On a day which felt like summer might be on the wane, the Summer Stated Meeting of the Charleston Atlantic Presbytery was held on September 16 at Aimwell Presbyterian Church.  At least 120 were in attendance enjoying the warm welcome of the host church beginning with an ample spread of breakfast goodies and ending with a delicious lunch of pulled pork, chicken and accompanying sides. And in between there was a busy meeting!

Worship included Rev. Perry Griffin’s powerful sermon, “Talking to Yourself and God” based on Psalm 42:5 and Luke 15:17-23, music provided by the Aimwell Choir, and Holy Communion.  An offering of $1,488 was collected to benefit Presbyterian Disaster Assistance work in the wake of the Maui wildfires. 

Please read the HANDBOOK and SUPPLEMENT for more information about the business of the meeting. Highlights included Introduction of three pastors new to CAP:  Rev. Rob Blumer (Interim, Peace PC), Rev. Joe Johnson (Associate. Providence PC), Rev. Garland Hart (Retired, living in Williston) and the transition of seminary Student Caroline Grinrod from Inquirer to Candidate status.  

Other important business included the passage of a resolution to require boundary training, to be administered by the Commission on Ministry, for all Pastors, Seminarians and Certified Christian Educators, the adoption of a Revised Building Use policy developed by the Property Ministry Team, and the first reading of the 2024 Budget.

Important information included the announcement by the MaKay Presbyterian Ministry of a photo exhibit, “En El Camino”  (On the Path)  to be held at the CAP offices Nov. 3-Feb 9, after which the photos will be variable for exhibit at other locations, an overview of the structure and work of the South Carolina Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Commission, and an introduction to the work of the Congo Presbyterian Mission Network (which will hold its national meeting next year at the CAP office).

PDA and SC PDAT Presentation

Congo Mission Network Presentation

Finally, transitions in Presbytery leadership were addressed:  The Shepherding Team requested and was granted authority to form a Search Committee for the position of General Presbyter, Elder David Yandle was elected Stated Clerk for the three year term beginning January 1, 2024, Rev. Cibele Santos was elected Moderator of presbytery for 2024 and Commissioned Ruling Elder Priscilla Holtzclaw was elected Vice Moderator for 2024.  With great sadness the presbytery recognized that Rev. Dorothy Blackwelder was resigning her post as Presbytery Director of Communications after more than seven years.  Her hard work, much of it behind the scenes, was celebrated.  Also celebrated was the hiring of Julie McCormick, a member of Summerville PC, to take over from Dorothy.  

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday Dec.12 at St. Andrews PC on Wappoo Road in Charleston.

View this meeting’s Joys Video below:

Stated Clerk’s ReCAP:

Through the efforts of the CAP staff and members of the Shepherding Team, the Spring Meeting of the presbytery was held at the CAP office on May 16.  The meeting began at 10:00 and ended at 2:00 pm.  Over those four hours a great deal of work and fellowship occurred, using the large sanctuary space at the CAP office, set up with tables.  A visitor observed that as the people went from the tables and walked to receive communion and back again, the greetings they exchanged and the tenor of the gathering made communion “truly feel like a family meal.”

Highlights:

Commissioned Lay Pastor Reggie Jones catered a yummy breakfast to start the day off and topped that later with a lunch box for each attendee to take back to their table, for a working lunch.

Before the work of the presbytery, there was worship offered by a team assembled by Rev. Cibele Santos. Rev. Dr. Jeri Parris Perkins preached on the text for Pentecost; in a sermon entitled “Holy Spirit Holes,” she encouraged openness to the Holy spirit. Elder Mark McCain introduced the offering benefit Presbyterian Disaster Assistance By describing some of the PDA’s work, including their “ministry of presence.”  For the first time, a QR code was included to allow online giving.  Celebration of Communion rounded out worship, all of which was supported by the gifts of Simplicia Smith at the piano.

William McConnell, Director of Foundation Services and Church Relations of the Presbyterian Communities of South Carolina gave a presentation, followed by the introduction of Elder Valerie Young, the new Synod Executive and Stated Clerk of the Synod of South Carolina.  Young described some of her experience in Synod work, saying “I am not new to synod work, I am new to the Synod of South Atlantic and I am working to get to know you all.”

