Summary and Highlights of Stated Meeting, June 16, 2009
The meeting was hosted at First Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood. The welcome and host committee lead by Rev. Bert Watkins did a wonderful job in organizing the event and making every member warmly welcome.
The worship service was prepared and lead by the Committee of Preparation for Ministry. Mr. Andrew Roughgarden, a member of West Side Presbyterian Church of Ridgewood, gave a sermon entitled "The Inner Eye." Other participants in the service were: Revs. Steven McClelland, William Chapman, Richard Hong, Samuel Stone and Elders Lincoln Stulik and Sophie Corporan. During the worship, the late Rev. Barbara Worthington was warmly remembered by numerous colleagues for her excellence as a Presbytery Leader, pastoral care, listening friend and mentor. The family will be kept in our prayers.
The Rev. Philip Gehman, Regional Representative, conducted a Pre-Presbytery Q & A time to answer questions about the Board of Pensions. He was also available during dinner to hear any other concerns or questions.
The Presbyters Leadership Team, (Connectional, Multicultural, and Transformational), presented summaries about their work during the current year.
Minister members who wish to attend the Mini-Clergy Retreat, June 30, 10:00 a.m. at Hackensack Presbyterian Church were invited to complete a response form, also posted on the website www.palpres.org under the 'Forms' menu.
The Business and Communications Administrative Professional title was officially changed and approved by Presbytery according to a recommendation from Personnel Committee. The “Office Communiqué,” was submitted to the Presbytery among the other written reports of the Stated Clerk, Council, Committee on Preparation for Ministry, Nominating Committee, Audit Committee, Committee On Ministry, and Session Records, which are all posted on the website.
The distribution of the Military Appreciation packages was very well received and there were more people willing to contribute than the number of kits available. Elder Barkley Calkins, gave a heartfelt thanks and offered a moving prayer for our military personnel.
The congregations were recognized by receiving “Blue Star” Certificates.
The Presbytery recognized those who completed 5,10, 15, 25, 30, 35, 40,45 and 55 years of dedicated service, by presenting small tokens of appreciation.
The Presbytery also approved among other items the following:
- Formation of one Administrative Commission for the dissolution of two Korean congregations (New Garden and Oasis)
- Formation of an Administrative Commission for carrying out all matters relating to the dissolution of First Presbyterian Church of Garfield, and allocating $15,000.00 for their initial expenditure needs.
At the latter part of the meeting the Presbytery convened in an Executive Session to discuss and vote on some important Committee on Ministry matters.
CAMEOS:
Rev. Donald Pitches encouraged members to read the book entitled “I refuse to lead a dying Church” by Paul Nixon, as it’s a good book in the face of reality plus some practical helpful suggestions.
Rev. Bill Chapman invited members of the Presbytery to join his new blog presbywonk.com.
Rev. David Baer informed the Presbytery that the Allendale Clergy Association formed a career development group called “Opening Doors” which provides excellent opportunities for networking and job hunting to those who are suffering job losses in these hard times. For more details visit www.highlandschurch.net.
Rev. Sam Stone announced that the Palisades will be visited by a Missionary Couple from Taiwan, as part of the Mission Challenge 2009. The visit will be from October 2-9, 2009. The congregations wishing to invite them may visit the website for more details or contact sam@trinityfamily.org, OR maha@palpres.org.
Mrs. Maha Faragalla encouraged members to complete a quick survey about the website in order for the communications team to be able to provide the needed content. To complete the survey visit www.palpres.org under ‘Forms’. She also asked congregations to contribute their mission and ministry stories to be posted on the website. Stories may be submitted to maha@palpres.org OR sam@trinityfamily.org.
Elder Paul Talarico shared that First Ramsey are celebrating, during 2009, their 185th anniversary as a church and their 100th year anniversary as a Presbyterian congregation.
Rev. Melodee Bottari shared that a group of five youth, form Pompton Valley Presbyterian Church, and three adult volunteers including herself, will be going on a mission trip on July 19-25, to Hedgesville, W.Virginia.
Elder Ramzi Eliya from First Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood, said that as working with Compassion International the one millionth child has been recently sponsored.
Rev. Jeffrey Leininger representing the Pensions & Benefits committee encouraged congregations, who have unpaid Shared Pool dues to please fulfill their covenantal agreement as soon as possible.
The motion to adjourn was moved and seconded.
The meeting was concluded with prayer and thanks to the hosting Church for a well done and wonderful job.
