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- Navigate this page:
- Committee on Nomination and Representation
- Commission on Preparation for Ministry
- To Record as Information
- May14 (Saturday), South Highland Presbyterian, Birmingham
- Presbyterian Home for Children
- Appendix A THE MODERATOR’S CROSS Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley By: Dean Vandegrift
- Appendix B Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley 2015 Necrology Ministers
- Covenant—Tuscaloosa
- First-Dadeville
- First-Tuscaloosa
- Marion Junction
- Southminster
- Thank You to the Following Churches for Participating In the Presbytery’s Cents-Ability Offering
- Appendix D Executive Council for Information
- Appendix E Retirement Recognition for Emily Rebecca Davis
- Appendix F MEMORIAL FOR REVEREND SAMUEL ROSCOE NETTLES, JR.
- Appendix G Memorial for Rev. Dr. Sam Andreasen Appendix H
Trustee Report – Bill Stribling MOTION: To approve sale of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Montgomery, AL property. The motion was approved.
Trustees will next meet in early March. Presbytery Owned properties for sale: Trinity, Birmingham – Arise continues to lease and property continues to be actively marketed. One offer about 1/3 of listing price was rejected by Trustees late in 2015. Harper Chapel- Continues for sale, no activity to date. Robinson Memorial – continues for sale, “Several showings. No firm offer.” Repaired steeple leak, $135. Trustee matters continuing: Bryan Memorial – The attached [see Appendix H] letter was sent to the attorney representing Bryan Memorial to date no response has been received. Cemetery separation – Quit claim deed filed in Bibb County for Green Pond Presbyterian Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust. Quit Claim deed filed in Chambers county for Lebanon Presbyterian Church. Effort continues with others. First Presbyterian Tuskegee – Once Presbytery dissolves this church Trustees will be able to move forward to dispose of the property. Ben Arellano will work within COM to get the necessary action. Korean Presbyterian Church of Tuscaloosa mortgage – A request to alter terms of their mortgage has been received. The church will be supplying financial documents to support the request. Resource Center – Materials available to Clergy, CRE’s, Seminarians, and churches. Excess and outdated material will, in consultation with interested parties, be disposed of after June 1, Committee on Nomination and Representation – Jeff Bonner 1. We place in nomination the following persons to serve as commissioners to the General Assembly in 2016:
Rachel Matthews – Nominated by Columbia Theological Seminary, as Theological Student Advisory Delegate (TSAD) 2. We place in nomination the following person to serve on the Board of the Presbyterian Home for Children: Al Hill – South Highland
during 2016. Eva Carter – Westminster, Birmingham Motion was approved. Commission on Preparation for Ministry [see Appendix I] Synod Report [see Appendix J] Stated Clerk Report – Tom Winter* For Omnibus Motion:
an exemption of rotation of elders for one year per Book of Order G-2.0404, due to size of membership. 4. Transfer the membership of Ms. Donna Warren from the rolls of Presbytery to Cornerstone Presbyterian Church. The Omnibus Motion was approved.
This year we will be experimenting with a new method of reviewing minutes. Most of you are familiar with a checklist of items which need to be covered in your minutes. This year each clerk will fill out the checklist of his/her own minutes before you bring them for review by another clerk.
February 18, First Presbyterian, Tuscaloosa. May14 (Saturday), South Highland Presbyterian, Birmingham (We have the pleasure of hosting PC(USA) moderator Heath Rada at this meeting) August 18, Edgewood, Birmingham November 10, First Presbyterian, Wetumpka 4. The Clerk thanks the 70 sessions who have paid their per capita for 2015 enabling the work of the larger church to continue. Seven sessions have not paid their per capita for the year. 5. The deadline to enter your church’s statistics was Feb. 8, 2016. Please contact Linda Burrowes at the Presbytery Office if you have not submitted your statistics. 6. The Stated Clerk received an Administrative Commission Report from Westminster- Montgomery.
