The 69th Stated Meeting of Foothills Presbytery was held on November 2, a beautiful fall afternoon, in the fellowship hall at First Presbyterian Church in Greenville.
The opening worship service was led by Rev. Mary Morrison, and the sermon entitled "Self Afflicted" was preached by Candidate Debbie Foster (pictured below).
Greetings were brought by Charles Elliott of Thornwell Home and Jim Simpson and Nan Arnold from Presbyterian College. Mel Davis also made a brief report about the Theological Education Fund.
Allen McSween made the report of the Committee on Ministry, which included the election of an administrative commission to visit the Nicholtown Church Session to determine causes of unrest in the church. Those serving on the commission are: The Revs. Bill Arthur, Jean Weaver, James McDowell and Jake Young; and Elders Saverne Haynes (Rock Hill), Paul Grier (First Greenville), and one other elder to be named.
The COM also recognized three ministers and granted them honorable retirement: Minnie Sue Douglas, Sadie Goldsmith, and Steve Price.
Candidate Debbie Foster was examined and approved for ordination to accept a call as Stated Supply at Fair Play Church. Chris Herrin was received as Senior Pastor at Limestone Church in Gaffney. Robert Klouw and Katherine Randall were introduced as the clergy couple being called to organize a new church in the West Simpsonville area, and they were commissioned for this new ministry. Also, the Honorably Retired Rev. Marion Boozer was received.
It was announced that there will be a Called Presbytery meeting on January 11 at Eastminster Church to vote on the proposed amendments to the Constitution.
The Rev. Frank Strickland made a report for the Camp Buc Task Force. This task force has been working with the N.C. Natural Heritage Program to determine how best to protect a portion of Camp Buc property that includes a thirty acre bog. The presbytery was advised of possible future actions concerning the good stewardship of this land that might also benefit the program at Camp Buc.
A report was made by the Think & Study Group studying the revision of the Form of Government. Their next meeting will be December 4 at noon at Nazareth Church. Interested persons were encouraged to be a part of this group.
Approval was given to make the third Sunday in May Campus Ministry Sunday.
The second reading of the new structure of Foothills Presbytery was approved.
After reports from other teams and committees, the meeting was adjourned with prayer.
