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The Presbytery of New Covenant Stated Meeting

March 17, 2018

First Presbyterian Church Conroe, Texas

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Table of Contents

Docket 3-4

Offering Recipient 5

Today’s Motions 6

Omnibus Motion (A) 6

Stated Clerk (B) 7-10

Administrative Division Steering Committee (C)

Ecclesiastical Affairs (C.2) 11-21

Overture 18-01 12-15

Overture 18-02 16-19

Overture 18-03 20

Overture 10-04 21

Personnel (C.4) 22

Committee on Ministry (D) 23-38

Committee on Preparation for Ministry (E) 29

General Council (F) 30-43

Ministries Division Steering Committee (G)

Congregational Resourcing Team (G.1) 44

Nominating Committee (H) 45-46

Presbytery Communications 47

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The Presbytery of New Covenant “Growing congregations that passionately engage their community to make disciples.”

Stated Meeting – March 17, 2018 First Presbyterian Church

2727 North Loop 336 West, Conroe, Texas 77304 936-756-8884 This year’s theme – THE WORK OF THE PRESBYTERY

Offering: Presbyterian Youth Connection Council 8:30 am Registration Opens TBD 8:40 am New Commissioner Orientation TBD There will be a place available all day for prayer and meditation. Signs will direct you to this location.

For your information, TE means Teaching Elder, and RE means Ruling Elder.

THE DOCKET Please silence all devices!

9:00 am Welcome and Opening Worship Moderator, RE Bob Patterson

Led by the Presbyterian Youth Connection Council

10:00 am Opening Business Moderator and Stated Clerk Declaration of Quorum Adoption of the Docket Omnibus Motion (B.1) Welcome by Host Church – Rev. David Green Welcome of Others (First time Commissioners, Corresponding Members, New

Minister Members, Exhibitors, Visitors) Moderator’s Appointments

Tellers Nominations to Nominating Committee

10:15 am Commissioning the General Assembly Commissioners

Celebration of MinistryGreetings from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary 10:30 am Small Group Discussions – Proposed Questions

1. What do we want to the presbytery to do/accomplish?

2. What do we want from the people in the organizational presbytery (office)?

3. What makes you uncomfortable? Where is the hesitation?

4. What are we missing in the disconnect between what we want and what we need?

Noon FELLOWSHIP AT TABLE/VISIT THE DISPLAYS 1:00 pm Reconvening Hymn “TBD” 1:05 pm Celebration of Ministry: Mental Health 101 – Harvey Recovery

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Fishbowl Discussion from Small Groups RE Jim Allison

Report of the Stated Clerk (B) Rev. Lynn Hargrove

Administrative Commissions for Installations/Ordinations

Administrative Division (C) Rev. David Jones

Ecclesiastical Affairs – Overtures Rev. John Wurster Finance - Budget Rev. Brent Hampton Personnel Rev. Jackie Hannan Committee on Ministry (D) TBD

Services of Retirement – Rev. John Wheeler-Waddell Committee on Preparation for Ministry (E) RE Bill Hargrove General Council (F) Rev. David Green

Ministries Division (G) RE Lad Perenyi (Vice Chair) Congregational Resourcing RE Carol Davis Evangelism & Church Growth RE Mary Lawrence

Outreach RE Sue Crawford Nominating Committee (H) RE Gary Long Committee on Representation Rev. Carol Tompkins

New Business (Only if submitted four days prior to meeting date, so it can be posted online 3 days prior) Moderator’s Remarks and Closing Prayer Adjournment (By rule of the presbytery, no later than 4:00 pm, unless the assembly votes by a 2/3 majority to extend beyond)

Following adjournment, clerks will meet for session records review

in TBA.

The next Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of New Covenant will be

Saturday, July 21, 2018 Pines Presbyterian Church

12751 Kimberley, Houston, Texas 77024-4097 713-467-3278 www.pinespc.org

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Offering Recipient

Presbyterian Youth Connection Council

“And don’t let anyone put you down because you’re young Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity … And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed – keep that dusted off and in use. Cultivate there things. Immerse yourself in them. The people will all see you mature right before their eyes!” – 1 Timothy 4:12-12 (The Message)

The Presbyterian Youth Connection Council of the Presbytery of New Covenant is a team of youth, in partnership with mentoring adults, who work together to plan and lead events and activities for the youth of the presbytery. These young people develop leadership skills, grow in their spiritual life and their ability to articulate their faith, and experience the connectional church. They form close friendships with youth from other congregations while sharing and exploring their God given gifts. Purpose The Presbyterian Youth Connection Council (PYCC) exists to assist in developing a comprehensive ministry for youth and adults who work with them in the presbytery.

1. To develop and nurture a presbytery-wide youth ministry network. 2. To plan and implement quality programming such as Conclaves, Youth Rally, and

other youth ministry. 3. To serve as liaisons between local congregations and the presbytery. 4. To provide a model of partnership between youth and adults at the presbytery level. 5. To empower youth and adults to participate in all areas of the ministry of the church

while equipping them in their tasks. 6. To advocate for issues of justice and peacemaking for young people.

More than 200 youth from across the presbytery attended the 2018 Conclaves weekends.

This year’s theme was “Bent But Not Broken.” The 2019 weekends will be February 22-24

and March 1-3.

Presbyterian Youth Triennium will be held in Purdue, Indiana, July 16-20, 2019.

Applications for PYCC are found on the presbytery website:

http://www.pbyofnewcovenant.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=67&Ite

mid=201

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Today’s Motions

From Ecclesiastical Affairs

1. To approve the overture 18-01 entitled “On Fossil Fuel.” 2. To approve the overture 18-02 entitled “On Engagement with Climate Change.” 3. To approve the overture 18-03 entitled “On Finding Middle Ground on Fossil

Fuels.” 4. To approve the overture18-04 entitled “Regarding the Use of Products Made of

Polystyrene.”

From Finance

1. To approve the presbytery budget for 2018-2019.

From Committee on Ministry

1. To approve the honorable retirement of Rev. John Wheeler-Waddell effective September 1, 2017.

From Nominating

1. To approve the slate of people nominated to serve on committees of the presbytery. (pages ???)

Omnibus Motion

1. To approve the minutes of the Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of New Covenant held on November 18, 2017.

2. To dismiss the Administrative Commission for the Ordination and Installation of Jennifer Marshall who was called as the Associate Pastor of Nacogdoches, Westminster. The service was held on December 10, 2017.

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B - Report of the Stated Clerk March 17, 2018

Actions for the Presbytery

1. To dismiss the Administrative Commission for the Ordination and Installation of Jennifer Marshall, called to be Associate Pastor of Nacogdoches, Westminster. The service was held at 3:00 on Sunday, December 10, 2017. The candidate answered the questions of ordination and installation in the affirmative.

For Information

1. Allegations were received on January 2, 2018. The disciplinary process is underway.

2. A remedial complaint was received on February 1, 2018. A Committee of Counsel has been formed to respond to the complaint. Committee members are RE Reagan Brown (Houston, St. Andrew’s), RE Joe Sung (Houston, Clear Lake), and RE Myoung-Shin Hilson (Pasadena, First).

3. Rev. Chad Lawson (Crockett, First) was appointed as a commissioner to attend the March 12-13 meeting of the Synod of the Sun.

4. Annual Statistical Reports were not received from Houston, First Lao; Houston, Thien-An; Houston, Biyaya; and Houston, St. Andrew’s. Thank you to all of the Clerks of Session who submitted the information for their congregation!

COMMITTEE CHAIRS AND VICE CHAIRS

After a change to the Manual of Operations (found on pages ?), the following committees

chose their chairs and vice-chairs for 2018:

Center Operations: Gary Akin (elected 11/2017)

Ecclesiastical Affairs: Rev. John Wurster (Houston, St. Philip)

Finance: Rev. Brent Hampton (elected 11/2017); Ada Fuller (Houston, St. Philip)

Personnel: Rev. Jackie Hannan (Atascocita)

Congregational Resourcing Team: Carol Davis (Houston, Spring Branch), Rev. Keatan King

(Houston, St. Philip)(both elected 11/2017)

Evangelism and Church Growth: Mary Lawrence (Webster), Rev. Steve Oglesbee (Houston,

Clear Lake)

Outreach: Sue Crawford (Houston, Heritage), John Schweers (Houston, Community of the

Servant Savior)

Committee on Preparation for Ministry: Bill Hargrove (Houston, St. Andrew’s), Rev. Laureen

Suba (Houston, St. Stephen)

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ADMINISTRATIVE COMMISSION FOR FORMOSAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Update Report for Stated Presbytery Meeting on March 17, 2018 In the four months since our last report, the commission has continued to meet regularly to address the divisive conflict in this church, and pray for the pastor and congregation. We continue to move forward slowly and methodically as the underlying root causes are examined and addressed. The truth is known by its first fruits. The situation at the church is improving, although the division still exists and the commission continues to receive pushback from some members. Worship attendance has improved (from an average of 45 last fall, to 65-70 currently) and interest in participation in the work of the church has been rekindled. The commission has also been working with the congregation members who regularly attend worship. A mid-January workshop covered such topics as Reformed/Presbyterian theology, principles of Presbyterian polity, and the role of the Book of Confessions. Some procedural misconceptions have been corrected (e.g. who can serve communion), changes have been made to the financial accounts, and a new treasurer has been found. For the weeks ahead, our immediate goals are to (i) present a set of proposed revised bylaws to the congregation for approval, and (ii) present slates of names to the congregation for the election of a new Nominating Committee and Session. Additional workshops may be organized for specific topics, as needed. One member of the commission continues to meet weekly with Rev. Chen, to provide mentoring. We recognize the importance of giving the congregation space and times of silence, as opportunities to reflect and consider how the Holy Spirit is at work during this upsetting and disruptive time. We want the congregation to experience the return of genuine joy in their gatherings. Continued prayers for the congregation, pastor, and commission would be appreciated greatly. In Christ’s service, Nora Fitch, TE, St. Thomas PC, Houston (Moderator) Limin Hsu, RE, Grace Taiwan PC, Houston Mark Plunkett, TE, Heritage PC, Houston Janet Rainey, RE, New Hope PC, Katy Tomás Spath, TE, Woodforest PC, Houston (Co-moderator)

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Session Records Review – 2018

The session records for the following congregations were reviewed in 2018. The date in parenthesis indicated

the end date of those records.

Beaumont, Pioneer (July, 2017)

Beaumont, St. Andrew’s (December, 2017)

Orange, First (December, 2017)

Port Neches, Trinity (January, 2018)

Vidor, First (December, 2017)

Session Records Review – 2017

The session records for the following congregations were reviewed in 2017. The date in parenthesis indicates

the end date of those records.

Atascocita, Atascocita (August, 2017)

Brenham, Brenham (December, 2016)

Bryan, First (December, 2016)

Cleveland, St. Luke’s (December, 2016)

College Station, Covenant (June, 2017)

Conroe, First (September, 2017)

Dickinson, First (December, 2016)

Galveston, Westminster (November, 2017)

Houston, Clear Lake (August, 2016)

Houston, Heritage (December, 2016)

Houston, Iglesia Latina (May, 2017)

Houston, John Knox (December, 2016)

Houston, Pathways (November, 2017)

Houston, St. Andrew’s (December, 2016)

Houston, St. John’s (May, 2017)

Houston, Spring Branch (December, 2016)

Houston, Woodforest (December, 2016)

Huntsville, First (June, 2017)

LaPorte, St. James (December, 2016)

Lufkin, First (December, 2016)

Navasota, First (??)

Pearland, First (December, 2016)

Texas City, First (December, 2016)

Tomball, First (June, 2017)

Woodlands, Alden Bridge (April, 2017)

If you are not included on this list, your

session records need review in 2018!

