Presbytery Digest
A summary of actions and information from the meetings of Pittsburgh Presbytery

September 21, 2017
Crestfield Camp & Conference Center

The meeting was called to order by Moderator, the Rev. Heather Schoenewolf at 10:00 AM. A service of worship was held with the Rev. Dr. Sheldon Sorge giving a sermon entitled, God’s Way with Losers. The music for the service was provided by Rev. Dr. Sorge and the Rev. Dr. G. Wilson Gunn, General Presbyter of National Capital Presbytery. During worship, a Litany for the Saints was conducted in remembrance of elders and pastors of Pittsburgh Presbytery who joined the church triumphant during this past year. An offering of $1,774.00 was received for equal distribution to the Lazarus Fund and the Hunger Fund. This amount will be matched by the Pittsburgh Presbyterian Foundation.

From the Executive Committee:

Recommended the following for presbytery action:

• the proposed 2018 budget; approved

Approved the following:

• the Terms of Call for Stated Clerk Ruling Elder Carla Campbell elected at the May meeting of the presbytery effective July 1, 2017
• the request of the Sewickley Presbyterian Church to lease a share of utilities costs to the Samaritan Counseling Service (SCS) for a house owned by the church which SCS will partially occupy
• the request of the East Liberty Presbyterian Church to obtain a Presbyterian Investment & Loan Program loan in the amount of $2,700,000 as a bridge loan for a renovation project 
• the request of the Gladden United Presbyterian Church for the forgiveness of Per Capita for 2017 in the amount of $1,575.00
• the request of The Presbyterian Church of Mt. Washington to sell its building for a price of $500,000 to the North American Mission of the Southern Baptist Convention
• filing for audit financial statements of Pittsburgh Presbytery for the months of March, April, May, June, and July 2017
• the schedule of 2018 presbytery meetings as follows:

February 8, 2018 at 1:00 PM at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
May 3, 2018 at 4:00 PM at Glenshaw Presbyterian Church
September 20, 2018 at 10:00  AM at Crestfield Camp & Conference Center
December 6, 2018 at 1:00 PM at Ken Mawr United Presbyterian Church

Elected the following:

• to Executive Committee Representatives to the Crestfield Board of Directors: Ruling Elder Barbara Prevost (Class of 2017), Teaching Elder Eric Dennis (Class of 2018), and Ruling Elder Dan Beckstrom (Class of 2019)

 From the Stated Clerk:

          Reported the following:

• the dismissal of a Remedial Action by the Synod Permanent Judicial Commission (PJC) against Pittsburgh Presbytery

           Announced the following:

• the pending transfer of the former First United Presbyterian Church of Braddock property to Mon Valley Initiative
• the pending transfer of former First United Presbyterian Church of Clairton to the Clairton City School District
• the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly has decided to stay with the selection of St. Louis as the site for the meeting of the General Assembly in 2018
• the conclusion of the work for Investigative Committees DM2016-01 and DM2016-02; they were dismissed

           Presented the following:

• the 222nd General Assembly Item 14-13, on the Affirmation of Creation for distribution
• the reports of the Ecclesiastical Administrative Commissions to Ordain and/or Install:
• Kelly Jean Norris as a Minister of the Word and Sacrament
• Dan Turis as Assoc. Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh
• Laura Bentley as a Minister of the Word and Sacrament

 Read the following:

• the result of the presbytery’s PJC action in a case filed against a teaching elder of Pittsburgh Presbytery and steps required for the reinstatement of that person as a member in good standing of the presbytery

Reminded presbytery of the following:

• the presbytery of the effort to sell the former Forest Grove Community Presbyterian Church property

Approved the following:

• the dissolution of the Greenfield Presbyterian Church effective October 31, 201

 From Commission on Preparation for Ministry:

Reported the following:

• Initial Consultations with Katherine Davoli and Rebecca Reeder as Inquirers
• a Pre-Care Consultation with Derail Holcomb, a member of the Bidwell Street United Presbyterian Church
• the following were given permission to take the four Senior Ordination Exams:
  1. Anthony Richardson-Eckes
  2. Stephanie Martin
  3. Victoria Voller
• Annual Consultations were conducted with the following Inquirers/Candidates:
  1. Ashley Ashley, Inquirer
  2. Marlaena Cochran, Inquirer
  3. Jane Larson, Inquirer
  4. Karl Shaley, Inquirer
  5. Victoria Voller, Candidate
• the following commissioners will be readers for the 2017 Ordination Exams:
  1. Teaching Elder Tyler Domske
  2. Ruling Elder Toby Graham
  3. Ruling Elder Peter Gilmore
  4. Ruling Elder Kaye Wentling
• approval of commissions to ordain Diane Flynn as Teaching Elder at Crafton United Presbyterian Church and Alina Kanaski as Temporary Pastor at Chartiers Valley United Presbyterian Church

