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HANDBOOK PROVIDENCE PRESBYTERY
Lancaster First Presbyterian Church 700 North Main Street
Lancaster, SC Thursday, March 19, 2020
Directions to Lancaster First Presbyterian Church, Lancaster, SC & Luncheon Menu ....................... i Letter to Commissioners ......................................................................................................................... ii Agenda ................................................................................................................................................... iii Consent Agenda .......................................................................................................................... . A: 1 In Memoriam Report .................................................................................................................... B: 1 Administrative Ministry Team Report ............................................................................................ C: 1 2020 Proposed Summarized Analysis of Revenue & Expenses .................................... C: 3 Transitional Report ....................................................................................................................... D: 1 Presbyterian Women Moderator’s Report ................................................................................. E: 1 Bethelwoods Ministry Team Report ............................................................................................. F: 1 Coordinating Team Report Matthew 25 Invitation .......................................................................................................... G: 1 Overture to GA: Regarding Depleted Uranium in Iraq ...................................................... G: 2 Overture to GA: On Responding to the Human Needs of Those Affected by Crisis in Syria ........... G: 8 Educating & Equipping Ministry Team ....................................................................................... H: 1 Mission & Outreach Ministry Team Mission News: Dimes for Hunger & Central America Opportunities Flyer ........................ I: 1 2019 Dimes For Hunger Giving Reports ........................................................................... I: 2 2020 Dimes For Hunger Minute For Mission & DFH Dinner Flyer ................................... I: 4 New Vision in Honduras: Establishing an Eye Clinic Update ........................................... I: 5 Committee on Ministry Report .................................................................................................... J: 1 Reverend James Woodland Davis: A Brief Statement of Faith ........................................ J: 3 Reverend James Woodland Davis: A Brief Testimonial .................................................... J: 4 2020 Temporary Pastoral Relationships ........................................................................... J: 5 2020 Salary Compensation & Benefits Packages Report… (To be handed out) ............. J: 7
Appendix:
Materials for New Commissioners: Helpful Hints For Presbytery Commissioners .................................................. Appendix 1 Proper Preparation for Presbytery Participation - 5 Basic Agendas ............... Appendix 2
2019 Events Sponsored by Providence Presbytery ...................................................... Appendix 3 Administrative Ministry Team Report ............................................................................... Appendix 4 2019 Church Mission Partnership Acceptance Giving Y-T-D ................................ Pages 1 - 2 2019 Receipts in Summary (Summarized Analysis of Revenue) ................................ Page 3 2019 Summarized Analysis of Revenue & Expenses ................................................... Page 4 2019 Summary of Balances in Designated Accounts ............................................ Pages 5 - 6 2020 Per Capita Assessments ............................................................................... Pages 7 - 8 2020 Mission Partnership Giving Acceptances ................................................... Pages 9 – 11 Lancaster First Presbyterian Church History, Lancaster, SC ...................................... Appendix 5
Please print a copy of this handbook for yourself and your commissioner(s) and bring it with you. Or download the file to your laptop or ipad. Wi-Fi capabilities are not always available.
Lunch Reservations RSVP: By March 15th
To Rose Lemmons-Berry 803-328-6269 Ext. 4 or 800-922-1609 Ext. 4 or
Registration: 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Call To Order: 10:00 a.m.
Lunch: 12:30 p.m.
i.
Lunch Menu Cost: $10 per Person
RSVP: By March 15, 2020 To Rose Lemmons-Berry
803-328-6269 Ext. 4 or 800-922-1609 Ext. 4 or [email protected]
Pork Tenderloin, Macaroni & Cheese, Green beans, Broccoli salad, Rolls Dessert – Apple Crisp with ice cream; brownies with ice cream
Coffee, Sweet Tea, Unsweet Tea, and Water
Directions to Lancaster First Presbyterian Church 700 North Main Street Lancaster, SC 29720
Website: www.fpc-lancaster.org Phone: 803-283-3329
The values we cherish to enable us to accomplish our vision ad mission are the fruit of God=s Spirit:
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)
Click This Link For Directions to Lancaster First Presbyterian Church
From Rock Hill and Fort Mill Take Highway 5 going toward Lancaster and continue on it until it runs into Highway 521- South. Take the off ramp toward Lancaster (you will still be on Highway 521). Continue on that road for about 15 to 20 minutes. As you come into Lancaster continue past Chevrolet/Cadillac Car Dealership on the left and further down there is a BoJangles all on left. Go across a bridge. You will continue through two more traffic lights, the second traffic light is Woodland Drive. From the stop light you can see the church on top of a hill to the right. The next driveway on the right after Woodland Drive is the First Presbyterian Church parking lot entrance. From Kershaw/Camden area Take Highway 521 North. You will go under a couple of bridges. Go through a traffic light and continue straight. Continue to the second traffic light and turn left (McDonald’s is on the opposite corner). Continue straight to next stop light and turn left onto Main Street/Highway 521 South. You can see the church on a hill. The next driveway on the right is the First Presbyterian Church parking lot entrance. From Chester Take Highway 9 By-Pass East towards Lancaster. Coming into Lancaster just pass the Wal-Mart take the first exit ramp Highway 200 West/Highway 521 South. Turn right. Continue through the next two traffic lights. The next driveway on the right after the second traffic light (Woodland Drive) is the First Presbyterian Church parking lot entrance.
Guided by the Holy Spirit, the mission of Providence Presbytery is to equip, support and connect our churches as they faithfully serve Jesus Christ in a changing world.
Presbyterian Church (USA)
Dear Siblings in Christ, A new decade is here, and we are looking forward to seeing you at the March 19, 2020 meeting of Providence Presbytery! The meeting is at Lancaster First Presbyterian Church, 700 North Main Street, Lancaster, SC. Please share the highlights of our meeting with your Session and congregation.
• Our morning educational piece will be on the topic of Human
Trafficking. As this is a relevant subject for our area, our speakers will
o define what trafficking is, o make us aware of the signs of trafficking, and o provide resources on how to report trafficking concerns.
• The Rev. Dr. Jon Reinink, associate for church support for
Special Offerings of the PC(USA), will be joining us for the day. He will preach during our worship service.
o An offering for Lily Pad Haven, a nonprofit organization that provides housing for survivors of human trafficking, will be received during worship. If you wish to write a check, please make it to Providence Presbytery.
• The Presbytery teams will be reporting on their work within the Presbytery and the larger church
o The 2020 Budget o Dimes For Hunger Annual Report o Update from the Transition Team o The Rev. James Davis, a member of New Hope
Presbytery, will be examined and received into membership to serve as the Installed Pastor at Bethesda Presbyterian Church, Camden, SC
o And much more!
Due to severe allergies to peanuts and tree nuts, we ask everyone to leave all nut based products, or food which has come from a factory with peanut based products, at home.
Olivia & Hoover Haney Transitional Co-General Presbyters/Stated Clerks
P. S. Registration: 9:00 a.m. Meeting: 10:00 a.m.
Lunch: $10 – RSVP by: March 15th to Rose at 803-328-6269 Ext. 4, or 800-922-1609 Ext. 4 or
[email protected] You may pay at the Presbytery meeting. ii.
Rev. Dr. Hoover Haney
Transitional Co-General Presbyter/Stated Clerk
Rev. Olivia Haney Transitional
Co-General Presbyter/Stated Clerk [email protected]
Stephen McDonald
Director Bethelwoods Camp & Conference Center
Rose Lemmons-Berry Business Administrator
Administrative Assistant [email protected]
Jill Wilson
Communications Coordinator [email protected]
Barbara Kurz
Consultant for Mission [email protected]
Nancy Nutter
Resource Center Clerk [email protected]
515 Oakland Avenue Rock Hill, SC 29730
Phone: 803-328-6269
Toll Free: 800-922-1609 Fax: 803-328-8701
www.providencepres.org
iii
Registration: 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Call To Order: 10:00 a.m. Lunch $10 - RSVP by: March 15, 2020
Email to: [email protected] Or Call 803-328-6269 or 1-800-922-1609 AGENDA
Thursday, March 19, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.
Lancaster First Presbyterian Church 700 North Main Street Lancaster, SC 29720
Guided by the Holy Spirit, the mission of Providence Presbytery is to equip, support, and connect
our congregations as they faithfully serve Jesus Christ in a changing world Anticipated Time 10:00 a.m. 1. Call to Order and Opening Prayer Lisa Johnson, CRE Retiring Moderator
Welcome by Host Church Rev. Edgar McCall Pastor, Lancaster First Presbyterian Church
10:03 a.m. 2. Election of Moderator-in-Nomination Kathryn McGregor, Ruling Elder
Allison Creek Presbyterian Church 10:05 a.m. 3. Enrollment and Quorum Rev. Olivia Haney
Stated Clerk 10:08 a.m. 4. Educational Time: Human Trafficking Alexa Nagy – Lily Pad Haven Community Outreach and Development Coordinator Samantha Barber – Present Age Ministries Secretary to the Board Ashley Horton – Sexual Assault Detective Charlotte Mecklenburg County Police Department Rev. John Nowaczewski Covenant Presbyterian Church Joy Anderson Survivor of Sex Trafficking 12:00 p.m. 5. Morning Worship and Plenary The Worship Team Offering to be received for Lily Pad Haven Rev. Jon Reinink, Associate for Church Support for Special Offerings of the PC(USA) 12:30 p.m. 6. Blessing for Lunch Moderator Kathryn McGregor
iv
1:15 p.m. 7. Reconvene and Stated Clerk’s Report Dr. Hoover Haney A. Consent Agenda Pages A: 1 - 4 B. 2019 Presbytery Events Appendix 3 1:25 p.m. 8. Introductions and Announcements Moderator Kathryn McGregor
A. Recognition of New Elder Commissioners B. Presbytery Procedural Business (1) Adoption of Agenda (2) Introduction of New Business C. Welcome guests Rev. Olivia Haney (1) Corresponding Members (2) Joys/Concerns/Announcements Moderator Kathryn McGregor Special Offerings Melanie Roney
Mission Specialist – Special Offerings Presbyterian Mission Agency of the PC(USA)
(3) In Memoriam (Prayer by the Moderator) Page B: 1
9. Providence Presbytery In Mission and Ministry
1:50 p.m. A. Administrative Ministry Team Mickey Johnson, Ruling Elder Moderator, Administrative Ministry Team
Pages C: 1 – 3 Appendix 4
(1) 2020 Budget Page C: 3 2:00 p.m. B. Transitional Team Report Transitional Team Members
Page D: 1 2:10 p.m. C. Presbyterian Women Ann Barnwell, Ruling Elder Moderator, Presbyterian Women
Pages E: 1 - 2
2:15 p.m. D. Bethelwoods Ministry Team Nate Mallard, Ruling Elder Moderator, Bethelwoods Ministry Team
Pages F: 1 - 3 2:20 p.m. E. Coordinating Team Iris Rose, Ruling Elder
Moderator, Presbytery Coordinating Team Pages G: 1 -12
(1) Matthew 25 Invitation Pages G: 1
v
(2) Overtures to the 224th General Assembly: Dr. Joanne Sizoo Rev. Edgar McCall Regarding Depleted Uranium in Iraq Pages G: 2 - 7 Susquehanna Valley Presbytery (2) On Responding to the Human Needs of Those Pages G: 8 - 12 Affected by the Crisis in Syria
The Cascades Presbytery
2:33 p.m. F. Education and Equipping Ministry Team Sarah Childers, DCE Moderator, EEMT Pages H: 1 - 2
2:43 p.m. G. Mission and Outreach Ministry Team Rev. Jason Myers
Moderator, Mission & Outreach Ministry Team Pages I: 1 - 5
2:53 p.m. H. Committee on Ministry Dr. Joanne Sizoo
Moderator, Committee on Ministry Pages J: 1 - 8
(1) Examination of Rev. James Woodland Davis Pages J: 3 - 4 To Become the Installed Pastor at Bethesda Presbyterian Church, Camden, SC
3:23 p.m. 10. New Business Moderator Kathryn McGregor 3:28 p.m. 11. Attendance Report Dr. Hoover Haney 3:29 p.m. 12. Resolutions Committee Resolutions Team 3:35 p.m. 13. Adjournment Moderator Kathryn McGregor
NEXT STATED MEETING: May 15 – 16, 2020
SC Presbyterian Convocation: A Gathering of South Carolina Presbyterians
Location: Presbyterian College and Thornwell Home for Children, Clinton, SC
Friday, May 15th: Tours, Registration, Dinner, Worship & Reception 3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Saturday, May 16th: Morning Plenary 8:30 – 9:00 a.m. & Business Session 9:15 a.m. - Noon
Copies of the 2019 Detailed Line Account Analysis of Revenues & Expenses are available at the Stated Clerk’s Table. Copies of the 2020 Proposed Detailed Line Account Analysis of Revenue & Expenses are also available.
Page A: 1
CONSENT AGENDA (OMNIBUS MOTION) Report to Providence Presbytery
March 19, 2020
For Information:
1. Regarding balance of ministers and elder commissioners at presbytery meetings
NOTE: The stated clerk is instructed by the Book of Order, G 3.0301 to report annually the balance of elder commissioners and ministers attending Presbytery meetings.
As of January 1, 2020, Providence Presbytery had 34 active ministers, plus 23 retired ministers for a total of 57. We have 59 elder commissioners eligible to vote at each meeting of the Presbytery. In 2019, we had the following representation at the three stated meetings.
