To: Members of Hudson River Presbytery

Westtow

23 November, 2010 n AC Memorandum Report To: Members of Hudson River Presbytery From: Westtown Administrative Commission Re: Recommendation for Dismissal of the Westtown Congregation

The Westtown Administrative Commission recommends that the Presbytery of Hudson River (HRP) release the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church (USA) of Westtown to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC), subject to the conditions noted below. 1. The congregation shall be released to the EPC with its real property and assets at the completion of the fulfillment of a financial commitment. 2. The congregation shall remit to HRP the amount of $8,260. This amount represents five years of per capita at the current rate of $26.51 at the current membership of 59 members. 3. These funds shall be designated, by the Westtown congregation and approved by HRP, for an outreach mission program/project that will have a direct impact on the residents of the Westtown community. (The funds may not be used to underwrite funding for staff; neither shall they be used for building support in any way.) 4. The funds shall be remitted to HRP. The Presbytery’s treasurer shall disburse the funds to the designated program/project. 5. If at any point during the ensuing ten years (after a congregational meeting agreeing with this recommendation) the congregation should find it is not a viable worshiping community of faith in Westtown, and it finds itself needing to cease its ministry and close its doors, the property-in its entirety-shall revert into the possession of HRP, and no longer be part of the EPC. 6. Upon fulfillment of these commitments HRP shall finalize the release of the Westtown congregation to the EPC. 7. A suitable concluding worship service, honoring the more than 200 years of partnership in ministry in Jesus Christ between the Westtown congregation and the Presbyterian Church, shall be held. 8. Following the worship service, the AC shall be dismissed. Rationale: The AC’s recommendation reflects its calling to respond to the request of the Westtown congregation as the AC remains faithful to the mission and stewardship of HRP. In ongoing discussion at the presbytery and denominational levels, the AC was encouraged again and again to focus on PC(USA) mission needs in the geographical area. The AC heard concerns expressed following the initial reading of the recommendation at the Stated Meeting of HRP September 28. The AC hopes that by releasing the Westtown Congregation to the EPC, a sustained Reformed witness will be manifest in that part of Orange County; by releasing the Westtown Congregation to the EPC, the congregation will be free to pursue its sense of call by the Holy Spirit; by the financial commitment to service in the immediate community, the gospel witness will be strengthened in Westtown; by locating financial oversight with the HRP, the congregation will continue to have responsibility and accountability as polity demands, even as they move to leave the denomination; by offering the provision that the property will revert to HRP, the Westtown congregation will be given the theological space to find its way into the future. At the same time, should, in God’s providence, the Westtown congregation dissolve, the property will remain as part of the Reformed witness of the Presbyterian Church through the HRP, as it has for 205 years. Notes: The Budget & Finance Team has authorized the appraisal of the property on Route 284 in Westtown, Orange County, New York. History: The Westtown Administrative Commission (AC) was formed at the HRP Stated Meeting held January 26, 2010 at the Germonds Church. The AC was tasked to respond to the letter from the First Presbyterian Church at Westtown, dated January 12, 2010, requesting to be released from the Presbyterian Church (USA) with their properties, that they might become joined with the EPC. The AC met for their initial meeting March 18, 2010, having been oriented by HRP Stated Clerk Harriet Sandmeier. Next Step: Members of the AC to meet with Westtown Session. The AC met with the Westtown Session April 21. The AC heard the concerns of the Session. Additionally, the AC asserted its administering role as well as pastoral relationship with the congregation, requesting a congregational meeting so that HRP could know with certainty that it is the wish of the congregation to break its covenant with the HRP. The Session of the Westtown Church called a congregational meeting for May 16. Following a fellowship meal, the AC led the congregation in a discernment process and dialogue, culminating in a general discussion of the hopes and concerns of the congregation. It was clear that the congregation felt led by the Holy Spirit to leave the Presbyterian Church (USA) and HRP. At the same time they hoped to remain an active congregation within their community. It was the sense of all Westtown members present that the EPC represented a denomination within the Reformed Church community that would support their understanding of the call of God and claim of Christ. The AC met June 21. The following were reviewed: The dismissal of the Goodwill Church to the EPC with their properties; no tithe or gift made to HRP. The dismissal of the Circleville Church to the EPC; 10% of the appraised value of the property remitted to HRP, a tithe and a legacy to the future mission of the presbytery. The closing of the Canterbury (Cornwall) Church and sale of the property. The unfolding acrimonious relationship between the Ridgebury congregation and HRP; a legal battle in the civil courts—finding in favor of HRP. The closing of the Amity Church in April of 2009; the property continues as a rental property. Report and initial reading of recommendation made to HRP at its September Stated Meeting. Follow up conversations with HRP elder and minister members. Respectfully submitted, The Reverend Robin Joy Hogle, Pastor, Thompson Ridge, Moderator Elder Sharon Branning, Livingston Manor, Clerk The Reverend Steve Huston, Pastor, Port Jervis The Reverend Allen Kemp, Pastor, Suffern Elder Deanna Priscoe, Otisville/Mount Hope Elder David Stewart, United, Middletown