers (Bryn Mawr) FOR INFORMATION All of the presbytery s congregations filed a statistical report for The Presbytery totals reflect membership gains of 454 and membership loses of 705, bringing the total active membership to The full report is appended.

14 Friday, March 30, 2018 Presbytery Page: 3 of 3

15 Presbytery Report 2017 Presbytery Number Name Hudson River Address 655 Scarborough Rd City/State Scarborough, NY Phone Web Site Fax Membership Prior Active Members Gains Losses 17 & Under 147 Certified & Over 193 Deaths 156 Certified 54 Other 487 Other 60 Total Gains 454 Total Losses 705 Total Active Members Baptized 1182 Other Participants 594 Total Adherents Female Members 6579 Average Attendance 4224 Affiliate Members 111 Baptisms Officers Child Baptisms 143 Male Session 249 Adult Baptisms 33 Female Session 372 Male Deacons 146 Female Deacons 354 Age Distribution of Active Members Male Femaie 25 & Under Over Friday, March 30, 2018 Presbytery Page: 1 of 2

16 Total Distribution People with Disabilities Hearing 278 Sight 119 Mobility 355 Other 205 Christian Education Birth Grade Age Grade Kindergarten 119 Grade Grade Grade Grade Grade Grade Grade Grade Young Adults 157 Grade Over Grade Teachers/Officers 471 Total 3639 Racial Ethnic Breakdown Membership Elders Deacons Male Female Asian Black African American African Middle Eastern Hispanic Native American White Other Totals Potential Giving Units 5,326 Budgeted Income 15,820,653 Budgeted Expense 17,462,911 Receipts Regular Contributions 11,572,017 Bequests 517,005 Capital Building Fund 2,977,590 Other Income 4,239,535 Investment Income 1,925,492 Subsidy or Aid 195,754 Expenditures Local Program 13,278,645 Per Capital Apprt 310,036 Local Mission 637,754 Validated Mission 483,001 Capital Expenditures 3,315,311 Theological Fund 3,800 Investment Expenditures 274,243 Other Mission 340,729 Friday, March 30, 2018 Presbytery Page: 2 of 2

17 The Faith and Order Committee of the Hudson River Presbytery met on April 5, 2018 Present from the Committee were Martin McGeachy, Deke Spierling, Jerry Sutherland, and Robert Trawick. Susan De George and Gavin Meek were present as ex officio members. Jack Griem from NYC Presbytery was present to present information on two overtures. The meeting opened with prayer. Following a presentation by Jack Griem on the Jarvie Service, the Faith and Order Committee took the following actions: 1) The Faith and Order committee recommends concurrence with Overture from Huntingdon Presbytery. 2) The Faith and Order committee recommends concurrence with an overture from New York City Presbytery entitled On Creating a Special Committee to Assure Compliance with Donor Restrictions on the Administration of the Jarvie Commonweal Service. 3) The Faith and Order committee recommends concurrence with Overture from New Castle Presbytery. 4) The Faith and Order committee recommends concurrence with an overture from New York City entitled On the welfare of neighbors in the region of Central America. 5) The Faith and Order committee recommends supporting the overture entitled Responding to Racist Nationalism. 6) The Faith and Order committee recommends concurrence with Overture from the Presbytery of Monmouth. 7) The Faith and Order committee recommends supporting the overture from Nauraushaun Presbyterian Church which begins Assist Presbyterians in local congregations to know with which ecumenical and interfaith organizations and civic groups we are already in formal relationship The meeting was closed with prayer. Respectfully submitted, Robert Trawick Chair, Faith and Order Committeee of Hudson River Presbytery

18 The Nauraushaun Presbyterian Church asks the presbytery to concur with the Overture from the Presbytery of New York City:

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20 First Presbyterian Church of Wappingers Falls asks the presbytery to concur with Overture from New Castle overturing the 223rd General Assembly to: 1. Confess that, in spite of 50 years of Presbyterian advocacy to reduce gun violence, we have been paralyzed by fear of the gun and ammunition lobby and our church has not adequately applied the power of God s love to the issue of gun violence, with over 1,600,000 Americans dying from guns since 1968 and many millions more wounded, orphaned and devastated by gun violence. 2. Commend --All prior General Assemblies which have created church social witness policy for steps such as universal background checks, greater gun safety and a ban on assault weapons. --Presbyterian Disaster Assistance for their creation of the films Trigger: The Ripple Effect of Gun Violence and Tapestry: Reweaving the Fabric of Community after Public Violence and the book Recovering from Un-Natural Disasters, as well as for their faithful presence, on behalf of the PCUSA, with communities impacted by mass shootings;; --The Office of Public Witness, Office of the Stated Clerk, the Office of the General Assembly, the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy, the Peacemaking Program, Self-Development of People, Presbyterian News Service, the Presbyterian Collegiate Ministry Network and other agencies of the church for their witness during 50 years of Presbyterian policy for sensible steps to reduce gun violence;; --Those congregations, colleges, camps and office facilities in the Presbyterian family which have voted to post signs on their buildings similar to the No Guns in God s House signage called for by the 221st (2014) General Assembly as a witness against the proliferation of guns in our society, and all other congregations that have studied, prayed and acted on this issue in other ways;; --All pastors who include the mission of reducing gun violence in creating liturgies and in their preaching, and all Christian educators who offer gun violence prevention resources for study groups and libraries. --The Presbyterian Peace Fellowship for its creation of the Gun Violence Prevention Congregational Toolkit and other resources for local Presbyterian congregations on this issue;; 3. Call upon God to wake us up from seeing gun violence as normal and to grant divine courage to our more than 10,000 churches that we might foster a nation-wide conversation on gun violence in every community;; specifically, to stand in prayer during the 223rd General Assembly, to share this overture, rationale and prayer with the presbyteries and synods, to share it in any other way possible and to encourage every General Assembly commissioner and observer to continue to pray when they go home for a movement of the Spirit to engage our churches in study and action to prevent gun violence. May every congregation know that the whole church has prayed for them and for God s intervention through them in the face of a gun violence epidemic. In love, may our churches help our country enact sensible steps to prevent gun violence from murders, suicides, accidents, family disputes and mass shootings. 4. Suggested Prayer: Gracious God, whose mercy never ends, whose Spirit brings the Kairos moment for change: We confess our past willingness to abide the deaths of over one million, six hundred thousand souls lost to gun violence since the children, the parents, the distraught, as well as millions more injured, ruined, orphaned, widowed. Help us to comprehend this carnage and not become numb. We commend and give thanks for the long witness of the General Assembly and all Presbyterians who are already engaged in preventing gun violence. We call upon you, Lord;; we have nowhere else to turn. Galvanize all of us, every congregation in the Presbyterian Church. Wake us up in our pews and our lives;; do not let Christ find us asleep on this watch. Rather, Lord, grant to our church members, both those of us who own guns and those of us who do not, a unity of purpose to change the national debate on gun violence. Show us the way to study, prayer and action at the local community level. At all the places where you are proclaimed, give us courage to stand against principalities and powers. Grant us the joy of using the gifts that you provide -- energy, intelligence, imagination and love-- to help our communities and our nation heal from this sorrow and tragedy. In Christ s name we pray, Amen.