2019 Meetings: Date Elder Commissioners Ministers Stated Winter: March 21 31 32 Stated Spring: June 23 30 28 Fall Stated:: October 13 29 34 Total 90 94
2. That the 2018 Minutes of Providence Presbytery have been reviewed by the Synod of South Atlantic and approved.
3. That the 2019 Events Sponsored by Providence Presbytery be received as information. (See Appendix 3: Pages 1 - 4)
4. That the following Administrative Ministry Teams supplemental reports be received as information:
(See Appendix 4: Pages 1 – 11)
2019 Church Mission Partnership Acceptance Giving (See Appendix 4: Pages 1 - 2) 2019 Income Summary Sheet (See Appendix 4: Page 3) 2019 Summarized Analysis of Revenue & Expenses (See Appendix 4: Page 4) 2019 Year End Designated Line Account Balances (See Appendix 4: Pages 5 - 6) 2020 Per Capita Assessments (See Appendix 4: Pages 7 - 8) 2020 Mission Partnership Giving Church Acceptances (See Appendix 4: Pages 9 - 11)
5. That Providence Presbytery churches gave $2,300 for Theological Education in 2019.
6. That Lancaster First Presbyterian Church history be received as information. (See Appendix 14: Pages 1 - 2)
Page A: 2
7. That the 2020 Review & Evaluation Cluster Meetings information be received as information. The reviews will be held on April 19th and April 26th. The dates and locations for each church cluster is listed below:
Chester Cluster – April 19, 2020 – 2:30 p.m. Fort Mill/Rock Hill Cluster – April 19, 2020 – 2:30 p.m. To meet at Purity Church, Chester To meet at Covenant, Rock Hill Bethlehem First Lockhart Bethesda (Y) Hermon Blackstock Mt. Pleasant Community Oakland Avenue Carmel Mt. Tabor Covenant Riverview Catholic Pleasant Grove (C) Doby’s Bridge Rock Hill First Cedar Shoals Purity Grace (Y) Unity Cornwell St. Paul’s Fishing Creek Union First Great Falls Uriel Hebron York Cluster – April 19, 2020 – 2:30 p.m. To meet at First Church, York (come to back door, please) Allison Creek Oakdale Beersheba Pleasant Grove (Y) Beth Shiloh Ramah Bowling Green Tirzah (Y) Clover Woodlawn Hopewell York First Lancaster Cluster – Apr 26, 2020 – 2:30 p.m. Kershaw/Camden Cluster – April 26, 2020 – 2:30 p.m. To meet at First Church, Lancaster To meet at Bethesda Church, Camden Douglas Old Waxhaw Beaver Creek Liberty Hill Faith Pleasant Ridge Bethesda (K) Messiah Fort Lawn Tirzah (L) Bethune Morningside Grace (L) Van Wyck Camden Second Lancaster First Wade For Action:
1. That the minutes of the stated meeting on October 13, 2019 held at Bethesda Presbyterian, Camden, South Carolina for Providence Presbytery be approved by the Presbytery at the request and recommendation of the Minute Reading Committee, which is composed of Elder Luanne Ussery.
2. That the Nominations Committee reports the following changes/additions for your approval:
EEMT - Moderator for 2020: Sarah Childers (from Class of 2022) Mission and Outreach - Moderator for 2020: Rev. Jason Myers (from Class of 2022) Committee on Ministry - Moderator: Rev. Joanne Sizoo (from the Class of 2020) Committee on Ministry Members: Susan Bullard - Class of 2021
Matt Horne - Class of 2022
Page A: 3
3. That the Presbytery’s Administrative Commission appointed to ordain Ben Brannon on
Sunday, October 27, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. be dismissed with thanks and their report be entered into the minutes of Providence Presbytery. The ordination service was held at Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church, Rock Hill, South Carolina. He was commended for membership in Charlotte Presbytery, pursuant to his acceptance as a Pastoral Resident at Myers Park Presbyterian Church, Charlottr, North Carolina.
The membership of the Commission to ordain Candidate Ben Brannan: Name Designation Presbytery Church Affliation John Gordon Elder Providence Clover Church, Clover, SC Sally Herlong Elder Providence Oakland Avenue Church, Rock Hill, SC Shirnetha Belk Elder Providence Lancaster First Church, Lancaster, SC Rev. Dr. Jeff Bryan Minister Providence Oakland Avenue Church, Rock Hill, SC Rev. D. C. Horne Minister Providence Minister-At-Large, Rock Hill, SC Rev. Dr. Hoover Haney Co-General Presbyter Providence And Stated Clerk Serving as Moderator
4. That the Presbytery’s Administrative Commission appointed to install the Reverend John Nowaczewski on Sunday, October 27, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. as the Pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church, Rock Hill, South Carolina be dismissed with thanks and their report be entered into the minutes of Providence Presbytery.
The membership of the Commission to install Rev. John Noweaczewski:
Name Designation Presbytery Church Affliation Diana DeCarlis Elder Providence Covenant Church, Rock Hill, SC Steve Garland Elder Providence Covenant Church, Rock Hill, SC William Gaither Elder Providence Bethlehem First Church, McConnells, SC Messiah Church, Liberty Hill, SC Morningside Church, Camden, SC Rev. Richard Carr Minister Providence Rock Hill First Church, Rock Hill, SC Rev. Lindsay White Minister Providence Unity Church Fort Mill, SC Brother Ramon Rodriguez Minister Providence Monte Sinai Baptist Church, Rock Hill, SC Rev. Vikki Brogdon Minister New Harmony Summerton Church, Summerton, SC Rev. Thomas Nesbit Chaplain Salem Alleghany County Hospice, Sparta, NC Rev. Dr. Richard Boyce Dean Western NC Union Presbyterian Seminary, Charlotte, NC Yao Thomas Agbemenou Chaplain Intern Charlottee Caramont Health Care, Gastonia, NC Rev. Olivia Haney Co-General Presbyter Providence And Stated Clerk Serving as Moderator
Page A: 4
5. That the Presbytery’s Administrative Commission appointed to install the Reverend Matt Horne on Sunday, November 10, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. as the Pastor of Oakdale Presbyterian Church, Clover, South Carolina be dismissed with thanks and their report be entered into the minutes of Providence Presbytery.
The membership of the Commission to install Rev. Matt Horne:
Name Designation Presbytery Church Affliation Diane Marr Elder Providence Oakdale Church, Clover, SC Steve Black Elder Providence Oakdale Church, Clover, SC Bill McKinney Elder Providence Pleasant Grove (C), Chester, SC Rev. D. C. Horne Minister Providence Minister-At-Large, Rock Hill, SC Father Daniel H. Hank Minister Rector - ECUSA St. John’s Congaree Episcopal Church Rev. Olivia Haney Co-General Presbyter Providence And Stated Clerk Serving as Moderator
Rev. Dr. Hoover Haney Co-General Presbyter Providence And Stated Clerk
Page B: 1
IN MEMORIAM REPORT Elders of Churches in Providence Presbytery Who Died in 2019
Beth Shiloh
Joe Barrett: June 17 Bobby Dickson: May 11 Al Janello: September 4
Kathy Lopez: February 16 Claudia Steward: February 11
Ola May Stewart: March 5
Bethesda (Y) William Russell, Sr.: January 24 Barbara Thompson: March 10
Harold S. Walker: March 9
Clover Adelle Edmunds: August 21 Mildred Elliott: December 13
Covenant
Shirley Clark: September 24 Grayson Goodman: October 12
Caroline vonRosenberg: June 22
Douglas Rosa Catoe: June 16
Grace (L)
Jack Johnson: January 20
Hebron Patricia Beer: November 5
Liberty Hill
McCleery Beall Cunningham: November 8
Oakland Avenue Sarah McLeod Goforth: August 13 Nancy Craig Thomas: March 12
Riverview
Delbert Cranford: June 23 Freida Wolfe Sutton: July 18
Tirzah (L)
Robert Flow: May 22 Harold Noles: April 29
Hebron
Patricia Beer: November 5
First Presbyterian (Union) William F. “Bill” Stoddard: June 11
Unity
RK Richard Nelson: November 28
Van Wyck John Cauthen: September 11
George Williams: December 21
Wade Harold Clements: January 27
Fritz McNaughton: December 27
York First Joyce Whetstine Plexico: August 13
Ministers of Providence Presbytery Who Died in 2019
Teaching Elder Rev. Henry Alexander: February 4
Rev. John O’Kain: February 5
L:/Presbytery Meetings/Handbooks/March 19, 2020 /2020 In Memoriam Report 2019
Page C: 1
Administrative Ministry Team Report to Providence Presbytery
March 19, 2020 ITEMS FOR INFORMATION:
1. It is with great sadness that the Administrative Ministry Team reports the passing on February 23, 2020 of Mary Love Hammond, part-time administrative assistant working at the Presbytery office. Mary Love worked for the Presbytery office for 20 years. She would have been honored at this Presbytery meeting for reaching her 20 yr employment milestone on February 14, 2020. We will honor her with a resolution at the Presbytery meeting.
2. 2019 End of the Year Financial Information:
• Providence Presbytery received 98.37% of the 2019 Mission Partnership Acceptances from the churches ($7,510.13 less than pledged). (See Appendix 4: Pages 1 - 2)
• Providence Presbytery’s 2019 Mission Partnership Pledge Giving Breakdown:
(See Appendix 4: Pages 1 - 2)
39 Churches paid 100% 11 Churches paid more than 100%: (+$835.34)
6 Churches paid less than 100%: (-$8,345.47)
The Administrative Ministry Team wishes to express its gratitude and appreciation to the churches of Providence Presbytery for their commitment to the larger church. We are grateful for your continued commitment and giving to Mission Partnership Giving.
• Providence Presbytery’s 2019 year-end balance was $11,898.99. This is the third year
in a row that Providence Presbytery ended the year in the black (In 2018, the year- end balance was $8,070.83). Bethelwoods 2019 year-end balance was $26,095.40 [that money was transferred to a designated account for future projects and balancing].
• Staff and ministry teams were vigilant throughout the year holding expenses down. We
are very grateful to have such dedicated Presbytery and Bethelwoods staffs that are passionate about the mission and ministry of Providence Presbytery and Bethelwoods and their continued efforts of being good stewards. We commend them for another year of hard work and dedication and belt tightening. For your information, the following 2019 financial reports are enclosed: 2019 Church Mission Partnership Acceptance Giving (See Appendix 4: Pages 1 - 2) 2019 Income Summary Sheet (See Appendix 4: Page 3) 2019 Summarized Analysis of Revenue & Expenses (See Appendix 4: Page 4) 2019 Summary of Balances in Designated Accounts 12/31/19 (See Appendix 4: Pages 5 - 6) A detailed line account of Providence Presbytery’s 2019 Revenue & Expense Budget will be available at the Stated Clerk’s table at the Presbytery meeting, if you would like a copy.
Page C: 2
Snapshot of 2019 Ministry Team Budgeted Expenditures:
Ministry Teams % of Budget Spent Administrative 98.01% Bethelwoods 93.34% Presbytery Coordinating Team 51.72% Education & Equipping 92.43% Committee on Ministry 52.44% Mission & Outreach 84.82%
3. 2020 Financial Information:
For your information, the following 2020 financial reports are enclosed: 2020 Per Capita Assessments (See Appendix 4: Pages 7 - 8) 2020 Summarized Budget Analysis of Revenue & Expenses (See Page C: 3)* 2020 Mission Partnership Giving Church Acceptances (See Appendix 4: Pages 9 - 11)
For 2020, the churches’ pledges to Mission Partnership Giving decreased by -$28,093 from the 2019 pledges. However, some churches designated less of their pledge, resulting in a decrease of -$25,393 in undesignated monies available. End result, we have $25,393 less undesignated money available in 2020-vs-2019. (See Appendix 4: pages 8-10).
4. The 2021 Askings For Mission Partnership Giving Booklet will be given out at the May 16,
2020 Presbytery meeting. ITEMS FOR ACTION:
1. Motion from Administrative Ministry Team Regarding the 2020 Budget: The Administrative Ministry Team recommends to Providence Presbytery that it adopt the 2020 Proposed Budget. (See Page C: 3) *A detailed line account of Providence Presbytery’s 2020 Revenue & Expense Budget will be available at the Stated Clerk’s table at the Presbytery meeting, if you would like a copy.
Account 2019 2019 2020 $ Change % Change
YTD Actual Budget Proposed Budget In Budget In BudgetINCOME Total Bethelwoods Ministry Team $534,164.51 $572,270.00 $591,458.71 $19,188.71 3.35%Total General Assembly $92,069.80 $94,145.30 $92,172.70 -$1,972.60 -2.10%Total Miscellaneous $1,845.00 $5,662.40 $390.00 -$5,272.40 -93.11%Total Presbytery $365,449.35 $369,504.64 $339,900.80 -$29,603.84 -8.01%Total Synod $25,224.00 $27,260.00 $26,090.00 -$1,170.00 -4.29%
TOTAL INCOME $1,018,752.66 $1,068,842.34 $1,050,012.21 -$18,830.13 -1.76%
EXPENSES Total Administrative Ministry Team $263,666.56 $269,015.89 $255,820.43 -$13,195.46 -4.91%Total Bethelwoods Ministry Team $534,164.51 $572,270.00 $591,458.71 $19,188.71 3.35%Total Council $1,500.00 $2,900.00 $2,900.00 $0.00 0.00%Total Education & Equipping $44,005.62 $47,607.40 $47,607.40 $0.00 0.00%Total Committee on Ministry $3,743.71 $7,139.00 $7,139.00 $0.00 0.00%Total Mission & Outreach $34,179.37 $40,297.11 $37,678.17 -$2,618.94 -6.50%Total General Assembly $92,192.50 $94,145.30 $92,172.70 -$1,972.60 -2.10%Total Presbytery $8,177.40 $8,207.64 $8,145.80 -$61.84 -0.75%Total Synod $25,224.00 $27,260.00 $26,090.00 -$1,170.00 -4.29%Suspend Funded Accounts TOTAL EXPENSES $1,006,853.67 $1,068,842.34 $1,069,012.21 $169.87 0.02%
Income Budget: $1,050,012.21
Expense Budget: $1,069,012.21
Page C: 3
2020 Budget Recap & Info
The $19,000 difference between the Income Budget and the Expense Budget
Providence PresbyterySummarized Analysis Of Revenue And Expenses
Proposed 2020 Budget
will be funded by carryover balances from the previous year
Page D: 1
Transitional Report To Providence Presbytery
March 19, 2020
The Transition Team met on January 27, 2020 at the Fort Lawn Community Center. The counties reported on the information they had received from officials: Summary: There is systemic poverty within most of our counties; educational issues, family issues, lack of employment.
