Minutes of the Northern Presbytery Meeting Held At

Minutes of the Northern Presbytery meeting held at

Forrest Hill Presbyterian Church, 151 Forrest Hill Road, Forrest Hill, Auckland, commencing at 9/25am

25th March 2017

1. Welcome and Opening:

The Moderator, Rev Margaret-Anne Low welcomed members to the Summer Presbytery meeting and opened with prayer.

2. Induction of Presbytery Moderator 2017/19:

The Moderator proceeded to induct the Rev Wayne Toleafoa to the office of Moderator of Presbytery 2017/19. The newly installed Moderator then led worship, preached the word and presided over the Lord’s Supper. The newly inducted Moderator made a presentation to the retiring Moderator, Rev Margaret-Anne Low.

Morning tea was then taken at 10/30am and Presbytery recommenced at 11am

3.Present: As per attendance register.

4. Welcome to new attenders:

Those attending Presbytery for the first time were welcomed. These included Tina Toschi (Tuakau Union), Mark Hulme (Browns Bay), Rachel Hurr (St Aidan’s Northcote), Talaega Upuia (Onehunga Samoan) and Pam McKenzie (St Andrew’s Whangarei.)

5. Apologies:

Resolved:

That the apologies as scheduled be received.

6. Adoption of Agenda:The agenda was adopted.

7.Minutes:

Resolved:

That the minutes of the Presbytery meeting of 29th October 2016 be taken as read and approved.

8. Presentation of flowers:

The group of Asian churches presented flowers to the retiring Moderator, Rev Margaret-Anne Low and to Mrs Jenny Toleafoa (on behalf of the newly inducted Moderator, Rev Wayne Toleafoa.)

9. Reports

The Clerk moved, it was seconded and agreed that all written reports as set out in the approved Agenda be received. Written reports were received from:

The Moderator – Rev Margaret-Anne Low added her thanks for the support she received during her term of office.

Presbytery Council Convenor

Ministry Work Group Convenor

Property and Finance Work Group Convenor

The Treasurer

Youth Work Group Convenor

In view of the sensitive nature of the Proposed Presbytery Strategic Realignment Plan, the Clerk Mr Alex Robinson vacated the Clerk’s chair and Mrs Cherie Moran acted as Clerk for the remainder of the meeting.

Minutes for this section recorded by Cherie Moran (non-voting member of Northern Presbytery) Alex Robinson, Presbytery Clerk having stepped down from the chair for this debate/discussion. These minutes to be merged with those of the Presbytery Clerk.

10.Report presented by the Northern Presbytery Council on a proposed Strategic Realignment of Northern Presbytery- governance and staffing structure:

This report was distributed prior to the meeting to enable Presbytery to give consideration to it prior to the meeting.

Lorraine Francis inpresenting the proposal on behalf of the Presbytery Council, highlighted the following key point:

• An apology was offered to the North Shore Korean congregation as they had been twice omitted from the lists of churches.
• Lorraine emphasized to the meeting that feedback and submissions were now closed and that the proposal before the meeting was not intended to address the micro – details – it is a big picture decision that the meeting was being called to make.
• Since the October 2016 meeting of Presbytery when this matter was before the meeting, Presbytery Council had conducted three consultative meetings and had received both verbal and written submissions. These consultations had been considered fully and are reflected in the new revised document that was now before the meeting.
• “The Council gives formal notification of their appreciation of the work of the Clerk, Mr Alex Robinson, and acknowledges that any proposed restructuring may create an environment of uncertainty and produce stress for all those involved. The Council thanks Alex for his perseverance and patience during this time. The Council also expresses appreciation for the work of Mrs Rosemary Smart, Mrs Emma Page, and Mr Geoff Foster over the last few months.”

The presentation was concluded with the Council recommending that the following motions be put to the meeting, as they are reflected in the proposed strategic realignment document.