21 RATIONALE: On Praying for a Movement of the Spirit to Engage Presbyterian Congregations in Nation- Wide Action to Prevent Gun Violence (Overture to the 223rd General Assembly, PCUSA) Fifty Years: What has Happened ? In 1968, the 108th General Assembly took its first position for the regulation of the sale of firearms. In 1972, in response to the shooting deaths of John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., Robert Kennedy, Medger Evers, Malcolm X and the attempted assassination of George Wallace, the Assembly recognized that the instruments of assassination need not be so readily available. In 1976 the GA called for the control of concealed handguns, followed by more actions in 1981, 1985, 1988 and the action in 1989 to call for a ban on private ownership of the class of destructive weapons such as AK 47 assault rifles, machine guns and all paramilitary weapons. That courageous action has been re-enforced by many other Assemblies, including 1990, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2008, 2010 and the landmark General Assembly document in 2014, Gun Violence and Gospel Values by the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy. The Presbyterian General Assembly has never taken a position against hunting or guns typically used in hunting or sports shooting. During this 50 years of national Presbyterian witness, over 1,600,000 Americans have died at the barrels of guns.1 That is more than the battlefield deaths of all servicemen and women in all of our nation s wars since Millions more have suffered physically and emotionally with countless families shattered by this uniquely American gun pandemic. While some gun deaths are law enforcement-related, this vast level of violence comes from suicide, accident, murder, family violence and mass shootings Americans killing themselves and others. Recent FBI estimates suggest there are 350 million guns in the United States, with gun deaths reaching an average of 36,000 per year in each of the last four years. If current trends of gun manufacture and imports continue, there will be half a billion guns in America by Why is this Issue Stalled in the United States? National Presbyterian witness has reflected fidelity to the nonviolent Christ. It also reflects public opinion on this issue and the expertise of law enforcement. Few issues in America command as much public consensus as the need for universal background checks on all guns sold. Recent polling indicates 90% of the American people, including a majority of gun owners and NRA members, support such action.4 With this consensus to prevent gun violence, why are guns and gun violence proliferating in our society? In the 1970s, alongside urbanization trends, hunting gun sales started a decline in popularity. During that same period, the gun and ammunition industry moved to take over the National Rifle Association, which had previously been a sportsmen s and hunting organization, and to deploy it on behalf of gun and ammunition promotion. The new focus was on handgun sales, followed by assault rifles and high capacity ammunition clips and other devices to render guns more lethal to human beings. Today, the NRA has evolved into an election-impacting vehicle for the $6 billion gun and ammunition industry.5 The NRA s approach has been zero tolerance for any step to curb gun violence, with no willingness to discuss compromise on controlling the sale of the most dangerous weapons to the most dangerous people. If a member of Congress leans toward such a compromise, the NRA then threatens to fund a candidate to run against them, often in their own party s primary. Over time, the NRA has locked up the U.S. Congress and many state governments on this issue, in spite of continued public consensus for sensible compromise that balances gun ownership with the need for public safety. Missing Ingredient: The Witness and Work of Congregations in Local Communities While the national agencies of the church have endeavored to ---and will continue to--- faithfully communicate the gun violence policies of the General Assembly to elected officials, our churches at the local level have been reticent to engage the issue of gun violence. The subject is taboo in many local communities, families and the church. It is described as a political issue and it is. But protecting the public from gun violence is akin to the Good Samaritan stopping to intervene in the certain death of a violated person. That was a very political action in its time, as Jesus well knew when he asked Who was the neighbor? Our neighbor is everyone who is potential victim of gun violence in a culture overflowing

22 with guns. Our neighbor is our own children and all other children. For Christians, who is our neighbor? is both a political and spiritual issue. Gun violence is a very difficult issue for us. The work of gun violence prevention must be done at all levels, national and local. Fifty years of national Presbyterian action and prophetic courage by some congregations and presbyteries--- needs to be matched across all the congregations of the Presbyterian family. Is there a single congregation whose members have not been impacted with gun violence? The missing ingredient in reducing gun violence is education, discussion and action at the local community level --in churches, in families, communities --- one difficult, honest conversation at a time. One church study group at a time. One community viewing of the film Trigger at a time. One Offering of Letters at a time. It calls for careful, respectful and determined focus at the local level. The search for a sensible compromise on gun safety cannot come from the elected officials who count on campaign contributions from the NRA. It must come from overwhelming public demand for change and courage the courage to stand up to the NRA. God has already provided that a Presbyterian congregation is planted in or near every single one of the 435 districts that elect the U.S. Congress. We live, worship, act and vote at the local level. The Presbyterian Church is not a partisan organization. Our concern is to bring change on this issue through transforming the actions of elected officials, regardless of political party. The Presbyterian Church General Assembly has been courageous and correct on the issue for 50 years. The only question is: when are we local Presbyterians going to do anything about the proliferation of guns of conventional and mass destruction in our nation? When will we work to actually reduce the mass killings, the sorrow of suicide, and the fear that each American child feels every day when they simply go to school? Are we at a Kairos moment when the spirit calls forth from the bedrock of our nation a movement for sensible gun regulation? Have we had enough gun violence? A Denomination Turning to Prayer for God s Intervention and Help The purpose of this overture is to ask for God to help us engage the issue of gun violence at the key place where a difference can be made: at the local community level. It is a difficult issue for America. We Presbyterians need divine courage to study, pray and act in every congregation. And we need every congregation to share this concern in our local communities and to create a place where Americans can finally have a conversation on guns and gun violence without the interference of the gun and ammunition industry. Politicians cannot make this change unless the American public demands that they do so. What can you and your church do? The resources for education and action are available to local churches. Together, let us pray to God for the courage, love and determination that we lack. Sources 1 Documenting gun deaths in the United States from murder, suicide, accidents, family violence and mass shootings is complicated by action of the U. S. Congress in recent years to prevent the Centers for Disease Control from doing research into gun deaths. This ban on research was a noted legislative victory of the NRA. Several independent groups now collect data on deaths from law enforcement and other sources. We combine prior CDC reports with more recent reports. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Reports: Gun Deaths : 377,000 Gun Deaths : 620,525 Gun Deaths : 464,033 Gun Violence Archive (based on law enforcement reports;; these numbers include murders, suicides, accidents, family violence and mass shootings) Gun Deaths 2014: 34,558 Gun Deaths 2015: 35,513 Gun Deaths 2016: 37,089 Gun Deaths 2017: 37,582 Total U.S. Gun Violence Deaths : 1,606,300 (About 100,000 are injured each year.) 2 James Atwood, America and its Guns: A Theological Exposé, 2012, Cascade Books, p Adam Weinstein, The Number of Guns Manufactured in the U.S. has more than Doubled since 2008 (BATF Report), The Trace, July 23, $6 Billion, estimated revenue generated by the gun and ammunition industry in the U.S., according to research firm Hoovers.

