Archives for September 2021

The Fall Stated Meeting of Charleston Atlantic Presbytery was held Tuesday, December 14 at 9:30 am via Zoom. You can view the whole meeting on Facebook or just the Joys Video.

The Stated Clerk’s ReCAP

Although it is greatly hoped that presbytery meetings will return to an in-person format in 2022, the Fall Meeting held on December 14, 2021 via zoom proved that Charleston Atlantic has learned how to meet electronically and well.  Pre-recorded worship at the beginning of the meeting and a prerecorded service of installation of the 2022 Moderator and Vice-Moderator at the end of the meeting bookended a meeting that included all the challenges a meeting can present—except providing lunch.

Special guests Elizabeth Little and  Emily Cameron of the PC(USA)  Board of Pensions and the South Carolina Inn at Montreat, respectively addressed the meeting “live,” as did our synod executive, Rev. Joyce Lieberman. Of special note for persons covered under BOP plans is information included in the handbook on page 9. 

Outgoing Moderator Rev. Spike Coleman preached the sermon during worship, “Rest for Our Souls,”  based upon Matthew 11:28-30 which Rev. Coleman says he has posted on his refrigerator.  A high point of the worship was the musical offerings of members of Rev. Coleman’s St Andrews congregation.  Worship also included communion. For the first time since the pandemic pushed us to meeting in virtual space, an offering was taken.  Funds collected will benefit the South Carolina Inn at Montreat, which has a long history of providing affordable accommodations in for those who go to the mountains for, rest, respite and education. 

The Committee on Representation made its report and put forth the names of nominees for representation to the General Assembly, for Moderator and Vice Moderator and for places on the various teams, committees and commissions which do the work of the presbytery. 

 Elders Ray Whaley and Linda Rousseau and the Reverends Sidney Davis and Margaret Fleming were elected as CAP Commissioners to the General Assembly coming up in June of 2022.  Elder Jay Jackson and Reverend Alonza Washington were elected as alternates.  Sarah Rucker was elected as Young Adult Advisory Delegate, with Caleb Browder as alternate.

Elder Kent Grimes was elected moderator of the presbytery for the coming year, with Elder Alan Rousseau elected to serve as Vice Moderator. Beginning on page 20 of the handbook, a full list of persons elected to serve the presbytery can be found.

Other actions of note including passing the 2022 budget put forth by the Stewardship of Financial Gifts of Ministry Team, various amendments to the CAP Manual of Administrative Operations and the introduction of Rev. Jerri Perkins as a new member of this presbytery, now serving as interim pastor an Johns Island Presbyterian Church, and Candidate Terri Wetherell who will be ordained in January to serve as Interim Associate Pastor of James Island Presbyterian Church. The Shepherding Team also introduced an updated Personnel Policy Manual and Parental Leave Policy Guidance for churches.

The meeting concluded with Rev. Coleman handing over the gavel to Elder Grimes, who pronounced the benediction.

Please read THE HANDBOOK for more information.

You can still participate in our offering for the SC Inn at Montreat by donating via THIS LINK or check made out to Charleston Atlantic Presbytery with “SC Inn at Montreat” in the memo line sent to 4701 Park Pl. W., North Charleston, SC 29405.

You can view the meeting in its entirely on our  Facebook Page, including the worship service. You can follow along with the Order of Worship.

Meeting ReCAP

The summer 2021 meeting of the Charleston Atlantic Presbytery was held on Saturday, September 18, at 80-plus locations (more if Facebook live viewers are included).  Since covid-19 and its variants have made in person gatherings unwise, each pastor, commissioner and guest attended from the comfort of their chosen electronic device. 

Once again, the best of a zoom meeting was exemplified by the worship. Rev. Will Robinson preached the sermon “You are In the Spirit,” from Romans 8:1-9, the considerable musical talents of members of First Presbyterian Hilton Head were on display, elders from a variety of churches prayed and read, and Rev. Cecelia Armstrong celebrated the sacrament of the Lord’s supper.

Special guest Sy Hughes of the Presbyterian Mission Agency brought greetings and a report form that entity.  Rev. Colin Kerr gave an update on campus ministry in the Charleston Area. The stated clerk clarified that the next CAP meeting is Tuesday Dec. 14.  At that meeting, commissioners to the 225th General Assembly will be elected.  

Elections also will be held in December for the many vacancies that will be opening on various presbytery teams, committees, and commissions. The Committee on Representation, reporting through Rev. Lissa Long,  is actively seeking nominations for these positions, as well as for GA Commissioners.  To find out more, CHECK THE CHATLINE where a copy of the meeting handbook—including information about GA and the openings COR needs to fill—can be read by anyone, not just meeting attendees.

Also by accessing the handbook, the reader can experience much of the business of the meeting, since most teams, committees and commissions submitted reports that were not changed or expanded upon during the meeting.  Elder Sandra Otero did address the meeting on behalf of the Service to Others Ministry Team, reporting that the team hopes to hold the previously postponed Puerto Rico mission trip March 20-26 of 2022.

The first reading of the 2022 budget was submitted by the Stewardship of Financial Gifts of Ministry Team.  Team moderator Peter Jones reported that the budget is a “work in progress’ since it does not appear that contributions from the congregations that comprise the presbytery will be sufficient to fund even the reduced budget.  He acknowledged that many churches also have seen their givings fall off during the pandemic, but encouraged all pastors and commissioners to return to their sessions and start the conversation of whether their church is giving what it can.  The full financial report and the 2022 anticipated budget can be found in the Handbook and its Supplement. Ruling Elder James Deavor was recognized to speak and pointed out that CAP’s support of the General Assembly and Synod are similarly lacking.

Two teaching elder members of presbytery, Rev, Charles Heyward and Rev. Isaac Moore (both honorably retired yet still serving congregations) spoke up and personally pledged direct monetary support for the presbytery.  They encouraged other teaching and ruling elders to do the same.  By the close of the meeting, at least one other pastor had also pledge support. Anyone who wishes to do the same may send a check to the presbytery marked “direct support of presbytery budget.”

A high point of each meeting is the video of “Joys and Concerns.”  This slideshow of pictures submitted by churches across the presbytery is reassuring evidence that the church continues its work: congregations find ways to engage in fellowship and mission, to work together, to pray together, and to have fun.  

CAP Moderator Rev. Spike Coleman also opened the floor (and attendees’ microphones) for on the spot sharing of joys and requests for prayer. After prayer accordingly, he pronounced benediction and the meeting closed.

For more information, read THE HANDBOOK and SUPPLEMENT.