Opening Worship: creative, inspiring, and Bible based!
 | | Associate Presbyter Edie Covert |
Following opportunities for "Focusing Upon God" and "Examining Our Lives", Associate Presbyter Edie Covert elaborated on the theme for the day - "Worshipful Work." Frequently, these activities are understood as being independent from each other: e.g. either we work or we worship, but we don't do both at the same time.
Not so! The concept of "worshipful work" brashly affirms that spirituality and administration are not necessarily separate entities. Rather, they may become fused into a singular configuration in which boundaries between them pale. (Writer's note: A clock pendulum is a metaphor. In such, there are two poles but at no point on the arc connecting them is either pole negated.) In "worshipful work," worship is woven throughout the work of the day so that borders between them diminish. Thus, the two become one, perhaps even an experience of praying without ceasing.
 | |
Moderator Charles Grant |
The Reverend Joyce Rife, retiring moderator, then offered a "Proclamation" entitled, "Bravely Going Into the Future." The core point of her presentation was that - the power of the Holy Spirit and the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ are with us as we enter the future. As such, issues within our denomination and concerns within our presbytery are exposed to divine influence. The Installation as Moderator, of Elder Charles Grant, of the Belle-Terrace Church of Augusta, then followed.
Subsequently, our annual "Time of Remembrance and Celebration of Life" occurred. In it, teaching elders (ministers) and ruling elders who died in the year 2011 were named. This included two ministers and thirty-five to forty ruling elders (additional names were verbally mentioned.) A Celebration of the Lord's Supper, by intinction, followed. |
Report of the Preparation for Ministry Team
 | |
Candidate Mike Castronis |
The report indicated that the Session of First Church, Clarkesville, had recommended Mike Castronis as an Inquirer. This Team had examined him, enrolled him as an Inquirer, and invited him to speak at this presbytery meeting. Mike outlined his earlier journey as an ordained pastor, his renunciation of ordination, and now his sense of call to return to ordained service. |
Report of Council Included:
- Presentation of the 2011 Financial Report and the proposed 2012 Budget, by Chair of Budget and Finance, Maurice Gregory. He indicated that the projected income was insufficient to accomodate the proposed expenditures. Since this budget had already been reduced in program areas, he introduced reductions affecting staff. These included 15 days of unpaid furlough days for every staff member, and reductions in continuing education and travel and professional expense reimbursement for Ken Meeks and Edie Covert. Following his report and recommendations, the 2012 Budget passed as presented.
- Jim Choomack, chair of the presbytery's Manual Task Force, presented the work of his group: a revision of the presbytery's Manual in the light of the 2011 changes in the Book of Order. He noted that his presentation, in keeping with the presbytery's policy for changing the Manual, was a first reading. Before changes can be made to the Manual, a second presentation will need to occur. This will take place at the May 15 Stated Meeting.
- Ken Meeks, who had briefly served as acting stated clerk earlier in the year, presented a policy for the achievement of parity (equal number of ruling and teaching elders) at presbytery meetings. The Book of Order requires each presbytery to have such a plan. His presentation was accepted. The person credited with writing this policy is Linda Turner, Administrative Assistant.
- Bill Cravens, ruling elder at the Saint Andrew Church, made a report regarding the Administrative Commission for the Reid Memorial Church. His report contained good news in that progress is being made. An example is the return of a positive tone involving 11:00 a.m. worship. Bill indicated that there is ongoing work to be done. Nevertheless, the session and membership are diligent and cooperative in their desire for rebirth of ministry.
- Ken Meeks gave a report regarding the Georgia Cluster and the Synod of the South Atlantic. The Transitional Synod Executive/Stated Clerk is Rev. Heahwan Rim.
Presbytery was then introduced to Dr. Anthony Sgro, the new Head of School of the Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School. Dr. Sgro indicated strong qualities of this school which included: international exposure, academic record, and faith community. He indicated that he seeks prayers for the school and additional students. |
Further Morning Items
Being ahead of schedule (it does happen!) afternoon presentations were made before lunch. The first was by Emily Cheney regarding the Communication/Links Network Ministry Team. She indicated that her group has accomplished a number of objectives for 2011. These include an online directory, a Facebook page, and a workshop they led at the Winter Leadership Event, January 28, 2012. She further indicated that two of their 2012 objectives are to submit an E-meetings Modes Study and to assist churches if they would like to establish or revise web pages.
