Central Presbyterian Church Thursday, March 23, 2000

Baltimore, Maryland 4:00 p.m.

3:00 Registration and Reading Time for White Books

Mission Partner Displays: Project PLASE and Korean Older Adults

4:00 Call to Order and Opening Prayer

4:05 Worship, Rev. Herbert D. Valentine, Preaching

4:50 Welcome by Host Pastor, the Rev. Ronald Scates; Roll Call (by enrollment sheets);

Introduction of New Pastors and Elders

5:00 SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT THE PARK WITH HERB

5:05 Report of the Stated Clerk (Page 2) Charles Forbes

Motion to approve the docket (Submit New Business to the Stated Clerk by 6:15 p.m.)

Consent Motion (Page 2)

5:10 Church Growth and Evangelism (Page 3) Aaron Lee

5:25 Stewardship and Mission Interpretation Joan Berry

5:30 Global Mission Pat Byerly

5:45 Committee on Youth (Page 4) Mark Sandell

5:50 Mission (Page 5) Steve Shussett

6:00 Dinner Break

7:00 Council (Page 5, 8) Jim Kirk

Govans Ecumenical Development Corporation (GEDCO) Jack Sharp and GEDCO Staff

7:30 Nominating (Page 7) Cherry Marshall

7:35 Synod Men's Conference David Hodge

7:40 Presbyterian Homes and Family Services (Virginia) Robert Bishop

7:45 Wills Emphasis Program Tom Page

7:55 Peace and Justice (Page 7) Bill Turner

8:05 Preparation for Ministry (Page 7) Bob Ferguson

8:25 Ministry (Page 8) Bruce Barstow

8:30 Administration (Page 8)

8:35 New Business

8:40 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 784th Stated Meeting of the Presbytery, February 3, 2000, be approved as appended to this White Book.

from the Committee on Ministry

2. THAT the ministry of LoisAnn Furgess-Oler as Interim Pastor of St. Matthew's United Church of Christ, Westminster, MD, be validated.

3. THAT the Presbytery request the transfer of the Rev. Christian Matthews, Interim Pastor at Second Presbyterian Church, from the Presbytery of Maumee Valley.

4. THAT the Presbytery validate the ministry of the Rev. Sue Lowcock Harris as Coordinator of Higher Education Ministries for the Synod of the Trinity, the Synod having so requested.

5. REPORTS

A. Necrology

Elder Sam Tilghman, Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, ordained January 23, 1972, died March 11, 1996.

Elder Paul Frossel, Catonsville Presbyterian Church, ordained January 26, 1966, by Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, died May 2, 1998.

Elder Warren Pfoutz, Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, ordained March 8, 1998, died August 3, 1998.

Elder Abdella J. Campbell, Grace Presbyterian Church, ordained January 28, 1968, died November 25, 1999.

Elder Ellihum Quintin Norris, Trinity Presbyterian Church, ordained in February, 1973, died February 6, 2000.

B. Resignations

Carl vom Eigen from the Global Mission Committee

C. Correspondence

Letter from Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys, regarding the Medicare supplemental benefits under the BOP Benefits Plan. Referred to the Committee on Ministry.

The GA Advisory Committee on Churchwide Compensation has distributed copies of the Churchwide Compensation Guidelines adopted by the 1999 General Assembly. Copies are available on the Registration Table.

The Presbytery of San Diego has sent a letter to the Stated Clerk, Director and Chair of the GAC, and Presbytery Stated Clerks opposing the use of PCUSA funds to provide additional funding for the National Council of Churches.

D. Presbytery Minutes

The 1999 Minutes of the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic have been received. They record the following in regard to the 1998 minutes of the Presbytery of Baltimore:

"That the minutes of the Presbytery of Baltimore be approved with one exception.

--No record of statistical report to General Assembly.

The minutes were very well done."

The Stated Clerk notes that there is no requirement that there be a "record of statistical report to the General Assembly."

