David Powers and members of Madison Presbyterian Church

The afternoon session of presbytery opened with worship. Candidate for Ordination David Powers' sermon entitled "Transitions"  was based on Deuteronomy 6:10-12 and Psalm 23. He referenced two types of transition - ecclesiastical and personal. Regarding the former, he indicated that God, the author of the church, remains so in spite of transitions. Regarding the latter, he encouraged all who are experiencing transition to share their experience with someone with openness to experience God with us in the land to which we go.

In addition to preaching, worship included the Commissioning of Mexico Work Mission Volunteers traveling to Piedras Negras, Mexico, in June for our presbytery's 23^rd year of participating in this program.

 

Dick and Dottie Geiselman

Afternoon worship also included Recognition of the Honorable Retirement of Commissioned Lay Pastor Richard D. Geiselman. Jamie Enfinger, elder at the Bath Presbyterian Church, acknowledged the distinctive service Mr. Geiselman and his wife, Dottie, have provided over the past six years. Rev. Gene Norris, a long-time friend, also spoke of Mr. Geiselman's contributions to the ministry of Reid Memorial Church. These accolades culminated in a standing ovation from commissioners for Mr. Geiselman. The presentation of a certificate of retirement by Stated Clerk Joe Berry and a response from the honoree followed, and the service concluded with prayers of the people offered by John McCrosky and the singing of Mr. Geiselman's favorite hymn, "When Morning Guilds the Skies."

Dori Allen, Co-Chair of the Preparation for Ministry Team, presented newly enrolled Inquirers Lauren Van Wicklen and David Fuentes, who offered brief statements about their sense of call to ministry and their plans to attend Columbia Theological Seminary. They were invited to sign the Roll of Inquirers. Stephen Nelms also presented information related to an alternative ordination exam in Theology administered to Candidate Scott Hill. Presbytery acted to affirm the actions of the Ministry Team on this matter.

         

Committee on Ministry Team Chair Monty Nelson introduced Roe Callaway who proceeded with David Powers' examination for ordination. Mr. Powers' sermon was approved as well as his examination. Terms of Call and the Commission to install him as Associate Pastor at Madison Presbyterian Church on June 26 were approved.

 

Having served as Chair of the COM Team for King Memorial Presbyterian Church, Rev. Callaway presented the report of the Team's work with this church which has requested to be dissolved in order to become a non-denominational community church. Actions taken in relation to this request included payment by King Memorial of $15,000.00 to Northeast Georgia Presbytery (per Book of Order G-8.0400); the submission of session records to the stated clerk; letters of dismissal provided for those who request such; and, contingent upon the above stated actions, Northeast Georgia Presbytery would approve the dissolution of the King Memorial Presbyterian Church effective May 17, 2011.

 

Brock Burnett, Chair of Council, introduced Ed Rees, Chair of the Administrative Commission for Greene Street Presbyterian Church, who spoke of the pending sale of this property to Hope Christian Schools, LLC and recommendations regarding the distribution of proceeds from this sale. After approval of these recommendations and authorization granted to presbytery's corporate officers to sign closing documents related to this sale, Rev. Burnett requested and received presbytery's approval of the revised 2011 Presbytery Budget in the amount of $520,966. Council's report also included approval of the Tri-Presbytery New Church Development Commission's request to be included under the PCUSA Group Ruling as an incorporated ministry of Northeast Georgia Presbytery.