4050 MINUTES OF THE 163 RD STATED MEETING OF THE PRESBYTERY OF EAST IOWA St. Andrew Presbyterian Church 10:00 a.m. Iowa City, Iowa Saturday, February 15, 2014 CALL TO ORDER The 163 rd Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of East Iowa was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by the 2013 Moderator, Teaching Elder Dr. Mary N. Pugh, with prayer. The Reverend Dr. Pugh welcomed all those present and expressed thanks to St. Andrew Presbyterian Church for hosting this stated meeting. Prior to the Call to Order, Teaching Elder Tom Oak sang a musical offering and Ruling Elder Betty Colby lit the Christ Candle. QUORUM The Stated Clerk, Ruling Elder Dr. Rebecca Blair, declared a quorum to be present with the roll to be established from the onsite attendance forms. Moderator Pugh noted that new business should be submitted to the Stated Clerk no later than 2:30 p.m. TEACHING ELDER MEMBERS—present at the 15 February 2014 stated meeting: Mike Andrew A Randi Henderson E Thomas C. Oak P Noelle Andrew A E. Hilkerbaumer P Nancy Oehler Love P Mary Arnold A Robert Hill, HR E Duane Olsen A Teresa Bartlett P Pamela Hoogheem A Melody Oltmann P Karen Downey Beals A John Hougen A Kyle Otterbein P Mark Binder P Beverly Hovenkamp A Kristy Parker P Diane Bishop, HR E Sue Howes, HR E Kurt Pasko A George Bishop, HR E Kristin Hutson P Lori Patton A Jim Bonewald A Herb Isenberg, HR E Matt Paul P Robert Bouton, HR E Will Jackson, HR E Joseph Phipps E Gary Burnett, HR P William Jamison, HR E Elizabeth Platt, HR E Maurice Campbell, HR E Jennifer Jennings P Al Polito P David Castrodale, HR E R. Dixon Jennings , HR P Mary Pugh P Howard Chapman P David Jurgens, HR E Nancy Redman, HR E Stan Coller A Thomas Kalshoven, HR E Peter Reynen A Jessica Crane Muñoz E Robin Kash, HR E Gerald Rife, HR E Robert David A Lucille King, HR E Carl Riggs, HR E Elizabeth Dickey P Richard King, HR E Lori Robinson P Tim Dyck E Debra Kinney P Lisa Ross Thedens P Robert Dykstra A Sonda Kirsteatter A Pam Saturnia P Jack Edmisson A Wade Kirsteatter A Cindy Saul A John Elliott, HR E Kerin Lang A George Saunders, HR E Barry Ensign-George A James Langley A Julie Schuett E Jon Evans P Goldie Laymon A Linda Shatzer P Faye Fedlam, HR E Willis Longer, HR E Paul Skelley, HR E
Transcript
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MINUTES OF THE 163RD STATED MEETING OF THE PRESBYTERY OF EAST IOWA
St. Andrew Presbyterian Church 10:00 a.m. Iowa City, Iowa Saturday, February 15, 2014 CALL TO ORDER The 163rd Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of East Iowa was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by the 2013 Moderator, Teaching Elder Dr. Mary N. Pugh, with prayer. The Reverend Dr. Pugh welcomed all those present and expressed thanks to St. Andrew Presbyterian Church for hosting this stated meeting. Prior to the Call to Order, Teaching Elder Tom Oak sang a musical offering and Ruling Elder Betty Colby lit the Christ Candle. QUORUM The Stated Clerk, Ruling Elder Dr. Rebecca Blair, declared a quorum to be present with the roll to be established from the onsite attendance forms. Moderator Pugh noted that new business should be submitted to the Stated Clerk no later than 2:30 p.m. TEACHING ELDER MEMBERS—present at the 15 February 2014 stated meeting:
Mike Andrew A Randi Henderson E Thomas C. Oak P Noelle Andrew A E. Hilkerbaumer P Nancy Oehler Love P Mary Arnold A Robert Hill, HR E Duane Olsen A Teresa Bartlett P Pamela Hoogheem A Melody Oltmann P Karen Downey Beals A John Hougen A Kyle Otterbein P Mark Binder P Beverly Hovenkamp A Kristy Parker P Diane Bishop, HR E Sue Howes, HR E Kurt Pasko A George Bishop, HR E Kristin Hutson P Lori Patton A Jim Bonewald A Herb Isenberg, HR E Matt Paul P Robert Bouton, HR E Will Jackson, HR E Joseph Phipps E Gary Burnett, HR P William Jamison, HR E Elizabeth Platt, HR E Maurice Campbell, HR E Jennifer Jennings P Al Polito P David Castrodale, HR E R. Dixon Jennings , HR P Mary Pugh P Howard Chapman P David Jurgens, HR E Nancy Redman, HR E Stan Coller A Thomas Kalshoven, HR E Peter Reynen A Jessica Crane Muñoz E Robin Kash, HR E Gerald Rife, HR E Robert David A Lucille King, HR E Carl Riggs, HR E Elizabeth Dickey P Richard King, HR E Lori Robinson P Tim Dyck E Debra Kinney P Lisa Ross Thedens P Robert Dykstra A Sonda Kirsteatter A Pam Saturnia P Jack Edmisson A Wade Kirsteatter A Cindy Saul A John Elliott, HR E Kerin Lang A George Saunders, HR E Barry Ensign-George A James Langley A Julie Schuett E Jon Evans P Goldie Laymon A Linda Shatzer P Faye Fedlam, HR E Willis Longer, HR E Paul Skelley, HR E
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RULING ELDER COMMISSIONERS—present at the 15 February 2014 stated meeting:
James Fedlam, HR E Michael Manaugh A David Snyder A Matthew Froeschle E Mark Martin, HR E Colette Soults A James Fyfe, HR E Samuel Massey E Emory VanGerpen HR P Emory Gillespie A Charles McCracken, HR E Dick Wallarab, HR E Aimee Goldmeyer P Richard Miller P Bill Warhover P Mildred Grubbs, HR E Ted Miller A Nathan Williams P Dottie Halverson P Charles Mills, HR E Bill Willis A Pat Halverson P Anni Mingin E Troy Winder A Ken Harden, HR E Scott Minteer A Jean Wollenberg A William Harnish, HR E Diane Monger P Robert Wollenberg P Heather Hayes A Kenneth (Kip) Murphy P Lorene Wunder P Patricia Henderson A Scott Nesbitt P
Ainsworth, Ainsworth Community A Ainsworth, Bethel A Argyle, Argyle PC A Atkins, Pleasant Hill A Bettendorf, Bettendorf PC A Birmingham, First A Blairstown, First A Blue Grass, Blue Grass PC A Bonaparte, Bonaparte United A Brighton, Brighton United A Burlington, First Ed Whitmore Cascade, Community Bob Ganfield Cedar Rapids, Calvin Sinclair A Cedar Rapids, Christ Church A Cedar Rapids, Echo Hill Deb Hansen Cedar Rapids, First A, A Cedar Rapids, Hus Memorial A Cedar Rapids, Knox A Cedar Rapids, Olivet A Cedar Rapids, Westminster A, A Center Jct., First A Clinton, First United Harold Welcher Coggon, Zion A Columbus Jct., Cotter A Columbus Jct., Salem Welsh A Columbus Jct., United Jim Howell Crawfordsville, United A Davenport, First Glen Roebuck, James Tucker
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Davenport, Newcomb A Davenport, New Hope A Ely, First A Fairfield, First A Farmington, Sharon A Ft. Madison, Union A Hazleton, First A Independence, First A Iowa City, First Lara Marsh, A Iowa City, St. Andrew Lora M Dunham, Aaron Shileny Keokuk, United A Keota, United Church of Faith A LeClaire, First Polly Carter LeClaire, Our Savior Jim Egger Lone Tree, United Teri Hinrichs Lost Nation, Union A Manchester, First A Marengo, First A Marion, First A Mechanicsville, First Dorothy Russell Mediapolis, First United A Middletown, First A Miles, First A Monticello, First Curt Mayo Montrose, Montrose PC A Morning Sun, First United A Mt. Pleasant, First Ed Kropa Mt. Vernon, First Larry Petrick Mt. Vernon, Linn Grove Anne Kuntz Muscatine, First A New London, New London PC A Newhall, Central A Onslow, First A Princeton, Princeton PC A Rowley, First Judy Kress Scotch Grove, Scotch Grove PC A Shellsburg, First A Springville, Springville PC A Stanwood, Union A Vinton, Vinton PC Jerry Blank Wapello, First Carole Cole Washington, United Kay Hall West Liberty, First Church United A West Point, West Point PC A
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MODERATOR Ruling Elder Mary Atwood (eligible to vote) VICE-MODERATOR Teaching Elder Kyle Otterbein (listed above) STATED CLERK Ruling Elder Dr. Rebecca Blair (eligible to vote) TREASURER Vacant COMMISSIONED RULING ELDERS (eligible to vote) Jean Bruinsma, Marian Hart, Phil Leipold COMMITTEE MODERATOR/PCC RULING ELDERS (eligible to vote) Ann Luedtka G.A. COMMISSIONER RULING ELDERS [2012-2014] (eligible to vote) None CORRESPONDING MEMBERS None CANDIDATES AND INQUIRERS Andrew Smothers VISITORS Jill Cecil (Columbus Junction), Betty Colby (Washington), Kevin Cullum (Camp Wyoming), Jenny Danner (Williamsburg). Pauline Evans (Wapello), Louise Hales (Davenport), Donna Harms (Rowley), Stacie Hoppman (Camp Wyoming), Margaret Koppenhaver (Linn Grove), Nancy Macomber (Cascade), A.J. Plummer (Camp Wyoming), Paul Rohrbacher (Scotch Grove), John Thedens (Rowley), Phyllis VanGerpen (Washington), Donna Williams (Wapello)
Williamsburg, First Barb Perry Wilton, First Kerry Jennings Wilton, Sugar Creek A Winfield, First Joan Thompson
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SEATING OF CORRESPONDING MEMBERS No corresponding members were present to be recognized and seated. INTRODUCTION OF FIRST-TIME PRESBYTERS Vice-Moderator Kyle Otterbein invited first-time presbyters to introduce themselves. The body welcomed them with applause. DOCKET Moderator Pugh recognized the Stated Clerk, who advised the body that a motion to approve the docket as printed was in order. A motion to approve the docket as printed was seconded and APPROVED. WELCOME FROM THE HOST CHURCH The Reverend Matt Paul, pastor of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, welcomed everyone to the meeting, noting that hospitality is a main focus of this community. He provided information about the church facility. CELEBRATING THE GIFTS OF THOSE COMPLETING TERMS OF SERVICE Moderator Pugh called the body’s attention to the handout listing those completing terms of service. The body joined in prayer, giving thanks for the service of Immediate Past Moderator Mary Pugh
Administrative Unit Jim Bonewald Ruth Duritsa Shirley Miller Larry Moore Pam Saturnia Julie Schuett David Van Dusseldorp Vision and Renewal Unit Karen Carver Laurie Forbes Matthew Froeschle Dottie Halverson John Hougen Gene Miller Committee on Ministry Faye Fedlam Matthew Froeschle Alan Hale