York and Lancaster are quickly growing but there is infra-structure issues and pockets of poverty. Questions: Do we, as congregations, want to work to address some of the issues our counties face? What mission/service opportunities are out there for our presbytery? How can this presbytery help each other in ministry as we move forward? Plans: Identify churches with extra energy. Join together with some disciple groups to plan what we want to do. Plan some county wide gatherings to also share the county information and figure out what, if anything, the congregations want to do. Hoover and Olivia have met with each person on staff to hear about their thoughts on transition. They will write up summaries of their meetings for each staff member. Hopefully soon, Hoover, Olivia, and someone from the Transition Team will have a chance to meet with Team moderators, if not the whole team, for an evaluation.
Page E: 1
Presbyterian Women's Report to the Coordinating Team of Providence Presbytery
Presbyterian Women have three upcoming events planned:
1. World Day of Prayer Service will be held at Ramah Presbyterian Church on March 6, at 11:00. Rev. James Platt and Rev. Matt Horne will lead the worship service which is based on John 5: 2-9.
2. The PW Spring Gathering will be held at Faith Presbyterian Church on March 28, 2020 beginning with registration at 9:00 a.m. Rev. Rhonda McClain will lead the worship service. The theme for the meeting will be Blessings. Following worship, the annual business meeting will take place. A lunch will be served for a price of $10.
3. On October 3, the PW Spiritual Retreat will be hosted by Hermon Presbyterian Church. The theme for the meeting will be prayer. Plans are not complete at this time.
On synod, presbytery, and congregational levels, PW is faced with the problem of finding leaders to fill the traditional positions. Our PWPCT has been trying an alternative structure for the CT, which is being used in many of the other PW Groups. If we find it to be a good fix, we will bring it to the women at our spring business meeting.
I am serving as the moderator; this provides for a person to attend meetings, hand in reports, and also provides a contact person when help is needed. There is also a treasurer to handle the money. There are 4 to 6 other women elected to service, but no positions are designated. The group works as a committee, with everyone having voice and vote. At the end of the meeting a list is posted on items to be discussed at the next meeting and people sign up for which ever topic they choose to lead.
For example at out next meeting:
Lead meeting/ make agenda Arlene Light Christ Candle Nikki Have devotional Kay Joy and Concerns Ann Report on World Day of Prayer Arlene Go over plans for Spring Gathering Pat Plan business meeting Ann Plan Spiritual Retreat Ann Give treasurer's report Lee Take minutes Kay
Page E: 2
Presbyterian Women 2019 Benevolent Giving
Income Expense PW Missions
PDA $500.00 $500.00 Bethelwoods $325.00 $325.00 Villa International $20.00
Biblical Release Time - Clover $50.00 $50.00 Biblical Release Time - York $50.00 $50.00 Birthday Offering $1,469.00 $1,429.00 Blessing Boxes $412.65 $500.00 Columbia Friendship Circle $125.00 $100.00 Shallow Well $25.00 $25.00 Honorary Life Membership $285.00 $285.00 Least Coin $429.00 $388.34 Mission Haven $543.00 $518.00 Nickels for Nets $25.00 $25.00 Presbyterian School of Christian Education $25.00 $25.00 Presbyterian Communities $225.00 $225.00 Saluda Center $175.00 $175.00 Thank Offering $2,641.02 $2,591.02 SC Inn $225.00 $225.00 Thornwell $340.00 $339.00 Total Missions Income & Expenses $7,889.67 $7,775.36
Ann M. Barnwell, PWP Moderator
Page F: 1
Bethelwoods Camp and Conference Center
Report to Providence Presbytery
March 2020
Summer 2020
- Registration is open for Summer Camp 2020! We are offering eight weeks of day camp starting June 22st and seven weeks of overnight camp starting June 21st. For more information on program offerings visit www.bethelwoods.org/camps or contact Lexi Green at [email protected].
- Our theme for Summer Camp 2020 is entitled Overwhelm. Ephesians 2:4-5 tells us "But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved" (NRSV). This summer we will challenge campers to live an overwhelming life! Overwhelming with so much love, joy, grace and faith that they shine as a lighthouse in the darkness. Join us this summer and explore how people, throughout the Bible, showed overwhelming faith and how we can do the same.
- One of the most important things about summer camp is our ability to shard God’s Love to all of the campers. We love having Ministers of the Week from across the Presbytery to help us share the word of God with the campers. Bethelwoods was blessed to have Rev. Sam McGregor from Allison Creek, Rev. John White from Beth Shiloh Presbyterian Church, and Rev. David Bender from Faith Presbyterian Church serve as Ministers of the Week during 2019. If you are interested in serving during summer 2020, contact Lexi Green at [email protected]
- Bethelwoods Camp in a Van Program is designed to blend Camp Ministry and Congregational Ministry to put on a week of Camp at your local congregation. Bethelwoods was able to partner with 6 churches including Tirzah (Y) Presbyterian Church, Beth Shiloh Presbyterian Church, Tirzah (L) Presbyterian Church, Liberty Hill Presbyterian Church, Faith Presbyterian Church, and Bowling Green Presbyterian Church during 2019 to bring a week of camp to their congregation. If you are interested in bringing a week of camp to your church in 2020 contact Stephen McDonald at [email protected] for more information.
Personnel Update
- Emily Barker, who served as our interim Program Director in 2019 has moved back to Nashville to work with Vanderbilt University doing research on and resourcing for
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special education around the Nashville area. We are so thankful for her work at Bethelwoods during this past year and wish her all the luck in her future endeavors.
- Lexi Green has begun her work as Program Director at Bethelwoods! Lexi is a cradle Presbyterian and Pastor's daughter who grew up moving around the Southeast. In 2012, Lexi graduated from Mooresville Senior High School and went on to attend Coker College as a student athlete, eventually transferring to the University of Florida. Having not had much experience with summer camp as a child, Lexi began her camp journey at Montgomery Center in 2012 where her passion for Camp and Conference Ministry was ignited. Since then, she graduated with a B.A. in Religion from the University of Florida and accepted a full time position at Montgomery as their Director. Lexi is a member of the American Camp Association as well as an accredited Level 2 Challenge Course Facilitator. In addition, she is also working towards her Compass Points Certification through the Presbyterian Camp and Conference Association. In her free time you will often find Lexi spending time with her dogs, hiking, watching college football (Go Gators!), and hanging out with friends and family. Lexi is thrilled to take this next step in her ministry journey and continue to share her passion and program skills at Bethelwoods. She can be reached at [email protected] or 803-366-3722.
Spring Break Day Camp
- Bethelwoods annual Spring Break Day Camp is April 6th-10th. The program is $265 for the week or $53 per day and is for kids who have completed K5-5th grades. Come and have a week of games, s'mores, and Bible study. Kids will develop friendships and faith in this week-long camp. For more information please visit our website at bethelwoods.org or contact Lexi Green at [email protected].
Spring Programing
- Kid’s Night Out happens once a month on a Friday evening. This program is for kids who have completed K5-5th grades and is designed to be a fun night out of the house. Dates for this spring are: March 6th “Cool Science Night” and May 8th “Out of this World Night”.
- Bethelwoods’ Creative Crafters meets the second Tuesday of each month at 10am for a time of crafting, fellowship, and a meal together. We will meet on March 10th for a Resin Casting project and on April 14th and May 12th.
- Third Tuesday Together is our older adult ministry that meets the Third Tuesday of each month for a program, fellowship, and a meal together. We will meet on March 17th for a speaker from the Come See Me Festival, April 21st for a trip to the Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens, and May 19th to learn more about our summer camp curriculum.
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Facilities Update
- The cooling unit on the Deep Freezer in Lake Lodge has been replaced. The box has also been resealed and the door replaced. These measures will help manage the energy costs of running the Deep Freezer and make sure it is running more efficiently.
- One of the HVAC units in Lake Lodge needs to be replaced. Plans to get that project complete by this summer are underway.
- Bethelwoods needed to replace one of the sewage pumps at Horton Lodge this winter, and work on the electrical and control panel associated with the pump. This
- We have started work on replacing the carpet in the front rooms of Cabins 1-4 with a laminate flooring. This work is much needed after the carpet was from the early 2000’s and showing its age.
- Bethelwoods was able to trade in its old Tractor and Back Hoe to get a brand new tractor. This will make a lot of the work in road and grounds maintenance so much easier!
55th Anniversary
- Bethelwoods is celebrating its 55th year of ministry in 2020. We are so blessed over the years to have been able to serve so many campers and guests and to show them God’s love. We will be having a celebration on May 2nd, 2020.
- We are planning to have a public event to break the world record for most number of people roasting a marshmallow at once! Stay tuned for more details
Financial
- Camp staff continues to do an excellent job of holding down expenses without affecting the level of service to our guests at camp. At the end of 2019, Bethelwoods finished with a surplus of $26,095.40. We are hoping to use this overage to take care of some facility items and to help bolster the budget for 2020 as we face the new minimum wage laws that have gone into effect this year.
- Per presbytery policy Admin team has been allocated a portion of this overage to cover a deficit in the presbytery budget for 2020, leaving Bethelwoods with around $18,000.
- We will apply for the Canon Mills grant as well this year to hopefully offset the expected facility maintenance costs.
- Camp continues to trend upward in retreat business with most weekends in 2020 already being booked for groups to visit. If your church or group wants to book a day or night a Bethelwoods please call soon!
Bethelwoods continues to be very grateful for all of the support we receive from Providence Presbytery and all of its churches. We look forward to a great retreat season and are excited about where Bethelwoods will grow for summer 2020.
MATTHEW 25 INVITATION – FEBRUARY 2020
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INTRODUCTION Matthew 25:31-46 (NRSV) – The Judgment of the Nations
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, 33 and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. 34 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ 40 And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family,[a] you did it to me.’ 41 Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; 42 for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Matthew 25:31–46 calls all of us to actively engage in the world around us, so our faith comes alive and we wake up to new possibilities. Both the 222nd and 223rd General Assemblies (2016 and 2018) urged the PC(USA) to act boldly and compassionately to serve people who are hungry, oppressed, imprisoned or poor. This invitation asks congregations and mid councils to identify themselves as working toward one or more of three goals: building congregational vitality, dismantling structural racism and eradicating systemic poverty.
BACKGROUND Several members of the Presbytery Coordinating Team, Ministry Teams, and Committees met with Sy Hughes, Mission Engagement Advisor (Southeastern US) at Presbyterian Mission Agency, in the fall last year to learn about the Matthew 25 Invitation. As a result of that meeting, I met with the Presbytery Interim Stated Clerks and General Presbyters to review what we learned, share our reactions and determine the next steps. As a result of that conversation, I talked with the Moderators of the Committee on Racial and Religious Reconciliation and Mission and Outreach Ministry Teams to gather their feedback on the next steps. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION The Matthew 25 Invitation was discussed during the February 2020 Coordinating Team Meeting. The decision was made to refer the “invitation” to the Moderators of the Committee on Racial and Religious Reconciliation and Mission and Outreach Ministry Teams to determine how we move forward as a Presbytery.
Respectively submitted, Iris Rose, Moderator, Coordinating Team
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Regarding Depleted Uranium in Iraq
The Presbytery of Susquehanna overtures the 2020 General Assembly of PC(USA) to address the crisis of depleted uranium in Iraq, an ongoing effect of the US invasion which is now poisoning the people and the land. In so doing, it recalls the overtures of the 223rd General Assembly, (08-04) “On Renewing Our Call to Promote Environmental Justice” and (08-05) “On Responding to Environmental Racism” by directing the pertinent offices of PC(USA) to seek the justice of a lasting remedy by: Comprehensive Testing and Remedy
1. Directing the Stated Clerk of the PC(USA) to send a message to the US President, the US Secretary of State, the US Secretary of Defense, and to each US Senator and Representative urging, with the consent of the Iraqi government:
a. an immediate and comprehensive assessment of the distribution of depleted uranium in Iraq, including inventory of remaining military equipment, and testing and mapping of soil and water contamination due to the presence of depleted uranium;
b. a thorough epidemiological report of the Iraqi population to discern the health effects of depleted uranium, including its infant mortality rates;
c. removal and containment of depleted uranium in Iraq by committing existing capabilities and resources in the US in conjunction with funding, training, and equipping Iraqi workers to do the job;
d. funding, training, and equipping Iraqi clinics and hospitals to treat those suffering the physical and mental health effects of depleted uranium;
e. ongoing testing and epidemiological reporting to discern the results of remedial measures.
f. Full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in their work in Iraq.
2. Directing the Office of Public Witness and the Ministry at the United Nations to
support this witness in their work, as well as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as they have done substantial characterization work already and have financial and oversight resources toward performing these actions.)
Work to End the Military Use of Depleted Uranium
3. Directing the Ministry at the United Nations to work with representatives of member states to urge a worldwide ban on the military use of depleted uranium.
Rationale There is sufficient documentation available to confirm that depleted uranium (DU) was used in armor penetrating weapons by the United States and its allies in the 1990s Gulf War and the 2003 and subsequent US-led War on Terror in Iraq (including attacks against ISIS-held territories) (Al-Kinani, 2006; Al-Azzawi, 2017; Fetter & von Hippel, 1999; IAEA, 2010; Oakford, 2017; Research Advisory, 2004; many more not listed here). There is also reason to believe Iraq was using DU-enhanced armor either self-developed in Iraq or obtained from other countries during the 2000s wars in Iraq. As a result of nearly 30 years of fighting, there are substantial regions of Iraq which have
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been contaminated by DU. Examples of the modes of contamination include leftover military materials containing DU lying around as litter, airborne particles of DU, and contamination of the soil, surface water, and underground aquifers. Among the regions in Iraq most affected by DU contamination are the southern region around Basra, Al Zubayr, An Nasiriyah, and As Samawah; central Iraq, especially around Baghdad and An Najaf; and Mosul in northern Iraq. DU is a known radiological and toxic hazard. From Agaian, 2011: “DU's chemical and radiological toxicities may have negative health effects. Health consequences from DU's chemical toxicity [DU is a heavy metal much like lead] result from its inhalation, ingestion, and dermal contact and resulting entry into the bloodstream. Once the DU compounds have entered the bloodstream, they are filtered by kidneys. Depending on the level of exposure, however, DU may impair the kidney function by causing damage to the kidney cells. High DU intake over a prolonged period of time can result in acute kidney failure and death. DU's radiological toxicity has also raised health concerns. Studies on troops and local populations where DU ammunition had been used during the Gulf War and Balkan conflicts show that exposure to DU may have increased the probability of individuals developing lung and bone cancer, non-malignant respiratory disease, skin disorders, neurocognitive disorders, chromosomal damage, and birth defects. Still, these studies were not conclusive enough to determine the precise observable health effects and residual cancer risk estimates that may arise from moderate exposure to DU.” The two most in-depth studies on the areal and compositional extent of DU contamination in Iraq are IAEA (2010) and Al-Azzawi (2017). The IAEA report describes detailed sample data across Iraq with DU content and radioactive dose rates. It also gives detailed descriptions of the surface accumulation of fragments of military equipment still left in Iraq. Al Azzawi provides a historical account of the use of DU in Iraq, and a significant amount of medical and anecdotal data regarding birth defects and health effects that have plagued Iraqis over the past three decades. The conclusions in her report include the following: • The USA and UK continuously used Depleted Uranium weapons against the
population and environment in Iraq from 1991 until today (2017). • [The US] intentionally denied and covered up the types, locations and amounts of
DU projectiles that have been used in Iraq to prevent taking measures that could have reduce health damages on civilians resulting from the exposure to cumulative doses of these contaminants.
