CALL TO THE STATED MEETING of the PRESBYTERY OF WESTERN NEW YORK TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2018

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1 CALL TO THE STATED MEETING of the PRESBYTERY OF WESTERN NEW YORK TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, :00-3:30PM INFORMATIONAL MEETING RE: PUERTO RICO TRIPS 3:30PM REGISTRATION 4:00PM MEETING CONVENES At First Presbyterian Church 9 Paine St. East Aurora, NY Points of Interest: 2nd Reading and vote of Unicameral Board for Presbytery 1 st Reading of the Proposed Budget 1 st Reading of By Law Revision Mission Trips to Puerto Rico Directions From Route 400: Exit at Maple Rd. Turn right at end of exit ramp. Follow Maple Rd. into town, where it will end at Main St. (traffic light). Turn left onto Main St. Pass Walnut, Grove and Park Place on the right. Pass West Herr Auto Group on the right next driveway goes into the church. From Orchard Park/Hamburg: Take Route 20A east (Quaker Rd. out of Orchard Park) to the circle in East Aurora. Bear right onto Main St. Pass six streets on the right. Look for West Herr Auto Group. Church driveway is just past West Herr. From south Olean Rd/Route 16: Follow Route 16 to Main St. traffic light. Turn left. Proceed under underpass; Paine St. is the next street on the left. Go beyond the church on that corner to the driveway and parking lot, just before West Herr Auto Group on the left. From east: Straight into East Aurora on 2OA: Go under underpass. Follow directions from south. Child Care: In order that the church will know how many children to plan for, any member of Presbytery needing child care during the meeting should call the church at no later than October 18, Light Meal: A light meal will be served at a cost of $5.00 per person. Please Note: If you are a minister member and unable to attend this meeting, please call Jan at the office at or her at JanT@pbywny.org. 1

2 PROPOSED DOCKET STATED MEETING OF THE PRESBYTERY OF WESTERN NEW YORK Hosted by First Presbyterian Church East Aurora, New York Tuesday October 23, :00-3:30pm 3:30-4:00pm Informational meeting re: Puerto Rico trips Registration 4:00-4:05 (5) Call to Order Marcia Buhl Attestation to Quorum & Opening Prayer Welcome from our host Buddy Hubbard Adoption of the Docket Seating of Corresponding Members & first Time Elder- Commissioners Recognition of Guests 4:05-4:10 (5) Report of Moderator Marcia Buhl 4:10-4:15 (5) Report of Stated Clerk & Consent Agenda Laura Norris Buisch 4:15-4:20 (5) Committee on Nominating Stuart Buisch 4:20-4:40 (20) Council Deb Katz Second Reading of Unicameral Board First Reading of By-Laws 4:40-5:30 (50) Worship 5:30-6:30 (60) Dinner 6:30-6:45 (15) Report of General Assembly Commissioners 6:45-7:05 (20) Committee on Ministry Ken Hughes/Bruce Levine Administrative Commission for Bacon Memorial Receive Report from First Springville Rev. Aimee Goldmeyer 7:05-7:25 (20) Trustees First Reading of 2019 Budget 7:25 Adjournment Further Meetings: January 29, 2019 May 21, 2019 July 16, 2019 October 22, 2019 First Buffalo Note: Please be at the front prior to the time for your report. Intercessory prayer requests are due at the Clerk s desk before the call to order. Items of new business (2 copies in writing) shall be at the Clerk s desk by the Stated Clerk s report 2

3 The Vision of the Presbytery of Western New York Called by God to be a blessing, the Presbytery of Western New York journeys into a hope-filled future as a dynamic and responsive body, living as disciples of Jesus Christ, practicing hospitality in church and world, and growing healthy, connected congregations. The Mission Priorities of the Presbytery of Western New York Encourage relationships of trust and communication among leaders and congregations. Engage in church transformation and the development of congregational health. Enhance collaborative mission among congregations. Equip youth and adult leaders for ministry. Ensure excellence in the calling and care of pastors. CONSENT AGENDA MOTION 10/23/18 Move approval of the minutes of the Presbytery meeting on July 17, 2018; reception of Council minutes of July 3,

4 PRESBYTERY OF WESTERN NEW YORK STATED MEETING OF THE PRESBYTERY TUESDAY JULY 17, 2018 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK The Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of Western New York was held at the First Presbyterian Church, Jamestown, NY OPENING The Moderator of the Presbytery, Ruling Elder Marcia Buhl, called the meeting to order. The Stated Clerk, Rev. Laura Norris Buisch, attested to the presence of Quorum. An opening prayer was given by the Moderator. HOST CHURCH Rev. Bob Hagel welcomed the Presbytery to the church & provided information about the building and dinner. ADOPTION OF THE DOCKET The docket for the meeting was presented for approval. It was moved, seconded and approved as follows: Call to Order Attestation to a Quorum and Opening Prayer Welcome from our Host Adoption of Docket Seating of Corresponding Members and First-time Elder Commissioners Moderator s Report Stated Clerk s Report & Consent Agenda Committee on Nominating Council Worship Dinner Committee on Ministry Trustees Benediction & Adjournment SEATING OF CORRESPONDING MEMBERS & FIRST-TIME ELDERS & GUESTS: Molly Golando was introduced as the pulpit supply at First Randolph MODERATOR S REPORT The Moderator Ruling Elder Marcia Buhl participated in the following: 4

5 Installed Rev. Dr. Ken Hughes on May 6 th at First Presbyterian Buffalo Attended the Niagara branch meeting at Amherst Presbyterian church on May 2 nd Training for General Assembly in Le Roy NY on May 30 th Attended General Assembly in St Louis June 15th-23rd Participated in the Rev. Dr. Howard Boswell s final worship service on June 24 th at Kenmore Attended Council Meetings & multiple session meetings at various churches. STATED CLERK S REPORT presented the consent agenda as following: moved approval of the minutes of the Presbytery meeting on April 24, 2018 and receive Council minutes of April 10 th & June 12 th. Approved COMMITTEE ON NOMINATION Rev. Stuart Buisch moved the following slate: COM Class of 2021 Class of 2019 TRUSTEES Class of 2021 MRT Class of 2019 Class of 2021 Rev. Dr. Greg Hall Rev. Marilyn Hale Ruling Elder Ginger McNally Rev. Bob Hagel Ruling Elder Dot Brown Rev. Liz Morgan Rev. Rami Al Madqasi Ruling Elder Joyce Bailey Rev. Rachel Brown SYNOD COMMSSIONERS Rev. Leslie Latham Ruling Elder Bill Gray Rev. Bruce Levine Slate approved REPORT OF COUNCIL Chairperson Ruling Elder Deb Katz presented for First Reading moving to a Unicameral Board. Presbytery had a brief discussion. Chairperson Ruling Elder Deb Katz presented the Suggested Branches that created a new branch in the East. WORSHIP The Presbytery celebrated worship with the Rev. Marilyn Hale who preached from Mark 1:

6 COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY Rev. Dr. Ken Hughes presented the COM report. Committee Actions: Molly Golando is the continuous pulpit supply at Randolph First. Rev. Bruce Levine will moderator Randolph s session. Reported the Action of Presbytery Rev. Dr. Ken Hughes was installed at First Presbyterian Church, Buffalo, NY on May 6, 2018, The following people were a part of the Administrative Commission to install: Ruling Elders Marcia Buhl (Westminster), Brad Hahn (North Williamsville), Nina Hansen (Springville), Cameron Airhart (Westminster); Ministers Rev. Dorothy Pearman, Rev. Drew Ludwig, Rev. Howard Boswell. Actions for Presbytery Approval: Motion to receive Rev. Dr. Skip Ferguson as honorably retired from National Capital Presbytery. Motion approved Motion to honorably retire Rev. Donna Kay Lewis with thanksgiving for Donna s ministry. Paula a member of Gowanda gave thanks for Donna s ministry. Rev. Laura Norris Buisch spoke of Donna s activity in the Presbytery with thanks. Motion approved Motion to honorably retire Rev. Judith Brown Bryan with thanksgiving for Judith s ministry. Rev. Dr. Greg Hall gave thanks for Judith s ministry. Rev. Laura Norris Buisch spoke of Judith s activity in the Presbytery with thanks. Motion approved Motion to approve Amherst Presbyterian Church request that Rev. Dave Smith would be Pastor Emeritus. Motion approved Motion to dismiss the first Administrative Commission at MacAlpine. Motion approved Motion to establish a second A/C with powers of original jurisdiction if necessary. Their charge is to explore ministry and mission in current context and explore viability. Seeking to form it with cultural sensitivity and end date of May 2019 was established. Motion approved NEW BUSINESS Rev. John Woodring made a motion that if the way be clear by the Trustees vote, Presbytery approved the sale of the Allegany Presbyterian Church for $35,000. Motion approved Motion made to adjourn at 6:45pm with Prayer by Moderator Marcia Buhl. Motion approved 6

7 Presbytery Council Stated Meeting Tuesday, July 3, 2018 Minutes Present: Marcia Buhl, Dorothy Pearman, Mary Ann MacDonald, Ken Hughes, Joyce Bailey, Leslie Latham, Debbie Katz, Mark Armesto, Eloise Booker, Devotions with Prayer Dorothy Pearman Business Requiring Action Discussion of Unicameral Board First Reading at Presbytery Meeting in July. Discussion of Suggested Branches For the Good of the Presbytery Statistical Reports need to be sent out early October & November At-Large Members Approval of Docket, Consent Agenda and Council Minutes All was approved with changes for docket Adjournment with Prayer 7