It was therefore moved Lorraine Francis / Seconded Alex McEwing

“That the proposed strategic realignment of Northern Presbytery Governance and Staffing structure be adopted” and secondly

“That the Council of the Northern Presbytery be tasked with establishing the proposed new structure by 1st July 2017:

The meeting then moved into question time and the Presbytery had the opportunity to seek clarification of matters arising from the presentation and written document before the meeting. Key matters that were clarified included:

• Regions under the new structure will have the capacity to determine their own workload and their own name. Whilst there is a target of a minimum of 5 meetings these are not mandatory.
• The roles of the PEO and the AEO were explained further to the meeting. These roles are designed to resource the regions and particularly the role of PEO is to be an out and about role reaching into the regions providing support for the Convenor’s within the regions.
• The voting for this would be on the standing orders of a simple majority.
• Ongoing review of the new structure would be expected under the usual pattern that Presbytery is continually reviewing its processes.
• Concern was expressed that Dr Kernohan’s report that initiated this proposal had not been released in full to the Presbytery.
• The meeting was assured that there would be delegated authority given to the regions to enable them to effectively carry out Mission and Ministry.
• Workgroups will be able to determine the number of meetings that they conduct based on the amount of work before them at any given time.
• It is anticipated that the workload in the regional context will decrease as the regions will not be dealing with matters for the wider Presbytery.

At the conclusion of question time Aaron Kim (North Shore Korean congregation) asked to speak on behalf of the Asian Church. He advised the meeting that the consultation process had been difficult (both language and time) for the Asian Churches in the limited time frame that had been available since the October Presbytery meeting. He then read a prepared statement to the meeting. The Moderator asked that this statement be forwarded to the Presbytery Council for their consideration and acknowledged that the Asian voice is heard. (The full statement is in the hands of the Moderator)

At 12.20pm it was moved Brett Johnson / Martin Fey

“that the meeting adjourn for lunch” It was agreed

The meeting reconvened at 1.25pm.

Thanks were offered to the Forrest Hill Minister and Congregation for their generous hosting of the Presbytery meeting.

Farewell to Rev Hilary Beresford who is returning to her homeland of Scotland. Ian Bogue, who spoke on behalf of the Birkenhead Parish North Shore, has filed his notes with the Moderator and the Clerk.

Farewell to Rev Dr Glen Pettigrove (Somervell Memorial Church Remuera) as he returns to take up the position of Chair in Philosophy at the University of Glasgow. Dr John Kernohan’s full notes are available with the Clerk and with the Moderator.

The meeting then returned to the debate & discussion on the motion that was on the table.

Geoff Foster Northern Presbytery Finance spokesperson emphasized the following points:

1. The reason for the increase in finances is to accommodate the variables and unknowns such as the salaries for the new appointments that have not yet been set.
2. Key funding sources will be Presbytery Levies and the Northern Presbytery Mission Fund.
3. A detailed budget will be evolved once there is a clear outcome to the voting at this meeting
4. The meeting was urged not to vote against or for this proposal on the basis of financial sustainability aspect.

Speakers both in support and against the motions were heard by the meeting, reflecting a wide range of views and thoughts.

The motion was then put to the meeting.

“That the proposed strategic realignment of Northern Presbytery Governance and Staffing structure be adopted”

The motion was carried.

The second motion was put to the meeting:

“That the Council of the Northern Presbytery be tasked with establishing the proposed new structure by 1st July 2017”

The motion was carried.

Lorraine Francis and her team were thanked for the work that they have invested in this proposal.

Nick McLennan (Minister Mahurangi) gave notice to the meeting that there will be a Mission Workshop based around the theme “moving from a friendly church to a church that makes friends.” This workshop will be on Friday evening June 16th and on Saturday the 17th June.

The meeting closed with a brief time of worship and closing prayer for Lent led by Rev Martin Fey. The meeting closed at 2/45pm.