• UNEP, WHO and other international agencies have been unable to conduct any exploration programs to detect DU contamination and assess the health risks and clean up remedies the way it has been conducted in Serbia and Kosovo.
• Exploration programs and site measurements proved without a doubt that the existence of DU related radioactive contamination all over most of Iraq (except the northern area of Kurdistan).
• Published epidemiological studies in Basra introduced a clear correlation between DU related exposure and the multifold increase of malignancies, congenital malformations, and multiple malformations among the population in DU contaminated areas.
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• Other pathological and hematological studies indicated the existence of chromosomal and DNA aberrations and abnormalities in the 1991 Iraqi Gulf War veterans. Other studies proved their effects on lowering the activities of the human immune system in exposed individuals.
• Iraqi researchers’ site measurements since year 2000 revealed that Muthana governorate and Al-Samawa city were DU contaminated since 1991. This fact was supported later on by the Dutch troops in 2003, and also by the results of medical tests of the American National Guardsmen who served in that area after the conflict. These tests confirmed the accuracy of the researches conducted in Iraq.
What is Depleted Uranium? Uranium is a radioactive element that can be found naturally in rocks, water, and even human beings. It is found in various ores around the world. Its primary uses are for the generation of nuclear energy in nuclear fission power plants, various medical uses, and in certain types of military weapons. Approximately 0.0003% of earth crust and 3.0 μg/L in sea water is made up of uranium (Bleise et al., 2003). The average concentration of uranium in the human body, resulting from the normal intake of food and water, is approximately 90mg, 66% of which is found in the skeleton, 16% in the liver, 8% in the kidneys, and the remaining 10% in other tissues (Agaian, 2011). Uranium in its natural form is typically composed of three isotopes. The most prevalent isotope is U-238. It is non-fissile, which means it cannot sustain a chain reaction in a thermal-neutron reactor. Its primary mode of ionizing radiation is alpha decay, which is the least dangerous form of radiation and the most easily blocked by shielding. For this reason, and also because of its high density, U-238 is often used in shielding materials because it will block more deadly gamma and x-ray radiation, while its own alpha radiation is absorbed by other materials. U-238 comprises about 99% of natural uranium. The other predominant component of natural uranium, approximately 0.7% or 1 atom out of 140, is U-235; this is the isotope that is desired for nuclear power generation. U-235 is also used is certain types of fissile nuclear weapons (which is why the current political situation with Iran is so important). U-235 also releases more beta and gamma radiation than does U-238, thus producing a higher dosage rate of radiation exposure. Speaking very generally, there are two primary ways that natural uranium is processed for specific uses. One is to convert U-238 to fissile plutonium for use in nuclear weapons; this process is not a concern for the current discussion. The other is to isolate U-235 by extracting U-238 from natural uranium. This is done by a variety of processes, most typically in a centrifuge. The resulting enriched uranium has much more than 0.7% U-235. The removed uranium, while still mostly U-238, still has some U-235 in it, but at a much lower percentage. The removed or leftover uranium is called depleted uranium (DU), and it is defined by a U-235 content of 0.3% or less. DU has been used in civilian and military applications as a result of its high density. DU is used as shields in radiation therapy, containers to transport radioactive materials, and counterweights in aircrafts. DU is used in the military in conventional warheads, because the high density increases the penetration effectiveness of the weapon, and in armor plating because its high density will prevent penetration from less dense warhead
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materials, and since it will not ignite on impact for temperatures below 600°C. (Agaian, 2011). In What Ways is DU Dangerous? DU affects the human body through ionizing radiation and chemical toxicity. The radioactivity of DU is primarily as an alpha particle emitter. As radiation goes, this is the least damaging, because it is the largest particle and can be stopped from penetrating the skin by regular clothing (in fact, in small doses skin is a sufficient barrier to alpha particles). However, soft tissues such as lungs and kidneys can be damaged by alpha particles. For this reason, the primary radiological hazard from DU is through inhalation; airborne particles inhaled into the lungs can damage the lung tissue and lead to lung cancer. Ingestion through contaminated water or food can similarly cause damage to the kidneys. DU is probably more damaging due to its heavy metal toxicity. Much like lead, DU exposure and ingestion can cause diseases of the kidney and liver, and also significant debilitating birth defects. Al-Kinani (2006) and Al-Azzawi (2017) provide significant documentation of widespread diseases and birth defects that are likely due to extensive DU contamination throughout Iraq. How is Radioactive Waste Generally Disposed? There are several levels of radioactive waste, defined primarily by the radioactivity and heat output, half-life lengths, and daughter decay products. Without getting too detailed, waste determined to be high-level radioactive waste is typified by highly radioactive material (lots of beta and gamma radiation) such as bomb-grade uranium and spent nuclear fuel rods from nuclear power plants. There is currently no underground repository for such high-level waste; the Yucca Mountain site in Nevada has been designated to be such a site but has not yet been constructed due to politics. Finland is currently the only country that is close to implementing a permanent repository for high-level waste. Low-level waste is typified by either radioactive materials with low radioactivity levels (such as alpha emitters) or materials that have been contaminated with radioactive material (work clothes, cleaning cloths, etc.) The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) is a facility in southeastern New Mexico where low-level nuclear waste is being buried 2000 feet deep in salt. The following information is from a discussion with an American representative at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna. The discussion centered around how DU is classified as a waste product, and what previous IAEA involvement had occurred regarding DU contamination in Iraq. First of all, he said that in the US and Western countries, DU is not technically classified as a waste, but as a resource, because it has many uses, both military and non-military. There are no current programs directed at permanent disposal of DU. It is generally stored in containers at protected sites (also in US DOE, 2008). If it were to be classified as a waste product, it would be considered a low-level radioactive waste because of its primarily alpha-type radiation, which would make it easier to dispose of than spent fuel or bomb-grade uranium. Because DU is a heavy metal, and there may also be other heavy metals comingled with the DU, that adds a toxic waste element to the waste, but some of the waste buried at WIPP has similar characteristics.
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What Can Be Done to Remediate DU Contamination? In discussions with several people involved in permanent disposal of radioactive waste, and in cleanup of contaminated sites around the world, several key points were demonstrated. First, no cleanup or remediation effort will be able to accomplish anything without approval and cooperation of the Iraqi government. This overture authorizes officials to petition the US State Dept. to offer assistance and cleanup to the Iraqis. The first step of cleanup would be actually identifying contaminated sites, characterize the isotopes and doses, removing leftover DU-containing armaments, and then digging or dredging the areas to collect as much contaminated soil as possible. If feasible, barriers may be installed to prevent further dispersion of DU into the surrounding water table. Much of the characterization work has already been done by the IAEA and several Iraqi scientists, but the scope of the problem is still not well defined. This material could be safely stored in barrel drums until a permanent solution is constructed. The IAEA representative said that in the 1990s, the IAEA, US, and Iraq worked together to do some characterization of the contaminated areas to develop a plan for cleanup and remediation. However, after several geopolitical changes, that cleanup effort never happened. More importantly, he said that the IAEA has funding and the capability to provide assistance in cleaning up the areas, but Iraq has to ask. There are intergovernmental and inter-agency negotiations that have to be done to secure this help, but it sounds like that is not a big hurdle if Iraq were to ask for the help. The cost to remove the DU from the contaminated areas will be enormous, certainly in the tens of millions of dollars and perhaps more. It will require heavy equipment, facilities in which to store thousands of barrels of contaminated soil, and specific training. It will also require cooperation of the Iraqi government, and perhaps even contracting to Iraqi companies to assist in the work. It will also be dangerous, not only because of handling contaminated soil, but also in that the workers will be targets. Between US Dept. of Energy national laboratories, other US contractors, the IAEA, and some other international organizations, the technology to remove the soil and safely store it for several years already exists. The US conducted some remediation operations in Kuwait and Kosovo after operations there (IAEA, 2003; Oakford, 2017). Site-specific procedures for removal and remediation will have to be developed. Selected References (many more are available) Agaian, Sarkis, 2011. “Health Effects of Depleted Uranium,” Submitted as coursework for Physics 241, Stanford University, Winter 2011. Al-Kinani, A.T., 2006. “Depleted uranium in the food chain at south of Iraq,” Iran. J. Radiat. Res., 2006; 4 (3): 143-148. Al-Azzawi, Souad N., 2017. “Depleted Uranium Radioactive Contamination in Iraq: An Overview,” published by ResearchGate at https://www.researchgate.net/publication/268273134, August 2, 2017. Bleise A., P. R. Danesi and W. Burkart, 2003. "Properties, Use and Health Effects of Depleted Uranium (DU): A General Overview," J. Environmental Radioactivity 64, 93.
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Fetter, S. & F. N. von Hippel, 1999. “The Hazard Posed by Depleted Uranium Munitions,” Science & Global Security, 1999, Volume 8:2, pp.125-161. IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), 2003. “Radiological Conditions in Areas of Kuwait with Residues of Depleted Uranium”, IAEA Publication 1164, Vienna, ISBN 92–0–106603–1. IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), 2010. “Radiological Conditions in Selected Areas of Southern Iraq with Residues of Depleted Uranium”, IAEA Publication 1434, Vienna, ISBN 978-0-100910-4. Oakford, Samuel, 2017. “The United States used depleted uranium in Syria,” Stars and Stripes, February 14, 2017, https://www.stripes.com/news/middle-east/the-united-states-used-depleted-uranium-in-Syria. Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses, 2004. Scientific Progress in Understanding Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses: Report and Recommendations, released by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. United States Department of Energy (US DOE), 2008. “Excess Uranium Inventory Management Plan,” prepared by the Office of Nuclear Energy, December 16, 2008.
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On Responding to the Human Needs of Those Affected by the Crisis in Syria
Recalling the admonitions of Matthew 25:31-40 as well as GA Resolution 12-09/2018 “On Responding to the Current Syrian Crisis”, the Presbytery of The Cascades overtures the 224th General Assembly to respond to the suffering of the Syrian people and hardships endured by those in neighboring countries after eight years of conflict in Syria by:
1. Working to End Sanctions
Urge an immediate end to sanctions against Syria and the threat of sanctions against Lebanon, Jordan, and their nationals; and that human rights and humanitarian principles be placed at the center of US policies on Syria by directing the Stated Clerk of the PC(USA) to send a message to the US President, Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, and to each US Senator and Representative to support these principles and goals and directing the Office of Public Witness in Washington, DC and the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations to support this witness in their work.
2. Promoting Reconstruction in Syria
Direct the Stated Clerk of the PC(USA) to send a message to the US President, Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, and to each US Senator and Representative urging the US government to:
a) support UN agencies and provide full cooperation with their humanitarian and reconstruction efforts in Syria;
b) contribute generously to international agencies, particularly those of the United Nations, to help fund the post-war reconstruction of Syria: materially, socially, and educationally with special attention to the education and wellbeing of children and youth.
Direct the Office of Public Witness in Washington, DC and the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations to support this witness in their work.
3. Promoting an Enabling Environment of Peace
Direct the Stated Clerk of the PC(USA), the Office of Public Witness, and the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations to urge the US government and other member states of the United Nations to build on the broadly supported principles of UN Security Council Resolution 2254, especially by working to fulfill their common commitment to:
a) the rights of the Syrian people to self-determination; b) “Syria’s unity, independence, territorial integrity, and non-sectarian character, to
ensuring continuity of governmental institutions, to protecting the rights of all Syrians, regardless of ethnicity or religious denomination, and to ensuring humanitarian access throughout the country and to the territorial integrity of Syria.”(UN Security Council Resolution 2254).
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Direct the Stated Clerk of the PC(USA) and the Office of Public Witness to urge the US government to:
a. in joint action with other foreign nations involved on the ground, withdraw the US military engagement in Syria and work through diplomatic channels to ensure the safety of the Kurds and other vulnerable populations;
b. urge the government of Israel to return to negotiating with the government of Syria for the full return of the Golan Heights as part of territorial Syria;
c. work to ensure that only UN peacekeeping forces operate in Syria and that all foreign combatants depart.
4. Working for the Safe Return of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons
Direct the Ministry at the United Nations to call on member states to build on the broadly supported principles of UN Security Council Resolution 2254 which “underscores the critical need to build conditions for the safe and voluntary return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their home areas and the rehabilitation of affected areas, in accordance with international law” by working with the Syrian government to:
a) declare a general amnesty and repatriate all refugees desiring return while facilitating the return home of all displaced persons in ways that assure their safety, including freedom from torture, arbitrary detention, and other gross violations of human rights
b) facilitate the repossession of property and the rebuilding of neighborhoods by extending the claim process to absentee property to a three-year period, easing the documentation process with alternative substantiation measures, and acknowledging the rights of squatters whose property was connected to utilities and government services;
c) use the opportunity of redevelopment in the service of national reconciliation as a priority by rebuilding communities and neighborhoods without favoring those with particular sectarian, religious, or political affiliations.