23 The Council of the Presbytery of Hudson River asks the presbytery to concur with Overture from Huntingdon Presbytery: 1. Whereas, the Jarvie Commonweal Service (the Jarvie Service ) is an old age and relief service for people in the Greater New York City area (50 mile circle of Columbus Circle, Manhattan) that was created by Mr. James N. Jarvie in the 1920 s and subsequently transferred to the Board of National Missions ( BNM ) pursuant to a 1934 Trust Agreement; 2. Whereas, the 1934 Trust Agreement created the Jarvie Commonweal Service Committee and charged it with the responsibility of conducting the Jarvie Service, requiring that the BNM shall charge said committee with the duty of administering the commitments above assumed and of adding thereto and continuing as outlined herein, in fact and in spirit, the Jarvie concept of Old Age Relief and Service. ; 3. Whereas, until mid- 2105, the Jarvie Service and its staff were administered directly by the Jarvie Commonweal Service Committee created by the 1934 Trust Agreement, and Presbyterian Mission Agency ( PMA ) served as the employer of record for the Jarvie staff; 4. Whereas, in mid- 2015, the Jarvie Service was dramatically restructured when the staff of the Foundation in secret collaboration with a few of the members of the Jarvie Commonweal Service Committee, when Foundation staff, in concert with PMA, orchestrated the sudden outsourcing of the Jarvie Service to a for- profit home care agency; 5. Whereas it is unknown whether the control of the trust and the corpus supporting it still resides in New York, as the trust explicitly requires; 6. Whereas Commissioner Resolution # 13-8 was filed with the 221 st General Assembly out of which the Assembly directed the Friends of Jarvie (created by the General Assembly in 1994) to manage the funds and services and the Presbyterian Foundation to Mediate their differences and report to the 223 rd General Assembly ; 7. Whereas representatives of the Presbyterian Foundation and representatives of the Presbyteries of Elizabeth, Newark, Palisades, Hudson River, Southern New England, and New York City (all having communities lying within the 50 mile circle) met in person on November 15, 2017 pursuant to the action of the 222 nd General Assembly; 8. Whereas the 222nd General Assembly created the Way Forward Commission and the All Agency Review Committee and tasked them with evaluating the current structures, mission, and ministry of the current General Assembly structures; 9. Whereas despite being made aware of the situation described in paragraphs 1-5, neither the Way Forward Commission, nor the All Agency Review Commission have not yet made any recommendations regarding the handling of the Jarvie fiduciary responsibilities; and 10. Whereas the actions of the 221 st General Assembly on Commissioner Resolution # 13-8, the creation of the Way Forward Commission and the All Agency Review Committee have not resolved the underlying delinquency in the management and care of the Jarvie Fund.

24 BE IT RESOLVED: That the 223 rd General Assembly direct the Moderator of the 223 rd General Assembly to create an Administrative Commission to: - Assess the current placement, management, and location of the Jarvie Commonweal Endowment Fund (now valued at $90 million); - Assess the current placement of responsibility for supervising the provision of services to the recipients of the prescribed generous Jarvie Service; - Assess the current PCUSA Mission Agency and Foundation organizational responsibilities for both the Service services and the endowment of the Jarvie Fund; and - Affirm the Foundation and PCUSA Mission Agency for engaging a chaplain and social worker to assist in administrating the Jarvie services.

