Highlights of the Stated Meeting, November 17, 2009

The moderator, Rev. Donald Brown, opened the meeting by prayers for the family and a short tribute to the late Rev. Fred Maier, who passed away on November 15, 2009 at age 94. The Funeral Service will be conducted at Norwood Presbyterian Church on November 28, 11:00 a.m.

The worship service was led by the Rev. Donald Pitches, Chair of The Congregational Support and Resourcing Unit. Members of the unit together with some attendees of the BIG Tent participated in the service. The sermon was entitled “Our Easter Moments”.

The consent agenda was approved.   The different reports are posted on www.palpres.org under the Pre-Pak and the Day-Of.

The Presbytery examined and received three ministers of Word and Sacrament:
- Rev. Dr. Adrian McFarlane, Interim Minister of United Presbyterian Church of Paterson.
- Rev. Hector Seda, who was received and also granted the title of Honorably Retired.
- Rev. Munsung Jung, was received in a validated “non-parish” ministry. Rev. Jung will provide pastoral services to the newly established New Garden Fellowship.

Rev. Michael Carrier of First Presbyterian Church in Ramsey celebrated his retirement amid words of appreciation and recognition by his congregation and that of J.C. Mideast, which he served as Moderator for many years. He was also thanked and recognized for his faithful service in Committee for Ministry.

During the report of the Council re the Structure subgroup Presentation, the Presbytery members were divided into smaller groups to discuss the proposed structure and answer some specific questions. Please follow this link to view the Power Point Presentation. http://www.palpres.org/mediagallery/album.php?aid=7&page=1
The feedback from this time will be compiled and further discussed in upcoming Council and Presbytery meetings.

The proposed budget for 2010 was reviewed and approved.

The audit reports for 2007 and 2008 were received and approved.

The outgoing Chairs of units and committees were thanked and given small tokens of appreciation, including the Moderator of the Presbytery Rev. Donald Brown and the Council Chair, Elder Barkley Calkins.

Mrs. Maha Faragalla was recognized as a Commissioned Lay Professional in her area of service. The Personnel Committee Chair, Elder Richard Jones read the recognition award and the Moderator, Rev. Donald Brown propounded the Constitutional Questions from Book of Order W-4.4003.

CAMEOS:

Elder Jan Holt, on behalf of the Session Records Committee, encouraged congregations to pick up their reviewed minutes from the Presbytery Office. She also announced that The First Presbyterian Church in Tenafly will be leading a trip to New Orleans soon.

Rev. Lilia Ramirez, recognized the work of Joe and Selena Keesecker for the Latino Team and they were given a certificate of appreciation. Rev. Ramirez also asked for computer donations and teachers for ESL.

Elder Barkley Calkins reminded members of the Tenth Annual Humanity Award on November 21, 2009.

Elder Paul Talarico, on behalf of the Mission Communication Unit, reminded congregations to send their stories, of which one will be published in the Mission Yearbook of 2011. Also, the DVD ‘Reaching Out Together” is now available in English for Mission Committees and congregations and will shortly be available in Spanish, Korean, Chinese and Arabic. Request your copy from info@palpres.org.

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.