MINUTES Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley

Synod of Living WatersPresbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Stated MeetingFebruary 12, 2015

GOD CALLS US TOGETHER

The Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley of the Synod of Living Waters of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) met in the Stated Meeting on February 12, 2015 at Covenant Presbyterian Church, Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Throughout these minutes, Teaching Elders are indicated by an asterisk (*).

The meeting was called to order at 9:45 a.m. by Moderator Coke Clark, who then offered the convening prayer. MOTION: To elect ruling elder Jim Toomey as Vice-Moderator was adopted. Teaching Elder, the Reverend Lou Ann Sellers and Ruling Elder Jim Toomey were presented for installation as the 2015 Moderator and Vice Moderator of the Presbytery. Following the constitutional questions and prayer, the newly installed officers were warmly welcomed. The Moderator’s cross was transferred from Coke Clark to Lou Ann Sellers*. The cross was fashioned by a local artist in the Congo. The cross is made of copper and has been worn by every Moderator and reminds us of our connection with the Congo through William Lapsley and Samuel Sheppard.

Lou Ann presented Coke with a token of the presbytery’s appreciation by way of a donation to Living River in his name. Interim Stated Clerk Tom Winter presented Coke and his wife, the Reverend Molly Clark, with a gift certificate to the Olive Garden.

The body joined in singing Called As Partners in Christ’s Service. On advice of the Stated Clerk, a quorum was declared by the Moderator.

ORGANIZATION

Adoption of the DocketThe docket was adopted by common consent.

Seating of Corresponding MembersThe Reverend Thomas Herwig, Evangelical Reformed Church of Germany was seated as a

corresponding member.

Recognition of First-time Elders and Visitors The Moderator recognized all first-time elders who were introduced to the body.

Election of Bills and Overtures CommitteeThe Moderator nominated Cat Goodrich*, Barrett Abernathy* and Elder Duke Park, Korean,

Tuscaloosa for the 2015 Bills and Overtures Committee. Approved

Teaching EldersMinisters Present (55) Excused (54) Absent (14)

Abernathy, Barrett PActon, Ben PAdams, Nan PAlexander, Frank HR E

Anderson, Michael PAndreasen, Sam HR PAtkerson, Rick ABang, Yo Chang P

Bird, Shelaine EBooth, Ben HR EBrooks, Richard EBrown, Taylor, HR E

Broyles, Vernon, HR PBruchey, Wayne HR EBurgess, Sid, HR ECarleton, Rhon HR ECarter, Clyde HR PCasey, Lydia PChandler, Doris EChaney, Patsy HR PChinula, Donald ACho, Timothy AClark, Molly HR PClayton, Susan PClendenin, Monty HR ECoker, Jeff HR ECopeland, Brian PCrutchfield, Bob HR E Dantzler, Bill HR EDavis, Becky ADuke, Mickey HR EDurham, Charles HR EDurham, Erica AEdwards, Robert PEphraim, James EEpting, Bobbie PFeagin, Debbie PFrease, Matthew PGenau, Joe PGilmer, Ron AGoodlet James PGoodrich, Cat PGoodrich, Elizabeth PHanna, Richard EHarmon, Dawson, HR PHay, Robert PHayes, Jeff PHibbard, Norman HR EHolmes, Wendy A

Homer, John HR EHoop, Cathy PHurley, Ed PHurst, Clyce HR EInman, Robert F. HR EJaphet, Catherine AJeong, Junmo PKang, JC PKelso, Hugh, HR EKesler, Randy PKim, Sung-Woong PKim, Young A PKnox, Harold HR ELaack, Lee HR ELaney, Susan, HR EMcCarter, Neil HR PMcClendon, Bruce AMcClure, John AMcCollum, Sid, HR EMcCormick, Mark PMcElrath, Pete HR EMcElveen, William HR EMcLaughlin, Wayne, HR EMcKean, Mac HR PMoon, Hak Bae AMullins, Bill HR EMylalsingh, Emerson HR ENettles, Sam HR ENewland, Terry PNorthen, Margaret HR EO’Neill, Elizabeth POh, Jyung, Ho AOliver, Catherine PPatton, Finley HR EPatton, Roger HR EPenson, Gozie HR EPope, Sam P

Porter, Mary HR EPrice, Sandra HR EPyburn, Richard, HR ERains, Tom HR EReddick, Ross PReed, Leanne PReed, Kathy PReed, Nick PReid, Joe AScarbrough, Leeann PScrivner, Joe PSellers, Lou Ann PShelton, Jack HR ESeitz, Craig, HR ESims, Charles HR PSlane, Joe ESpeaker, Cary PStanford, Jim HR EStephens, Dan PStephens, Gerald HR ETaylor, Sherwood HR EThompson, Ben HR ETice, Lisa ETodd, Taylor PTruesdell, Jim PTurner, Lucy AWaters, Dana HR EWatson, Cody PWebster, J. Shannon PWebster, Charles HR EWells, Jim, HR EWills, Bill, HR EWinter, Rachel PWinter, Tom HR PWinton, Carlton, HR EYarboro, Jonathan P

Commission Ruling Elders with VotePresent (7) Excused (1) Absent (3)

Arellano, Ben P Haynes, Ernie PBonner, Jeff P Harrison, John ADodson, Beverly P Roser, Don PEich, Sharon A. A Sauser, Bill EFast, Joe P Veasey, Lin PEmerick, Robert A

Executive Council Members/Presbytery Officers w/VotePresent (4) Excused (1) Absent (1)

Carter, Eva P Hamrick, Debbie EFrennea, Rick P Park, Duke PJenkins, Tyler A Smith, James P

Christian Educators, Presbyterian Women and Trustees Moderator w/VoteJenny Thagard P Carolyn Jordan P Bill Stribling P

EldersNumber in parenthesis by church name indicates the number of commissioners authorized.

“NR” indicates that the church did not have elder representation. There are eighty-three churches in Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley. Fifty Commissioners were present.

