The Fall 2016 Stated Meeting of Charleston Atlantic Presbytery was held on Tuesday, December 13 at St. Luke Presbyterian Church in Orangeburg. Highlights of the meeting included worshiping together, voting on the proposed ammendments from General Assembly, electing our new Stated Clerk, installing our new Moderator and Vice-Moderator, and hearing about the good work of our presbytery in its many forms of mission and ministry. You can learn more by reading the documents listed below:
Archives for 2016
Summer 2016 Stated Presbytery Meeting
The summer stated meeting was held on September 17 at First Presbyterian Church on Hilton Head Island.
Download the handbook and other information from the September meeting here:
July 2016 Special Presbytery Meeting
PRESBYTERY MEETING NEWS
Charleston Atlantic Presbytery held a called meeting on July 21, 2016 at Park Circle Presbyterian Church to consider a contract to sell the current office and property at 2421 Ashley River Road. At the request of the session and congregation of Park Circle, the presbytery elected an Administrative Commission during the May Stated Meeting to close their church, which took place in with a presbytery-wide closing service of worship on June 1, 2016. The Commission was also empowered to market and sale the PCPC property, which was rescinded during the called meeting, in favor of considering an offer to sale the current presbytery office site on Ashley River Road. This would make it possible to renovate the first floor of the Park Circle Church and relocate the presbytery office and resource center. With that in mind, commissioners approved the following recommendations:
- Approved the contract to sell the current 8.02 acre site and buildings on Ashley River Road to Avtex Commercial Properties, Inc. for $2,600,000; and authorized Donnie Woods to sign off on the contract to begin the 90 day due diligence period.
- Approved a resolution authorizing and directing presbytery’s trustees to execute and deliver all legal documents and instruments necessary and required to transfer property to buyer, with LeRoy Hutchinson serving as presbytery’s closing attorney.
- Approved a three part recommendation authorizing the Park Circle Administrative Commission to oversee and execute the responsibility of renovation costs and relocating the presbytery office and resource center to Park Circle; to seek broad input from presbytery to develop a “presbytery facility-use plan” shaped by the ministry priorities of the presbytery to be approved; and charged the Coordinating Committee (Shepherding Team) to develop a policy to be approved by presbytery determining the use of the proceeds from the sale.
The Administrative Commission will make regular reports to the presbytery as this work and ministry progresses.
Donnie Woods,
Stated Clerk
Our Commissioners to the 222nd General Assembly
The 222nd General Assembly was held June 18-25 in Portland, OR. Charleston Atlantic Presbytery elected at three ruling elders, three teaching elders, and one young adult advisory delegate at our December 2015 meeting and commissioned them during worship at our May 2016 meeting.
You can read more about the General Assembly on the OGA website.
Meet our Commissioners and be in touch with them if you want to learn more about GA:
Teaching Elders
Becky Albright serves as Associate Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Beaufort, SC. She received her Masters of Divinity from Union Presbyterian Seminary, Charlotte, NC campus after being called into ministry as a mature adult. As part of this educational process, Becky completed the parish supervised ministry or internship at First Presbyterian Church-Beaufort. During this process, Becky felt great love and support from the congregation and was able to experience a variety of worship, teaching, and pastoring opportunities. In July 2012, Becky was called by First Presbyterian Church-Beaufort to be Assistant to the Pastor.
Becky lived in Hilton Head or Bluffton for the past 35 plus years and was a member of First Presbyterian Church (HHI) for almost as long. She served as Treasurer, President, Elder, Organist, Part-Time Business Administrator, chaired the Finance Committee, chaired the Membership Committee, served on Stewardship, Endowment, and led the Money$mart$ program at First Presbyterian.
Prior to being called into ministry, her business career was in the bookkeeping and accounting fields. She owned and operated her accounting business until the spring of 2007. Becky grew up in Lexington, SC in the Lutheran denomination, and graduated from Lexington High School. It was at St. Stephens Lutheran Church where her strong faith was planted, encouraged, and grew – yet it was in the Presbyterian environment, where the Holy Spirit moved her to resonate with the polity, confessions, and worship services.