Please make arrangements to attend a

review after a presbytery meeting, or

offer to host a regional gathering in

your location.

Thank you!

Lynn Hargrove

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Presbyterian 101 – Per Capita

Our denomination is made up of six different agencies. They are the Board of Pensions (BOP), the Presbyterian

Foundation (PF), the Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program (PILP), the Presbyterian Mission Agency (PMA), the

Presbyterian Publishing Corporation (PPC), and the Office of the General Assembly (OGA). Congregational members

might be most familiar with the Presbyterian Mission Agency, particularly through the four special offerings through

the year, or through the “Giving Catalog” sent to individual homes.

The Office of the General Assembly is funded through what is known as “per capita”. The expectation is that

congregations will pay per capita based on the number of active members. For this reason, some consider this to be a

“head tax” that is assessed. A decision was made in the Presbytery of New Covenant many years ago to pass through

only the per capita dollars sent from our congregations. This does not cover the amount of money that we owe based

on the membership of all of the congregations of the presbytery.

Some might ask, ”What do we receive for our investment in the denomination?” As you might imagine, the Office of

the General Assembly is responsible for the biennial gathering where decisions are made about the business sent by

our congregations. This is the office that assists with immigration and visa issues for pastors who come to us from

other countries. Presbytery and synod stated clerks receive training in what is required in their positions. Judicial

process and constitutional interpretation help is housed in this office. The (co) moderators of the denomination are

supported here, too. The call process for pastors is managed here, as is the examination process for candidates for

the ministry. Relationships with other denominations and faith traditions are coordinated through the work of this

office. The Presbyterian Historical Society provides support to both the OGA and to member congregations providing

one of the largest religious archives in the United States.

One of the decisions that will come before the commissioners at this year’s General Assembly will be an increase in

the rate of per capita. There is a proposal to increase it to just under $12 in the next four years. Currently it is $7.50.

To many that seems like a huge increase. The per capita rate has stayed pretty steady over the past decade or longer.

This has caused the Office of the General Assembly to reduce staff and services. Part of the reason for the steep

increase being requested is due to the decrease in the membership in the denomination. The hope is that the wave of

dismissals has ended.

The projected increase equates to a total of $1 per month per member. Please consider how you and your

congregation can support the per capita giving to the Office of the General Assembly. This is the only funding that

they receive in order to accomplish their mission of support to our pastors, congregations and mid-councils.

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C.2 - Ecclesiastical Affairs March 17, 2018

Referrals for business at the General Assembly are made through the process of overtures. The

following overtures come from sessions within the presbytery for our approval to be considered at

the 223rd General Assembly, to be held June 16-23, in St. Louis, MO.

There are four overtures to consider at this meeting. They are:

18-01: On Fossil Fuel – from the Woodlands Community Presbyterian Church

18-02: On Engagement with Climate Change – from Atascocita Presbyterian Church

18-03: On Seeking Middle Ground on Fossil Fuels – from First Presbyterian Church, Conroe

18-04: Regarding the Use of Products Made from Polystyrene – from Pines Presbyterian Church,

Houston

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18-01 On Fossil Fuel

The Session of the Woodlands Community Presbyterian Church respectfully requests that the Presbytery of New Covenant send this overture to the 223rd General Assembly (2018) to do the following:

1. Express its profound concern about the destructive effects of climate change on all God’s creation, including a disproportionate impact on those living in poverty and in the least developed countries, the elderly and children, and those least responsible for the emissions of greenhouse gases.

2. Recognize the Gospel’s call and the moral mandate for humanity to shift to a sustainable energy regime in ways that are both just and compassionate. This mandate compels us to action as a denomination to implement strategies and actions that directly engage climate change and that offer a realistic prospect of changing the behaviors that are at the root of the issue.

3. Work with citizens/voters, legislators, other decision-makers, and other organizations that have parallel goals[1] to bring into effect national and international policies that create a consistent, rational, and escalating price for emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases, which will reduce consumption and support investment in sustainable alternative energy sources.

4. Protect the poor by advocating policies that implement emissions pricing and offset the regressive nature of the pricing mechanism, such as per capita rebates of all taxes or fees collected through the pricing mechanism.

5. Direct the Office of Public Witness, Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy, in collaboration with the Presbyterian Mission Agency programs (such as Presbyterian Environmental Ministries and its Earth Care Congregations) to advocate at local, state, and federal levels for policies to rationally price the production of carbon and, therefore, reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This advocacy would include the following:

• Work with other faith-based organizations (such as Interfaith Power and Light, Creation Justice Ministries, GreenFaith) to maximize our effectiveness in taking individual and collective action to slow climate change.

• Develop educational materials to assist congregations and councils of the church in understanding the impact of climate change and how to take action to slow climate change.

6. Commend the Office of Faith-Based Investing and Corporate Engagement (and the multi-agency board Mission Responsibility through Investment (MRTI)) for its long history of engagement with companies on issues related to climate change, and instruct MRTI to continue that engagement, especially in support of carbon pricing.

7. Direct the Stated Clerk of the PC(USA) to inform the denomination and the larger public of the passage and implementation of this overture.

Rationale

In 1981, our church made clear through the document, “The Power to Speak Truth to Power,” the importance of transitioning away from a fossil fuel-based economy.

In 2006, the General Assembly passed a resolution calling all Presbyterians to go Carbon Neutral as our Christian witness to combat the effects of climate change.

In 2008, our church made clear through the document, “The Power to Change,” that the catastrophic effects of climate change make the transition to renewable and away from dependence on fossil fuels essential to the preservation of human life and God’s good creation.

1. Citizens’ Climate Lobby is one such organization and their proposed Carbon Fee and Dividend is one effective method of Carbon Pricing.

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We, as Christians, have the privilege, responsibility, and obligation to speak with moral authority on issues of great importance. This is such an issue.

It is not enough simply to speak truth to power. We must enact in our individual, congregational, and denominational lives meaningful approaches that directly address concerns about climate change and that may require sacrifice. This overture seeks to unite all Presbyterians in directly engaging climate change with responsible, meaningful, and lasting actions that will make a difference in the future of God’s creation. We recognize that emission of greenhouse gases leading to climate change encompasses every sector of our modern economy, at home and around the globe. The following lists major areas, that are linked in complex ways: 1) Transportation – American dependence on the gasoline-powered private automobile rather than support of mass transportation and alternative automobile fuels. 2) Agricultural production, particularly the industrial-scale production of meat, but also heavy dependence on fossil fuel based fertilizers and pesticides. 3) Energy consumption for heating and cooling of virtually all human-inhabited structures. 4) Communications and information technology that uses vast amounts of energy and precious metals. 5) Health care goods and services and medical advances that rely on plastics (hydrocarbon-based products). We cannot extricate ourselves from these systems without withdrawing from modern life. Every member of the PC(USA) uses fossil fuels daily in hundreds of applications that significantly improve quality of life, and yet we also succumb to mindless consumption of products that damage the earth and our fellow human beings. Acknowledging our complicity in damage to the earth, we resolve to move forward together toward a post-fossil fuel economy.

Some Positive Steps

In the 10 years since “The Power to Change” progress has been made on many fronts to advance renewable energy sources and technologies, and there have been setbacks as well, most recently the declaration by the Trump administration to withdraw from the 2015 Paris Climate Accord. We begin with some good news: the United States has been gradually reducing its greenhouse gas emissions in recent years. Between 2004 and 2013, emissions in total declined nearly 9 percent, while per capita emissions are down more than 15 percent. China has made significant investments in green energy. It plans to increase its solar-energy capacity this year alone by 18 gigawatts—as much solar-energy capacity as exists in the U.S. right now. Its wind-energy production has increased tenfold in a half-dozen years, and the country is in the midst of what one analyst called “the largest build-out of hydroelectricity the world has ever seen.” The cost of solar power is rapidly declining. In the sunniest locations in the world, building a new solar-power plant now costs less than coal or natural gas, even without subsidies, and within six years, this will be true of places with average sunlight, too. Coal (the dirtiest of fossil fuels) production has declined in favor of natural gas and is unlikely to resume its former prominence.

Biblical and Theological Rationale

Ecology and justice are implicit in the story of creation itself: “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to till it and keep it” (Gen. 2:15, emphasis added). As the 1990 study, Restoring Creation for Ecology and Justice, (“RCEJ”)[1] observes, “tilling” requires a community effort that establishes an economy; “keeping” is an act of environmental stewardship that regards the creation as a gift to be cared for. RCEJ identifies four norms that characterize “a new faithfulness” reflecting God’s love for the world: sustainability, participation, sufficiency, and solidarity.[2] These highlight the inherent tensions. We cannot address only the good of the creation without also considering the good of the community. We cannot address only the good of the community without considering the good of creation. Global climate change, regardless of its cause, threatens both the community and the earth over which we are stewards. Our call is to address these threats responsibly, with meaningful effect, while promoting economic justice.

Denominational and Faith-Based Rationale

Our denomination has long recognized a moral obligation to be faithful stewards of God’s creation. We have acknowledged the realities of climate change and its effect on the “least of these,” and the need to take action. Previous General Assemblies (1981, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2006, and 2008) have passed overtures, resolutions, and reports warning us of the dangers of climate change and calling on us to reduce our energy consumption and transition away from fossil fuels. Now is the time to move beyond pronouncements and symbolic actions into education and behavioral changes.

People of every faith tradition are re-committing to the theological call to stewardship in increasing numbers. GreenFaith: Interfaith Partners for the Environment includes Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and Christian traditions. Our traditional partners from the mainline Protestant tradition are joined by Roman Catholics energized by Pope Francis’ highly regarded

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encyclical Laudato Si as well as Young Evangelicals for Climate Action and the Evangelical Environmental Network. It is particularly encouraging that young members are deeply committed to creation care.1

An Effective Approach

The actions proposed in this overture include advocacy to bring into effect consistent, rational pricing of CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions, together with mechanisms to protect the poor by addressing the inherently regressive nature of any such system. We believe the four questions above are all answered in the affirmative for this proposal.

From our perspective, the root cause of the climate change issue is behaviors—both consumption and investment. We all engage in destructive behaviors. We do this in part because we do not bear the full social costs of our behaviors, a problem that economists label “negative externalities.” Consistent rational pricing of emissions will enlist market forces to drive those changes in individual and institutional consumption necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and will provide the economic incentive necessary to promote investment to develop and implement low-carbon or zero-carbon infrastructure and technologies. Affordable energy would continue to be available to drive responsible economic development, while emissions driven by our consumption would decline. We thus address our dual responsibility to promote the well-being of the disadvantaged and to protect the earth.

When we evaluate the actions proposed in this overture from the perspective of the four questions above, we conclude: The actions proposed in this overture will address the problem, they will have a practical effect, we are prepared to be subject to the proposed system ourselves, and—assuming the regressive effects are properly dealt with—the proposed actions will advance economic justice.

Even if the more disastrous scenarios of climate change do not materialize, pricing carbon (reducing our consumption and investing more in renewable energy sources) has little downside. Pricing carbon can therefore be seen as insurance against the more dire consequences of climate change. It will also conserve our hydrocarbon resources for that many more generations.

We recognize that the consistent pricing of greenhouse gas emissions will affect the business prospects of the fossil fuel industry and industries that rely on fossil fuels, and we are not insensitive to the challenge this may create for those employed in or dependent upon those industries. We note that it is the intent of our proposal that greenhouse gas emissions be priced so as to reflect the full social and environmental cost of their production. We note also that it is the responsibility of every industry to adapt to changes in prices in the markets in which it operates. As the global economy adapts to rational pricing of emissions, we expect our investment managers to adjust our portfolios. We expect investments to be shifted away from firms and industries that adapt poorly to the new alternative energy economy and toward firms and industries that should benefit.