Alexander City First (1) NRAlexander City Robinson Memorial (1) NRAnnemanie Arlington (1) NRAnniston Church of the Covenant (1) NRAnniston Church of the Good Shepherd (1) NRAnniston First (1) Keener HudsonAnniston First United (1) Debbie D. MillerAnniston Korean (1) NRAuburn First (2) Jim Parker

Henry BrandhorstBessemer First (1) Barri PrattBessemer Good Hope (1) NRBirmingham Bold Springs (1) John LeeBirmingham Bryan Memorial (1) NRBirmingham Center Point (1) Libby McKeanBirmingham Chapel in the Pines (1) Missy MorganBirmingham Edgewood (1) Ken SmithBirmingham Fairfield Highlands (1) NRBirmingham First (1) Mark AldridgeBirmingham First United of Forestdale (1) NRBirmingham Five Mile (1) NRBirmingham Independent (5) Fairy Sutherland

Jeff GranthamMiller GorrieWendell AllenJames R. Bussian

Birmingham Korean (1) NRBirmingham Mountain Brook (1) Robert DudelstonBirmingham Oakmont (1) Ralls CostonBirmingham Riverchase (1) Margaret BowmanBirmingham Second (1) Phyllis Vaughan Birmingham Shades Valley (1) Bruce Ludwig Birmingham South Highland (2) Robert L. Hunter

Cathie BonnerBirmingham Southminster (1) Brooke HeislerBirmingham Westminster (1) Thelma GibsonCuba Cuba (1) NRCamden New Trinity (1) NRCarbon Hill First (1) NRDadeville First (1) Evelyn R. PangburnDadeville Woods (1) NREufaula First (1) Bill Barrett Gardendale Gardendale (1) Rodney MewbourneGoodwater First (1) NRGreen Pond Green Pond (1) NRJacksonville First (1) Carolyn PadgettLafayette Lebanon (1) NRLeeds First (1) Mary Anne Moseley Livingston First (1) Elise EdwardsLivingston Hadden (1) NRMagnolia Rock Springs (1) NRMarion Junction Marion Junction (1) NRMontevallo Montevallo (1) Jane Clayton

Montgomery Calvary NRMontgomery Immanuel (1) Bill SuttonMontgomery Korean (1) NRMontgomery Memorial (1) Sarah Gay EdwardsMontgomery Westminster (1) Jeff SamuelMoundville Saint James (1) NRNorthport Bethel (1) Gayle HowellOdenville Odenville (1) NROpelika Korean NROxford Dodson Memorial (1) NRPhenix City First (1) Thom PeavyPiedmont First (1) NRPlantersville Mount Pleasant (1) NRReform First (1) Daisy FloydSelma Northern Heights (1) NRSelma Pisgah (1) NRSelma Valley Creek (1) NRSpringville Springville (1) Jane GriffinSylacauga First (1) NRTalladega First (1) Mark HowardTroy Williams Memorial (1) NRTrussville Cahaba Springs (1) Dixie RobinsonTuscaloosa Brown Memorial (1) John NashTuscaloosa Covenant (1) Brad FisherTuscaloosa First (3) Susan Haynes

McKittrick MossScott Taylor

Tuscaloosa Korean (1) Taegun AhnTuscaloosa University (1) Gillie PresleyTuskegee First (1) NRTuskegee Ramsay Memorial (1) Jonathan FloydTuskegee Institute Westminster (1) Judith D. BaldwinUnion Springs Union Springs (1) NRWetumpka First (1) Nancy Borders

Selma 1965 and Us – Joe Scrivner* - Selma reminds us of many hard Truths (See Appendix A)

A prayer of reconciliation was then offered by Thomas Herwig* followed by the body joining together to sing Lift Every Voice and Sing. (See Appendix B)

Living River – Board Chair Keener Hudson announced the Grand Opening of Living River to be April 26, 2015. Keener introduced John Erdman, the new Executive Director of Living River, who was given a warm welcome. Pictures of the Camp were shown with narration by Robert Hay

Presbyterian Home for Children – Mark Howard, President of Presbyterian Home for Children, briefly shared with the body new ministries that are being implemented at the Home. The Home now has a new transitional housing program that ministers to Alabama homeless children and their female caregivers. The first homeless family was received from First Light in January and others have followed from across the state. The new Transition to Adult Living Program for homeless single girls from the ages of 19-24 has opened a second cottage and t he first resident was received from the Mobile area. Churches and organizations may now make referrals directly to and partner with the Presbyterian Home for both programs. The first homeless House Mother has been hired from the Birmingham area to be a mentor to the younger girls. If you know of someone who could benefit from either of these new ministries please have them contact the Presbyterian Home directly.

After giving a prayer of illumination, Past Moderator, Coke Clark used Colossians 3 to deliver the message titled, “A and B; D or D; B of B.” The assembly joined in singing Called as Partners in Christ’s Service.

Executive Council – Lin VeaseyMotion: That Jim Bannon be approved to serve on the Living River Board. Approved. (See Appendix C for full report) Faith Journey and terms of call for Transitional Presbyter effective May 1, 2015 were provided. (Appendix D)

Vote on General Assembly Amendments to the PC(USA) ConstitutionThe proposed Amendments to the Constitution approved by the 221st General Assembly (2014) were presented to the Presbytery for vote.

Motion: Item 14-1 - Amending the Book of Confessions to include the Confession of Belhar.Approved by a majority vote.

Motion: Item 14-A – Amending G-2.0509, Renunciation of Jurisdiction. Approved by a majority vote.

Motion: Item 14-B.1 – Amending G-2.0607. Final Assessment of a Candidate. Approved by a majority vote.

Motion: Item 14.B.2 – Amending G-2.0610 - Accommodations to the particular circumstances of an individual seeking ordination. Approved by a majority vote.

Motion: Item 14-C – Amending G-3.0106 to add a Child Protection Policy. Approved by a majority vote.

Motion: Item 14-D – Amending G-3.0301 on the minimum composition of a Presbytery. Approved by a majority vote.

Motion: Item 14-E – Amending G-5.0102 – Interreligious Stance. Approved by a majority vote.

Motion: 14-F – Amending W.-4.9000 – Marriage. After approximately 50 minutes of floor debate, the Motion was Approved by a ballot vote of: 75 Affirmative and 39 Negative votes.

Neil McCarter offered a warm welcome to those in attendance followed by a blessing for the meal. The meeting was temporarily suspended to gather for lunch.

The meeting reconvened following lunch.

The body joined in singing Love Divine, All Loves Excelling and the Doxology followed by collecting offering that will be divided equally between CPM for candidates and the Presbytery Discretionary Fund. A prayer of Thanksgiving was offered.

