The Presbytery of West Jersey Meeting

Presbytery of West Jersey Meeting Highlights – March 18, 2003
Haddon Heights, New Jersey

Church Property Deed Language: The Trustees adopted the following language for inclusion in deeds when churches acquire property: "The premises herein conveyed shall be used, kept, and maintained by the grantee for Divine Worship and other purposes of ministry as a particular church belonging to the Presbytery of West Jersey, and held in trust, subject to the provisions of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) as that Constitution shall, from time to time, be amended and declared by the authority of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)."

Mission Pledges 2003: 27 churches increased their pledges, 10 remained the same, 8 decreased. Net increase is about $5,000 to date. Pledges from 24 churches not yet received. Trinity Church, Cherry Hill and First Church, Moorestown each pledged at the $100,000 level!

Strategy & Planning Committee: Presented Congregational Health Revitalization and Transformation (cHeart): transforming congregations one at a time. If interested in learning more call Rev. Katherine Killebrew, 856 547-5100.

Pastoral Changes:
• Rev. Julia Pizzuto-Pomaco installed as Pastor of the Daretown Church March 9
• Rev. Bryan Bass-Riley continues as Hunger Action Enabler
• Rev. Timothy Hines appointed interim pastor of First Church, Salem
• Rev. Ki Nam Ko employed to establish and lead a Korean congregation within this Presbytery
• Rev. Fred Doscher appointed temporary supply of First Church of Williamstown
• Rev. Lori Bass-Riley becomes full-time Pastor at Christ Presbyterian Church of Gibbstown and concludes her work at Swedesboro Church
• Rev. Jane Fox was called to the Hammonton Church effective May 1
• Rev. Paul Milio accepted call as Designated Pastor of the New Gretna Church, Monmouth Presbytery, and concludes his work June 1 at the Wenonah Church.

Elections:
• Moderator-Elect Rev. Patrick Orazi
• Church and Society 2005 Rev. George Kuykendall
• Preparation for Ministry 2004 Rev. Ki Nam Ko
• Judicial Commission 2008 Rev. Wendy Boer

GA Statistical Reports were on-line in time. This was the first year the General Assembly required reporting on-line and it was a success for the Presbytery.

Statistical Summary - Presbytery lost 316 church members in 2002 and 95 church school members.

Extra Giving: Presbytery received $2,259.78 from the Moorestown Church, which was 10% of funds received by the church beyond its expenditures. The gift will be added to the endowment for scholarships for those involved in Christian Education in the Presbytery's Churches. Thank you!

Misc. Items: Presbytery and Council
• Individual responsible for the vandalism at the Old Stone Church Cemetery has been apprehended but the probability of restitution is slim.
• Synod per capita was paid up front in order to achieve savings.
• Rev. R.Nelson Ralls was elected Vice-President of the Trustees.
• Third Century Fund: Moderator will appoint a special committee to meet with the Directors to make recommendations: (1) for the division of income from the fund between mission of WJP & fund growth; (2) use & direction of fund proceeds; (3) the expansion of the fund's corpus & (4) the promotion of the fund for receipt of gifts & trusts.
• Approved the appointments to the Special Committee of Council that will be known as the New Church Development Task Force for developing the new church development policy. The Moderator of Presbytery appointed Rev. John Fordyce, Rev. Timothy Hines, Rev. Susan Reisinger, Elder Samuel Henderson (Carneys Point) and Elder Janet Lawrence (Woodstown), with the other necessary members to be appointed to assume original jurisdiction of the session of the First Church of Swedesboro
Commissioning of GA and Synod Commissioners: to GA in Denver, Colorado: Clergy - Patrick Orazi and Deborah Brincivalli, Elders - Annette Emerson and David Large, and youth advisory delegate Jaime Donahue; to Synod meetings April and October at Stony Point: Clergy - Deborah Oosterbaan and Ivo Meilands, Elders - Samuel Henderson and Joyce Connell, and youth advisory delegate Elizabeth Wasik.

Amendments to the Constitution
02-A.1 Concentration in Educational Ministry: Add "Teacher" to Pastoral Office Definition - Negative

02-A.2 Concentration in Educational Ministry: Establish Standards and Requirements for Educational Specializatioin in ministry - Negative

02-A.3 Concentration in Educational Ministry: Add Less Plan as Alternative to Sermon - Negative

02-A.4 Concentration in Educational Ministry: Alternative Means to Ordination (Option For Limited Time) - Negative

02-A.5 Concentration in Educational Ministry: Succession to Associate Pastor Position (Option for Limited Time) - Negative

02-B Election of General Assembly Nominating Committee - Negative

02-C.1 Certified Christian Educators: Two Levels of Christian Educators - On. Amending G-1.0702b - Affirmative

02-C.2 Certified Christian Educators: Add Worship and Sacraments Requirements - Affirmative

02-C.3 Certified Christian Educators: Listing of Christian Educators - On Amending G-11.0305a - Affirmative

02-C.4 Certified Christian Educators: Compensation and Benefits Guidelines - Affirmative

02-C.5 Certified Christian Educators: Include in Committee on Ministry Pastoral Care - Negative

02-D Clarifying Meaning of the Term "Conference" - On Amending D-10.0203 - Affirmative

02-E Removing Time Limit Extension in Alternative Dispute Resolution - On Amending D-10.0401c - Affirmative

ATTEST:
Rev. John T. Ash, III
Stated Clerk
Presbytery of West Jersey