25 The White Plains Presbyterian Church asks the presbytery to concur with Overture from the Presbytery of Monmouth: Recommendation The Presbytery of Monmouth overtures the 223rd General Assembly (2018) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to 1. Take action to respond to environmental racism in all its forms. 2. Listen to the perspectives and voices of people most impacted by environmental racism. 3. In accordance with the Gospel, position the church s approach to environmental problems to include responses to the voices most directly impacted by environmental racism. Rationale [Jesus] stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free (Lk, 4:16 18). Environmental racism is a term, first coined by the Reverend Benjamin Chavis in 1981, used to describe the disproportionate burden of environmental problems that people of color take on. People of color are more likely to live in areas more exposed to pollutants in the air, ground, and water. Environmental catastrophes, such as floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes, disproportionately impact people of color, as these communities are more likely to live in substandard housing and within floodplains. And people of color generally have fewer resources to escape environmental disasters. Moreover, undocumented migrants in the United States are less likely seek government assistance in recovery efforts, as they fear detention and deportation.1 Environmental racism is closely related to environmental justice, a concept first articulated by Dr. Robert Bullard, to connote the movement to resolve the problems created by the confluence of environmental destruction, racism, and poverty. Bullard, a Distinguished Professor of Urban Planning and Environmental Policy and Administration of Justice at Texas Southern University, explains how Hurricane Harvey exposed and exacerbated the environmental racism embedded in Houston, Texas: when we look at the color of vulnerability and we look at which communities are actually at greatest risk from disasters and floods like this, historically, it s been low-income communities and communities of color, communities that live in low-lying areas that are areas that are very prone to flooding. And it s very difficult to get insurance, not just flood insurance, but regular insurance, because of redlining. So, what Harvey has done is to expose those inequalities that existed before the storm. 2

26 After Harvey, Hurricanes Irma and Maria exposed environmental racism issues in Puerto Rico (PR). Immediately after the storm there were suggestions that the money spent on recovery was harming the U.S. budget, and the death count was minimalized, as if Puerto Ricans dying as a result of Maria were insignificant to people dying as a result of Katrina. Five months after the storm, full power has yet to be restored to the island. The challenges in Puerto Rico are so many at this time as a result of Maria, especially in the area of public health. Puerto Ricans with chronic health conditions, using medical machinery, are dying every day due to the instability of the power grid. A report from Commit to PR, an organization of medical doctors form the U.S. helping the island, reported that 62 percent of the applications submitted to FEMA have been denied.3 A recent report from the Department of Health, shows that suicides in PR increased 55 percent in the last four months of 2017, when compared to same period in The EPA and local environmental agencies, have issued several warnings of the dangers in several water bodies. Raw sewage is pouring into rivers, and reservoirs. Unfortunately, many islanders living in the central part of the island are drinking water from contaminated sources. New Jersey faces environmental racism issues with the economic engine that is the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. We all benefit from the activity at the ports, buying the products that are shipped into this country. Yet, port-adjacent cities like Newark and Elizabeth bear the burdens of pollution, poor working conditions, and low wages resulting from the ports, but reap few of the benefits. Port pollution is an environmental and health injustice increasing asthma, heart disease, and cancer rates in port-adjacent communities where a majority of residents are low income and of color. A majority of the goods leaving the port (85 percent) are moved on average by 14,000 diesel drayage truck trips per day along major highways and local roads within the region to nearby warehouses, assembly facilities, and retailers. Unfortunately, port trucks are some of oldest and dirtiest trucks on the road, spewing harmful diesel pollution and greenhouse gases.5 At a larger scale, it is people from the Global South who bear the brunt of climate change. A recent report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, for example, predicts that rising temperatures will significantly reduce the growing season in Africa, thus exacerbating hunger and poverty.6 To make matters worse, those who bear the brunt of environmental problems often find their voices silenced by many white environmentalists and polluters alike, who see the problem of environmental damage only through privileged eyes. The church must combat these problems on both fronts work to minimize environmental problems and do so by listening to the voices of those most disproportionately impacted. Endnotes 1. We commend the following study guide for more information about Environmental Racism: alstudyguide.pdf /