Stated Clerk Report – Tom Winter*For the Omnibus Motion -Approved1. To record that the minutes of Chapel, Five Mile, Second, Southminster, Shepherd of the Valley, and Leeds have been read and approved with minor or no exception.2. Approval of the November 20, 2014 (stated meeting at First-Anniston) Presbytery minutes.3. First-Bessemer to change their name from First Presbyterian to Shepherd of the Valley.4. To record the receipt of the minutes of the Commission to install Rev. Nick Reed and Rev. Kathy Wolf Reed as co-Pastors at First-Auburn Presbyterian on January 25, 2015 at 3:00 p.m.

5. To record the receipt of the minutes of the Commission to install Catherine Goodrich as Associate Pastor at First-Birmingham on December 7, 2014 at 3:00 p.m.6. In conjunction with COM, the Stated Clerk moves that Riverchase church be granted a one- year waiver on Trustee term limits according to the Book of Order G-2.0404 due to the size of their membership.7. Approval of excuses received for the February 12, 2015 Presbytery meeting. Those requesting to be excused are: Doris Chandler*, James Ephraim*, Lisa Tice*, Shelaine Bird*, Richard Brooks*, Richard Hanna*, Charlie Durham, Joe Slane. To Record as Information1. In accordance with Presbytery standing rules, there is no imbalance between teaching and ruling elders for 2015.2. The deadline for Clerks of Session to enter statistical data in the PCUSA system is February 15. Clerks or congregations who are not able to enter their data should contact the Presbytery office immediately for assistance as the deadline is near.3. The 2013 presbytery minutes sent to the Synod were approved without exception. 4. Dates and locations for reading of minutes and training for Clerks of Session are: Saturday, February 21, 9am-Noon, Covenant Tuscaloosa; Saturday, March 21, 9am-Noon, at First-Jacksonville; and Sunday, April 18, 9am-Noon, Location TBD. Another date will be set later in the Birmingham area for any churches that were not able to make it to any of the above training sessions. The Clerk respectfully requests that any minutes from 2013 or prior that have not been read be submitted no later than July 13, 2015. 5. The Stated Clerk thanks the 69 Sessions who paid their per capita for 2014 enabling the work of the larger church to continue. Ten churches did not pay their per capita.6. The Stated Clerk received an Administrative Commission Report from Westminster-Montgomery

Motion: That the Motion from the Administrative Commission for Bryan Memorial be delayed until the May 14, 2015 meeting. Approved

Necrology Report“I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” Hear now the 2014 Necrology of the elders of our churches who have departed the earthly service of their Lord Jesus Christ and have gone to live eternally in God’s heavenly kingdom. These names were read by the Stated Clerk, Tom Winter*.

Ministers William T. Jones – June 3 and John Kirstein – August 3

Ruling EldersBethel Bobbie W. Leslie – November 24

Brown Memorial Irene Windham Hubbard – September 3Chapel in the Pines Donald Meffert – July 7

Church of the Good Shepherd William W. Watson – August 3Covenant—Tuscaloosa T. C. Wilkins – February 26, Doris Burton – September 17

Ginny Nichols – December 4Eastminster Tom Stalnaker – October 31

First-Alexander City Doyt Leon Alford – April 11First-Anniston Barbara Vaden Sproull – April 23

First-Birmingham Muriel Teague – July 12First-Dadeville Belmont Lamar Evers – April 9

First-Eufaula Edna Ruth Archibald – February 24, Ben Frank Bowden – March 19Barbara Hastings Sonnen – March 20, Annie Laurie Alderson – April 11, Edwin Mizio – May 24

First-Sylacauga Eleanor Collins–April 27, Robert Collins–June 4Murray Remson–December 11

First-Talladega Frank McAlpine Toole – May 29, Myron Waits – June 28First-Tuscaloosa Gene Keller – March 24, Martha Williams – April 9, R. A. Demis – July 20

Park Patton – October 13, Bob Almon – November 19First-Wetumpka Howard Peck – May 24, Howard Brenner – June 19

First United-Anniston Edward Scroggins – March 27Five Mile Jacqueline Sue Childs – August 27, Catherine C. Hodges – October 4

J. D. Teal – November 13Goodwater Millard Gary Robbins – October 29Green Pond Willner Colley Caldwell – April 8

Hadden Mildred Dearman – June 18Independent Pidgie Dismukes – January 21, Leigh Brown – February 16

Montevallo William Elliott Peters – October 2Second Nancy Shrum – July 1

Shades Valley Frank Burge – June 13, Logan Ritchie – November 8Shepherd of the Valley George Barry Norton – October 23

South Highland Dr. Henry Laws – February 25Southminster Thomas J. Hager – June 22, Joe B. Pierce – September 29

Springville Dorothy Sue Pearson – January 6, Ron Black – October 13Union Springs Mack Hixon – November 26

University William Henderson – February 9, Mattie Katherine Martin Ellis – December 10In joyful celebration of the lives of these saints who have gone before, the body joined in singing, O Love that Wilt Not Let Me Go.

Commission on Ministry – Ben ArellanoItems for Information:1. Churches requesting permission to continue supply relationships:

a. Calvary requests permission to continue relationship with Rev. Lisa Winstonb. Church of the Good Shepherd requests permission to continue relationship with James R. Wilson, Jr.c. First-Phenix City requests permission to continue relationship with Rev. Taylor Brownd. Gardendale requests permission to continue the relationship with CRE Jeff Bonnere. Goodwater requests permission to continue the relationship with Pete McElrath the first 3 Sundays and Jeff Coker the 4th and 5th Sundays.f. Green Pond requests permission to continue the relationship with CRE Beverly Dodsong. Hadden requests permission to continue the relationship with Joe Fasth. Springville requests permission to continue the relationship with Tom Winteri. Union Springs requests permission to continue the relationship with CRE Dr. William Sauserj. Valley Creek requests permission to continue the relationship with Rev. Cecil Williamsonk. Woods requests permission to continue the relationship with CRE Ben Arellanol. Westminster-Tuskegee requests permission to continue the relationship with Rev. Gregory Gray.