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Richard Miller Gerald Rife Committee on Preparation for Ministry Elaine Bishop Howard Chapman Heather Hayes Carol Kelly Nancy Oehler Love Nominating Committee Larry Petrick INSTALLATION OF 2014 MODERATOR AND VICE-MODERATOR Moderator Pugh invited Ruling Elder Mary Atwood (2014 Moderator) and Teaching Elder Kyle Otterbein (2014 Vice-Moderator) to come forward. She invited these officers to participate with her in a liturgy for the installation of governing body officers by which Mary and Kyle were officially installed to office with the charge and blessing of the Presbytery. At the conclusion of the liturgy, Immediate Past Moderator Mary Pugh presented Moderator Atwood with the stole and cross marking the moderatorial office. Similarly, she presented Vice-Moderator Otterbein with the cross marking this office. Moderator Atwood expressed thanks to the Reverend Dr. Mary Pugh for her outstanding service as Presbytery moderator, noting that it had been a real privilege to work with her during the past year, and affirming that Mary is very gifted leader. Upon presenting her with a gift of appreciation, a custom-made ceramic vessel, on behalf of the presbytery, Moderator Atwood shared her hope that it would be a reminder of the covenant community we strive to be and a continual symbol of our appreciation for guiding the Presbytery to walk that path. Moderator Atwood then offered the following reflective comments concerning the meeting and covenant community:
First of all, I would like to that you for the opportunity to serve as your Moderator. I am very humbled and honored to serve in this position. I would also like to thank members of my Washington church family and members of the United Presbyterian Retirement Home (where I reside) for being here today to share with me in this commissioning. In Chapter 12 of Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians, he is preaching on how God designed our physical bodies as a model for our lives together as a church. There are many different members, which make up the one body. Every part of the body is important, but each is also dependent on every other part to function. Each member of the body has been given different gifts and functions. We quite often use this scripture with our own local congregations, but this also relates to our Presbytery as being the Body of Christ. This presbytery is filled with members who have been blessed by God with such varied and diverse gifts
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and talents! Hopefully, as we focus on using all the different parts of this body, we may be strengthened into the one Body of Christ. My hope and my prayer is that we may create together here a community of faith, where we can inspire, where we can learn, where we can grow, where we extend hospitality and love, where extraordinary things are occurring due to the leading of the Holy Spirit, and, yes, where we can also have fun and enjoy each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. As we continue on with today’s activities, you will note things are set up a little differently than usual. We are spending time on building up relationships and sharing together in discussion about the path that we as a Presbytery hope to pursue. Building community—whether in our discussion groups or sharing together in a meal around a table—strengthens our relationships with one another and helps to form us more deeply into the Body of Christ. In a few minutes, we will begin with a community building activity, followed by lunch. Then we will be discerning together in conversations focusing upon the areas of leadership, networking, education and resources. We will gather to worship together as the central activity today. The act of worshiping together not only strengthens our relationship with God, but with one another. I’m looking forward to our message during worship by Reverend Scott Nesbitt, entitled “Choices, Choices.” Spiritual disciplines will also be introduced throughout the day through songs, prayers and silent meditation. As a Presbytery, we act on items of “business,” but our gathering is not primarily to act as a legislative body, but rather to gather as Christ’s Body—discerning together God’s will through the work of the Holy Spirit—to discuss how we do mission and ministry here in East Iowa. Our meeting will close with The Sending—Going Out Into the World Together, so that we close as we began with song and prayer. I’m excited and I hope this meeting will be meaningful to you. Thanks to Pastors Matt and Kyle and to the St. Andrew Church for your gracious hospitality. Thanks to each of you here who have given of your time and talents in a leadership role, and thanks to each person present for being a part of this covenant community today as the Presbytery of East Iowa.
BODY BUILDING Moderator Atwood introduced Teaching Elder Bob Wollenberg, co-moderator of the Administrative Commission on Governance (ACOG), who led members of the body in a series of exercises to find out more about one another and the common connections we share. LUNCH At 11:15, Moderator Atwood declared the body to be in recess for lunch. She asked Ruling Elder Larry Petrick to offer a prayer.