Confirmed...... Moderator

...... Clerk

...... Date

In attendance:
Alex McEwing / St Andrew’s Dargaville
Christine Parlane / St Paul’s Manurewa
Trevor Moran, / Howick
Cherie Moran / Howick
Rev Kevin Finlay / Howick
Howard Carter (Rev) / Ellerslie/Mt Wellington –St Peter’s Presbyterian Church
Rev Wayne Toleafoa / Te Atatu Union
Rev Ron Lau’ese / St Mark’s Mangere East
Stewart Milne / Mairangi and Castor Bays
Gaynor Larsen / Hibiscus Coast
Mary McEwing / Avondale Union
Rev Doug Lendrum / St David’s Grafton
Ikipa Tongatule / Newton PIPC
Rev Sylvia Miller-Hardie / St George’s Takapuna
Rev Lorraine Francis / St John’s Bucklands Beach Co-operating
Carla Gordon / Waipu
Pam McKenzie / St Andrew’s Whangarei
Brian Martin / St James Onerahi
Rev Dr Tony Gamley / St Andrew’s Whangarei
Rachel Hurr / St Aidan’s Northcote
Carrie Turner / Albany
Rev Hilary Beresford / St Andrew’s Birkenhead
Anne Overton / PSN
Joanne Graves / St David’s in the Fields, Hillsborough
Carol Poolman / St David’s in the Fields, Hillsborough
Jim Pearson / St Margaret’s Belmont
Sherilyn Shand / Te Atatu Union
Russell Shand / Te Atatu Union
Lematua Opolo / Owairaka PIPC
Va’a Upuia / Onehunga Samoan
Mark Hulme / Browns Bay
Esau Noue / Newton PIPC
Rev Alisa Lasi / Avondale Union
Celia Wong / Auckland Chinese
Rev Paul Fransham / Member/Hibiscus Coast
Rev Marie Ropeti / Owairaka/Onehunga Samoan
Rev Robin Palmer / Browns Bay
Rev Lorne Campbell / Whangarei –St Andrew’s Church
Jim Cooke / St James, Auckland Central
Ailsa Freeman / St Andrew’s Henderson
Rev Karen Nelson / ORM
Chang Kyun Nam / Korean Presbyterian Church of Auckland
Rev Chung Seung Park / North Shore Korean
Rev Kyoung Gyun Han / Asian Ministries Co-ordinator
Rev Mika Fa’aumausili / ORM
Rev Arona Tusega / St Andrew’s Otahuhu
Liufau Kapoa / St Giles, Mt Roskill South
Rev Gary Mauga / St Andrew’s Henderson
Lyndsay Bremner / Drury
Abraham Koshy / St Andrew’s 1st, Symonds Street
Maree Allan / St John’s Papatoetoe
Rev Margaret-Anne Low / Moderator and St John’s Papatoetoe
Rev Solomon Rajan / Licentiate
Viv Riddell / St John’s Mt Roskill
Rev Dr Colin Marshall / St John’s Mt Roskill
Margaret Trenemen / St Andrew’s 1st, Symonds Street
Mark Trenemen / St Andrew’s 1st, Symonds Street
Maureen Italia / Te Atatu Union
Tuliloa Fa’amamafa / St Austell’s Uniting
Rev Mark Wen / Auckland Taiwanese
Rev Steve Millward / Crossroads
Ann Oswin / Crossroads
Rev James Lee / Lord’s Church of Auckland
Rhee Barry / North Shore Korean
Dilys Davies / Te Atatu Union
Phyllis Brock / Papakura East and Hunua
Lui To’otoo’ / Orakei
Trevor Mosley / St Luke’s Remuera
Rev Douglas Bradley / Glendowie
Rev Kent Potter / Drury
Rev Fakaofo Kaio / Onehunga Cooperating
Rev Ben Dykman / Greenlane
Cunny Atchison / St David’s Grafton
Isabella Tedcastle / St Heliers
Mark Glasgow-Palmer / Kohimarama