2. Received and approved CRE report from Dean of Training Bev Dodson. 3. Reviewed reports from members-at-large.4. Transferred Richard Hawks to Flint River Presbytery effective 1-15-15.Action Required:1. Approve the call from Memorial Presbyterian to Nan Adams effective January 4, 2015. Statements appear as Appendix E. Terms of call: Salary and housing $50,000; BOP $18,250; SECA $2,677.50; Professional Expenses $4,000;.Total Package $74,927.50. Installation date is March 8, 2015 at 4:00 pm, Memorial Presbyterian, Montgomery. Installation commission:Teaching Elders: Elizabeth O'Neill, Leeann Scarborough, Yoochang Bang , Robert Edwards. Ruling Elders: Gordon Carter, Memorial; Martha Morgan, Immanuel and Gayle Sandlin, First-Wetumpka. Sitting with the Commission: Guest Teaching Elder: Rev. Dr. Hugh Hamilton, Trinity

Presbyterian, Pensacola, FL, Florida Presbytery. Guest Ruling Elder: Earl Hawthorne, Trinity Presbyterian, Pensacola, FL, Florida Presbytery. Approved.2. Examine Terry Tingle for Membership-at-large. Statements appear as Appendix F. Approved3. Examine Rev. Dr. Michael Anderson for membership as Transitional Pastor at First-Tuscaloosa effective January 1, 2015. Statements appear as Appendix G. Approved4. Appoint an administrative commission to dissolve Robinson Memorial at the request of the clerk of session. Commission consists of: Teaching Elders, Jeff Coker and Charles Sims and Ruling Elders, and Eve Pangburn (First-Dadeville), Mary Dalrymple (First Auburn). Trustee to be appointed by COM moderator. Approved

Trustees Report – Bill Stribling1. Approve the sale of Eastminster Presbyterian Church property to Serra Automotive for a price $1,951,000 (G-4.0203 Church Property Held in Trust).Approved2. Approve sale of First Presbyterian Church Bessemer property, the move of the congregation to McCalla and the purchase of facilities at the new location (G-4.0206a Selling or encumbering Congregational Property).Aprpoved3. Trustees propose REJECTING an offer of $300,000 by Evergreen Real Estate to purchase the presbytery office.Approved4. Recommend presbytery assign to trustees authority to both list and negotiate any property transactions assigned in accordance with the Book of Order (G-4.0205) and amend the Standing Rules (SR-6.0401a) to reflect the change. Approved5. Give permission to Westminister, Montgomery to sell their facility and relocate. ApprovedThis item was moved from the Trustee’s “For Information” report.

Commission on Nominating and Representation – Jeff Bonner Approved1. The Presbyterian Home for Children Board: Jason Turner and John Haley (both from IPC)2. Synod Nominating Committee: Neil McCarter*3. Trustees, Class of 2016: Beverly Dodson

Sacrament of the Lord’s SupperCathy Hoop* and Mark McCormick* officiated in the celebration of the Lord’s Supper..

The meeting was adjourned by acclamation at 3:00pm. The closing prayer was offered by Vice Moderator, Jim Toomey with a Benediction and Sending declared by Lou Ann Sellers*.

The next Stated Meeting will be held on May 14, 2015, at Living River: A Retreat on the Cahaba.

Respectfully Submitted,

Thomas WinterActing Stated Clerk

Appendix A

February 2015 Executive Council Report Class of 2015                Class of 2016                Class of 2017Lou Ann Sellers*, PSL Mod.        Jim Toomey, PSL Vice-Mod.        James Goodlet*Ross Reddick*                Bobbie Epting*                Rachel Winter*Eva Carter                Bev Dodson                Rick FrenneaDuke Park                James Smith                Lin VeaseyFor InformationThe EC December 10th meeting opened with prayer by Duke Park.  The EC then entered into a discussion and review of the November presbytery meeting.  It was determined that an evaluation form be created for inclusion in the packet for presbytery meetings to provide more feedback to guide future presbytery gatherings. The EC expressed a desire to enhance lines of communication with the Committee on Ministry. There is concern for more attention to be given to congregations in times of transition and possible conflict.  The EC desires to support the work of COM and have a greater understanding of how best to serve all congregations of the presbytery. The 2014 Moderator of Presbytery, Coke Clark, an EC member, has been attending the COM meetings and the incoming Moderator, Lou Ann Sellers, will attend for 2015. If she is not able to attend another EC member will fill in.  The role of the EC in this process is primarily one of listening and discernment but also to be present and open to communication if needed.  Lin Veasey, EC Moderator, will have a conversation with incoming COM chair Ben Arellano to see if this arrangement is workable with the COM.  In her Trustees report Bev Dodson expressed similar concerns about open communication, especially for congregations in some part of the Response/Review/Commission process. Bobbie Epting gave updated financial information to the EC.  Rachel Winter offered to serve as the Moderator of Personnel for 2015.  Former moderator Jonathan Yarbrough has generously offered his considerable experience to help in the hiring process for the Transitional Presbyter and to serve as a resource when needed.  Lin Veasey reported that no proposals had come back yet on possible shared office space with a PS&L congregation.  It was noted that information had just gone out in November and that since it required session approval most responses will probably come in January. Eva Carter shared the work of the TP Search Task Team.  Several persons had applied and the Task Team had found three candidates with qualities and experiences that moved them into a pool for further consideration.  There had been extensive phone interviews and the proposal was to have these three persons scheduled for individual SKYPE interviews in the next ten days if possible.  EC agreed to this next step in the TP search and all EC members will be invited to the scheduled interviews to be hosted from the presbytery office.  Eva will inform the EC on date and times as soon as possible. Looking to the February meeting Lou Ann Sellers and Ross Reddick will work on the docket and elements of worship for the gathering at Covenant in Tuscaloosa. Tom Winter as Acting Stated Clerk and Linda Burrows will also be involved in the process.  Robert gave an uplifting report concerning the progress at Living River.  The EC gave blessing to newly hired director John Erdman using available office space in the presbytery office building.  Discussion was also given to the ongoing difficulties of communication within the presbytery when it was noted that several churches did not receive their letter from the EC that went out prior to the November meeting. There is an understanding that communication issues need to be addressed in the coming year.  The EC approved Christmas bonuses for presbytery staff.