Her volunteer life outside the church includes Past Treasurer of Boys and Girls Club of Bluffton, Past Treasurer of Volunteers in Medicine Clinic, Past Member of VanLandingham Rotary Club, Past President of Exchange Club of Hilton Head, Past Board Member of HH Orchestra and Charter Member of Women in Philanthropy.
Becky is married to Bob Albright, lives in Beaufort, and enjoys interaction with their three adult children, grandchildren, other family members, and friends. When Becky is not at First Presbyterian Church in Beaufort, SC, she enjoys the beach, reading, gardening, and playing the piano.
Maggie Frampton Beamguard – I consider it a great privilege and joy to have served for over thirteen years as a teaching elder in large and small congregations across our denomination. Upon graduating from Columbia Theological Seminary, I served as an Associate Pastor for First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, TN, Pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Winston Salem, NC and currently as Associate Pastor, of First (Scots) Presbyterian Church. I have enjoyed opportunities to work with colleagues in ministry, serving the Middle Tennessee, Salem and Charleston Atlantic Presbyteries on various committees, joining the leadership team of the Salem Presbyterian Interracial Dialogue (an organization with a twenty year history), participating in a Montreat Youth Planning Team as the Morning Director and occasionally leading women’s retreats for sister churches. As a member of the Charleston Atlantic Presbytery, I served as a member of the Visioning Task Force and gained a deep appreciation for the diversity within our presbytery and the many gifts our congregations have to offer as we support and encourage one another in our calling to share the good news of Jesus Christ. My husband David and I are the proud parents of two daughters, Charlotte and Norah, who delight us with their laughter and individuality. I spend my free time coaxing things to grow in our vegetable garden and ignoring the housework in order to spend more time reading, coloring and watching the Tigers at my Alma Mater, Clemson, play football.
Bob Capers – Pastor of Bethel (Johns Island) and Salem (Wadmalaw Island) since 1977. “Bob” was born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina. He is the youngest of five children. Bob has endeavored to offer innovative Christian leadership that enables people within and beyond the church to experience and respond to the gracious love of God. To this end, Bethel and Salem have developed new and enhanced existing ministries. Bob is also passionate about equipping Christians to grow spiritually. Christian leadership, preaching God’s Word, and ministering to Ministers. Bob along with his wife are co-founders of Capers Preparatory Christian Academy, a school that stresses academics in a Christian environment.
Bob received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Rust College, where he was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. He earned the Master of Divinity from Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center and he was a fellow of the Pastor-Theological Program at Princeton Theological Seminary. He presently serves on Charleston Atlantic Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry and as a Disaster Relief Coordinator and Synod Commissioner; “a servant of God, a servant to God, a servant for God,” and a father of two sons and one daughter.
Ruling Elders
James D. Collett, Jr.
Born: April 29, 1947 in Washington D.C. Married
Address: 15 Wild Laurel Lane Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 Telephone: 843 689 9890
Education: BA in Political Science, Denison University MA in Real Estate, University of Florida
Work: US Air Force 1969 to 1973 Bell System/ Bell Atlantic/ Verizon 1974 to 1999 Worked primarily in Real Estate 1974 to 1983 and Systems Planning 1984 to 1999.
Church Activities in order:
Member of First Presbyterian Church, Hilton Head Island
Became a Presbyterian when I married my wife in 1977 – formerly Episcopalian
Clerk of Session – Prince of Peace Presbyterian Church, Crofton, Maryland
Presbytery New Church Development Committee of Baltimore Presbytery that led to starting Ark and Dove Presbyterian Church
Clerk of Session – Ark and Dove Presbyterian Church in Odenton, Maryland
Alternate Commissioner to General Assembly for Baltimore Presbytery
Chair of New Church Development for an African American Church in Baltimore
Two terms as Ruling Elder at First Presbyterian Church of Hilton Head Island
Co Chair of major renovation and expansion of FPC HHI
Elder Margaret Mitchell-Rivers is a native of Edisto Island, South Carolina. Margaret is a lifelong member of the Edisto Presbyterian Church where she started her Christian journey. She has and continues to serve in many capacities in the Church. She served as Clerk of Session, Church School Teacher, Youth Advisor, Presbyterian Women Moderator and Choir member. She currently serves a Chair of the Budget and Finance Ministry Unit.