Received the following:

• the following Inquirers were received as Candidates:
  1. Michael Ball, a member of East Liberty Presbyterian Church
  2. Marlaena Cochran, a member of The Open Door Presbyterian Church
  3. Stephanie Martin, a member of the Hampton United Presbyterian Church
  4. Anthony Richardson-Eckes, a member of East Liberty Presbyterian Church

Presented the following:

• Candidates Michael Ball, Marlaena Cochran, and Stephanie Martin to make statements to presbytery on their sense of call
• Candidates Diane Flynn and Alina Kanaski for their Oral Parts of Trial for Ordination; both examinations were sustained

From the General Minister:

Invited the following:

• the Rev. Ayana Teter and the Rev. Dr. Billy Gama, Convener of the Blantyre Synod, to report on the ongoing International Partnership
• the Rev. Joshua Fisher to report on the use of the Great Ends of the Church Fund grant received by the Homestead United Presbyterian Church
• the Rev. Henk Bossers to give an update on the activities of the Peacemaking Ministry Team
• the Revs. Jeffrey Eddings and the Rev. Michael Holohan to speak to the efforts of the New Worshipping Community Commission in Oakland
• the Rev. Ayana Teter, the Rev. Dr. Randall Bush, and the Rev. Dr. Hunter Farrell to report on FURIA, a project targeting undocumented immigrant people, especially women and children in the greater Pittsburgh community
• commissioners to share information on the summer mission activities in their congregations

Presented the following:

• an update on the Freedom Rising initiative

From the Commission on Ministry:

Announced the following:

• the Rev. Michael Gehrling began serving as the new Associate Pastor for the 1001 Worshipping Communities, Northeast Region, beginning August 6, 2017
• the Rev. Tom Moore began serving as the Interim Executive Director of Crestfield Camp & Conference Center beginning August 1, 2017
• the Rev. Scott Dennis served the Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Scenery Hill, PA for two months beginning June 4, 2017
• permission granted for Rev. Susan VandeKappelle, HR of Washington Presbytery, to serve communion in our bounds as part of her work with the Gestalt Pastoral Care Associates, Inc. renting the Beulah Church on September 30, 2017 for an event

Reported the completion of the following contracts between:

• the Rev. Barb Kennedy and the Parkwood United Presbyterian Church effective December 31, 2017
• the Rev. Elizabeth Hewett and the Beechview United Presbyterian Church effective March 19, 2017
• the Rev. Cynthia McClung and the Hoboken Presbyterian Church effective June 4, 2017
• the Rev. Ron Schermerhorn and the Crafton United Presbyterian Church effective May 18, 2017
• the Rev. Scott Dennis and the Sampson’s Mills Presbyterian Church effective May 31, 2017
• the Rev. Tom Moore and the Carnegie Presbyterian Church effective July 31, 2017
• the Rev. Dr. Doug Marshall and the Sharon Community Presbyterian Church effective August 31, 2017
• the Rev. Brian Diebold and the Verona United Presbyterian Church effective August 27, 2017
• the Rev. Dr. Jim Legge and the Bull Creek United Presbyterian Church effective October 31, 2017
• the Rev. Dr. Larry Ruby and the Hampton United Presbyterian Church effective September 30, 2017

Moved presbytery approve the following requests for Honorable Retirement; approved:

• the Rev. Janice Holmes effective September 21, 2017
• the Rev. Jay Lewis effective September 1, 2017
• the Rev. Cameron Malcolm effective August 17, 2017
• the Rev. Robert Lee Nichols effective January 31, 2018

 Moved presbytery approve the following appointments; approved:

• the Rev. Karie Charlton as Moderator of the Third Presbyterian Church effective July 1, 2017
• the Rev. Carolyn Cranston as Moderator of the Jefferson United Presbyterian Church effective August 1, 2017
• the Rev. Diana Harbison as Moderator of the Hoboken Presbyterian Church effective June 5, 2017
• the Rev. Patrice Fowler-Searcy as Moderator of Mt. Hope Community Presbyterian Church effective September 1, 2017
• the Rev. Deirdre Hainsworth as Moderator of the Community of Reconciliation Church effective March 1, 2017
• the Rev. Michael Holohan as Moderator of The Upper Room Presbyterian Church effective August 1, 2017
• the Rev. Dr. Bill Gracey as Moderator of Concord Presbyterian Church effective September 1, 2017
• Elder Nancy Stanny, CRE, as Moderator of the Oakdale United Presbyterian Church effective September 1, 2017
• the Rev. Dr. Robert Downs as Moderator of Carnegie Presbyterian Church effective August 1, 2017
• the Rev. Don Dr. Ewing as Moderator of Verona United Presbyterian Church effective September 1, 2017
• the Rev. John Porter as Moderator of Third Presbyterian Church effective October 2, 2017
• Ms. Diane Flynn as Moderator, subject to approval for ordination, for Crafton United Presbyterian Church effective October 2, 2017
• Ms. Alina Kanaski as Moderator, subject to approval for ordination, for Chartiers Valley United Presbyterian Church effective September 25, 2017
• the Rev. Dr. Terry Mann as Moderator of Cheswick Presbyterian Church effective September 11, 2017
• the Rev. Phil Beck as Moderator of Bull Creek United Presbyterian Church effective November 1, 2017
• the Rev. Dorothea (Lorrie) Ghering-Burick as Moderator of Hebron Presbyterian Church effective November 5, 2017