Notes from the EC January RetreatJanuary 9, 2015    10AM-4PMThe meeting opened with prayer and thankfulness to Independent Presbyterian Church and Bobbie Epting for arranging the accommodations and refreshments for the day. Bev Dodson opened the discussion with some concerns about the Revised Standing Rules. It was determined that she and Rick Frennea would head up a Task Team to study needed revisions. The EC affirmed Bill Stribling would chair the Trustees.  The EC approved a revised draft proposal for Electronic Voting by the Executive Council (included after the EC Report in the packet).  Discussions made clear the need to fill several vacancies on the Stewardship and Finance Committee.  James Smith made a motion that Development Grants and Loans requests will be directed to Finance, the motion was approved.  This is to assure a timely response to such requests until transitional restructuring is completed in the presbytery.   Bobbie Epting reported that guidelines on restricted funds are currently being examined and she will share more detailed information in the months ahead.  She concluded the Finance report with a reminder that the incoming Transitional Presbyter will need to be very focused on sustainable funding for the envisioned work of PS&L.  Trustee Report included an offer to purchase the presbytery office building that came in just before Christmas; this fairly low offer was not endorsed by the Trustees. Several other property issues related to the Trustees were briefly discussed. The Task Team for the Transitional Presbyter (Eva Carter, Duke Park, and Lin Veasey) gave a report and recommendation to begin negotiations with one of the candidates. This was unanimously approved by the EC.  It was determined that the additional finalist would remain in the pool for consideration until an acceptance was given by the other candidate.Looking toward the February 12th Presbytery meeting at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Tuscaloosa, Lou Ann Sellers and Ross Reddick offered to work on the docket and integration of worship throughout the meeting.  Since the discussion and voting on General Assembly amendments may take considerable time, the EC decided not to use Open Space at this meeting. Following lunch the EC began a process of visioning for the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley.  In preparation for the retreat EC members were asked to suggest joys, concerns, and other interests for PS&L as we look to the future.  Five areas of discussion emerged: New Church Development, Church Redevelopment, Image and Marketing of PCUSA, Need for Leadership Expansion, and Finance and Funding.   From these discussions the EC began to focus on how to put vision and action together and considered the question of ‘What is the role of the Executive Council in these areas of concern and vision?’. It was expressed that the EC needs to be intentional to not allow administrative work to reduce and limit the need for vision in this transitional time.  Discussion also included awareness that doing a smaller number of things well was more desirable than doing many things not well.  Living River was offered as an example of what can be done when we focus on doing one thing well.  Other areas of discussion included the topics of technology and communication (which it was noted had been identified by the Temporary Executive Board as a possible Task Team), leadership development, small church networking and connection, church vitality, new worshipping communities, and mission.Related to the topic of mission the EC began to explore how to reimagine a missional staff position, this needs to be defined by early in May for application to possible funding sources for the 2016 year. The need for a Mission and Outreach Coordinator was recognized, Debbie

Feagin will be asked to fill the role of contact and referral person for missions until other committee organization is in place.In concluding the retreat the EC moved towards three focus areas of exploration for 2015:Small Church- Ross Reddick and Rick FrenneaLeadership- Lou Ann and Eva CarterChurch Vitality (including new worshipping communities) – James Goodlet and Lin Veasey The retreat closed with a prayer offered by James Goodlet.

The council met February 4th at the presbytery office. The meeting was opened with prayer by Tom Winter. Bobbie Epting gave an energizing update that focused on events of the negotiation process through which Transitional Presbyter candidate Jay Wilkins had accepted the opportunity to join in leadership with the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley. Following a motion, second, and discussion the EC unanimously voted to hire Dr. W. Jay Wilkins to be the Transitional Presbyter for the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley. (This action was finalized with the passing of Executive and background checks on February 6th. Details of the accepted terms are included along with a personal introduction from Jay in the following pages.) During Task Team Reports the EC considered the immediate need to initiate a new Task Team of the EC to focus on Communication and Technology issues in our presbytery. Rick Frennea and Ross Reddick agreed to be Co-Moderators for the Task Team on Communication and Technology. The Office Space Task Team will still be receiving possible site proposals through Feb. 15. Efforts in the near future may include a small focus group to discuss options for the Resource Center and the storage building on the office property. The EC also clarified language from the retreat in January so that in continued work of the presbytery the ‘focus groups’ of Small Churches, Leadership Development, and Church Vitality will be formulated into Task Teams with assigned leadership. As the EC examined the February meeting docket it was determined that when possible childcare will be provided on site for presbytery meetings by a minimum of two child care workers who have passed background checks and have a relationship or employment history with a local congregation. This service when available will be through a pre-registration process that will be included in the packet, the cost will be covered through the Stated Clerks budget. Reports were given from the Trustees, Stewardship and Finance, and Personnel. In the Living River Report James Smith shared that Jim Bannon of First Auburn had been nominated by the Living River Board for future Living River Board. Following a glowing endorsement from Rachel Winter the EC moved to approve Jim Bannon as a Living Board member. ***For Action the EC recommends the Presbytery approve Jim Bannon to the Living River Board*** The EC discussed future mission efforts and will look into more details related to ongoing mission efforts and possible revisioning of mission in PS&L in the future meetings. The final thoughts and shared expressions of the meeting were centered on concerns related to the GA amendments and voting process. Possible inquiries to the PS&L following the meeting will be forwarded to incoming Presbytery Moderator, Lou Ann Sellers. Lin Veasey, moderator of the Executive Council, will be available for congregational and pastoral concerns in response to the voting outcomes. Tom Winter closed the meeting with prayer.

My Journey in the Christian Faith Walter J. (Jay) Wilkins

My journey in the Christian faith began in First Presbyterian Church of Pine Bluff, Arkansas. My first memory is going to Kindergarten and then worship on Sunday mornings. I became active in the church as a youth and grew to value fellowship and Bible study. A profound influence on my faith and my understanding of the church was in high school with a youth-adult class studying The Mighty Acts of God. In that group I experienced the grace of God and came to know the church as a place where the search for meaning can be nurtured, where questions can be respected as integral to the faith journey.

I went to college at Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. (My father, grandfather, and an uncle went there; my daughter Sara Anne continued the tradition.) I graduated in 1973 with a major in chemistry, and then did research in biochemistry. I sensed God calling me to the ministry, and, after graduating from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, that call was confirmed by churches in Texas and Florida. My faith journey took me back to graduate school as I believed that my ministry was to be in higher education. While working on my Ph.D. at Florida State University, I met Catherine Mason who had come as Associate Pastor to the First Presbyterian Church of Tallahassee where I was worshiping and teaching. We believed God was calling us to a life together, and married in 1983. I earned the Ph.D. in science and religious thought, and was offered a faculty position at Virginia Wesleyan College in Norfolk in 1985.