8 Unicameral Board for the Presbytery of Western New York Second Reading Motion: To amend the By-Laws to combine the responsibilities of the Board of Trustee and the Personnel Committee into the Presbytery Council and form a Unicameral Board. Background: Council formed a Task Group at its March meeting to explore this possibility. This Task Group was comprised of two members of the current Council, Trustees and Personnel Committee. The group met one time in April to discuss pros and cons and were unified in their recommendation set out below. It was brought to Council at its June meeting and recommended for first reading to the Presbytery at the July 17, 2018 meeting. Rationale: Currently: Board of Trustees comprised of 12 members (according to By-Laws) Council: comprised of over 20 members (according to By-Laws) Personnel Committee (no set number according to By-laws, currently 5) Identified Functions of the Trustees: Dealing with property in the past this was not such a great issue. Within the last 10 years it has been a very large and sometimes overwhelming function of the trustees with 3 dismissals and many closures. Budget and Investments in BoO G : Each council above the session shall prepare a budget. the administration of mission demonstrates the unity and interdependence of the church Stewardship It was clearly felt this was one area given very short shrift. The two areas above take up so much time and human resources that stewardship, which should be driving the discussion, becomes almost non-existent. BoO G : The failure of any part of the church to participate in the stewardship of the mission of the whole church diminishes that unity and interdependence. All mission funding should enable the church to give effective witness in the world to God s new creation in Jesus Christ and should strengthen the church s witness to the mission of God. Ideally, the presbytery should be teaching local churches about stewardship in their own churches. It is unwise to just take all the trustees and the personnel committee and place them on council. In recognition that people have different gifts, people should be identified to serve on subcommittees in the following areas with the suggested numbers of people. It would be mandatory that one person in each subcommittee (ideally the same person) be required to attend all council meetings so the ministry and mission of the presbytery is always integrated into their work. Such persons shall be nominated by the Nominating Committee with input and suggestions from members of the presbytery. Proposed Property Subcommittee 3-4 members Financial Subcommittee 3-4 members Stewardship Subcommittee members Personnel Subcommittee 3-4 members 8

9 SUGGESTED BRANCHES NIAGARA/NORTH SOUTH CENTRAL EAST 1 Bacon Memorial Bethel Buffalo Korean Alden 2 Island United Dunkirk Curtis Park Amherst 3 Lewiston Ellicottville Deerhurst Clarence 4 Lockport** Fredonia Faith Cleveland Drive 5 Niagara, Niagara Gowanda First Buffalo Maryvale Drive 6 Niagara Falls Hamburg, Hamburg Kenmore New Hope Korean 7 North/N.Tonawanda Jamestown Lafayette Ave North/Williamsville 8 Riverside Jimersontown MacAlpine East Aurora* 9 Third/N.Tonawanda Olean University Griffin Mills* 10 Youngstown Portville Westminster Orchard Park* 11 1 st Tonawanda Randolph 12 Silver Creek 13 Springville 14 Union 15 Wayside 16 Westfield 17 Wright Memorial * Previously participated in former South/West branch yet are now closer to the new East Branch. These churches may decide to participate in this branch or remain in the South Branch. ** Lockport is closer to an East Branch but may decide to stay in the Niagara/North branch. This is a fluid and suggested listing. ALL churches are free to join whatever branch suits their needs. Coordinator Dorothy Pearman (cell) dotpearman@gmail.com Conveners/Leadership The Niagara/North Branch and the South Branch are electing to assign rotating leadership for hosting and programming for each of their gatherings that is determined during each meeting before they adjourn. Central Branch: Mary Ann MacDonald: (h) macdonaldmaryann1946@gmail.com Ken Hughes: (cell) kenhughes0216@gmail.com East Branch: Dorothy Pearman: (cell) dotpearman@gmail.com Edie Winegar: (cell) ewinegar@topsmarkets.com; ejwin2@aol.com 9

10 THE PRESBYTERY OF WESTERN NEW YORK BYLAWS Approved by Presbytery: 10

11 Table of Contents The Bylaws PRELIMINARY PRINCIPLES...1 Mission Statement...1 Name...1 Vision Statement...1 Allegiance...1 Connection...1 Religious Corporation...1 Interpretation...1 Parliamentary Procedures...1 MEMBERSHIP...1 Section A: Geographical Description...2 Presbytery Area...2 Section B: Voting Membership...2 Who Can Vote...2 Corporation Voters...2 MEETINGS...2 Stated Meetings...3 Annual Meeting...3 Special Meetings...3 When Financial Reports Must be Given...3 When Other Reports May be Given...3 Quorum...3 STRUCTURE...3 Permanent Bodies...3 Temporary Bodies...3 Oversight...3 Three-Year Terms...3 Six Years Maximum...4 PRESBYTERY COUNCIL...4 Section A: Membership...4 Overall Purpose...4 Members...4 Section B: Responsibilities...4 Open Meetings, Executive Sessions i - 11

12 OFFICERS AND STAFF...4 Titles, Duties, Terms...4 Election and Installation...5 Vacancy...5 INDEMNIFICATION AND RECUSAL...5 Who is Indemnified...5 Recusal Required in Certain Circumstances...5 AMENDMENTS...5 Amendments ii - 12

13 PRELIMINARY PRINCIPLES Mission Statement. We are Christ s body, called together for discipleship, hospitality and wholeness. Name. We are called The Presbytery of Western New York (hereafter, the Presbytery ). Vision Statement. Called by God to be a blessing, the Presbytery journeys into a hopefilled future as a dynamic and responsive body, living as disciples of Jesus Christ, practicing hospitality to church and world, and growing healthy, connected congregations. Allegiance. This Presbytery is an intermediate governing body of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (hereafter PC(USA) ). As such, the Presbytery is subordinate to the General Assembly of the Church and is subject to the Constitution of the Church ( Constitution ). Connection. This Presbytery is located within the Church s Synod of the Northeast and is related to it in the ways specified in the Constitution. Religious Corporation. This Presbytery is also a religious corporation incorporated by the State of New York. (See PC(USA) Book of Order G-4.01.) As such, it is subject to the State s Religious Corporation Law and other laws. Interpretation. If any provision of this document reasonably can be interpreted to have more than one meaning, the meaning which is most consistent with the following shall be preferred and given effect, in the order of priority listed: a. the Constitution of the PC(USA) comprised of the Book of Confessions and the Book of Order b. the laws of New York State. Parliamentary Procedures. The parliamentary authority for the Presbytery is the most recent version of the Robert s Rules of Order, except in cases where the Constitution of the PC(USA) states otherwise. MEMBERSHIP

14 Section A: Geographical Description Presbytery Area. This Presbytery encompasses the following (all in the State of New York): a. Cattaraugus County, b. Chautauqua County, except for the Ripley Church, c. Erie County, d. Niagara County, e. The sovereign lands of the Seneca, Tonawanda and Tuscarora nations that lie partially or wholly within any of the above counties. Section B: Voting Membership Who Can Vote. Voting membership in Presbytery meetings is established in accordance with the Book of Order. To be eligible to vote one must be present at a duly called Presbytery meeting. In this Presbytery, the following additional provisions apply: a. All Presbyterian churches affiliated with the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and located within the geographical description (above) are members. To attend Presbytery meetings, each session shall commission one or more ruling elders in accordance with G For reasons of continuity and involvement, it is encouraged that the same elder(s) serve for a church for a period of at least one year. b. All ministers of the Word and Sacrament made eligible by G are members. All such minister-members are continuing members of the Presbytery effective on the date of their reception. (See G ) c. All ruling elders serving as an officer of the Presbytery, a member of the Presbytery Council, or a chairperson of a standing committee or team are members during their tenure as such. d. All ruling elders serving as half to full-time employees in educational ministry in congregations of the Presbytery are members. e. All elders serving as Commissioned Ruling Elders are members during the period of active service pursuant to a commission. Corporation Voters. The members of the Presbytery are the voting members of the Presbytery present at any meeting of the Presbytery. MEETINGS

15 Stated Meetings. The Presbytery shall hold at least two Stated Meetings and one Annual Meeting each calendar year on a schedule proposed by Presbytery Council and approved by the Presbytery at least three months prior to the start of a new schedule (see G ). Annual Meeting. The Presbytery shall hold an Annual Meeting, usually in the Spring, at which the Lord s Supper is served and the service to the Church of ruling elders and ministers who have died is recognized. Officers, members-at-large of the Presbytery Council and standing committee, team, and commission members shall be elected at the Annual Meeting. Special Meetings. Special meetings may be called in accordance with Book of Order G , with notice 10 days prior to the meeting. Only the business stated in the call can be addressed at a special meeting. When Financial Reports Must be Given. At each Stated Meeting, except the Annual Meeting, financial reports will be made and received. When Other Reports May be Given. Reports from Presbytery Council, committees, teams, task forces and commissions may be made, received, amended and approved or disapproved at Stated Meetings or duly called and noticed special meetings. Quorum. For Stated and Annual Meetings, a quorum is defined as 12 minister-members and 12 elders representing at least eight churches (see G ). For Special Meetings, a quorum is eight minister-members and eight elders representing at least five churches. STRUCTURE Permanent Bodies. The Presbytery s permanent organization shall consist of its officers: the Moderator, Vice Moderator and Stated Clerk, (see G ) and also a standing Presbytery Council, standing teams, standing committees, and a Permanent Judicial Commission to carry out the Presbytery s work. All such bodies shall be organized into classes so that approximately only one-third of the body s total membership terms expire each year. Temporary Bodies. Task forces and special committees appointed for short-term special assignments (see G ) shall be approved by the Presbytery or Presbytery Council. At the time of their authorization, all such bodies and administrative commissions (see G b) shall be given a target date for the completion of their assignment and their discharge. Oversight. All mission, ministry and program tasks are under the oversight of standing teams or committees, the Presbytery Council, or the Permanent Judicial Commission. Three-Year Terms. Members-at-large of the Presbytery Council and members of all standing committees and teams shall be elected by the Presbytery for terms of three years. Terms of office normally shall be effective after election at the Annual Meeting

