The Presbytery of Olympia met on September 19, 2013 at 3 PM.
Moderator Rev.Sue Watkinsopened the meeting with prayer
A quorum was established– The rolls are listed below:
Teacher Elders Present:
David AlgerJett BrooksLarry Brown
Barlow BuescherJeffrey BurschHeidi Calhoun
Ralph CarrKathryn CastleDebra Cato
Sahara CheaMeghan DavisMark Dowdy
Stuart DuganJoyce EmeryBrad Epperson
Kenneth FinleySteven FischbackRon Ganzer
William GeppertMartin IvesHeather James
David KegleyDon KellerJames Kim
Stephen KlumpSamuel LeePeter Little
Christine LongLynn LongfieldIris Martin
Gary MathiesonCheryl McClanahanKari McFarland
Mary McGonigalJim MeadTaeler Morgan
Kyun Yong NahRebecca NevilleElsa Peters
Eric RenzMatt Robbins-GhormleyPhil Schiller
Harlan ShoopKenneth SikesJesse Skiffington
Rhyan SmithTammy StampfliSteve Starr
Aaron StewartSerena SullivanKeith Tanis
Jim ThoburnSue WatkinsSarah Wiles
Melody Young
Ruling Elders Present:
Don RossAberdeen, First
Bob ThompsonBuckley, Community
Tom BurchettChehalis, Westminster
Don BackmanLacey
Suzanne WatinLakewood
Alica Amblad, Jean JacksonLakewood, Little Church on the Prairie
Doug Perry, Jim KirtlandLakewood, Tacoma Central
Nancy LundquistLongview
Ruth E. MooreMilton, Mission Woods
John Gillespie, Linda AndersonMontesano
Sid Olson, Russ RoseOlympia, United Churches
Dave AmmonsOlympia, Westminster
Rose EricksonOnalaska, Community
Roger IrlePacific Beach, Chapel by the Sea
Margery BarlowPackwood Community
Arlen DavisonPuyallup, First
Gayle Shenk, Helen CarpenterShepherd of the Hill
George BowenShelton
Abbie WattersTacoma, Bethany
Anne-Cecil PorterTacoma, Church of the Indian Fellowship
Irene Van ArnamTacoma, Fircrest
Yu KimTacoma, Korean United
David WilsonTacoma, Parkway
Marilyn Scott, Jan LengTacoma, Skyline
Melissa PulliamTacoma, Trinity
Marlene HaydenTacoma, Westminster
Liz Bergle, Marsha ReevesTenino, First
Judy BassettToledo
Bob MohrUniversity Place
Cliff CampbellWoodland
Elders Chairs Standing Committees of the Presbytery or serving on Strategic Board:
Maryellen Priedeman, Nominating
Shari Jackson Monson, Strategic Board
Eunice Robbs, Strategic Board
Commissioned Ruling Elders
Joe Hibbard
Guests:
Julie Johnson, Candidate for Ministry, Pastoral Intern at Lakewood
Gary Stevens, Transitional Pastor, Harrison Square
Carol Reeve-Keller, Lakewood
Zack Brown, Sound View Director
Matthew Klump, Sound View Staff
Phyllis Smith, Puyallup, First
Peggy Gillespie, Montesano
Millie Campbell, Woodland
Portia Brown, Woodland
Elizabeth McClanahan, Little Church
Floyd Collins, Little Church
Joethel Smith, Little Church
Rod Nash, Trinity
Connie Dunkelberger, Lakewood
Liesl Vander Aarde, Lakewood
Becky Huber, Little Church
Dantine T. Halmot
Marlene Graves
Dave Shaw
Paul Jackson
Bev Jackson
Craig Monson
Jackson Monson
Susie Zych, Retired Presbytery Staff
Bob Zych
Four first-time Ruling Elders were introduced.
Rev. Barlow welcomed Presbyters and thanked the body for their support of the Church over the years
The docket was approved as presented.
Stated Clerk Report - Clerk Kari McFarland clarified two items on the docket and made several announcements related to contacting her or the EP Keith Tanis.
The Consent Agenda was approved as presented.
Worship: Opening Song
Julie Johnson read a bible verse and led the body in prayer. She announced that worship would be spread throughout the docket today. Amazing Grace then was sung with two verses sung by members of the Kenyan fellowship, Umoja, in their native language.
A Word from the Executive Presbyter
Rev. Dr. Keith Tanis reported on the progress on the “experiment” involving moving out of the Tillicum center and moving to a church-based office structure. We have temporarily rented the Tillicum center to a Samoan congregation which is paying our expenses plus a little more. He stated that Susie Zych had always been the center of the Tillicum office and her retirement fit well with our plans to test out the move. We will be evaluating the experiment through the end of the year and recommending whether to continue it. Experimenting is a good way to proceed with the transformation of our Presbytery and our Churches to fit better with our changing cultural environment. He stressed again our Mission Themes of being Relational, Spiritually Led and Intentional in our work as a Presbytery. He expressed gratitude for the support he has received.