God blessed Catherine and me further with a child, Sara Anne, born in 1986, and our growth in the faith continued. Catherine believed her ministry was to be in pastoral counseling; when she completed a master’s degree in social work, she was called to St. Louis in 1991 to be a pastoral counselor and an associate pastor. God called me to grow and to journey with Catherine and Sara Anne, so I resigned my faculty position and followed. While in St. Louis, I served God in a variety of ways: as interim pastor, as

Presbytery staff person, and as an ethics consultant. During this time, I published a book on religious responses to Darwinism, reviews and papers on science and Christian faith, on medieval history, and on corporate and medical ethics.

Our family’s journey led us to Louisville in 1998 where Catherine was an associate pastor. I served in campus ministry at the University of Louisville, and as interim pastor. Following a difficult two years, I accepted a call to Trinity Presbyterian Church of Berwyn, PA, a suburb of Philadelphia, in April 2000. Catherine continued counseling, and was also employed as a clinical laboratory scientist. I had the honor of participating in a three year Lilly funded Pastor-Theologian Program which led to an article on ecclesiology published in 2007. After eleven years in Berwyn, I heard encouragement to return to mid-council ministry, and accepted the invitation to serve as Transitional (now General) Presbyter for the Presbytery of Sacramento. In 2014, Sara Anne completed the M.D. degree, married Jay Lester of Birmingham, and is now an anesthesia resident at the University of Alabama School of Medicine.

The story of Jesus with the disciples on the road to Emmaus has been vital to me. The living Christ comes along side of us, walks with us, guides us into understanding the Scriptures and their meaning for us today, our hearts become passionate for God, and we invite the living Christ to remain with us. In the community learning together and sharing the meal together, we come to recognize Christ among us. My ministry is a calling to participate in and encourage the

growth and journey of others toward mature persons in Christ, and as representatives of Christ in our communities.

(2015)

Dr. Wilkins’ Terms of Call as Transitional Presbyter for the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley:

$ 75,000 Effective Salary 27,521 Board of Pensions 6,129 SECA 50% 1,584 Term Life 905 Dental $ 111,139

Start date May 1, 2015 For 2015, budget impact approximately $64,800 plus PSL travel and business expenses Household moving expenses up to $10,000 and personal relocation travel

reimbursement Expected two-year commitment with 90-day notice dissolution clause Dr. Wilkins to provide Selma PCUSA presence and responsibilities including preaching

Appendix BStatement of Faith Nan Morgan Adams

I believe in both life and death we belong to God, the one God who is eternal, infinite, and incomprehensible. Yet this God, by the very nature of God’s existence, is a relational God, yearning for us to wake up to the intimacy that can be experienced with God. I believe the best human description of God is three persons dancing together in an unending glorious circle of love1. We human witnesses see God only in glimpsed flashes of constant activity. All of creation abides in and through this dancing circle of love and is invited to join the dance.

And though we human beings fall short in our inability to live up to the demands of the covenant, God is steadfast and abundant in grace, forgiveness, mercy and love. By grace, and grace alone, I am who I am – one who strives to be a collaborative servant participant in the redeeming works of God’s world.

I believe that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. God sent God’s only Son, Jesus, to live among us, demonstrating to us God’s ways of compassion, justice, righteousness, and reconciliation. For this, Jesus suffered death by human hands. But God raised Jesus to new life, setting us free from sin and death, and offering us the gifts of new life, of rebirth through repentance and faith. I trust in Jesus Christ, fully God and fully human, to teach and lead us in the ways of God’s kingdom.

I believe in the power of the Spirit, the one Spirit who makes Christ known, gives life, transforms our hearts, minds, and bodies, inspires our comprehension of God’s Word, binds us one to another in the one body of the Church, and opens our eyes to idolatries and injustice – all that we might catch glimpses of God’s presence in our current world and contribute rightly to God’s ultimate will for creation.

We are surrounded, led, nurtured, strengthened and redeemed by this glorious triune God. God calls us to intentionally reach out beyond ourselves to gather as the worshipping church, praising, giving thanks and praying to God. We are called to proclaim to the world, by word and deed, God’s redeeming gift of Jesus Christ and of the grace and healing power found within that gift. We are called to embody love for our neighbors as we love ourselves, upholding the integrity of all persons and of creation itself. This we do by the power of the Spirit, all and only in thankful response to gracious acts of redemption and love given first to us by God.

Faith JourneyNan Morgan Adams

My faith journey didn’t start, it just was. It would have been difficult to be anything other than a child of the faith from the manner in which I was raised. Baptized, confirmed, and ordained in First Presbyterian, Pensacola, FL, there was rarely a week in the first 30 years of my life that didn’t see someone in my family of origin actively participating in the life of that particular church. We sang and played bells, did youth and Sunday School, and both parents served as elders. My father even served as the church chef for 16 years. That only changed when I was called to begin a new church development in Navarre, FL, about 40 miles away. The family then began to migrate to the new church as I served there 12 years.

But let’s back up: my great grandparents founded two Presbyterian churches in the Presbytery of Florida in the 1800s (Gretna and Woodland, now yoked) and my grandparents were charter members of two more churches in Tallahassee, FL (Faith and Fellowship). My seminary colleagues used to joke that I “breathed Presbyterianism,” and I am proud to have embraced and furthered that legacy of reformed faith. If you know the cultures of those six churches, you’ll know that they are as different as night and day in their expression of Presbyterianism, but

PCUSA they all are and have remained so through these generations of change. Ultimately that is why I cherish the PCUSA – it has emphatically attempted to live out our motto of “being reformed, yet always about to be reformed,” imaginatively adapting our methods (even beliefs at times) but always prayerfully looking at Scripture and back to our tradition to see what needs to be held on to while we move into God’s future.

