Riceville Presbyterian Church Seeks Gracious Dismissal from the PC (USA)

February 2, 2012

Riceville Presbyterian Church in Asheville, NC has joined the growing number of churches who have officially begun the process of being dismissed from the PC(USA).  It is the first church in the Presbytery of Western North Carolina to request dismissal since the denomination’s recent approval of Amendment 10A and the passage of the New Form of Government (nFOG).  On October 16, 2011, the session of Riceville voted unanimously to request dismissal.  In a letter to members, the session cited the removal of G-6.0106b, “The Fidelity and Chastity” Amendment and the subsequent Ordination of Pastors and Elders in same-sex relationships as one of the main reasons for this decision.  Along with Amendment 10A, the session included the denomination’s stance on abortion and the New Form of Government as other key reasons for its actions.

On October 17, the session of Riceville notified the General Presbyter, Bobbi White, of their decision.  Ms. White notified the Committee on Ministry and turned the matter over to them.  On November 9, Riceville was notified of the 3-member team appointed by the COM to work with them.  These members were identified as Reverend James Aydelotte, Reverend Susan Denne and Bambi Teague.  Reverend Aydelotte made contact with Riceville’s session representative, Jim Turpin.  At this time, the session’s written statement of reasons for requesting dismissal was submitted via email to the COM by way of Reverend Aydelotte for review and the first meeting between the COM and the session was scheduled for November 27, 2011.

The COM later contacted Riceville’s pastor, Reverend Chris Wingard, to schedule a private meeting with him.  On November 22, Reverend Aydelotte and Reverend Denne met with Reverend Wingard to discuss his role in the process.  As moderator of the session and under his vow of ordination, Reverend Wingard confirmed that the decision was made solely by the session and that he had no part in persuading the session in any way.

On November 27, the session of Riceville, along with Reverend Wingard, met with the COM representatives, Reverend Aydelotte and Reverend Denne.  Pros and cons of dismissal were discussed, along with personal viewpoints, readings of scripture and prayer.

On December 4, the session of Riceville called a meeting to formally vote on its agreement to comply with the active dismissal policy of the Presbytery of Western North Carolina entitled “Guidelines for Congregations Considering A Request to Presbytery to be Dismissed” approved by the Presbytery of Western North Carolina on January 31, 2009.  In this meeting, the session confirmed the accuracy of its list of active members, including addresses and phone numbers, as well as the approval to send this list to the COM as required in the dismissal policy.   Additionally, the session voted to recognize the right of the Presbytery to communicate directly, at any time by various means, with members of the Congregation and to agree to hold no meetings of the Congregation to consider leaving the PCUSA (other than those specified later in “Guidelines for Congregations Considering A Request to Presbytery to be Dismissed” Approved January 31, 2009) without the permission and involvement of Presbytery.  All votes were unanimous.  The membership information and minutes of the meeting were transmitted by email on December 5, 2011 and receipt was confirmed by Reverend Aydelotte.  In this email, Riceville noted that all requirements of part A of section IV of the policy were complete and that it would like to officially request that the first congregational hearing be called by the COM, which is the next sequential step in the Presbytery’s dismissal process.  Reverend Aydelotte confirmed this and noted that he would take responsibility for discussing it with the COM and scheduling this hearing.  He estimated that it would possibly be held sometime in January.

On January 5, 2012, a letter addressed to Reverend Chris Wingard from John Lindsay, Chair of the Committee on Ministry, was received by Reverend Wingard after his return from vacation.  This letter, dated December 20, 2011, stated that Reverend Wingard was to appear before the COM on January 10, 2012 at First Presbyterian Church in Morganton to discuss his role in the decision by the session of Riceville Presbyterian Church to seek dismissal from the denomination.  Reverend Wingard shared this letter with the session.  Upon reading it, the session determined that it was not necessary for Reverend Wingard to attend this meeting.

The reasons for this decision are as follows:

1. Reverend Wingard has already met with Reverend James Aydelotte and Reverend Susan Denne as representatives of the COM.  This meeting occurred on November 22, 2011 with only these three people present.  In this meeting, Reverend Wingard was questioned on this very subject and he answered all questions honestly and thoroughly.
2. Reverend Wingard met with Reverend Aydelotte and Reverend Denne again on November 27 when they met with the entire session of Riceville Presbyterian Church.
3. We consider a third meeting of this nature to be unreasonable and outside of the “Guidelines for Congregations Considering A Request to Presbytery to be Dismissed” approved by the Presbytery of Western North Carolina on January 31, 2009, which is the documented process that we have agreed to follow in all of our communication with the Presbytery.

On January 8, 2012, the congregation of Riceville composed and signed a letter expressing its support of Reverend Wingard, his suitability for his role as pastor and his abstinence from any participation or discussion regarding dismissal from the PC(USA).  The letter was signed by 54 of its 68 active members and 6 potential members.  This letter, along with a letter from the session was sent to Reverend John Lindsay and Reverend James Aydelotte via email on January 9, 2012.

Ever since the session voted to seek gracious dismissal from the PC(USA) by the Presbytery of Western North Carolina, the session has adhered strictly to the process defined by the presbytery.  Not once has any member of the church, session or the pastor deviated from the documented process.  A third request was made on January 9, 2012.

Following the January 10 COM meeting, a certified letter from COM Chair John Lindsay and Stated Clerk of Presbytery Bert Sigmon was received by Reverend Wingard.  The letter expressed the disappointment of the COM that Reverend Wingard had not attended the meeting.  It went on to clarify the reason for his being called to the meeting and was supported by specific sections of the Book of Order.  In this letter, the COM requested Reverend Wingard’s presence at the next COM meeting on February 14.  As this letter was much more detailed and digestible, the session and Reverend Wingard decided that it would be appropriate to attend this meeting and that Elder Jim Turpin would accompany him.

On Monday, January 18, Riceville Clerk of Session Mike Wilson was contacted by Reverend Susan Denne on behalf of the COM to begin the process of scheduling Riceville’s first congregational hearing.  Following some written and verbal communication, the meeting was scheduled for Sunday, February 12 at 3:00pm.  At this meeting all members of Riceville Presbyterian Church and the representatives from COM will be given an opportunity to speak.  No voting will take place at this meeting.