Rev Martin Dickson / ORM
John Shadbolt / Mairangi Bay
Rev Chungman Cho / Korean Presbyterian Church of Auckland
Rev Dr Emma Keown / Glenfield
Rev William Kang / St George’s Takapuna
Rev Brett Johnstone / Somervell Memorial
Rev Matt Chapman / St Columba, Botany
Rev Margaret Liow / St Columba, Botany
Lyn Buchanan / Pohutukawa Coast
Rev Roy Christian / Mangere
Robert Dobbie / Mangere
Rev Martin Fey / Forrest Hill
Tautia Levi / St Mark’s Mangere East
Seong Soon Lee / Lord’s Church of Auckland
Alex Robinson / Presbytery Clerk
Bob Lamason / Forrest Hill
Rev Lester Simpson / Emeritus
Pam Hopkins / Greyfriars Eden Epsom
Bob Williamson / St John’s Bucklands Beach Cooperating
Rev Mose Taumaoe / St Martin’s Papatoetoe
Tua Amerika / St Martin’s Papatoetoe
Cameron Smith / Clevedon
Rosemary Bold / St Andrew’s Birkenhead
Rev Glyn Cardy / St Luke’s Remuera
Rev Viv Coleman / Emeritus
Malcolm Boyd / Greenlane
Rev Dr Stuart Vogel / Auckland Chinese
Hugh Hopkins / Mt Albert
Rev Sun Mi Lee / St Austells Uniting
Rev Kon Tiki Makani / Newton PIC
Jean Allan / Mairangi Bay
Geoff Foster / Presbytery Treasurer
Gordon Lamont / St George’s Takapuna
Tina Toschi / Tuakau Union
Barry Thompson / St Columba Mahurangi
Rev Nick McLennan / St Columba Mahurangi
Rae Simpson / PWANZ
John Kernohan / Somervell Memorial
Rev Dr Glen Pettigrove / Member/Somervell Memorial
Emma Page / Presbytery Youth Coordinator
Denise Hunter / St Stephen’s Ponsonby
Rev Tom Waight / Waipu
Julia Buckingham / Additional elder
Ward Buckingham / Additional elder
Dr Je Cheol Cook / Lay Pastor, Greyfriars Eden Epsom
Linda Plant / St Andrew’s Te Kauwhata
Ian Bogue / St Andrew’s Birkenhead
Aram Kim / North Shore Korean
Rev Apelu Tielu / Papakura PIC
Nora Douglas / St Andrew’s Manurewa
Rennie Douglas / St Andrew’s Manurewa
Rev Dr Carolyn Kelly / University Chaplain
Rev Dr Mark Johnston / KCML
Apologies
Rev Dr Stuart Lange / Massey/Riverhead
Rev Sa Si’itia-‘Asi / St Giles Mt Roskill
Matt Cave / Papakura 1st & Districts
Des Bickers / Ruawai Cooperating
Rev Pauline Stewart / St Heliers
Rev Tom Phillips / Papakura 1st & Districts
Rosa Waddington / Iona, Blockhouse Bay
Rev Dr Ron Mills / Hibiscus Coast
Rev Robb Petersen / Iona, Blockhouse Bay
Rev Johannes Suwantika / St Andrew’s 1st, Symonds Street
Rev I’ona Su’a / Orakei
Rev John Malcolm / Greyfriars Eden Epsom
Rev Tony Spandow / St Paul’s Manurewa
Rev Caleb Hardie / ORM
Rev Nikki Watkin / Kohimarama
Rev Roxy Gahegan / St Cuthbert’s School Chaplain
Rev Alf Taylor / Emeritus
Carol Kittel / Waiuku Combined
Rev Keleva Faleatua / St James Pukekohe
Rev Ma’afala Koko / Newton PIC
Solomona Eilikana / Onehunga Cooperating
Alyson Atchison / Additional elder
Rev Martin Baker / Clevedon
Norma Maeva / St Andrew’s Otahuhu
Aliitasi Tugaga / St Andrew’s Otahuhu
Rev Dr Mark Keown / Member
Rev Henry Wichman / Newton PIC