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BODY TALK Moderator Pugh reconvened the body with prayer at 12:10 p.m. Following the lunch recess, the deeper work of discerning our presbytery life together began with four conversations comprising the “Body Talk” process, a collaborative process based upon the World Café model. Ruling Elder Jennifer Jennings explained the World Café Process to be used for the afternoon’s four rounds of conversation concerning leadership, networks, education, and resources. She noted that ACOG would be collecting and using the feedback from the discussions as well as posting it on the webpage and the Presbytery’s Facebook page. ACOG will be using this feedback to generate focused ideas for the Presbytery’s organization, functions, and structures to be discussed at an April called meeting with a formal proposal to be considered at the May stated meeting. Presbyters moved to conversations at four different tables with each conversation prompted by questions in one of four areas: Leadership, Networks, Education, and Resources. In each conversation, they collaboratively shared ideas and recorded their thoughts on large sheets of paper at every place setting. The questions for each conversation area were as follows: Leadership: What do you think of when you hear the term "good leadership”? What image do you think of when considering leadership in our presbytery (shepherd, servant, coach, etc.)? What would the Presbytery look like if everyone thought of themselves as leaders? Networks: How do we/can we use the diversity of gifts and challenges in our congregations to enhance our collective ministry? In what ways can you imagine each congregation being connected to and responsive to the ministries of other congregations in the Presbytery? What do you think is missing/lacking from our collective ministry as a Presbytery? Education: As a leader in the church, what do you wish that you knew more about? Does the presence of the PC(USA) in Eastern Iowa matter? In what ways? What is it about what Presbyterians believe and how they organize themselves that might have a positive impact on Iowans? Resources: What are some particular gifts of your congregation that would be helpful to the ministries of other congregations? 1 Corinthians 12 speaks about the interdependency of the parts of the body. In what ways do the congregations of the Presbytery fit Paul's metaphor of the body? What forms of ministry/needs of the world are you passionate about? WORSHIP Worship was placed at the center of the meeting to highlight that everyone in the Presbytery is welcomed at the body of Christ. Teaching Elder Scott Nesbitt preached a sermon entitled “Choices, Choices” drawn from scripture found in Deuteronomy 30:15-20 and Matthew 5:21-37. He reminded the body that our essential calling is to be faithful. An offering of $461 was collected for COMPEER of Iowa City, a group that provides volunteer peer companions for those experiencing mental health challenges.
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Matthew Penning, Director of Music at St. Andrew, and Teaching Elder Tom Oak provided music for worship. Ruling Elder Betty Colby read the scripture from Deuteronomy, and Teaching Elder Kyle Otterbein offered the closing prayer. RESPONDING TOGETHER Following the last conversation, all of the responses were taped to the walls in Fellowship Hall, and presbyters were invited to read the responses in preparation to think further together about two questions: 1) What significant ideas or learning emerged from our table discussions today? and 2) What do we as a Presbytery need to let go of in order to embrace what God has in mind for us in the future? Everyone was then invited to record a response in prose or prayer form. The collective prayers were read as the closing prayers of the meeting. CONSENT AGENDA Moderator Atwood advised the body that the omnibus motion to approve the action items and receive the informational items contained in the following reports: Stated Clerk, Presbytery Coordinating Commission, Trustees, Nominating Committee, and Peacemaking Task Force was before the body. A motion was made and seconded to remove the Presbytery Coordinating Commission Report, the Trustees Report, and the Nominating Committee Report from the omnibus motion to allow for the addition of further information and/or discussion as each report was considered individually. The motion was APPROVED. A motion to approve the remaining omnibus motion without the removed items was seconded and APPROVED. The following reports were included in the omnibus motion: REPORT OF THE STATED CLERK FOR ACTION:
• The minutes of the 162nd Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of East Iowa, held at Blue Grass Presbyterian Church, Blue Grass, Iowa on Tuesday 8 October 2013 at 4:00 p.m. and the minutes of the Special (Called) Meeting of the Presbytery of East Iowa, held at First Presbyterian Church, Iowa City, Iowa on Saturday, 23 November 2013 at 10:00 a.m. have been published, and members of the Presbytery have had opportunity to view their contents. The Stated Clerk recommends that the Presbytery move to approve these minutes as published.
• The Stated Clerk recommends that the Presbytery move to seat as Corresponding Members those ruling or teaching elders from other mid-councils or the General Assembly who make themselves known to the Stated Clerk at the outset of this stated meeting.
• The Stated Clerk recommends that the Presbytery move to instruct the Stated Clerk to convey the appreciation of the Presbytery to the members, officers and staff of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, Iowa City, for hosting this meeting of the Presbytery.
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• The Stated Clerk recommends that the Presbytery move to approve the initial sale of the property located at 3415 C Avenue NE in Cedar Rapids, retroactive to 18 June 2007 and that this sale be authorized by the Presbytery of East Iowa in trust for the congregation of Kenwood Park Presbyterian Church and its successor congregation, Echo Hill Presbyterian Church.
FOR INFORMATION:
• The Stated Clerk has received correspondence from the Reverend Daniel Hemken, dated 22 January 2014, that in accord with G-2.0509, he has renounced the jurisdiction of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). This renunciation shall be effective as of 22 January 2014 and Mr. Hemken’s name shall be removed from the membership rolls of the Presbytery of East Iowa.
• Concerns and celebrations of our ministers and ministries will be shared during the Stated Clerk’s Report at each presbytery meeting. If you have a prayer request to include, please inform the Stated Clerk by e-mail at least a day before the meeting.
• Preparations for the 221st General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are well underway. The assembly will take place during the week of June 14-21, 2014 in Detroit. The theme this year is “So That You May Abound in Hope” from Romans 15:13—“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (NFSV). Please hold those preparing for this G.A. and those serving as commissioner and leaders in your prayers.
• PC(U.S.A.) Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons has once again invited PEIA Stated Clerk Rebecca Blair to serve as a committee and plenary parliamentarian at this year’s General Assembly.
• The Board of Pensions has moved to a new prescription drug provider, so watch your mail for new cards from Catamaran. Consult the website at www.pensions.org if you have questions about this or other BOP matters.
• Presbyterians for Just Immigration will hold two trainings in early 2014 to help Presbyterians gain skills and resources to address the suffering surrounding immigration issues. This training will cover a history of Presbyterian action on immigration, worship and workshops on this issue, and other significant elements of response. Learn more at http://oga.pcusa.org/media/uploads/oga/pdf/network
• The Presbytery’s website (www.pbyeastia.org) along with our Facebook page and Out and About weekly newsletter contain current information and announcements. Visit these venues often to stay up to date on news and prayer requests.