The worship service was prepared and lead by the Committee of Preparation for Ministry. Mr. Andrew Roughgarden, a member of West Side Presbyterian Church of Ridgewood, gave a sermon entitled "The Inner Eye." Other participants in the service were: Revs. Steven McClelland, William Chapman, Richard Hong, Samuel Stone and Elders Lincoln Stulik and Sophie Corporan. During the worship, the late Rev. Barbara Worthington was warmly remembered by numerous colleagues for her excellence as a Presbytery Leader, pastoral care, listening friend and mentor. The family will be kept in our prayers.
The Rev. Philip Gehman, Regional Representative, conducted a Pre-Presbytery Q & A time to answer questions about the Board of Pensions. He was also available during dinner to hear any other concerns or questions.
The Presbyters Leadership Team, (Connectional, Multicultural, and Transformational), presented summaries about their work during the current year.
Minister members who wish to attend the Mini-Clergy Retreat, June 30, 10:00 a.m. at Hackensack Presbyterian Church were invited to complete a response form, also posted on the website www.palpres.org under the 'Forms' menu.
The Business and Communications Administrative Professional title was officially changed and approved by Presbytery according to a recommendation from Personnel Committee. The “Office Communiqué,” was submitted to the Presbytery among the other written reports of the Stated Clerk, Council, Committee on Preparation for Ministry, Nominating Committee, Audit Committee, Committee On Ministry, and Session Records, which are all posted on the website.
The distribution of the Military Appreciation packages was very well received and there were more people willing to contribute than the number of kits available. Elder Barkley Calkins, gave a heartfelt thanks and offered a moving prayer for our military personnel.
The congregations were recognized by receiving “Blue Star” Certificates.
The Presbytery recognized those who completed 5,10, 15, 25, 30, 35, 40,45 and 55 years of dedicated service, by presenting small tokens of appreciation.
The Presbytery also approved among other items the following:
- Formation of one Administrative Commission for the dissolution of two Korean congregations (New Garden and Oasis)
- Formation of an Administrative Commission for carrying out all matters relating to the dissolution of First Presbyterian Church of Garfield, and allocating $15,000.00 for their initial expenditure needs.
At the latter part of the meeting the Presbytery convened in an Executive Session to discuss and vote on some important Committee on Ministry matters.
CAMEOS:
Rev. Donald Pitches encouraged members to read the book entitled “I refuse to lead a dying Church” by Paul Nixon, as it’s a good book in the face of reality plus some practical helpful suggestions.
Rev. Bill Chapman invited members of the Presbytery to join his new blog presbywonk.com.
Rev. David Baer informed the Presbytery that the Allendale Clergy Association formed a career development group called “Opening Doors” which provides excellent opportunities for networking and job hunting to those who are suffering job losses in these hard times. For more details visit www.highlandschurch.net.
Rev. Sam Stone announced that the Palisades will be visited by a Missionary Couple from Taiwan, as part of the Mission Challenge 2009. The visit will be from October 2-9, 2009. The congregations wishing to invite them may visit the website for more details or contact sam@trinityfamily.org, OR maha@palpres.org.
Mrs. Maha Faragalla encouraged members to complete a quick survey about the website in order for the communications team to be able to provide the needed content. To complete the survey visit www.palpres.org under ‘Forms’. She also asked congregations to contribute their mission and ministry stories to be posted on the website. Stories may be submitted to maha@palpres.org OR sam@trinityfamily.org.
Elder Paul Talarico shared that First Ramsey are celebrating, during 2009, their 185th anniversary as a church and their 100th year anniversary as a Presbyterian congregation.
Rev. Melodee Bottari shared that a group of five youth, form Pompton Valley Presbyterian Church, and three adult volunteers including herself, will be going on a mission trip on July 19-25, to Hedgesville, W.Virginia.
Elder Ramzi Eliya from First Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood, said that as working with Compassion International the one millionth child has been recently sponsored.
Rev. Jeffrey Leininger representing the Pensions & Benefits committee encouraged congregations, who have unpaid Shared Pool dues to please fulfill their covenantal agreement as soon as possible.
The motion to adjourn was moved and seconded.
The meeting was concluded with prayer and thanks to the hosting Church for a well done and wonderful job.
THE NEXT STATED MEETING OF THE PRESBYTERY
WILL BE HELD ON
TUESDAY, September 15, 2009
AT THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
In North Haledon
WILL BE HELD ON
TUESDAY, September 15, 2009
AT THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
In North Haledon
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