16 and end three years later after the Annual Meeting. The Presbytery may also fill vacancies for the remainder of the terms of those who resign or abandon their duties. All such memberships shall be distributed as evenly as possible in three-year terms. Six Years Maximum. No person, except ex officio members, may serve more than six years consecutively on the Presbytery Council or on any standing committee, team or commission, counting both service as a member and service as the chairperson. PRESBYTERY COUNCIL Section A: Membership Overall Purpose. The overall purpose of the Presbytery Council is to lead the Presbytery in envisioning and implementing a faithful and effective mission and ministry. Members. The members of the Presbytery Council are: a. The Moderator of Presbytery, b. The Vice Moderator of the Presbytery, c. The Chairperson of the Presbytery Council, d. The Chairperson Elect of the Presbytery Council e. Representatives of Presbytery standing committees and resource teams and Council committees f. A minimum of three and a maximum of six at-large members, with three classes of three-year terms. g. The Stated Clerk of the Presbytery shall be an ex officio member with voice, but without vote, and shall serve as the secretary of the Council. Section B: Responsibilities Open Meetings, Executive Sessions. All meetings of the Presbytery Council shall be open meetings unless the Presbytery Council finds it necessary to conduct some business in executive session. OFFICERS AND STAFF Titles, Duties, Terms. The officers of the Presbytery are: a. The Moderator (G ), b. The Vice-Moderator,

17 Proposed Amendments to the Constitution Proposed Amendments to the Book of Order Approved by the 223rd General Assembly (2018) and recommended to the presbyteries for their vote. Including: Note from the Stated Clerk, a list of the proposed amendments with advice from the Advisory Committee on the Constitution, and an index. 17

18 NOTE FROM THE STATED CLERK The 223rd General Assembly (2018) approved and recommended to the presbyteries for their affirmative or negative votes proposed changes in the language of the Book of Order that, if approved, will amend the Constitution. With each proposed amendment, reference is made to an item number that indicates the General Assembly Committee report and action related to each proposed amendment. These item numbers also indicate where to find other background information from various entities that was available electronically to the General Assembly commissioners. This information may be accessed through PC-Biz at The item number references will also be found in the Minutes of the 223rd General Assembly (2018), which are expected to be available to the presbyteries by the time they consider the amendments. The full advice of the Advisory Committee on the Constitution (ACC) and other advisory entities can be found immediately following the item in the Minutes for which the advice is given. Unless otherwise indicated, new language to be added to the Book of Order is in italics and any language to be stricken will have a line through it. In providing rationale and advice for each item, direct quotations from the various groups that presented or commented on these items before the General Assembly is used whenever possible. Presbyteries must report to the Office of the General Assembly a separate vote on each proposed amendment. A presbytery may vote on the amendments in a consent agenda or omnibus motion, as long as each proposed amendment is identified separately. Presbyteries are required to report their votes by June 23, However, in order to make the changes and publish the Book of Order in a timely manner, receipt of votes prior to this deadline would be appreciated (by May 10, 2019, if possible). Thank you for your careful and prayerful consideration of these proposed amendments. The Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II Stated Clerk of the General Assembly 18

19 INDEX PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS Form of Government G G G G G Directory for Worship W Rules of Discipline D b...16 D b...18 D c(1)...18 D d...5 Index of Proposed Amendments

20 18-A. Election of Ruling Elders and Deacons On Amending G (Item 06-11) The 223rd General Assembly (2018) directed the Stated Clerk to send the following proposed amendment to the presbyteries for their affirmative or negative votes: Shall G of the Form of Government be amended as follows? [Text to be deleted is shown with strike through; text to be added or inserted is shown in italic.] G Election of Ruling Elders and Deacons Ruling elders and deacons are men and women elected by the congregation from among its members. The nomination and election of ruling elders and deacons shall express the rich diversity of the congregation s membership and shall guarantee participation and inclusiveness (F ). Ruling elders and deacons shall be nominated by a committee elected by the congregation, drawn from and representative of its membership. Congregations may provide by their own rule for a congregational nominating committee, provided that the committee shall consist of at least three active members of the congregation, and shall include at least one ruling elder who is currently serving on the session. Congregations may provide by their own rule for a congregational nominating committee. The rule shall meet the following criteria: (1) the minimum size of the committee as specified in the rule shall be at least three persons; (2) at least one member of the committee shall be an elder currently serving on session; and (3) a majority of those persons on the committee who are eligible to vote shall consist of persons not currently serving on session. The pastor shall serve ex officio and without vote. When elections are held, full opportunity shall always be given to the congregation for nomination from the floor of the congregational meeting by any active member of the congregation. A majority of all the active members present and voting shall be required to elect. Rationale This proposed amendment originates from the Presbytery of Grace as Item The Presbyteries of Grand Canyon, Muskingum Valley, Huntington, and de Cristo concurred. The Presbytery of Grace provided the following rationale [edited]. This proposed amendment clarifies the somewhat ambiguous language regarding the nominating committee membership. The proposed changes set the minimum size of the nominating committee at three members, not including the pastor. This is ideal for small congregations yet also provides flexibility for churches to add more from this minimum. The goal is to provide clarity while preserving the overall permission-giving nature of the Form of Government. Advice from the Advisory Committee on the Constitution The Advisory Committee on the Constitution advised the 223rd General Assembly (2018) to approve Item as amended providing the following advice [edited]: The Presbytery of Grace presents proposed language to clarify the minimum size of a congregational nominating committee and the requirement that a majority of the voting members of a congregational nominating committee be members-at-large of the congregation. The proposed amendment provides helpful clarification to G The minimum size of a congregational nominating committee shall be three members, at least one member of which must be a ruling elder in active service on 20

21 the session. The minimum size of three is appropriate for smaller congregations. There is no maximum size for a congregational nominating committee. The proposed amendment adds clarity and is consistent with past practice. The majority of a congregational nominating committee should be members-at-large of the congregation, not ruling elders currently serving on the session. The Assembly Committee on Church Polity and Ordered Ministry (06) voted to approve the proposed amendment as amended 54/0. The 223rd General Assembly (2018) approved the committee s recommendation with amendment 478/3. (See Minutes, 2018, Part I, pp. 69, 72, 592.) For the full report of Item 06-11, go to 21

22 18-B. Renunciation of Jurisdiction Background These two proposed amendments, 18-B.1 and 18-B.2, (Item 06-09, Recommendations 1. and 2.) come out of the intent to clarify congregational prohibition and individual jurisdiction when a PC(USA) minister of Word and Sacrament renounces jurisdiction while in the midst of disciplinary proceedings and then wants to rejoin the PC(USA). [Editor s Note: The General Assembly approved the combination of two proposed amendments in one item. The advice on each of these proposed amendments come from the separate items, (Items and 06-07) not on the combined items. In addition, the General Assembly asked that a third item similar be referred to the Rules of Discipline Task Force (Item 06-09, Recommendation 3.).] 18-B.1. On Amending G (Item 06-09) The 223rd General Assembly (2018) directed the Stated Clerk to send the following proposed amendments to the presbyteries for their affirmative or negative votes: Shall G be amended by striking the fourth paragraph and adding two new paragraphs to read as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with a strike-through; text to be added is shown as italic.] Whenever a former minister of the Word and Sacrament has renounced jurisdiction in the midst of a disciplinary proceeding as the accused, that former minister of the Word and Sacrament shall not be permitted to perform any work, paid or volunteer, in any congregation or entity under the jurisdiction of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) unless and until the person rejoins the church, comes forward and resubmits to the disciplinary process. No congregation or entity under the jurisdiction of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) shall be permitted to employ, for pay or as a volunteer, a former minister of the Word and Sacrament (teaching elder) who has renounced jurisdiction in the midst of a disciplinary proceeding as the accused. Any former minister of the Word and Sacrament (teaching elder) who has renounced jurisdiction and later wants to be restored to office can be restored only through application to the presbytery in which he or she renounced jurisdiction for restoration to office, in which case the provisions of D d and D shall apply. Rationale The proposed amendment 18-B.1 originated from the Presbytery of Central Florida as Item and proposed amendment 18-B.2 originated from the Presbytery of The Twin Cities Area as Item Recommendation 2 and added to Item by the General Assembly. The Presbyteries of Albany, Grand Canyon, Muskingum Valley, Newton, North Alabama, Tropical Florida, Wabash Valley and de Cristo concurred with Item and the Presbyteries of Albany, Denver, Grand Canyon, Missouri River Valley, Wabash Valley and de Cristo concurred with former Item including Item recommendation 2. The Presbytery of Central Florida provided the following rationale for Item [edited]. The [former] amendments to G , while intended to protect the church and its entities from ministers who have left the church without submitting to the constitutional process for establishing guilt or innocence and providing for repentance when repentance is needed, have instead created a situation in which the administration of justice, as defined 22