• If your church would like to meet folks from all around the Presbytery and share in a time of fellowship with them, consider hosting a stated or special meeting! If your church session would like to do so, please contact Moderator Mary Atwood or Stated Clerk Rebecca Blair.
• The Stated Clerk reports that five minister members of the Presbytery of East Iowa have received permission to labor within the bounds of other presbyteries: David Castrodale, HR (Missouri Union), Robert Dykstra (New
Brunswick). Barry Ensign-George (Mid-Kentucky), Charles McCracken, HR (Des Moines), and Lori Patton (Middle Tennessee). The Stated Clerk has corresponded “with those other presbyteries in which such ministers labor, informing them of the ministers’ addresses” (G-11.0401a, 2010-2011 Book of Order).
• The Stated Clerk reports that the Presbytery of East Iowa has twelve minister members who hold Member-at-Large status: Michael Andrew, James Bonewald, Patte Henderson, Katie Hopper, Beverly Hovenkamp, James Langley, Scott Minteer, Kristy Parker, Cindy Saul, Lisa Ross Thedens, William Warhover, and Jean Wollenberg.
• In G-11.0101b, the 2010-2011 Book of Order states: “When the number of resident ministers entitled to vote in the presbytery is greater than the number of elders so entitled, it shall redress this imbalance annually by providing for the election, appointment, or selection of additional elders, paying special attention to the concerns of G-9.0104. Presbyteries facing an imbalance due to a large number of resident honorably retired members may, by presbytery rule, use active participation of honorably retired members as a criterion in determining balance.”
• The Presbytery of East Iowa has adopted the rule that the Presbytery “use active participation of honorably retired minister members as a criterion in determining balance” and that “Presbytery membership accords members both voice and vote at all meetings of the Presbytery. Membership shall consist of teaching elders on the official roll of active members, ruling elders commissioned by sessions of constituent churches of the Presbytery, ruling elders commissioned by the Presbytery to serve as Commissioned Ruling Elders during the term of the specific commission, ruling elders during terms of service as officers of the Presbytery, ruling elders elected to serve as moderators of Presbytery committees and/or members of the Presbytery Coordinating Commission during the term of office, ruling elders elected to serve as commissioners to the General Assembly during the term of service as defined by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and former moderators of the Presbytery who are ruling elders.” The Presbytery of East Iowa has 111 resident minister members and 113 elders that meet these criteria. There is no imbalance of more ministers than elders entitled to vote at presbytery meetings. Therefore, no action is necessary.
• Stated Meetings of the Presbytery of East Iowa for 2014 have been called at the following dates, times, and locations:
Saturday, February 15, 10:00 a.m., Iowa City, St. Andrew Saturday, May 10, 10:00 a.m., Camp Wyoming Tuesday, October 7, 4:00 p.m., Washington, United Presbyterian
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REPORT OF THE PEACEMAKING TASK FORCE East Iowans in Israel-Palestine Sarah Gengler, a Dubuque Seminary student and pulpit supply at Cascade and Onslow, and Will Massey of First Presbyterian, Iowa City, (a St. Olaf College student) are representing our presbytery at the PC(USA) Mosaic of Peace Conference in Israel-Palestine this spring. When they return, they will have much to tell us about what our sisters and brothers are doing for peace and justice in the Holy Land. Please consider how they might fit into your church programming plans when they are on breaks from school. Those wishing to contribute to the scholarship fund defraying their expenses should contact the Presbytery office. The PC(USA) Israel Palestine Mission Network has a new congregational study guide called Zionism Unsettled. It fosters dialogue on how our interpretation of our religion affects politics and peace. A copy of the study (with DVD) is at the Peacemaking display table at Presbytery. “Jesus Weeps” (Ecumenical Advocacy Days in Washington) Advocacy Training Weekend/Ecumenical Advocacy Days is March 21-24 in Washington, D.C. Called “Jesus Weeps,” it will focus on how to transform policies promoting violence to policies enabling peace. See advocacydays.org and ww2.eventrebels.com for the Presbyterian-specific Compassion, Peace, and Justice training preceding it. Rev. Diane Monger attended recently and would be glad to tell you about it. Peacemaking Banner Please let us know if you would like to have the 30th anniversary of Peacemaking Banner come to your church. It is tentatively scheduled to go from the Presbytery meeting to Ely. Let me (Lisa) know if you would like to pick it up from Ely after they have displayed it for a few weeks. International Peacemaker Helivao Peacemaking gives deep thanks to the Springville, Newcomb, Independence, St. Andrew (IA City), Rowley churches, both LeClaire churches, Coe College, and Presbyterian Women for hosting International Peacemaker Helivao Poget from Madagascar. The community she serves would enjoy video recorded greetings from your youth group or church showing what you do; be sure to include the greeting: “Peace at all times and in all ways!” --this was her motto during her time here. Peacemaking can help you with delivery. Our PC(USA) liaison to southern Africa has given us color informational leaflets about Helivao’s ministry you can take back to your churches; they can be found at the Peacemaking display or ask Lisa to send you one. Action on Gun Violence We honor Mary Ann Pedde and Lara Marsh and other members of First Presbyterian Church in Iowa City for laying the groundwork for an ecumenical group called Ripples 2 Waves, which organized the community-wide screening of Trigger: the
