Stated Clerk’s ReCAP:
The winter meeting of the Charleston Atlantic Presbytery was hosted by the congregation of Peace Presbyterian Church in Goose Creek, pastored by the Rev. Will Dietrich. Many volunteers were on hand to assist as needed and provide a warm welcome. CAP Moderator Alan Rousseau presided.
The opening worship featured a sermon by Rev Diane Knauf, entitled “Where is the Spirit Leading Us?” based upon Matthew 4:1-11. The question in the title is one we all can ask ourselves during this “period in the wilderness” commemorated by lent. Another highlight of the service was the commissioning of the 8 person mission team that is leaving in March to spend a week to work with PDA in Puerto Rico.
Offering was taken to benefit our college ministries. (Contributions to these ministries can be made at any time to the presbytery; see the handbook pp 26 & 37 for more information about these ministries).
With much of the actual business of the docket approved via the Consent Agenda, there was ample time for three excellent presentations. Our moderator, Alan Rousseau, presented information about the indigenous people of the area we know as the Low Country. The church in the past has been complicit in the colonialism that had the effect of erasing of many peoples and reducing the culture of those that survive. The 223rd General Assembly encouraged mid-councils to acknowledge “whose land they are meeting on.” More information about his and how to explore and research for oneself can be found on p. 17 of the Handbook.
To introduce the Charleston Atlantic Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Commission, Rev. Ashley Sanders gave a presentation on the work of the PDA in South Carolina and the work begun by the CAP PDAC. To work toward accomplishing their first stated task is—to assist CAP congregation with disaster preparedness—the team has produced a template churches may use to create their own Disaster Plan. This template is available on the CAP webpage. She also introduced the team members. They will be calling each church in the next two weeks to ask:
- If the Congregation has a disaster plan (and would they share it)?
- If they know how to locate Cap resources on disaster planning?
- Who is the point of contact for the church in the event of a disaster?
Guest Mary Howell, the Sr. Community Engagement Manager of Water Missions International shared her own calling to that ministry and highlighted some of its history and its ongoing work, work that includes immediate response to the recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. The annual Walk for Water will be held on March 23. Participants raise money for Water Mission and get a taste of what it is like to carry a family’s daily water supply an average of one and a half miles as is the case in many parts of the world.
In the business portion of the meeting, a new Property Ministry Team was created (and will be added to the Manual of Administrative Operations), and its first set of members elected. One new member of the Committee on representation was also elected. The stated clerk reported on the Synod of South Atlantic meeting, which included the election of a CAP elder to the Synod PJC.
Past Moderator Kent Grimes was presented with a Gavel in honor of his service.
Upon adjournment with prayer and blessing, a lunch was served and was well attended as participants enjoyed food and fellowship.
Enjoy the Winter 2023 Joys Video.
For more information, please read the HANDBOOK and SUPPLEMENT.
Did you know…..
That ANYONE can access the commissioner’s handbook for a CAP meeting?
If you take a look at the most recent handbook, you can find
- On pages 26 and 37 Information about the vibrant college ministries in Charleston and Orangeburg
- On page 21 the Report of the CAP-PDAC; including the three questions that its members will be asking your church.
- On page 19 a description of the newly form Property Ministry Team (and in the Supplement find out who was elected to it)
- On page 26 learn more about the Mackay Presbyterian Mission
- You can also find information about the CAP budget (p16),
- who our seminary students are (p.35),
- what Special Offerings are and how to learn more (p13)
- what’s up at Bethelwoods (p19)
- and even read the minutes of the last meeting!
In fact, you can find out what every Team Committee and Commission of the Presbytery is doing. If you have questions, wish to know more or participate in anything yousee, feel free to call the presbytery office and iIe, Catherine, Michele and Becky can guide you.