6. 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 Urbana area as having high potential for a New Church Development, and

Whereas the Committee has established a Urbana 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 Urbana area for the establishment of a New Church Development of the Presbytery;

THAT the Presbytery designate the Urbana 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 Urbana 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 Urbana New Church Development be chartered as a particular congregation of the Presbytery of Baltimore.

7. REPORTS:

A. The Senior High Retreat, "To Be Determined," was March 3-5 at Camp Wometo. The even was well attended. Susan Lein from the Presbyterian School of Christian Education was the keynote speaker.

B. Connection 2000 rally for Baltimore Presbytery: The date has been changed to May 20 beginning at 9:00 a.m. at Catonsville Presbyterian Church. At this rally, we will do some business, choose four youth delegates to Connection 2000 in College Park, have energizers, and meet some youth from other churches. More details will arrive in the mail.

C. Chesapeake Center Work Camp for youth groups will be Friday and Saturday, July 7 and 8. The cost will be $ 20.00 per person. Churches register as a group. There must be one adult for every five youth.

8. NOMINATES:

Youth Advisory Delegate to Synod, 2000:

Principal: Dwane Jamison, St. Andrew

Alternate: Marilynne Pabst, First of Howard County

9. REPORTS

A. Two of the Presbytery's mission partners, Martha McLaughlin from PROJECT PLASE (People Lacking Ample Shelter and Employment) and Rev. Chang Ho Kim from KOREAN OLDER ADULT PROGRAM, will be introduced. Their informational exhibits will be on display at this meeting.

B. A request for the assistance of volunteers and for donations of food and cleaning supplies has been received from mission partner Patrick Allison House at 210 West Madison Street. Call 410-255-0326 for more information or to volunteer.

C. Flex Grant funding (one-time, short term, "seed" money) is still available for the year 2000. Call Julie Helms at the Presbytery Office (410-433-2012) for application information. In 1999, Flex Grants were given to FIRN (Foreign Born Information and Referral Network); First Church of Annapolis Refugee Family; Woodberry Crossing Summer Day Camp; Harford County Lyme Disease Support Group; Hunting Ridge Church Before & After School Care Program; Light Street Church Growth Project.

D. Congregations are encouraged to pray for all of the Presbytery's mission partners. A "Prayer List" was mailed to each church in January. Call the Presbytery Office for a copy if necessary. (For example, United Campus Ministry at Frostburg State University is listed for March 26, 2000.)

10. REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

On February 28, 2000, the Executive Committee met by telephone (all members were called, responding were Fred Spigler, Charles Forbes, Peg Ferguson, and Valeria Tocci) and by vote of 4-0 adopted the following resolution:

Resolved, that the Presbytery of Baltimore has reviewed the loan application of the First Presbyterian Church of Howard County, a particular church of the Presbytery of Baltimore, and approves said application, and guarantees repayment of principal and interest to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Investment and Loan Program, Inc. in the amount of nine hundred thousand dollars ($900,000.00).

11. REPORTS

A. Appointments:

Synod Review Task Force: George Farmer (E,M) Granite, to replace Alice Read.

Synod Racial Ethnic Student Ministries Com: James McCree, (E,M,R/E) Cherry Hill

B. Kiev Symphony Orchestra Chorus: Council agreed to the request of Second Presbyterian Church that the Presbytery Co-Sponsor a concert at Second of the Kiev Symphony Orchestra Chorus (at a cost not to exceed $1,000).

C. Office Personnel Manual: On recommendation of its Personnel Committee, Council adopted the March 2000 draft version of the Office Personnel Manual.

D. Council received a presentation from Govans Ecumenical Development Corporation regarding Stadium Place, and invited GEDCO to make the same presentation to Presbytery at this meeting. Council voted to endorse the proposal.

12. THAT, in regard to the GEDCO Loan Fund Proposal:

A. Presbytery endorse it and recommend it to our congregations; and

B. Presbytery make available $400,000 to the Stadium Place Loan Fund provided that the funds be made available on a schedule determined by the Trustees to be feasible.

13. THAT, on recommendation of the Native American Task Force of the Peace and Justice Committee, Presbytery adopt the following Overture:

On Adopting the Recommendations of the GA Special Task Force on Native American Ministries--from the Presbytery of Baltimore.