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Ripple Effect of Gun Violence at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts with an invaluable discussion panel of experts following. The local experts helped us understand the local realities of gun violence. [The movie Trigger was produced by several program areas of PC (USA).] You can show the movie Trigger to your church or group—Lisa has a copy at the Peacemaking display table. Peacemaking will meet March 10, 7:00 p.m., at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, Iowa City. All who are interested in the work of peace and justice are invited to join us. Pray for our beloved peacemakers in South Sudan Please keep our dear friend Rev. Peter Tibi and RECONCILE, his ministry of peace and nation building in South Sudan, in your prayers. Lisa Ross Thedens, Co-moderator, Peacemaking Task Force The body then considered each removed item in succession. REPORT OF THE PRESBYTERY COORDINATING COMMISSION Stated Clerk Blair noted that she had received communication from Elder Chad Carr (Davenport, First) requesting that his name be removed from nomination to serve as an overture advocate. A motion to nominate Teaching Elder Kristin Hutson and Teaching Elder Diane Monger to serve as Overture Advocates to the 221st General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and that the Presbytery approve the allocation of $4,000 to come from the overage from the 2013 budget to cover expenses was seconded. Moderator Atwood asked if there were further nominations from the floor. Hearing none, the Moderator asked the body to vote on the motion. The motion was APPROVED. A motion that the Presbytery make provision to cover expenses for Overture Advocates in the calculation of line 6035 in future budgets of the Presbytery of East Iowa was seconded and APPROVED. REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES Teaching Elder Kyle Otterbein, Vice-Moderator and moderator of the Trustees, presented the report on behalf of the committee. A motion that, upon recommendation of the Trustees, the Presbytery of East Iowa concur with the request of the congregation of Olivet Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids, approved at the congregational meeting on 15 December 2013, to
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demolish the church manse located adjacent to the church building was seconded and APPROVED. A motion that, upon recommendation of the Peacemaking Task Force and the Trustees, the Presbytery approve disbursement of $2,000 to Will Massey to partially fund his participation in the Mosaic of Peace Conference in Israel-Palestine with the stipulation that he make himself available to speak to churches within the Presbytery upon his return was seconded and APPROVED. A motion that, in accordance with the Bylaws and the Manual of Operations of the Presbytery of East Iowa, the Presbytery approve the 2014 Budget was seconded. Teaching Elder Kyle Otterbein noted that the budget that was approved by the body at the October 2013 stated meeting requires revision since the assumptions that informed that budget are no longer accurate. He noted that the revised Bylaws and Manual of Operations mandate that the budget be presented at the first stated meeting of each calendar year. Discussion concerned why the body would approve a budget at this meeting that is in need of revision. A motion to postpone presentation and approval of the 2014 Presbytery of East Iowa budget until the April called meeting was seconded and APPROVED. FOR INFORMATION: With regard to the full audit conducted by Bauman Associates, the Trustees intend to work in coordination with the Personnel Committee to develop policies and procedures to address the findings of the audit. FINANCIAL REPORT On the Budget vs. Actual sheet, which represents activity for the year completed in December 2013, line 4000 Mission Receipts and line 4040 Per Capita/Presbytery represent the biggest source of funds. Line 4035 Synod/GPSS (staff support) goes away in 2014 and line 4045 Synod CPMS (mission support) will be reduced. Concerning Administrative Expenses (line 7000ff.), salaries are the largest expense. A question exists about why lines 7025-7030 are not fully expended as budgeted. In Missions (line 6200ff.), the $65,000 amount in line 6205 reflects the action taken by the governing body at the October 2013 stated meeting. Line 6230 Grants/Churches Mission Outreach is currently under consideration by the Trustees. Overall, the Presbytery ended the year without dipping into reserve funds or capital gains from investments. With regard to Unified Mission/Per Capita receipts, these are denominational figures based upon church membership reports for 2011-this calculation is always two years behind the current year. To calculate the total for each church, add lines 2, 4, and 6. Concerning the Balance Sheet, as of December 31, 2013, the Trustees questioned why the Presbytery is maintaining such a high checking balance. The amount is the Fixed Assets section represents the office and furnishings. The Presbytery owns the office as a condo space and pays a monthly association maintenance fee of $1022.84.
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Concerning the Balance Forward Accounts as of December 31, 2013, the two Mt. Moriah lines represent the revenue from the contract sale of the former Davenport, St. Andrew building. The Davenport, St. Andrew line represents an accounting of Presbytery expense concerning maintenance of the lots still remaining to be sold. The amount Under the Donnellson Church Closing line was received as a trust when the church closed. These funds have been put into an account at First Community Trust. The amount listed under Presbytery Offerings represents the remaining balance of monies collected for the Brasil Partnership at a past stated meeting.
