Valencia Presbyterian Church, Valencia, where Rev. James Kirk serves as Pastor. Our Moderator, Rev. Dr. Mary Kitchen

Presbytery Meeting Summary

November 15, 2016
The Beaver-Butler Presbytery held a stated meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 15, 2016 in the Valencia Presbyterian Church, Valencia, where Rev. James Kirk serves as Pastor. Our Moderator, Rev. Dr. Mary Kitchen, and Vice Moderator, Elder Tom McMeekin, presided over the meeting. Elder Matt McKinley, Clerk of Session of our host church, welcomed the presbyters.
The meeting was preceded by Commissioner Training at 4:45 p.m. for those new elder commissioners recently elected for 1-year terms commencing with this meeting. Approximately 45 persons attended.
Actions Taken:

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  Agreed to the following ecclesiastical matters:
  

• 
  Approved the Minutes of the September 27, 2016 stated Presbytery meeting.
  
• 
  Approved the Report of the Stated Clerk, the Rev. David Byers.
  
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  Approved the Treasurer’s Report for January-September 2016.
  
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  Approved the Report of the Coordinating Team in the form of Minutes.
  
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  Received the Report on the Review of Session Minutes and Records for 2016
  

• 
  Heard a progress report on the Refreshing Springs Ministry, received from a representative of the Synod of the Trinity a check or a $45,000 grant from the Synod for Refreshing Springs, and were challenged for each congregation to provide at least $50 per month in regular mission support of Refreshing Springs.
  
• 
  Recognized the following church anniversaries and minister anniversaries of their ordination:
  

Ministers:

10 years Thomas L. Harmon (10/1/2006)

40 years Rosalyn S. Kummer (10/10/1976)

50 years Leland (Terry) R. Stoops, Jr. (5/15/1966)

60 years John C. Peterson (9/27/1956)

Churches:

Concord Presbyterian Church, Baden 175 years

Old Union Presbyterian Church, Mars 210 years

• 
  Learned of preparations by the Synod of the Trinity to celebrate its 300 anniversary in 2017.
  
• 
  Approved the request of the White Oak Springs church, Connoquenessing, to sell their manse.
  
• 
  Agreed to the following recommendations from the Ministry and Vocation Committee:
  

• 
  To approve a part-time Pastoral Services contract between Mr. Robert P. Saul and the Calvary church, Beaver Falls, for 12/1/16 through 12/30/17.
  
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  To appoint Rev. Alan Adams as Moderator of the Calvary church, Beaver Falls.
  
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  To approve the half-time Stated Supply contract between Rev. Kelly Angleberger and the Clinton church, Saxonburg, for 1/1/17 through 12/31/17.
  
• 
  To validate Rev. Andrew Shaffer’s ministry with Southern Care Hospice, New Castle, effective 11/1/16.
  
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  To approve the half-time Interim Pastor contract between Rev. Dr. Judy Angleberger and the First church, Beaver Falls, effective 12/1/16.
  
• 
  To dismiss Rev. Stephen Franklin (pastor of the Meridian church) to another Reformed body, at his request, when the way is clear.
  

• 
  Examined Rev. Robert S. Edmundson and agreed to receive him as a member of the Presbytery, and to concur with the action of the North Washington and Concord, Hooker churches to call him as their Pastor, effective January 1, 2017.
  
• 
  Examined Rev. Edward Laurence Boyce, III and agreed to receive him as a member of the Presbytery, and to concur with the action of the Mars church, Mars, to call him as their Pastor, effective February 1, 2017 or as soon thereafter as practical.
  
• 
  Learned that the Ministry and Vocation Committee, acting on behalf of the Presbytery, has:
  

• 
  Concurred in dissolving the pastoral relationship between Rev. Andrew Shaffer and the Camp Run church, effective 10/31/16, so that Rev. Shaffer may serve as Chaplain of Southern Care Hospice, New Castle.
  
• 
  Appointed Rev. Jim Moran as Moderator of the Jefferson Center church until an Interim is appointed.
  
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  Authorized the Westminster church, Saxonburg, to form a Pastor Nominating Committee.
  

• 
  Adopted the following policy for 2017 regarding paying Per Capita to the Synod of the Trinity and the General Assembly:
  

For all churches paying full 2017 Beaver-Butler Presbytery Per Capita, Beaver-Butler Presbytery will match, at the Church’s request, dollar for dollar up to the Church’s assessed Synod and General Assembly Per Capita, paid from Beaver-Butler Presbytery reserves. Beaver-Butler Presbytery will comply up to the full Presbytery Per Capita assessment of those higher governing bodies.

• 
  Approved a 2017 Administrative (Per Capita) Budget that will require expending a portion of the Presbytery’s financial reserves, and results in 2017 per capita apportionments as follows: General Assembly $ 7.50
  

Synod of the Trinity 2.30

Beaver-Butler Presbytery 33.54

Total $ 43.34

• 
  Received the proposed 2017 Mission and Ministry Budget for its first reading.
  
• 
  Dismissed, with thanks, the Administrative Commission which guided the transition from the three churches of the Friendship Parish to the Friendship Church.
  
• 
  Agreed to the establishment of an Administration Commission to work with the Conway church in its pending closure.
  
• 
  Elected a substantial slate of persons to fill the Presbytery’s new structure. (A complete list of those elected is available through the Presbytery’s office or website.)
  
• 
  Elected and installed the following officers for 2017:
  

Moderator of Presbytery: Elder Tom McMeekin (Mars church)

Vice Moderator of Presbytery: Rev. Dr. Tom Harmon (Westminster church, Evans City.)

• 
  Thanked Rev. Dr. Mary Kitchen for her service and leadership as Presbytery’s Moderator for 2016.
  
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  Thanked the pastor and people of the Valencia church, Valencia, for hosting this meeting.
  

Other Information of Note:

• 
  The presbyters were provided a “Cost Cutting Survey” and requested to indicate their top three choices and/or make additional suggestions. Members of sessions may also respond. Responses are requested by December 1, 2016. The intent of the survey is to start a conversation.
  
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  The presbyters shared together in Communion, served by intinction. Rev. James Kirk presided at the Lord’s Table.
  
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  A total of 115 persons attended the meeting, which adjourned with prayer at 10:10 p.m.
  
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  The schedule of stated Presbytery Meetings for 2017 is as follows:
  

Saturday, January 28 10:00 a.m. West Sunbury, West Sunbury

Tuesday, March 28 6:00 p.m. Mount Pleasant, Darlington

Tuesday, May 23 6:00 p.m. Steffin Hill, Beaver Falls

Tuesday, July 18 6:00 p.m. Tentative Host

Tuesday, September 26 4:00 p.m. HOST CHURCH IS NEEDED

Tuesday, November 14 6:00 p.m. Ohio, Aliquippa

Next Meeting:

The next stated meeting of Beaver-Butler Presbytery will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 28, 2017 at the West Sunbury Presbyterian Church, West Sunbury, where Rev. Jeffrey Lang is Pastor. Lunch will be served.

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