THE PRESBYTERY OF SHEPPARDS AND LAPSLEY

Bennett Alldredge FPC, Tuscaloosa Princeton

Courtney Bowen IPC, Birmingham Louisville

Rachel VanKirk Mathews FPC, Tuscaloosa Columbia

Alfred Rose First, Birmingham Graduate (Union)

Mary Sellers Shaw IPC, Birmingham Vanderbilt Divinity

Micah Dowling Cahaba Springs, Trussville Columbia

Rebecca Mann Immanuel, Montgomery Graduate (Columbia)

Leigh Ann Min First, Birmingham Graduate (Columbia)

FOR INFORMATION:

At his request, the commission accepted the withdrawal of Inquirer Sherrad Hayes from the ordination process.

Annual Meeting of Synod of Living Waters

January 25, 2016

Commissioners Eva Carter and Neil McCarter offer the following report of highlights of the annual meeting of the Synod of Living Waters which occurred at the First Presbyterian Church in Franklin, TN.

--Don Payne, retiring Moderator, called the meeting to order and preached the sermon in worship calling upon all participants to engage more fully in Jesus’ ministry of inclusion of all persons in the mission of the Church. The offering of $548.00 received in worship was designated for Stillman College.

--The Synod elected the Rev. Ann Kelly, Teaching Elder Commissioner from St. Andrew Presbytery,as Moderator and  Ralph Young, Ruling Elder Commissioner from Western Kentucky Presbytery as Vice Moderator for 2016.  

--Stated Clerk Richard Borie reported on the results of the reading of the minutes of member presbyteries. The results were outstanding with only five exceptions and two comments reported for the minutes for all presbytery meetings in 2014. Minutes from eight of the twelve presbyteries received no exceptions or comments. The body adopted the Synod per capita of $3.62 for 2016.

--Terry Newland, Synod Executive, led the assembly in examination of the Treasurer’s report.  Synod ended the year with a small surplus in operating funds.  He also reported that Living Waters for the World had ended the year with a small surplus.

--The Permanent Administrative Commission recommended that the 2016 budgets for the Synod and Living Waters for the World be adopted and the body did so.  The body also adopted the recommendations from the PAC regarding changes to the Standing Rules. Those changes are: (1) to define the years in which presbyteries elect Synod commissioners; (2) to change the year of election for Permanent Judicial Commission members from even to odd numbered years. The body also approved the recommendation that the next meeting date of Synod be January 30, 2017.

--The Rev. Dr. Mark McCormick, Professor at Stillman College, brought greetings from the College to the body. He noted in his presentation that Stillman is now the only Historically Black College or University to receive a portion of the annual Joy Gift offering. The College uses this gift and others to serve the particular population of students enrolled at the college: 95% of students receive financial aid; 80% of students come from families below the federal poverty line; and only 10% of these students can pay tuition at registration. The College will soon celebrate the 140^th anniversary of its founding.

--Steve Young, Executive Director of LWW, reported on the activities for 2015. It was a good year. Mr. Young reminded the gathering that the technology for supplying a community with clean water is important. Just as important is empowering leaders in these communities. He reported that the Board of Directors has decided that for the future, LWW will enter into covenant relationship only with initiating partners that plan to work with LWW’s networks. The reason for this decision is to maintain the ability to support effectively initiating and operating partners in their quest towards independence and sustainability.

 --Bligh Jones, Presbyterian Women Moderator, reported on the continuing, vital work of Presbyterian Women in the churches of the Synod.  Planning for the Triennial Gathering to be held in Franklin, TN, June 8-11, 2016, is continuing. The theme is “Follow Me” based on Matthew 4:19. The women’s study for 2016-17, “Who Is Jesus?,” will be introduced at the event.

The Nominating Committee report was adopted. The moderators of the standing committees of the Synod are: Committee on Representation, Eva Carter; Nominating Committee, Martha Knichel; Communications, Leonard Jordan; Covenant Relations, Neil McCarter; and Ministry Partnership, Ralph Young.

The body recognized with a standing ovation Dr. Dick Borie for his years of service as Stated Clerk. Terry Newland was elected to serve as Stated Clerk.