23 by the amendment, is impossible to carry out. By definition of the section itself, a person who has renounced jurisdiction no longer holds membership in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The preamble to the Rules of Discipline defines the limits of church discipline as follows:... The purpose of discipline is to honor God by making clear the significance of membership in the body of Christ; to preserve the purity of the church by nourishing the individual within the life of the believing community; to achieve justice and compassion for all participants involved; to correct or restrain wrongdoing in order to bring members to repentance and restoration; to uphold the dignity of those who have been harmed by disciplinary offenses; to restore the unity of the church by removing the causes of discord and division; and to secure the just, speedy, and economical determination of proceedings.... (D , emphasis added) Since church discipline exists for the welfare of the believing community and applies to members of that community, a former minister of the Word and Sacrament (teaching elder) who has renounced jurisdiction is no longer a member by action of the presbytery that removes his or her name from its rolls. In any complaint, the Rules of Discipline would apply to the congregation or other entity which employed that former minister. Should a former minister of the Word and Sacrament who has renounced jurisdiction wish to be restored to the ordered ministry of minister of the Word and Sacrament (teaching elder), the process for restoration is spelled out in the Rules of Disciple, D Advice from the Advisory Committee on the Constitution The Advisory Committee on the Constitution advised the 223rd General Assembly (2018) to answer Item with action on Item providing the following advice [edited]. The Advisory Committee on the Constitution advised the 223rd General Assembly (2018) to answer Item recommendation #1 with disapproval and refer recommendation #2 to the Rules of Discipline Task Force. They provided the following advice [edited]. Both Items and would amend G on renunciation of jurisdiction. Each proposes correcting a perceived flaw in the language of the last paragraph of G The approaches are different and do not achieve the same end. There is a comprehensive description of the issues related to renunciation of jurisdiction in the advice on Item that will provide helpful background for consideration of this overture as well. There are particular issues inherent in Item [18-B.1]. The first sentence of Item addresses the actions of a congregation. The second sentence of Item [18-B.1], addresses actions of a former minister. Each part is discussed separately below.... The Advisory Committee on the Constitution finds that the first paragraph would place requirements on the congregation or entity under the jurisdiction of the PC(USA), rather than on a former minister who has renounced the jurisdiction of this church and, therefore, is no longer subject to its jurisdiction and discipline. Section G is about ministers of the Word and Sacrament and their actions in renouncing jurisdiction. Insertion of requirements for a congregation or entity under the jurisdiction of the PC(USA) interrupts the flow and sense of this section.... The Advisory Committee on the Constitution finds that the second paragraph presents some matters of concern. Having struck the requirement for rejoining the church in the existing text of G , if approved, the new language would eliminate any requirement for membership before application for restoration. It would require application to the presbytery. Application is not defined, nor are there any criteria for considering such an application. Most significantly, it assumes that renunciation of jurisdiction is equivalent to removal from ordered ministry in judicial process. A person who seeks to be restored after the censure of removal (D ) has subjected him or herself to the discipline of the church and satisfied the requirements for restoration. A person who has renounced jurisdiction of this church in the midst of a disciplinary proceeding has avoided the discipline of this church. A 1989 authoritative interpretation specifies that one who renounces jurisdiction and seeks to return to ministry of the Word and Sacrament should first come again under the jurisdiction of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) as a member of a particular church and then initiate the process and procedures found in G-2.06, Preparation for Ministry (formerly G , Preparation for the Office of Minister of the Word and Sacrament). The proposed language of Item conflicts with this and would not require membership in the church. 23

24 [Editor s note: As noted in their advice above, the ACC provided advice on Item 06-07, which also applies to Item 6-09 since they recommended answering Item with Item The applicable advice is as follows.] Return to Ordered Ministry When a former minister renounced jurisdiction while a disciplinary case against him or her was pending, and now desires to return to ordered ministry in the PC(USA), additional process is required. Renunciation is not the removal of a person s status in ordered ministry, but a voluntary abandonment of it. A minister of the Word and Sacrament who renounced jurisdiction may not be restored to ordered ministry and the office of minister of Word and Sacrament because the person voluntarily acted in a manner to negate that status. This is particularly true where the minister renounced while a disciplinary case was pending against him or her and thus refused to be subject to church discipline. 1. A person who has renounced jurisdiction while subject to a disciplinary process and who is a minister in good standing of another denomination may seek to have those credentials recognized under G A person who has renounced jurisdiction while subject to a disciplinary process and who is not a minister in good standing in another denomination or whose credentials are not recognized by the PC(USA), must do so as a member of a congregation through the process of G-2.06, Preparation for Ministry. 18-B.2. On Amending D d (Item 06-09) Shall D d be amended to read as follows? [Text to be deleted is shown with a strikethrough; text to be added or inserted is shown as italic.] For instances where a former minister of the Word and Sacrament comes forward in selfaccusation to undergo a disciplinary process to regain permission to perform work under the jurisdiction of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (G ) who renounced jurisdiction while being accused in a disciplinary case rejoins the church, no time limit from the time of the commission of the alleged offense to the filing of charges shall apply. Charges based on all accusations that had been made by the time that the former minister of the Word and Sacrament had renounced jurisdiction may be brought regardless of the date on which any such offense is alleged to have occurred. Rationale The proposed amendment 18-B.1 originates from the Presbytery of Central Florida as Item and proposed amendment 18-B.2 from the Presbytery of The Twin Cities Area as Item Recommendation 2. The Presbyteries of Albany, Grand Canyon, Muskingum Valley, Newton, North Alabama, Tropical Florida, Wabash Valley, and de Cristo concurred with Item and the Presbyteries of Albany, Denver, Grand Canyon, Missouri River Valley, Wabash Valley and de Cristo concurred with former Item including Item Recommendation 2. The Presbytery of Central Florida provided the following rationale for Item [edited]. How the Book of Order s Currently Mandated Disciplinary Process in G and D d Is Inconsistent with the Preamble of the Rules of Discipline Recently adopted language in the Book of Order may seem to be merely a compassionate response to former ministers of the Word and Sacrament who renounced jurisdiction while being accused in a disciplinary case, who may have done so because of pressing family or medical reasons, for example. The current process allows former teaching elders to rejoin the church, but does not require them to face accusations until sometime in the future when they themselves choose to come forward, in self-accusation, to resume the disciplinary process. However, requiring the disciplinary process to resume only when the accused chooses to come forward in self-accusation is inconsistent with 24

25 five out of seven of the purposes of discipline stated in the Preamble of the Rules of Discipline (D ), because such a process (1) tramples on victim s rights, (2) is not likely to remove causes of suspicion, and (3) is not likely to bring perpetrators of offenses to repentance, especially if many years pass between when the accused renounces jurisdiction and when the accused chooses to resume the disciplinary process. The Preamble of the Rules of Discipline state that three of the purposes of discipline are: to achieve justice and compassion for all participants involved; to uphold the dignity of those who have been harmed by disciplinary offenses; to secure the just, speedy, and economical determination of proceedings. (D ) When an accusation is made, victims have a right to see a fair and impartial investigation go forward with all deliberate speed (up to and including a trial, if necessary), so that, whatever the outcome of the disciplinary process2, victims feel free to put memories of painful events in the past, and move on with their lives. However, under the current process in the Book of Order, victims (and perhaps their families or friends) may feel compelled to have to constantly prepare to testify about abusive events, just in case they ever receive notice from a new investigating committee that the accused wants to resume the disciplinary process, which could be at any time in the future of the accused s choosing. It is cruel, inhumane, and anything but speedy, to expect victims to keep hanging on to evidence of abuse and to relive painful memories for months, years, or even decades in the future, on the perhaps slim chance that the accused might rejoin the church and choose to resubmit to the disciplinary process. In the words of a theological seminary advisory delegate to the 2016 General Assembly (2016), the process in G and D d as now written punishes victims. Advice from the Advisory Committee on the Constitution The Advisory Committee on the Constitution advised the 223rd General Assembly (2018) to answer Item with action on Item providing the following advice [edited]. The Advisory Committee on the Constitution advised the 223rd General Assembly (2018) to answer Item recommendation #1 with disapproval and refer recommendation #2 to the Rules of Discipline Task Force. They provided the following advice [edited]. Part 2 Recommendation 2 of Item would amend D d to add words to make clear the section applies only to a former minister of the Word and Sacrament who renounced jurisdiction of the PC(US.) while a disciplinary proceeding was proceeding against him or her as the accused. There is a task force working on a revision to the Rules of Discipline. The amendment to D d (Recommendation 2 of Item 06-7) should be referred to it. Advice from the Advocacy Committee for Women s Concerns The Advocacy Committee for Women s Concerns advised the 223rd General Assembly (2018) to approve Item for its greater clarity of language in amending the Book of Order, G and approve Item Recommendation 2. While ACWC supports the above changes, they are inadequate. Unless victims have the right to a fair and impartial investigation with all deliberate speed, they will never feel free to put memories of painful events in the past and move on with their lives. Under the current ruling, however, former teaching elders are allowed to rejoin the church but are not required to face accusations and resume the disciplinary process until a time in the future of their own choosing. Thus, a predator can deliberately wait until after key witnesses have moved on with their lives, perhaps even died, or the original evidence is no longer available. Advice from the Office of the General Assembly The Office of the General Assembly advised the 223rd General Assembly (2018) advises that all items, including Items and 06-07, amending the Rules of Discipline, be referred to the Rules of Discipline Task Force, which is 25

26 currently revising the Rules of Discipline as a whole and will report with suggested changes to the 224th General Assembly (2020). The Assembly Committee on Church Polity and Ordered Ministry (06) voted to approve the proposed amendment as amended 54/3. The 223rd General Assembly (2018) approved the committee s recommendation with amendment 466/7. (See Minutes, 2018, Part I, pp , 588.) For the full report of Item 06-09, go to 26

27 18-C. Officers On Amending G (Item 06-16) The 223rd General Assembly (2018) directed the Stated Clerk to send the following proposed amendment to the presbyteries for their affirmative or negative votes: Shall G of the Form of Government be amended by adding the following statement as the last paragraph to read as follows? [Text to be added is shown as italic.] No congregation, session, presbytery, synod, or national office of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), nor any individual acting on behalf of or in an official capacity for the above institutions, shall publicly endorse or oppose, or otherwise encourage or discourage others to vote for or against an individual running for public office. Rationale The proposed amendment originates from the Presbytery of Western North Carolina as Item The Presbytery of de Cristo concurred. The Presbytery of Western North Carolina provided the following rationale for Item [edited]. Since 1954, the Johnson Amendment has been a provision in the United States tax code prohibiting charitable organizations, including churches, from endorsing or opposing political candidates. This allows for charitable organizations to qualify for tax exemption and qualifies donations to these organizations as tax-exempt. In recent years, there has been discussion regarding the repeal of this amendment; those in favor of repeal claim that the amendment infringes on the first amendment rights of clergy and other leaders of religious and charitable organizations while those in favor of maintaining the statute fear that a repeal would lead to religious and charitable organizations becoming safehavens for tax-exempt and un-reported political contributions. While full repeal of the Johnson Amendment has not yet come to fruition, action has been taken to loosen the interpretation and implementation of the statute when churches and secular charitable organizations are found to be in violation. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has long supported the notion of the separation of church and state. We can see this throughout our Foundations of Presbyterian Polity. Section F a and b affirms that God alone is Lord of the conscience, and that We do not even wish to see any religious constitution aided by the civil power, further than may be necessary for protection and security, and at the same time, be equal and common to all others. While it is clear that the principles of this overture are present in abundance throughout the Book of Order and Book of Confessions, there is no explicit guidance offered to governing bodies or to those in leadership positions regarding endorsing or opposing candidates running for political office. This amendment to the Book of Order precludes such activity while still allowing for churches and leaders to actively engage with secular issues that touch on the life of faith, to work towards bringing God s reign of justice and peace ever closer to reality. Advice from the Advisory Committee on the Constitution The Advisory Committee on the Constitution advised the 223rd General Assembly (2018) disapprove Item providing the following advice [edited]. The Presbytery of Western North Carolina summarizes the history of the Johnson Amendment, and anticipates change to that statute. Because the Johnson Amendment has not yet been revoked or altered, it is premature for the assembly to address anticipated statutory change. The overture would reverse long-standing foundational principles of our denomination and have long-reaching effects on the church, Individual Discernment and Diversity of Religious Belief Presbyterians begin with a firm and fundamental belief in the private discernment of religious belief. Section F sets forth and affirms the historic principle that God alone is Lord of the conscience and that in all matters that 27

