Kenwood Presbyterian Church Thursday, January 28, 1999

Baltimore, MD 1 p.m.

11:00 Pre-Presbytery Event: "THE NEW CATECHISM AND HOW TO USE IT" A useful workshop for pastors, educators, teachers, and parents. Review resources for New Member Classes, Confirmation Classes, Family Education, and Sunday School. Register by calling the Presbytery Office, 410-433-2012. Fee: $5.00 includes box lunch.

noon Registration and Reading Time for Whitebooks

Mission Displays: Eleanor D. Corner House Shelter and United Campus Ministry, Frostburg

1:00 Call to Order; Welcome by Host Pastor, The Rev. John Kazanjian; Roll Call (by enrollment sheets); Introduction of New Pastors and Elders; Motion to approve the docket (Submit New business to the Stated Clerk by 3:00 p.m.)

1:15 Report of the Stated Clerk pp 3-5 Charles Forbes

Consent Motion pp 2-3

Proposed Amendments to the Constitution p 5

1:25 Committee on Ministry pp 5-10 Bruce Barstow

1:50 Committee on Education and Congregational Nurture Pat Aaserude

2:00 Committee on Preparation for Ministry p 10 Harry Cahill

2:10 Overtures to the General Assembly

from Maryland Presbyterian Church pp 10-11

from First and Franklin Street Presbyterian Church pp 11-12

2:25 Committee on Mission p 13 Steve Shussett

Eleanor D. Corner House Shelter Diana Smith

2:35 Committee On Goals, Objectives, Strategy Jerry Cooper

2:55 Committee on Peace and Justice p 14 Bill Turner

3:05 Presbyterian Foundation Riley McDonald

Nancy Strapp, Vice Presbyterian of the Foundation

3:15 Nominating Committee pp 15-16 Betsy Baer

3:25 Older Adult Ministries, Synod of the Mid-Atlantic Jan McGilliard

3:35 Council p 16 Nancy Saarlas

3:40 Committee on Stewardship and Mission Interpretation Jim Richards

3:50 Medical Benevolence Foundation Dan Force

3:55 Committee on Church Growth and Evangelism p 17 Terry Schoener

3:55 Global Mission Committee Pat Byerly

4:10 Committee on Youth Mark Sandell

4:15 Lutheran Social Services Refugee Program Jenna Alic

4:20 Guatemalan Partnership Jim Richards

4:25 Committee on Administration pp 17-18 Valeria Tocci

4:35 New Business

4:40 Worship

5:00 Adjournment

These actions, brought to the Presbytery by various agencies and individuals, are non-controversial and not likely to require explanation, discussion, or debate. To conduct the routine business of these actions quickly and efficiently, they will be voted on as a group. Delegates will be given the opportunity, by calling the Stated Clerk in advance or from the floor of Presbytery, to remove any action from the Consent Motion in which case that action will be considered and voted on individually.

from the Stated Clerk

1. THAT the Minutes of the 778th Stated Meeting of the Presbytery, November 19, 1998, be approved as appended to this White Book.

2. THAT the Administrative Commission to install the Rev. Margee Iddings as Designated Pastor of the Hancock Presbyterian Church, consisting of Ministers James G. Kirk, Chair, Robert McCarter, and John Ailstock; Elders Nancy Saarlas (Woods Memorial), Larry Gerber (Hancock) and Wyllian Yockey (First of Westminster); and Corresponding Members Rev. Rex McDaniel (National Capital Presbytery) and Elder Sondra Bishop (Mt. Olivet Presbyterian Church, Carlisle Presbytery) be dismissed in that Rev. Iddings answered the required constitutional questions in the affirmative and was duly installed on November 22, 1998.

3. THAT the Administrative Commission to install the Rev. Stephanie Spangler as the Associate Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Bel Air, consisting of Ministers James G. Kirk, Chair, Harry Holfelder, and Linda Nepstad; Elders June Hollman (Fallston), Jay Meares (First of Bel Air) and Ed Blanton (First and Franklin Street); and Corresponding Member Rev. John J. Spangler (Cherokee Presbytery) be dismissed in that Rev. Kennedy answered the required constitutional questions in the affirmative and was duly installed on November 22, 1998.

from the Council

4. THAT Chapter VII. Council, Sec. 4f. Worship Committee, of the Presbytery Manual be amended to provide for a seven person committee instead of the current ten, with the requirement that at least two be ministers, by deleting the words "nine other members" and inserting "six other members two of which will be ministers" so that the section reads:

4f. Worship Committee. The committee will be composed of a Chair, who will be the Vice-Moderator of the Presbytery, ex officio, and six other members two of which will be ministers, appointed by the Council in classes of three-year terms, with a two consecutive term limitation. The committee will have the following duties and responsibilities: [unchanged]

from the Committee on Administration

5. THAT Chapter VIII, 13, Committee on Preparation for Ministry, of the Manual of the Presbytery be amended by adding subsection d. which gives the same authority to establish Administrative Committees to Ordain Candidates to the Ministry who will serve in another Presbytery, as the Committee on Ministry now has regarding Candidates whose calls are within this Presbytery. The section would read as follows:

VIII, 13, d: Establish Administrative Commissions to ordain Ministers who will serve in other Presbyteries, in accordance with Manual XII.

and amend Chapter XII, Administrative Commissions, to add the Committee on Preparation for Ministry, so that the Chapter reads:

XII. ADMINISTRATIVE COMMISSIONS. The Presbytery may establish Administrative Commissions, as required, in accordance with BO G-9.0500. The Committees on Ministry and Preparation for Ministry are authorized to establish, on behalf of the Presbytery, Administrative Commissions whose authority is limited to ordaining and, for the Committee on Ministry, installing Ministers. In such cases the Committees will advise the Stated Clerk who will report the establishment and membership of the commission to the Presbytery when the Presbytery dismisses the commission.

