Sederunt rev Dr Russell Barr, Moderator, Rev Dr George j whyte, Clerk, and others, Ministers, Deacons and Elders as in the Register of Attendance. Roll of presbytery

At Edinburgh, and within Palmerston Place Parish Church, the twenty eighth day of June 2011, the Presbytery of Edinburgh met and was constituted with prayer.

SEDERUNT

Rev Dr Russell Barr, Moderator, Rev Dr George J Whyte, Clerk, and others, Ministers, Deacons and Elders as in the Register of Attendance.

1. ROLL OF PRESBYTERY

1.1 Tribute

Rev Clarence Musgrave paid tribute to the late Rev R Colin M Morton who died on 16 June 2011.

Robert Colin Maxwell Morton was born in China on 21^st June 1933 and died in Edinburgh on 16^th June 2011, in his 78^th year.
He lived there with his older sister Faith and brother Hugh, until the family returned to Britain in 1937. They settled in Cambridge, where his younger brother George was born.

In 1943 his family moved to Glasgow when his parents Ralph and Jenny became involved in the early life of the Iona Community. Colin attended Glasgow Academy and Fettes. He then studied Economics at Cambridge. After graduating he did National Service and then entered New College to study for the ministry being ordained in 1960.

In 1960, he met Carol, and they were married in Massachusetts in 1961. They had 4 children – Maggie, Lucy, Tom and Jamie.
Following an Assistantship in Port Glasgow, Colin was called to be Minister of Linwood, during the time of the rapid expansion of the town with the creation of the Linwood car factory. In 1973, he was called to Prestonpans, where he stayed until he was appointed to be Minister of St Andrew’s Scots Memorial Church, Jerusalem in 1988. He served as Minister there until his retirement in 1997, when he and Carol returned to Edinburgh, where he lived until his death.
A belief in the Justice of God, which it is our responsibility to put into action in our own circumstances, and which inevitably leads to a deepened understanding of the humanity, worth and dignity of each person, was the foundation of all that Colin thought and did during his ministry. It was quite natural that he became a member of the Iona Community. While in Prestonpans, in 1983, as an expression of his practical theology, he agreed to stand as a Candidate for the Labour Party for election to the Lothian Regional Council. Having been Elected Councillor, he served until just before leaving for Jerusalem.
In 1988, Colin and Carol moved to Jerusalem. It was his absolute conviction that God’s love was not limited to one person, one group, one tribe, one nation, or adherents of one religion. God’s love embraced all, and because of that, we also had to embrace all. The practical outworking of this in his new ministry meant that he reached out to the three main communities. The response of them all was witnessed to by the fact that at the Thanksgiving Service for his life and ministry, tributes came from Christian, Jewish and Muslim people. Professor Yasir Suleiman, speaking at that Service on 25^th June, expressed it in this way : For Colin, Palestine was not a geopolitical space. It was an ethical landscape in which he navigated with a moral compass that cared equally for all the people of the Holy Land: Israelis and Palestinians; Christians, Jews and Muslims; men, women and children of all ages and all backgrounds.
To all of them he spoke the one message, put by the Prophet Micah in these words : “What the Lord requires of us is this: to do what is just, to show constant love, and to live in humble fellowship with our God.” He wanted Justice for all people there, but as the lack of Justice for the Palestinian people was so great, it was to support them in their struggle that he gave most of his efforts.

In a place where church traditions have been entrenched for centuries, he worked tirelessly to encourage Ecumenism, in the process even becoming Canon Colin in the Diocese of Jerusalem.

In a community where many were suffering economically, he and Carol felt a great sense of responsibility to help by supporting the work of craft groups – which they did in Jerusalem through the foundation of Sunbula and here in Edinburgh with the foundation of Hadeel.
In retirement, there was no let-up in his commitment to Justice, what with the work of Hadeel, of the Middle East Forum in London, and the Scottish Palestinian Forum.
He became ill with cancer in 2006, and after treatment had a period of remission, during which he was able to visit Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza. When cancer re-appeared again in 2009, he decided that he did not want to undergo further courses of treatment. In June 2010, this Presbytery recognised the 50^th Anniversary of his Ordination. In the last few months, he became weaker in body, but still strong in spirit, still encouraging those who were working for Peace and Justice in the land of the Holy One.