28 respect religion we consider the rights of private judgment as universal and inalienable. Holy Scriptures are the only rule of faith, and church power in matters of religious belief is limited as explained in F This first historic principle of church order (F ) was affirmed and explained in the policy statement, God Alone Is Lord of the Conscience. 1 The principle that God alone is Lord of the conscience both reflects and underlies many other foundational 2 and confessional 3 statements in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Religious bodies and people of faith hold to a wide variety of convictions, ideas, and values that make important contributions to the shape and strength of public life. That life has been shaped by individuals and groups that have sought to create new forms, sustain traditional ones, challenge existing ideologies and reform or resist unjust institutions. Participation is thus viewed by the government sometimes as a blessing and at other times as a threat (God Alone, p. 48; see also F-1.404). Because the individual is the bearer of conscience, it does not matter whether others of the same faith make the same conscientious claim. God Alone, p. 19. Religious tolerance and pluralism are our political and societal norm. We do not perfectly achieve that norm and intolerance has not been eliminated. (God Alone, p. 7). Formation of Conscience in Community While Presbyterians emphasize individual belief, we also recognize the importance of community and our shared expression of belief. Discourse and expressions of diversity within the church are important to formation of religious conscience. As Presbyterians, we recognize that The formation of conscience occurs in community, but its exercise is very often finally an individual matter (God Alone, p. 19). It is a fundamental principle for our church and our country that The individual s right to believe cannot be divorced from the right to exercise that belief in the company and community of others. For nearly every human being, the right to practice religion only as a solitary individual is virtually no right at all (God Alone, p. 12). The exercise of individual and corporate conscience must be affirmed as an integral aspect of religious liberty. 4 Separation of Church and State The freedom to express religious views in public is as important as the freedom to determine religious beliefs for oneself. For Reformed Christians, faith demands engagement in the secular order and involvement in the political realm (God Alone, p. 48). The so-called separation between church and state is particularly misleading when used to advocate the separation of religion from politics or from any other dimension of the public order. The First Amendment has never meant separation of religion from community or separation of the church from public life. On their face, the religion clauses [of the U.S. Constitution] constitute an absolute prohibition on government participation in religious life; there is no hint that that barrier was even thought to isolate religion from the life of the republic (God Alone, pp ). Responsibility for Involvement in Public Life The freedom and responsibility to express religious and moral views in public is an important part of our denominational principles and history. The Gospel demands that we share our faith and that we seek to be a community of faith witnessing to God s good news and Christ s teachings to the world in words and deeds. According to the Reformed tradition and standards of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), it is a limitation and denial of faith not to seek its expression in both a personal and pubic manner, in such ways as will not only influence, but transform the public order and involvement in the political realm (God Alone, p. 48). This principle reflects our foundational statements (F , F , F ), other parts of the Book of Order (e.g., W ), and our long-standing and important history of social witness to world. Endorsement or Opposition to Political Candidates For these reasons, limitations upon the freedom of religious bodies to participate in public life are illegitimate and unconstitutional. The church is bound to reject any regulation limiting church advocacy or particular legislation or endorsement of candidates, or establishing religious qualifications for office holders (God Alone, p. 50). Over the centuries, Presbyterians have stood up and spoken out against those who would silence the church and the faithful. Internal Revenue Code provisions that limit tax-exempt religious organization from devoting substantial activity to attempts to influence legislation or participate or intervene in political campaigns on behalf of any candidate for public office, as well as recent public debate, heighten concerns about religious discourse about public life. There is a difference between discussion of issues and candidates, on one hand, and intervention in campaigns on behalf of specific candidates on the other (God Alone, p. 50). 28

29 The 200th General Assembly (1988) specifically affirmed that: We recognize that speaking out on issues will sometimes constitute implicit support or opposition to particular candidates or parties, where policy and platform differences are clearly drawn. Since such differences are the vital core of the political process, church participation should not be curtailed on that account; but we believe that it is generally unwise and imprudent for the church explicitly to support or oppose specific candidates, except in unusual circumstances (God Alone, p. 50). Each council should be mindful of these foundational principles and historical practice. It is easy to step from advocating our vision to seeking to enforce it, from protecting religious liberty to requiring right belief and action. The church must advocate its positions on public issues, but it should not seek to exercise political authority in its own right (God Alone, p. 50). Endnotes 1. God Alone Is Lord of the Conscience is a policy statement of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) adopted by the 200th General Assembly (1988), and affirmed or cited by numerous subsequent General Assemblies and entities of the church. Hereafter God Alone. 2. Section F states the Calling of the Church is to be a community of faith, a community of hope, a community of love, and a community of witness. The Great Ends of the Church (F ) include the promotion of social righteousness; and the exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the world. Section F explains the Church seeks a new openness to God's mission in the world. 3. See, e.g., the Theological Declaration of Barmen and the Confession of 1967, which can be found in the Book of Confessions. 4. The church is always obliged to respect claims of conscience lest it frustrate efforts to obey the will of God. We need not agree with the specific dictates of another s conscience to respect and support the right to exercise that conscience. Paul told Christians that they were freed from Jewish dietary laws, but if the conscience of another is offended by eating certain foods, for conscience sake I mean his conscience, not yours do not eat it (1 Corinthians 10:28 29). The obligation to respect the exercise of conscience is not only a dynamic of life within the church; it is both a demand and a dilemma of the First Amendment s protection of religious freedom (God Alone, p. 18). Advice from the Advisory Committee for Social Witness Policy The Advisory Committee for Social Witness Policy advised the 223rd General Assembly (2018) to approve with suggested amendment providing the following advice [edited]. The Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP) advises approval as amended below: [Text to be deleted is shown with a strike-through and with brackets; text to be added or inserted is shown with an underline and with brackets.] [No] [Except in cases of extreme danger to the common good, and even then with cautions against extreme partisanship, no] congregation, session, presbytery, synod, or national office of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), nor any individual acting on behalf of or in an official capacity for the above institutions, shall publicly endorse or oppose, or otherwise encourage or discourage others to vote for or against an individual running for public office. The substantial and generally fine General Assembly social witness policy on church/state relations, God Alone Is Lord of the Conscience (1988; refuses to limit prophetic religious speech, but also recognizes the wisdom of our predominant practice. The church is bound to reject any regulation limiting church advocacy or particular legislation or endorsement of candidates, or establishing religious qualifications for office holders. But then, There is a difference between discussion of issues and candidates, on one hand, and intervention in campaigns on behalf of specific candidates on the other. And further, we believe that it is generally unwise and imprudent for the church explicitly to support or oppose specific candidates, except in unusual circumstances (all three quotes from page 50). The General Assembly spoke to the issues involved in the Tax Justice policy of 2014, reaffirming the principles behind the current 501.c.3 category, and further addressing the abuse of the 501.c.4 category of social welfare institutions for political purposes and personal enrichment: 29

30 Rules governing tax-exempt social welfare organizations (501(c)(4)s) should exclude or strictly limit the eligibility of donations for partisan political purposes, parties and candidates, and the individual and corporate donors to or through such organizations should be made public due to their influence on the political process ( p. 4). The 222nd General Assembly (2016) addressed this matter even more directly, responding to Supreme Court decisions in the Citizens United and Voting Rights Act cases, which intensified the role of money in politics: [The Assembly:] Endorses the continuing prohibition of partisan political endorsements by religious organizations or their leadership and other measures to respect both religious liberty and the separation of church and state. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) strongly supports the freedom of religious organizations to speak on matters of policy, but personal endorsements and partisan ties may present the appearance of or opportunity for collusion, special treatment, and the violation of nonprofit tax status. pp. 2 3) The Assembly Committee on Church Polity and Ordered Ministry (06) voted to approve the proposed amendment as amended 31/24. The 223rd General Assembly (2018) approved the committee s recommendation with amendment 370/99. (See Minutes, 2018, Part I, pp. 73, 611.) For the full report of Item 06-16, go to 30