6. THAT Chapter VIII, 16, Committee on Youth, of the Manual be amended to provide that the Committee be elected by Presbytery in the same manner as most other major committees. The opening sentence of the Section would read as follows:

VIII. 16. Committee on Youth. The Committee will consist of nine persons. The committee will have the following duties and responsibilities: [unchanged]

7. REPORTS

A. Communication:

The Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Boston has advised that the listing for Vicki Kennedy in the last General Assembly Statistics was in error. It showed her status as Inactive, and she was, in fact, an Active member of Boston Presbytery. Therefore she was enrolled directly as an Active member of Baltimore Presbytery without the need for reactivation.

B. Necrology

Elder James H. Swadley, Jr., ordained at Keyser Presbyterian Church in Keyser, West Virginia, died on March 5, 1998.

Elder Frances A. Tubbs, ordained at First Presbyterian Church in Cumberland on January 8, 1978, died on September 15, 1998.

Elder Roger A. Mason, ordained at First Presbyterian Church in Cumberland on January 15, 1984, died on October 18, 1998.

Elder Grace Ada Failing, ordained at Dickey Memorial Church on January 7, 1968, died on December 30, 1998. Elder Failing was the first women to be ordained at Dickey Memorial. She was also the Church's longest serving member, having joined on December 25, 1921.

C. Resignation

Tom Willadsen from the Central Maryland Ecumenical Council.

D. Changes in the roll of Presbytery during 1998

CHANGES IN THE ROLL OF PRESBYTERY - 1998
NAME	ACTION	PRESBYTERY	EFFECTIVE DATE
Frederick G. TINLEY	DEATH		Nov. 28, 1997
Steven R. FLEMING	DISMISS	CARLISLE	January 29
Theodore C. LAWSON	RECEIVE	BEAVER-BUTLER	January 29
Amy E. FLACK	ORDAIN		February 1
Amy E. FLACK	DISMISS	SOUTH DAKOTA	February 1
Wayne G. BOULTON	RECEIVE	THE JAMES	February 12
Ken K. SUNOO	DISMISS	SEATTLE	March 1
Deborah H. SUNOO	DISMISS	SEATTLE	March 1
Daris S. BULTENA	RECEIVE	PHILADELPHIA	March 17
Stephany D. GRAHAM	ORDAIN		May 16
Rosalind Jemmott POWELL	DISMISS	WESTERN RESERVE	June 11
Elizabeth HEWETT	DISMISS	PITTSBURGH	June 11
Margee Adams IDDINGS	RECEIVE	NATIONAL CAPITAL	June 23
William STARK	RECEIVE	NEW YORK CITY	July 1
John WARREN	UNION MEMBER	UNITED METHODIST CHURCH	July 1
James HODGE	DISMISS	NEW HOPE	August 16
Barbara JONES-HAGEDORN	DISMISS	HUDSON RIVER	September 1
Vicky Reith KENNEDY	RECEIVE	BOSTON	September 1
Stephanie SPANGLER	RECEIVE	CHEROKEE	September 7
Lee John BETTS	DISMISS	DONEGAL	September 24
Howard ADAMS	DISMISS	MO RIVER VALLEY	September 24
Francis E. TENNIES	RECEIVE	PITTSBURGH	September 24
David PARK	RECEIVE	GREATER ATLANTA	September 24
Carin B. FARMER	ORDAIN		October 4
Hubert BLACK	DEATH		October 5
Carin B. FARMER	DISMISS	GENESEE VALLEY	October 15
Lloyd F. UMBARGER	RECEIVE	LAKE HURON	October 27
Edward A. BELLIS	RECEIVE	THE JAMES	November 3

8. THAT the Consent Motion, printed on pages 2-3, be adopted.

9. Proposed Amendments to the Constitution

The Stated Clerk of the General Assembly has sent recommended amendments to the Book of Order to the Presbytery for its affirmative (YES) or negative (NO) votes. The amendments are listed in the chart below. Committee and Council recommendations have been received for the amendments scheduled for a vote at this meeting; they are designated "JAN" in the right hand column.

One copy of Proposed Amendments... was sent to each church in November. Additional copies may be obtained from the Presbytery Office and will be available on the hand-out table at the meeting.

10. REPORTS that it acted on behalf of the Presbytery at meetings on December 1, 1998 and January 5, 1999 regarding the following calls since a delay until January 28 would have delayed their ministries in Baltimore Presbytery:

A. Presbytery, through COM, concurred in the call of Havre de Grace Presbyterian Church to the Rev. Frederick (Fritz) Longabaugh to be their Pastor, effective February 1, 1999, and requested his transfer from the Presbytery of Genesee Valley. His terms of call are:

Salary $ 23,752

Housing Manse

SS Adjustment 2,723

Utilities 4,700

Moving Costs provided

Continuing Education $1,000

Vacation 1 month

Study Leave 2 weeks

Pension 28% of effective salary

Automobile (vouchered) 3,000

B. Presbytery, through COM, concurred in the call of the First Presbyterian Churches of Barton and Lonaconing to the Rev. Peter C. Leathersich to be their Pastor, effective February 1, 1999, and requested his transfer from the Presbytery of Central Florida. His terms of call (40% paid by First, Barton and 60% paid by First, Lonaconing) are:

Salary $ 23,500

Housing Manse

Furnishings 600

Utilities 2,650

Pension 28% of effective salary

Moving Costs Provided

Auto Allowance $ 2,200

Continuing Education 700

Medical/Dental supplement 1,100

Tax Deferred Annuity 1,200

Vacation 1 month

Study Leave 2 weeks

C. Presbytery, through COM, concurred in the call of the Fallston Presbyterian Church to the Rev. Mitchell Lee Miller to be their Pastor, effective February, 1999, and requested his transfer from Shenandoah Presbytery. His terms of call are:

Salary $ 28,223

Housing 16,000

Pension 28% of effective salary

Moving Costs Provided

Auto Allowance $ 2,400

Continuing Education 850

Dental supplement 300

Accident Ins Premium 75

Vacation 1 month

Study Leave 2 weeks

11. REPORTS that the Rev. Theodore Durr is the Interim Pastor at the First and Franklin Street Presbyterian Church, the contract having been approved by the Committee, effective November 29, 1998.

12. THAT the recommendations, indicated by number, in the following chart of Specialized Clergy be approved:

NAME	MINISTRY	STATUS	PARISH ASSOCIATE or ASSISTANT TO PASTOR	ACTION
Eugene R. Ackerman		HR		1
Richard Ainsworth		HR	Christ Memorial	1
Terrence Alspaugh	Assistant to the Pastor	ML	Christ Our King	9,17
Robert M. Armstrong	Pastor, United Evangelical Church (UCC)	HR		1
Richard P. Baskwill	Pastor, Rehoboth Welsh Church, Delta, PA	PO	Dickey Memorial	10,14
Robert S. Bower		HM		1
T. Webster Brenner	Assistant Attorney General, State of Maryland	VL	First of Howard County	7,14
John E. Brown		HR		1
Walter J. Brown		HR		1
Lyle B. Buck		HM		1
J. Russell Butcher		HM	Frederick	1
Kenneth B. Byerly	Associate Executive Presbyter	OS		3
Yong Chul Chung		HR		1
James D. Cole		HR	Bethel	1,14
Leonard A. Dahl	CEO, Ashley at Oakington	VL	Deer Creek Harmony	5,14
Jamie Dale	Director of Admissions, Union Seminary & PSCE	VL		5,13
Robert F. Davenport	Clinical Director, Counseling, Annapolis UCC	VL		5,13
Mary Louise Ellenberger		AM		1
Phyllis Felton	Assistant to the Pastor	ML	Knox	17
H. Thomas Foley		HR	Towson	2,14
Daniel L. Force	Executive Director, Medical Benevolence Foundation, Houston, TX	OS		3
LoisAnn Furgess-Oler	Chaplain, Glen Meadows	VL	Hunting Ridge	5,14
Frances Taylor Gench	Faculty, Gettysburg Seminary	VL	Brown Memorial Park Avenue	5,14
Stephany Graham	Assoc. for African Am. Leadership Tng & Dev, CMD, GAC	OS		3
David C. Harris	Org. Consultant, Harris Assoc. Consulting Group, Inc.	VL	Govans	7,14
Robert P. Heim		HR		1
Leonard C. Hornick	"Tentmaker"	VL	Kenwood & Korean United	7,14
William F. Hug	Pastoral counselor	VL	Ashland	7,14
Donald Huston		HR		1
Susan Jaeger	Seeking a Call	ML		12
Michael B. Jemmott	Chaplain, The Johns Hopkins Hospital	VL	Knox	5,14
Donald C. Kerr		HM		1
J. William Kokie	Financial Services Associate	VL		7,15
Tung Hui Kuo		HR		2
George Laurent		HR		1
Robert Lawrence		HR		1
Theodore C. Lawson		HR		1
Christopher Leighton	Director, Institute for Christian Jewish Studies	VL	Brown Memorial Park Avenue	12
Nancy Lincoln	Pastoral Counselor, Pastoral Counseling and Care Ministries, Inc.	VL	Second	8,14
Stephen Mann	Chaplain, Johns Hopkins Hospital	VL	First of Howard County	5,14
Ira W. Marshall, Jr.		HR	Hunting Ridge	1
Ronald E. Martin-Minnich	Chaplain, Maryland Army National Guard	VL	[Roland Park]	12
Edgar C. Mayse	Interim Pastor, Holmes PC, Cheriton, VA	HR		1,10
Robert McCarter		HM		2
William O. McGill Jr.		HR		1
Jennifer J. McKenna	Graduate Student	ML	Second	9,17
G. Jarvis McMillan		HR		1
William R. Millen	Assoc. Exec. Presbyter for Stewardship and Mission Funding	OS		3
Johannis J. Mol		HR		1
Brett P. Morgan	Seeking a Call	ML		6
William R. Mueller		HR		1
James H. Mulholland		HR		1
John E. Myhill	Pastoral Counselor, Morales, Myhill & Assoc.	VL	Woods Memorial	7,14
Ward S. Parham		HR	[Faith]	2
Sang Kun (Sam) Park	Seeking a Call	ML		9
Yoo I. Peal		HM		1
David B. Pedersen	Health Reasons	ML		9
Daniel E. Pellegrom	President, Pathfinder International, Watertown, MA 02172	VL		5
Eugene Peterson		HR		1
Harry P. Phillips, Jr.		HR	Brown Memorial Park Avenue	2,14
James E. Powell		HR		1
H. James Riddell	"Tentmaker"	VL	Christ Our King	5,14
Sherman Roddy		HM		1
H. Edwin Rosser		HR		1
P. Barrett Rudd		HR		1
Vernon C. Rushing		HR		1
Winslow D. Shaw		HM		1
Richard W. Shreffler		HM		1
Katherine A. Simons	Director, St. Ann Adult Day Services	VL	Towson	5,14
Valerie Easter Smart	Asst. Min., Colinton Parish, Edinburgh, Church of Scotland	PO		12
John Murray Smoot		HM	Central	1,14
Simon M. Steer	Director of Studies, Inst. for Contemporary Christianity, London	VL		5,10,13
Herbert R. Swanson	Historian, Church of Christ in Thailand	VL	Suanduangrit Church, District One,C.C.T.	5,10,14
Sandra M. Thomas	Director, Institute for Pastoral Care	VL		8,15
James C. Thomson		HR	[Faith]	2
D. Rod Trout		HR		1
Herbert D. Valentine	Executive Presbyter, Presbytery of Baltimore	OS		3
Robert Van Ingen	Director of Pastoral Care, Howard Co. General Hospital	VL		5,15
Tanya S. Wade	Director, Baltimore County Delta Community Outreach Center	VL	Cherry Hill	12
James D. Wallace		HR	[First, Bel Air]	1
Jon E. Williams	Pastoral Counselor and Clinical Psychologist, Pastoral Councseling Center at Woods Memorial	VL	Woods	8,14
J.C. Wynn		HR		1
Lark Zunich	Seeking a Call	ML		9

