Blackhawk Presbytery
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Supporting Thriving Faith Communities in Northern Illinois

September 2011 Presbytery Meeting

 

Blackhawk Presbytery met September 13, 2011 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in DeKalb. Rev. Dr. Blake Richter and Rev. Karen Herbst-Kim led worship, with mission co-worker Rev. Brenda Harcourt preaching. The learning opportunity was: Missional Churches—Missional Presbytery. Rev. Dr. Bob Kopp talked about First Presbyterian Church, Belvidere partnering with a church in Joplin to do tornado relief, leading to the formation of Belvidere’s First Response Team. Rev. Leon Aalberts shared experiences from the presbytery-wide mission trip to Cedar Rapids, IA to assist with re-building after the 2009 floods. Rev. Barb Parker shared Wheatland Presbyterian Church’s experience with the Unbinding the Gospel project. Rev. Brad Rogers described the work of the Westminster Stateline Ministry project to develop a new faith community in the Rockton, Roscoe, South Beloit area. Ryan Anderson and Jan Hartman shared new Stronghold programs for reaching out into the community in mission and ministry.
 
Continuing the theme of mission and ministry, the presbytery heard a heartfelt healing testimony from member-at-large Rev. Kay Cushman, and inspiring reports from the mission field from Lt. Col. David Terrinoni and Rev. Brenda Harcourt.
 
Other items of note:
  • Rev. John Huff announced his resignation as Stated Clerk and Treasurer, effective December 31, 2011.
  • The presbytery accepted the Personnel Committee’s recommendation to seek a well-qualified volunteer (provided with a stipend) to be Treasurer.
  • The presbytery accepted the Personnel Committee’s recommendation to appoint general presbyter Rev. Dr. John Rickard as interim Stated Clerk.
  • The Committee on Ministry approved a contract between the Rev. Judith Kelley and Caledonia Willow Crek Presbyterian Church and a contract between Carrie Kapral and Elwood Community Presbyterian Church.
  • Carrie Kapral was commissioned as lay pastor to Elwood Community Presbyterian Church.
  • The proposed 2012 budget for Blackhawk Presbytery was presented by the Business Affairs Committee for a first reading.
  • The presbytery approved moving the April 2012 presbytery meeting from the 2nd Tuesday to the 3rd Tuesday, April 17, due to Easter timing.
  • The presbytery approved Minimum Terms of Call for 2012.

Minutes & Meeting Materials

Minutes-September 13, 2011 Presbytery Meeting
Roll call-September 13, 2011 Presbytery Meeting