27 The Nauraushaun Presbyterian Church asks the presbytery to overture the 223 rd General Assembly (2018) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to: 1. Assist Presbyterians in local congregations to know with which ecumenical and interfaith organizations and civic groups we are already in formal relationship so that, when the time comes, we can actively participate in the repair of our tattered social fabric. 2. Ask the Office of General Assembly and the Office of Social Witness Policy to prepare such a list and not only report it to the 224th GA, but also make it available through the presbyteries as soon as is practical. 3. Affirm the following declaration: As confessing Christians, we feel obligated to declare our concerns about the direction towards autocracy that our country is taking. We trust God, whom we know through Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray as others pray in other names. We say Yes to God s power of love and justice for the neighbor as well as the self;; and we say No to demonic power that urges hate of the other, scatters blame, and creates civic discord. We say Yes to our imperfect democracy with one person, one vote and No to any corruption of our elections. We say Yes to universal health care and No to care based on the ability to pay. We say Yes to safe schools, houses of worship, and public gathering places;; and No to civilian access to assault weapons. We say Yes to core human values and No to dividing our humanity by ideology and partisanship. We say Yes to bridges and No to walls. We say: In life, and in death we belong to God. Rationale: Our Reformed tradition has, from its inception, claimed a vigorous role for the church in public life. Our tradition affirms that government is a good, created by God for the right ordering of the earthly realm. We also acknowledge that government, as it exists on earth, is a human institution, and thus subject to the debilitating effects of human sinfulness. At those times when our government acts to violate norms central to what we believe, we claim the right to raise our voices prophetically against those policies that do so. John Calvin, in The Institutes of the Christian Religion, speaks with clarity about the authority of the state, but also of its limits. He writes: But in that obedience which we hold to be due to the commands of rulers, we must always make the exception, nay must be particularly careful that it is not incompatible with obedience to Him [sic] to whose will the wishes of all kings should be subject, to whose decrees their commands must yield, to whose majesty their sceptres must bow. i Cont.

28 If Calvin s language is difficult for 21 st century Christians to parse, existing as it does in a vocabulary of absolute monarchy, Karl Barth extends Calvin s claim to a 20 th century context, and places on the church an obligation. Barth writes: If the State has perverted its God-given authority, it cannot be honoured better than by this criticism which is due to it in all circumstances. For this power that has been perverted, what greater service can we render than that of intercession? ii The Book of Confessions of the Presbyterian Church, (U.S.A.) contains two documents from the church s history in the 20 th century that took the prophetic role of the church seriously and dared to speak truth to power. The Barmen Declaration, written in response to the dehumanizing policies of the National Socialist Party in Germany, and the Belhar Confession, written to stand against the apartheid policies of the government of the Union of South Africa, are both vibrant and living witnesses to the power of our theological tradition and the weight of the responsibilities we claim as Christians living in the body politic. Drawing specifically from the work of the Presbyterian Church, (U.S.A.) and its predecessor bodies, these words from the Confession of 1967 resonate particularly: The members of the church are emissaries of peace and seek the good of man [sic] in cooperation with powers and authorities in politics, culture, and economics. But they have to fight against pretensions and when these same powers endanger human welfare. Their strength is in their confidence that God s purpose rather than man s [sic] schemes will finally prevail. iii We also claim our prophetic vocation as the people of God in these words from the Brief Statement of Faith: In a broken and fearful world the Spirit gives us courage to pray without ceasing, to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior, to unmask idolatries in Church and culture, to hear the voices of peoples long silenced, and to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace. iv Our theology calls us, as Presbyterians, to be active participants in the political life of the world and to speak when fundamental tenets of our faith are being violated. At such a time as this, the words of Jesus in the Gospel of John guide us: If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept God s commandments and abide in God s love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. (John 15:10-12) i John Calvin, The Institutes of the Christian Religion, trans. Henry Beveridge (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 1995) Book IV, Chapter XX, 675. ii Karl Barth, Community, Church and State: Three Essays (Gloucester, MA: Peter Smith, 1968) 139. iii The Confession of 1967 in The Book of Confessions (Louisville, KY: Office of the General Assembly, 30906) iv A Brief Statement of Faith in The Book of Confessions (Louisville, KY: Office of the General Assembly, 30906) 304