31 18-D. Membership of Presbytery On Amending G (Item 06-05) The 223rd General Assembly (2018) directed the Stated Clerk to send the following proposed amendment to the presbyteries for their affirmative or negative votes: Shall the fourth paragraph of G of the Form of Government be amended by adding the following statement as follows? [Text to be added is shown as italic.] Every minister of the Word and Sacrament shall ordinarily be a member of the presbytery where his or her work is situated or of the presbytery where she or he resides. The presbytery may grant a minister permission to engage in work validated ministry that is outside its geographic bounds or which is not under its jurisdiction, but no presbytery shall permit a minister to engage in work that is within the geographic bounds of another presbytery and which is properly within the responsibility of another presbytery without consent of that presbytery. Such permission shall be obtained from both presbyteries and shall be reviewed and renewed annually. Rationale This proposed amendment originates from the Presbytery of Tropical Florida as Item The Presbyteries of Central Florida, Greater Atlanta, Huntington, Wabash Valley and de Cristo concurred. The Presbytery of Tropical Florida provided the following rationale [edited]. The current Form of Government lacks clarity with regard to the seeking of and granting of permission for a minister member of a presbytery to labor beyond the geographic boundaries of the presbytery of membership. This overture provides clarity to the seeking of permission to labor within the geographic bounds of a presbytery beyond that of the minister of Word and Sacrament s membership. As the presbytery is the council serving as a corporate expression of the church within a certain district (G ), the presbytery needs to have knowledge of and oversight for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) witness within its geographic district. Without the Form of Government making it clear that permission must be granted by the presbytery for all validated ministry taking place within its bounds, the particular corporate witness of a presbytery within a certain district may lack unity of strategy for mission under the Word. The addition of this paragraph to the Form of Government enhances the presbytery s capacity for unity in its corporate witness as strategy for mission under the Word. Advice from the Advisory Committee on the Constitution The Advisory Committee on the Constitution advised the 223rd General Assembly (2018) to approve Item as amended providing the following advice [edited]: Item seeks to return to the Book of Order the mechanism for seeking permission to labor beyond the geographic bounds of membership of the minister of the Word and Sacrament. The text is based on the language that was in the edition of the Book of Order. The Form of Government (G ) establishes that each presbytery determines the ministers who are its members and validates the ministries in which they are to be engaged, following the criteria of G a(1) (5) and the policy developed by the presbytery for validating the ministries of its members. The Assembly Committee on Church Polity and Ordered Ministry (06) voted to approve the proposed amendment as amended 52/1. The 223rd General Assembly (2018) approved the committee s recommendation with amendment 442/13. (See Minutes, 2018, Part I, pp. 71, 571.) For the full report of Item 06-05, go to 31

32 18-E. Pastor, Counselor, and Advisor to Its Pastors and Congregations On Amending G (Item 06-02) The 223rd General Assembly (2018) directed the Stated Clerk to send the following proposed amendment to the presbyteries for their affirmative or negative votes: Shall G of the Form of Government be amended as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown as italic.] G Pastor, Counselor, and Advisor to Its Pastors Ministers of the Word and Sacrament and Congregations Presbyteries shall be open at all times to communication regarding the life and ministry of their congregations. Each presbytery shall develop and maintain mechanisms and processes to serve as pastor and counselor to its pastors, both ministers of the Word and Sacrament, and ruling elders commissioned to pastoral service (also called commissioned pastors (also known as commissioned ruling elders]), as well as the and certified Christian educators of the presbytery; to facilitate the relations between the presbytery and its congregations, pastors ministers of the Word and Sacrament, commissioned pastors, and certified Christian educators; and to settle difficulties on behalf of the presbytery where possible and expedient. Rationale The proposed amendment originates from the Presbytery of Santa Fe as Item The Presbyteries of Grand Canyon, Muskingum Valley, Sierra Blanca, Southeastern Illinois, and de Cristo, concurred with Item The Presbytery of Santa Fe provided the following rationale for Item [edited]. The Presbytery of Santa Fe was one of the concurring presbyteries on the 2016 overture that became Amendment 16-C, Recommendations C.1 through C.8, ratified by a majority of the presbyteries. We are mindful of the valid criticism of Recommendation 16-C.6 (G ) raised by the Advisory Committee on the Constitution, as well as other concerns about repetitive wording. We believe this can be easily remedied by our proposed amendment. Advice from the Advisory Committee on the Constitution The Advisory Committee on the Constitution advised the 223rd General Assembly (2018) to approve Item as amended providing the following advice [edited]: The rationale for Item focuses on the issue of repetitive wording in this section, but there is a more important issue that is corrected by this amendment. The 222nd General Assembly (2016) approved Item on amending the Book of Order to clarify titles to Ordered Ministry. Item (2016) was a large amendment with seven recommendations, most which dealt with switching the default term for the ordered ministry of teaching elder to minister of the Word and Sacrament. In the process of approval, the 222nd General Assembly (2016) approved an amendment to G (sixth recommendation) to strike out the term teaching elder and insert not minister of the Word and Sacrament, but pastor. The Advisory Committee on the Constitution called the attention of the assembly to an unintended consequence of this amendment, that by inserting the word pastor into the action defining who had access to the committee on ministry or its equivalent, the amendment was cutting off all ministers of the Word and Sacrament not serving as installed or temporary pastors from access to this committee or entity. Item (2016) was approved and referred to the presbyteries without addressing this concern. 32

33 Item 06-02, if approved, will restore constitutional access to the committee on ministry or its equivalent to all minister members of the presbytery. It also deals with the issue of repetitive wording in this section with language that is clear and concise. The Assembly Committee on Church Polity and Ordered Ministry (06) voted to approve the proposed amendment as amended 52/0. The 223rd General Assembly (2018) approved the committee s recommendation with amendment 464/3. (See Minutes, 2018, Part I, pp. 70, ) For the full report of Item 06-02, go to 33

34 18-F. Welcoming to the Table On Amending W (Item 14-03) The 223rd General Assembly (2018) directed the Stated Clerk to send the following proposed amendment to the presbyteries for their affirmative or negative votes: Shall W be amended as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown as italic.] W Welcoming to the Table In cases where baptized children who have not yet begun to participate in the Lord s Supper express a desire to receive the Sacrament, the session should provide an occasion to welcome them they shall be welcomed to the table in public worship. Their introduction to the Lord s Supper should include and the session should ensure they receive ongoing instruction or formation in the meaning and mystery of the Sacraments. Rationale This proposed amendment originates from the Presbytery of Grace as Item The Presbyteries of de Cristo, Grand Canyon, Huntingdon, Newton, and Palo Duro concurred. The Presbytery of Grace provided the following rationale [edited]. The current language provide an occasion to welcome them could be interpreted as the need to provide a first communion service for baptized children. If taken this way, the language could develop a mindset that baptized children must wait until a certain age or complete certain educational requirements before belonging at the table. This mindset would violate our understanding that the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord s Supper are linked (W Welcome ) and that all who come to the table are to be offered the bread and cup regardless of their age or understanding, (W The Theology of the Lord s Supper ). Striking this phrase simplifies the wording while maintaining the intent to welcome the baptized and provide them with ongoing instruction. The responsibility for instruction in baptismal identity and worship education and participation is addressed in W Nurturing the Baptized, W Ruling Elders, and W Shared Responsibility and Accountability. The issue of welcome to those not baptized is addressed in W The Theology of the Lord s Supper. Advice from the Advisory Committee on the Constitution The Advisory Committee on the Constitution advised the 223rd General Assembly (2018) to approve Item providing the following advice [edited]: The Advisory Committee on the Constitution advises the 223rd General Assembly (2018) to approve Item This amendment seeks to clarify that when children receive the Lord s Supper for the first time, the Directory for Worship is not suggesting a service such as first communion. The Advisory Committee on the Constitution finds that the overture has identified a possible contradiction between W and the current language of W and has provided an amendment to W that would resolve that contradiction. The Advisory Committee on the Constitution advises that the proposed language is clear and consistent with the stated intent of the overture. The Assembly Committee on Theological & Church Growth Issues and Institutions (14) voted to approve the proposed amendment with comment 50/1. The 223rd General Assembly (2018) approved the committee s recommendation with a voice vote. (See Minutes, 2018, Part I, pp. 17, 1205.) For the full report of Item 14-03, go to 34

35 18-G. Disciplinary Offense On Amending D b (Item 06-04) The 223rd General Assembly (2018) directed the Stated Clerk to send the following proposed amendment to the presbyteries for their affirmative or negative votes: Shall D b of the Form of Government be amended as follows? [Text to be deleted is shown with strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown as italic.] b. An offense is any act or omission by a member or a person in an ordered ministry of the church that is contrary to the Scriptures or the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Sexual abuse as defined in Section D c shall be considered contrary to the Scriptures or Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and therefore an offense for purposes of these rules. Rationale This proposed amendment originates from the Presbytery of North Alabama as Item The Presbyteries of Albany, Boise, Grand Canyon, Huntington, and de Cristo concurred. The Presbytery of North Alabama provided the following rationale [edited]. A recent ruling by a synod permanent judicial commission effectively indicated that actions in violation of a council s sexual misconduct policy are not under the jurisdiction of the Rules of Discipline unless those actions are explicitly specified as contrary to the Scriptures or the Constitution. The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) requires all councils shall adopt and implement a sexual misconduct policy and a child and youth protection policy (Book of Order, G ). In order to meet this requirement, actions or omissions in violation of these policies must have the capacity to be addressed through our disciplinary process; otherwise the policies are unenforceable. Furthermore, it should be implicit that actions that violate constitutionally required policies are by their very nature contrary to the Scriptures or the Constitution. Decisions in prior disciplinary cases have supported this concept. The members and congregations of the Presbytery of North Alabama wish to stringently affirm that sexual misconduct is sin. We believe past failure to confront this behavior has led to injustice and discord within the church, and scrutiny and litigation from without. We humbly ask the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to take an unequivocal stand for justice by equating this sin as an implicit violation of scriptural norms and constitutional ordination vows. Advice from the Advisory Committee on the Constitution The Advisory Committee on the Constitution advised the 223rd General Assembly (2018) to disapprove Item with comment. They provided the following advice [edited]. The Advisory Committee on the Constitution advises the 223rd General Assembly (2018) to disapprove Item with the following comment. While sexual misconduct is not condoned by Scriptures or the Constitution of the PC(USA), adding this language to the Book of Order is unnecessary. All councils and judicial commissions are admonished to consider sexual misconduct as contrary to the Scriptures and the Constitution of the PC(USA). Scriptures and the Constitution do not condone sexual misconduct or the abuse and endangerment of children and youth. Many acts involve impermissible sexual overtures, force, and misconduct. The assembly is reminded that the Constitution is not an enumeration of specific permitted or prohibited conduct, but rather a guide for all councils in administering their mission. Each council should be mindful that any act of sexual misconduct or child abuse is in violation of the Constitution. By singling out a particular violation of a particular policy, an inference might be made that violations of other policies are not contrary to the Scriptures and the Constitution. 35