After serving two churches within 40 miles of where I was born, I chose to open the PIF process to anywhere in the US. Four years ago I ended up in Elkhart, IN, about as far away culturally as one can get from north Florida. What an amazing experience to practice ministry in such a setting – this one 40 miles from Notre Dame and full of snow a good portion of the year. And 15 years ago First, Elkhart, intentionally chose to offer two completely different worship experiences – a thoroughly traditional service with choirs, hymnbooks and pipe organ as well as an alternative, emergent service with screens, a 7-piece live band and no liturgy. For 18 months I was the lead pastor in the alternative service and for 18 months the lead pastor in the traditional service. I can only say that the time in Elkhart broadened my perspective and skills beyond all that I could imagine. And though it was far from home and family, they welcomed this Southerner with open arms, teaching me that our hearts can handle having more than one true home in this journey of faith.

My life is enriched by a daughter, Morgan, 24, who is married and lives with her husband Greg and my two grand-dogs in Ormond Beach, FL – now the only ones of the family not living next door. My sister Martha has lived in Montgomery for 18 years and is an elder at Immanuel Presbyterian. After the death of my mother in April 2014, we moved my father to John Knox Tower, also in Montgomery. And I moved to Montgomery in July at the close of my transitional ministry “up north” to be closer and of more assistance to my family. I moved here without a call and really no expectation that one would be available. So I am incredibly excited about this new opportunity of ministry with Memorial and the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley. The journey of faith has brought my family to the same city for the first time in more than 30 years and I look forward to serving God in this new home.

Appendix CStatement of Faith - Terry Tingle

I believe in one triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In gratitude to God, and with the help of God's Holy Spirit, I strive to glorify God, serve Christ, and to live a holy and joyful life.

I believe the Old and New Testaments to be the authoritative record of who God is and how God chooses to act in the world. The Bible begins as God creates the heavens and the earth. God creates humankind and places humankind in the world to care for the world, and to live in peace with all of creation. But we are sinful people and we don't know how to live in peace with ourselves or with God. God sent prophets to call us back to God.

In God's time, God sent God's son Jesus into the world to redeem the world and to heal our brokenness. He was rejected and murdered, but God raised Jesus from the dead, demonstrating God's redeeming love for all people. His resurrection is God's assurance of victory over sin and death, and gives us the promise of God's continuing presence in the world. God continues God's redeeming and reconciling activity in the world through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, who comforts, encourages, and instructs us.

God's continuing love for humanity, despite our continuing rejection of God, demonstrates God's unconditional and unfailing love for us. We do not deserve God's love, nor can we earn it. We cannot even begin to understand God's love, because God's ways are not our ways. God's love is a reconciling love, working to break down the dividing walls of hostility that separates people from God and from each other. We are called to participate in the reconciling work of God. We are called to love others as Christ loved us, without trying to figure out if they are worthy of our love or God's love.

The two sacraments of the church are Baptism and The Lord's Supper. Baptism reminds us that God claims us even before we are able to be aware that God's love exists. Baptism is a sign and a seal that we not only belong to God, but we are part of God's people, the church universal. In the Lord's Supper, we remember what God has done for us through Christ's death and resurrection, and we are reminded that Christ continues to be present with us today.

Realizing that God goes before us, with us, and after us, helps us to realize that God's kingdom does not depend on our efforts alone. God is with us giving us love, joy, faith, peace, wisdom, and courage. Realizing this gives us the courage to live our faith and to grow in our faith.

As the church, we gather to worship and praise God, to hear God's word read and proclaimed, to baptize and to join in the Lord's Supper, to pray for the world, to enjoy one another in fellowship, to receive instruction, strength, and comfort. As the church, we disperse to serve God. In life and in death, we belong to God. I am certain that there is nothing in life or death that can ever separate us from God's love.

Faith Journey - Terry TingleMy twin brother Tim and I were born in Tuscaloosa County on May 10, 1952. Our natural

father had died just one month before at the age of 83. Our birth mother was blind when she delivered us on the kitchen table with the help of her sister. Two months later, she suffered a stroke. She lived another 17 years, but never recovered from the stroke. All the children were either given to folks in the neighborhood or to relatives. Tim and I went to live with an uncle and his family in Pennsylvania. He entered the military and was deployed overseas. While he was gone, his wife ran off with another man, and took us to Montgomery to be put up for adoption and had our records sealed. Jack and Medora Tingle adopted us when we were fourteen months old. We eventually searched for and found our birth family. Although I have known people who had a horrible experience meeting their birth families, for Tim and I the experience could not have been better.

Mom and Dad were members of Hunter Street Baptist Church, so my brother and I grew up in that denomination. My earliest memory of church is singing in the choir at age 3. My best memories of church growing up are ones of singing in choirs. We moved from West End to Roebuck in the mid-fifties and joined Huffman Baptist Church. I made a profession of faith at

age 10 and made a decision to enter the ministry at age 18. I had started dating Jodean, my wife, and her pastor was such a caring, kind man. He had a great deal of influence on me during High School and even into college. One of the members at Huffman Baptist Church sold books for a living. He gave me a set of William Barclay's New Testament commentaries. What a great gift that was. He kept in touch with me throughout college and helped me through some faith issues. I had been taught a very fundamentalist view of the Bible, and as I begin to do serious study at Samford University, this man along with several excellent professors at Samford, gave me a much better understanding of the scriptures than my previous fundamentalist one. My favorite classes in college were the three years of Greek.

Having dated for five years, Jodean and I got married the last semester of college. We worked as co-youth directors for Avondale Baptist Church the summer after graduation. Being young, we worked 60 to 70 hours a week, and had a great time with the youth at that church. Then we moved to Louisville, Kentucky to attend The Southern Baptist Seminary. Although I was beginning to realize that I most likely was not going to "fit in" in that denomination, I graduated with a Masters of Divinity and Jodean received a Masters in Church Music. In seminary, the two of us had five jobs between us, and we were able to graduate in 3 1/2 years with only a small loan left to pay.

We moved back to Birmingham where I entered the one year CPE program at Baptist Hospital Montclair. It was during that year that I realized that I could not with all good conscious work in the denomination that I grew up in. At that time I left the ministry. We visited several kinds of churches till one day Jodean took a position as choir director of Trinity Presbyterian Church. I knew from the first Sunday there that I had finally found a home. Our daughter was three, so she grew up in the Presbyterian church. It wasn't long that I entered the program to become a Presbyterian minister. I was attending Gardendale Presbyterian when I was ordained and took a position as Stated Supply at Center Point Presbyterian Church. These folks were the best in the world. They were genuine, down to earth folks who cared not only for the folks in the community, but also in the wider community. They served meals at the Men's Fire House Shelter and supported The Greater Birmingham ministries. They started "English as a second language" classes for local Hispanic folks there. I was honored to be part of this community that cared so much.

