Presbytery Highlights

May 18^th, 2004 - Somerdale

People:

Installations: Rev. Patrick Orazi - Moderator, Elder Janet Lawrence - Moderator-Elect

In Life and Death we belong to God:

• Rev. Robert N. Peirce died on April 11 at the age of 94: a missionary to the Cameroun, a member of this Presbytery in 1978; served on the Council of the Atlantic City Metropolitan Ministry; on the Evangelism Committee; the Ecumenical Relations Committee.
• Abigail Louisa born May 1 to Revs. Lori and Bryan Bass-Riley
• Dhyan Cassie recovering nicely from dog bites.

You have our thanks:

• Robert Webb for his distinguished service and dedication to fiscal affairs of the Presbytery as Treasurer these past six years.
• The Rev. Deborah Brincivalli for her excellence, caring and commitment to the church as Moderator
• All the committee chairpersons: Eloise Cowherd, Durant Charleroy, Roger Dunnavan, David Mudge, Wanda Sevey, Graeme Veitch, and committee members who are concluding their service May 31.
• Judy Platt for her splendid service as Director of the Educational Resource Center. Presbytery regretfully accepted her resignation effective July 1. Judy will continue on a limited basis until a successor is named.

Ordination Anniversaries:

• Rev. Richard Smith – 30 years Rev. Barbara Green – 20 years

Calls:

• Craig W. Waetke as Pastor Beverly Church.
• Robert C. Anderson as Interim Pastor of Trinity Church, Cherry Hill.

Candidates:

• Debra Ganci of First Church, Vineland, enrolled as an Inquirer.
• Marianne R. Klump of Trinity Church, Cherry Hill examined and approved for ordination upon receipt of a call.

Farewell:

• Rev. Susan Reisinger has left the Collingswood Church to be Interim Pastor of the Hamilton Square Presbyterian Church.
• Rev. Timothy McConnell transferred to the Presbytery of the James to become Interim Pastor of the Tabor Church in Crozet, VA.

Retirements:

• Rev. Roger Dunnavan from the Union Church, Carneys Point as of June 30
• Rev. James O'Dell from Trinity Church, Cherry Hill, also as of June 30

Elections:

• Treasurer: Rev. Nelson Ralls for a three-year term beginning June 1.
• Committee Chairs: for I year beginning June 1:
  • Christian Education: Elizabeth Westermaier
  • Church and Society: Robert Higgs
  • Evangelism/Church Growth: Donald Painter
  • Committee on Ministry: Dana Green
  • Nominating: William Getman
• Self-Development of People Nina Nasir

Committee Members:

Presbytery Voted:

• That "Speak Out" be established for ten minutes following worship at each Presbytery meeting whereby presbyters will have one minute to speak on matters of concern/interest.
• To permit the sale of the Trinity manse, 1145 Forge Rd., Cherry Hill, to the Rev. James D. and Mrs. Judith O'Dell; the proceeds to be placed in an interest bearing Manse Fund with only the income available to help provide the housing allowance for the minister
• To deposit one half of the projected 2004 income, $3,712.50, of the Third Century Fund.
• To concur with the recommendation of the Swedesboro Administrative Commission that the Church be permitted to elect a session which will assume the constitutional authority of a session for the affairs of the church
• To approve First Presbyterian Church of Somerdale to refinance $60,000 of its existing mortgage and to additionally borrow $120,000 as a first mortgage on its manse in order to expand the church's parking lot.
• To approve the lease between the Watch Me Grow Day Care Center, Inc. and Christ Presbyterian Church, Gibbstown, New Jersey, for five years at $850 per month and an additional $50 per month each succeeding year; and that the leased facilities include the day-time use of all facilities of the church except the sanctuary; and with the proviso that the Day Care Center reimburse the church for any taxes that might be assessed
• To adopt the Covenant Agreement with the Covenant Presbyterian Insurance Program (CPIP), Inc

First Readings Of 2005 Items:

• Administrative Budget of $354,605. Presbytery Per Capita will be $21.93 if paid in January or 23.93 if paid quarterly.
• Mission Budget of $369,100.
• Compensation Policy for Pastors. Base minimum effective salary will be $40,034 for 2005.

Offering from the May worship service goes to West Jersey Academy Fund for support to seminarians.

Presentations And Reports:

• Executive Presbyter Rev. David Cassie: Discernment Team is being organized to review job description for Educational Resource Center Director in light of the emerging missional and educational needs of our Presbytery.
• World Wide Ministries Division , Rev. Antonio Aja: -- Gathering for God’s Future Witness, Discipleship, Community: A Renewed Call to Worldwide Mission: Witnessing and Evangelizing Worldwide, Equipping the Church of Transforming Mission, Engaging in Ministries of Reconciliation, Justice, Healing and Grace, and Living the Good News of Jesus Christ in Community with People Who are Poor.
• Triennial Visits: Elder Ray Crissman spoke on the mandate by the Book of Order for visits with pastor and churches to share information and encourage and affirm the mission of the church.
• Synod Commissioner Elder Joyce Connell: Synod is exploring where it should be going and decided on these four themes: development of leadership, empowerment of presbyteries, to be a connective communication hub, and to build up bodies of care and consulting.
• Cuba Task Force Partnership: Elder Crickett Cohen announced that Alina Camps from the Presbytery of Matanzas will be visiting Presbytery in June. Five churches of West Jersey have partnerships with churches in Cuba.
• Church & Society: Joyce Kuykendall presented information on how to help older people.
• Youth Triennium at Purdue University: Rev. Ivo Meilands said twenty-eight teens are going to triennium July 19. Donations are needed for bus rental, meals, and housing fees.
• Sessional Records: 63 of the 65 churches submitted their minute books for review.
• Presbyterian Women: 25 churches have PW organizations. Report listed the activities of those organizations for the past year.
• Synod Review of Presbytery Minutes: Approved without exception and with commendations. Ardie Midgette, the Associate to the Stated Clerk, does a splendid job in preparing the minutes..

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