The Presbytery of Baltimore overtures the 2000 General Assembly to adopt the recommendations of its General Assembly Special Task Force on Native American Ministries, as proposed in the report of the Task Force, entitled "Comprehensive Strategy for Ministries with Native Americans."

1. The Native American Task Force of the Peace and Justice Committee of the Presbytery has reviewed this report and its recommendations and finds them consistent with their own experience in Native American ministry, and commends this report to the entire church, and supports the recommendation contained therein.

2. Churches of Baltimore Presbytery have undertaken mission/study trips to churches of Dakota Presbytery. These contacts have led the two presbyteries to explore the possibility of a partnership relationship between them. Baltimore Presbytery finds the information and guidance contained in the GA Task Force report to be consistent with our experiences and believes that this guidance from the General Assembly will be helpful and supportive as we continue the exploration of a partnership relationship with Dakota Presbytery.

[This recommendation comes from Council rather than the Peace and Justice Committee because the time of the release of the report and committee meeting schedules made it impossible to bring it from the Peace and Justice Committee.]

14. NOMINATES

to the Committee on Mission, Class of 2002: Daris Bultena (C,M)

to the Committee on Nurture, Class of 2002: Claire Cole (E,F) Catonsville

15. NOMINATES the following as Commissioners to the Annual Synod Meeting, Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, VA, July 20-22, 2000:

Elder Commissioners: Pat Aaserude (E,F) First of Bel Air

George Farmer (E,M) Granite

Minister Commissioners: James Cole (C,M)

Jamie Dale (C,M)

16. REPORTS

A bus trip to the Mall in Washington, DC, is scheduled for Sunday, April 9, to join in the Jubilee 2000 National Mobilization for Debt Cancellation. All are invited to participate in a massive public witness and be part of a human chain symbolizing the chains of debt which burden the world's poorest countries. Board the bus at Catonsville Presbyterian Church at 10:45 a.m. and return at 5:30 p.m. (Park your car at Hillcrest Elementary School next door to the Church.) The bus's capacity is 47 persons; cost is $2.00 per person. To reserve a seat, call the Presbytery Office at 410-433-2012 during weekdays and Jeanne Ruddock at 410-592-2906 during weekends. Deadline for reservations is April 5. Pick up a flyer with additional information and directions at the registration table.

17. THAT Baltimore Presbytery join with National Capital Presbytery in endorsing the Million Mom March, Mothers Day 2000, in support of Sensible Gun Control Laws. [See page 10] In endorsing the March the Presbytery agrees to publicize the event, make a financial contribution if possible [Peace and Justice will do this from their budget, if adopted], and encourage other organizations [our congregations] to endorse the march.

18. THAT Inquirer Heather N. Gordon, of Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church, be examined regarding her sense of call to the ministry, and, if sustained, be enrolled as a Candidate for the Ministry of Word and Sacrament.

16. A. THAT Stephen J. Tisinger, presently an Inquirer in National Capital Presbytery, having transferred his membership to Christ Memorial Presbyterian Church, be transferred as an Inquirer to Baltimore Presbytery.

B. THAT Inquirer Stephen J. Tisinger be examined regarding his sense of call to the ministry, and, if sustained, be enrolled as a Candidate for the Ministry of Word and Sacrament.

19. THAT the Rev. Ronald Scates be dismissed to Grace Presbytery so that he may accept the call of the Highland Park Presbyterian Church, Dallas, Texas, to be their pastor, effective May 1, 2000.

20. THAT the Presbytery accept the report of That All May Freely Serve: Baltimore, Inc. (See page 11)

21. THAT Presbytery adopt the following Overture:

On Amending the Standing Rules of the General Assembly to provide for rationale for and concurrences to Overtures--From the Presbytery of Baltimore.

The Presbytery of Baltimore overtures the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to amend Standing Rules of the General Assembly as follows:

Rule B, Section 5.c.(1): Add to the list contained therein a fourth item to wit:

"Draft the overture in the following form: 'The Presbytery of overtures the General Assembly of the PC(USA) to [state the specific action the General Assembly is asked to take].' To this shall be appended a Rationale, stating the reasons for submitting the overture."

