795th STATED MEETING

OF THE

PRESBYTERY OF BALTIMORE

Hunting Ridge Presbyterian Church Thursday, January 24, 2002

Baltimore, Maryland 1 P.M.

noon The BIG EVENT: a Power Point Promotional Presentation!

Registration and Reading of White Books

1:00 Call to Order William Starke

Roll Call

Introduction of new ministers, elders, and visitors

1:05 Welcome by Host Pastor, Rev. Anita Hendrix

1:10 Report of the Stated Clerk pp 3-5

Approval of Docket (New Business is due to the Stated Clerk by 2:30 pm)

Consent Motion pp 2-3

1:15 Worship

1:45 Committee on Stewardship and Mission Interpretation Joan Berry

1:55 BIG EVENT Committee Harry Holfelder

2:00 Committee on Evangelism and Church Growth Terry Schoener

2:15 Nominating Committee pp 9,10-12 Jim Kirk

2:25 Committee on Representation Steve Tisinger

"Ministry to the Deaf" - Rev. Peggy Johnson

2:45 Committee on Preparation for Ministry pp 7-8 Millie Kreider

3:00 Committee on Ministry pp 6-7 Tom Speers

Retirement of Rev. George G. Toole

3:15 Mission Committee pp 5,13 Ted Durr

3:25 Global Mission Committee Stephanie Spangler

3:35 Committee on Youth Adrienne Knight

3:45 Old Business

See Item 10D under Report of the Stated Clerk

3:55 New Business

4:00 Adjournment

Written Reports: Peace and Justice p 7

Council p 9

The Consent Motion consists of actions not considered to be controversial, nor likely to require explanation or discussion. They will be voted on as one motion made by the Stated Clerk. Members and Commissioners may request the removal of any item from the Consent Motion by contacting the Stated Clerk prior to the meeting or so requesting when the Motion is made. Removed items will be considered at the report time of the agency presenting the motion.

From the Stated Clerk:

1. THAT the Minutes of the 794th Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of Baltimore, November 15, 2001, be approved as appended to this White Book.

2. THAT the Administrative Commission appointed by the Committee on Ministry to ordain Candidate Stephen J. Tisinger to the Ministry of Word and Sacra-ment--consisting of Ministers Terrence Alspaugh, Robert Ferguson, and Terry Martin-Minnich; Elders William Starke (Good Shepherd), Chair, Janet Bradley (Christ Memorial), Susan Storm (Christ Our Anchor), and Margaret Budd (Second); and Corresponding Members Revs. Dellyne Hinton (Catonsville United Methodist), Robert Town (Central Baptist Church, Millville, NJ), Lisa Bandel-Sparks (Bethany United Methodist, Ellicott City), Elder Wayne Skidmore (Christ Memorial), Julie L. Tisinger (Bethany United Methodist), and Sister Mary Philomena (Georgetown Visitation Monastary, Roman Catholic)--be dismissed in that Rev. Tisinger answered the constitutional questions in the affirmative and was duly ordained by the Commission on November 24, 2001, at Christ Memorial Presbyterian Church.

3. THAT the Administrative Commission appointed by the Committee on Ministry to ordain Candidate Nam G. Min to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament and install him as Associate Pastor of the Bethel Presbyterian Church--consisting of Ministers Bruce Barstow, James Cole, George Demass, and Robert Ferguson; Elders William Starke (Good Shepherd), Chair, Mark Hilberg (Bethel), Mildred Kreider (Deer Creek Harmony), Betty McGinnis (First of Annapolis); and Corresponding Members Elders Joan Garvin (Bethel) and Erin Cyphers (Bethel)--be dismissed in that Rev. Min answered the constitutional questions in the affirmative and was duly ordained at the request of and on behalf of the Presbytery of Tropical Florida and installed by the Commission on November 18, 2001.

4. THAT Candidate John Potter, having been nominated by Princeton Theological Seminary, be elected as an Alternate Theological Student Advisory Delegate (TSAD) to the 214th General Assembly (nominations from the floor are not in order, as TSADs may be nominated only by seminaries).

From the Committee on Ministry:

5. THAT, Presbytery terminate the Stated Supply relationship between the Rev. Christa Burns and Mt. Paran Presbyterian Church at her request, and enroll her as a Member-at-Large (seeking a call) effective December 31, 2001.

6. THAT Presbytery enroll the Rev. Tanya Wade as a Member-at-Large (seeking a call) effective December 31, 2001, in that her call to Second English Lutheran Church has ended.

