Dr. Graham W. Hardy:
From the copy of Thanksgiving Minute which has been incorporated in the official records of the Congregation which marks the retirement of the Hardy's from St. Stephen's Church
Rev. Graham W. Hardy and Mrs. Hazel Hardy.
Minister of St. Stephen's Church, Sydney 1967 - 1987
[Dr. Hardy died on December 31, 2007 in Sydney, Australia.]
The Reverend GRAHAM WILBERFORCE HARDY, K.S.J., M.A., B.D., S.T.M., L.R.A.M., was ordained a Minister of the Church of Scotland in 1948 and called to be the Minister of St. Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Sydney in May, 1967.
Son of a Methodist Minster, born in Manchester, England, educated in Scotland and trained for the ministry in Edinburgh and New York, Mr. Hardy served two Scottish parishes, the larger being the city Congregation of Palmerston Place, Edinburgh where he ministered for 14 years.
The emigration of the Hardys to Australia was a great venture of faith. The family included Mrs. Hazel Hardy, David, Heather and 'Grandpa', the Rev. A. Wilberforce Hardy, who was greatly loved and admired until his death in 1969 aged 93.
The early years of the Hardy Ministry were marked by growth and consolidation - - the Australian Church was in the throes of change and debate on Church Union, but fortunately St. Stephen's Congregation conclusively voted to enter Union in May, 1974 - - similar decisions in other Churches heralded the inauguration of the Uniting Church in Australia in June, 1977. This leading of the Spirit was to have lasting influence on St. Stephen's, Graham Hardy was elected to be the 4th Moderator of the N.S.W. Synod for 1980-81, during which time his considerable skill as a preacher and communicator were widely sought.
Music making is a special ability and love of both Hazel and Graham Hardy which prompted the growing importance and influence of good music within the life of the Church. Several innovations, each with an emphasis on music as part of life and an expression of faith in the beauty of holiness, were organised including "Monday Music" which became a regular outreach project and met with wide acceptance in Sydney's musical world.
Preaching has been the strong feature of Graham Hardy's ministry. Author of five books - - he became known as a regular radio personality - - he has also taken a leading part in many T.V. Services, several of which have been innovative and widely acclaimed.
May, 1970 was a special occasion in the life of St. Stephen's and the Hardys when Her Majesty, the Queen with the Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Anne came to Church, this was an uplifting experience, still remembered with pleasure within the Church and beyond.
The introduction of the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service in 1967 was another significant innovation. This venture proved immediately successful and has become part of the Advent experience for many thousands since its inception.
Mr. Hardy's research in the production of the history of St. Stephen's Living Stones was a valued part of the Fiftieth Anniversary celebrations of the present building.
Our records would be incomplete if reference was not made to the significant contribution of Mrs. Hazel Hardy to St. Stephen's - - her service was all the more special and courageous because it was sometimes made during periods of indifferent health. Certainly her leadership in the Dorcas Fellowship and the Choir and indeed in other avenues too numerous to mention has earned the highest praise of all.
Finally, this Thanksgiving Minute must not be regarded as an endeavour to evaluate Graham Hardy's ministry, but rather as a simple and inadequate attempt to express in words a sincere tribute of appreciation.
Twenty years have gone but fortunately memories are precious and real, the Hardys touched the lives of many - - Sydney and St. Stephen's have been amply blest - - Graham and Hazel leave our presence but not our hearts, and most assuredly with our respect, love and affection.
We give thanks to God and commend them to His keeping.
"Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Jesus' love".
Dr. Hardy and his wife Hazel continued their ministry in the United States after his retirement in 1987. From 1989--1991, Dr. Hardy was the Senior Pastor of our First Presbyterian Church in Gainesville. In 1991 Dr. Hardy studied for his Doctorate of Ministry at Columbia Seminary in Atlanta.
In all, Dr. Hardy has served a total of ten pastorates on an interim basis with the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. This total includes his current position at Kanapaha Presbyterian Church in the Gainesville area.
Dr. and Mrs. Graham Hardy currently reside in Gainesville (as of the summer of 2002). In April they traveled to Australia to greet their new grandson, child of their daughter Heather and her husband.
A Resolution Honoring the Retirement of Dr. Robert W. Battles, Jr.
Whereas having served faithfully for 40 years as an ordained minister. Dr. Robert W. Battles, Jr has earned the rank and privilege of honorable retirement.
Whereas he has concluded a distinguished career as a pastor, community leader, and friend among his colleagues in ministry, it is appropriate that he be honored by the Presbytery of St. Augustine on the occasion of his retirement.
Whereas Bob's preparation for the ministry included graduation with a B. S. degree from Nyack College in Nyack, New York, the earning of an M. A. degree from Stetson University in Deland, Florida, and a M. Div. from Westminster Seminary, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and subsequent to that receiving both a Master of Theology and a Doctorate from Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, New Jersey.