Key to Status:

HR Honorably Retired

HM Honorably Retired, Pastor Emeritus/a

AM Honorably Retired, Associate Pastor Emeritus/a

OS Call in Other Service of the Church

VL Validated Ministry Beyond the Jurisdiction of the Church

PO Parish Ministry, not in this Presbytery

ML Member-at-Large

IN Inactive Member

Key to Actions:

1. Honorably Retired, report received.

2. Honorably Retired, report not received (report is not mandatory).

3. Other Service of the Church, report received.

4. Other Service of the Church, report not received (report is not mandatory).

5. Validated Ministry, to be continued another year.

6. Member-at-Large status to be approved by Presbytery by this action.

7. Ministry with "grandparented" validation, to be continued another year.

8. Ministry to be validated by the Presbytery by this action.

9. Member-at-Large, to be continued another year.

10. Permission granted to labor outside the bounds in a Parish Ministry.

11. Permission to Labor outside the bounds; consent from the host presbytery having been received.

12. Minister in contact with COM, status to be resolved and reported to Presbytery; in the interim present status is maintained.

13. Requirement to be a Parish Associate is waived.

14. Parish Associate position to be continued another year.

15. Minister is required to establish a Parish Associate relationship with a local congregation within three months.

16. The Parish Associate relationship listed is approved.

17. Assistant to the Pastor position to be continued.

18. Assistant to the Pastor position listed is approved.

Note: Listing the Parish Associate relationship inside brackets, e.g. [Faith], indicates that the relationship has been set aside by the departure of the Pastor of the church. A new Parish Associate relationship cannot be reestablished until the church calls a new Pastor. In the interim, former Parish Associates are not required to establish a different Parish Associate relationship, but are encouraged to remain involved with the congregation. Specialized clergy in validated positions are required to establish a new Parish Associate relationship within three months of the church calling a pastor, either with the former church or a different church.

13. THAT Fred Edell of Hunting Ridge Presbyterian Church be received as an Inquirer.

14. Proposed by the Session of Maryland Presbyterian Church:

THAT Presbytery concur in Overture 98-2 from the Presbytery of Milwaukee:

On Striking G-6.0106b from the Book of Order (from the Presbytery of Milwaukee)

Whereas, our synod has urged us to use the processes of our Book of Order to express our concerns about G-6.0106b, and

Whereas, the 210th General Assembly approved an authoritative interpretation of the constitution, affirming the denomination's commitment to "consider the lives and behaviors of candidates for ordination as individuals . . . and not to exclude anyone categorically," and

Whereas, the Presbytery of Milwaukee has covenanted to trust sessions and presbyteries to ordain those called by God through the voice of the church; and

Whereas, for the peace, unity, and purity of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), G-6.0106b should be stricken from the Book of Order, therefore, be it

Resolved, that the Presbytery of Milwaukee respectfully overtures the 211th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to direct the Stated Clerk to send the following proposed amendment to the Presbyteries for their affirmative of negative vote:

15. Proposed by the Session of the First and Franklin Street Presbyterian Church:

On Establishing a Special Committee to Consider the Disorders in Our Church.

Whereas, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is representative of many similar denominations regarding the degree and intensity of disorders and disagreements felt and expressed among its membership. This is exhibited in all levels of deliberation and decision-making from the General Assembly to the local congregation's session; there are a significant number of immediate and pressing issues on which there is little or no church-wide consensus ranging from stands regarding the full acceptance of people of different sexual orientations at one end and positions concerning practices relating to fertility and termination of pregnancy at the other end; and there are many other matters on which there is little agreement; and

Whereas, the Covenant Network of Presbyterians, recognizing that there are many 'voices' among us, has called for a Sabbatical during which we might "seek the special grace of civility and mutual charity when members of the body of Christ differ on what are clearly matters of deep and conscientious conviction for many on all sides" (Robert W. Bohl and John M. Buchanan, Moderators of the 206th and 208th General Assemblies, respectively, reported by the Covenant Network of Presbyterians, September, 1998)--the purpose of a Sabbatical is not for "time off" but for study and renewal; and

