The 30th Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of the Blue Ridge met in the sanctuary of the Covenant Presbyterian Church in Harrisonburg, Virginia on Saturday, January 9th.

Presbytery member TE Cortez Cooper preached from Psalm 11 during the opening worship service.

Ruling Elder John Bennetch of Tabernacle Presbyterian Church was elected as Moderator for 2010.

The Presbytery approved the final report of a Judicial Commission which had dismissed TE James Creech to independency at his request in lieu of continuing with process (BCO 38-3), erased the name of Mr. Creech from the rolls, and dismissed the Commission.

Following the action from the October meeting, at which it was announced that TE Don K. Clements would not be able to continue to serve as Stated Clerk for another 3 year term and seeking volunteers to fill that office, the Facilitating Committee reported they had been unable to find a replacement, had asked Dr. Clements to reconsider, and he was elected to another 3 year term with the understanding he would be seeking to locate and train a replacement as soon as possible.

In response to a Reference (BCO 41) from the Session of Trinity Church, Charlottesville on using lay members of the congregation (including women) in the serving of the Lord’s Supper, the Presbytery, explaining they did not have enough information to make a recommendation, recommended the Session review a document on the topic produced by the Office of the Stated Clerk of the PCA, and that, if additional advice was needed, ask the Presbytery to appoint 2 members to meet with them for discussions.

The Presbytery voted a recommendation from the Leadership Development Committee that a Teaching Elder who had reported a change in his views may hold an allowable exception to the phrase “and obedience” in the congregational vows and pronouncement in BCO 26-6.6 as it applies to deacons as long as the Teaching Elder and approved a set of guidelines to be followed.

Received by transfer from Covenant Presbytery TE David Dennis, former pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Winona, Mississippi and elected a Commission to install him as Pastor of Pulaski Presbyterian Church on February 21st. At the conclusion of the transfer examination, the Presbytery took to time to pray for Pastor Dennis an especially for his brother-in-law and nephews and nieces who lost their mother (along with her friend) in a tragic auto accident last December in nearby Southwest Virginia.

Received by transfer from Georgia Foothills Presbytery TE Rob Edwards who will be leaving his position as RUF Campus Pastor at the University of Georgia, Athens to become the Church Planter for a new work in Forrest, Virginia – a plant from the Redeemer Church of Lynchburg.

Mr. Brian Whited, a candidate and licentiate of the Presbytery successfully completed his examinations for Ordination and his call was approved to serve as the full time chaplain of Gentle Shepherd Hospice in Roanoke, Virginia.

Mr. Eric Nolls, a member of Covenant Church, Harrisonburg was examined and enrolled as a candidate of the Presbytery, and was further enrolled as an Intern. TE John Kuebler of Covenant Church was appointed as his mentor.

The completed internship of Candidate Zane Hart was approved.

TE Brian Keith, currently serving as an unpaid part-time Assistant Pastor at Hope Church, Martinsville, was approved as Stated Supply at Christ Church, Danville. He will continue to provide volunteer ministry at Martinsville during the weekdays.

Upcoming conferences were announced, including
– Understanding Youth Culture Conference, to be held January 22nd and 23rd at Covenant Presbyterian Church, Harrisonburg.
– Marriage Conference led by Bryan Chapell to be held March 5th and 6th at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Charlottesville.
– High School Modgnik (Youth Ministry of the Presbytery) to be held April 16th-18th at the Rockbridge Young Life Camp.

At the April 2010 meeting of the Presbytery the Discipleship and Evangelism Committee will present the special emphasis, “Discipleship Beyond the Blue Ridge.”

Updates on current mission works in Culpeper, Staunton and Harrisonburg were received, along with information concerning possible new locations in Crozet and Radford.

Presbytery approved submission of an overture to the General Assembly asking that the Book of Church Order, Section 5.3 be amended by adding the phrase “Presbytery may provide for such government in at least one of the following ways:” with instruction to include explanatory “whereas” language to be approved by the Facilitating

The next meeting of the Presbytery will begin at 7:30PM, Friday, April 9th, 2010, at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church in Blacksburg.