Rationale:
In Matthew 25, Christ calls us to serve members of the family of God who lack the basics of life. Food, clothing, medical attention, and social connection, all offered with a generous heart, are ways to witness to Christ’s presence and his solidarity with those who suffer. “On Responding to the Current Syrian Crisis” (Resolution 12-09 of the 223rd GA 2018), calls attention to the need to work for an end to the violence, alleviation of the suffering, supporting the UN in its work towards the reconciliation of Syrian society, and the engagement of our congregations in work and prayer on behalf of the Syrian people. The recommendations in this Overture go further, as it has become clear that the humanitarian exceptions to sanctions laws are not working and that the crisis in Syria is a regional problem requiring a concerted international solution. This
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overture is a reflection of biblical values that place the lives and well-being of individuals and human community above the interests of political figures, economic elites, and powerful states. The recommendations also seek to respond to the passionate concerns of PCUSA partners on the ground, especially fellow Christians of the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon, the heir of 200 years of Presbyterian mission endeavor and 2000 years of Christian presence.
There is no doubt that the Syrian government under President Bashar al-Assad has been brutal. Our recommendations do not validate or valorize this government. Rather, we acknowledge that the US attempt at regime change and the sanctions imposed on Syria have only deepened the suffering of the Syrian people.
While the conflict in Syria is in its final stage, it is far from certain that a durable peace is at hand. Catastrophic levels of destruction have left most Syrians remaining in Syria in dire poverty. According to United Nations, 69% of Syrians remaining in Syria are living in extreme poverty, with 90% spending half of their meager incomes on food. An estimated 400,000 people died during eight years of conflict, with 5.6 million fleeing the country and 6 million internally displaced. An estimated 43% of Syrian youth have had no schooling during the war, severely limiting their prospects and making them vulnerable to the blandishments of criminal gangs and extremist groups. In 2017 the World Bank estimated that one third of Syria’s housing stock and half of its schools and hospitals had been destroyed.
The refugee crisis has strained the resources of bordering countries and has been exploited by nationalist politicians in the West in their bids for power. Many Syrians fear returning to their native land in the face of torture, reprisals, military conscription, and home confiscations. The once cosmopolitan social fabric of Syria is at risk of unraveling into sectarianism. Rebuilding may well occur in ways that reward politically-connected individuals and groups at the expense of ordinary citizens.
The US government’s history of intervention driven by a regime change policy in the region has not only produced catastrophic results but are widely seen in the region as affronts to national dignity. Only a concerted international effort will bring about the conditions and resources for a lasting peace in Syria and the region.
1) The United States bears some responsibility for the current suffering of the Syrian
people, especially in its draconian sanctions policy which is severely limiting medicines, building supplies, and other necessities from reaching Syrian civilians. The announced goal of sanctions is to drive a wedge between the government and its people. In practice, however, they force civilians to work with the government and the black market it protects to access needed supplies. This results in embittering ordinary people against the sanctioning countries. The report of the Special Rapporteur of the UN Council on Human Rights found sanctions on Syria contributing to the suffering of the Syrian people, eroding their human rights, and compromising the work of humanitarian aid organizations.( Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Negative Impact of
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Unilateral Coercive Measures on the Enjoyment of Human Rights on His Mission to the Syrian Arab Republic, September 2018) Sanctions are thus both immoral and a policy failure. Nevertheless, the US is now threatening the governments of Lebanon and Jordan with sanctions if their nationals participate in the rebuilding of Syria. By absorbing Syrian refugees, these countries have the highest proportions of refugees in the world, straining their infrastructures and challenging their economies. Especially in view of the accommodations Lebanon and Jordan have had to make during the Syrian conflict, their nationals deserve to participate in the opportunities that Syria’s rebuilding presents.
2) Now is the time for generous assistance from the international community, including the
United States, to help Syria rebuild and to meet the humanitarian needs of the Syrian people. Unfortunately, humanitarian efforts have been politicized and hampered by all parties to the conflict, with the result that aid is not being delivered to those in need. A focus on humanitarian principles requires our government to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance and to contribute generously in funding it.
3) An enabling environment of peace in the region is essential to the rebuilding of Syria.
The United Nations has an essential role to play in the coming years in facilitating peacebuilding in Syria and the region. The Security Council is a place where the US and Russia, often on different sides during the Syrian war, can come together to work to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people and facilitate peacemaking in the region. Such cooperation in 2015 produced UN Security Council Resolution #2254 which lays out the guiding principles of ensuring Syria’s future, including: “commitments to Syria’s unity, independence, territorial integrity, and non-sectarian character; ensuring continuity of governmental institutions; protecting the rights of all Syrians, regardless of ethnicity or religious denomination; and ensuring humanitarian access throughout the country” and a Syrian-led political process facilitated by the United Nations. For its part, the US government should withdraw its military force from Syria and expand its diplomatic efforts to protect vulnerable populations like the Kurds. The US government should work to ensure that all foreign combatants leave Syria and that only UN peacekeeping forces operate in Syria. At present UN peacekeeping forces are not in Syria. A small unarmed supervision mission was suspended in 2012 due to the violence. The US government should urge the Israeli government to return to negotiating with the Syrian government over the return of the Golan in fulfillment of Syria’s territorial integrity and international law, which would contribute to peace building in the region.
4) UN Security Council Resolution #2254 (see above) provides for the safe and voluntary
return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their home areas and the rehabilitation of affected areas. Hopefully U.S.-Russian cooperation will allow the UN Security Council to influence the Syrian government to welcome back its refugees by declaring a general amnesty. Rebuilding homes, livelihoods, and neighborhoods will
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depend, in part, on how the Syrian government recognizes claims to property abandoned during the war. Only about one in five refugees have title deeds in their possession, according to the Norwegian Refugee Council (Norwegian Refugee Council Briefing Note, Syrian Refugees’ Right to Legal Identity: Implications for Return, January 2017). The situation is complicated by the prevalence of irregularities in property ownership and transfer. The sudden influx of rural people into the cities on the heels of the historic drought of 2006-2009 overwhelmed the Syrian bureaucracy which nonetheless gave authorizations for municipal services to be delivered to homes and businesses in the absence of complete paperwork. The Syrian government has given very limited means and timespan for Syrians to reclaim their property (Syrian Law #10). A great concern is the government obliterating the homes and neighborhoods of its opponents and rewarding its loyalists and allies with real estate deals. This is already happening, according to the Carnegie Middle East Center (Carnegie Middle East Center, The Paradox of Syria’s Reconstruction, 4 September 2019). Instead, national reconciliation should drive redevelopment work with Syria’s neighborhoods and communities restored.
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Education and Equipping Ministry Team Report to Presbytery for March 2020
The mission of the Education and Equipping Ministry Team is: *To offer appropriate education and training for the churches of Providence Presbytery, with an emphasis on encouraging collaboration among congregations. *To connect people in the local congregations of Providence Presbytery with reformed resources by promoting webinars, social media, online resources, and material found in the Resource Center
1. Don’t forget about our Resource Center: Nancy Nutter, Certified Christian Educator, is our
Resource Center Clerk, working 4 hours a week to keep up our resource center. The Resource Center is open for self-serve from 9:00-5:00 Monday-Thursday and Nancy’s regular office hours are Monday mornings. The resource center has current curriculum, books, DVD studies and other materials for all aspects of your church’s ministry. Nancy is available to help you find what you are looking for to further the ministry at your church. You can contact her at [email protected]. Spread the word in your church about this FREE resource for all members of Providence Presbytery churches.
2. Presbytery Resource Consultants: The following Christian Educators and Pastors in our presbytery have agreed to be listed as resource people for our presbytery. Church leaders looking for guidance on curriculum or Christian Education materials may contact anyone on the list below for recommendations that may be helpful in finding the right resources for your church. When you email, please indicate your name, what church you attend, and that you are looking for resource assistance through the presbytery’s consultant network.
o Edye Bender, Faith Presbyterian – [email protected] (Small Church CE) o Sarah Childers, Grace (Y) Presbyterian - [email protected] (Children’s Ministry) o Rev. Landon Dillard, Oakland Avenue Presbyterian – [email protected] (All ages
Christian Education) o Sonia Lee, York First Presbyterian Church - [email protected] (Recreation & General
CE) o Kathryn McGregor, Unity Presbyterian – [email protected] (Children’s
and Adult Ministry) o Rev. Lindsay White, Unity Presbyterian – [email protected] (Youth Ministry) o Nancy Nutter & Kathryn McGregor, Unity Presbyterian – [email protected]
or [email protected] and [email protected] (PC(USA) curriculum)
o Nancy Nutter, Providence Presbytery Resource Center Clerk – [email protected]
3. Join our Providence Presbytery Resources Facebook group: All Christian education leaders, Sunday school teachers, youth advisors and any other church leaders are invited to join our closed Facebook page where current resources will be shared and where church leaders can ask questions to get guidance from the group about resources, curriculum and much more. Search “Providence Presbytery Resources” on the groups section of Facebook and ask to join.
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4. Leader Development Scholarships: EEMT has money to award scholarships for lay leaders,
Church educators, and pastors to attend leader development events. Those who volunteer for the church and/or those with little or no continuing education money in their church budgets are especially encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity. Scholarship money may be requested for individuals or teams from your church to attend an event: https://form.jotform.co/73313868774872 Nurturing a Culture of Life-long Faith Symposium: Tuesday, March 24, 2020 at Forest Lake Presbyterian Church in Columbia, John Roberto, project coordinator for Vibrant Faith Ministries, will lead a day-long symposium for faith formation leaders in PCUSA churches in South Carolina. Cost for the day is $50 and includes the symposium, Roberto’s book, handouts, refreshments and lunch. Contact Sarah Childers at [email protected] to register.
5. The Forgotten Books of The Bible: Robert Williamson, Jr. will be with us on March 22 to share
his new book, Forgotten Books of The Bible. Come explore what the Festival Scrolls of the Old Testament have to say to us in the church today! We will focus on how the book of Ruth helps us think about immigration issues and what Ecclesiastes says about living a meaningful life, knowing that we will someday die. Church members, pastors, and teachers will enjoy this interactive study. This event will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Rock Hill from 3-5 pm on March 22. There is no “official” registration for this event, but an estimate of participants from your church would be helpful! Email Edye Bender at [email protected] to RSVP or with any questions.
Mission News
Dimes for Hunger and Central America Opportunities
Working TOGETHER from 1977 through 2019, Providence Presbyterians have given
$1,788,552.46
to help feed our neighbors who are hungry in Chester, Kershaw, Lancaster, Union and York Counties, and farther away in Guatemala, Honduras, and Malawi.
Thank you for your dimes and your love.
*We need several new members for the Hunger Action Team which oversees Dimes for Hunger. If you are interested, please contact Barbara at the Presbytery Office.
Please read the additional information about our efforts to set up an eye
clinic for cataract surgery in Trinidad, Copan, Honduras. We hope that we
will be able to have the first surgery later this year to help restore sight so
that those with cataracts will be able to see clearly in 2020.
We also hope to have a medical trip to Las Mercedes, Intibuca, Honduras
later this year. Watch “In the Know” for more information – especially
about how you can help with toothbrushes and donations for medicines.
We are working on a project to provide clean water for those who do not have reliable and affordable access to clean water. We are waiting for the approval of a site for the project in Guatemala. We will have more specific information in spring 2020.
*We need several volunteers to be part of the LWW committee and team.
*We need two people to be trained to help educate the people about how to use the clean water. Training is at Clean Water University in Oxford, Mississippi.
If you are interested, please contact Barbara at the Presbytery Office.
For more information contact: Barbara Kurz, Mission Consultant, Providence Presbytery 803-328-6269 [email protected]
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2019
DIMES FOR HUNGER
$48,695.00*
This will provide
FOOD and HOPE
for our neighbors here at home
and farther away.
Thank you!
Since 1977, Providence Presbyterians have given
$1,788,552.46 for Dimes for Hunger!
In 2019 50 of our 55 churches shared their dimes.
28 of our churches met the goal of $9.30 per member in 2019 (based on 2018 membership):
Allison Creek Catholic Fort Lawn Liberty Hill Tirzah-L** Beaver Creek Community Grace-L Morningside Tirzah-Y Bethune Cornwell** Hebron Mt. Tabor & Lockhart Van Wyck Blackstock Faith Hermon Old Waxhaw Union First Bowling Green Fishing Creek Hopewell Pleasant Grove-C Wade Memorial Lancaster First Ramah Woodlawn
** these churches have met the goal 30 out of 34 times! [individual church records go back to 1986]
19 of our churches increased their Dimes for Hunger gift in 2019:
Allison Creek Clover Doby’s Bridge Oakland Avenue Union First Beth Shiloh Cornwell Faith Pleasant Grove-C Unity Beaver Creek Covenant Liberty Hill Riverview Wade Memorial Bethune Oakdale Rock Hill First Woodlawn
OAKLAND AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH gave the largest gift in 2019 -- $4,575.84 [805 members].
Union First gave the largest per member gift in 2019 -- $95.00 [16 members].
*This is $5,623.62 MORE than we gave in 2018 -- $43,071.38.
We came back more than halfway to our 2017 Dimes total of $51,205.16!
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Dimes for Hunger History
1978 $32,707.95 1979 $30,963.38 1980 $16,897.69 1981 $18,178.18 1982 $18,832.77 1983 $20,256.86 1984 $27,171.19 1985 $28,319.74 1986 $33,708.84 1987 $27,834.55 1988 $39,476.91 1989 $35,807.49 1990 $32,755.47 1991 $41,486.69 1992 $40,662.80 1993 $42,914.37 1994 $41,851.19 1995 $42,488.57 1996 $43,096.78 1997 $56,810.48 1998 $46,158.87 1999 $53,269.39 2000 $56,134.08 2001 $52,855.25 2002 $51,693.46 2003 $57,430.68 2004 $58,878.46
2005 $52,433.75 2006 $52,535.52 2007 $51,470.38 2008 $49,394.45 2009 $44,366.68 2010 $45,639.60 2011 $42,972.32 2012 $51,174.12 2013 $50,120.12 2014 $48,270.12 2015 $56,100.00 2016 $52,461.78 2017 $51,205.15 2018 $43,071.38 2019 $48,695.00
TOTAL $1,788,552.46
50% of our Dimes -- $24,347.50 Will help our neighbors in
Guatemala & Honduras in Central America & Malawi in Africa
50% of our Dimes -- $24,347.50 will help our neighbors in the 5 counties
in Providence Presbytery: Chester, Kershaw, Lancaster, Union, & York
13 of our churches have participated in
Dimes for Hunger EVERY year since 1986
(since individual church records of DFH have been kept)
Allison Creek Grace-L Tirzah-Y Beaver Creek Hebron Unity Bethesda-Y Oakland Avenue Wade Memorial Cornwell Purity Woodlawn St. Paul’s
Faith has participated each of its 12 years
For 8 of our churches, 2019 was their “best” Dimes year:
Doby’s Bridge and Faith
gave their largest DFH offering!
