January 14, 2009

Grandville Protestant Reformed Church

Classis East met in regular session on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at the Grandville PRC. All the churches were represented by two delegates. Guests at the classis were the church history students of Covenant Christian High School. Rev. J. Laning served as chairman for this meeting.

Two appeals and a protest to Synod 2009 were received at this meeting. Both appeals were considered not to be legally before classis. One because the material received by classis had no response from the appellant’s consistory because this consistory did not receive the material from the appellant in time to compose a response. The second appeal did not meet the criterion of Article 30 of the Church Order. The protest was forwarded to Synod 2009 without comment.

The classis received the report of the church visitors. Their report indicates that there is peace and harmony in the churches, for which classis gave thanks.

As is usual at the January session of classis, many ballots are cast. Elected as delegates to Synod 2009 are the following: MINISTERS: Primi: C. Haak, D. Kleyn, K. Koole, J. Slopsema, R. VanOverloop;Secundi: A. denHartog, G. Eriks, R. Kleyn, W. Langerak, A. Spriensma. ELDERS: Primi: Don Doezema, Calvin Kalsbeek, Gerald Kuiper, Sid Miedema, David Ondersma; Secundi: Jon Bol, Robert Faber, John Kalsbeek, David Moelker, Larry VanOverloop. Rev. J. Laning was elected to a three-year term as primus delegate ad examina; Rev. A. Lanning was elected to serve a three-year secundusterm. Rev. W. Langerak was elected to serve a three-year term on the Classical Committee. Revs. J. Slopsema and K. Koole were elected as church visitors, with Revs. Haak and VanOverloop as alternates.

Classical appointments were given to Byron Center PRC for the evening services beginning on February 22, 2009.

In financial matters, classis approved a $60,000 temporary subsidy for Grace PRC for 2009. Kalamazoo’s subsidy of $35,000 and Wingham’s subsidy of $36,000 (Canadian) for 2010 were also approved. Grace’s request was sent to the Finance Committee of Synod for immediate action; the other subsidy requests will be treated at Synod 2009. The expenses of this session amounted to $884.80.

The next meeting of classis will be held on May 13, 2009 at the Faith PRC.

Respectfully submitted,

Jon J. Huisken,

Stated Clerk