Results of voting on the General Assembly proposed Book of Order changes and ecumenical statements:
08-A. Membership vows passed 102 yes - 31 no - 9 abstain
08-B. Ordination standards failed 44 - 98 - 0
08-C Sympathy to compassion passed 108 - 27 - 7
08-D GAC name change passed 112 - 19 - 11
08-E Non-geographic presbyeries passed 103 - 27 - 7
08-F Certified Christian educators passed 98 - 31 - 13
08-G Committee membership by Synods passed 74 - 51 - 17
08-H Ordination exams passed 99 - 31 - 12
08-I More on Certified CE passed 98 - 26 - 18
08 - J Alternative resolution passed 89 - 25 - 28
08-K Ecumenical statement with Roman Catholics passed 110 - 18 - 14
08-L Episcopal Church passed 101 - 26 - 15
08-M Korean Presbyterian Church in America passed 124 - 9 - 9
08-N Moravian Church passed 113 - 16 - 13
PRESBYTERY OF OLYMPIA STATED MEETING ON THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2009 AT SKYLINE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, TACOMA
MISSION STATEMENT FOR PRESBYTERY MEETINGS: We purpose, as members of Olympia Presbytery to remember we are the gathered people of God in Christ. Therefore, we will bring all that we do before God. We will make worship primary, value our fellowship, and seek the Spirit’s leading in our common ministry.
DOCKET
2:30 Fellowship Time
3:00 Opening Prayer - Moderator, Rev. Barlow Buescher
Welcome by Host Pastor, Seating of Corresponding Members,
Granting Privilege of the Floor, Introduction of New Elders
Adoption of the Docket - Stated Clerk, Elder Tony Cook
Approval of the Consent Agenda
Stated Clerk’s report
Celebrations of the Community
3:30 Worship
4:30 Re-convene, discuss and vote on proposed changes to the Book of Order and ecumenical agreements
Presbyterian Foundation report – Rev. Eric Chavis
Futures Task Force progress and plans – Rev. Gary Mathiesen
6:00 Dinner
Committee on Ministry – Elder Rose Erickson
Finance report – Elder Grover Laseke
Committee on Preparation for Ministry – Rev. Hanna Peterson and Elder Char McMullen
Possibilities Task Force – Elder Julie Johnson
Nominating Team
Miscellaneous Business
8:00 Closing Prayer
Items for miscellaneous business should be to the Moderator or Stated Clerk in writing by the dinner hour.
ACTION ITEMS
Presbytery will vote on 10 proposed amendments to the Book of Order and 4 proposed new ecumenical statements. The Stated Clerk will be available for explanations. For discussion on the amendments, please use the microphone and alternate pro and con speakers.
Financial Plan Committee recommends adoption of a revised plan for 2009.
Shari Jackson Monson is being presented today by the Committee on Preparation for Ministry for advancement from Inquirer to Candidate status. She has:
1. Satisfied Book of Order G-14.0402-.0404 requirements,
2. Been examined and endorsed by her Session;
3. Been examined and recommended by CPM.
To assist Presbyters with their role and responsibilities, CPM is requesting the Inquirer speak to and be examined by the Presbytery in these three areas: (1) her faith formation in the recent two years; (2) her relationship with Christ; and (3) the direction of her sense of call.
Possibilities Task Force recommends approval of “Section Four: Finding a Way Forward.” This proposal, if adopted, will become the last section in the Presbytery policy adopted at the November meeting: DISCERNING GOD’S LEADING TOGETHER, Discernment and process for Presbytery and Congregations Considering Withdrawal from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The proposal is presented today for first reading.
Nominating Team nominates Elder John Brooks to be elected Commissioner to Synod of Alaska-Northwest, to fill an unexpired term ending 2011.
CONSENT AGENDA
COUNCIL recommends Presbytery approve the minutes of the February 3, 2009, and March 3, 2009 Council meetings.
The STATED CLERK recommends the approval of the minutes of the January 15, 2009 presbytery meeting as distributed by mail and email.
COUNCIL recommends that an Administrative Commission be elected for the First Cambodian New Church Development, to be composed of Rev. John Haberlin, Rev. Patrick Wrisley, Elder Arlen Davison (Puyallup First), Elder Doris Bucher (Westminster Tacoma), Elder Sheila Mischke (Chapel Hill), and [two more to be announced by the meeting].
The COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY recommends Presbytery:
1. Designate Rev. Sahara Chea as the Organizing Pastor for the First Cambodian New Church Development.
2. Approve a change in the terms of call for Rev. Gwen Stidham-North, serving as Temporary Supply at Onalaska Community Presbyterian Church to a three-quarter time position for six months, salary $ 26,250, 1 week study leave, 1 week vacation, mileage at 50 cents per mile up to $ 1,500, with full Board of Pensions participation.
3. Approve the Temporary Supply relationship between Rev. Jett Brooks and Buckley Community Presbyterian Church, [terms to be furnished].