Worship: Expressions of Grief & Gratitude
Rev. Buescher continued worship with prayer followed by a message on The Great Commandment. He referenced the wonderful spiritual example of Pat McCann whose death he is still grieving as well as his continuing grief over the churches leaving the Presbytery. He urged us to trust that God will help us through our times of grief and to move on. He also grieves Susie Zych leaving but is glad she is able to move on into her time of retirement. He then solicited short written messages to be given to Susie and closed with prayer. Julie continued worship leading a song.
Report from the Administrative Commission for Olympia Presbytery to Parkway Presbyterian Church (full report is attached):
Rev. Dr. David Kegley presented the two motions related to the dismissal of Parkway Church and Pastor Rev. Ganzer once he is accepted by the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. There were several technical changes to the dismissal document reported by Rev. Dr. Kegley. He then explained how the 3% of value of the property charge for the dismissal was determined – equal to $31,350.
Motion 1:
The Administrative Commission of the Olympia Presbytery to Parkway Presbyterian Church moves the dismissal of Parkway Presbyterian Church from the Presbytery of Olympia and PC (U.S.A.) to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC), according to the Agreement of Dismissal, which is Addendum 1 of the attached report. The financial terms contained in the Agreement of Dismissal follow the guidelines in the DGLT policy, and are summarized on page 2 of the report.
Rev Sue Watkins then moderated the discussion of the dismissal report. A motion was made and seconded to eliminate the $31,350 charge and substitute a charge of $500. Discussion ensued with strict time limits for speakers, five minutes for the mover and two minutes for other speakers. The discussion was lively. The amendment failed by voice vote.
Discussion of the original motion continued with the same time limits. The motion was approved by voice vote.
Motion 2:
The Administrative Commission of the Olympia Presbytery to Parkway Presbyterian Church moves that the Rev. Ronald Ganzer be dismissed to the Presbytery of the Pacific of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Dismissal will be effective upon his reception of the Rev. Ganzer by the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
The motionwas approved by voice vote.
Proposal for the Use of Settlement Funds
The Rev. Ken Sikes presented the following motion:
The Strategic Board moves that present and future funds acquired from the departure of congregations from PC(USA), also known as “settlement funds”, be allocated in the following manner:
a.Reserves (25%), to be used for future unexpected costs relating to the departure of churches, events or catastrophes
b.General Operations (25%), to be used in decreasing amounts to augment the Presbytery budget. A possible trajectory is as follow: $30,000 (2013), $20,000 (2014), $15,000 (2015), $10,000 (2016).
c.An opportunity fund (50%), to be used as a tool to encourage, inspire, instigate and create missional congregations.
The body voted to approve the motion by voice vote.
A second motion was made spelling out details of the (c) opportunity fund approved above:
The SEED Fund:
- Grants up to $5,000 will awarded by a Cultivation Team according the criteria of the August 28, 2013 Olympia Presbytery SEED Fund application.
- The Cultivating Team: initially of five members (2 Strategic Board, 2 Administrative Board, and the Executive Presbyter), after the first year, the Team will expand to include 2 additional members chosen by the original Cultivation Team from the grant recipients.
- Grant applicants will share an evaluation of their grant after approximately 9 months to the Presbytery.
- After two years, the Cultivating Team, the Strategic Board, and Administrative Boards will evaluate the Fund’s focus and structure, and recommend changes accordingly.
- Grants will be awarded twice a year, with the Cultivation Team seeking to distribute up to $40,000 a year.
The motion was approved by voice vote.
Commission on Preparation for Ministry
Ordination Examination of Shari Jackson Monson
Rev. Stuart Dugan presented Shari Jackson Monson, a Candidate Certified Ready to receive a Call, on behalf of the Commission. The Commission recommends Ordination to serve as Transitional Pastor at Westminster-Chehalis. Shari read her statement of faith and responded to several questions from presbyters. She then left the room and after brief discussion the body voted unanimously in favor of ordination. Shari was welcomed back with applause and prayer as she was surrounded by members of Westminster Chehalis.
An Administrative Commission for Ordination of Shari Jackson Monson as a Teaching Elder to serve at Westminster-Chehalis will be held at University Place Presbyterian Church on September 29, 2013 at 3PM:
Rev. Sue Watkins, ModeratorRuling Elder Hank Kirk, Westminster-Chehalis
Rev. Jim MeadRuling Elder Merilee Kenyon, Westminster-Chehalis
Rev. Heather JamesRuling Elder, Joan Fraser, Little Church on the Prairie
Rev. Robyn HogueRuling Elder, John Vance, Skyline
Rev. Ralph Carr
was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote.