THIS SPACE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
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Unified Mission - Per Capita Receipts 12/31/13
This includes monies received for 2013 in January 2014
REPORT OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE The Reverend Al Politio, committee moderator, presented a motion on behalf of the committee that the following persons be elected for service as indicated below:
VISIONING TASK FORCE TERM BEGINS TERM ENDS A.J. Plummer (RE-Male) C.R., Westminster
January 2014
December 2016
TRUSTEES Jim Rogers (RE-Male) C.R., Echo Hill
January 2014
December 2015
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE Maggie Mowery (RE-Female) Iowa City, First
January 2014
December 2015
COM Mary Pugh (TE-Female) Blue Grass Presbyterian
January 2014
December 2014
CAMP WYOMING BOARD Amy Saskowski (RE-Female) Davenport, First
2014 (2nd term) 2016
Eric Norton Outside PCUSA bounds
2014 (2nd term) 2016
Marian Hart (RE-Female) West Liberty, United
2014 (1st term) 2016
Andy Parker Outside PCUSA bounds
2014 (1st term) 2016
John Hougen (TE-Male) Independence, First
2014 (2nd term) 2015
Natalie Oppel (RE-Female) Muscatine, First
2014 (1st term) 2015
Barb Bjork (RE-female) Mt. Vernon, First
2014 (1st term) 2015
Moderator Atwood asked if there were further nominations from the floor. Hearing none, the Moderator asked the body to vote on the motion. The motion was APPROVED. CAMP WYOMING BYLAW CHANGES Kevin Cullum, executive director of Camp Wyoming explained the two proposed Bylaws changes. Currently, new board members start their terms in February. At this point in the year, planning for the upcoming summer camp season is already underway. The camp feels it will be better to have new board members begin their terms at a time when the organization is evaluating its programs and making plans for the coming year. A motion was seconded that Section 1 of the Camp Wyoming Bylaws be changed to read as follows:
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Section 1 (Annual Meeting) of Article III (Meetings): The Annual Meeting of the Camp Board shall be held in February September at the camp site, Wyoming, Iowa The President of the Camp Board shall have the authority to reschedule the annual meeting if forced to by weather or lack of a quorum. The motion was APPROVED. Secondly, Director Cullum explained that the Camp does not have a bylaw outlining the fiscal calendar. The Camp would like to move from a January 1-December 31 fiscal year to an October 1-September 30 fiscal year. This change will ensure that the budget reflects the expenses made in preparation for the upcoming summer camping season. It will also be within a reasonable time frame when we will receive all payments for that particular summer camping season. A motion was seconded that Section 10 of the Camp Wyoming Bylaws be changed by adding the following: Section 10 of Article VI (*Miscellaneous) The Camp’s fiscal year runs from October 1-September 30. The motion was APPROVED. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY ACTION ITEMS: None INFORMATION ITEMS:
The following motions were moved, seconded and approved by the Committee on Ministry in its meeting of October 22, 2013 and are presented here as information: MOTION: To approve the minutes from the September 24, 2013 meeting of the Presbytery of East Iowa’s Committee on Ministry (COM) sent by e-mail. MOTION: To appoint Bill Warhover moderator for Hus Memorial Presbyterian Church effective immediately. Moved and seconded. The motion carried. MOTION: To appoint Dottie Halverson moderator for First United Presbyterian Church in Columbus Junction effective retroactively to 20 October 2013. The following motions were moved, seconded and approved by the Committee on Ministry in its meeting of December 3, 2013 and are presented here as information:
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MOTION: To approve the minutes from the October 22, 2013 meeting of the Presbytery of East Iowa’s Committee on Ministry (COM) sent by e-mail. . MOTION: To approve formation of a PNC at Columbus Junction. MOTION: To approve three elders from Columbus Junction, Kay Duncan, Stan Tate and Don Clark, to serve communion for one year. MOTION: To approve Kelly Allard at Ainsworth/Bethel to serve communion for the calendar year, 2014. MOTION: To concur with Lone Tree congregation's decision to dissolve the pastoral relationship with Susan Barnes (retroactive 20 October, 2013) at her request to accept another call. MOTION: To give permission for Mel Ramos and Doug Page to serve communion at Hus Presbyterian Church during the year 2014. The following motions were moved, seconded and approved by the Committee on Ministry in its meeting of January 7, 2014 and are presented here as information: MOTION: To approve the dissolution of the relationship between CRE Ramona Wink and the First United Presbyterian Church in Morning Sun effective November 13, 2013.
MOTION: To approve the formation of a PNC at Mt Pleasant. MOTION: To concur with the request from Rev. Daniel Hemken and the congregation as approved at the congregational meeting on 29 December 2013 at Sharon Presbyterian Church in Farmington to dissolve the pastoral relationship between Rev Hemken and the church effective 31 December, 2013.
MOTION: If the way be clear, to approve the terms of the contract of Reverend Anni Minigin as full-time pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Marengo effective March 1, 2014 through February 28, 2015 with the following terms:
Salary $36,653. Social Security $ 2,112. Fair Rental value of the manse $ 9,600. Manse Allowance $12,000. 4 weeks annual vacation Utilities paid directly by the church 2 weeks paid annual continuing education 6 weeks paid paternity / maternity leave per occurrences
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Board of Pensions benefits Mileage at IRS allowable rates.
MOTION: To concur with the session to approve the contract of Rev. Bill Warhover as temporary supply at Mt. Pleasant effective 5 January 2014 – April 20, 2014.