The COMMITTEE ON PREPARATION FOR MINISTRY recommends Presbytery approve the ordination of Candidate Amy Robinson by the Presbytery of Tres Rios, to be held on March 21 at Inglesia Presbiteriana Verdad y Salvacion, Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.
INFORMATION
From the Stated Clerk:
Rev. Meghan Davis was ordained by the Presbytery of San Francisco on January 31, 2009.
The transfer of Rev. Douglas Basler from the Presbytery of Chicago was approved at a meeting of that Presbytery on February 10, 2009.
The following churches will be hosting stated presbytery meetings, all meetings being on the third Thursday, from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m.:
May 21, 2009 Thursday 3:00-8:00 Camp Sound View/Sumner Church cohost
September 17, 2009 Thursday 3:00-8:00 Marine View Presbyterian Church, Tacoma
November 19, 2009 Thursday 3:00-8:00 Shelton Presbyterian Church, Shelton
January 21, 2010 Thursday 3:00-8:00 The United Churches, Olympia
March 18, 2010 Thursday 3:00-8:00 First Presbyterian Church, Kelso
May 20, 2010 Thursday 3:00-8:00 Chapel by the Sea, Pacific Beach
September 16, 2010 Thursday 3:00-8:00 Lacey Presbyterian Church, Lacey
November 18, 2010 Thursday 3:00-8:00 Westminster Presbyterian Church, Chehalis
The following churches are sending an extra delegate to presbytery meetings for 2009: Bethany, Buckley, Chapel Hill, Evergreen, Fircrest, Harrison Square, Immanuel, Mineral, Montesano, Packwood, Skyline, Sumner, Tacoma Central, Tenino, Toledo, United Olympia, and University Place. In addition to delegates from the churches, Commissioned Lay Pastors, chairpersons of standing committees, elders on Council, elders on the Board of Trustees and elders who are officers are entitled to vote.
COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY
On January 21, 2009, on behalf of Presbytery, the Committee on Ministry
1. Approved the Parish Associate relationship between the Rev. Eric Renz and First Presbyterian Church Puyallup with remuneration of $300/month until 12/31/09.
2. Approved the call of Aberdeen First Presbyterian Church to the Rev. Douglas Basler, pending a vote of congregation, to be effective February 25, 2009, with the following terms of call: salary and housing $ 50,000 per year, $ 3,825 social security supplement, auto allowance at 58.5 cents per mile, professional expense $ 800, continuing education $ 1,000, regular BOP pension and medical, and moving expenses of $ 10,000. 4 weeks vacation and 2 weeks study leave per year.
On February 3, 2009, on behalf of Presbytery, the Committee on Ministry
1. Renewed the Parish Associate relationship between Rev. Heidi Armstrong and Trinity Presbyterian Church with remuneration of $ 2,463 salary, $ 12,000 housing, $ 4,500 pension until June 30, 2009.
2. Approved the Interim Pastor relationship between the Rev. Melody Young and Bethany Presbyterian Church from February 1 to December 31, 2009, with salary and housing of $ 43,000, one month vacation, study leave$ 1,000 and two weeks, car allowance negotiable, and full pension/medical.
On March 5, 2009, on behalf of Presbytery, the Committee on Ministry renewed the Commissioned Lay Pastor relationship between Joe Hibbard and Sumner Presbyterian Church, to March 1, 2010.
Committee on Ministry also reports the Installation of Rev. Meghan Davis as Pastor of Longview Presbyterian Church took place at 4 PM on March 8, 2009.
The COMMITTEE ON PREPARATION FOR MINISTRY
On February 11, 2009,
1. advanced John Pfaff to Learner in the CLP process.
2. enrolled Anne-Cecile Baer Porter as an Inquirer.
On March 9-10, 2009,
1. held an annual consultation with Max Fletcher, and continued him as an Inquirer.
2. held an annual consultation with Kristy Farber, and continued her as a Candidate.
The STATED CLERK reports the following information from the Statistical Reports submitted by the churches for 2008:
Membership
Prior Active Members: 10,330
Gains Losses
Profession 17 & Under: 78 Certificate: 46
Profession 18 & Over: 381 Death: 149
Certificate: 126 Other: 548
Other: 29
Total Gains: 614
Total Losses: 743
Total Active Membership: 10,201
Female Members: 5,058
Inactive Members: 1,707
Baptized Members: 922
Total Adherents: 12,830
Affiliate Members: 145
Average Church Attendance: 6,390
Baptisms Children: 92 Adult: 76
Receipts
Regular Contribution: 13,826,843
Capital Building Fund: 1,474,456
Investment Income: 433,116
Bequests: 581,008
Other Income: 1,048,322
Subsidy or Aid: 47,039
Expenditures
Local Program: 10,690,373
Local Mission: 641,117
Capital Expenditure: 3,024,600
Investment Expense: 446,151
Per Capita: 280,142
Validated Mission: 439,136
Theological Fund: 15,086
Other Mission: 527,136