An effective method of pricing is a Carbon Fee and Dividend as developed and advocated by Citizens’ Climate Lobby.

Citizens’ Climate Lobby’s Carbon Fee and Dividend Proposal

The Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL) has developed and is advocating for a comprehensive approach to implement such a plan. Full details may be found at the CCL website https://citizensclimatelobby.org/. The fee is collected on the major greenhouse gases (which include CO2 and methane) when they are produced (at the well or mine) or imported, and the amount is based on the amount of CO2-equivalent produced when burned or emitted. The dividend is the return of 100 percent of the fees to the public on a per capita basis. The carbon fee and dividend should be implemented as soon as practical at a moderate level of $15/MT to $40/MT. (The current official CCL proposal starts at $15/MT, while others advocate starting somewhat higher.) That level is increased every year (at a rate of $10 per MT per year) to provide clear price signals to consumers and industry.

1 http://www.greenfaith.org, http://www.creationjustice.org/members-and-partners.html, http://www.yecaction.org ,

http://www.creationcare.org, http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-

laudato-si.html,

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The CCL plan phases in the emissions price over time, rather than jumping from the current explicit price of zero to the full social cost all in one step, and then raises the fee annually to continually increase the incentive to shift to cleaner energy sources.

This predictable increase will allow industry to make the large investments necessary to expand alternative energy sources and become more efficient while providing the energy we and the world need. The fee assures that market prices favor lower carbon energy sources, while the dividend redresses the inherently regressive nature of the fee. For example, electricity produced by natural gas generates about 50 percent of the CO2 produced by generating from coal. A $15/MT carbon fee will add about 1.6¢/kwhr to the price of electricity from coal, but only 0.6¢/kwhr for electricity from natural gas-based electricity (assuming a U.S. average price of 10¢/kwhr). After a decade the fee will have increased to $115/MT, adding 12.1¢/kwhr for coal but only 5.0¢/kwhr for natural gas. Looking at the example of gasoline, a $15/MT fee will add about 15¢/gallon at the pump, increasing to $1.15/gallon over a decade.

In the CCL plan, the dividend would be allocated based on “shares,” with one share per person up to 4 shares per family and a half share for children under 18. At the current levels of consumption and energy mix, the dividend would start at several hundred dollars per year (distributed monthly) and would rise to more than a thousand dollars in a decade. A carbon fee and dividend transfers money from capital intensive to more labor intensive segments of the economy, and is projected to provide an economic stimulus.

A third implementation detail that a carbon fee and dividend must address is a system of border adjustments to assure that production of energy-intensive products is not forced off shore. These import fees on products imported from countries without a carbon price (along with rebates for exports to countries without a price of carbon) will create a fair competitive environment for exporters. A carbon fee and dividend is the most transparent, predictable, and transportable method of pricing greenhouse gases around the world. When the United States enacts such a proposal, our huge economy will be a powerful driver for the countries without a price on carbon to adopt similar carbon pricing policies.

There is tremendous energy inequality around the world. The developed nations (which have contributed the most to the carbon emissions that are driving climate change) need to lead the development of low-carbon and no-carbon alternatives. A carbon fee and dividend will drive the growth of alternative energy sources and efficiency improvements that will benefit developing countries, allowing them to have greater access to lower-carbon energy sources and thus partially leap frog the “carbon stage.” A key requirement of any energy and climate action is that it must support developing countries to provide greater access to energy and allow all people to reach their full potential.

Summary

We Presbyterians approach creation with the twin perspectives of responsible use (“tilling”) and sustainable care (“keeping”). An ethic of stewardship, therefore, considers God’s creation as a good in itself beyond utilitarian value, though creation is God’s way of providing resources for human growth and community. The responsibility of holding wealth is directed toward an ethic of engagement that seeks to use the wealth to transform injustice and immorality. The necessary changes in consumption and investment behavior would be greatly accelerated and facilitated by consistent, rational pricing of CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions. Action to bring about that outcome would be consistent with long-standing denominational policy statements and would be a faithful response to the urgent climate change issues that are before us.

[1] https://www.presbyterianmission.org/site_media/media/uploads/environment/pdf/restoring-creation-for-ecology&justice.pdf

[2]Sustainability means “the ongoing capacity of natural and social systems to thrive together—which requires human beings to practice wise, humble, responsible stewardship, after the model of servanthood that we have in Jesus. Participation refers to the inclusion of all members of the human family in obtaining and enjoying the Creator’s gifts for sustenance. Sufficiency provides for all to have enough through equitable sharing and organized efforts to achieve that end. Solidarity means “steadfastness in standing with companions, victims, and allies … to the realization of the church’s potential as a community of support for adventurous faithfulness.”

[3]Minutes, 1984, Part I, p. 201.

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18-02 On Engagement with Climate Change

Recommendation

The session of Atascocita Presbyterian Church respectfully requests that the Presbytery of New Covenant approve this

overture to the 223rd

General Assembly (2018) to do the following:

1. Express its profound concern about the destructive effects of climate change on all God’s creation, including a

disproportionate impact on those living in poverty and in the least developed countries, the elderly and children, and

those least responsible for the emissions of greenhouse gases.

2. Recognize the Gospel’s call and the moral mandate for humanity to shift to a sustainable energy regime in ways that

are both just and compassionate. This mandate compels us to action as a denomination to implement strategies and

actions that directly engage climate change and that offer a realistic prospect of changing the behaviors that are at the

root of the issue.

3. Work with citizens/voters, legislators, other decision-makers, and other organizations that have parallel goals[1] to

bring into effect national and international policies that create a consistent, rational, and escalating price for

emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases, which will reduce consumption and support investment in sustainable

alternative energy sources.

4. Protect the poor by advocating policies that implement emissions pricing and offset the regressive nature of the

pricing mechanism, such as per capita rebates of all taxes or fees collected through the pricing mechanism.

5. Direct the Office of Public Witness, Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy, in collaboration with the

Presbyterian Mission Agency programs (such as Presbyterian Environmental Ministries and its Earth Care

Congregations) to advocate at local, state, and federal levels for policies to rationally price the production of carbon

and, therefore, reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This advocacy would include the following:

6. Work with other faith-based organizations (such as Interfaith Power and Light, Creation Justice Ministries,

GreenFaith) to maximize our effectiveness in taking individual and collective action to slow climate change.

7. Develop educational materials to assist congregations and councils of the church in understanding the impact of

climate change and how to take action to slow climate change.

8. Commend the Office of Faith-Based Investing and Corporate Engagement (and the multiagency board Mission

Responsibility through Investment (MRTI)) for its long history of engagement with companies on issues related to

climate change, and instruct MRTI to continue that engagement, especially in support of carbon pricing.

9. Direct the Stated Clerk of the PC(USA) to inform the denomination and the larger public of the passage and

implementation of this overture.

Rationale

In 1981, our church made clear through the document, “The Power to Speak Truth to Power,” the importance of transitioning

away from a fossil fuel-based economy.

In 2006, the General Assembly passed a resolution calling all Presbyterians to go Carbon Neutral as our Christian witness to

combat the effects of climate change.

In 2008, our church made clear through the document, “The Power to Change,” that the catastrophic effects of climate change

make the transition to renewable and away from dependence on fossil fuels essential to the preservation of human life and

God’s good creation.

1. Citizens’ Climate Lobby is one such organization and their proposed Carbon Fee and Dividend is one effective

method of Carbon Pricing.

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We, as Christians, have the privilege, responsibility, and obligation to speak with moral authority on issues of great

importance. This is such an issue.

It is not enough simply to speak truth to power. We must enact in our individual, congregational, and denominational lives

meaningful approaches that directly address concerns about climate change and that may require sacrifice. This overture seeks

to unite all Presbyterians in directly engaging climate change with responsible, meaningful, and lasting actions that will make

a difference in the future of God’s creation. We recognize that emission of greenhouse gases leading to climate change

encompasses every sector of our modern economy, at home and around the globe. The following lists major areas, that are

linked in complex ways: 1) Transportation – American dependence on the gasoline-powered private automobile rather than

support of mass transportation and alternative automobile fuels. 2) Agricultural production, particularly the industrial-scale

production of meat, but also heavy dependence on fossil fuel based fertilizers and pesticides. 3) Energy consumption for

heating and cooling of virtually all human-inhabited structures. 4) Communications and information technology that uses vast

amounts of energy and precious metals. 5) Health care goods and services and medical advances that rely on plastics

(hydrocarbon-based products). We cannot extricate ourselves from these systems without withdrawing from modern life.

Every member of the PC(USA) uses fossil fuels daily in hundreds of applications that significantly improve quality of life,

and yet we also succumb to mindless consumption of products that damage the earth and our fellow human beings.

Acknowledging our complicity in damage to the earth, we resolve to move forward together toward a post-fossil fuel

economy.

Some Positive Steps

In the 10 years since “The Power to Change” progress has been made on many fronts to advance renewable energy sources

and technologies, and there have been setbacks as well, most recently the declaration by the Trump administration to

withdraw from the 2015 Paris Climate Accord. We begin with some good news: the United States has been gradually

reducing its greenhouse gas emissions in recent years. Between 2004 and 2013, emissions in total declined nearly 9 percent,

while per capita emissions are down more than 15 percent. China has made significant investments in green energy. It plans

to increase its solar-energy capacity this year alone by 18 gigawatts—as much solar-energy capacity as exists in the U.S. right

now. Its wind-energy production has increased tenfold in a halfdozen years, and the country is in the midst of what one

analyst called “the largest build-out of hydroelectricity the world has ever seen.” The cost of solar power is rapidly declining.

In the sunniest locations in the world, building a new solar-power plant now costs less than coal or natural gas, even without

subsidies, and within six years, this will be true of places with average sunlight, too. Coal (the dirtiest of fossil fuels)

production has declined in favor of natural gas and is unlikely to resume its former prominence.

Biblical and Theological Rationale

Ecology and justice are implicit in the story of creation itself: “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden

to till it and keep it” (Gen. 2:15, emphasis added). As the 1990 study, Restoring Creation for Ecology and Justice, (“RCEJ”)[2]

observes, “tilling” requires a community effort that establishes an economy; “keeping” is an act of environmental stewardship

that regards the creation as a gift to be cared for. RCEJ identifies four norms that characterize “a new faithfulness” reflecting

God’s love for the world: sustainability, participation, sufficiency, and solidarity.[2] These highlight the inherent tensions. We

cannot address only the good of the creation without also considering the good of the community. We cannot address only the

good of the community without considering the good of creation. Global climate change, regardless of its cause, threatens

both the community and the earth over which we are stewards. Our call is to address these threats responsibly, with

meaningful effect, while promoting economic justice.

Denominational and Faith-Based Rationale

Our denomination has long recognized a moral obligation to be faithful stewards of God’s creation. We have acknowledged

the realities of climate change and its effect on the “least of these,” and the need to take action. Previous General Assemblies

(1981, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2006, and 2008) have passed overtures, resolutions, and reports warning us of the dangers of

climate change and calling on us to reduce our energy consumption and transition away from fossil fuels. Now is the time to

move beyond pronouncements and symbolic actions into education and behavioral changes.

2 http://www.greenfaith.org, http://www.creationjustice.org/members-and-partners.html, http://www.yecaction.org ,

http://www.creationcare.org,

http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papafrancesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html,

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People of every faith tradition are re-committing to the theological call to stewardship in increasing numbers. GreenFaith:

Interfaith Partners for the Environment includes Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and Christian traditions. Our traditional partners

from the mainline Protestant tradition are joined by

Roman Catholics energized by Pope Francis’ highly regarded encyclical Laudato Si as well as Young Evangelicals for

Climate Action and the Evangelical Environmental Network. It is particularly encouraging that young members are deeply

committed to creation care.1

An Effective Approach

The actions proposed in this overture include advocacy to bring into effect consistent, rational pricing of CO2 and other

greenhouse gas emissions, together with mechanisms to protect the poor by addressing the inherently regressive nature of any

such system. We believe the four questions above are all answered in the affirmative for this proposal.