His last few weeks were spent in the Marie Curie Hospice, Fairmilehead, where he died peacefully.

To Carol and their family, we express our condolences on Colin’s death. He has fought the fight, he has finished the course, and he has kept the faith. We commend him and his family to the love and care of God.
1.2 The Moderator welcomed the Rev Jack Holt to his first meeting of Presbytery for ordinary business since his Induction at Polwarth and to the Rev Howard Espie to his first meeting since his Ordination and Introduction at Barclay Viewforth.

1.3 The Moderator expressed the thanks and good wishes of Presbytery to the Very Rev James Harkness on reaching the 50th anniversary of his ordination and to the Very Rev Dr Finlay Macdonald on reaching the 40^th anniversary of his ordination.

1.4 The Moderator expressed the thanks and good wishes of Presbytery to Miss Rhoda Drummond DCS and Miss Norma Ronalds DCS on reaching the 50^th anniversary of their Commissioning as a Deacon.

2. MINUTES

The minutes of the meetings held on 10 May, 12 May and 23 June were submitted and approved.

3. CONGREGATIONAL BUSINESS

3.1 Craiglockhart

The Clerk reported that, in terms of Act VIII 2003 anent Vacancy Procedure, the Strategy Team, sitting as the Vacancy Procedure Committee for Craiglockhart, had received a request from the Rev Andrew Ritchie to demit his charge of Craiglockhart on 31^st August 2011 on grounds of ill health.

The Committee had agreed to

1.  release Mr Ritchie from his charge

2.  continue the appointment of the Rev Ian McQuarrie as Interim Moderator in the Vacancy

3.  grant permission to the congregation of Craiglockhart to call a minister on a Basis of Unrestricted Tenure

4.  note that Mr Ritchie will remain the Minister of Craiglockhart until the date of his demission

5.  to issue appropriate intimation of these actions to the congregation at Craiglockhart

6. to report these actions to the next meeting of Presbytery

 

DEPLOYMENT OF RESOURCES

The Convener, Mr David Stewart, gave in the report.

It was moved, seconded and agreed

the Presbytery:

Appendix 1.

3.2 Leith South

approve the Basis of Reviewable Tenure for Leith South

BASIS OF REVIEWABLE TENURE

EDINBURGH: LEITH SOUTH

By decision of the Presbytery of [28 June 2011] and with the concurrence of the Partnership Development Committee of the Ministries Council the Presbytery grant permission to the congregation of Edinburgh: Leith South (SC004695) to call a minister on a Basis of Reviewable Tenure in terms of Act VII 2003, section 12 (2) (a), and that on the following conditions:

1. 
   The Presbytery shall review this appointment five years after the induction of the minister.
   
2. 
   At the review the Presbytery shall consider with the Kirk Session:
   
   1. 
      whether the life of the congregation exhibits the five purposes of the church, ie worship, service, discipleship, fellowship and evangelism and whether these are in a healthy balance
      
   2. 
      the extent to which the plans of the Leith Churches Forum have been realised, in particular relation to the diversifying of ministries and congregational life;
      
   3. 
      the progress of the Leith Waterfront developments and the response of the Leith Churches Forum to these developments; and
      
   4. 
      such other matters as may be relevant by that time.
      
3. 
   Following such review, the Presbytery shall take a further decision on the future arrangements for ministry to the congregation and parish of Leith South recognising that one of the options available to it is the termination of the tenure of the minister on giving him or her six months' notice in writing.
   
4. 
   As a sign of working together, the congregation of Leith South shall invite the Leith Churches Forum to nominate two people, who shall serve as non-voting members of the committee.
   
5. 
   The minister shall be free to seek to demit or to be translated as in the ordinary case of any minister inducted to a charge, provided that, if this reviewable tenure is his or her first charge, the Presbytery hereby agree that these conditions constitute exceptional circumstances in terms of Section 4 of Act VIII 2003, and will accordingly issue the necessary Certificate if he or she seeks to be translated within five years.
   