The Presbyterian Home for Children celebrates their relationship with this presbytery. The Home has entered into partnership with First Light Shelter for Women and Children. Together they have done such amazing work. First Light has offered an abundance of insight and encouragement. By joining together they are surely stronger than they would be apart. Amazing blessings have been felt. When homeless children who have all that they own in garbage bags, what a blessing it is to see these same children decorating Christmas trees and riding bicycles on campus. On behalf of Alabama’s children who have no vote and no voice, Mark thanked the body for being a blessing to them. The February Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley was closed with prayers offered by Rev. Shannon Webster at 2:50pm. The next Stated Meeting will be held on Saturday, May 14 at South Highland Presbyterian Church. Respectfully submitted, Rev. Thomas Winter Stated Clerk
In 1988 the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley was formed and elected its first moderator. Frank Vandegrift, a member of First Presbyterian Church, Auburn, Alabama and a veteran of many years of Presbyterian mission work in the Congo, had a cross fashioned by local artist Howard Wadsworth. It was given to be worn about the neck by each successive moderator of the presbytery and includes a three-inch copper cross and blue trading beads. The copper cross was cut from a larger cross used at one time by the Congolese in the Kasai Region of Zaire for currency. One such cross which dates from the time when William Henry Sheppard, Lucy Gantt Sheppard, and Samuel Norvell Lapsley established the Congo mission, hangs in our presbytery office. Hot molten metal was poured into sand molds to form the crosses. The blue trading beads, known as mutunda, came from Bibanga, also in Zaire. Some of these beads were sent to the University of Johannesburg (Witwatersrand University) and the following reply was given by Dr. Van-Riet-Lowe, Head of the Department of Archeology: “The chain of mutunda beads sent…from Bibanga are typical Venetian dark blue annulars which were used by the Arabs as trade goods down the East coast of Africa during the centuries until comparatively recently. The specimens sent me, however, are so worn and old that they may well be medieval. Similar types are common in Zimbabwe, ruins of Southern Rhodesia and Northern Transvaal. We have specimens of these beads from Uganda, Kenya, Nyssaland, and the Rhodesiss and elsewhere, and your donation forms a valuable link with the Congo.” The Moderator’s Cross symbolizes our presbytery’s commitment to mission, especially our mission past, present, and future in the Congo region. We are reminded that William Sheppard and Samuel Lapsley, from whom our presbytery got its name, both had strong ties to churches and institutions within the bounds of this presbytery and were the first Presbyterian missionaries to carry the Gospel message to what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo. Appendix B Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley 2015 Necrology Ministers Rev. John Toppins – February 11 Rev. Leland M. Laack – April 14 Rev. Samuel Roscoe Nettles, Jr. – November 19 Ruling Elders Bold Springs Leonard Cowling – May 29, 2014 Mary “Bettye” Bailey – Sept. 29
Dr. Fred Dauser – July 19 Dr. Hunter Pope – August 5 Jack Bailey – September 11 Covenant—Tuscaloosa Dodd Sellers – March 4 John Burton – March 5 Walter Andress – October 14 James Smith – December 28
Robert Sandlin White – October 18 First-Birmingham Katherine Riddell – February 11 Jeremiah Abbott – March 8 Verdie M. Holt – April 8 Frances C. Duncan – May 3 Charles H. Moses, Jr. – July 17 First-Dadeville Martha K. Hall – November 15 First-Eufaula Mary Ann Bowden – January 14 Don Claybaugh – February 13 Mary Frances Ramsey – May 13 First-Jacksonville Kenneth Mount – March 12 Lee Roy Manners – December 1
Alberta Turner – March 20 Robert Arnold – August 1
Martha Seals – March 10 Barbara Scarbrough – September 10 Mary Elsie Pow – December 1 First United-Anniston Booker Sampson, Jr. – July 9 Five Mile James Leon Wilson – June 21 Mary Ellen Tucker Allen – August 15
Mr. R.M. Sharp – March 30 Mrs. W.F. Edmonds (Joan McCoy) – July 15 Mr. Raymond W. Terry, Jr. – July 15 Marion Junction Aubrey Maurice Rush, Jr. – March 11 Mountain Brook Herbert C. England – May 10 Riverchase Ann Gardner – October 28 Shades Valley Jack MacKay – February 17 Wendell Kirk – February 20 Don Meacham – April 18 Larry Richardson – April 26 John Vos – May 27 Jeanine (Kitten) Burge – October 2 Earle Gray – December 23 Southminster Joseph S. Ragan, Jr. – March 21 Carolyn Savage Jordan – July 7
Margaret S. Varner – September 19 Valley Creek Seleta Belle Cook Llewellyn – March 15 Westminster, Montgomery Mary Jean Montgomery Chambless – January 3 Robert Lynn Wolfe, Sr. – June 14
First-Eufaula Five Mile Gardendale Green Pond Northern Heights Oakmont Presbyterian Women Shades Valley Southminster Westminster-Birmingham
Because of their generosity we were able to distribute funds to the following food agencies:
Anniston Soup Bowl Bosco Nurtrition Bridge Ministries Brown Bag Project Bullock Co. Food Care House Center of Concern Christian Love Pantry Community Enabler Community Food Bank Community Soup Bowl Crisis Center of Russell Co. DHR-Sumter County EACM
Elmore County Food Pantry Family Service Center First Light Good Samaritan Ministries Greater B’ham Ministries Jacksonville Christian Outreach Lazarus Society Leeds Outreach Loaves and Fishes Ministry Montgomery Food Bank Oak Mountain Mission Ministries Pleasant Hill Methodist Food Pantry Presbyterian Home for Children Red Door Kitchen Selma Area Food Bank Stop Hunger Now Tallapoosa Christian Crisis Ctr TEAM
Temporary Emerg of Tusc The Ministry Ctr at Green Springs United Way University Church Food Pantry West Alabama Food Bank
Appendix D Executive Council for Information: The EC has met three times since our November presbytery meeting so graciously hosted by the Presbyterian Home for Children. Much of our work in December focused on notes from the conversations that were held during our World Café process, a time of guided questioning and discussion which were part of our meeting from November 12th in Talladega. Dr. Wilkins and the EC facilitators found this activity to be very helpful and greatly appreciated the engaged participation by the presbytery. The end of 2015 brought great sadness and shock when Executive Council elder and Living River board member James Smith passed away after ever increasing health difficulties. James had a passionate spirit for the work of this presbytery, particularly in our nurture programming related to youth and camping. With his legal background James, would offer thoughtful guidance and direction to both the EC and Living River, and he was always to be trusted when there were questions related to the parliamentary process. While we know with confidence that James is embraced by the fullness of God’s grace and glory through our Savior Christ Jesus, please join us in thought and prayer as we continue to lift up his daughter Anna Marie. In mid January the EC was privileged to have a retreat at our own Living River. This day allowed us to continue the good work started by the World Café discussions and to introduce new board members Rev. Shannon Webster and Rick Reed to the other EC members (Eva Carter and Lou Ann Sellers have graciously committed to stay and complete new terms on the EC). This beginning of the year working retreat allowed an opportunity to find new leadership positions and committee assignments as follows: Rev. Lou Ann Sellers will move into the role of EC Moderator after her term as Moderator of the Presbytery is finished in February; Outgoing EC Moderator Lin Veasey will fill the remaining two years of James Smith’s term on the Living River board; Eva Carter will be chair of the PS&L Personnel Committee; Rev. Bobbie Epting will continue her very capable work as Finance Committee chair, and Bev Dodson will remain as the liaison to the Trustees from EC. Additional EC members will serve on these and other Task Teams of the EC. After a wonderful luncheon provided by the Living River staff, Dr. Wilkins provided a visioning framework for our season of transition, focused on creating an identity statement drawing on words used and ideas expressed in the November World Café discussions. This work will continue into February and come back to the presbytery in an Open Space time. The February 8th meeting of the EC handled a great deal of business. During opening lunch Ralls Coston was introduced to the EC and he shared his interest in mission. A member of the Oakmont congregation, Ralls will serve during the year of 2016 as the PS&L Mission Coordinator. After an exciting overview of some new and quickly developing college ministry efforts in Birmingham, the EC voted to form a Task Team of Cat Goodrich, Ben Acton, Robert Hay, Rachel Winter, Joe Genau, Susannah Christians, and at least one college student to explore funding, staffing, and ministries models. In response to a grant proposal from the Congo Mission Team, Bobbie Epting offered a motion to move $16,000 from an account for missions to the Congo Team’s efforts for raising funds to construct two schools. The $16,000 represents 10% of the cost of building the two schools. It was explained that there is no longer a functioning mission partnership in Mexico and these funds could be used directly in the Congo with trusted oversight. The motion passed and it is hoped that PS&L congregations continue to support this valuable work and partnership by continuing to raise funds so that the two schools will be completed as soon as possible. Eva Carter expressed the need for more members on the Personnel Committee. The Nominating and Representation Committee will be informed of the need so that they may begin to propose additional names for both Personnel and Finance. Work continues for the Stillman College Task Team and they are seeking to re-establish a covenantal relationship with the synod. More information about a significant fund raiser will be forthcoming as details are finalized. The EC thanks those involved with the work of this important Task Team. The EC also received a grant proposal from the Rev. James Goodlet about an exciting new ministry unfolding in Tuscaloosa, UPERK. The response to