Bethune, Clover, Covenant, Doby’s Bridge, Fort Lawn, Union, and Woodlawn
gave their largest per member gift!
Thanks
for sharing your
DIMES and your LOVE!
Your have heard Christ’s words
“You give them something to eat”
Mark 6:37
100% of our offering goes to help our neighbors who are hungry.
Need more information: contact Barbara Kurz – 803-328-6269 or [email protected]
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DIMES FOR HUNGER DATES Minute for Dimes Sunday – May 17
DFH Dinner – 5:30 Sunday, August 30 Van Wyck Presbyterian Church, Van Wyck, SC
DFH materials should be available by May 1. If you need materials before the DFH Dinner, contact Barbara at 803-328-6269 or [email protected]
New Vision in Honduras:
Establishing an Eye Clinic for cataract surgery in Trinidad, Copan, Honduras
“…his sight was restored and he saw everything clearly” Mark 8:25
For several years a group in Providence Presbytery has been working to set up an eye clinic in Trinidad, Copan, Honduras, where cataract surgery can be done several times a year by visiting ophthalmologists. The patients will be among the neediest in the community who have cataracts, but cannot afford to travel to a city to have surgery in a hospital. We have raised sufficient funds to purchase most of the equipment and have it shipped to Honduras. Last October a mission team went to Trinidad to set up the equipment in the clinic and do
eye exams to identify persons needing cataract surgery. The eye clinic will be part of the Municipal Senior Center that will provide care and activities for older adults.
We’re not finished: We still need several items of eye equipment and materials for surgery. We will make another trip in the spring and hopefully will have the first surgery by late summer, 2020. It is our goal to have 3-4 surgery trips each year, so the financial need will be on-going.
We still need your support. All donations will be used for the clinic and are tax deductible.
Additional Items for the Clinic [examples of items that we still need to purchase] 2 Mayo Stands 1 Stainless Surgical Back Table 1 Stainless Utility Cart 3 Supply Cabinets 1 Medical Cart w/ Drawers for Drugs and Supplies 1 Electric Table for Autophoropher Keritometer Generator / UPS Hand tools and repair supplies Retinalscope Various sutures
Variety of interocular lens Variety of eye drops Variety of injectables Variety of needles and syringes eye gauze and 2 x 2 gauze Instrument Cleaner Surgical towels for Mayo stand Cataract instrument trays Surgical gloves Spare bulbs for all equipment Donut operating pillow
Head Position Pillow Surgical scrubs, drapes, gowns, Masks and shoe covers Sterilizing wrap and tape Antiseptic Hand Scrub Antibacterial liquid hand soap Sodium hypochlorite Ciprofloxcin ointment Kick bucket
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Name ___________________________________________________________________________________________
Address _________________________________________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip ____________________________________________________________________________________
Amount of Gift $___________ I wish to give this in ___ memory ___ honor of __________________________________
Please notify: _______________________________________________________________________________
Address ___________________________________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip ______________________________________________________________________________
Please make your check payable to Providence Presbytery “for” eye clinic
Mail to: Providence Presbytery 515 Oakland Ave. Rock Hill, SC 29730
For more information contact: Barbara Kurz, Mission Consultant, Providence Presbytery 803-328-6269 [email protected]
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Committee on Ministry Report to Providence Presbytery
March 21, 2019
Items for Information:
1. The following churches have active Pastor Nominating Committees that are at various stages in the process of seeing new pastoral leaderships:
• Bethesda (Y) • Unity • York 1st
The Committee:
2. Approved the following covenants/contracts:
• Sam Roberson and the Clover Church (Covenant End Date: December 31, 2020)
• John Gerstenmier and the Tirzah (L) Church (Covenant End Date: December 31, 2020)
• Jason Davenport and the Long Creek Presbyterian Church in Kings Mountain (Jason Davenport was granted permission to labor outside of the bounds of Providence Presbytery) (Open End Date)
• Paul Smith and Wade Memorial Church (Covenant End Date: February 28, 2021)
• Bill Hawley and the Woodlawn Church (Covenant End Date: December 31, 2020)
• Joyce Wright and Camden 2nd Church (Covenant End Date: November 30, 2020)
• Doug Blaikie and Bethesda (Y) Church (Covenant End Date: March 21, 2021) 3. Elected the Rev. Joanne Sizoo to serve as moderator for 2020.
4. Approved Ms. Carrie Blanchard to preach and provide limited pastoral care at Tirzah (Y) for
2020. Mike Conn, Commissioned Ruling Elder, to administer sacraments and for Rev. Bill Hawley to moderate the session.
5. Completed all dismissal actions for Union Church to ECO. Union Presbyterian of Union, South
Carolina was received into ECO on January 28, 2020.
6. Approved the transfers of:
• Ed Jillson, honorably retired, to New Hope Presbytery, effective 8/13/19.
• Paul Abell to First Presbyterian Church in Clarion Pennsylvania, effective 2/1/20.
• Ben Brannan to Charlotte Presbytery, effective 2/6/20
7. Approved new questions for ministers transferring into the Presbytery.
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8. Approved the change of covenant between Carson Overstreet and Van Wyck Church
from part-time to full-time, effective January 1, 2020.
9. That the Reverend Matt Horne who was serving the Oakdale Church as Stated Supply was called to become their installed pastor, effective November 1, 2019.
Terms of Call: Salary & Housing $60,000 SECA $4,495 Board Pensions $22,500 Total $86,995 4 weeks vacation 2 weeks study leave (12 days less Sundays)
Items for Action:
1. That the Reverend James Woodland Davis, currently a member of New Hope Presbytery, be examined to become a member of Providence Presbytery. He has been called to serve as pastor of Bethesda Presbyterian Church, Camden, SC. (See Pages J: 3 - 4) Terms of Call: Salary & Housing $65,000 SECA $4,972 Board Pensions $24,050 Professional Expenses $6,000 Total $100,022
Moving Costs Up to $7,000 4 weeks of vacation (including 4 Sundays) 2 weeks study leave (including 2 Sundays)
2. That the Commission to install Reverend James Davis as pastor for Bethesda Presbyterian
Church, Camden, SC be approved as presented to the Presbytery on March 19, 2020.
3. That the Temporary Pastoral Relationships for 2020 be approved. (See Pages D: 5 - 6)
4. That the 2020 Salary Compensation and Benefits Packages Report, which depicts changes in ministers and presbytery staff terms of call, be approved. (See Pages D: 7 - 8 To Be Handed Out At The Presbytery Meeting)
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James Woodland Davis A Brief Statement of Faith
As a professing Christian in the Protestant Reformed tradition, I believe in One Eternal God, Who is Triune: Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. I believe that God, who Jesus called Father, is Creator of all things known and unknown to humanity, who is a God of love, mercy, grace, truth, righteousness, and justice. I believe God is Alpha and Omega, omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, and without end. And that God, the Creator, is far greater than that which was created, and therefore not limited to human standards. I believe Jesus Christ is the only Son of God, fully human and fully divine, who was born of the Virgin Mary and conceived by the Holy Spirit. He died on the cross at Calvary for the redemption of sin for all humanity, and was then buried for three days, was resurrected and ascended to heaven, and will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, as the power of God who acts in and with humanity, and who works to renew, convict, teach, and reveal the goodness of God. I believe that sin is the result of the human will seeking that which is apart from the will of God - a rebellious act against God placing human will as equal or above God’s will. I believe that only God is righteous, that all humanity is sinful and thus deserving of God’s wrath and that God’s Grace, demonstrated through the redemptive sacrifice of Jesus Christ, is the only means by which the debt sin is forgiven and salvation is given. I believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God and that Scripture is necessary in knowledge of God and Christian education. I affirm the Lord’s Supper and Baptism as the only sacraments of the church instituted by God, through Christ, given to God’s people as signs and seals of God’s enduring grace and love. I affirm the church as the community of believers in Christ through which God’s Love, Grace and Mercy are demonstrated to the world. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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James Woodland Davis A Brief Testimonial
Praise God from whom all blessings flow. It might sound somewhat cliché to begin with words borrowed from our Reformed Worship Doxology, yet these words are so appropriate with respect to my relationship with the Lord God Almighty. I was blessed to have been born and raised on the coast of North Carolina in a time where the sand dunes and sea oats were still pristine and unspoiled by so-called economic progress. I have fond memories as a young boy spending time on the ocean, beyond the sight of land, and marveling at the vastness of the world God has created. I spent my early adult life, in what many who know me refer to as a “colorful” life experience, seeking to understand the actions of those around me; the adults in my life, God, and myself. In the midst of living life, God always manages to show up and bless, teach, encourage, lead, nurture, redirect, and provide for those who open the eyes of their hearts. I pray every day for the courage to keep God the main thing in my life, where Christ is the center of my existence, that I might show up where ever I am called, and witness God’s blessings flow abundantly to those I come in contact with.
God, my wife, my children, grandchildren, my extended family, and my church family are the blessings most important to me in this life. I find that the more I come to know and understand … there is so much more I really don’t know and understand. I am okay with this fact. Luke 18:27 proclaims “the things that are impossible with people are possible with God” which, in my heart, serves as a continual reminder that God is in control and not me. I find that seeking and following the will of God is not easy at times, but always the right thing to do, and inevitably turns out better than expected. I am thankful that God is a patient God.
My wife, Pat, rightfully accuses me of being a professional student. My response is guilty as charged.
Fortunately, I remind Pat of Matthew 23:8 where Jesus bids us all to be students. Rarely does this quote get me completely out of trouble with her, but it is an effective conversation starter. God has greatly blessed me with a woman who loves me in spite of my faults. My family also affirms the teacher and leader in me as well. One of my biggest passions is to help turn on light bulbs over peoples’ heads – there are few greater joys than teaching folks who are hungry for God’s Word.
I have been blessed with many gifts for ministry and mission, a passion for God and God’s people, the ability to learn and adapt, the energy to succeed and fail daily, and enough wisdom to keep God the main thing. I am a pastor centered on the Word of God seeking to reflect the Love of Jesus Christ in all I do and say. I have stepped away from a 13 year ministry at Providence Presbyterian Church, where I lead a family centered church of 100 or so through several chapters of growth in ministry and mission culminating in a capital expansion project of 1.6 million dollars and a programmatic model of church with a 300 plus membership. My reason for stepping away is the church chose to leave PCUSA to go to EPC, a denomination that still allows for the individual church to choose whether women may or may not serve in leadership roles. While my love for shepherding Providence PC was strong, I could not abide joining a denomination that deviates from scripture in such a way. And so, I feel God pulling me towards Bethesda Presbyterian Church where I can utilize my full skill set and gifts for a more fulfilling mission and ministry opportunity.
My leadership style is one of collegiality, with team building focus, centered on Christ and a sense of purpose for the mission and ministry of the Christian church in the setting of todays’ culture. I have a passion for Jesus through: evangelizing, preaching, teaching, counseling, laughing, living, learning, reading, loving, growing, healing, creating, making music, aviation, and yes, even cars!
I am excited about the future of the Christian church and deeply concerned with evangelizing America and the world. I believe that the Gospel of Jesus as Christ in the world today is in greater need than ever before. I also hold firm to the foundational lessons that resonate again and again in the Bible, where God seeks a relationship with humanity through truth, trust and love embodied in scripture. We, as the body of Christ’s church, must place our faith in our Lord God to call us out into the world to proclaim the gospel within our own context and culture.