3.3 Inverleith and Leith St Serf’s

Appendix 2.

approve the Basis of Union of Inverleith and Leith St Serf’s and Basis of Reviewable Tenure for a united charge.

BASIS OF UNION

THE CONGREGATION OF EDINBURGH: INVERLEITH CHURCH OF SCOTLAND (SC015442) and the CONGREGATION OF EDINBURGH: LEITH ST SERF’S PARISH CHURCH OF SCOTLAND (SC008572) shall be united as from [ 2011] and that on the following terms and conditions:

1 Name: The name of the united congregation shall be: Edinburgh Inverleith St Serf’s.

2 Transference of Property and Funds: The property and funds belonging to or held on behalf of each congregation shall belong to or be held on behalf of the united congregation, and any transference necessary shall be duly effected.

3 Place of Worship:

3.1 The church at present used and occupied by the Edinburgh: Leith St Serf’s congregation shall be the place of worship for the united congregation.

3.2 The church and halls of Edinburgh: Inverleith shall be sold, let or otherwise disposed of subject to the titles on which they are held, subject to the approval of Presbytery and of the General Trustees.

3.3 Subject to the provisions of the Regulations anent the Application of Stipend and Fabric Endowments held by the General Trustees, the free proceeds of any sale shall be held and applied for fabric purposes in connection with the properties of the congregation and for the endowment of stipend.

4 Territorial Responsibility: The bounds to be served by the united congregation shall be the bounds of the parishes uniting or as the Presbytery shall determine.

5 Kirk Session: The elders of both Kirk Sessions shall form with the minister the Kirk Session of the united congregation.

6 Congregational Management: The temporal affairs of the united congregation shall be administered by the united Kirk Session as in the Unitary Constitution 2003, the Delegation of Assembly being authorised to issue the appropriate Constitution.

7 Minister and tenure: The united congregation shall call a minister on a basis of reviewable tenure in terms of Act VII 2003, section 12(2)(a), reviewable seven years after the date of induction.

8 Manse:

8.1 The manse of the united congregation shall be the present manse of Edinburgh: Leith St Serf’s at East Lillypot, or such manse as the united congregation shall decide upon with agreement of Presbytery.

8.2 The manse of Edinburgh: Inverleith at 43 Inverleith Gardens shall be sold.

8.3 Subject to the provisions of the Regulations anent the Application of Stipend and Fabric Endowments held by the General Trustees, the free proceeds of the sale shall be held and applied for fabric purposes in connection with the properties of the congregation and for the endowment of stipend.

9 Power to Readjust: While these articles and terms shall form a Basis of Union for the two congregations now uniting, the united congregation shall be free to adjust arrangements under the authority of the Presbytery, as need may arise.

BASIS OF REVIEWABLE TENURE

EDINBURGH: INVERLEITH ST SERF’S

By decision of the Presbytery of [ 2011] and with the concurrence of the Partnership Development Committee of the Ministries Council the Presbytery grant permission to the congregation of Edinburgh: Inverleith St Serf’s to call a minister on a Basis of Reviewable Tenure in terms of Act VII 2003, section 12 (2) (a), and that on the following conditions:

1. 
   The Presbytery shall review the appointment seven years from the date of induction of the minister.
   
2. 
   At the review the Presbytery shall consider with the Kirk Session:
   

1. 
   whether the life of the congregation exhibits the five purposes of the church i.e. worship, service, discipleship, fellowship and evangelism and whether these are in a healthy balance; and
   
2. 
   such other matters as may be relevant by that time.
   

3. 
   Following such review, the Presbytery shall take a further decision, which shall be subject to the concurrence of the Partnership Development Committee of the Ministries Council, on the future arrangements for ministry to the congregation and parish of Inverleith St Serf’s; and the options available to the Presbytery at this time shall be:
   

1. 
   To continue the appointment on a basis to be considered at that time;
   
2. 
   To terminate the tenure of the minister on giving him or her six months notice in writing.
   

4. 
   The minister shall be free to seek to demit or to be translated as in the ordinary case of any minister inducted to a charge provided that, if this reviewable tenure is his or her first charge, the Presbytery agrees that these conditions constitute exceptional circumstances in terms of Section 4(2) of Act VIII 2003.
   