Whereas, in "The Crisis in our Nation" (Presbyterians--Being Faithful to Jesus Christ, Fall, 1998), Douglas Oldenburg, Moderator of the 210th General Assembly, along with Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick and General Assembly Council Executive Director John Detterick, called for us to "renew our efforts to break from our cultural captivity and speak with a loud and clear voice on behalf of God's concern" regarding the sense of moral crisis that grips our nation in reference to both personal and social issues; and

Whereas, in an essay on how Presbyterians read the Bible, Jack Rogers, Vice President and Professor of Theology at San Francisco Theological Seminary states:"Presbyterians have made dramatic changes in their interpretation of Scripture and the Confessions. They struggled to distinguish between the entrenched attitudes of their culture and the new possibilities of the Gospel" ("Reading the Bible: The Presbyterian Way" in Covenant Network, December, 1998); he reviews the history of various interpretations regarding slavery; race; the status of women as humans and Christians; and marriage, divorce, and remarriage; and

Whereas, in a statement of its objectives the Presbyterian Lay Committee begins with the principle: "To put greater emphasis on the teaching of the Bible as the authoritative Word of God in our seminaries and churches"; as demonstrated above, just what such a statement means is subject to various interpretations--the Lay Committee itself makes contributions toward such meaning but it neither speaks nor claims to speak for the entire church; and

Whereas, the Reverend Thomas E. Fisher, chair of the denomination's so-called "Blue-Sky" work group which has considered a vision statement for the General Assembly Council, commented that "Presbyterians sometimes have difficulties, we all do, getting out of our boxes and thinking in non-organizational ways, or in thinking of ways that are radical enough to reflect God's purpose." (News Briefs, Issue # 9837, 25 December, 1998); and

Whereas, at a seminar at Ghost Ranch, "Envisioning a New Church" a number of Presbyterians issued a declaration that called for a fresh look at our racism, sexism, heterosexism, classism, ageism, ableism, environmental abuse, militarism, and violence, calling for us to "stand fully and firmly within the heritage of our tradition, which is Reformed and Always Being Reformed..." (More Light Update, Nov-Dec); and

Whereas, the issues which lie behind our divisions are listed below; they are serious, complex, and important and the outcomes of their resolution (or non-resolution) will have determinative influences well into the third millennium:

Protestant understanding of the meaning of the priesthood of all believers and its relation to our individualism

the dominant role of materialism in our lives and the work ethic related to it

the impact of secularism on our expression and understanding of the Judeo-Christian heritage in a pluralist society

the significance of our expressions of freedom on international, domestic, and personal relations

the meaning of integrity in personal and corporate relations

the significance of equality in Judeo-Christian tradition and its expression in modern, technical, global society

the manner in which the love ethic of the Judeo-Christian tradition gets expressed in democratic, corporate society; and

Whereas, basic concepts such as the above are the ground on which many of our debates take place; because we are (sometimes unconsciously) affected by this, the way in which our debates are often framed inhibits much of our communication and deliberation; we believe that until such matters are addressed in the context of our Judeo-Christian history and faith, we will be unable to discover and form the consensus and mutual respect that we need--the consensus is critical for our own corporate health and for performance of our witness and mission in society; therefore, be it

Resolved, that the Presbytery of Baltimore overtures the 211th General Assembly (1999) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to:

1. Establish a Special Committee to consider issues behind our disorders and disagreements, consisting of between 9 and 13 persons, including the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly or his designee, representatives from at least one seminary, and representatives of sessions which have public stands or actions on opposite sides of the issues upon which we are in disagreement; Said committee to elect its own chair and secretary, and

2. Charge the Committee with reviewing and studying the above and related concepts and making a report to the 213th General Assembly (2001). The report may include a study document, a proposal for further study and deliberation throughout the denomination, and a brief regarding interpretations of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America as well as any amendments it advises thereto, and

3. Direct the Office of the General Assembly to provide administrative support, staffing, including resource persons and adequate funding for the Committee.

The Presbytery of Baltimore's Mission Flex Grant may be just what you need. Read the Criteria printed below; your project may qualify! Four projects received flex grants in 1998. They were

A part-time youth director Hughes Memorial $1,500

Signage for the purpose of evangelism and community outreach Grove $1,370

Seed money for a parish nursing program First of Frostburg $1,950

Seed money for violence-prevention program for community Knox $2,500

Mission Committee Flex Grants shall be administered in a manner consistent with the Presbytery of Baltimore Manual, Chapter XXI, paragraph 5. Flex Grants from the Mission Committee budget will be administered using the following procedures and criteria:

1. Applicants: Flex grant applicants may be a church of the Baltimore Presbytery or a non-profit organization that renders services to needy persons in the Baltimore Presbytery.

2. Purpose: A Flex Grant is one-time funding for a short-term purpose. Flex Grants may be used to provide "seed money" for a new project. Flex Grant purposes include, but are not limited to, health care, housing/shelter, youth services, community organizing/empowerment, congregational outreach, missions, Christian education, and short-term education or training.

3. Application: Flex Grant applications shall be made by the session of a church or by the governing board of a non-profit organization. Applications shall include a description of the organization; a list of session or governing board members; and the name, phone number, and address of a contact person. Applications shall also include a description of the project for which Flex funds are to be used; the duration of the project; and the expected benefits of the project.

4. Post-Project Report: Within a month after completion of the project, Flex Grant recipients shall submit a brief written report to the Mission Committee accounting for how the Flex Grant was spent and what was accomplished.

Applications for mission funding are still being sought by the Committee on Mission for any qualified projects needing funding in the new milennium. Funding possibilities are available for one-time grants, new projects, or on-going projects. Call Julie Helms at the Presbytery Office (410-433-2012) or Steve Shussett, Chairperson of the Mission Committee (301-689-3538) for more information.