36 Councils have the authority to establish and enforce their policies. Not all violations of a particular policy may be found to be contrary to Scripture or the Constitution. Violation of a council's sexual misconduct and/or child and youth protection policy may be procedural and may not rise to the level of a constitutional offense. The Rules of Discipline set forth the process for determining proof of an alleged offense, including sexual misconduct. The assembly may consider admonishing all councils and judicial commissions that sexual misconduct is contrary to the Scriptures and the Constitution and that all councils are required to adopt and implement a sexual misconduct policy and/or child/youth protection policy (G ). Alternatively, the assembly may consider referral of this item to the Task Force on the Rules of Discipline for report to the 224th General Assembly (2020). Advice from the Advocacy Committee on Women s Concerns The Advocacy Committee on Women s Concerns advised the 223rd General Assembly (2018) approve Item providing the following advice [edited]. The Advocacy Committee for Women s Concerns (ACWC) agrees that any act or omission prohibited by the council of authority s duly adopted sexual misconduct policy and/or child and youth protection policy should be considered contrary to the Scriptures or Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and therefore an offense for purposes of these rules. ACWC agrees with this overture that past failure to confront sexual misconduct has led to injustice and discord within the church, and scrutiny and litigation from without. Because all sexual abuse is, at the core, an abuse of power, certain populations are more vulnerable to such abuse. For instance, children and youth, developmentally disabled adults, and immigrant night shift workers are often the targets of sexual misconduct. Gender inequities rooted in theological misunderstandings based in patriarchy leave women within the church particularly vulnerable to sexual misconduct, not only from other clergy, but also to sexual harassment from male members of their congregations. It is essential that the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) take an unequivocal stand for justice by equating sexual misconduct to be an implicit violation of scriptural norms and constitutional ordination vows. The Assembly Committee on Church Polity and Ordered Ministry (06) voted to approve the proposed amendment as amended 53/0. The 223rd General Assembly (2018) approved the committee s recommendation with amendment 416/13. (See Minutes, 2018, Part I, pp. 70, 570.) For the full report of Item 06-04, go to 36

37 18-H. Time Limit On Amending D (Item 06-24) The 223rd General Assembly (2018) directed the Stated Clerk to send the following proposed amendment to the presbyteries for their affirmative or negative votes: 18-H.1. Shall D b of the Form of Government be amended as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown as italic.] b. For instances of sexual abuse of another person, the five-year time limit shall not apply. There is also no time limit for charging that a person who knew or reasonably should have known of the reasonable risk of sexual abuse of another as defined in D c(1) or (2) failed to take reasonable steps to minimize the risk. Both charges may be brought regardless of the date on which an offense is alleged to have occurred. 18-H.2. Shall D c(1) of the Form of Government be amended as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown as italic.] (1) any person under the age of eighteen years or anyone over the age of eighteen years without the mental capacity to consent; or Rationale This proposed amendment originates from the Advisory Committee on the Constitution comment on a referral from the 222nd (2016) General Assembly to the Office of the General Assembly. The original item before the 222nd (2016) General Assembly originated from the Advocacy Committee for Women s Concerns. Advice from the Advisory Committee on the Constitution The Advisory Committee on the Constitution advised the 223rd General Assembly (2018) to refer Item to the Rules of Discipline Task Force or approve as amended. They provided the following advice [edited]. [b.] The ACWC proposed and ACC recommended languages both impose a level of responsibility on persons that is not currently part of the Rules of Discipline. The ACC recommendation imposes a negligence standard for failure to respond to situations involving a reasonable risk of sexual misconduct, including the failure to report appropriately. [c.1)] This language recognizes that minor persons cannot consent. The second clause clarifies that sexual abuse includes persons who lack of the capacity to consent for any reason whatsoever. The Assembly Committee on Church Polity and Ordered Ministry (06) voted to approve the proposed amendment as amended 47/1. The 223rd General Assembly (2018) approved the committee s recommendation with amendment 455/16. (See Minutes, 2018, Part I, pp , ) For the full report of Item 06-24, go to 37

38 LIST OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS 18-A. Election of Ruling Elders and Deacons On Amending G B. Renunciation of Jurisdiction B.1. On Amending G B.2. On Amending D d C. Officers - On Amending G D. Membership of Presbytery - On Amending G E. Pastor, Counselor, and Advisor On Amending G F. Welcoming to the Table On Amending W G. Disciplinary Offense - On Amending D b H. Time Limit H.1. On Amending D b H.2. On Amending D c(1)

39 c. The Stated Clerk (G ) Their duties shall include those assigned to each office by the Book of Order, by these Bylaws and by the Presbytery. Their terms shall be one year, except the Stated Clerk whose term shall be five years. The Moderator may appoint one or more additional Vice Moderators to assist with Moderatorial responsibilities. Election and Installation. At the Annual Meeting, the Presbytery shall elect a Moderator (who shall normally be the outgoing Vice Moderator), a Vice Moderator and a Stated Clerk (when necessary). There shall also be an installation of the new Moderator and Vice Moderator at the Annual Meeting. The new Moderator takes office upon election and installation. All other newly elected offices begin their terms in the month following the Annual Meeting unless specified differently by the Presbytery. Vacancy. If a vacancy occurs in the office of Vice Moderator, the Moderator may appoint a person to fill the vacancy until the next Stated Meeting, at which time the Presbytery may elect a person to fill the unexpired term. If a vacancy occurs in the office of Stated Clerk, the Moderator shall appoint a person to fill the vacancy until the next Stated Meeting. At that time, the Presbytery may elect a person to serve as Interim Stated Clerk until the next Annual Meeting. INDEMNIFICATION AND RECUSAL Who is Indemnified. The Presbytery shall indemnify its officers, committee and team chairpersons, members of Presbytery Council and employees and their respective executors and administrators, to the extent allowed for officers and directors under the provisions of Section 722 and 723 of the New York Not-for-Profit Corporation Law. Recusal Required in Certain Circumstances. If a member of a committee, team, Presbytery Council or commission or a voting member of Presbytery is personally directly affected by a matter before any such body or is a member or minister of the Word and Sacrament of a church directly affected by a matter before any such body, that member shall be excused from all discussion and voting on that matter. This shall not prevent the body from deciding to recall the member to ask the member questions, but the member shall again be excused before any further discussion or voting on the matter. AMENDMENTS Amendments. These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the eligible voters present and voting at a Stated Meeting of the Presbytery, provided that notice of the proposed amendment has been presented in writing at the previous Stated Meeting of the Presbytery at which a quorum was present

40 Presbytery of Western New York Proposed 2019 Operating Budget October 23, 2018 Per Capita for 2019: $34.10 as of 10/4/18 (a 10% increase from 2018 rate of $31.00 column: A B C D to offset the 16% increase in GA per capita) Deficit (83,335) (75,559) (54,260) (15,147) Full Year Status Quo Prelim Line Acct Actual Actual Budget Budget I N C O M E Church Pledges Contribution Income Church Pledges for Per Capita, Program 213, , , ,739 Per Cap $ to 4014 Church Pledges Designated for Pres. Branch M 30,440 15,867 15,108 12,000 * Accrued Per Capita shortage, considered colle 2, to Total Church Pledges Contribution Income 246, , , , Investment Transfers & Other Income Niagara Trust: Unrestr. Fund E Income Tran 12,713 13,108 14,437 12,540 est Richmond Endowment: Fund E Income Tran 1,845 1,887 1,869 1,950 est Kenfield & James Mem Fund: Fund E Income Adult Education: Fund B Income Transfer 365 2,599 2,600 2,600 * Duff Scholarship: Fund E Income Transfer - 5,000 5,000 5,000 * % Draw from Unrestricted Fund F Incom 52,646 69,648 20,350 14,569 est 8a Addl Draw 4.5% of Bldg Sale Proceeds ,145 est CCG/Resource Center: Fund B Income Trans ,000 12,000 * Investment Income recorded in Operating F 1,231 1, Capital Gains (Losses) on Investment, Fund 5, Miscellaneous Income Rental Income - Wrights Corners Church - 14 Rental Income - Manse at Wrights Corners 2,400 2,400 2,400 2, TOTAL REVENUE ALL SOURCES 323, , , , Page (1) of 4

41 Presbytery of Western New York Proposed 2019 Operating Budget October 23, 2018 A B C H Full Year E X P E N S E S (Detail) Status Quo Full Yr Acct Actual Actual Budget Estimate PASTORAL & CHURCH LEADERSHIP SUPPORT Committee on Ministry COM Programs Continuing Education Grants (see Revenue 365-2,600 2,600 * 18 Committee on Preparation for Ministry CPM Programs Duff Scholarships (see Fund E Income tra - 5,000 5,000 5,000 * 21 Committee on Recruiting, Retention & Retirement Annual Clergy Retreat 3,603 1,394 1,800 1, Clergy Retreat participant fees (2,285) CRRR Programs TOTAL PASTORAL & CHURCH LEADERSHIP 2,478 6,639 10,900 10,900 DISCIPLESHIP & TRANSFORMATION TEAMS Program Funds for DNMT & CTMT Program participant expense offset Resources for Branch Program Support CCG/Resource Center (see Rev transfer Fu 14,000 14,000 12,000 12,000 * Insurance on CCG & Campus Ministry TOTAL DISCIPLESHIP & TRANSFORMATION 14,250 14,000 12,800 13,211 OUTREACH MINISTRY Outreach Team Expenses Ecumenical Organization Support 3,874 3,685 3,669 3,474 =8685* Branch Mission Outreach (see Contrib Rev 30,440 15,867 15,108 12,000 * Presbytery Outreach Impact Grants SUBTOTAL: PRESBYTERY OUTREACH M 34,314 19,552 18,777 15, Synod Mission: Presbytery Budget 3,643 1, GA Mission: Per Presbytery Budget 6,884 1,640 1, SUBTOTAL: GA & SYNOD MISSION 10,527 2,923 2, TOTAL OUTREACH MISSION 44,841 22,475 21,177 15,474 - PER CAPITA COMMITMENT TO CONNECTIONAL CHURCH Synod Per Capita 38,744 37,769 37,605 35,609 =8685* General Assembly Per Capita (16% Incr) 68,964 69,090 70,900 77,731 =8685* TOTAL GA & SYNOD PER CAPITA 107, , , ,339 16% Subtotal: GA & Synod Commitment (Mission & 118, , , ,339 4% PRESBYTERY SUPPORT & ADMINISTRATION PRESBYTERY COUNCIL Council and Committee Expenses 1,545 1,165 1,400 1, Moderators Expenses 1, ,000 1, Legal Expenses - LAPC Lofts 27,554 71, TOTAL COUNCIL & COMMITTEE EXPENSE 30,449 73,535 2,400 2, BRANCH EXPENSES 1,516 2,015 2,500 2, Page (2) of 4