MOTION: To approve the minutes from the December 3, 2013 meeting of the Presbytery of East Iowa's Committee on Ministry (COM) sent by e-mail. MOTIONS APPROVED BY E-MAIL and PRESENTED HERE AS INFORMAITON The following motions were approved by e-mail dated October 14, 2013: MOTION: That the commission of CRE Jon Wilson at Central Presbyterian Church in Newhall be dissolved effective 22 October 2013. MOTION: To appoint Reverend Karen Downey Beals as moderator of Central Presbyterian Church in Newhall effective 22 October 2013. The following motion was approved by e-mail dated October 18, 2013: MOTION: to appoint COM Consultant Harry Hoyt as moderator of the session of Mediapolis when the appointed moderator is unable to be there. The following motions were approved by e-mail dated October 27, 2013: MOTION: To appoint Rev. Jim Bonewald as moderator of the First United Presbyterian Church of Mediapolis for the Congregational Meeting of 3 November 2013. The following motion was approved by e-mail dated November 8, 2013: MOTION: To appoint Rev. Deb Kinney as moderator for First United Presbyterian Church of Mediapolis for the Nov. 19 session meeting. The following motion was approved by e-mail dated November 12, 2013: MOTION: to approve Maurie Campbell to be moderator at Lone Tree United Presbyterian Church, effective immediately. The following motion was approved by e-mail dated November 14, 2013: MOTION: That the following terms of call between Reverend Jessica Crane Munoz as full time pastor beginning November 1, 2013 and Vinton Presbyterian Church be approved:
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Cash Salary – $35, 213 Supplement of SECA - $3,250 Fair Rental Value of the Manse - $7,200 Utility Allowance (paid by the church) - $2,800 Manse Allowance - $4,000 Medical/Dental Reimbursement - $600 4 Weeks paid Vacation 2 weeks paid Continuing Education 7 weeks Maternity/Paternity Leave Miles reimbursed at current IRS rate Continuing Education Expenses - $1,000 Professional Expenses - $1,000 Moving Expenses up to $5,000 Participation in Sabbatical Leave per PEIA Policy
The following motion was approved by e-mail dated December 9, 2013: MOTION: To approve the installation commission for the installation of the Reverend Jessica Crane Munoz as Pastor of the Vinton Presbyterian Church, Vinton, IA. The installation service will take place on Saturday, December 14 at 11:00 a.m. at the church.
Commission members are: Teaching Elders John Hougen, Pastor, Independence, First Tim Dyck, Pastor, CR, Christ Church Kitch Shatzer, Chaplain, UP Home, Washington, IA Ruling Elders Ann Luedtka, CR, Christ Church Mindy McClintock, Vinton PC Kristine Shultis, Shellsburg, First
The following motion was approved by e-mail dated December 12, 2013: MOTION: To appoint Rev. David Castrodale as moderator for Montrose, effective immediately.
The following motion was approved by e-mail dated December 19, 2013:
MOTION: To approve Rev. Charles McCracken as temporary moderator for Farmington/Sharon beginning January 16 and to approve Kitch Shatzer to moderate a congregational meeting on January 13 and a Session meeting on January 15 at the same church.
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Rev.Charles McCracken is a retired pastor in the general vicinity. He is familiar with the church and willing to serve
The following motion was approved by e-mail dated 4January 2014:
MOTION: To appoint Aimee Goldmeyer to moderate the Session meeting at Mount Pleasant on January 15, 2014.
The following motion was approved via e-mail dated 22 January 2014:
MOTION: To authorize Reverend Dick Eis to ordain a duly elected member of the Sharon Presbyterian Church in Farmington as elder. NEW BUSINESS Teaching Elder Mary Pugh requested that the Stated Clerk provide the governing body with a timeline that explains the audit process and what has happened to the audit up to this point in time. Stated Clerk Blair reported that on May 9, 2013 she received an e-mail from Gregory Mleziva, CEO of Bauman Associates, introducing himself and Nathan Kalepp, audit manager. On May 10, the Stated Clerk received a request from Bauman Associates for a copy of the Peachtree backup and log-in in order to gather all financial information accrued since the last financial review. The governing body approved this release as a part of the motion to approve the audit. On May 30, 2013, the Stated Clerk and Mr. Mleziva made arrangements for a three-day site visit, beginning the following Monday. Mr. Kalepp was accompanied by Eric Davidson, internal controls specialist. The audit was conducted on a modified cash basis. On October 31, 2013, the Stated Clerk received an e-mail from Mr. Mleziva that the audit was drafted for his final review. The audit included all bank records, bank statements, investment statements, invoices, payroll records, organizational documents, loan, note, and lease agreements, receipts and disbursements. On December 16, 2013, the Stated Clerk received an e-mail indicating that the final review of the main audit documents was complete. Arrangement was made with Eric Davidson to receive in a secure electronic file the supplementary documents pertaining to the audit. On December 23, 2013, the Stated Clerk received the hard copy of all of the audit documents. Also on December 23, the Stated Clerk sent an e-mail to Moderator Mary Pugh asking how the disposition of the audit document should proceed. Moderator Pugh responded that the Trustees and the PCC should first consider the document.
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On January 9, Moderator Mary Atwood requested the Stated Clerk to schedule a joint meeting of the PCC, Trustees and Personnel Committee with teleconference link to Gregory Mleziva and Nathan Kalepp along with Jay Wilkinson, Stated Clerk of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies. Mr. Mleziva and Mr. Kalepp walked meeting participants through each portion of the audit documents and responded to questions. In response to this information, Teaching Pugh moved that, given the fact that the audit and its disposition is the responsibility of all of us as the governing body, the Stated Clerk be directed to provide copies of the full audit and executive summary upon request to members of the governing body or commissioners from constituent churches. The motion was seconded and APPROVED unanimously. A motion to adjourn was seconded and APPROVED. Moderator Atwood then invited Matthew Penning to lead those present in a song of response. The Reverend Emory VanGerpen offered the closing prayer, followed by the Lord’s Prayer. Ruling Elder Betty Colby provided the benediction and extinguished the Christ Candle. Respectfully submitted, Ruling Elder Dr. Rebecca Blair Stated Clerk