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Vacant Church Relationships Report To Providence Presbytery
March 5, 2020
Church Supply Kind Moderator of Session Beersheba James Platt Stated Supply James Platt Beaver Creek Rhonda McClain Stated Supply Rhonda McClain Bethesda (K) Vacant Matt Horne Bethlehem First William Gaither Commissioned
Ruling Elder William Gaither Supervised by __________
Bethune Guy Oliver Stated Supply Guy Oliver Blackstock Vacant Bowling Green Lisa Johnson Commissioned
Ruling Elder Lisa Johnson Supervised by D. C. Horne
Camden 2nd Joyce Wright Stated Supply Joyce Wright Carmel W. T. Holmes Stated Supply W. T. Holmes Catholic Wayne Pruitt Commissioned
Ruling Elder Wayne Pruitt Supervised by __________
Cedar Shoals John Rumford Pulpit Supply John Rumford Community Steve Sanders Stated Supply Steve Sanders Cornwell Tim Foster Commissioned
Ruling Elder Tim Foster Supervised by __________
Douglas Harriss Ricks, Jr. Temporary Supply Harriss Ricks, Jr. Fishing Creek Della Hunsucker Stated Supply Della Hunsucker Fort Lawn John Rumford Pulpit Supply John Rumford Grace (L) Marty Simmons Stated Supply Marty Simmons Great Falls James M. Williams Temporary Supply James M. Williams Hebron James M. Williams Temporary Supply James M. Williams Hermon Jonathan Davis Temporary Supply Jonathan Davis Hopewell Anitonette Frazier Stated Supply Anitonette Frazier
Supervised by __________ Lockhart Steve Lemons Stated Supply Steve Lemons Messiah William Gaither Commissioned
Ruling Elder William Gaither Supervised by ____________
Morningside William Gaither Pulpit Supply William Gaither Mt. Pleasant Ed Melvin Stated Supply Ed Melvin
Page J: 6
Church Supply Kind Moderator of Session Mt. Tabor Steve Lemons Stated Supply Steve Lemons Old Waxhaw Paul E. Smith, Jr. Commissioned
Ruling Elder Paul E. Smith, Jr. Supervised by _________
Pleasant Grove (C) John Hallman Stated Supply John Hallman Pleasant Grove (Y) Kevin Burris Pulpit Supply Kevin Burris Pleasant Ridge Vacant David Bender Ramah James Platt Stated Supply James Platt Riverview Allen Wolfe Stated Supply Allen Wolfe St. Paul’s Vacant Tirzah (L) John Gerstenmier Stated Supply John Gerstenmier Tirzah (Y) Carrie Blanchard Pulpit Supply Bill Hawley First, Union Max Russell Commissioner
Ruling Elder Max Russell Supervised by _________
Uriel Vacant Wade Paul E. Smith, Jr. Commissioner
Ruling Elder Paul E. Smith, Jr. Supervised by __________
Woodlawn Bill Hawley Stated Supply Bill Hawley
Interim Supply List
Church Interim Moderator of Session Bethesda (Y) Doug Blaikie Doug Blaikie Clover Sam Roberson Sam Roberson Unity Susan Moorefield Susan Moorefield York First Tom Sherer Tom Sherer
Laboring Outside the Bounds Of
Providence Presbytery
Church Minster Jason Davenport Long Creek Presbyterian Church - Kings Mountain, NC D. C. Horne St. John’s Methodist Beth Hutton-Muse White Oak Presbyterian Church - Ruby, SC
L:Presbytery Meetings/Handbooks/2020 Handbooks/Mar 19, 2020/Vacant Church Relationships Report
2020 Salary Compensation & Benefits Package Report
Pages J: 7 – 8
To Be Handed Out at Presbytery Meeting
Appendix
Materials for New Commissioners:
Helpful Hints for Presbytery Commissioners ............................................ Appendix 1 Proper Preparation for Presbytery Participation - 5 Basic Agendas ........ Appendix 2
2019 Events Sponsored by Providence Presbytery ............................................. Appendix 3
Administrative Ministry Team ................................................................................ Appendix 4 2019 Church Mission Partnership Acceptance Giving .................................. Pages 1 - 2 2019 Receipts in Summary (Summarized Analysis of Revenue) ......................... Page 3 2019 Summarized Analysis of Revenue & Expenses ........................................... Page 4 2019 Summary of Balances in Designated Accounts .................................... Pages 5 - 6 2020 Per Capita Assessments ...................................................................... Pages 7 - 8 2020 Mission Partnership Giving Acceptances ............................................ Pages 9 - 11
Lancaster First Presbyterian Church History, Lancaster, SC .............................. Appendix 5
HELPFUL HINTS FOR PRESBYTERY COMMISSIONERS Congratulations on being chosen to be a commissioner to this Presbytery meeting from your congregation! Below are some thoughts and observations that you may find helpful as you prayerfully prepare to fulfill your responsibility.
• Our Presbyterian system is a very simple system: It assumes that Christians meeting in representative bodies, which we now call councils, can seek and know the will of God and that, through these councils, the whole church can be governed in ways that are just, decent, and orderly.
• Officers elected to serve as commissioners to a meeting of the Presbytery cannot be told how to vote. Our Book of Order reminds us that “Christ alone rules, calls, teaches, and uses the Church as he wills.” (F-1.0202)
• Officers must be free to listen for the word of Christ to his church. As commissioners you are independent decision makers, and cannot be bound to vote according to the wishes of those who elected you. Again our Book of Order reminds us that “Presbyters are not simply to reflect the will of the people, but rather to seek together to find and represent the will of Christ.” (F-3.0204)
• A meeting of Presbytery is a deliberative body open to the give-and-take of discussion and to the free working of the Holy Spirit.
Appendix 1: Page 1 of 1
These are the 5 Basic "Agendas"You'll Face as a Commissioner
1. DEBATE AND ACTION: Some decisions we are called to make require that wetalk about them before we vote. Our discussion may be to clarify an issue, to sharedifferent views, to understand alternatives. Adopting a Presbytery budget, approvingmajor expenditure of Presbytery funds, examining candidates for ministry andTeaching Elders seeking to accept a call to one of our churches - all these and more may beincluded. Your role is to listen, to share in the debate as you feel led to do, and tovote as Christ directs your conscience. If you don't understand what is happening,let the moderator know about it. We'll take the time we need to see the issue more clearly. 2. EDUCATION: Just being here is a chance to learn about our Presbyterian Church(U.S.A.). Sometimes we have visits from missionaries, representatives from one ofour homes, colleges, or seminaries, reports from Presbytery or Synod staff members,news of educational resources or of people who are available for special training,updates on social concerns - to give a few examples. Your role is to share what youare learning with appropriate groups or individuals in your own church.
3. INFORMATION: You'll get lots of information to share with your session andcongregation. You'll hear about opportunities at Bethelwoods, new resources,programs, and special events. You will be asked, occasionally, to share information aboutyour own church for directories, reports, and planning. You will hear about programsin other congregations that might be useful in your own church. Again, your role isto be a communicator, to pass news and information along to your session and localleaders.
4. CELEBRATION OF OUR COMMUNITY: We worship and sing together at eachmeeting, hear a sermon or meditation, pray for each other and for our world, sharein the Lord's Supper at least once a year, enjoy fellowship, give thanks forspecial achievements, commit ourselves to mission and witness, and enjoy eachother's company. Your role is simple: JOIN THE PARTY! Being a Christian - especially aPresbyterian Christian - can be fun!
5. PRESBYTERIAN PROCEDURES: As in any organization, part of our work is fairlyroutine: adopting of an agenda, approval of minutes, receiving communications,and checking the roll. Some of our tasks reflect our partnership with each congregation: approval of property transfers and major expenditures, review of session records,naming moderators for pastorless churches. We will receive and dismiss Teaching Elders,form special committees, and other administrative issues. Each recommendation willhave been reviewed by a Ministry Team or the Presbytery Coordinating Team. You will
Appendix 2: Page 1 of 2
receive the link for the Commissioner's Handbook in time to read about the requested action in advance of the meeting and to plan for any needed clarification. We'll handlesome business in what we can a "Consent Agenda," actions that are either routine, non-controversial, or housekeeping in nature. And your role in this is to be a patient, responsible, thoughtful participant in this necessary (and sometimes unexciting) routine.
WHEN THE PRESBYTERY IS MEETING, the people who lead and represent reports willtry to make it clear where their reports are located. They will not read them to you;you must read them prior to the meeting. They will make some brief explanatoryremarks then move the adoption of their recommendations. Be alert. Be prepared. Take notes. And report to your session and congregation when you get home. A"Presbytery-in-Brief" will be written by the Stated Clerk and included in the nextIn-The-Know E-newsletter. It will also be posted on the Presbytery's website. Remember that our purpose is to build up the body of Christ, the Church. Know that you are a vital and valued part of this ministry.
Appendix 2: Page 2 of 2
Appendix 3: Page 1 of 4
2019 Events Sponsored by Providence Presbytery
January 5 SC presbyteries COM, CPM, and PJC training event Confirmation Cluster Retreat (BWMT and EEMT) Education and Equipping Ministry Team meeting Educators’ Gathering (Education and Equipping Ministry Team) Presbyterian Women Coordinating Team meeting Transitional General Presbyter/Stated Clerk Search Team meeting
February Administrative Ministry Team meeting Coordinating Team meeting Committee on Ministry meeting Children of Abraham meeting Constitutional Amendments Committee meeting Bethelwoods Ministry Team Retreat Mission & Outreach Ministry Team meeting Confirmation Cluster (BWMT and Education and Equipping Ministry Team) Worship 4 YOUth (Bethelwoods Ministry Team) Educators’ Gathering (Education and Equipping Ministry Team) Presbyterian Women Coordinating Team meeting
March Bethelwoods Ministry Team meeting Presbytery meeting at Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church Children of Abraham meeting Confirmation Cluster (BWMT and EEMT) Educators’ Gathering (Education and Equipping Ministry Team) Lay School of Theology event Mission & Outreach Ministry Team meeting Hunger Action Team meeting (Mission and Outreach Ministry Team) Presbyterian Women Coordinating Team meeting
April Children of Abraham meeting Board of Pensions Retiree’s Luncheon hosted at Bethelwoods (Presbytery Office and Board of
Pensions) Preparation for Ministry meeting Spring Break at Bethelwoods Transition Team meeting Worship 4 YOUth (Bethelwoods Ministry Team) Confirmation Cluster (Bethelwoods Ministry Team and EEMT) Educators’ Gathering (Education and Equipping Ministry Team) Hunger Action Team meeting (Mission and Outreach Ministry Team) Committee on Ministry meeting
Appendix 3: Page 2 of 4
May Education and Equipping Ministry Team meeting Administration Ministry Team meeting Coordinating Team meeting Minute for Dimes Sunday (Mission and Outreach Ministry Team) Mission & Outreach Ministry Team meeting Transitional Team meeting Committee on Ministry meeting Review and Evaluation meeting – Records Review South Carolina Inn at Montreat Board meeting Bethelwoods Ministry Team meeting Presbyterian Women Coordinating Team meeting Synod of South Atlantic meeting Children of Abraham meeting
June Presbytery meeting at Beth Shiloh Presbyterian Church Presbytery swims at Bethelwoods on the Sunday Afternoons (Bethelwoods Ministry Team) Bethelwoods Ministry Team “Meet the Staff” dinner Children of Abraham meeting Presbyterian Women Coordinating Team meeting Synod PJC meeting/training Education and Equipping Ministry Team meeting Mission & Outreach Ministry Team meeting Committee on Racial and Religious Reconciliation
July Presbytery swims at Bethelwoods on the Sunday Afternoons (Bethelwoods Ministry Team) Mission & Outreach Ministry Team meeting Nominations Committee meeting Committee on Ministry meeting Children of Abraham meeting Presbyterian Women Coordinating Team meeting
August Children of Abraham meeting Preparation for Ministry meeting Nominations Committee meeting Presbytery swims at Bethelwoods on the Sunday Afternoons (Bethelwoods Ministry Team) Bethelwoods Ministry Team meeting Education and Equipping Ministry Team meeting Hunger Action Team meeting (Mission and Outreach Ministry Team) Presbyterian Women Coordinating Team Queen & John C. Miller Scholarship Committee meeting Dimes for Hunger Dinner (Mission and Outreach Ministry Team)
Appendix 3: Page 3 of 4
September Lectionary Group (4 times) Mission & Outreach Ministry Team meeting Administration Ministry Team meeting Education and Equipping Ministry Team Webinar Educators’ Gathering (Education and Equipping Ministry Team) Coordinating Team meeting Committee on Ministry meeting Boundary Training Transitional Team meeting Legacy of Faith Luncheon (Providence Presbytery and Bethelwoods Ministry Team) Salary Studies Committee meeting Worship 4 YOUth (Bethelwoods Ministry Team) Children of Abraham meeting Presbyterian Women Coordinating Team meeting
October Lectionary Group (4 times) Presbytery meeting at Bethesda (K) Presbyterian Church Presbyterian Women’s Fall Gathering at Bethelwoods New Vision in Honduras Eye Clinic Dedication 5 SC presbyteries state-wide staff retreat Lay School of Thrology Children of Abraham meeting Educators’ Gathering (Education and Equipping Ministry Team) Presbyterian Women Synod Gathering at Epworth Presbyterian Women Coordinating Team meeting
November Lectionary Group (4 times) Children of Abraham meeting Transition Team meeting APCE – Epworth By The Sea Third Tuesday Together Thanksgiving Luncheon (Bethelwoods Ministry Team) Worship 4 YOUth (Bethelwoods Ministry Team) Bethelwoods Ministry Team meeting Committee on Ministry meeting Education and Equipping Ministry Team meeting Educators’ Gathering (Education and Equipping Ministry Team) Mission and Outreach Ministry Team meeting Presbyterian Women Coordinating Team meeting
December Lectionary Group (3 times) Children of Abraham meeting Presbyterian Women Coordinating Team meeting Third Tuesday Together Christmas Luncheon (Bethelwoods Ministry Team) Bethelwoods Christmas at Camp Retreat (Bethelwoods Ministry Team)
Appendix 3: Page 4 of 4
Bethelwoods Monthly Events Third Thursday Together program for adults (Bethelwoods Ministry Team) Creative Crafters (Bethelwoods Ministry Team) Kids’ Night Out (Bethelwoods Ministry Team)
Bethelwoods Summer Camps Bethelwoods had 572 children and youth campers through 9 weeks of overnight camp, day camp, and
Camp in a Van. They had 19 non-summer events for children and youth, 21 events for adults, and 85 guest groups. (Bethelwoods Ministry Team)
Appendix 4: Page 3 of 11
PROVIDENCE PRESBYTERY SUMMARIZED ANALYSIS OF REVENUE 01/01/19 - 12/31/19
Current Month
(This Year)
Year To Date (This Year)
% Of Annual
Budget Received
Annual Budget
Remaining
Annual Budget
Year To Date (Last Year)
Unifed & Selected
Benevolences
General Assembly
$4,892.90
$34,269.92
95.61%
$1,575.08
$35,845.00
$34,844.98
Presbytery
$48,480.67
$357,271.95
98.89%
$4,025.05
$361,297.00
$366,590.04
Synod
$1,998.04
$15,489.00
88.56%
$2,000.00
$17,489.00
$15,629.00
TOTAL
$55,371.61
$407,030.87
98.17%
$7,600.13
$414,631.00
$417,064.02
Assessments
General Assembly
$3,980.13
$57,799.88
99.14%
$500.42
$58,300.30
$52,587.19
Presbytery
$375.48
$8,177.40
99.63%
$30.24
$8,207.64
$8,629.74
Synod
$447.00
$9,735.00
99.63%
$36.00
$9,771.00
$10,273.50
TOTAL
$4,802.61
$75,712.28
99.26%
$566.66
$76,278.94
$71,490.43
B=Wood Min. Team
$39,941.06
$534,164.51
93.34%
$38,105.49
$572,270.00
$535,777.57
Receivables
$0.00
$0.00
0.00%
$3,162.40
$3,162.40
$0.00
Add=l Gifts to Budget
$0.00
$1,845.00
73.80%
$655.00
$2,500.00
$6,686.00 Transfers In & Out
$0.00
$0.00
??