16. REPORTS

A. The Maryland Children's Initiative invites all Presbyterians to its "Rally for our Children" in support of increasing the tax on cigarettes to discourage youth smoking. The Rally will be Monday, February 15, 1999, in Annapolis. Participants will gather at Naval-Marine Stadium to march down Rowe Boulevard, or come directly to Lawyers Mall at 6:30 p.m. For more information call 410/235-9000. (Baltimore Presbytery is an endorsing member of The Maryland Children's Initiative.)

B. The Peacemaking Program of the General Assembly announces its Annual Peacemaking Conference:

C. Beryl Smith, Presbytery Public Policy Advocate, has prepared a one-page summary analysis of issues before the current General Assembly in Annapolis. This is a summary of a more detailed analysis that guides the direction of the Presbytery's public policy advocacy team. Copies of the one-page summary will be available on the Registration Table.

17. THAT Presbytery docket for the March Presbytery Meeting consideration of the following two items which the Peace and Justice Committee will recommend for adoption:

A. A Resolution "On Supporting the Children's Gun Violence Prevention Initiative." This Resolution calls for personalized handguns.

B. An Overture initiated by the Session of Southside Presbyterian Church in Tucson, Arizona and expected to be adopted by de Cristo Presbytery: "On Calling for a Study and Pilot Implementation of Nonviolent Options in Relation to Ethnic Conflicts, Government Oppression, and Violations of Human Rights and Genocide." This Overture calls for the establishment of Presbyterian Peacemaker Teams. (Former GA Moderator John Fife is Pastor of Southside Presbyterian Church.)

COPIES OF THESE TWO DOCUMENTS WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE REGISTRATION TABLE FOR YOUR THOUGHTFUL PERUSAL. THEY WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE WHITEBOOK FOR THE MARCH PRESBYTERY MEETING.

18. REPORTS that February 24, 1999 is the deadline for submitting nominations to the Nominating Committee for Commissioners to the Annual Meeting of the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic. Please do not hesitate to nominate yourself.

19. NOMINATES Lynn Featherston (E,Govans)(W) to the Trustees of Baltimore Presbytery, Class of 2000.

20. NOMINATES the following persons to the Committee on Education and Congregational Nurture:

Class of 2000 Wayne Boulton (M)

Class of 2001 Bonnie Clarke (E,Ashland)(W)

21. NOMINATES Bill Johnston (M) to the Central Maryland Ecumenical Council.

22. NOMINATES George Farmer (E,Granite) to the Synod Nominating Committee, Class of 2001.

23. NOMINATES the following as Commissioners to the 211th General Assembly, June 19-26, 1999, Fort Worth, Texas. Ballots will be distributed to voting members of Presbytery; vote for two Elder Nominees and two Minister Nominees.

ELDER CARLETON BRYANT, Harundale Presbyterian Church

Presbytery Activities Member of Stewardship and Mission Interpretation Committee

Synod Activities none

Community Activities Member in Partners in Care, Inc.

Interests, Hobbies reading, writing, exercise

GA Commissioner? no

Synod Commissioner? no

ELDER JOANNE FLEMING, Fallston Presbyterian Church

Presbytery Activities Member of Committee on Ministry; volunteered and greeted visitors for the "Small Church" gathering

Synod Activities none

Community Activities Teach 4th grade at Edgewood Elementary School and participate in PTA and other school activities

Interests, Hobbies plays, books, movies

GA Commissioner? no

Synod Commissioner no

ELDER BERYL SMITH, Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church

Presbytery Activities Employed part time as Public Policy Advocate; served on Task Force; Peace & Justice Committee

Synod Activities none

Community Activities Hospice of the Chesapeake Auxiliary; Community Association Board member, Docent at William Paca House; Docent at National Museum of Women in the Arts

Interests, Hobbies boating, swimming, gardening

GA Commissioner? no

Synod Commissioner no

ELDER WILLIAM TURNER, Churchville Presbyterian Church

Presbytery Activities Currently Chair of Peace & Justice Committee and previous member

Synod Activities none

Community Activities President, Rolling Green Community Association, Churchville Ruritan Club, Maryland Art League, Harford Artist Association

Interests, Hobbies Artist

GA Commissioner no

Synod Commissioner no

The 4 Minister Nominees for GA Commissioner are

Stella Dempski

LoisAnn Furgess-Oler

Aaron Lee

Sidney Venable.

Their Biographical Sketches will be available on the Registration Table.

24. REPORTS

A. Nancy Saarlas, Chair of Council, appointed the following with Council concurrence:

to the Personnel Committee as Council representative: Sidney Venable III

to Council Nominating Committee: Phyllis Ross (E, Faith)(W), Chair

Jim Richards (M)

Valeria Tocci (E, Trinity)(W)(R/E)

B. Fred Spigler, Vice-Moderator, recommended and Council appointed the following:

to the Worship Committee, Class of 2000: Cherry Marshall (M)(W)

Edith Henry (E, Hope)(W)(R/E)

C. Council set the Housing Allowance of Ken Byerly at $5,100 and his salary at $49,580. This involved no change in effective salary.

25. NOMINATES

To the Personnel Committee, Class of 1999: Sidney Venable, III, (M)

Class of 2001: J. Calvin K. Jackson (M)

Douglas Berger (E, Hope)

26. THAT, responding to the request of former Moderator James Costen for funding for the Presbyterian Pastoral Institute in Kenya, Presbytery set a goal of $15,000 in Extra-Commitment giving to the Institute over the next five years, and assign oversight of the program to the Committee on Stewardship and Mission Interpretation.