Moved presbytery approve the following calls; approved:

• Sampson’s Mills Presbyterian Church for the services of the Rev. Jessica Lynn McClure-Archer as Pastor effective August 22, 2017
• Sharon Community Presbyterian Church for the services of the Rev. Rebecca Branch-Trevathan as Pastor effective September 11, 2017
• Westminster Presbyterian Church for the services of the Rev. Louise Rogers as Associate Pastor effective August 6, 2017
• Crafton United Presbyterian Church for the services of Diane C. Flynn as Pastor (if the way be clear) effective August 1, 2017
• Hampton United Presbyterian Church for the services of the Rev. Ryan Pixton as Associate Pastor effective October 15, 2017
• Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church for the services of the Rev. Ellen Dawson as Associate Pastor effective October 1, 2017

Moved presbytery approve the following Temporary Pastoral Contracts; approved:

• Hiland Presbyterian Church for the services of Rev. Ben Robbins as Interim Pastor effective April 17, 2017 for a period of one year
• Kerr Presbyterian Church for the services of the Kelly Jean (KJ) Norris as Temporary Pastor effective May 21, 2017 for a period of one year
• New Worshipping Communities Commission (NWCC) of Pittsburgh Presbytery for the services of Laura Bentley as Temporary Pastor of Sanctuary Missional Fellowship, effective May 21, 2017, for a period of one year
• East Liberty Presbyterian Church to renew the contract for the services of Rev. Mary Lynn Callahan as Temporary Pastor for one year effective January 1, 2017
• East Union Presbyterian Church to renew the contract for the services of Rev. Mary Josephine Ramsey as Temporary Associate Pastor for one year effective January 1, 2017
• Chartiers Valley United Presbyterian Church for the services of Alina Kanaski as Temporary Pastor effective Sept. 25, 2017
• Third Presbyterian Church for the services of the Rev. John Porter effective October 1, 2017 for one year
• Hebron Presbyterian Church for the services of the Rev. Dorothea (Lorrie) Ghering-Burick as Temporary Pastor effective November 5, 2017 for one year
• Union Presbyterian Church of Robinson Township for the services of Rev. Tom Ribar as Temporary Associate Pastor effective October 1, 2017 for one year
• Whitehall United Presbyterian Church to renew the contract for the services of Rev. Linda Ruby as Temporary Pastor effective January 1, 2017 for one year
• Northmont United Presbyterian Church to renew the contract for the services of Rev. Jane Esterline as Temporary Pastor for six months effective August 29, 2017
• Logan’s Ferry Presbyterian Church to renew the contract for the services of Pastor Tim Sweigart as Temporary Pastor for four months effective September 1, 2017
• Pine Creek Presbyterian Church to renew the contract for the services of Rev. Diana Harbison as Temporary Pastor for one year effective May 21, 22017
• Bellevue United Presbyterian Church to renew the contract for the services of Rev. Dr. John Lolla as Interim Pastor for one year effective July 1, 2017

Moved presbytery grant member-at-large status to the following; approved:

• the Rev. Dr. Douglas Marshall effective August 31, 2017

 Moved presbytery receive the following letters of reception; approved:

• the Rev. Rebecca Branch-Trevathan from Central Florida Presbytery effective September 11, 2017
• the Rev. Jessica Lynn McClure-Archer from National Capital Presbytery effective August 22, 2017
• the Rev. Ryan Pixton from Blackhawk Presbytery effective October 14, 2017.
• the Rev. Dorothea (Lorrie) Ghering-Burick from New Hope Presbytery effective November 5, 2017

Moved presbytery grant letters of dismissal to the following; approved:

• the Rev. Betty Angelini to Sheppards and Lapsley Presbytery effective June 27, 2017
• the Rev. John Jacob Clawson to Grace Presbytery effective August 1, 2017
• the Rev. Brian Diebold to Mission Presbytery effective September 15, 2017

Moved presbytery grant letters of dissolution to the following; approved:

• The Upper Room Presbyterian Church and the Rev. Michael Gehrling effective June 30, 2017
• Jefferson United Presbyterian Church and the Rev. John Jacob Clawson effective July 31, 2017

Moved presbytery approve the following Administrative Commissions to Install; approved:

• the Rev. Ellen Dawson as Associate Pastor of the Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church on October 1, 2017
• the Rev. Louise Rogers as Associate Pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church on October 15, 2017
• the Rev. Jessica Lynn McClure-Archer as Pastor of the Sampson’s Mills Presbyterian Church on November 19, 2017
• the Rev. Rebecca Branch-Trevathan as Pastor of the Sharon Community Presbyterian Church on October 29, 2017
• the Rev. Ryan Pixton as the Associate Pastor of the Hampton United Presbyterian Church on November 19, 2017

Moved presbytery approve the following the Administrative Commission to commission; approved:

• CRE Louise Schoppe as Temporary Pastor at Forest Avenue United Presbyterian Church on November 5, 2017

Moved presbytery approve the following validated ministries; approved:

• the Rev. Cynthia McClung’s position of Chaplain at Friendship Village

 Moved presbytery grant permission for the following; approved:
 

• Oakdale United Presbyterian Church for the services of Ruling Elder Nancy Kay Stanny to serve as a part-time Commissioned Ruling Elder for one year effective September 1, 2017
• Forest Avenue United Presbyterian Church for the services of Ruling Elder Louise Schoppe to serve as a part-time Commissioned Ruling Elder for one year effective October 8, 2017

From the Committee on Nominations:

Announced the following:

• Announced the Rev. Steve Werth from the Riverview Presbyterian Church is being nominated for the position of Senior Vice-Moderator of Pittsburgh Presbytery for 2018; election at the December presbytery meeting

Presented the following nominees for service as committee/commission members and as commissioners/delegates to General Assembly; no nominees from the floor were offered; nominees will be confirmed at the December presbytery meeting:

Executive Committee

• Ruling Elder, Lenore Williams, East Liberty (2020 A) – East
• Ruling Elder, Darlene Rushing, Hot Metal Bridge (2020A) – South
• Ruling Elder, Chris Blackwood, Southminster (2020B) – South
• Teaching Elder, The Rev. Carol Divens-Roth, at Large (2020B) – East
• Teaching Elder, The Rev. David Carlisle, Springdale (2020B) – North
• Teaching Elder, The Rev. Jane Esterline, Northmost (2020A) – North
• Teaching Elder, The Rev. Donna Giver-Johnston, Ben Avon (2020B) – West

Commission on Ministry

• Ruling Elder, Sissy Molnar, Hampton (2020A) – North
• Ruling Elder, Brad Pietryga, Homestead (2020B) – South
• Teaching Elder, The Rev. Dr. Don Dawson, HR (2020B) – North
• Teaching Elder, The Rev. Tara Thompson, Southminster (2020A) – South

Commission on Preparation for Ministry

• Ruling Elder, Bob Lindeman, Elfinwild (2020B) – North
• Teaching Elder, The Rev. Patrice Fowler-Searcy, East Liberty (2020A) – East
• Teaching Elder, The Rev. Ben Robbins, Hiland (2020B) – North
• Teaching Elder, The Rev. Matt Bussell, Covenant Community (2020A) –West

Permanent Judicial Commission

• Ruling Elder, Gene Harris, East Liberty (2023) – East
• Ruling Elder Jane Bingham, Sewickley (2023) – West

Pittsburgh Presbyterian Foundation

• Ruling Elder, Doug Gilbert, Shadyside (2018B) – East
• Ruling Elder, Stephanie Simmons, Grace Memorial (2020A) – East

General Assembly Commissioners (by Rotation and Executive Committee)

• Ruling Elder, Hill Jordan (Valley View)*
• Ruling Elder, Linda Williams (Ben Avon)*
• Ruling Elder, Rebecca Abbott (Unity)
• Ruling Elder, Becky Price (Bethany)
• Teaching Elder, The Rev. Trent Hancock (Glenshaw) [nominated by virtue of Moderatorial office]
• Teaching Elder, The Rev. Steve Werth (Riverview) [nominated by virtue of Moderatorial office]*
• Teaching Elder, The Rev. Rob Marrow (Crossroads, Monroeville)
• Teaching Elder, The Rev. Tami Hooker (Presbyterian Church of Mt. Washington)

Alternates

• Ruling Elder, Dawn Harvin (Grace Memorial)*
• Ruling Elder, Larry Shoup (Hebron Presbyterian Church)*
• Ruling Elder, Daniel Beckstrom (Bethel Park)
• Ruling Elder, Timothy Bailey (Carnegie)
• Teaching Elder, The Rev. Deb Warren (Second United Presbyterian)
• Teaching Elder, The Rev. Brian Janssen (Heritage)

*indicates a nominee appointed by the Executive Committee

Young Adult Advisory Delegate

• Benjamin Smith (Bethel Park) – South

Young Adult Advisory Delegate Alternate

• Emily Cowser (John McMillan) – South

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