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
TOTAL
$39,941.06
$536,009.51
92.75%
$41,922.89
$577,932.40
$542,463.57
TOTAL INCOME
$100,115.28
$1,018,752.66
95.31%
$50,089.68
$1,068,842.34
$1,031,018.02
Appendix 4: Page 7 of 11
Churches 2018 Members ASSESSMENTS $11.75 (GA $8.95), (Synod $1.50),
(Presbytery $1.30) Allison Creek 132 $1,551.00 Beaver Creek 14 $164.50 Beersheba 28 $329.00 Beth Shiloh 129 $1,515.75 Bethesda (K) 392 $4,606.00 Bethesda (Y) 235 $2,761.25 Bethlehem First 30 $352.50 Bethune 20 $235.00 Blackstock 2 $23.50 Bowling Green 72 $846.00 Camden Second 14 $164.50 Carmel 13 $152.75 Catholic 16 $188.00 Cedar Shoals 2 $23.50 Clover 158 $1,856.50 Community 20 $235.00 Cornwell 49 $575.75 Covenant 93 $1,092.75 Dobys Bridge 119 $1,398.25 Douglas 81 $951.75 Faith 167 $1,962.25 Fishing Creek 55 $646.25 Fort Lawn 3 $35.25 Grace (L) 72 $846.00 Grace (Y) 282 $3,313.50 Great Falls 45 $528.75 Hebron 20 $235.00 Hermon 48 $564.00 Hopewell 40 $470.00 Lancaster 1st 109 $1,280.75 Liberty Hill 92 $1,081.00 Lockhart 15 $176.25 Messiah 10 $117.50 Morningside 7 $82.25 Mt. Pleasant 36 $423.00 Mt. Tabor (U) 14 $164.50
PROVIDENCE PRESBYTERY - 2020 ASSESSMENTS
Churches 2018 Members ASSESSMENTS $11.75 (GA $8.95), (Synod $1.50),
(Presbytery $1.30)
PROVIDENCE PRESBYTERY - 2020 ASSESSMENTS
Oakdale 161 $1,891.75 Oakland Ave. 805 $9,458.75 Old Waxhaw 23 $270.25 Pleasant Grove (C) 48 $564.00 Pleasant Grove (Y) 31 $364.25 Pleasant Ridge 50 $587.50 Purity 102 $1,198.50 Ramah 22 $258.50 Riverview 75 $881.25 Rock Hill 1st 351 $4,124.25 St. Paul's 20 $235.00 Tirzah (L) 26 $305.50 Tirzah (Y) 93 $1,092.75 Union 1st 16 $188.00 Unity 1,340 $15,745.00 Uriel 29 $340.75 Van Wyck 87 $1,022.25 Wade Memorial 24 $282.00 Woodlawn 120 $1,410.00 York 1st 209 $2,455.75
TOTAL 6266 $73,625.50
Appendix 4: Page 8 of 11
L:Administrative Ministry Team/Assessments/2020 Assessments
2020 PROVIDENCE PRESBYTERY MISSION PARTNERSHIP GIVING ACCEPTANCES
FOR PRESBYTERY, SYNOD, AND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
CHURCHES 2018Members
2018 Regular
ContributionsLess Building
CampaignFunds
2019Undesignatedand Selected
MissionPartnership
Giving ToPresbytery,
Synod & General
Assembly
2019Pledge
2020Mission
PartnershipAcceptance
DifferenceOf
2020Acceptanceover 2019
Pledge
Allison Creek 132 $178,910 $3,000 $3,000 $1,000 ($2,000)
Beaver Creek 14 $51,299 $5,200 $5,100 $5,200 $100
Beersheba 28 $25,197 $1,100 $1,100 $1,122 $22
Beth Shiloh 129 $197,143 $5,705 $6,000 $6,000 $0
Bethesda (K) 392 $616,389 $33,006 $33,000 $25,000 ($8,000)
Bethesda (Y) 235 $201,736 $5,626 $5,625 $6,175 $550
Bethlehem 1st 30 $21,000 $1,734 $1,734 $1,734 $0
Bethune 20 $36,728 $2,100 $2,100 $2,000 $0
Blackstock 2 $1,267 $858 $858 $875 $17
Bowling Green 72 $198,349 $4,000 $4,000 $4,200 $200
Camden 2nd 14 $26,854 $500 $500 $200 ($300)
Carmel 13 $9,200 $0 $500 $500 $0
Catholic 16 $25,288 $2,879 $2,879 $2,000 ($879)
Cedar Shoals 2 $177 $200 $200 $200 $0
Clover 158 $333,299 $5,450 $6,900 $6,900 $0
Community 20 $34,853 $1,308 $1,308 $1,320 $12
Cornwell 49 $42,000 $2,865 $2,800 $2,800 $0
Covenant 93 $145,198 $4,000 $4,000 $4,000 $0
Doby's Bridge 119 $174,736 $7,000 $7,000 $7,000 $0
Douglas 81 $137,020 $7,500 $7,500 $7,500 $0
Faith 167 $559,594 $16,800 $16,800 $17,000 $200
Fishing Creek 55 $82,762 $6,400 $6,400 $6,600 $200
Fort Lawn 3 $8,060 $590 $590 $550 ($40)
Grace (L) 72 $142,153 $19,003 $19,003 $19,003 $0
Grace (Y) 282 $512,440 $13,008 $13,008 $10,008 ($3,000)
Great Falls 45 $107,000 $4,840 $4,840 $4,840 $0
Hebron 20 $24,982 $2,500 $2,500 $2,500 $0
Appendix 4: Page 9 of 11
CHURCHES 2018Members
2018 Regular
ContributionsLess Building
CampaignFunds
2019Undesignatedand Selected
MissionPartnership
Giving ToPresbytery,
Synod & General
Assembly
2019Pledge
2020Mission
PartnershipAcceptance
DifferenceOf
2020Acceptanceover 2019
Pledge
Hermon 48 $68,378 $5,000 $4,993 $5,093 $100
Hopewell 40 No Report $1,151 $1,151 $1,209 $58
Lancaster 1st 109 $293,439 $17,000 $17,000 $18,000 $1,000
Liberty Hill 92 $238,060 $16,308 $16,308 $18,889 $2,581
Lockhart 15 $500 $1,000 $1,000 $400 ($600)
Messiah 10 No Report $0 $0 $0 $0
Morningside 7 $15,672 $1,100 $1,100 $1,100 $0
Mt. Pleasant 36 $32,115 $600 $1,000 $500 ($500)
Mt. Tabor (U) 14 $40,000 $500 $500 $500 $0
Oakdale 161 $178,852 $15,200 $15,200 $15,250 $50
Oakland Ave. 805 $1,047,287 $64,650 $64,650 $65,100 $450
Old Waxhaw 23 $31,500 $1,200 $1,200 $1,200 $0
Pleasant Grove (C) 48 $95,270 $6,804 $6,804 $6,804 $0
Pleasant Grove (Y) 31 No Report $500 $500 $500 $0
Pleasant Ridge 50 No Report $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $0
Purity 102 $202,417 $8,000 $8,000 $7,500 ($500)
Ramah 22 $39,135 $1,975 $1,975 $1,975 $0
Riverview 75 $70,051 $6,000 $6,000 $5,000 ($1,000)
Rock Hill 1st 351 $539,058 $20,550 $20,519 $20,519 $0
St. Pauls 20 $229 $200 $500 $200 ($300)
Tirzah (L) 26 $78,471 $225 $200 $500 $300
Tirzah (Y) 93 $139,072 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $0
Union First* 16 $9,670 $10,664 $10,664 $4,267 ($6,397)
Unity 1,340 $1,740,502 $77,500 $82,900 $76,000 ($6,900)
Uriel 29 $44,730 $1,800 $1,800 $1,800 $0
Van Wyck 87 $150,920 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $0
Wade 24 $21,998 $1,575 $1,575 $1,575 $0
Woodlawn 120 $115,496 $6,107 $6,107 $4,590 ($1,517)
York First 209 $1,053,792 $8,500 $8,000 $6,000 ($2,000)
6266 $10,140,248 $452,781 $460,291 $432,198 ($28,093)
Appendix 4: Page 10 of 11
The 2020 Fair Share Askings For Partnership Mission Giving are based on a number of statistical facts such as:
(1) A church's Regular Contributions Less Building Campaign Funds for the previous year (A 10% tithe is the base figure in computing Askings, ex. Regular Contributions Less Building Funds x 10%)
(2) Previous mission giving to Presbytery(3) Per member giving(4) Size of church
(5) The mission needs of Presbytery, Synod, and General Assembly ÷ by the # of members in Providence Presbytery
26 Churches - 2020 Pledge remained the same as their 2019 Pledge
15 Churches - 2020 Pledge increased over their 2019 Pledge: $5,840
15 Churches - 2020 Pledge decreased from their 2019 Pledge: ($33,933)
1 Church made no pledge ________
Net Decrease From 2019 Pledges to 2020 Pledges: ($28,093)
* First Presbyterian Church - Union: $4,267 is actually a 5% increase over their 2019 pledge. The required pledge commitment from the dismissed church of $6,600 was paid in 2019.
Although the above pledge reflects a -$28,093 decrease in Mission Partnership Pledges, the 2020 UndesignatedMission Partnership Pledges - vs - 2019 is decreased by -$25,393 because a few churches decreased theirdesignated giving.
Highlighted in yellow indicates the 2020 acceptance stayed the same as 2019 pledge
Highlighted in green indicates the 2020 acceptance increased from the 2019 pledge
Highlighted in red indicates the 2020 acceptance decreased from the 2019 pledge
L:Financial\Budgets\Acceptances\Fair Share Acceptances 2020 with differenceL:Presbytery Meetings/Handbooks/March19, 2020/2020 Fair Share Acceptances
Appendix 4: Page 11 of 11
Appendix 5: Page 1 of 2
History of Lancaster First Presbyterian Church
OUR VISION AND MISSION
We, the members of First Presbyterian Church, are disciples of the risen Christ and members of his universal Body, who are empowered by God=s Spirit to
WORSHIP God with joy and thanksgiving; PROCLAIM the Gospel through word and deed; TEACH the message of God=s love in Christ; SHARE God=s love for all people by reaching out in hospitality, ministry and mission; WORK together in harmonious unity as a loving and caring people; and to SERVE one another and others beyond our fellowship in the name of Jesus Christ.
1862 - 1926 1926 – 1973 1973 - First Presbyterian Church began as a group of people worshiping under the direction of the minister of old Waxhaw Presbyterian Church. On May 5, 1835, eighteen persons (12 female and 6 male – 12 of whom were from just two families were counted as charter members) were officially organized by Bethel Presbytery as Lancasterville Presbyterian Church. Soon thereafter, James Henley Thornwell was called as pastor of both congregations. Dr. Thornwell later left our church to become a professor then became President of South Carolina College, now the University of South Carolina, and was associated with Columbia Theological Seminary. He is generally regarded as the most influential theologian ever produced by the Southern Presbyterian Church. He was ordained in Lancaster.
The church which Thornwell served was located on Gay Street, where in 1862, the membership, including slaves, constructed the first brick church and only second brick structure in Lancaster County. It stands today, together with the cemetery which served the Lancaster community for many years, on the National Register of Historic Places. The early history of First Church was marked by short pastorates and many periods when the congregation had no pastor. Something of the spirit of the congregation can be seen, however, in the decision to build a new sanctuary at the start of the Civil War. That building is on West Gay Street and has been renovated by the Lancaster Historical Society. Our church’s early emphasis on Christian education was the driving force which moved the church from the brick building on Gay Street to Main Street. Counting 242 in Sunday School in the year 1921, property was secured across from the courthouse in the middle of the block where the county administration building is located. First services were conducted there in April, 1926 and from these walls three mission churches were established in our community: Wade Memorial, New Cut, and Faith Presbyterian Churches. Members were also prominent in the formulation of Grace Presbyterian Church. A number of our sons and daughters were nurtured within these walls and at our present location to follow vocations in Christian Education and the ministry. Antiquated space and the pressures of a downtown block, together with the need to attract and accommodate expected growth in our community, drew the church to its present and prominent location “on top of a hill” further north on Main Street.
In 1936, during the pastorate of R. W. Jopling, the congregation built a new sanctuary and education building on North Main Street, across from the Court House. That building was abandoned in 1972 when the current building was constructed. The Rev. Samuel N. Thomas served the congregation well during the pivotal period. In August, 1973 the fellowship hall, kitchen, and educational wings were opened. In 1980 the
Appendix 5: Page 2 of 2
debt on the new building was paid and the process of building a sanctuary began. The sanctuary was completed in 1982.Almost a decade later, on November 14, 1982, services were held in the sanctuary and Thornwell Room addition. Over $500,000 was pledged and paid within a 39 month period. A total of $750,000 was expended from all sources for the sanctuary addition, organ, and furnishings. The tradition of paying for what it wants has been longstanding at First Presbyterian Church, Lancaster.
Its facilities are the most accessible in the Lancaster community resulting in an outreach and ministry to multiple community groups. The sanctuary, organ and acoustical facilities stem from the high regard among the members for quality preaching of the word and praising God in song by voice and instrument. The debt was paid in full January 1985.
First Presbyterian Church has a proud heritage. It also has a bright future. Realizing that ultimately the significance of a church is not what it looks like but what happens inside its fellowship, the congregation is not content with building rooms. As it approaches its 185th anniversary, First Presbyterian Church has sought to expand its program and its interests that it remain vital as the Body of Christ in this community. First Presbyterian Church believes that it has been called to be the Church. The true Church is the whole community, on earth and in heaven, of those called by God into fellowship with him and with another to know and do his will. As the body of Christ, the Church on earth is the instrument through which God continues to proclaim and apply the benefits of his redemptive work and to establish his Kingdom.
L:/Presbytery Meetings/Handbooks/March 19, 2020