42 Presbytery of Western New York Proposed 2019 Operating Budget October 23, 2018 A B C H Full Year E X P E N S E S (Detail) Status Quo Full Yr Acct Actual Actual Budget Estimate PRESBYTERY OFFICE PERSONNEL Head of Staff/Presbyter for Discipleship, Communication, Transformation ,6210 Salary and Housing 17, ,850 10h/wk SECA 1, , % Pension/Major Medical 6, ,782 12% 56 Total Presbyter for DCT 25, ,768 STATED CLERK (1/4 time) Salary & Housing 14,190 14,190 14,431 14, % Benefits (12% to TDA) 4,423 1,703 1,732 1,782 12% SECA (7.65%) 1,086 1,086 1,104 1, Study Leave 1, ,000 1, Expenses (Travel, meals, prof exp) 1, ,000 1, TOTAL STATED CLERK 21,698 17,634 19,267 19,736 PRESBYTERY ADMINISTRATOR Salary (7hrs/wk) ,660 7hrs/wk FICA TOTAL PRESBYTERY ADMINISTRATOR ,399 BUSINESS MANAGER Salary 40,761 40,761 41,454 41,454 30hrs/wk Benefits (26%(>5 yrs)) 8,956 8,920 10,502 10,778 26% Continuing Education 1,000 1,000 1,000 1, FICA 3,118 3,118 3,171 3, % Expenses TOTAL BUSINESS MANAGER 54,498 54,469 56,827 56,903 ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Salary 43,968 43,968 44,715 25,552 20hrs/wk Benefits (30%(>10 yrs)) 13,166 13,255 13,415 7,665 30% Continuing Education FICA 3,363 3,363 3,421 1, % Expenses TOTAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT 60,497 60,624 61,551 35, Webmaster 1,285 1,404 1, FICA Total Webmaster 1,384 1,511 1, Office Cleaning Assistant 352 2,675 2, FICA Total Office Cleaning 379 2,880 2, Admin Staff - Temporary FICA Total Admin Temp OTHER HUMAN RESOURCE EXPENSES Background Check Services Workers Comp (& DBL, Unempl) 2,166 2,424 2,150 1, NYS DBL NYS Unempl TOTAL OTHER PERSONNEL EXPENSES 2,166 2,723 2,950 2, Page (3) of 4

43 Presbytery of Western New York Proposed 2019 Operating Budget October 23, 2018 A B C H Full Year E X P E N S E S (Detail) Status Quo Full Yr Acct Actual Actual Budget Estimate 90 TOTAL PERSONNEL 165, , , ,694 OFFICE EXPENSES Publications & Subscriptions Office Supplies 1,705 1,362 1, Payroll Service 974 1,060 1,108 1, Bank Fees Postage 1,591 1,344 1,600 1, Hospitality Safe Deposit Box Rental Audit / Financial Review 3,000 3,500 3,500 3, Software Fees, IT Support Eq Mt 1,824 1,275 1, IT Hardware Spt & Backup Eq Mt Interest Expense (copier lease) TOTAL OFFICE EXPENSES 7,823 10,096 9,767 8,359 BUILDING EXPENSES Utilities 2,508 2,796 2, Telephone 4,539 4,246 4, Equipment Maint, Rent Eq Mt 3, , Postage Machine Rent, Exp Eq Mt Copier Service, Supplies Eq Mt Office Cleaning & Maint 4,883 3,666 3, Security System PBY Liability & Property Insur i 5,367 5,200 6,088 3, Office Rent Expense - 11, TOTAL BUILDING EXPENSES 21,308 18,304 20,902 16,325 Wrights Corners Building Expenses Utilities Wrights Corners 2,914 3,857 3,857 3, Less: Utilities reimbursement (by MTM tenant) (3,600) (3,600) (3,600) Insurance - Wrights Corners i 1,797 2,037 1,986 1, Maint & Other Exp - Wrights Corners 2,345 1,611 1,510 1,048 Total Wrights Corners Building Expenses 7,056 3,905 3,754 3,292 Franklinville Building Expenses Utilities Franklinville , Insurance - Franklinville , Legal Exp - Franklinville Maint & Other Exp - Franklinville , Bldg Sale Exp - Franklinville Property Taxes- Franklinville , Total Franklinville Building Expenses ,744 TOTAL OFFICE & BUILDING EXPENSES 36,186 32,306 34,423 27,975 TOTAL PRESBYTERY SUPPORT & ADMIN 233, , , ,569 OTHER EXPENSES Uncollectible Pledges Written Off 3, TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES 406, , , ,493 BUDGET SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) (83,335) (75,559) (54,260) (15,147) 43 Page (4) of 4

44 Upcoming Presbytery Events Sunday, October 21, 2018 at Orchard Park Presbyterian Church 10:30am Susan Krehbiel, PDA guest preacher 11:45 1pm Lunch 1 3pm PDA Workshop on Refugee Welcome. Come meet Susan Krehbiel from PDA and discuss refugee situations and ministry within the immigration context. Share with her what your congregation is doing; invite her to join in a visit to some of our local non-profit partners! Monday, October 22, 2018 at Orchard Park Presbyterian Church 9 11am PDA workshop on Public Violence and Human Caused Disasters 11am Noon Lunch Noon 2pm PDA workshop for a general overview of how to get involved in the work of PDA and what they do Did you know PDA was more than just construction/rebuilding after storms? Come see what kinds of trainings you can get and how to get involved even if you don t want to swing a hammer! Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at First Presbyterian Church, East Aurora Luncheon at Roycroft Inn with Allison Seed and Rachel Brown Learn about what s new and how to fill out the CBE form 4:00 pm Presbytery meeting Come help celebrate 200 years in East Aurora! Rev. Dr. Jim Kirk from PDA preaching See reverse side for Bios of Susan and Jim Coming in January/February 2019 Trainings and seminars for Elders, Deacons, Clerks of Session, Treasurers, Christian Educators and Personnel Chairs. I bet there s something for you even if you don t feel you fit in one of these be a cat with a box and make a fit! 2018/2019 Officers Moderator of Presbytery Marcia Buhl blueheron3665@gmail.com Council Chair Debbie Katz dkatz@wpcbuffalo.org Presbytery of Western New York info@pbywny.org 44

45 Ms. Susan Krehbiel works for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance as the Associate for Refugees and Asylum where she is responsible for directly PDA s support to Mid Councils, local congregations and national partners in refugee-related ministries. Susan has 30 years non-profit experience working with refugees and immigrants, as an advocate for refugee rights and social and legal services that assist refugees and immigrants in their integration into the United States. During that time Susan has worked for Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Service ( ), Church World Service ( ) and as a consultant with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). While at LIRS, she led the agency in program and policy development with particular attention to the treatment of unaccompanied children. Susan has worked closely with other non-governmental agencies, the US government and international organizations to promote national and international policies to protect these vulnerable populations and provide appropriate services for their recovery and success. Susan has contributed to a number of published reports such as: Refugee Resettlement and Women at Risk: Can the risk be reduced? (UNHCR, 2013) Unlocking Liberty: A Way Forward for U.S. Immigration and Refugee Policy (LIRS, 2011) Living on the Edge: Colombian Refugees in Panama and Ecuador (Refugee Council USA, 2010) No Small Matter: Ensuring Protection and Durable Solutions for Unaccompanied & Separated Refugee Children (LIRS/UNHCR, 2007) Refugee Resettlement: An international handbook to guide reception and integration of resettled refugees, (UNHCR, 2002) In addition, Susan serves part time as the Social Justice Consultant with the Presbytery of Baltimore. She was raised in the Presbyterian Church (daughter and sister to Presbyterian clergy), is an ordained ruling elder and has served on two immigration-related task forces for the General Assembly. She is married to Norman Lazarus and they are members at Catonsville Presbyterian Church, outside of Baltimore, MD. She has an MA in Latin American Studies from the University of Texas at Austin and a BA in Spanish from the College of Wooster. 45

46 The Rev. Dr. James J. Kirk is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and in August of 2016 accepted the position of Associate for Disaster Response (U.S.) for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. This position is responsible for coordinating the denominations domestic response to the many disasters that impact our congregations, Presbyteries and communities. The mission of PDA is to bring, Out of Chaos, Hope. Prior to this position Jim served congregations in Sparta, NJ and Naples, FL. He graduated from Moravian College with a BA in 1977 and from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, VA with a D.Min. in Jim is a Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional (CCFP) through the International Association of Trauma Professionals and a member of the International Critical Stress Foundation (ICSF). Jim was a volunteer with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance for over 20 years. In that role Jim has responded to a variety of disaster including natural and public violence. Jim is a past chair of the National VOAD Emotional and Spiritual Care Committee and has been on the committee for nine years. He has been a National and Local Volunteer with Red Cross since Jim was a part of a team that developed the Disaster Spiritual Care program that is currently being integrated into Red Cross Chapters around the country. 46