From our perspective, the root cause of the climate change issue is behaviors—both consumption and investment. We all

engage in destructive behaviors. We do this in part because we do not bear the full social costs of our behaviors, a problem

that economists label “negative externalities.” Consistent rational pricing of emissions will enlist market forces to drive those

changes in individual and institutional consumption necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and will provide the

economic incentive necessary to promote investment to develop and implement low-carbon or zerocarbon infrastructure and

technologies. Affordable energy would continue to be available to drive responsible economic development, while emissions

driven by our consumption would decline. We thus address our dual responsibility to promote the well-being of the

disadvantaged and to protect the earth.

When we evaluate the actions proposed in this overture from the perspective of the four questions above, we conclude: The

actions proposed in this overture will address the problem, they will have a practical effect, we are prepared to be subject to

the proposed system ourselves, and—assuming the regressive effects are properly dealt with—the proposed actions will

advance economic justice.

Even if the more disastrous scenarios of climate change do not materialize, pricing carbon (reducing our consumption and

investing more in renewable energy sources) has little downside. Pricing carbon can therefore be seen as insurance against the

more dire consequences of climate change. It will also conserve our hydrocarbon resources for that many more generations.

We recognize that the consistent pricing of greenhouse gas emissions will affect the business prospects of the fossil fuel

industry and industries that rely on fossil fuels, and we are not insensitive to the challenge this may create for those employed

in or dependent upon those industries. We note that it is the intent of our proposal that greenhouse gas emissions be priced so

as to reflect the full social and environmental cost of their production. We note also that it is the responsibility of every

industry to adapt to changes in prices in the markets in which it operates. As the global economy adapts to rational pricing of

emissions, we expect our investment managers to adjust our portfolios. We expect investments to be shifted away from firms

and industries that adapt poorly to the new alternative energy economy and toward firms and industries that should benefit.

An effective method of pricing is a Carbon Fee and Dividend as developed and advocated by Citizens’ Climate Lobby.

Citizens’ Climate Lobby’s Carbon Fee and Dividend Proposal

The Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL) has developed and is advocating for a comprehensive approach to implement such a plan.

Full details may be found at the CCL website https://citizensclimatelobby.org/. The fee is collected on the major greenhouse

gases (which include CO2 and methane) when they are produced (at the well or mine) or imported, and the amount is based on

the amount of CO2-equivalent produced when burned or emitted. The dividend is the return of 100 percent of the fees to the

public on a per capita basis. The carbon fee and dividend should be implemented as soon as practical at a moderate level of

$15/MT to $40/MT. (The current official CCL proposal starts at $15/MT, while others advocate starting somewhat higher.)

That level is increased every year (at a rate of $10 per MT per year) to provide clear price signals to consumers and industry.

The CCL plan phases in the emissions price over time, rather than jumping from the current explicit price of zero to the full

social cost all in one step, and then raises the fee annually to continually increase the incentive to shift to cleaner energy

sources.

This predictable increase will allow industry to make the large investments necessary to expand alternative energy sources

and become more efficient while providing the energy we and the world need. The fee assures that market prices favor lower

carbon energy sources, while the dividend redresses the inherently regressive nature of the fee. For example, electricity

produced by natural gas generates about 50 percent of the CO2 produced by generating from coal. A $15/MT carbon fee will

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add about 1.6¢/kwhr to the price of electricity from coal, but only 0.6¢/kwhr for electricity from natural gas-based electricity

(assuming a U.S. average price of 10¢/kwhr). After a decade the fee will have increased to $115/MT, adding 12.1¢/kwhr for

coal but only 5.0¢/kwhr for natural gas. Looking at the example of gasoline, a $15/MT fee will add about 15¢/gallon at the

pump, increasing to $1.15/gallon over a decade.

In the CCL plan, the dividend would be allocated based on “shares,” with one share per person up to 4 shares per family and a

half share for children under 18. At the current levels of consumption and energy mix, the dividend would start at several

hundred dollars per year (distributed monthly) and would rise to more than a thousand dollars in a decade. A carbon fee and

dividend transfers money from capital intensive to more labor intensive segments of the economy, and is projected to provide

an economic stimulus.

A third implementation detail that a carbon fee and dividend must address is a system of border adjustments to assure that

production of energy-intensive products is not forced off shore. These import fees on products imported from countries

without a carbon price (along with rebates for exports to countries without a price of carbon) will create a fair competitive

environment for exporters. A carbon fee and dividend is the most transparent, predictable, and transportable method of

pricing greenhouse gases around the world. When the United States enacts such a proposal, our huge economy will be a

powerful driver for the countries without a price on carbon to adopt similar carbon pricing policies.

There is tremendous energy inequality around the world. The developed nations (which have contributed the most to the

carbon emissions that are driving climate change) need to lead the development of low-carbon and no-carbon alternatives. A

carbon fee and dividend will drive the growth of alternative energy sources and efficiency improvements that will benefit

developing countries, allowing them to have greater access to lower-carbon energy sources and thus partially leap frog the

“carbon stage.” A key requirement of any energy and climate action is that it must support developing countries to provide

greater access to energy and allow all people to reach their full potential.

Summary

We Presbyterians approach creation with the twin perspectives of responsible use (“tilling”) and sustainable care (“keeping”).

An ethic of stewardship, therefore, considers God’s creation as a good in itself beyond utilitarian value, though creation is

God’s way of providing resources for human growth and community. The responsibility of holding wealth is directed toward

an ethic of engagement that seeks to use the wealth to transform injustice and immorality. The necessary changes in

consumption and investment behavior would be greatly accelerated and facilitated by consistent, rational pricing of CO2 and

other greenhouse gas emissions. Action to bring about that outcome would be consistent with long-standing denominational

policy statements and would be a faithful response to the urgent climate change issues that are before us.

[1] https://www.presbyterianmission.org/site_media/media/uploads/environment/pdf/restoringcreation-for-

ecology&justice.pdf

[2]Sustainability means “the ongoing capacity of natural and social systems to thrive together—which requires human beings

to practice wise, humble, responsible stewardship, after the model of servanthood that we have in Jesus. Participation refers to

the inclusion of all members of the human family in obtaining and enjoying the Creator’s gifts for sustenance. Sufficiency

provides for all to have enough through equitable sharing and organized efforts to achieve that end. Solidarity means

“steadfastness in standing with companions, victims, and allies … to the realization of the church’s potential as a community

of support for adventurous faithfulness.”

[3]Minutes, 1984, Part I, p. 201.

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18-03 On Seeking Middle Ground on Fossil Fuels

The First Presbyterian Church of Conroe respectfully requests the Presbytery of New Covenant to send the following

Overture to the 223rd

General Assembly (2018):

The Presbytery of New Covenant overtures the 223rd General Assembly (2018) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to:

1. Request the Board of Pensions, the Presbyterian Foundation, and Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program to

consider an increasingly more diversified energy sector in their overall investment portfolios, which would

increase exposure to potentially profitable alternative energy companies and/or companies with an active

interest in changing the consumer market’s energy demand (e.g. automobile companies producing alternatively

powered vehicles).

2. Direct MRTI to pursue its focused engagement process on climate change issues with all corporations,

particularly with those in the oil, gas, and coal sectors, and report back to the 224th General Assembly (2020)

with recommendations, including possible selective divestment if significant changes in governance, strategy,

implementation, transparency and disclosure, and public policy are not instituted by the corporations during the

engagements of MRTI and ecumenical partners.

3. Direct the Stated Clerk of the PC(USA) to inform the denomination and the larger public of the passage and

implementation of this overture.

Rationale:

Presbyterians are naturally inclined to seek middle ground and to be moderate and fair-minded in our actions. This

Motion is an attempt to seek that middle ground.

The action proposed in this overture is an attempt to honor our preference for finding shared values, and to press

forward with the well-reasoned decisions of previous Assemblies. For example, actions taken by the 223rd

General

Assembly (2016) endorse MRTI’s proven track record of engagement and, when appropriate, focused divestment from

specific companies that fail to uphold the shared values of members of our PC(USA) congregations. MRTI should

continue to call upon all corporations to increase their efforts to address climate change through vigorous action in line

with well-defined expectations.

This Overture is submitted in the hope that it encourages the Assembly to avoid actions that may be perceived by

many parishioners and others as being extreme and inflexible, vilifying faithful people who have worked hard in energy,

industrial, chemical and production industries. We believe that the most effective response is to speak with a prophetic

voice calling for responsible care of God’s creation; and, at the same time, to uphold our pastoral responsibilities to care

for and to love all of God’s children.

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18-04 Regarding Use of Products Made of Polystyrene

The Session of Pines Presbyterian Church requests the Presbytery of New Covenant to submit this

overture for consideration by the 223rd

General Assembly of the P.C.(USA).

We request that the 223rd

General Assembly (2018) recommend the following action:

1. To direct the Office of the General Assembly, the Presbyterian Mission Agency, the Board of

Pensions, the Presbyterian Foundation, the Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program, the

Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, and other related agencies of the Presbyterian Church (USA) to

reduce to the maximum extent feasible use of products made of polystyrene.

2. To direct the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly and the Office of Environmental Ministries to

communicate with the more than 9,000 congregations of the Presbyterian Church (USA) urging them

to reduce to the maximum extent feasible use of products made of polystyrene.

Rationale

The production, use, and disposal of polystyrene (a substance more commonly known by the brand-name

“Styrofoam”) is linked to adverse environmental and health effects.3,4

According to the Environmental

Production Agency, polystyrene is the fifth largest source of hazardous waste in the United States.

Polystyrene is composed of Benzene and Styrene, both of which are known human carcinogens. 90,000

workers are estimated to be exposed to Styrene every year. This exposure can cause a variety of mutations to

the central and peripheral nervous systems. Benzene and Styrene have been linked to incidences of both

Parkinson’s disease and leukemia. Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are used in the production of

polystyrene, cause damage to the ozone layer, and are now known to be 3-5 times more dangerous than

originally believed. Thus the California Integrated Waste Management Board ranks the environmental

production costs of polystyrene as second worst in the United States. In addition, when polystyrene is used in

a microwave oven, toxic chemicals are released, posing a potential threat to human health.

Products made of polystyrene are light weight, and it is not economically viable in most communities to

recycle these products. It is especially difficult to recycle polystyrene plates and cups used for food service

due to the costs of grease removal and transportation. Used items therefore end up in landfills or as litter.

Approximately 25-30% of landfill volume is dedicated to plastics, including polystyrene, which requires at

least five hundred years to decompose. Polystyrene is a primary source of urban litter, and is a main pollutant

of oceans, bays, and other United States water sources. Polystyrene products cause choking and starvation in

wildlife.

Our denomination affirms concern with caring for God’s creation. It is appropriate to take personal and

institutional responsibility by ending our use of polystyrene and polystyrene products.

3 https://ieep.eu/archive_uploads/2127/IEEP_ACES_Polysterene-product_fiche_final_October_2016.pdf

4 https://sustainability.wustl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Impacts-of-Styrofoam.pdf

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C.4 – Personnel Committee March 17, 2018

Introducing Beth Kauffman – Presbytery Disaster Relief Coordinator Beth Kauffman comes to the presbytery from Northwoods Presbyterian Church where she served as the Director of Missions for over 2 years. During her time there she was involved in fundraising, missions and event planning, and organizing volunteers, She also coordinated with multiple other non-profits as partnerships and led the missions committee. She has a B.A. in Youth Ministry and Christian Missions and previously was a Global Missions Fellow under the United Methodist Church as a Missionary Case Worker for the Mission for Migrant Workers. These positions have given her unique experiences that will translate well in the recovery from Harvey.