7. THAT Presbytery concurr in the request of the Session of First Presbyterian Church of Howard County and the Revs. T. Webster Brenner, Stephen Mann, and Robert W. Van Ingen that they be Parish Associates.

8. THAT Presbytery validate the ministry of the Rev. Joseph B. Crawford as Pastor of the Elmslie Memorial United Church in the Cayman Islands.

9. THAT Presbytery authorize the Elders of Mt. Paran Presbyterian Church to administer the sacrament of Holy Communion in homes during the period when they are without a temporary or installed pastor.

10. REPORTS

A. Necrology

Elder Sterling A. Johnson, Sr., ordained January 27, 1963 at Grace Presbyterian Church, died on November 7, 2001.

Elder Robert Snyder, ordained June 3, 1984 at First Presbyterian Church of Howard County, died on January 14, 2002.

B. Resignations

Roger Gench, from the Investigating Committee appointed November 15, 2001

Barbara Clark, from the Committee on Ministry

Ted Durr, from the Committee on Mission

C. Communications

The Session of the First Presbyterian Church of Lonaconing has delivered to the Stated Clerk a copy of a Session Resolution which is consistent with the present call for confessing churches and which calls on the Presbytery not to ordain any person not willing to affirm this confession. The full resolution may be read at the Stated Clerk's desk.

D. Old Business

Elder Wayne Ruddock has advised the Stated Clerk of his intention to reintroduce Docket Item 22 from the last meeting. Proposed by the Peace and Justice Committee the item would have rescinded actions of the Presbytery on February 18, 1964, and April 25, 1964, which put the Presbytery on record in favor of an Amendment to the U.S. Constitution to permit prayer and Bible reading in public schools. The Presbytery voted to postpone this item indefinitely at it last meeting, which killed the motion and ended any further consideration at that meeting.

E. Judicial Case

A Decision regarding preliminary matters in the case of the Rev. Ernest R. D. Smart vs. the Presbytery of Baltimore has been rendered by the Permanent Judicial Commission of the General Assembly. They have returned the case to the Synod Permanent Judicial Commission in order to permit testimony regarding the preliminary question of whether the complaint states a claim upon which relief may be granted. No date for a further hearing has been set. A copy of the decision is appended to this White Book and will be entered in the Minutes in accordance with the requirements of the Permanent Judicial Commission Order.

11. THAT the Docket be approved as printed with any changes noted by the Moderator or Stated Clerk.

12. THAT the Consent Motion be adopted.

13. THAT the Presbytery adopt the Proposed Overture printed below. At the last General Assembly a Baltimore Commissioner raised a point of order regarding the application of the GA document "Forming Social Policy." The response of the Stated Clerk is the opinion cited in item 1 of the rationale for this overture. Further correspondence with the Office of the General Assembly has led the Presbytery Stated Clerk to the conclusion that this overture is needed. The Clerk will be joined by other members of the Presbytery in presenting this overture.

On Amending the Manual of the General Assembly to make the General Assembly subject to the document "Forming Social Policy."

The Presbytery of Baltimore respectfully overtures the 214th General Assembly (2002) to amend its Manual such that the General Assembly is subject to the provisions of "Forming Social Policy," specifically:

To amend Standing Rule B-12 by replacing the beginning words "The entities of the General Assembly" with "The General Assembly and its entities" and in the third line replacing the word "making" with "adopting or proposing" so that Standing Rule B-12 reads: "The General Assembly and its entities, including its committees, commissions, and special committees, shall be governed by the document, 'Forming Social Policy' printed in the Manual of the General Assembly, when the General Assembly or an entity is considering adopting or proposing a social witness policy."

To replace the first sentence in Section 1, Definitions, of "Forming Social Policy" so that it reads: "The Social Witness Policy of the General Assembly is stated in the following documents:" [a, b, c, and d are unchanged.]

To replace the first sentence in Section 2, Requirements, of "Forming Social Policy" so that it reads: "All social witness policy documents adopted by the General Assembly or proposed for adoption by the General Assembly must meet the following requirements:" [a-g are unchanged.]

1. During the 213th General Assembly (2001) the Stated Clerk rendered an opinion (in regard to CR 01-29)--and the Moderator so ruled--that the document "Forming Social Policy" applied only to "entities of the General Assembly" and so did not prevent the General Assembly from adopting a social witness policy that did not follow the guidelines and procedures clearly spelled out in "Forming Social Policy."