29 OVERTURE ON RESPONDING TO RACIST NATIONALISM The Nauraushaun Presbyterian Church requests that the Presbytery of Hudson River overture the 223rd General Assembly (2018) of the PC(USA) to respond to expressions of racist nationalism in the statements and actions of politicians and government officials by taking the following actions: 1. Adopt the following resolution: The 223rd General Assembly (2018) of the PC(USA) strongly condemns the unjust, racist disparagement of people and entire nations lately promoted by politicians and government officials at all levels in the mistaken effort to place America First. As Christians, our call is to bring to all nations (Matthew 28:19) the good news that God loves all people equally. Historically, America has been first in espousing human equality as the principle on which nations are founded. We call upon our national leaders to lead by that principle. We pray that God may open the minds and hearts of the American people to understand that the real problems they face result from real causes and not from the presence of demonized others. We commit to working with people of good will, regardless of political or religious affiliation, in a collective effort to solve the real problems facing our nation and the world. We ask forgiveness from those who have been hurt by hateful rhetoric and harmed by unjust government policies. We acknowledge our responsibility and urge our elected officials to speak out against hate and to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8). 2. Direct the Stated Clerk of the PC(USA) to send this resolution to the President of the United States and to each United States Senator and Representative. 3. Direct Presbyterian World Mission to send this resolution to world mission partners. 4. Encourage PC(USA) pastors and congregations to publicize this resolution in their communities and with officials of local and state government. RATIONALE Valued members of PC(USA) congregations and mission partners abroad are from countries that have been disparaged in the recent debate over immigration. Our friends deserve to hear from us a renewed commitment to stand with them in a relationship of equality and genuine Christian love. Seeking cooperation among people of good will, regardless of political or religious affiliation, this statement is non-partisan and does not focus on remarks by any one individual. The problem is bigger than one comment by one man. It is a problem in which, under a democratic form of government, all citizens share some measure of responsibility. Acknowledging our share and asking forgiveness may serve as an example for others.

30 The Council of the Presbytery of Hudson River asks the presbytery to concur with this overture from the Presbytery of New York City: On Creating a Special Committee to Assure Compliance with Donor Restrictions on the Administration of the Jarvie Commonweal Service The General Assembly expresses concern that the recent restructuring of the Jarvie Service raises ecclesial issues; and recognizing its responsibility and duty to oversee the work of its bodies, and to ensure that those bodies honor express promises made to donors, and to promote openness and accountability in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.): The 223nd General Assembly (2018) directs the moderator or co-moderators to appoint within 60 days from the close of the 223 rd General Assembly: 1. A special committee to conduct an administrative review, which shall have the power and responsibility to investigate the recent changes to the governance and accounting treatment of the Jarvie Commonweal Service ( Jarvie Service ) and compliance thereof with the terms of the 1934 Trust Agreement and the General Assembly s instructions to its constituent bodies, and to take what action it finds necessary to assure that the Jarvie Service thenceforth continues to be in compliance with the Trust Agreement and those instructions, including the power to speak with appropriate witnesses and obtain relevant documents under the control of any Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) body or agency; and including the authority to obtain staff support (as funded below) through the Office of the General Assembly; 2. The special committee shall complete the first phase of its work and prepare an interim report and set of recommendations no later than one year from its date of appointment, bearing in mind the needs of the Jarvie Service recipients, which shall be presented to the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly; and a final report that shall be made to the 224th General Assembly (2020); and 3. The expenses incurred by the special committee shall be budgeted and advanced by the Board of National Missions ( BNM ) or its fiduciary, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Foundation ( Foundation ) out of the Jarvie endowment or the earnings thereon, as administrative expenses incurred under the Trust Agreement. 1

31 Rationale 1. The new Form of Government in G requires that a corporation formed by the General Assembly to hold property (such as money), shall receive, hold, encumber, manage, and transfer property, real or personal, for and at the direction of the council [i.e., the General Assembly]. 2. The General Assembly has placed express restrictions on the management of property by its subordinate entities, which include the Foundation and the BNM, which are designed to preserve this property and ensure that the national Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) honors the express terms of any gift accepted by the Foundation or its constituent corporations, including the express terms of the Trust Agreement signed by BNM in 1934 when it accepted the Jarvie endowment. 3. The 198 th General Assembly included such restrictions in the DELIVERANCE IMPLEMENTING A DESIGN FOR THE CORPORATION STRUCTURE OF CERTAIN AGENCIES OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY issued in 1986, which states in Section 3(d)(3) that in every case where a donor has specified the purposes for which principal or income may be expended, refrain from making any expenditure inconsistent with the terms of the gift." 4. The Jarvie Service is an old age and relief service for people in the Greater New York City area (defined by a 50 mile radius of Columbus Circle, Manhattan) that was created and operated by Mr. James N. Jarvie in the 1920 s and subsequently transferred by the Jarvie Fund to BNM with a significant self-sustaining endowment pursuant to a 1934 Trust Agreement. 5. The 1934 Trust Agreement required the BNM to create, continue and support the Jarvie Commonweal Service Committee ( JCSC ) with the responsibility of conducting the Jarvie Service. It required the BNM to charge said committee with the duty of administering the commitments above assumed and of adding thereto and continuing as outlined herein, in fact and in spirit, the Jarvie Concept of Old Age Relief and Service. 6. The Jarvie Concept of Old Age Relief and Service is not merely care for elderly people; rather, as stated in the 1934 Trust Agreement, the aged needy must be helped to live, not merely to exist. This also includes a Trust requirement for making outside grants to NYC-area senior organizations. 7. The Jarvie Service is entirely financially supported by the earnings on the Jarvie endowment, now worth approximately $90 million and held and invested as agent for the BNM by the Foundation. 8. Until mid-2015, the Jarvie Service and its staff were administered solely and directly by the Jarvie Commonweal Service Committee, a group independent of the BNM board as required by the 1934 Trust Agreement. 2