After Hurricane Harvey hit, she organized teams to help church members and neighbors who had flooded. She found a passion and call for ensuring those who were devastated by disaster can get back on their feet. She believes the Church is one of the main contributors to providing hope after the disaster and looks forward to being a part of the solution with Presbytery the New Covenant. A guiding concept for Beth is expressed in these words by Edward Everett Hale: “I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.”

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D - Committee on Ministry March 17, 2018

I. RECOMMENDATIONS TO PRESBYTERY ACTIONS 1. The committee recommends that Presbytery grant Honorably Retired status to Rev. John Wheeler-Waddell effective 9/1/17.

II. ACTIONS TAKEN ON BEHALF OF PRESBYTERY New member of Presbytery 1. Rev. Judye Pistole, Honorably Retired, sustained the examination of the Committee on Examinations on 1/27/18; COM sustained the examination on 2/6/18. Ordained 2/15/04 by New Covenant Presbytery;

transferring from Cimarron Presbytery and retired 7/1/16.

Formal Education: 5/1968, SB, Physics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 5/2003, MDiv, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Austin, TX 5/2012, DMin, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Austin, TX

Actions approved January 9, 2018 1. Received and approved Annual Reports a. Rev. John Hirling b. Rev. Thomas Sharon, HR 2. Appoint moderators a. Galveston, Emmanuel – Rev. Bob Murphy b. Angleton, First – Rev. Debbie Measells 3. Approve commission to install Rev. Laureen Suba as Designated Pastor of St. Stephen Presbyterian Church, Houston, TX on 1/14/18 at 3 pm To preside and propound the constitutional questions: RE Bob Patterson, Moderator, Houston, St. Andrew’s To preach the sermon: Rev. Kristi Blankman, Coordinator of Youth Ministry, New Covenant Presbytery To charge the pastor: Rev. Rose Niles, APTS Development Officer, Houston, TX To charge the congregation: Rev. Jim Currie, Pastor, First, Pasadena To complete the commission: RE Gayle Smith, Houston, Clear Lake; RE Fred Cook, ChristChurch, Bellaire; Rev. Chad Lawson, Pastor, First, Crockett; and RE Rachel Watson, St. Stephen, Houston 4. Approved MIF for Katy, Grand Lakes – Associate Pastor/Youth & Family Ministries 5. Granted Rev. Timothy Marquez permission to labor out bounds to serve as Designated Pastor for Christian Faith Formation at Grace UCC, Houston (approved 12/6) 6. Approved Interim Pastor Contract between Houston, St. Paul and Rev. John Hirling effective 1/1/18 for one year.

Salary $35,129.00 Housing Allowance 29,754.26 Other – SSI Offset 5,374.74 Travel Reimbursement @ IRS RATE Board of Pensions Dues 25,995.46 Study Leave 1,700.00 Vacation 4 weeks Books/Professional Expenses 350.00

7. Received and approved Separation Ethics from Rev. Michael O’Neil (Angleton, First)

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8. Approved Changes in terms of Compensation a. Between Rev. Cassandra Dahnke and Houston, Woodforest 50% time, effective 9/1/17

Salary $ 5,800 $ 5,800 Housing, Utility Allowance 18,000 18,000 Auto Allowance @ IRS RATE @ IRS RATE Books/Professional Dues 1,000 1,000 Board of Pensions Dues 13,635.96 13,635.96 Study Leave Allowance 1,500 1,500 Study Leave 3 weeks 3 weeks Vacation 4 weeks 4 weeks *Pastor is allowed up to 6 additional Sundays per year As needed to do events for the Institute for Civility in Government

Annual Review 9/1/17 b. Between Rev. Thomas Edwards and Presbytery of New Covenant/Seafarer’s Center effective 1/1/18

Salary $ 11,249.36 $ 12,876.80 Housing, Utility Allowance 43,000.00 43,000.00 Auto Allowance 7,004.88 7,200.00 Board of Pensions Dues 19,801.02 20,674.42 Study Leave Allowance 1,800.00 1,800.00 Study Leave 2 weeks 2 weeks Vacation 4 weeks 4 weeks Annual Review 1/1/18

c. Approved between Rev. Galen (Joe) MacDonald and Livingston, First, effective 1/1/18 Salary $ 47,300 $ 52,030 Housing, Utility Allowance 16,300 16,300 Auto Allowance 3,500 3,500 Board of Pensions Dues 24,126.60 26,238.72 Study Leave Allowance 1,700 1,700 Study Leave 2 weeks 2 weeks Vacation 4 weeks 4 weeks Annual Review 12/2018

9. Approved renewal of contract a. Between Rev. Lloyd Crosby and Beaumont, Pioneer ¼ time Stated Supply contract for one year effective 1/1/18

Salary $ 4,800 $ 3,600 Housing Allowance 8,400 9,600 Study Leave 2 weeks 2 weeks Vacation 4 weeks 4 weeks Annual Review

b. Between Rev. Tomas Spath and Houston, Woodforest, Parish Associate with remuneration, ½ time effective 1/1/17.

Housing Allowance $14,400 Board of Pensions Dues 12,507.96 Actual Mileage at IRS RATE Books/Professional Expenses 600 Study Leave 1,500 Vacation 4 weeks Study Leave Associate gets up to three additional Sundays off per year as needed to do events

3 weeks

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for the Institute of Civility in Government 10. Motion passed to affirm request of Jeremiah Situka and Pinecrest Presbyterian Church session seeking approval for 15 hour per week pastoral intern relationship with the provision that the following stipulations be included: 1. an additional paragraph to the temporary pastoral contract describing a network of care and support, notifying of this relationship: (a) session of the Evangelism Presbyterian Church of which he is a member ; (b) the Presbytery of Evangelism Presbyterian Church of which he is under care; (c) New Covenant Presbytery Committee on Ministry; (d) Clerk of Session of Pinecrest Presbyterian Church, 2. certify to all parties in paragraph (1) above that the mentor with PC(USA) Teaching Elder or ordination credentials has been secured for the foreseeable future of the pastoral internship (for example, the Reverends Kristin Huffman and/or Andrew Dearman). Pastoral Intern Contract between Houston, Pinecrest and Jeremiah Situka effective 2/11/18 for one year: 15 hours per week and Salary $24,000.00 11. Motion passed that General Council, should it desire to close the position of General Presbyter and consolidate the responsibilities and duties of that position into the Stated Clerk position, bring such proposal as a first reading to the Presbytery meeting of November 18, 2017, with a second reading to be presented no sooner that February 1, 2018. 12. Motion passed that the General Council consider in its proposal of consolidation of the functions of General Presbyter and Stated Clerk inclusion of procedures for avoiding potential conflict between the investigating or judicial responsibilities and pastoral responsibilities, including, but not limited to, considering reinstitution of the Stated Clerk position to be filled by a volunteer.

Actions approved February 6, 2018 1. Approved Annual Report – Rev. Linda Sharon, Honorably Retired 2. Approved dissolving the relationship Rev. Michael O’Neil and Angleton, First effective 12/31/17. 3. Approved changes in Terms of Compensation a. Between Rev. Kristy Forbes Vits and Bellaire, ChristChurch effective 1/1/18 – Hirling voted no.

Salary $ 22,968 $ 21,962 Housing, Utility Allowance 41,393 45,000 Auto Allowance @ IRS Rate Yes Yes Books, Professional Dues 1,500 1,500 Board of Pensions Dues 23,492 24,776 Study Leave Allowance cumulative for 3 years 1,700 1,700 Study Leave cumulative for 3 years 2 weeks 2 weeks Vacation 4 weeks 4 weeks Reimbursement for SECA up to 7.65% 4,924 5,123 Annual Review 1/31/18

b. Between Rev. Mike Umbenhaur and Orange, First effective 11/12/17 – Annual Review Report 4. Approved new Transition Pastor Contract a. Between Pearland, First and TE Munn Hinds effective 2/1/18 (approved 1/12/18); one year

Salary $ 30,815 Housing Allowance 16,345 Other - Utilities $3,710; $3,150; SS $3,980 10,840 Travel @ IRS Rate 1,965 Telephone – reimbursement 1,200 Books/Professional Expenses 300 Other 250 Board Pension Dues 6,960 Vacation 4 weeks Study Leave - Clergy Retreat @ 3 days/+$250 Study Leave 2 weeks

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Sick Leave 10 days 5. Approved renewal on contracts a. Between Rev. Dan Alexander and Trinity, First, Stated Supply, for one year, effective 1/1/18

Salary $ 75 $ 75 Housing, Utility Allowance 6,803 6,803 Other Allowance or Insurance Payment 2,869 2,869 Auto Allowance 4,200 4,200 Books, Professional Dues 300 300 Vacation 1,300 1,300 Other Insurance 1,461 1,461

b. Between Rev. David O’Neal and Trawick, Stated Supply, for one year effective 1/1/18 Salary $ 2,602 Housing Allowance 18,618 Travel Reimbursement @ IRS Rate 3,500 Vacation 4 weeks Study Leave -- Clergy Retreat @ 3 days/+$250 Study Leave 2 weeks

6. Approved new intern contract a. Between Houston, Pinecrest and Jeremiah Situka was resubmitted with suggested changes and letter sent to Situka’s home church and presbytery. 7. Approved Rev. Thomas Sharon compensation report - for Validated Ministry as Chaplain at Texas Children Hospital - Base Salary $50,304.80 and Housing - $22,100.00 8. Approved dismissing Rev. Almir Dantas Dias to ECO (Evangelical Covenant Order) who serves the Brazilian Presbyterian Church, Houston NCD, effective 2/6/18.

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STATEMENT OF FAITH Rev. Dr. Judye Pistole Martin Luther King, Jr., summarized a quotation by American transcendentalist Theodore Parker saying, “The arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice.” I believe that justice and love are at the heart of God. And such a god I am excited to believe in and serve. God is the source of all that is, the being and force that holds all in existence, God calls and woos us into a future where we are connected one to another through love, forming a community that reflects the nature of God.

We live in a world that falls woefully short of God’s plans and dreams for us. We are met by God’s grace and mercy in the person of Jesus of Nazareth, brought to us by the work of the Spirit. Jesus was born some two thousand years ago in the area of Judea. He was fully human, by ethnicity, culture, and religion a Jew, yet somehow by the power of God he was fully divine. Through the words of Scripture we are shown in the person of Jesus the essence of God’s love and a role model for how to live a fully human life in cooperation with God’s love and compassion.

I believe that God manifests Godself as Trinity—the Creator and ground of all being; the Redeemer Jesus the Christ; and the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Love and Peace, of Compassion and Justice in this world.

This same Spirit calls the Church into being, calls us into the Body of Christ to be the hands and feet, the voice and loving arms of Christ in this world. We are called to live lives of compassion and love, to gather together in God’s beloved community in order to do the work of Christ, to stand in solidarity with the poor, the broken, the hurting who are around us, and to work for justice and fairness.

We who are the Church worship God, offering praise and thanksgiving on behalf of ourselves and the world. God calls us into membership and community. We have the sacrament of Baptism with water as the sign and symbol of God’s redeeming grace and God’s call on our lives. We have the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper as a sign and symbol of Christ’s spiritual nourishment of us as individuals and as a community.

