Reflections by our Executive Presbyter on the anniversary of her first year
“Now proceed to cross the Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them,……I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
It is hard to believe that I have had the privilege of journeying with you for one year. As I thought about what I would share at the presbytery meeting this past weekend, I found my mind returning to the place where we began – October 2013 at Thompson Memorial in New Hope. The words of the book of Joshua framed my arrival to be with you; to walk with you; to serve alongside you. It’s those words that continue to resonate with me as we begin our second year – “do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord our God is indeed with us wherever we go.” ( Joshua 1:9)
What an amazing year. The Lord our God clearly has been with us every step of the way. I have loved how we have worked together to Build, Abide and Dwell in this new place. The more I get to know about the heart of who we are – through the leadership of our regions, our congregations and other ministries, the more I am grateful for the privilege of walking with you. We clearly are living into our commitment to reflect what it means to be a “relational body as opposed to being a regulational body.”
Thank you for welcoming me into your pulpits and celebrations, inviting me to lead retreats, but mostly – for sharing your stories with me.
So this is the “State of our Covenant Life” – the year in review, if you will. The summary statement of where we find ourselves is simple – overall we are doing well. This should not be mistaken for the belief that we have no problems. For the truth is that we are far from perfect; we have much to do. That said, here are some highlights of where we’ve been:
1. We are living into what it means to be a relational people as opposed to being a regulatory people. And we can’t be relational without being in the room together. So to this end, we have gathered – to worship; to be inspired by outside guests; to break bread together. We have gathered in regions; we have gathered to discuss general assembly recommendations; we have gathered in the presbytery office for “Coffee, Conversation and Bagels.” The fruit of these gatherings was evident as we gathered in November to debate, discern and vote on complex and divisive issues. You made my heart sing as you reflected the face of Christ in the midst of tough conversations.
2. Through both investment and mission dollars, we partnered directly with some 28 congregations who benefited from Covenant or Great Ends Grants. This allowed us all to support a breadth of initiatives – food crisis ministries, after-school programs, Saturday programs for elementary school age children, community arts’ initiatives, jazz revival services for worship, holistic healthcare, afterschool programs for children and youth, mentoring, English as second language, new worshipping experiences. Others used funds for mission trips, fighting hunger, equipping our churches for stewardship or youth ministry; ending violence and much more. This does not include the additional support extended to other community ministries and congregations. We are eager to make these funds available to even more congregations.
3. We are expanding our social media networking. Although we still have much to do, we are now using the website, Facebook, Twitter – not simply for announcements – but for telling our stories. In addition to my Spirit Soundings, we have highlighted a ministry of this presbytery every other week. We have shared the photos of our installations and ordinations – live time. It is these stories of congregations, of mission efforts – that speak to who we are; that remind us, we are bigger than ourselves.
4. Kirkwood-Brainerd is birthed At a time when Christian camping is struggling, we have embraced an opportunity – coming together with the Lehigh Presbytery to redefine and re-launch what we hope will be, a new model of Christian camping.
5. As to our fiscal health, this has been a good year. But as our financial leadership would remind us – this is due partially to a good market, lower personnel costs, judicious financial management, and faithful per capita contributions. As we affirm a positive bottom line, I am intrigued by the fact that our mission giving continues to decrease – some 60 congregations did not contribute to the presbytery mission budget in 2014. This is clearly one of those areas that provides abundant opportunities for our leadership as we interpret this reality.
6. We have been blessed by a faithful leadership – who believe God is not done with us yet. I will name them by name – grateful for the gifts they bring to our life together.
The Leadership Collegium with the leadership of our now former moderator, Rev Wonjae Choi, has grown into a place of vision, discernment and decision-making. Both Wonjae and our new Moderator, Ruling Elder Mike Henry – have provided and modeled grace as they have walked with me through these twelve months. Our retreat this year allowed us to reaffirm the direction needed for our presbytery.
