Presbytery Meeting Summary

Presbytery Meeting Summary

Presbytery Meeting Summary

May 26, 2015

The Beaver-Butler Presbytery held a stated meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 26, 2015 in the Calvin Presbyterian Church, Zelienople, where Rev. Dr. N. Graham Standishserves as Pastor and Rev. Connie Frierson serves as Associate Pastor. Our Moderator, Ruling Elder Jim Ihlenfeld,and Vice Moderator, Teaching Elder Rev. Dr. Mary Kitchen,presided over the meeting. Ruling Elder Donna Rosenbauerof our host church welcomed the presbyters.

Actions Taken:

  • Agreed to the following ecclesiastical matters:

Approved the Minutes ofthe March 24, 2015 stated Presbytery meeting.

Approved the Report of the Stated Clerk, the Rev. David Byers.

Approved the Treasurer’s Report for January-March 2015.

Approved the Report of the Coordinating Team in the form of Minutes.

Approved the request of the Frankfort church to waive the rotation of one ruling elder for one year.

  • Conducted advisory votes on five draft Peacemaking Affirmations that have been proposed by a G.A. committee to augment Peacemaking: A Believer’s Calling, which is now out of date by a generation. The following advisory vote results were later reported:

Affirmation #158 Yes16 No

Affirmation #256 Yes18 No

Affirmation #359 Yes15 No

Affirmation #455 Yes18 No

Affirmation #553 Yes22 No

Written comments and suggestions were also gathered, to be forwarded to the G.A. committee working on the Affirmations.

  • Learned that the Synod of the Trinity’s review of the minutes of Beaver-Butler Presbytery for 2014 resulted in no exceptions or delinquencies.
  • Electedthe following persons to serve as Ordination Exam Readers:

Rev. Nick Marlatt, Rev. William Mumaw, Ruling Elder Allen Kitchen, Ruling Elder Denee Stevenson; and as alternate, Rev. Bob Goossen.

  • Learned that Ms. Samantha Rogers has been removed from the roll of Candidates under Care of Beaver-Butler Presbytery. She and the Committee on Preparation for Ministry agree in believing that God’s call to her is not to be a Teaching Elder.
  • Learned that the Committee on Preparation for Ministry is working to determine how to recognize the ordination of Rev. Tega Swann of Refreshing Springs Ministry, Aliquippa, and/or what preparation process she will undergo for ordination as a Teaching Elder. Her unique situation is not fully addressed in the Book of Order.
  • Granted permission to the Saxonburg Memorialchurch to form a Pastor Nominating Committee.
  • Examined and approved Mr. Stephen Carter Cort for ordination, Presbytery membership, and installation as Pastor of the Mt.Nebo church and The Presbyterian Church of Prospect. Terms of Call were also approved. Mr. Cort has been a Candidate underCare ofHuntingdon Presbytery. His pastorate will begin on July 17, 2015, and his ordination and installation service is tentatively planned for August 16, 2015. The presbyters also heard affirmationof Rev. Dr. Jim Boos by representatives of these two churches for his service as Interim Pastor.
  • Learned that the Committee on Ministry had taken the following actions on behalf of the Presbytery:

Appointed Rev. Merry Meloy as Moderator for the Mt.Chestnut church, Butler, effective March 21, 2015.

Appointed Rev. Tony Catullo as Moderator for the East Unity church (due to the resignation of Rev. Tom Prosser H.R., effective April 6, 2015.

Approved an Interim Pastor Agreement between Saxonburg Memorial church and Rev. Jeff Curtis for one year, beginning April 15, 2015.

Approved a part-time (20 hours/week Interim Pastor Agreement between the North Sewickley church and Rev. Dr. Judy Angleberger, for one year, beginning May 17, 2015.

  • Thanked the pastors and members of theCalvin Presbyterian Church, Zelienople, for hosting this Presbytery meeting, providing special music, supporting worship and Communion, and serving a pleasing array of refreshments.
  • Learned that a total of 101 people attended the meeting, which adjourned at 8:45 p.m. with a Sending Litany based upon the Lord’s Prayer, and the Apostolic Benediction.

Other Information of Note:

  • The New Wilmington Missionary Conference will be held July 18-25 at WestminsterCollege. Additional information about registration and daily schedules may be obtained at
  • Members of the various mission teams known to be planning mission trips this summer were commissioned during the Presbytery meeting.
  • A task force has been formed to partner with Rev. Tega Swann to strengthen, sustain and help support the Refreshing Springs Ministry in Aliquippa. This ministry has received an initial grant from 1001 New Worshipping Communities.
  • Rev. Alan Adams, our Executive Presbyter, will be on sabbatical during June andJuly. For six weeks he will serve a small Presbyterian church in Alaska. Then he and Carla will be touring in Alaska. Provisions have been made to address the needs of the Presbytery during his sabbatical, including by Synod staff if needed.

Next Meeting:

The next stated meeting of Beaver-Butler Presbytery will be at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28, 2015 at the North Branch Presbyterian Church, Monaca, where Rev. Andrew Beery serves as Pastor.

Pg. 1 of 2

Top View