Margaret also gives of her time at the Presbytery level. She serves as the Treasurer and on the Finance Committee. She has assisted on numerous occasions with Ordination and Installation Services in the Presbytery when called upon. She attended the Lay School of Theology taking courses in Worship and Theology and Polity.
She received her B. A. Degree in Business Administration from Voorhees College, Denmark, South Carolina and a B. S. Degree in Education from the College of Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina.
Margaret is a retiree after thirty-three years as the Human Resource Manager for the South Carolina Department of Transportation, District Six area serving Charleston, Berkeley, Beaufort, Jasper, Dorchester and Colleton Counties.
Margaret is married to Minister MacKenneth Rivers and they have one son, MacKenneth Rivers, II.
Margaret has never served as a Commissioner to the General Assembly, however, she has attended two as a visitor and as a committee representative from the Self-Development of People Committee. Margaret’s calling is serving God and her Church.
Marilyn Muckenfuss – I am a retired elementary school teacher. I spent 34 years educating children at Stiles Point Elementary. I have been married to my husband, Milton, for 3I years and we have 3 wonderful sons. Milton and I both grew up on James Island and my husband and I bought the family home from my parents in 1986. I have had the privilege of being a member of James Island Presbyterian for 57 years. I was baptized at James Island Pres. and have watched in awe as the church has grown and changed over the years. As a member I have served as a youth leader, Sunday school teacher, Bible School teacher and director, James Island Presbyterian Foundation board member and ruling elder. As an elder, I chaired the worship and music committee(3 years) and served as the clerk of session (9 years). I am presently a member of the worship and music committee, Child Protection committee, bell and chancel choir. I co-direct the cherub choir and serve as one of the wedding directors for our church. Being part of a vibrant and service oriented congregation has been such a blessing in my life and the life of my family. Being nominated for the position of commissioner at General Assembly has been an exciting and humbling experience. I look forward to the possibility of representing our Presbytery and taking a new step forward in my faith walk.
Young Adult Advisory Delegate
Dhmir A. Grant is currently a second year Master of Health Administration student at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and will be graduating in May 2016. She is a member of St. James Presbyterian Church (USA) located in Charleston, South Carolina.
As a student, Dhmir is involved in several organizations that foster leadership and growth in her professional life. Dhmir is the treasurer of Student Health Professionals Recognizing Diversity (SHPURD), a member of the Raymond S. Greenberg Presidential Scholars Program, American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), and National Association for Health Services Executives (NAHSE), and a student representative for the MUSC College of Health Professions Diversity Task Force. Dhmir is also an intern for the University Chief Diversity Officer at MUSC and coordinates all diversity and inclusion initiatives across the entire enterprise.
Dhmir received her Bachelors of Science in Business Administration and minor in Spanish from Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC. As a student at PC, she was the Vice President of the Multicultural Student Union and the Student Union Board as well as a member of Celtic Cross and the Society for the Advancement of Management. Dhmir was among the first group of students to live in the intentional Christian living community, The Nest, at Presbyterian College. The Nest is a residential community that works jointly with the Office of Religious Life to harvest a nurturing spiritual environment for the entire college community. In spring 2013 Dhmir had the opportunity to study abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina for a semester. While abroad Dhmir lived with a host family and took business and Spanish courses at Universidad de Belgrano with Argentines and other international students.
As a member of St. James Presbyterian Church, Dhmir works with the youth advisor team, Scholarship Committee, and the St. James Women’s Conference Planning Committee. Growing up in the church she held several positions in the Youth Group, including moderator and served on the Presbyterian Youth Council for the Charleston Atlantic Presbytery, and attended many Presbyterians Concerned about African American Youth (PCAAY) retreats and National Black Presbyterian Caucus (NBPC) conferences.