3.4 Craiglockhart

The Presbytery noting the demission of the Rev Andrew Ritchie from the charge of Craiglockhart on grounds of ill health on 31^st August 2011.

Mr Don Glass, Session Clerk, spoke on behalf of the congregation.

The Moderator agreed to visit Mr Ritchie to express the thanks of the Presbytery and to assure him of their good wishes .

The Clerk read out the reply on Mr Ritchie’s behalf.

3.5 Mayfield Salisbury

The Presbytery noted the resignation of Mrs Sheila Wallace as Deacon at Mayfield Salisbury to take up the post of Locum Parish Assistant at Boat of Garten, Duthil & Kincardine in the Presbytery of Abernethy on 1^st July 2011.

Mrs Rosemary Curry spoke on behalf of the congregation.

The Moderator expressed the thanks of the Presbytery to Mrs Wallace for her ministry in Edinburgh and assured her of their good wishes in her new appointment.

Mrs Wallace made suitable reply.

4. ADMISSION TO MEMBERSHIP

The Reverend Ian Alexander, having applied for membership of Presbytery in terms of Act III 2000, section 14, and satisfactory evidence of status and good standing having been presented, the Presbytery proceeded to admit him to membership.

Mr Alexander being present, he gave affirmative answer to the prescribed question and signed the Formula.
The Moderator then admitted him to membership of the Presbytery and his name was added to the Roll.
5. PRESENTATION

Mrs Valerie Smart reported on the work of the Edinburgh Presbyterial Guild Council. The Moderator thanked Mrs Smart for her presentation.

6. ORDER OF BUSINESS

The Order of Business, as circulated, was submitted and approved.

7. STRATEGY TEAM

The Convener, Rev Tom Gordon, gave in the report

It was moved seconded and agreed:

The Presbytery

7.1 National Stewardship Programme

establish through its Nomination Committee a National Stewardship Programme Group of four persons to work during the session 2011-2012 with the remit

Background

The General Assembly has instructed presbyteries to instruct congregations to take part in the National Stewardship Programme. It is recommended that Presbytery establish a task-specific group of four persons to ensure that Presbytery fulfils this instruction. The remit would be to:

• 
  identify resources and ensure that these are available to congregations
  
• 
  make recommendations to Presbytery concerning a timetable for compliance
  
• 
  deal with individual congregations needs and circumstances
  
• 
  bringing a report to Presbytery in June 2012
  

7.2 Amendment of Standing Orders

approve the following amendment to Section 9 Committees, of the Standing Orders.

9a.

V. World Mission – Convener and 12 members; 1 from Guild; Clerk ex officio

VI. Social and Community Interests – Convener and 12 members; 1 from Guild; Clerk ex officio

VII Ministries – Convener and 17 members; Clerk ex efficio

IX Nominations – Convener and 12 members; Clerk ex efficio

XI Records – Convener and 18 members

V World Mission

remit

To act as a link between Christian Aid and the Presbytery

7.3 “Holiday” Committee

grant powers to the Moderator, the Convener and Vice Convener of the Strategy Team, the Convener of the Superintendence Committee and the Clerk to deal with any urgent business arising between Presbytery Meetings from 29 June 2011 to 25 June 2012.

7.4 Discipline

The Presbytery note that the Strategy Team has received notice of circumstances indicating that a disciplinary offence may have been committed by a minister and appoint as a Committee to consider the circumstances and, if appropriate, to investigate and prosecute the case the following: Rev Brian Hilsley, Rev David Denniston and Mrs Elize Rutherford.

8. PROPERTY COMMITTEE

The Convener, Mr Michael Cunliffe, gave in the report

It was moved, seconded and agreed:

The Presbytery

Appendix 3.

8.1 Stenhouse St Aidan’s

grant approval in principle to Stenhouse St Aidan’s to refurbish the Edgar Hall and associated rooms at an estimated cost of £150,000, subject to detailed designs and confirmation of the availability of funding being submitted.