Rule B, Section 5.d.(2), the 3rd paragraph: Insert "(excluding the rationale)" following the word "proposed"; and add the following sentences: "A presbytery or synod concurring with an overture may submit additional rationale for its action, provided that it does not duplicate the rationale provided by the overturing body. The concurrence and any additional rationale will be printed with the original overture in the Reports to the General Assembly."; so that the third paragraph reads:

"In the event the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly receives an overture similar to one already proposed (excluding the rationale), she or he shall inquire of the presbytery or synod in question whether it would be willing to concur with the existing overture or desires to withdraw the overture. A presbytery or synod concurring with an overture may submit additional rationale for its action, provided that it does not duplicate the rationale provided by the overturing body. The concurrence and any additional rationale will be printed with the original overture in the Reports to the General Assembly."

1. This clarifies the format of an overture, particularly with regard to the current procedure to omit preambles and append rationales.

2. This clarifies the procedure for concurring with Overtures, specifying that the concurrence does not extend to the rationale.

3. This provides a means for a concurring body to state its own rationale. As presently written, the rules would require a new overture in order to state additional rationale.

4. Finally, this recognizes that often rationale is explanatory of the history of an action within a particular presbytery or synod, and it would be meaningless for another body to concur with such rationale, even though desiring to concur with the overture.

The Bratislava Conservatory Choir from Slovakia will perform at Govans Presbyterian Church, 5828 York Road, Baltimore, on Friday, March 31, at 7 pm. Well known throughout Europe, they also performed at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. No admission charge; a free-will offering will be taken. Following the concert, the church will serve a spaghetti dinner; bring a salad or dessert to share. RSVP to the dinner: 410-435-9188.

GOOD GRIEF! Robert L. Short, ordained minister and author of THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO PEANUTS, will make an entertaining presentation on the theological implications of Peanuts at Havenwood Presbyterian Church on April 2, at 7:30 pm. Everyone is invited!

CHOIR DIRECTOR Springfield Presbyterian Church. Duties include Wednesday evening rehearsals, Sunday morning rehearsals, Sunday worship. September through mid-June. Some special services (Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday) also required. Call or write the church at 7314 Spout Hill road, Sykesville, MD 21784, 410-795-6152.

SEEKING PART-TIME YOUTH DIRECTOR Brown Memorial Park Avenue Presbyterian Church

1316 Park Avenue

Baltimore, MD 21217

Help with a youth program that is shared with Govans Presbyterian Church. 4-5 hours per week. $200 per month. Call Roger Gench at 410-523-1542, extension 13.

Mar 23 Presbytery Meeting, Central PC, 4 p

Mar 25 Clerk-Of-Session Meeting, Hancock PC, 10 a - noon

Apr 2 Robert L. Short, author of THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO PEANUTS, at Havenwood PC, 7:30 p

Apr 8 Rotation Model Seminar for Teachers/Educators, Roland Park PC, 9 a - 1:30 p

Apr 9 Bus trip to Washington, DC to support Jubilee 2000 (sponsored by the Peace and Justice Committee; see page 7)

Apr 15 Presbyterian Women Spring Gathering, First of Bel Air

Apr 27 Presbytery Meeting, Chesapeake Center, 1 p

Apr 29 Clerk-Of-Session Meeting, Havenwood PC, 10 a - noon

May 18-22 GA PJC will meet in Baltimore

May 20 Connection 2000 rally, Catonsville PC, 9 a

June 15 Presbytery Meeting, Grove PC, 4 p

June 24-July 1 212th General Assembly, PCUSA, Long Beach, CA

July 6-9 Presbyterian Women Summer Gathering (Synod), Montreat, NC

July 7-8 Youth Work Camp at Chesapeake Center

July 15-19 Churchwide Presbyterian Women Gathering, Louisville. KY

July 20-22 Annual Synod Meeting, Union Theological Seminary, VA