2. In correspondence with the Constitutional Services Division of the Office of the General Assembly following the 2001 General Assembly, that opinion was reaffirmed; and it was specifically noted that since synods and presbyteries were not "entities of the General Assembly," overtures from synods and presbyteries were not constrained by the requirements of "Forming Social Policy."

3. "Forming Social Policy" is the current embodiment of the rules for making social witness policy; it was adopted by the General Assembly in 1993 under the title of "Report on What and How the Church Makes a Social Policy Witness" [GA Minutes, 1993, pp. 768ff.] That document recommended the adoption of a Standing Rule which is now the document "Forming Social Policy" with only small changes. It goes on to provide a broad theological basis for why the church makes social policy witness. In the discussion of how the church makes social policy witness, it makes it very clear that it is to be a collegial process, involving other governing bodies, the civil authorities, ecumenical partners, and interested persons.

4. For the General Assembly itself not to be bound by the procedures of "Forming Social Policy" is to completely undermine the purposes for which the document was originally adopted and continues to be part of General Assembly procedures.

5. Following the procedures of "Forming Social Policy" has the further value of providing continuity to the body of social policy adopted by General Assemblies, and preventing the precipitous adoption of policy that has not been thoroughly considered. To allow the General Assembly, through the Overture or Commissioner Resolution process, or simply the amendment process within committees or on the floor of the assembly, to ignore "Forming Social Policy" is to make the carefully thought out procedures of that document meaningless.

6. A review of social policy statements adopted by recent assemblies shows that the guidelines of "Forming Social Policy" are often ignored. Most commonly rule 4a is ignored. It states that "A resolution shall clearly identify the policy statement(s) upon which it is based." Not only does such identification insure that the General Assembly is not, through the resolution process (which does not require a study by the Committee on Social Witness Policy and can thus be accomplished by a single General Assembly), subverting or significantly changing a previous major policy statement, but it enhances the resolution by clearly tying it to previous statements on the issue. By not following the accepted guidelines the resolutions of the General Assembly are weaker and less meaningful.

7. It is granted that there are times when it is important for a General Assembly to have the power to bypass established procedures to respond to changes in society. Generally, such changes are met by adopting a resolution which explicates how existing social policy applies to new circumstances. From time to time it will be important for the General Assembly to adopt new policy in a time period shorter than that envisioned by "Forming Social Policy." Robert's Rules of Order provides a means for this through the suspension of standing rules, requiring a two-thirds vote. Thus, agreeing that "Forming Social Policy" should apply to the General Assembly does not prevent the assembly from making a timely response in an emergency.

8. Requiring that all social policy statements adopted by a General Assembly conform to "Forming Social Policy" will insure that the carefully crafted procedures, deliberate process, and theological consideration required to achieve wise social policy will be consistently followed.

COMMITTEE ON MISSION

14. REPORTS that it has invited churches of the Presbytery to submit Requests For Proposals For One-Time Grants according to the guidelines printed on page 13.

15. REPORTS

A. The Committee has appointed the following Session Moderators:

Hamilton: Len Hornick

Lochearn: Charles Gyle

B. The Committee introduces the Rev. Marie Sheldon whose call to Harundale Presbyterian Church was approved at the last meeting. A brief biography follows:

The Rev. Marie Sheldon, a native of Chicago, has transferred here from the Presbytery of Genesee Valley where she served as a solo pastor for ten years. Previously, she served as an interim associate pastor in Hudson River Presbytery. Marie received her M.Div. from New Brunswick Theological Seminary in New Jersey, her S.T.M. in Biblical Studies from Union Theological Seminary in New York, and her D.Min. in Church Revitalization from McCormick Theological Seminary. At the Harundale Church, Marie is the Associate Pastor for Christian Education with responsibility for educational programming for children, youth, and adults. A former professional singer, Marie is enjoying opportunities to sing with Harundale's fine choir. She likes to organize group travel events and dotes on her two red toy poodles Andrew and Monica.

C. The Committee concurred in the request of the Session of Frostburg Presbyterian Church to hire the Rev. Jean E. Martin as their Interim Pastor, effective January 2, 2002; appointed her moderator of Session; and, acting on behalf of the Presbytery, requested her transfer from Sierra Blanca Presbytery.