We see ourselves as a forgiven and redeemed people, redeemed through the person and life of Jesus of Nazareth by the power of the Spirit. This has meaning for us both as individuals and as a community. As individuals we have a responsibility and calling to live our lives as Jesus Christ would have us live, to love God with our whole mind, our whole heart, and all of our strength and to love our neighbors as ourselves. That love means acting in accordance with love and compassion, showing kindness and mercy as we were given mercy by God. We are called to prayer, to actions of compassion, to be open to the needs of our neighbors. I believe as a community we are called to stand and work for justice on behalf of those who are treated unfairly by society. We are called to fight systems of injustice as individuals and as a community of God’s people.

I believe we are the family of God, the sisters and brothers of Jesus, and we are to offer God’s light and love to all we encounter.

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E - Committee on Preparation for Ministry March 17, 2018

I. ACTIONS TAKEN ON BEHALF OF PRESBYTERY Actions Approved on JANUARY 13, 2018 1. The committee approved Matthew Beach (Galveston, Westminster) doing an SPM/Internship at Galveston, Emmanuel. TE Bob Murphy will be his supervisor. 2. Motion passed to grant Edgardo Figueroa (Presbytery of New Covenant) a scholarship toward his psychological assessment. 3. MOTION passed to enroll the following Ruling Elders from Houston, Iglesia Latina: Maria Gonzalez, Norma Gonzalez, Isbela Mejia, Italia Lorena Rivera Ramos and Martin Flores in the Commissioned Ruling Elder for a Particular Service process. TE Laureen Suba will serve as liaison to all 5 Ruling Elders.

3. The committee assigned new liaisons to inquirers, candidates and CRE candidates:

INQUIRERS and CANDIDATES Martin Garner (The Woodlands) – RE Bill Parker Morgan Gilliland (Presbytery of New Covenant) – TE Ed Wolf Melissa “Missy” Reed (Presbytery of New Covenant) – TE Ed Wolf Christopher Virginis (Katy, New Hope) – RE Bill Hargrove Rachel Wells-Potts (Atascocita) – RE Bill Hargrove CRE CANDIDATES Lam Cao (Houston, Thien An) – TE Mary Currie Maria Gonzalez (Houston, Iglesia Latina) – TE Laureen Suba Norma Gonzalez (Houston, Iglesia Latina) – TE Laureen Suba Isbela Mejia (Houston, Iglesia Latina) – TE Laureen Suba Italia Lorena Rivera Ramos (Houston, Iglesia Latina) – TE Laureen Suba Martin Flores (Houston, Iglesia Latina) – TE Laureen Suba

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F - General Council March 17, 2018

The members of General Council continue to seek guidance from the members of the presbytery. In a leadership

forum held in January at St. Andrew’s, Houston, it became evident that many do not understand the role of the

“presbytery” and what are the basic functions and their implementation. A desire for more relationship building was

expressed, as well as for more communication, especially with tools provided by modern technology. Many talked

about the need for presbytery to “listen” to the congregations. Concerns about “too many rules” were voiced, and

how the rules get in the way of relationships. Is the “presbytery” the staff or all of us? How can the “presbytery” visit

a congregation without an agenda, just to listen to concerns?

Council Moderator, David Green, set three priorities for 2018 around the areas of communication, staffing and

building, with the idea that each topic would be addressed at the three stated presbytery meetings. The hope is to

bring a recommendation to the July presbytery meeting regarding staffing. Space needs for the presbytery offices are

contingent on the staff configuration.

Two additional concerns have been voiced by members of the Committee on Ministry regarding the possibility of

combining of the positions of general presbyter and stated clerk. One request was for any plan to have a “first

reading” and a “second reading” before any vote would be taken. The second was regarding the differing roles during

a judicial process. Further communication between General Council and the members of Committee on Ministry

continues.

For Information

1. Approved changes to the presbytery’s Manual of Operations regarding the number of members for the

Outreach Committee from 12 to 9.

2. Approved changes to the presbytery’s Manual of Operations regarding the election of committee chairs and

vice-chairs for the following committees: Center Operations, Ecclesiastical Affairs, Finance, Personnel,

Congregational Resourcing Team, Evangelism and Church Growth, Outreach, and Committee on Preparation

for Ministry. These committees will select their leadership from within their membership at the first meeting

of a calendar year, and report those names to the Database Coordinator of the presbytery.

3. Approved changes to the presbytery’s Manual of Operations regarding the rotation of the Moderator,

Moderator-Elect and the most recent former moderator. All three positions will serve on the General Council

by virtue of office, along with the elected chairs of the Administrative Division and Ministries Division Steering

Committees. This increases the number from 4 to 5. The most recent former moderator will serve as the

chair of the General Council. This change follows the pattern set by other presbyteries in the PCUSA.

4. RE George James (Webster) was elected as the Vice Chair for the General Council.

5. Approved the name change for the Alden Bridge Presbyterian Church in the Woodlands to Olive Branch

Presbyterian Church. The congregation has purchased property at 14173 Horseshoe Bend, Conroe, TX 77384.

6. Approved a loan of $180,000 from the Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program (PILP) for the congregation

at Conroe, First.

7. Approved delaying the presbytery personnel evaluations until the first quarter of 2017.

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The members of General Council are:

2018: Rev. Jonathan Murray (College Station, Covenant), RE Bernard Tanyi (Houston, St. Paul)

2019: Rev. Dr. Jim Gill (Baytown, Faith), RE George James (Webster)

2020: Rev. Nora Fitch (Houston, St. Thomas), RE Melissa Nelson (Houston, Northwoods)

By Virtue of Office: Moderator RE Bob Patterson (Houston, St. Andrew’s); Moderator Elect Rev. Helen DeLeon

(Webster); Moderator of Council Rev. David Green (Conroe, First), ADSC Chair Rev. David Jones (Woodlands,

Woodlands Community)

Currently there is no elected chair of MDSC, and there are openings in each of the three classes.

The red-lined revisions to the Manual of Operations are found following this report.

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GENERAL COUNCIL

PURPOSE:

The General Council shall serve as the coordinating team of the presbytery, monitoring the total mission

and program of the presbytery. The General Council shall also serve as the visioning and community

building arm of presbytery.

FUNCTIONS:

Develop, promote and encourage a sense of unity and community as the Presbytery of New

Covenant

Serve as presbytery’s visioning team

Coordinate the mission and program of the presbytery

Annually review and evaluate presbytery’s mission and structure in the light of adopted

priorities

Coordinate and present to presbytery an annual budget

Allocate benevolence funds to the Synod of the Sun and the mission program of the General

Assembly

Implement and monitor the budget adopted by presbytery and provide for an annual audit

Provide for the development of funds for presbytery’s mission and budget

Make any necessary recommendations to presbytery concerning elected and contract

personnel

Review and guide the internal functioning of presbytery

Serve as the trustees of the presbytery by acting upon requests of congregations to sell,

encumber, or lease properties, reporting such actions to the next presbytery meeting

(amendment, 8-2010)

Every three years, or when the offices become vacant, the stated clerk shall be nominated by

the moderator, moderator-elect, the most recent former moderator, and two members of the

Nominating Committee who will present the nomination to the General Council. The General

Council will present the nomination to the presbytery for election.

Every three years, or when the offices become vacant, the recording clerk of the presbytery

will be nominated by the presbytery moderator, moderator-elect, and the most recent former

presbytery moderator who will present the nominations to the General Council. The General

Council will present the nominations to the presbytery for election.

Every three years, or when the offices become vacant, the treasurer of the presbytery will be

nominated by the presbytery moderator, moderator-elect, and the most recent former

presbytery moderator, in consultation with the Finance Committee, who will present the

nominations to the General Council. The General Council will present the nominations to the

presbytery for election.

Record minutes of all meetings and maintain accurate record of the work of the General

Council which shall be available in the Presbyterian Center

MEMBERSHIP:

The General Council shall be composed of fourteen (14) members. Nine (9) elected members shall be

divided into three (3) equal classes, one of which is elected each year by the presbytery. Term of

service will be three (3) years with an individual eligible to serve up to two (2) consecutive terms.

The chairpersons of the Administrative and Ministries Steering Committees, and the moderator,

moderator-elect of presbytery, and most recent former moderator are also members by virtue of office.

In the absence of either steering committee chairperson, the vice-chairperson of that division may

attend, with voice and vote.

The most recent former moderator of presbytery shall serve as the chairperson of the council. A vice

chairperson shall be elected from within the membership of the General Council.

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The most recent former moderator of the presbytery shall ordinarily be the President of the Board of

Directors of the Presbytery of New Covenant. The vice-moderator of the General Council shall ordinarily

be the Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Presbytery of New Covenant. Any deviation from this

pattern shall require a majority vote of the members present and voting of General Council.

QUORUM: One third of the currently serving members of General Council shall constitute a quorum.

(Established in 2009)

MEETINGS: General Council shall ordinarily meet on the fourth Tuesday of each month.

STAFF:

The stated clerk shall serve as staff support for the General Council, as the recording clerk.

LINKAGES:

The General Council shall report directly to the presbytery. It is linked to the Administrative and

Ministries Divisions through their chairpersons.

ORGANIZATION:

The council shall ordinarily function as a committee of the whole. It may from time to time appoint task

forces, teams or special committees for specific functions.

Revised November 28, 2017

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NOMINATING COMMITTEE

FUNCTIONS:

Encourage participation in the ministry, mission and work of the presbytery by qualified

persons from throughout the presbytery.

Secure from the teaching elders, educators and members of the churches in the

presbytery names of persons who are qualified to serve on the various work units. The

consent of those persons nominated to serve, if elected, shall be secured before

presenting his/her name in nomination to the presbytery

Nominate persons to all elected positions according to the conditions set forth in the Book

of Order with regard to fair representation of persons with regard to race, sex, age,

diverse geographical areas of the presbytery, different theological positions consistent

with the Reformed tradition, marital condition, or disability.

Nominate persons to serve in compliance with the Bylaws of the Presbytery of New

Covenant:

o Moderator and moderator-elect of presbytery (Article V 5.1 & 5.2)

o Members of the council, divisions, ministries, committees and members of other agencies

of the presbytery

o Commissioners and alternates to General Assembly and Synod

o Nominate the chairperson and vice chairpersons of the work units of the presbytery unless

other provisions for their nomination exist in the Bylaws of the Presbytery of New

Covenant.

o Fill vacancies when there is a resignation.

o Instruct the chairperson to notify the Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of any persons failing

to serve responsibly on the committee. The Stated Clerk, thus notified shall declare such

person's place vacant and shall set into motion the process to fill the unexpired term.

o Consult at least annually with the Committee on Representation.

MEMBERSHIP:

The Nominating Committee shall be elected by the presbytery in conformity with the Book of Order G-

3.0111. Members of the committee will be nominated annually by the moderator, moderator-elect and

the most recent former moderator of presbytery.

The Nominating Committee is composed of twelve members divided into three equal classes, one of

which is elected each year by the presbytery. The membership shall consist of one-third teaching

elders, one-third laywomen, and one-third laymen.

Each member shall be elected to a three-year term unless he/she is filling an unexpired term. Members

shall be ineligible to succeed themselves. No member of the Nominating Committee shall be eligible to

be elected to a standing committee of the presbytery during his or her term of office. No member of the

Nominating Committee may serve in any elected position in this presbytery for one year after the

completion of his/her term on the Nominating Committee. Neither of these restrictions applies to

Response Teams or Administrative Commissions.

ORGANIZATION:

The committee shall elect its chairperson, vice-chairperson and secretary.

The committee meets as a committee of the whole for the selection of the candidates. Individual

members will be assigned to recruit nominees for various committees. Members may be asked to work

with specific churches in securing potential candidates.

QUORUM:

A majority of the elected members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.

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MEETINGS:

The Nominating Committee shall meet ordinarily on the first Thursday of each month.

STAFF:

The work of the Nominating Committee shall be supported by staff person(s) assigned by the general

presbyter.

