Dear Presbytery Family,
Like many of you, we are experiencing changes that overwhelm our ability to measure their meaning or to fully comprehend the shape of things to come. We also recognize that the One who was, and is, and is to come leads and empowers us to exhibit the kingdom of heaven to the world. Perhaps, now is a unique opportunity to turn from our old ways, embrace the fullness of life as followers of Christ, and join in the movement of God’s Holy Spirit to value the dignity of all people and the goodness of all creation. As Reinhold Niebuhr prayed during his days of distress and upheaval,
“Father, give us courage to change what must be altered, serenity to accept what cannot be helped, and the insight to know the one from the other.”
Things to communicate this week include:
- The 224th General Assembly begins this Friday (June 19th) at 7pm. The presbytery's website will help you see the schedule, live stream the events from the GA website or on Facebook, get the summary highlights, and share the experience with our GA commissioners. We will also be sharing news and updates on Facebook as it is available. Click here
- We are planning a brief drive-in presbytery meeting on Tuesday, June 23, at 12 noon, at First Presbyterian Church of Starke, for the purpose of voting on two recommendation of the Coordinating Council: (1) to amend our Manual of Operations to allow an electronic (virtual) presbytery meeting under special circumstances where we cannot meet in person; and (2) to amend 6.01 of the Manual (Bookkeeper) to adjust duties and title following the retirement of Nancy Brown at the end of June. The amendment allowing electronic meeting will facilitate our plan to hold a virtual presbytery meeting with limited business on Tuesday, July 28, at 6:00 pm. Information was sent to teaching elders and session clerks about how to register commissioners for these meetings. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged by Monday at 12:00 noon. There is also a link to the information and registration form on our website's homepage.
We update our
COVID-19 resources
regularly with helpful information about spiritual nourishment, meeting community needs, education and faith formation, digital worship, and procedures congregations are adopting as they consider when and how to “re-gather."
We thank God for you always and continue to pray with Almighty God for your ministry in the world. May the Lord’s grace and wholeness in body, mind and spirit continue to abide with you,
Diane Wilson, Chair of Coordinating Council
Edd Norris, Moderator of the Presbytery
Sandra Hedrick, Stated Clerk
Chris Lieberman, Relationship Coordination Director
On Behalf of the Coordinating Council