The Rev. Jean E. Martin transfers from the Presbytery of Sierra Blanca where she served as Pastor of Santa Teresa Presbyterian Church, a small church located 6 miles north of the Mexican border. Jean and her husband Max Martin have also enjoyed lay ministry to and with two Native American Presbyterian churches (Leupp First and Indian Wells) located on the Navajo Reservation within the bounds of the Presbytery of Grand Canyon.

D. The Committee concurred in the request of the Session of Ashland Presbyterian Church to hire the Rev. Sandra M. Rushing as their Interim Pastor, effective January 15, 2002; appointed her moderator of Session; and, acting on behalf of the Presbytery, requested her transfer from National Capitol Presbytery.

E. The Committee, acting on behalf of the Presbytery, concurred in the request of the Rev. John L. Sanderford and the Congregation of Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church that the pastoral relationship be dissolved, effective December 2, 2001, and that Rev. Sanderford's membership be transferred to the Presbytery of the James, effective upon receipt of their request for his transfer, so that he can serve as Director of the Building Goodness Foundation in Charlottesville, VA.

16. THAT Presbytery concur in the request of the Rev. George Gray Toole and the Congregation of Towson Presbyterian Church that the pastoral relationship be dissolved effective February 3, 2002, so that the Rev. Toole may retire, and that Rev. Toole be honorably retired effective that date.

17. REPORTS that its members have shared various experiences which have heightened their awareness of the armed conflict going on in Columbia in South American. The Committee commends to members of the Presbytery and its churches the following Witness for Peace Delegation co-sponsored by the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship and the Witherspoon Society:

The Impact of U.S.Aid in Colombia

A Witness for Peace Delegation to Colombia

March 1-13, 2002

Colombia has endured almost four decades of brutal armed conflict between the national army, leftist guerrilla movements, and right-wing paramilitary forces. Overwhelmingly, thevictims of this conflict have been civilians - primarily community and church leaders, human rights workers, and local labor organizers. Into this situation, the U.S. Congress has approved over $1.3 in mostly military aid - ostensibly to fight the "war on drugs."

The Witness for Peace Delegation will meet with a wide range of experts to hear analyses of the impact of U.S. policy in Colombia; hear personal testimoies from displace people and others directly affted by the conflict; travel outside Bogota to see the impact of military assistance on farmers and other civilians; meet with Presbyterians and other faith communities to hear their stories about the effects of U.S. policy on civilians; and gather tools and skills needed to educate and influence U.S. policy makers.

Participants in this Delegation are still being sought. Applications are due on February 1, 2002, with a $100 deposit. The cost is $1,400 plus airfare. Included are all meals, accommodations, facilitation, translation, in-country ground and air transportation, and briefing materials and extensive training in Miami. Scholarship funds are limited; the Peace and Justice Committee will provide partial support. Obtain an application and further information from Betty Kersting at 505-982-4548 or sfkerst@rt66.com.

18. THAT Candidate Carol Ellen Davis (First and Franklin Street) be examined for ordination in accordance with Standing Rule VIII-13.1. A brief biography and her Statement of Faith follow:

Carol is a graduate of Lancaster Theological Seminary and has successfully complete her ordination examinations. She is a graduate of Towson University where she majored in communications and vocal music. Carol is the mother of three grown sons and has three grandchildren. She is interested in serving as a pastor of a small church or as an associate pastor ministering to families.

Carol Ellen Davis

I believe in One Eternal God whose glory is made manifest in all things visible and invisible, the Sovereign Loving Spirit who created all things in the heavens and the earth. Human life God created equally blessed with freedom, reason and righteousness to be in relationship with God, with each other, and in communion with creation. To this Creator alone I belong, sing my praises, give thanks, and pledge my faith. The One Living God upon whose promises we may depend and we are assured, though we turn away and claim mastery of our own lives. The same One who was made flesh in Christ Jesus lived, taught and died among us and provides us saving grace. Through such a Holy One are we called to a covenant of grace and restored unto life. God is the Divine Love that continually seeks us out, communes with us, nourishes and comforts us, encourages, guides and disciplines us, protects us, loves us.