LINKAGES:

The Nominating Committee reports directly to the presbytery. It will meet at least annually with the

Committee on Representation. The Nomination Committee will communicate with the various work units

of the presbytery for which it has a responsibility to nominate persons for membership

CONSTITUTIONAL MANDATE:

As required by the Constitution, the nominating committee shall consult with the Committee on

Representation of its own governing body. If the Committee on Representation of that governing body

has been granted an exception under the provisions of G-3.0103, the Committee on Representation of

the next higher governing body shall be invited to participate in that consultation. Book of Order, G-

3.0103.

****** ****** ******

POLICIES OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE

MEMBERSHIP RULES FOR ELECTED POSITIONS

AND POLICIES OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Rules For All Elected Positions (Unless Otherwise Stated)

Individuals are elected to serve a normal term (one to three years) for the position or for such

shorter term as necessary to fill a vacancy. A member may be re-elected to an additional term

for some positions. At the conclusion of the final term, the member may not be re-elected to the

same work unit until one year has elapsed.

The membership of most work units shall be divided into three equal classes, one of which is

elected each year by presbytery. The term of each class expires on December 31 each year, and

the new class takes office on January 1.

Three unexcused absences by an elected member in any calendar year shall constitute a

resignation from that work unit. Following written notification to the person who has been

absent, the nominating committee shall proceed to fill the vacancy.

Ordinarily, an individual will be elected to serve on only one work unit at a time. However,

members have been permitted to serve on one elected committee and (1) the General Council, or

(2) the Permanent Judicial Commission, or (3) one or more affiliated boards.

The Nominating Committee shall nominate individuals to serve as chairs and vice-chairs for these

work units of the presbytery unless other provisions for their nomination exist in the bylaws of

the Presbytery of New Covenant or affiliated boards: Administrative Division Steering Committee,

Committee on Ministry, and the Ministries Division Steering Committee.

Chairs and vice chairs of the following committees will be chosen from the committee

membership at their first meeting of a calendar year, and reported to the database coordinator of

the presbytery for inclusion in the database: Center Operations, Ecclesiastical Affairs, Finance,

Personnel, Congregational Resourcing Team, Evangelism and Church Growth, Outreach,

Committee on Preparation for Ministry.

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Chairs and vice-chairs shall serve be elected to a one-year term. Individuals in most positions

may serve be elected for up to a total of three consecutive terms. Waivers for additional terms

beyond the stated limits may be approved by the General Council.

Moderator & Moderator-elect of the presbytery

The Presbytery shall elect a moderator-elect during the last stated meeting each year. Ordinarily

the moderator-elect shall be the next moderator. This nomination shall be made by the

Nominating Committee. Term of office shall begin January 1. The offices of moderator and

moderator-elect shall be filled alternately by teaching elders and ruling elders.

(Presbytery of New Covenant has been alternating between male and female teaching elders and

male and female ruling elders.)

Stated Clerk, Parliamentarian/Recording Clerk & Treasurer

At the end of every three years, or when the office is vacant, the presbytery shall elect a stated

clerk to serve a three (3) year term. The general presbyter may not be elected to the office of

stated clerk. The stated clerk shall be nominated by the moderator, moderator-elect, the most

recent former moderator, and two members of the Nominating Committee who will present the

nomination to the General Council. The General Council will present the nomination to the

presbytery for election.

At the end of every three years or when the office is vacant, the presbytery shall elect a treasurer

and recording clerk. They shall be nominated by the moderator, moderator-elect, and the most

recent former moderator who will present the nominations to the General Council. The General

Council will present the nomination(s) to the presbytery for election.

The moderator of the presbytery may appoint a parliamentarian as needed, upon

recommendation of the stated clerk.

General Council

The most recent former moderator-elect shall preside over the meetings of the General Council.

The Presbytery shall elect 9 12 members to the General Council who shall be organized into 3

equal classes. The 9 12 elected members, the chair of the Administrative Division, the chair of

the Ministries Division, the moderator of the presbytery, and the moderator-elect, and the most

recent former moderator shall be voting members of the General Council. The General Council

will elect a vice-chair from its membership; the stated clerk of the presbytery will serve as clerk

of the General Council.

The General Council shall be composed of 9 12 members divided into 3 equal classes, one of

which is elected each year by presbytery. Terms of service will be 3 years with an individual

eligible to serve up to 2 consecutive terms.

The most recent former moderator-elect of presbytery shall serve as the chair of the council. A

vice-chair shall be elected from within the membership of the General Council.

Committee on Ministry (COM)

The Committee on Ministry shall be composed of a chair, vice-chair, the chairs and vice-chairs of

its 4 subcommittees (Calls and Contracts, Congregational Life, Examinations, and Professional

Life), and the members of 3 subcommittees (Calls and Contracts, Congregational Life and

Professional Life). The presbytery shall elect the chair and vice-chair of the Committee on

Ministry and the chairs and vice-chairs of its subcommittees, with each individual eligible for re-

election twice.

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The Committee on Ministry shall consist of equal numbers of ruling elders and teaching elders

with a membership of at least 6. No member shall be elected for a term of more than 3 years,

nor shall a member serve for consecutive terms, either full or partial, aggregating more than 6

years. A member having served a total of 6 years shall be ineligible for reelection for at least 1

year.

COM Subcommittees:

Calls and Contracts: 12 members each, divided into 3 equal classes.

Congregational Life: 12 members each, divided into 3 equal classes.

Examinations: 12 members each, divided into 3 equal classes.

Professional Life: 12 members each, divided into 3 equal classes.

Committee on Preparation for Ministry (CPM): 15 members divided into 3 equal classes.

Committee on Representation

Presbytery shall elect a Committee on Representation in conformity with the Book of Order, G-

3.0103.

Committee on Nominations

Presbytery shall elect a Committee on Nominations in conformity with the Book of Order, G-

3.0111. Members of this committee will be nominated annually by the moderator, moderator-

elect and the most recent former moderator of the presbytery.

Annually the Nominations Committee shall submit to the presbytery its nominations for

moderator and moderator-elect. It shall nominate members of presbytery committees (except

the Committee on Nominations), members of council, divisions, ministries and members of other

agencies of presbytery.

It shall nominate commissioners and alternate commissioners to Synod and General Assembly

following guidelines adopted by the presbytery.

The Nominating Committee shall be elected by the presbytery in conformity with the Book of

Order G-3.0111. Members of the committee shall be nominated annually by the moderator,

moderator-elect and the most recent former moderator of presbytery. The Nominating

Committee shall elect its chairperson, vice-chairperson and secretary.

The Nominating Committee shall be composed of 12 members divided into 3 equal classes, one

of which is elected each year by the presbytery. The membership shall

consist of one-third teaching elders, one-third laywomen and one-third laymen.

Each member shall be elected to a 3-year term unless he/she is filling an unexpired term.

Members shall be ineligible to succeed themselves unless having previously served a partial

unfulfilled term. No member of the Nominating Committee shall be eligible to be elected to a

standing committee of the presbytery during his or her term of office. No member of the

Nominating Committee may serve in any elected position in this presbytery for 1 year after the

completion of his/her term on the Nominating Committee. Neither of these restrictions applies to

Response Teams or Administrative Commissions.

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Permanent Judicial Commission

Presbytery shall elect a Permanent Judicial Commission composed of 9, and never fewer than 7,

ministers and elders in conformity with the Book of Order, D-5.0103. Members of the

Commission shall be nominated to the presbytery by the Nominations Committee.

Each (Permanent Judicial) commission shall be composed of teaching elders and ruling elders in

numbers as nearly equal as possible. The presbytery commission shall be composed of nine

members with no more than one of the ruling elder members from any one of the constituent

churches. The term of each member of the permanent judicial commission shall be 6 years.

Commissioners shall be elected in 3 classes. No person who has served on the permanent

judicial commission for a full term of 6 years shall be eligible for reelection until 4 years have

elapsed after the expired 6-year term. The moderator, stated clerk or any member of the staff of

a governing body (presbytery) or the staff of any of its entities or councils shall not serve on its

permanent judicial commission. At all times there will be at least seven members serving

actively on the Permanent Judicial Commission. Book of Order, D-5.0101

The Permanent Judicial Commission elects its own chair, vice chair and secretary from among

current commission members.

Administrative Division (AD)

The presbytery shall elect 15 members to the Administrative Division who shall be divided into 3

equal classes. Ordinarily, those elected to this division will come from the various geographical

areas of the presbytery.

The presbytery shall elect a chair and vice-chair to serve for a period of 1 3 years with the

possibility for re-election for one additional termin 1-year increments not to exceed 3 years.

The chair and vice-chair of each ministry shall be elected from within the ministries’ membership

to serve for a period of 1 year with the possibility for re-election in 1-year increments not to

exceed 3 years.

AD - Steering Committee

The Administrative Division Steering Committee shall consist of a chair and vice-chair,

elected by the presbytery for a term of 1 3 years (with the chair eligible to serve up to 1 3

consecutive terms as such) and the chair or representative of each of the 4 constituent

committees. The Steering Committee will elect a secretary from among its members.

AD – Finance Committee

The Finance Committee shall be composed of seven (7) members, six (6) of whom shall

be divided into 3 equal classes, one of which is elected each year by presbytery. Term of

service of each such class is 3 years with an individual eligible to serve up to 3

consecutive terms. The person serving from time to time as Treasurer shall serve as the

seventh member of the committee. The chair and vice-chair shall be elected from within

the membership by the presbytery for a term of 1 year with the chair eligible to serve up

to 3 consecutive years as such.

AD -- Center Operations, Ecclesiastical Affairs, Personnel Committees

3 members each, divided into 3 equal classes.

Each of the committees of the Administrative Division is free to co-opt

persons to assist with the work of its unit.

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Ministries Division (MD)

The presbytery shall elect a chair and a vice-chair to serve for a period of 1 3 years with the

possibility for re-election for one additional termin 1-year increments not to exceed 3 years.

The chair and vice-chair of each ministry shall be elected by the presbytery from within the

ministries’ membership to serve for a period of 1 year with the possibility for re-election in 1-year

increments not to exceed 3 years.

All other members of each ministry shall be elected by the presbytery for a term of 3 years, with

an individual eligible to serve up to 2 consecutive terms, except when otherwise required by the

Book of Order.

All other members of each ministry shall be elected by presbytery for a term of 3 years, with an

individual eligible to serve up to 2 consecutive terms, except when otherwise required by the

Book of Order.

MD - Steering Committee

The Ministries Division Steering Committee shall be composed of the chair, the vice-chair,

and a representative of each of the ministries, as well as from the Committee on Ministry

and Committee on Preparation for Ministry who shall be voting members of the Ministries

Division Steering Committee.

MD - Congregational Resourcing Team: 12 members divided into 3 equal classes.

MD - Evangelism and Church Growth: 15 members divided into 3 equal

classes.

MD – Outreach Ministries: 9 12 members divided into 3 equal classes.

COMMISSIONERS TO HIGHER GOVERNING BODIES

Synod Teaching Elder and Ruling Elder Commissioners

The Nominating Committee shall nominate to the presbytery ruling elder and teaching elder

commissioners to the Synod in accordance with the number required by the Standing Rules of the

Synod of the Sun.

The Presbytery of New Covenant is granted 2 commissioners to Synod of the Sun;

an equal number of ruling elder and teaching elder commissioners in each of two

classes;

elected to a 3-year terms or for such shorter term as is necessary to fill a vacancy;

no limit to the number of terms a commissioner may serve;

fair representation shall be given as defined in the Book of Order, G-3.0401;

not more than 1 of the commissioners shall be elected from any one of the constituent

churches of the presbytery.

In the event a commissioner is unable to attend the Stated Meeting of the Synod of the Sun,

he/she shall inform the stated clerk of the presbytery. The stated clerk may appoint an

alternate, such as: former synod commissioner, moderator of presbytery, moderator-elect of

presbytery or former moderator of presbytery.