The Commission and Committee Chairs – who have patiently guided me as I have learned about our structure, unspoken assumptions and procedures. These Commissions and Committees work tirelessly to support the leadership, challenges, celebrations of our congregations.
- Bill Young (Commission on Congregations and Leadership);
- Ken Ross (Commission on Preparation and Credentials);
- George Rendell (Commission on Financial Management );
- Jim Poinsett (Commission on Resources and Communication );
- Jesse Garner (Committee on Nominations );
- Dick Wohlschlaeger (Committee on Personnel );
- Wanda McNeill (Committee on Representation );
- Brent Eelman and Jack Norrie (Permanent Judicial Commission )
Stated Clerks Team – Journal Clerk, Ken McKeown and Temporary Clerks, Julia Hill and Keith Lawrence
- Our Dedicated Staff:
- Our Landlord – Oxford and their fearless leader – Ethelyn Taylor
- Our Receptionists: Catherine Adams who has recently moved; Dolores Massey, Ann Hines Maxine Chisolm and Marilyn Burkes
- Our Administrative Staff, without whom nothing would ever get done completely: Luis, Andrea, Amy, Betsi and Cassie. They make coming to the office a pleasure.
- Last but not least – Our Executive Team: Sarah Colwill, who in a part-time paradigm was able to help us continue the momentum that had been started just before Jim Poinsett returned to the pastorate; Kevin Porter, Larry Davis – both of whom I respect greatly and cherish deeply. You all rock!
We have captured some of the year in video – we thought we would share a glimpse of 2014
2015 –So where do we go from here? – A Few Thoughts
We will continue to build on the relational foundation that we’ve begun to lay down. In many ways, the health of a system can be seen in its spirit and energy – and it is clear to anyone who has visited us during our larger gatherings – that we are a people of spirit and energy. We are a gifted people and I believe we are poised for doing some new things together – as we bask and live into the light of Christ.
1. The Presbytery of Philadelphia as Ministry Incubator: We will continue to explore ways in which we can use our natural gifts and regional resources to strengthen our congregations along with their leadership.
- Princeton Seminary Partnership – A pilot initiative will be launched with Princeton Seminary in the Fall of 2015. We have been working with three congregations and will be meeting with prospective students in a few weeks. This initiative will bring together the presbytery, the seminary and the local church in an effort to creatively think about ministry for a new day.
- We hope to expand this identity of our presbytery as a teaching and learning place as we consider a leadership training module for ruling elders.
- We hope to explore residency programs with post-graduate initiatives that could potentially help smaller congregations in the future.
2. We will continue to embrace our “new” structural design. I couldn’t help but laugh when I recently heard some rumor – “New EP, New Design” – let me assure you that I personally am not interested in creating a new design. I think the values that birthed this current design are good values. That being said, there will be some adjustments that will be recommended as we continue to live into this new day.
3. We are excited about having a full executive Leadership Team in place. The addition of Greg Klimovitz as our Associate Presbyter will allow us the ability to engage our regional structure and resources in new and creative ways. Greg brings the kind of gifts and spirit that will enhance the journey we are on.
4. We will continue to wrestle with the questions that haunt all historic mainline denominations.
- How to think creatively about our smaller congregations and their need for pastoral leadership.
- How to birth ministries – that are new and non-traditional
- How to speak to the financial challenges of our presbytery and congregations
- How to continue to tell the stories of us as we seek to be the Word in the world.
- How to honor the priests and prophets in our midst – we need both! I am humbled and grateful for the priests – those of our leadership who sit by bed-sides; who patiently love their flock. I am equally convicted by the prophets – those of our leadership who remind us that we were not created simply for ourselves, as they embody justice and mercy for the least among us.
In closing, we are committed to continuing to hear the stories of our hearts as we live into the theology of the table – that ‘Christ call’ that compels us to walk together through the theological divides and cultural unrest.
I am looking forward to the yet-undiscovered possibilities before us, trusting always that God’s plans for us are far greater than our ability to see them.