27. THAT the following resolution be adopted [This is the standard resolution used to formally establish each New Church Development]:

Whereas the Presbytery Committee on Church Growth and Evangelism, working through its New Church Development Committee, has identified the Mt. Airy area as having high potential for a New Church Development, and

Whereas the Committee has established a Mt. Airy New Church Development Committee to further study the area, and they have recommended the establishment of a New Church Development in that area, and

Whereas the Committee on Church Growth and Evangelism and its New Church Development Committee concur in that recommendation, be it therefore resolved:

THAT the Presbytery of Baltimore designate the Mt. Airy area for the establishment of a New Church Development of the Presbytery;

THAT the Presbytery designate the Mt. Airy New Church Development Committee as a site selection committee for the Presbytery; as the Pastor Nominating Committee for calling an Organizing Pastor; and as a Commission of the Presbytery to maintain the rolls and authorize the Sacraments for the New Church Development;

THAT the Presbytery direct the Stated Clerk to apply for a PIN for the New Church Development upon the request of the Mt. Airy New Church Development Committee;

THAT the Presbytery authorize the Trustees of the Presbytery to purchase land at the site of the New Church Development and authorize the Presbytery and/or the Trustees of the Presbytery to borrow necessary funds for the purchase and/or improvement of said land with an appropriate church building;

THAT the Presbytery direct all of these agencies to make regular reports to the Presbytery of their activities; and

THAT the Presbytery direct the Church Growth and Evangelism Committee, at the appropriate time, to recommend to the Presbytery that the Mt. Airy New Church Development be chartered as a particular congregation of the Presbytery of Baltimore.

28. THAT Presbytery adopt the following Overture to the General Assembly:

On Recording in the General Assembly Minutes the Individual Votes of Presbyteries on Constitutional Amendments.

Whereas, it was the custom of the UPCUSA, prior to reunion, to publish in its minutes the votes of each presbytery on each constitutional amendment sent down for the votes of the presbyteries by the previous General Assembly; and

Whereas, this practice was discontinued in 1984, and

Whereas, the votes of each presbytery are a matter of record and the assembling of the data in a single place is a considerable convenience for persons seeking the data, including those considering future amendments, persons studying the current state of the church, and future historians of the church; and

Whereas, without the publication at the general assembly level of the votes of individual presbyteries, presbytery stated clerks, as well as ministers and commissioners who voted in the presbytery, have no way of knowing that their presbytery vote was correctly counted by the General Assembly, and

Whereas, recent controversial amendments have created considerable interest in certain of these votes, with the only source of information easily available being unofficial sources outside of the church; therefore, be it

Resolved that the Presbytery of Baltimore overtures the 211th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to act in accordance with Standing Rule G.2.s (which provides that the Stated Clerk will publish the assembly's proceedings "as the assembly may direct") and direct the Stated Clerk to include in the Minutes of the General Assembly a record of the votes of individual presbyteries on amendments to the constitution proposed by the previous assembly. [An example of how this may easily be accomplished is in GA Minutes 1983, Par I, pp. 23-25.]

TRAILER FOR SALE (NOT RENT!) Christ Our Anchor Presbyterian Church of Annapolis has a 60'x12' trailer for sale. Fully equipped with heat and air conditioning! Until recently, used as a modular Sunday School and Youth Group space. Purchased from Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church 2 years ago. Call the church office at 410-974-1713 if you are interested.

Jan 28 Pre-Presbytery Event: "The New Catechism And How To Use It", 11-12:30

(details on next page)

Presbytery Meeting, Kenwood PC, 1 pm

Feb 15 "Rally For Our Children" to discourage youth smoking (details on page 14)

Mar 12-19 Guatemala: Una Aventura Y Un Encuentro!

Mission Trip to Guatemala: An Adventure And An Encounter

March 22 "Getting It Done Today" - a seminar on preaching, Harundale PC, 9-1, $10

Led by Ernest T. Campbell, former Senior Minister, The Riverside Church, NYC

Mar 25 Presbytery Meeting, Cherry Hill PC, 4 pm

Apr 17 Spring Gathering of Presbyterian Women

Apr 22 Presbytery Meeting (if needed)

Apr 24 3RD ANNUAL BIG EVENT Keynoter: Taylor Branch

Preacher: Stephany Graham

June 17 Presbytery Meeting, Hope PC, 4 pm

Please call the Presbytery Office, 410-433-2012, for registration forms or additional information on any of the listed events.

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7. A. Communications (Continued)

South Dakota Presbytery requested support on their overture to support family farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. Referred to the Committee on Peace and Justice. [Presbytery rules specify that a committee receiving such a referral needs to report to the Presbytery only if the committee recommends that the Presbytery take some action.]

B. Necrology (continued)

Elder Ruth Herwig, Harundale Presbyterian Church, ordained January 14, 1973, died January 9, 1999.

20. Correction: Bonnie Clarke is not an elder.

23. Biographies for Clergy nominees are on the back of this Addendum.

Elder Joanne Fleming, nominee as Commissioner to the General Assembly, advises that her school schedule has changed and that she will be unable to attend the GA. Her name should be replaced by Elder David B. Sullivan (E, Hagerstown) whose biography follows:

DAVID SULLIVAN, Hagerstown Presbyterian Church

Presbytery Activities member Committee on Ministry for 4 years

Synod Activities

Community Activities

Interests, Hobbies fishing, flying

GA Commissioner? no

synod Commissioner? no

12. The Specialized Clergy Chart should have the following corrections and additions:

NAME	MINISTRY	STATUS	PARISH ASSOCIATE or ASSISTANT TO PASTOR	ACTION
Marion Haynes-Weller	Family Responsibilities	ML		9
David Park	Pastor, Siloam Church (KPAC)	PO		5,13
Valerie Easter Smart	Pastor, St. Columbus Parish, London, Church of Scotland	PO		8,13
Simon M. Steer	Principal, Redcliffe College, Gloucester, England	VL		8,13
Lloyd Umbarger		HR		1

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The 779th Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of Baltimore, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), was called to order at 1:00 p.m. on January 28, 1999, by the Moderator, the Rev. James G. Kirk, who opened with prayer.