Special Dedication at Lowcountry
In celebration of the 10th anniversary of Temple Oseh Shalom meeting in the sanctuary and facilities of Lowcountry Presbyterian, Temple member, Martin Levinson constructed a Cabinet to be placed in the church’s narthex to hold the Temple’s 300 hundred year old Torah Scroll and the Family Bible of an LPC member. A brief service was held Thursday night to dedicate the Cabinet in the presence of leadership from both congregations. Temple President Barry Zwieban opened the service expressing appreciation for LPC’s hospitality and the intention of the Temple to show with the Cabinet the rich heritage of faith that these congregations share. The Torah Scroll and the Bible are currently opened to the Ten Commandments. Rev. Christine Herrin, pastor of LPC received the Cabinet on behalf of the congregation and closed the service with the following prayer recognizing the importance of God’s Word for both Jews and Christians:
“We are grateful O God for the partnership between LPC and Temple Oseh Shalom. How it must please you that we share this beautiful worship space where your Holy Word is both spoken and sung week after week, month after month, and year after year.
May this cabinet and your Word contained in it remind us, and everyone who sees it, of the precious gift your Word is to us. May it inspire us to not just revere and treasure your Holy Word, but to read it and digest it so that it becomes a part of us, a living Word in us, that resides deeps in our bones, our sinews, our tendons, our minds and our wills, so that we are drawn closer to you O God, and able to say like Isaiah when you call, “Here am I, send me.”
We pray that your Word given to your people, spoken to your prophets, etched in stone on Mt Sinai, now on deer skin and paper, become inscribed on our hearts; your Word that comforts, and sustains, perplexes and challenges, motivates and inspires. We pray that your Word would continue to shape us and form us so that as your beloved children and as congregations, we might share your love out into the community and the world in all that we say and do. Amen”
Afterwards, the attendees shared a meal together at Truffles; hopefully the first of more such encounters as both congregations look forward to deepening our partnership.
Spring 2016 Stated Presbytery Meeting
The Spring Stated Meeting of Presbytery was held at The Presbyterian Church on Edisto Island on May 17, 2016. Relevant Documents are listed below for your information.
Transition Committee Report-January 2016
The Charleston-Atlantic Presbytery (CAP)-appointed Transition Team met twice (12/14 & 1/21) following our December 8th fall stated meeting. The purpose of this committee is to begin implementing the earlier approved work of the presbytery Vision Task Force (VTF).
We are pleased to report:
- During the VTF visits with sessions throughout our presbytery, teaching and ruling elders provided examples of ‘gifts’ held within their congregations. These lists of ‘gifts’ are being updated in order that the current information may be used in developing and making available a presbytery-wide resource inventory of unique gifts, skills and talents. For example, a congregation that sends a mission team to Haiti every spring has developed skills in recruiting, equipping, using and funding volunteers for this kind of international outreach mission. Other congregations exploring international mission with no or limited experience will be able to benefit from the skills of other congregations already doing this ministry. It is possible that new and combined outreach mission develops from the increased awareness of resources and experiences within our presbytery.
- During the September 8th CAP presbytery meeting, the VTF concept of ‘neighborhood’ was approved. These are six (6) geographic clusters of between 6-11 congregations, per neighborhood, encouraged to gather for conversation; to worship, fellowship and celebrate together; to create connections for share mission and ministry. Neighborhood ‘F’ (First Scots, The Journey, Second, St. Andrews/Chas, St. Andrews/JI, Wallingford, Westminster and Zion-Olivet) has started this partnered journey by meetings and conversations. On January 31st a Neighborhood ‘F’ jointly planned ecumenical gathering, entitled, a ‘Celebration of Comfort and Hope’ was held at Second Presbyterian Church. How exciting to see the implementation of ‘Neighborhood’ coming together.
- Neighborhood ‘F’ is also beginning to explore, together, the concept of a neighborhood coordinator/facilitator. Likely, a part-time person, receiving a stipend, who will work to help facilitate shared mission and ministry with/through this particular neighborhood.
- The Transitional team is beginning to look at the organizational structure of our presbytery. The various committees, councils and teams (both historic/locally decided and mandated by our Book of Order).
- Intentional efforts continue to make presbytery meetings be focused on worship, connections and fellowship rather than simply business.
Transition Team
Rev. Cress Darwin & Mrs. Laurie Carter (co-chairs)