Commission on Ministry: Retirement Recognitions
Rev. Sarah Wiles introduced Rev. James Kim of Little Church on the Prairie who led recognition for Rev. Cheryl McClanahan upon her retirement. Many members of the church joined in the recognition of her service. The body joined in the recognition with applause.
Rev. Sarah Wiles then introduced an Elder who led recognition of the 25 year service of Rev. Larry Brown on his retirement from Woodland Presbyterian Church. The body joined the celebration with applause and Moderator Watkins closed with prayer.
Personnel Committee: Retirement Recognition for Susie Zych
Chair Elder Ruth Moore began recognition of Susie Zych on her retirement after 25 years of dedicated faithful service as administrator of the presbytery office and jack-of-all-trades. Rev. Lynn Longfield led a humorous ceremony crowning “Queen Susie of Presbyland.” The body gave many resounding cheers of “Long Live the Queen” during Lynn’s remarks related to the Crowning. Thanks and praise for Susie’s service abounded.
Worship: Word & Sacrament Shared
Rev. Mary McGonigaloffered a brief homily on gratitude including communion which was presided over by Rev. Larry Brown and Rev. Don Keller.
The meeting was suspended for dinner.
Sound View Camp
There was a brief video presentation on Camp Sound View’s programs over the summer. This was followed by a testimonial from Elder Ruth Moore (Mission Woods) on the value of the camp experience for her children and grandchildren. Rev. Steve Klump also gave a testimonial on the value of the Camp experience. He also announced that Camp Director Zack Brown has announced his resignation as he wants to move on to other responsibilities.
Personnel Committee
Rev. David Kegley spoke for the Committee which moved that Interim Stated Clerk Kari McFarland be elected by the Presbytery as Stated Clerk. After brief discussion the motion was approved unanimously by voice vote.
The Personnel Committee moved the Stated Clerk/Presbytery Administrator position be increased to full time in January 2014 with the following terms:
Annual cash Salary: / $43,800.00*Board of Pensions, Annual / 14,885.00
Mileage reimbursement / 500.00
Total / $57,917.00
(it was clarified that the funds for two clerk training activities is available for Kari but not part of her terms of call. It will be added to her job description so it does not get lost in the future.)
*An amendment was made to adjust the salary to the Presbytery minimum effective salary [reflected in the terms above]. The amendment and motion were approved unanimously by voice vote.
The Personnel Committee moved the Executive Presbyter go from ¾ time to full-time October 1, 2013 with the following terms:
Salary and housing per month (Oct.-Dec., 2013) / $13,333.00Benefits per month (Oct.-Dec., 2013) / 5,488.00
Professional expenses per month (Oct.-Dec., 2013) / 300.00
Total 2013 Annual (3 months at above rates, 9 at former rates) / $82,733.00
The motion was approved unanimously by voice vote.
Worship: Closing Prayer and Sending Songs
There singing and a closing prayer.
The meeting was adjourned at 8 PM.
Consent Agenda
September 19, 2013 – Lakewood Presbyterian
Stated Clerk
Recommends approvalof the minutes of the May 16, 2013 Stated Presbytery meeting as distributed by mail and email.
Commission on Ministry
Membership Changes
To approve the transfer the membership of Rev. William (Bill) Ainley to the Presbytery of Central Washington, effective August 6, 2013. The COM of Central Washington voted to receive Rev. Ainley on August 7, 2013.
Commission on the Preparation for Ministry reports the following actions taken on behalf of the Presbytery:
On June 12, 2013 CPM voted to accept the recommendation of the CookScholarship Sub-committee to distribute the following funds to men and women under the care of Olympia Presbytery:
Shari Jackson Monson $1200
Su Cobban $1500
Nick Marlatt $ 600
Nicole McKnight $2000
Adam Jones $5600
CPM heldConversation, Discernment, Goal Setting and Prayer withBrett Shoemaker, Certified Ready to Receive a Call (Shepherd of the Hill) in his annual consultation. MSC for Brett to continue under care.
On July 10, 2013 CPM heldConversation, Discernment, Goal Setting and Prayer withAnne-Cecile Baer-Porter, Certified Ready to Receive a Call (Church of the Indian Fellowship) in her annual consultation. MSC for Anne-Cecile to continue under care.