Respectfully submitted,

Eva Carter

Neil McCarter
Appendix K

ADMINISTRATIVE COMMISSION

For

WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, MONTGOMERY ALABAMA
Summary of the Administrative Commission’s Work

As of January 25, 2016

1. 
   Westminster Presbyterian Church, Montgomery, held its last worship service in the property located on Woodley Road on December 27, 2015. They are now “abiding” with Memorial Presbyterian Church in Montgomery. Westminster is maintaining a separate identity, holding separate worship services and Sunday School. They have chosen to participate with Memorial for special activities such as fellowship dinners, etc.
   

2. 
   Trustees are continuing to clear the way to sell the Woodley Road property to a nonprofit hospice. Originally, Trinity Presbyterian Church deeded the Westminster property with the stipulation that it would only be used for a church. Westminster Trustees have obtained permission to sell the church property from descendants of the original property owners who donated the property to Trinity Presbyterian. Additionally, Westminster Trustees have met with Trinity trustees and obtained approval to sell the property. Once formally executed, these permissions clear the way for the hospice property purchasers to proceed with application to the City of Montgomery Board of Adjustments to rezone the property. Westminster continues to maintain the property in working order and for several months extended their agreement with the Hispanic Seventh Day Adventist congregation for them to continue to use the property for their gatherings and worship services until the property is sold.
   

3. 
   Effective January 1^st, Robert Edwards resigned as the full time, temporary pastor for the Westminster congregation. He has located full time employment with Baptist Medical Center South as a clinical chaplain. He is continuing to preach the first Sunday of the month and moderate session and congregational meetings. The pastor of Memorial preaches the second Sunday and the Westminster worship committee is making arrangements for others to conduct Sunday worship services.
   

4. 
   Westminster maintains part time choir director and organist and continues to pay part time janitorial staff to maintain the Woodley Road property until it is sold. A church member continues to donate her time to provide secretarial and bookkeeping services. They are paying Memorial for utilities and use of their facilities while they are abiding there.
   

5. 
   FY 2015 expenses exceed revenue. The session approved covering budget overages with small reserves maintained in the church’s checking account. A special four-month stewardship campaign was conducted and the session anticipates that projected revenues will cover expenses during the first four months of FY 2016.
   

6. 
   A congregational meeting is scheduled for January 24^th to update the congregation on the current financial status, sale of the property and to elect a nominating committee.
   

7. 
   Session and congregational leadership are discussing options to assess the future of the Westminster congregation and the feasibility of establishing missions and a new church to serve in the Montgomery area. The Session and key congregational leadership continue to meet to discuss the assessments and information gathered through participating in the PCUSA’s New Beginnings Program. They are exploring how they can faithfully respond to God's call for them as a church particularly in the areas of mission and resources. They are prayerfully considering the capability, potential and feasibility of revitalizing the congregation to establish a new church in Montgomery recognizing that proceeds from the sale of the building cannot be used to fund day-to-day operations.
   

8. 
   The Administrative Commission plans to monitor the activities of the Session and current arrangements through conversations and written communication. As needed and appropriate, the Administrative Commission is available as a whole and individually to assist and support the Westminster session and congregation as they give prayerful consideration to determining “Where is the Lord Calling Westminster Church”.
   

Respectfully and prayerfully submitted,

Ben Arellano

Rhon Carleton

Bobbie Epting

Gayle Lees Sandlin, Chair

Nancy Washburn


Transitional Presbyter Report

to the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley Meeting February 18, 2016
Role of the TP:

1. 
   to assist and oversee maintaining current on-going programs and services of the PSL;
   
2. 
   to assist and guide the study and evaluation of current programs and services and development of long range goals and priorities;
   
3. 
   to assist and guide creation of a proposed permanent staffing structure;
   
4. 
   to serve as the leader/coordinator of the present staff team;
   
5. 
   to fulfill all constitutional responsibilities of the chief administrative position in the PSL.
   

I give thanks to God for the opportunity to participate with you in Christ’s mission in the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley for the past nine months. My role as outlined above has not changed, though the situations in which I am called “to assist and guide” do change.

Transitional Presbyter