A second afternoon report brought into the morning was that of the Congregational Development Ministry Team.
- It was noted that the first gathering of the Acts 16:5 Initiative met with Stan Ott in November of 2011. The next gathering with Dr. Ott will be May 2, 2012.
- The Mexico Mission Ministries Action Team is moving forward with the Mexico Work Mission in June 2012 in consultation with Presbyterian Border Ministries regarding safety issues.
- Further, it was noted that this ministry team, in conjunction with the Joint Commission for New Church Development, will present the theme for the May 15, 2012, Stated Meeting.
A third report that was moved forward was that of the Leadership Development Ministry Team - Educator Gloria Burns, Chair, presented part of the report, noting that helpful informational pieces were included in everyone's packets that highlight various materials available in the presbytery's Resource Center. She also called attention to the Summer Camp and Conference brochure listing opportunities for children and youth. Campus Minister Andy Cooke also spoke briefly, but enthusiastically, as did David Carter Florence, Program Director at Camp Buc. |
|
Lunch and Beyond
A delicious lunch, of Italian flavor, for the 140 or so persons present followed. In addition to the feeding of stomachs, there was a general feeding of spirits as folks shared among themselves. The hour went quickly and suddenly it was time for the afternoon session.
 | |
Cheryl Barnes |
Worshipful Moment: Following lunch, the first item on the agenda was a time of worship, during which Rev. Bill Quarles, pastor at the Calvary Church in Elberton, led us in the Prayers of the People. This was followed by a sermon by candidate for ordination, Cheryl H. Barnes. Ms. Barnes' sermon was entitled, "Catching Fish and Feeding Sheep." She has a high energy delivery style and emphasized the transition from being called outside of one's comfort zone to engage in ministry. She cautioned, "Be prepared if Christ asks you to feed sheep as he asked Peter."
The Report of the Committee on Ministry Team followed - Cheryl's sermon was enthusiastically approved. Following an examination, Cheryl was approved for ordination as pastor of the Sardis Church of Jefferson, and her ordination/installation commission was approved. Welcome, Cheryl!
 | |
Joel Tolbert and members of Oconee Church |
A second candidate, this one previously ordained, was presented for membership in Northeast Georgia Presbytery was Joel L. Tolbert - called to be pastor of the Oconee Church, effective April 1, 2012. Joel transferred from the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta where he served as pastor of the Rehoboth Church. Following examination, Joel was approved for installation, and his installation commission was approved. Welcome, Joel!
Additionally - a Committee on Ministry Team was elected to address the request of the Sharon Church to be dismissed from the PCUSA. And the Committee on Ministry was granted authority by presbytery to create an Administrative Commission for the Central Church, should such action be necessary before the next Stated Meeting on May 15.
Additional Afternoon Items:
- Georgia Lodge in Montreat, NC. Board member, Rev. Otis Smith, described this facility as a "Home away from Home" and encouraged us to stay there, whenever possible.
- Frank Colladay submitted the report of the Nominating Committee and Representation Committee, which was approved.
- Melvin Lowry, through a written report, described the ministry of the Northeast Georgia Presbyterian Black Caucus.
- Jean Carol Mundy, Presbytery Moderator for Presbyterian Women, described current activities.
|
|
Conclusion
Following a "Report of the Resolutions Committee", a "Worshipful Moment", and "Benediction", the meeting was adjourned at 3:00 p.m. - approximately a half hour early. The next Stated Meeting is May 15, 2012, at the Monticello Church of Monticello, Georgia, with Registration at 9:00 a.m. and Call to Order at 9:30 a.m. |
Thanks to Mari Turner and Ken Meeks for the photographs included in Highlights. |
|
|
| Thanks to Our Hosts | |
Thank you, folks at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Athens! You really went the second mile to make our February 25th presbytery meeting effective and comfortable! Your driving directions were comprehensive. Greeters indicated parking areas and the way to registration. Registration went smoothly and the welcome snacks were much appreciated. Your choir is truly gifted, the communion service was inspirational, and lunch was delicious. In short, you did wonderfully and your hospitality is appreciated. Thanks!!
|
|