In 2003, I accepted a call from the First Presbyterian Church of Cullman. Part of my call there was to assist in a remodeling program. I was told most of the ministers they had talked to were in no way interested in going to a church about to remodel. At the time, I didn't understand that. For the most part, the project went smoothly. An underground stream running under the building cost an extra $75,000 and the builder kept promising to give an estimate of the entire project, but never did. The remodel ended up looking great. It expanded the sanctuary, the offices, and created a wonderful 80 foot by 40 foot youth room upstairs. Unfortunately before the project was completed, our top three contributors moved away from Cullman. In a small church, that was difficult to adjust to.

In my eleven years there, I served on several committees in North Alabama Presbytery, including six years on the Commission on Ministry, and two years on the Presbytery's' personnel committee. I was very active in the community volunteering at Cullman Regional Hospital two nights a month as a chaplain. When the Good Samaritan Health Clinic opened, I volunteered on a regular basis and served on its Board of Directors for three years. I took part of every city wide Easter sunrise service, and preached several of them. I took part of every community Thanksgiving service and preached two of them. I also served as Secretary/ Treasurer of the Tornado Recovery Committee after the April 27, 2011 tornado. When I retired, I had been the president of the Cullman County Ministerial Association for over three years, mainly because I seemed to be the only person who could get along with all the other ministers in the community. Our church worshiped at least once a year with Grace Episcopal Church and Christ Lutheran Church. Those joint worship services were a great time of worship and fellowship. I have also had the privilege of serving on staff as a music cha and a spiritual adviser for the Tennessee Valley Presbyterian Cursillo eight times in the last eleven years. For a few

years, I was on the planning staff for "The Main Event." I believe it is one of the best learning opportunities our Presbyteries provide for our congregations.

Because of health issues, mainly rheumatoid arthritis, I retired from full time ministry in December 2013, and we moved to Gardendale to be closer to Jodean's work and our families. When I am not supply preaching, I worship with Gardendale Presbyterian Church and sing in the choir there. It is so nice to be able to worship with my wife Jodean. We have been married 41 years now, and I hope she decides to keep me. I also enjoy taking pictures of nature and my family. Jeff Bonner is doing a great job leading Gardendale Presbyterian Church's worship services and the congregation in their ministry to the community. I continue my education in a "Healthy Congregations" group which has been meeting for ten years now. I supply preach when needed. I have taken the first week of Interim Pastor's training and look forward to serving this Presbytery and its churches.

Appendix D

Statement of FaithJ. Michael Anderson, D.Min.October 2014

I believe in God …Who is the maker of heaven and earth, the source of life and salvation, the Sovereign Lord.

I believe in God the Son …Who is Jesus Christ, God incarnate. Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death on a cross. God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name. Everyone will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil. 2) He is Lord and Savior. In him we have salvation, a gift of grace for every man and woman. The risen Lord will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

I believe in God the Holy Spirit …The giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified. (Nicene Creed) The Spirit convicts the world of sin and guides us into all truth. The Word is brought to life by the Spirit and empowers us to obedience to it. As Advocate, Counselor, and Comforter, the Spirit intercedes for us in ways we cannot comprehend to bring us into an abiding relationship with Christ. The Spirit marks and seals us for the day when Christ will gather his Church to himself.

I believe in the Church …The body of Christ includes all believers of all time. Christ is Lord of the church and through the Holy Spirit gifts and enables the church to carry out his mission and demonstrate his love to the entire world. By the sacrament of baptism Christ seals us as his own and in Holy Communion we remember his death, resurrection, and future reign. My Faith JourneyJ. Michael Anderson, D.Min.

The trajectory of my life has always involved an active participation in church.  I am grateful for parents who saw to it that I attended Sunday school and worship.  My involvement was not coerced for I found in the church a group of friends I enjoyed, and for some, have kept my entire life.  That is a gift from God.  I learned the Bible in Sunday School.  By the time I was in the 7th grade I could recite the books of the Old and New Testament and identify the type of literature of each.  That too, is a gift from God.

For the first fifty years of my life, I was a Southern Baptist.  I was educated in Southern Baptist institutions of higher learning and served Southern Baptist churches in California, Florida, and New York.  For eighteen years I was the executive director of two Baptist associations (equivalent of a Presbytery). It was while serving as the Executive Director for the Mobile Baptist Association, 1993-2003, that the political climate of the Southern Baptist Convention began to seriously affect me personally and my work.  My conscience would not allow me to continue in that environment.  

In 2002/2003 my wife and I began to pray about my future service to Christ’s Church.  It was an opportunity to consider places of service I never envisioned.  I knew that I could not stay where I

was serving.  One of the possibilities I considered was to become a Presbyterian.  My wife had been serving in Presbyterian Churches since 1988 in two Presbyteries in upstate New York, and was presently at Government Street Presbyterian Church in Mobile.  

I contacted the Presbytery Executive for South Alabama, Rev. Samford Turner, and shared with him my struggles and desires.  He began tutoring me in Reformed Theology, Worship and Polity with works such as Shirley Guthrie’s Christian Doctrine, the Book of Confessions, and the Book of Order.  After several months of reading and discussing the Reformed tradition, I knew I had found a new denominational home.  After resigning from the Baptist Association in September 2003, I began my service at Orange Beach Presbyterian Church, passed the ordination exams in February 2004, and was received as a member of the Presbytery in May 2004.  The entire experience was a crisis/opportunity where God revealed once again, Divine care, provision, and guidance.  

During my years as a Baptist executive, an aspect of my work which I particularly enjoyed was working with churches without pastors.  I trained search committees, advised and counseled, assisted in background checks when asked, and preached and provided pastoral care when needed.  Over eighteen years, I worked with over 80 churches.  I knew that one day I would study intentional interim ministry and continue my work with churches in need of healing and direction between installed pastors.  When I became a Presbyterian minister, I chose interim ministry as my place of service. I have served four churches in ten years in interim ministry in the Presbytery of South Alabama before coming to Pioneer Memorial Presbyterian Church in Solon, Ohio.  It is a work I love and will continue to do as God gives me direction and strength.

Appendix E