A motion by the Shepherding Team to move the election of Moderator and Vice Moderator from the December meeting to the September meeting passed unanimously.  The change enables the electees to attend training provided by the OGA.

The Shepherding Team also presented a video prepared by its Per Capita Subcommittee. Rev. Steve Keeler further described the work that the team will be doing to explain the importance of giving to the GA, the Synod and the Presbytery.  There will be two workshops at STEPS and four regional meetings in the coming months and every church should be sure to be represented at one of them.

Elder Evelyn White stood in for Rev. Dr. Brian Henderson to present the Nurture Ministry Team Report, highlighting the  S.T.E.P.S. annual educational event of the presbytery. It will be held August 26 at Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church.

The Commission on Ministry first highlighted the MacKay Presbyterian Ministry.  Elder Sandra Agusto Otero reported on the work that ministry, originated and headed by Elder Otero and her husband Antonio Colon Romon, does with the Hispanic Community. They presented slides of their “basketball ministry” and introduced some of their members.

Over lunch, COM asked each table to read and discuss a  scripture reference and questions about boundaries.  Elder David Yandle then discussed the importance of boundaries and why God imposes them.  When they are breached, often someone gets hurt. CAP was already reviewing boundary training programs, and now the Book of Order is being amended to mandate boundary training for all Ministers of Word and Sacrament, Commissioned Lay Pastors, Educators and persons under care of the Committee On Preparation for Ministry.

Elder Yandle also reported on a conference he had just attended, presented by the Board of Pensions.  The BOP is in the midst of the first major overhaul of its medical insurance offerings since its inception.  CHECK THE CHATLINE for information about the monthly town hall meetings the BOP will be offering.  Rollout of the new plans is targeted for March of 2024.

The Service to Others Ministry Team presented a report from the Puerto Rico Mission Team which recently spent a week making repairs to homes damaged by hurricanes.  Then Andi Stem reported from the Earth Care Subcommittee.  Every church could become an Earth Care Church.  To learn more CHECK THE CHATLINE for an announcement of a lunch meeting in July.  To end their report, the Team called upon the Rev. Patricia Jones to introduce a video on the International African American Museum which will open in June after many years in the making.  Rev. Jones serves on the International African American Museum Faith Advisory Council

Candace King, the moderator of the Presbyterian Women reported that the PW” is alive and well,” referring all to their report in the handbook.  Elder Catherine Byrd stood in for Jeneane Ryan, moderator of the Presbytery  Disaster Assistance Commission to encourage all congregations to have a plan for the upcoming hurricane season and beyond. Rev. Jones reported that the Committee on Preparations for ministry has recently received another Inquirer under its care.

Rev. Achim Daffin, moderator of the Stewardship of Financial Gifts of the Ministry Team, presented the budget report and explained the work the team currently is engaged in.  Serious self limiting of the budget by all ministry teams is being encouraged.  At the same time, the presbytery does need funds in order to function.  The sobering truth is that the work of the presbytery, through all of its Commissions, Committees, Teams and Subcommittees will be threatened without an uptick in income.  

Elder Susan Mellichamp reported for the first time for the new Property Ministry Team.  That team is tasked with, among other things, maintaining the CAP building.  They are in need of “handy persons” who can assess and perhaps fix small maintenance issues.  They also will work with the CAP staff in scheduling events that will bring in some income to offset maintenance.

A time for Joys and Concerns was opened:

Rev. Charles Heyward announced the the National Black Presbyterian Caucus will hold its 47th Biennial Conference in Charleston June 14-17.  Information can be found at https://nationalnbpc.org/. 

Elder Irene Whaley announced a book signing for  work about Rev MCKinley Washington.  The PKAY summer programs were noted. CHECK THE CHATLINE for these and other events.

Madison Heffner, A youth from St. Andrew’s Presbyterian acted as the Committee on Thanks, describing her gratitude for the Spirit enhancing missions that church has afforded her. 

Please read the HANDBOOK for more information.