32 9. In mid-2015 after secret preparations, the Jarvie Service was dramatically restructured and its regular professional and other staff summarily fired by the Foundation, without the prior approval and knowledge of the entire Jarvie Commonweal Service Committee. The Foundation then hired a private for-profit home care agency to provide all services to Jarvie Service beneficiaries, dismissed some or all of the JCSC members mid-term, and replaced the JCSC itself and its Trust-mandated authority with a Foundation Jarvie Advisory Committee which operates in a cloud of secrecy. 10. In 2016, the Foundation abruptly changed its accounting treatment of the $90 million Jarvie Commonweal Endowment Fund which had been a liability funds held for benefit of others for 80 years, commingled it with the Net Assets equity owned by the Foundation, and named the Board of National Missions as its new beneficiary without required Court approval. A large group of New York City area Ministers and Elders asked the Foundation to reconsider this new accounting treatment, and provided substantial supporting documents and information. The Foundation refused to make any changes and refused to explain why it would not do so. 11. The organizational and accounting changes made by the Foundation to the Jarvie Service and Fund will prevent any other Presbyterian stakeholders from verifying compliance with the promises BNM made to the Jarvie donor under the Trust Agreement. All of the earnings on the Jarvie Funds is required to be available in priority to provide benefits to Jarvie beneficiaries, not to the Foundation or its designees. 12. The 223 rd General Assembly received a Commissioner s Resolution (13-08) raising concerns with the Foundation s restructuring of the Jarvie Service, and directed that the Foundation and the Commissioners seek reconciliation of those issues. ( Some inconclusive meetings were held, but the Foundation from the outset refused to consider restoring the Jarvie Service to independent control by the Jarvie Service Committee and other measures required by the 1934 Trust Agreement. The important fundamental issues of governance raised in the Commissioner s Resolution thus remain unresolved along with numerous other incidental and derivate matters. 13. The General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission declined to take jurisdiction over this dispute with the Foundation, saying that any failure by the Foundation in 2015 to comply with BNM s fiduciary and other promises to the Jarvie Fund donor raise only civil, state law issues; neither donor nor beneficiaries have any ecclesial compliance recourse within the Church. (The Session of the Rutgers Presbyterian Church v. The Presbyterian Foundation, the Board of National Missions, and the Presbyterian Mission Agency, Remedial Case ). 14. Despite the prior direction of the General Assembly to meet and resolve these issues, the staff of the Foundation and the BNM and their Boards have so far failed to provide requested relevant information and documents relating to their unlawful decision to restructure the Jarvie Service, and satisfactorily explain how the restructuring and almost total lack of transparency and professional oversight in its subsequent operation meets the 3

33 plain requirements of the 1934 Trust Agreement and the limitations on use of property entrusted to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) imposed by the General Assembly and the needs of Jarvie beneficiaries. 15. The Presbytery of New York City therefore expresses concern that the foregoing operational, accounting and other irregularities and deficiencies detrimentally affecting the Jarvie Service, a significant mission outpost in its jurisdictional area, raise basic ecclesial issues and require review by the General Assembly that recognizes its responsibility and duty to oversee the work of its bodies, ensuring that those bodies honor express promises made to donors, and promoting openness and accountability in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Consequently the Presbytery of New York City requests that the General Assembly appoint a special committee with direction and powers as set forth above. 4

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