WELCOME BY THE HOST PASTOR: Rev. John Kazanjian, Host Pastor, welcomed the Presbytery. New Pastors and Elders were introduced.

CONSENT MOTION AND REPORT OF THE STATED CLERK: Elder Charles Forbes, Stated Clerk, reported. The Consent Motion, printed in the White Book and Addendum [Manual Amendments relating to the Worship, Preparation for Ministry, and Youth Committees], was approved. Presbytery voted in the affirmative on the following Proposed amendments to the Constitution: B2 and B3 (by counted vote of 48-39), and the new translation of the Nicene Creed; and in the negative on D.

COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY: Rev. Bruce Barstow, Chair, reported. All items listed in the White Book including the chart of Specialized Clergy were approved. [Fritz Longabaugh called o Havre de Grace; Peter Leathersich called to Firsts of Barton and Lonaconing; Mitchell Miller called to Fallston; Ted Durr Interim at First and Franklin Street.]

COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND CONGREGATIONAL NURTURE: Elder Pat Aaserude, Chair, reported. The BIG EVENT will be held Saturday, April 24th, 1999, at Christ Memorial Presbyterian Church, Columbia, MD.

COMMITTEE ON PREPARATION FOR MINISTRY: Rev. Harry Cahill, Chair, reported. Fred Edell of Hunting Ridge Presbyterian Church was enrolled as an Inquirer.

OVERTURES TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY: The Overture from Maryland, On Striking G-6.0106b from the Book of Order, was approved by a counted vote of 82-34. Rev. David Huusko and Charles Gyle asked that their votes against be recorded. The Overture from First and Franklin Street, On Establishing a Special Committee to Consider the Disorders in Our Church was approved.

COMMITTEE ON MISSION: Rev. Steve Shussett, Chair, reported. Diana Smith reported on the Eleanor D. Corner House Shelter and its needs.

COMMITTEE ON PEACE AND JUSTICE: Elder Bill Turner, Chair, reported. Presbytery docketed for March the two items listed under #17 in the White Book.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE: Elder Betsy Baer, Chair, reported. The nominees listed in White Book items #18-22 were elected. Commissioners to General Assembly elected: Elders Carleton Bryant and Beryl Smith; William Turner first alternate; and David Sullivan second alternate. Rev. LoisAnn Furgess-Oler and Rev. Aaron Lee; Rev. Sidney Venable first alternate; and Rev. Stella Dempski second alternate.

OLDER ADULT MINISTRIES: Jan McGilliard of the Staff of the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic reported on the International Year of Older Persons.

COUNCIL: Elder Nancy Saarlas reported. Presbytery and extra-commitment contribution goal of $15,000 over five years for the Presbyterian Pastoral Institute in Kenya.

COMMITTEE ON STEWARDSHIP AND MISSION INTERPRETATION: Rev Jim Richards, Chair, reported on plans to achieve the goal of the Presbyterian Pastoral Institute in Kenya.

MEDICAL BENEVOLENCE FOUNDATION: Rev. Dan Force, Director of the Foundation, reported on its support of Presbyterian medical missions.

COMMITTEE ON CHURCH GROWTH AND EVANGELISM: Rev. Terry Schoener, Chair, reported. Presbytery established the Mt.Airy New Church Development as printed in the White Book.

GLOBAL MISSION COMMITTEE: Rev. George Demass, member of the Committee, reported on our ongoing relationship with Dakota Presbytery, including summer mission trips.

COMMITTEE ON YOUTH: Rev. Mark Sandell, Chair, reported. Youth Advisory Delegate elected to General Assembly: Kevin Harbaugh; Abby Beth Kildoff, Alternate.

LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES REFUGEE PROGRAM: Jenna Alic of their staff reported on their ongoing refugee program.

GUATEMALAN PARTNERSHIP: Rev. Jim Richards, Chair, reported on the forthcoming trip to Guatemala.

COMMITTEE ON ADMINISTRATION: Elder Valeria Tocci, Chair reported. Presbytery adopted the Overture to the General Assembly On Recording Overture Votes in GA Minutes.

NEW BUSINESS: The Stated Clerk reported that the Permanent Judicial Commission has elected Rev. Don Lincoln Moderator and Rev. Carl Vom Eigen as Secretary until their replacements are elected.

WORSHIP: The meeting closed with "A Service for Higher Education" led by Marie Cannon, Trinity; Amy Kollar, Harundale; and Bill Biehl, Organist, Kenwood.

ATTENDANCE: Commissioners 45; Ministers 79; Elder Officers 10; YADS 0; Continuing Corresponding Members 1; Visitors 24.

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the Presbytery adjourned with prayer at 4:00 p.m. next to convene for a Stated Meeting at 4:00 p.m. on March 25, 1999, at Cherry Hill Presbyterian Church.

Respectfully Submitted,

B. Dolores Melchior,

Asst. Stated Clerk

ATTEST:

Charles Forbes, Stated Clerk

ATTACHMENTS:

White Book

White Book Addendum

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