the proposal was very positive and the EC will use the next month to seek the best funding options available and provide details at the May presbytery meeting. The Task Team on Child Protection Policies have examined a variety of policies and best practices from other presbyteries and is hopeful that a policy will be finalized to present at the May presbytery meeting. Dr. Wilkins facilitated discussions related to the development of the Identity Statement. Open Space in the February PS&L presbytery meeting will offer the commissioners an opportunity to contribute to how we live out this statement. Work continues on clarifying relationships with Living River especially related to the vital ministry of the Summer Camping program. An agreement for Rev. Robert Hay’s responsibilities in his role as Coordinating Executive to Living River was shared with the EC. This document was created from efforts of the Personnel Committee of LR, Jay, and Robert (other areas of Rev. Hay’s vital work in his role of Nurture Executive remain unchanged for the presbytery). These efforts should help to clarify Robert’s role and the responsibilities of the presbytery to the Summer Camping Program at Living River. The presbytery Camp Committee continues to offer great service in coordination with the Program of Living River for a wonderful camping season in 2016. The next EC meeting is tentatively scheduled for March 2nd at the presbytery office. Appendix E Retirement Recognition for Emily Rebecca Davis Emily Rebecca Davis was born in and raised in Bessemer, AL and baptized and nurtured in First Presbyterian Church there. Becky attended The University of Alabama where she got a degree in education and where she met her future husband. While he was in medical school she taught high school English in Bessemer. She took a long break from teaching to have and raise three children. After they were all in school she went back herself for a Masters in Special Education and became the teacher of gifted students in the Talladega City School System. This suited her well because she could craft her own curriculum. She took her students on star gazing trips, had them write and perform their own plays, and even had a pseudo archeological dig in her backyard one year. Years later she began to feel the pull toward a vocation in ministry, and the call became clear to her when she visited Columbia Seminary with her daughter, Anne, when she was contemplating attending. Anne instead went on to med school, but the visit cemented the call in Becky’s life and about a year later she began her studies at Columbia. Being a life-long learner, she loved the course of study and excelled at it while also being a regular volunteer at the Open Door. She returned to Talladega to become the first-ever chaplain at the Presbyterian Home for Children. Later she entered a CPE program and became the chaplain at Citizens Hospital in Talladega. After a few years her professional work was interrupted by a bout of colon cancer, but her ministry continued as she inspired all those who reached out to help her. They usually found themselves being the recipients of the gospel from Becky as she lived it and continues to live it. After her successful treatment Becky was called to the Dodson Memorial PC in Oxford where she loved and was loved for many years. Now in her honorable retirement Becky gets to spend her time doing the things she enjoys—eating well, drinking nice wine, Pilates, social activism and enriching the lives of her three grandchildren. Thanks be to God for the past and continuing ministry of Becky Davis!
Jim Pino, Esq. Jim Pino & Associates, P.C. 363 Canyon Park Drive Pelham, Alabama 35124
Your File No.: 15-cd-4107 Dear Jim: Along with Butch Ellis, I represent the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley. In that regard, your letter dated August 28, 2015 to Reverend Thomas Winter has been referred to us for a response. It has been our experience that when churches differ over the direction their ministry should take, litigation should be a last resort rather than a first option. While the Presbytery views your threat of litigation seriously, it also knows and believes the individual congregates of the Bryan Memorial Presbyterian Church to be men and women of reason. To be sure, there is sufficient legal authority for lawyers to debate the merits of one particular position over another. Certainly, it comes as no surprise to your congregates that all property held by or for a congregation is held in trust for the use and benefit of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). It is the Presbytery’s hope and belief that despite our clients’ differences, there is nevertheless sufficient common ground to find both pre-litigation compromise and long-term peace of mind for all. As a consequence, may we suggest sitting down across the table to attempt a solution short of litigation before litigation inevitably ensues. I look forward to hearing a favorable response, once you have had an opportunity to pause and consider the battle scars left by litigation with the good people of your church. Very truly yours, J. Bentley Owens, III
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