Whereas probably the best decision he ever made was not which college or seminary to attend but to marry Ruth Bach, who was the daughter of Reverend and Mrs. Howard C. Bach, and who has faithfully served with him as he accepted calls to five different churches in five different cities. For 43 years she has served as partner, confidant and fellow servant of Christ in both the church and the community. In many ways she has brightened his life and the lives of those whom she has met. She is indeed a treasure of great price.
Whereas his commitment to ministry led him to accept a call in 1964 to become the Assistant Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of West Palm Beach, Florida and led to his ordination in September of that year by the Presbytery of East Florida of the UPUSA. During his ministry in West Palm Beach, Bob was involved in both ecumenical and community activities.
Whereas in 1966 he accept a called to be the Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Bridgehampton, New York. During that time he helped the congregation celebrate its 300th anniversary. He also served the Presbytery of Long Island as a member of the Committee on Ministry, Vice Moderator of the Presbytery, and served on several Administrative Commissions. He also served on the board of the Bridgehampton Child care Center and on the board of the Bridgehampton Community Center. Somehow he found time to serve as the Chaplain of the Bridgehampton Volunteer Fire Department and was a member of the Ethics Committee of the Town of Southampton, and with his wife, Ruth, served on an ad hoc committee to improve the Bridgehampton School District. Ruth also served on the Hampton Library Board and was an active member of the Southampton Study Club. Yet she managed to give birth to their daughter, Stephanie, in 1971
Whereas after accepting a call to become the Pastor of the Germonds Presbyterian Church in New City, New York, in 1975, Bob was instrumental in leading the Session to form the Rockland Family Shelter, one of the first domestic violence shelters in the country, as well as working with Rockland Community College in a continuing education program for Older Americans that became an adjunct to the church's Senior Citizens program. He was also appointed the Protestant Chaplain of the New City Volunteer Fire Department and with Ruth developed a ministry to adults who were mentally impaired and living in Venture Inn, a near by Group Home. This ministry was highlighted in the publication, Presbyterian Life. Bob also served as the liaison with a Korean Congregation during their formative stages.
Whereas in 1980 Bob accepted a call to serve as Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church of Mount Clemens, Michigan, and served on the Board of Directors of the Presbyterian Villages of Detroit and the Board of Directors of the Dominican Consultation Center (a mental health facility in Detroit) and also found time to serve on the Macomb County Arts Council. He and, Ruth developed a liaison with a local elementary school to provide back-to-school clothes and gifts at Christmas time. Ruth was instrumental in main streaming children with special needs into the church's Wednesday evening Christian education program. Bob served the Presbytery as a member of the Committee on Ministry and on other special task forces and ad hoc groups. He was instrumental in founding a local chapter of the Princeton Seminary Alumni/ae Association and then served as President of the Princeton Seminary Alumni/ae Association and its Executive Council.
Whereas in 1991 he accepted the call to be the Senior Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Gainesville, Florida, he quickly encouraged the formation of a Wednesday afternoon program that eventually became Logos. In 1995 he initiated a feasibility study to determine the need for the renovation of the church's facilities, which dated back to the 1950's. In response to this study, he led the Session in the formation of a plan to renovate the facilities and raise the 3.8 million dollars to complete the project. Within three years the renovation was completed and the cost was fully subscribed. Shortly thereafter a campaign was undertaken to purchase and install a C. B. Fisk tracker action organ. This campaign was fully subscribed and today the church enjoys one of the finest instruments of praise in the southeastern United States. During his ministry in Gainesville, Bob served on the boards of the Georgia Seagle House and the Volunteer Center ofAlachua County and was an alternate community member of the Institutional Review Board at Shands Hospital. He continues as a weekly volunteer reader for the Radio Readers Service at the University of Florida, a reading program for the print impaired. Bob has served this Presbytery as a member of the Jamaica Ecumenical Mission Committee and of the Nominating Committee and also as vice-chair of the Committee on Ministry for two years. Ruth has been a special education teacher at the Hidden Oak Elementary School before her retirement in 2002. In 1999 she was chosen by the Alachua County Council for Exceptional Children as Teacher of the Year and was the Hidden Oak Elementary School Teacher of the Year in that same year. She was instrumental, in the development of the First Presbyterian Church Hidden Oak Porters' After School program and is currently a community member of the Institutional Review Board at Shands Hospital.
And whereas Bob and Ruth have lovingly worked with countless thousands of persons both within and without the church for 40 years, seeking to draw people to Christ and to enjoy life more abundantly. Therefore be it resolved that the members of the Presbytery of St. Augustine express to Bob and Ruth Battles our grateful appreciation for their years of committed, loving service and our hope that even in retirement they will continue to serve in meaningful ways.
Be it Further resolved that this resolution be included in the minutes of the May 4, 2004 meeting of the Presbytery of St. Augustine.