General Assembly Commissioners

When the General Assembly meets biennially, it shall consist of equal numbers of ruling elders

and teaching elders elected by the presbyteries and reflective of the diversity within their bounds

to serve as commissioners according to the following proportions: 16.001-24,00: 3 ruling elders

and 3 teaching elders; 24,001-32,000: 4 ruling elders and 4 teaching elders (Book of Order, G-

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3.0501) These persons, so elected, shall be duly designated commissioners to the General

Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Teaching Elder GA Commissioners

The presbytery shall maintain a fair and equitable system of rotation in nomination of minister

commissioners to General Assembly. The stated clerk shall establish a rotation list, and each

new minister member shall be placed on the list on the anniversary date of his/her enrollment.

Election will take place at the last meeting of the presbytery in the year preceding the meeting of

the General Assembly. The names of the candidates as well as information about them will be

published.

The following will be taken into consideration as the slate is prepared:

Length of service since ordination without attendance as a commissioner at General

Assembly;

Length of time since last attendance as a commissioner at General Assembly;

Number of years as a member of this presbytery;

Participation in the life of the presbytery (attendance at presbytery meetings, involvement

in presbytery committees and ministries, etc.);

For teaching elders serving local congregations, encouragement of congregation members

to participate in the life of the higher governing bodies of the church;

Effectiveness as a representative of the presbytery and leadership ability;

Teaching elders serving a local congregation or serving full-time in a position that has an

official relationship to the denomination and other teaching elders who are vitally involved

in the life and work of a local congregation and/or the presbytery; and

Fair representation of persons as defined in the Book of Order.

General expectation of all nominees is to remain members of the presbytery for the two years of elected

service, or at very least, not to accept nomination if s/he is negotiating a new call.

Each candidate wishing to be considered will be asked to complete and return a form which will give the

Nominating Committee background information to assist them in the selection process. For those

candidates who are nominated, this information will be provided to the commissioners to the presbytery meeting at which the election takes place.

Ruling Elder GA Commissioners

The Nominating Committee shall nominate to the presbytery from its ruling elders,

commissioners and alternates to the General Assembly on a church rotation basis. The churches

in the presbytery are divided into 3 groups with as much equity as possible regarding

membership size, geographical location and representation of racial ethnic congregations. The

groups are revised every two years with the most recent membership information submitted for

the Annual Statistical Reports to the Office of the General Assembly. If churches are dissolved

they are removed from the list; when new churches are chartered, they are added.

Election will take place at the last meeting of the presbytery in the year preceding the meeting of

the General Assembly. The names of the candidates as well as information about them will be

published in the presbytery meeting packet.

The following will be taken into consideration when ruing elder nominations are made:

When presbytery last chose a ruling elder from a particular church as commissioner to

General Assembly

The relative membership of the church to total membership of the presbytery

Recommendation by the sessions of the churches

Effectiveness as a representative of the presbytery and leadership ability

Fair representation of persons as defined in the Book of Order.

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General expectation of each nominee to remain within the bounds of the presbytery during

the two years of elected service.

Each candidate wishing to be considered will be asked to complete and return a form which will give the

Nominating Committee background information to assist them in the selection process. For those

candidates who are nominated, this information will be provided to the commissioners to the presbytery

meeting at which the election takes place.5

Alternate GA Commissioners

Alternate teaching elder and ruling elder commissioners shall be elected bi-annually using the same

considerations for electing teaching elder and ruling elder commissioners.

In the event that a teaching elder or ruling elder commissioner is unable to attend General Assembly,

then the stated clerk shall name one of the alternates as the commissioner. Consideration shall be

given to fair representation.

Ordinarily alternates are considered first among possible commissioners to the next General Assembly.

Alternates are encouraged to attend the General Assembly (at their own expense) for all or several days

to assist them if they are elected as a commissioner to the next General Assembly. Local congregations

are encouraged to assist with the expenses.

Young Adult Advisory GA Delegate and Alternate (YAAD)6

The Nominating Committee shall nominate to the presbytery these individuals, from among those

recommended by their sessions. They are encouraged to use the previous General Assembly's YAAD

and/or a teaching elder/ruling elder alternate or commissioner to help with the selection process.

The following shall be taken into consideration in the selection process:

Between the ages of 17 and 23 years of age

Member of a Presbyterian church in the presbytery

Recommendation by the session of the church

Effectiveness as a representative of the presbytery and leadership ability

Fair representation of persons as defined by the Book of Order G-4.0403.

The alternate is encouraged to attend the General Assembly at his/her expense.

Ordinarily the Young Adult Advisory Alternate is not selected as the Young Adult Advisory Delegate to

the next General Assembly so that more young people may have this experience.

Timing for General Assembly Nominations

Normally the Nominating Committee presents its slate of nominees for General Assembly no later than

the November stated meeting of presbytery in the year prior to the year of the next General Assembly.

The names of the nominees as well as their background information will be made available in the

presbytery meeting packet prior to the meeting at which both regular and alternate commissioners

are to be elected.

Revisions approved 01/23/2018

5 Paragraph added by General Council, reported to presbytery, May 8, 2010.

6 Changed from Youth Advisory Delegate to conform with General Assembly change, reported to presbytery, May 8, 2010.

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OUTREACH MINISTRIES

FUNCTIONS:

* Support local and global mission efforts of congregations and presbytery approved programs

* Oversee ecumenical and interfaith relationships * Develop the presbytery’s benevolence budget and provide liaison with the receiving

organizations and ministries * Review, evaluate and coordinate the work of the ministry in light of the presbytery’s

missions and priorities

* Annually prepare and propose a program and benevolence budget for the Outreach Ministries

* Administer the Outreach Ministries program and benevolence budget * Record minutes of all meetings and maintain accurate records of the work of the

Outreach Ministries which shall be available in the Presbyterian Center

* Develop, promote and encourage a sense of unity and community as the Presbytery of New Covenant

MEMBERSHIP:

The Outreach Ministries shall be composed of nine twelve (912) members divided into three

(3) equal classes, one of which is elected each year by the presbytery. Terms of service will be

three (3) years with an individual eligible to serve up to two (2) consecutive terms.

The chairperson and vice chairperson shall be elected from within the Outreach Ministries’

membership by the presbytery for a term of one (1) year with the individual eligible to serve

up to three (3) years.

Additional individuals may be appointed to serve on task groups with the approval of the

Ministries Division Steering Committee.

ORGANIZATION:

Each ministry may establish an internal structure of standing committees and task groups as

appropriate for the accomplishment of its functions and responsibilities, with the approval of

the Ministries Division Steering Committee.

Requests for the formation of a new task group, or modification of an existing task group, shall

specify the task group’s starting and ending dates, work to be accomplished, number of

members and budget.

MEETINGS:

The Outreach Ministries shall meet at least quarterly or more frequently as needed. Special

meetings may be called by the chairperson. Committees and task groups shall meet as

necessary for the timely accomplishment of their assigned tasks.

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STAFF:

The work of this ministry shall ordinarily be supported by the general presbyter and by such

other staff as may be assigned by the general presbyter.

LINKAGES:

The Outreach Ministries reports to and is accountable to the Ministries Division Steering

Committee. It shall be in close working relationship with the other units of the Ministries

Division, and with all congregations of the presbytery.

Revisions approved 01/23/2018

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SURVEY CONCERNING CONFIRMATION CLASSES IN 2018 AND 2019

New Covenant Presbytery’s Congregational Resourcing Team and Kristi Blankman, Coordinator of Youth Ministry, would like to use this survey to determine the need for a Presbytery-sponsored Confirmation Rally in either 2018 or 2019 for youth, their parents, pastors, and youth leaders from churches throughout the Presbytery. Please complete this survey and e-mail to Carrie Walker at cwalker@pbyofnewcovenant.org before March 17 OR bring to her at the registration table at the March 17 Presbytery meeting at FPC/Conroe. Name of Church___________________________________________________________ Person filling out survey____________________________________________________ Phone #_____________________________e-mail_______________________________ Anticipated number of students in 2018 confirmation class _______________________ Describe when class starts and ends and who is involved in leadership_______________

Anticipated number of students in 2019 confirmation class ________________________ Describe plans for this class in 2019 __________________________________________

Would you be interested in having your 2018 and/or 2019 students involved in a Presbytery-sponsored, one-day Confirmation Rally? _____YES _____NO IF YES, what is the best month to schedule a Confirmation Rally on a Saturday? ___________________in 2018 _____________________in 2019 Here’s the link about the new confirmation curriculum available June 2018 from the PC(USA) Store. Sample session will be available at the March 17 Presbytery meeting at FPC/Conroe. https://www.pcusastore.com/Pages/Item/10494/Big-God-Big-Questions-Confirmation-Curriculum.aspx

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H - Nominating Committee The following people are nominated to serve in these positions for the committees of the presbytery: Administrative Division Center Operations 2020 – RE Paddy Ndole (Houston, St. Paul) Committee on Ministry Chair 2018 – RE Chuck Johnson (Houston, St. Philip) Examinations 2020 – Rev. Rick Myers (HR) Professional Life 2020 – Rev. Wilma Harris (Brazoria, First – Interim) Committee on Preparation for Ministry 2020 – Rev. Jennifer Marshall (Nacogdoches, Westminster) 2020 – RE Bonnie Keith (Pasadena, First) General Council 2018 – RE Sally DeStefano (Conroe, First) 2020 – RE Jay Bole (Bellaire, ChristChurch) MDSC – Outreach 2020 – Rev. Emmett Powers (Beaumont, St. Andrew’s)

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Talents & Interest Survey 2018

The Nominating Committee and the Committee on Representation would like to better understand the gifts and talents within our presbytery. Please help us by completing this talent and interest

survey form. We need your input to do our work for the presbytery. Thank You.

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.5 There are different kinds of service,

4 but the same Lord. 12

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body,

so it is with Christ. 27

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

1 Corinthians 12

Please indicate all that apply: Accounting / Finance / Tax

Advertising / Marketing

Art / Music / Photography

Communications

Computers / Technology

Conflict Resolution

Engineering

Event Planning / Logistics

Foreign Language

Geology / Earth Sciences

H R / Personnel / Recruiting

Language / Writing

Medicine / Health / Nursing

Nutrition / Fitness

Law Enforcement / Fire fighting

Legal / Contract Review / Negotiations

Project Management

Property / Facilities Mgmt / Maintenance

Research

Risk Management / Insurance

Social Services / Pastoral Care

Strategic Planning

Teaching / Training

Theology / Doctrine

Others _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________

Name _______________________________________ Email ____________________________________

Address ______________________________________________________________________________

Phone _____________________________________ Church, City ________________________________

African - Asian - Caucasian Hispanic Middle Native

American American Eastern American

Other

Ruling Elder Teaching Elder Other

Which presbytery committees have you served previously? ______________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

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PRESBYTERY COMMUNICATIONS

Tuesday Connect

Do you receive Tuesday Connect, our weekly email newsletter? Contact Patricia Brantley to subscribe: pbrantley@pbyofnewcovenant.org

Connections Has Gone Green!

Connections is the presbytery's bimonthly newsletter. In order to be better stewards of our environment and to save costs, we started

sending Connections via email in January 2017. If you prefer to receive it in print or to update your email address,

please contact Patricia Brantley, Circulation Manager, at pbrantley@pbyofnewcovenant.org or 713-526-2585, ext. 101.

Postlude

Postlude is the publication that highlights the events and business conducted at presbytery

meetings. It will be posted on the presbytery’s website: www.pbyofnewcovenant.org

Commissioners will receive an email notification when Postlude is available. Please share it with your sessions.