Co-Moderators Char McMullen and Robyn Hogue recommended thedisbursementof $5700 each to First Pres. Puyallup and Lakewood Pres. for seminarian internships from the Miriam Mathes Snow Fund. MSC. Nicole McNight will serve Sept 2013-June 2014 at First Puyallup under the supervision of Rev. Sue Watkins. Julie Johnson will serve Sept 2013-June 2014 at Lakewood under the supervision of Rev. Mary McGonigal.
On August 14, 2013 CPMheldConversation, Discernment, Goal Setting and Prayer with Adam Jones, Candidate (UPPC) in his annual consultation. MSC for Adam to continue under care.
On September 11, 2013 CPMheldConversation, Discernment, Goal Setting and Prayer with Carol McLaughlin (Trinity) in her initial consultation. MSC to enroll Carol as an Inquirer.
The Stated Clerk reports the following:
Dismissed to Other Presbyteries:
Rev. Susan Beil to Seattle Presbytery
Rev. James Dunson to Monmouth Presbytery
Candidate Christopher Scott was examined on May 14, ordained on June 9 and accepted into membership by the Presbytery of New Harmony. He accepted a call as pastor of Frasier Memorial Presbyterian Church (Sumter, SC).
Commission on Ministry reports the following actions taken on behalf of the Presbytery:
Membership Changes
Granted permission to Rev. Dr. Joyce Emery to labor outside the bounds of Olympia Presbytery and to validate her ministry as Head of Staff as Senior Pastor at Salmon Creek United Methodist Church (Vancouver, WA).
Approved the dissolution of the Pastoral Relationship between Rev. James Dunson and Harrison Square (Centralia), effective June 23, 2013.
Interviewed and approved Rev. Debra Cato’s request to transfer her membership from the Presbytery of Wyoming, and to validate her ministry as Congregational Organizer at Associated Ministries (Tacoma).
Interviewed and approved Certified Candidate Shari Jackson Monson to serve as Transitional Pastor at Westminster Chehalis, and to seek ordination to this call pending examination of Presbytery (terms of call below).
Interviewed and granted permission to Rev. Gary Stevens (Christian Reformed Church) to labor within the bounds of Olympia Presbytery as the Transitional Pastor at Harrison Square (Centralia).
Validated the ministry of Rev. Elaine Swigart as Transitional Pastor at Creator Lutheran Church (ELCA), Lake Tapps.
Approve honorable retirement of Rev. Larry Brown effective September 1, 2013.
Approve honorable retirement of Rev. Cheryl McClanahan effective Sept. 30, 2013.
Interviewed and approved Rev. Serena Sullivan’s (Honorably Retired) request to transfer her membership from Presbytery of North Puget Sound.
Terms of Call
Approved Rev. Jesse Skiffington as Interim Head of Staff at Marine View (Tacoma)—with the requirement that he receive Transitional Ministry Training: full-time: Salary: $50,833.60; Housing: $20,000; Total: $70,833.60; Professional Expenses: $4,000; Benefits: Death & Disability, Pension, Medical, Dental, and Medical Savings; 4 weeks vacation and 2 weeks study leave.
Approved Rev. Irvin Porter as Native American Congregational Support (Presbyterian Mission Agency): three-quarter time: Salary: $38,000; Benefits: available if desired.
Approved Rev. Ralph Carr to continue as Temporary Supply at Tenino: half-time: Salary: $16,500; Medical allowance: $11,280; Mileage: $1650; cell phone: $360; Professional Expenses: $420; 4 weeks vacation plus carryover; Pension 12% vacancy dues/post retirement dues.
Approved Shari Jackson Monson to serve as Transitional Pastor at Westminster Chehalis: full-time (July 29, 2013-Jan 31, 2014): Salary: $26,500; Education: $600; Car allowance: $1,500; full medical/pension; Professional Expenses: $600; 2 weeks vacation accrued.
Approved Rev. Gary Stevens (CRC) as Transitional Pastor at Harrison Square (Centralia): full-time (August 19, 2013-February 19, 2014): Salary/Housing: $31,000; Medical (PCUSA equivalent): $6,510; Continuing Education: $500; Professional Expenses (including mileage): $600; Moving costs: to be negotiated; Vacation: 2.5 days/month; Spiritual Retreat: 1 day/month; Continuing Education: 2 weeks/year.
Approved Rev. Lynn Longfield to continue as Transitional Pastor at Packwood Community: full-time (September 10, 2013-March 9, 2014): Salary: $6,050 (includes salary deferred amount of $200/month toward minister’s BOP 403(b) plan); housing: $20,000; vacation: 2 weeks; study leave: 1 week; car allowance with reimbursable local mileage: $1,050; full BOP support; dental and supplemental life insurance; total: $26,050.
Administrative Commission for Harrison Square (Centralia):
Received an update from the AC, and expressed gratitude and support for the on-going work with this congregation.