I believe in Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, Emmanuel, God-with-us who comes as teacher, healer, friend and lover of our souls. In Jesus God reveals the mystery of God's self: the teacher and shepherd of peace and reconciliation, the healer who brings life through faith, the power of love in the sacrificial servant, the one who knows only a life of justice and righteousness, yet the stranger who gives his life for us. Who, by his life, death and resurrection we are continually nourished, healed, delivered from death and set aright to God and life. Jesus is Lord and Savior for in him we can know the true and perfect image of the human being, recognize how we have failed, and know that God's love never fails us. Jesus lifts the veil that separates us from God, revealing Truth and Love, encouraging us to respond in faith. He knows our heart, judges our response, and calls us to be disciples in the way of loving God and neighbor. So are we called to bear witness to God among us, to choose again, and again the way of life through this saving power and grace.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Life-Giving Breath Spirit of God among us, for us, with us, who empowers us to right response, strengthens and justifies us by grace through faith, gives us courage, prepares and sanctifies us, and binds us together with all believers in the community of Christ, called the Church. This same Spirit makes us alive to the presence of God in Scripture and Sacraments; calls upon us to discern God's will in our lives, to serve Christ as we bear witness to our faith, to pray without ceasing, to question authorities and presumed powers, to listen to our brothers and sisters cries, to act with grace and mercy and work for peace and justice, to love one another.

Scripture is the Word of God for us and with us. Both the Old and the New Testament we interpret in the light of Jesus' life and work and bear witness to our faith history. Thus are we called to life in the way of Christ, dependent upon the Spirit's illuminating presence to discern the word and the will of God for us who strive to follow the Way in a changing world and a particular culture.

The Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper are visible signs and seals of invisible grace. In Baptism, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are cleansed; freed from captivity to sin and death we are blessed to lead holy lives bound to the life of Christ in the church community. In the partaking of the Lord's Supper we proclaim the presence of Christ among us. Giving thanks and praise we share the meal of bread and cup and recall the life and sacrificial death of Christ. As we are nourished, made one in faith through him, Jesus claims us as his own.

The Church is a community of people united as followers in Christ's way, a living, breathing, diverse organism seeking to live, serve and proclaim the gospel by word and deed. Gathered in worship, fellowship and service we praise God, and share the message of joy and salvation, love and reconciliation. We bear witness to God's transforming power and grace by sharing labor and goods, reaching out to strangers and those in need, spending time in fellowship with others, and celebrating the promise of God's peace and justice for all God's creation. We await with anticipation the coming of the Kingdom of God on earth.

19. NOMINATES

to Committee on Mission: Sally-Lyn Duff (E,F), Brown Mem'l Woodbrook, as Chair

to Church Enhancement Committee, 2002: Doug Madden (C,M)

to Committee on Representation: Roy Knight (E,M), Knox, as Chair

20. NOMINATES the following Ministers and Elders as Commissioners to the PCUSA 214th General Assembly in Columbus, Ohio, in June, 2002. (Biographies on pages 10-12)

Ministers: John Fregger, Anita Hendrix, Keith Paige, Mark Sandell

Elders: Phyllis DeSmit, Alfreda Gill, John Ginovsky, Jenifer Rucker

21. REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

On December 12, 2001, the Executive Committee, acting on behalf of the Presbytery, granted permission to the First Presbyterian Church of Annapolis to encumber property now owned or to be purchased by the church through a mortgage or mortgages in the amounts of $650,000 and $350,000 or collectively $1,000,000. It is anticipated that a mortgage in the amount of $650,000 will be used to purchase the property at 138 Conduit Street in Annapolis, and that a church construction loan in the amount of $350,000 will be secured by a mortgage on the church property at 144 Conduit Street in Annapolis. However, the permission includes the authority to alter loan particulars such that any property owned by the church in Annapolis may secure either or both of the loans herein approved, the total not to exceed $1,000,000.

22. REPORTS

A. Council responded to the invitation from the Synod Review Task Force (on which the Presbytery is represented by George Farmer and Jamie Dale) to attend a report meeting to be held at the office of National Capital Presbytery on February 7 by requesting the following persons to attend: Bill Starke, George Demass, Peg Ferguson, Howard Jackson, Phil Sorensen, and Charles Forbes.

B. Council voted that the Scholarship Committee required by the Robert F. and Rosa M. Ferguson Student Scholarship Fund be a special committee of the Council appointed jointly by the Chair of Council and the Executive Presbyter, in consultation with the donors. The Scholarship is open to academically qualified students from churches of this Presbytery who demonstrate financial need and will attend a Presbyterian college or university. Applications may be obtained from the office.

C. Council nominated the Rev. Sue Lowcock Harris to the Synod Campus Ministry Committee.

D. Council appointed Florence Henderson as Chair of the Budget Committee for the 2003 Budget and elected Rev. Bill Hathaway to this Committee, Class of 2004.