EMerge: The Blog

Report from the Executive Presbyter

By Robert Cuthill, Interim Transitional Executive Presbyter

Editor’s Note: The following was a report given by Robert Cuthill at the Stated Meeting of the Presbytery at Valley Presbyterian Church in Golden Valley on March 8, 2008.

  Good Morning Presbyters, friends and visitors. For some I am an old friend re-upped for another term of service while others are asking, “Who is Bob Cuthill?” I will not take time this morning to tell you more about me. I know we will get better acquainted as we meet one to one and in small groups.

For the past four weeks I have been doing my best to get on board this moving organization. Having been retired for thirteen years it has been both a rude awakening as well as a warm home coming.

The Personnel Committee and the Presbytery Council were clear in the priorities of this Interim Position. Relationship building and moving the Presbytery forward in the style of Sarai Schnucker until the new EP arrives on the scene. There are a lot of balls in the air. In my capacity as Interim Transitional EP I will do my best to help you line up most of those balls so we can hand them over to the new EP in some orderly fashion. The search committee is on a time line that ideally should make September the end of my term and the welcome of our new person.

March 8 Stated Meeting Materials Online

Documents for the March 8 Presbytery meeting at Valley Community Presbyterian Church in Golden Valley are now available.  Please check back for added documents over the coming days.

Decision of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area Regarding Dr. Paul Capetz

Press Release

 

On January 26, 2008, at a Special Called meeting of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area, meeting at Christ Presbyterian Church in Edina, Minnesota the Presbytery voted on the following motions:

 

“The Committee on Ministry recommends that Dr. Capetz declared departure from G-0106b be not found to constitute a failure to adhere to the essentials of Reformed faith and polity under G-6.0108 of the Book of Order.”

 

On the Motion of the first recommendation from the Committee on Ministry:

 

197 yes, 84 no, 2 abstentions

 

 

 

“The Committee on Ministry recommends that Dr. Paul Capetz be restored to the exercise of ordained office of Minister of Word and Sacrament.”

 

On the Motion of the second recommendation from the Committee on Ministry:

 

196 yes, 79 no, 3 abstentions

 

 

 

“The Committee on Ministry recommends that Dr. Capetz service as Associate Professor at United Theological Seminary in New Brighton, MN be validated.”

 

On the Motion of the third recommendation from the Committee on Ministry:

 

Passed by voice vote.

 

Sarai Schnucker, Interim Executive Presbyter has this to say on the day’s proceedings:

 

 

“We are overwhelmed by the grace and love that this Presbytery exhibited today. The members of the Presbytery have conducted themselves with respect and restraint, even while handling such a controversial issue. As a Presbytery we listened to each other and heard each other. In the midst of this time of debate and discernment, there was true worship by the body of Christ as we sang songs and broke bread together.

 

We are unaware of what might take place as a result of today, but we have come together as the Body of Christ and we are grateful for the presence of the Spirit with us. Thanks be to God.”

 

Dennis Sanders

IT/Communications Specialist

Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area

communications@ptcaweb.org

Agenda and Consent Agenda for Special Presbytery Meeting Online

The Agenda as well as the Consent Agenda for the January 26 Special Presbytery meeting are now available.  To download, please go here and here.

Standing Rules for January 26 Special Called Meeting

On Thursday night, the Presbytery Council of the the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area adopted standing rules for the Special Called Meeting of the Presbytery on Saturday, January 26.  Click here to read the rules.

Online Registration for Special Presbytery Meeting Now Closed

Online registrations for the January 26 Special Presbytery Meeting are now closed. Minister Members and Elder Commissioners can still register by phone by calling Office Manager, Risa Anderson at 612-871-7281 or you can register at Christ Presbyterian on Saturday morning. Visitors can register at the church on Saturday morning.

Special Presbytery Meeting Called

A Special Stated Meeting of the Presbytery will take place Saturday, January 26 at Christ Presbyterian Church in Edina.  Registration is required.  To access the materials needed for the meeting, please go to our Special Presbytery Meeting Page.  To register for the January event, please go here.

 The chapel at Christ Presbyterian will be available for prayer and reflection on Friday, January 26 from 7-9pm.