Highlights of the October 29, 2011 Presbytery Meeting at Green Ridge PC
On a nice fall October day, commissioners and guests arrived at Green Ridge Presbyterian Church and received a warm welcome by local church volunteers. After registration, everyone enjoyed a wide selection of morning treats including delicious sweet rolls. Promptly at 9:30 a.m. attendees were greeted by the WOW Group (Worship on Wednesday after school program) of 19 smiling children performing synchronized movements to ”Jesus Loves Me” and “Awesome God”. Presbytery Moderator, Rev. Ron Roberts requested participant to provide any joys or concerns followed by the opening prayer. Pastors Dianna and Randy Marcum collaborated to welcome us to Green Ridge Presbyterian Church and provided essential information on their church.
The Vice Moderator of General Assembly and the new Synod of Mid-America Executive, Rev. Landon Whitsitt reported what is happening at Synod where they are working toward having ”Virtual” Synod meetings. Landon supports Synod openness and strongly encouraged participants to email their ideas to him. He also will be encouraging the sharing of educational resources such as materials for Leadership Training.
The Presbytery examined Rev. Roberta “Bobbie” Karchner so she may accept a call as Pastor of the Tri-County Parish (Longwood, Otterville, and Rangeline Presbyterian Churches). The Presbytery enthusiastically welcomed Rev. Karchner who has been serving as Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Lakin, Kansas.
Elder Jim Cruickshank was approved by Presbytery to be re-commissioned for another 3-year term as the Commissioned Lay Pastor of the Old Auxvasse-Nine Mile Presbyterian Church. COM Moderator Terry Kukuk conducted the re-commissioning service.
Rev. Terry Kukuk announced Rev. James Snyder retirement as Pastor of Lake Presbyterian Church at the end of the year. Presbytery granted Rev. Snyder the status of Honorably Retired effective January 1, 2012..
Members of the Disaster Preparedness and Response Mission Team presented the Education event. The Mission Team Moderator, Kathy Montgomery used a power point presentation to show some of the Mission Team’s work after Hurricanes Katrina and Ike; flooding in Missouri and Nashville; and assisting a family that lost their home to fire. Over 100 people from Missouri Union Presbytery volunteered thousands of hours of hard work during mission trips during the past 6 years. Forms were passed out to help churches be better prepared to deal with disasters that may affect their community.
A highlight of the morning worship service was the music provided by the Green Ridge Presbyterian Church praise team. They led the Presbytery in singing a number of praise hymns. Another highlight was Rev. Landon Whitsitt who challenged us with his sermon “Lords and Tyrants, Servants and Slaves” based on Mark 10: 35-45. The morning offering of $688 will benefit the Ministers’ Health and Welfare Fund. Rev. Ron Roberts installed the new presbytery officers for 2012; Rev. Terry Kukuk, Vice Moderator and CLP Jim Cruickshank, Moderator.
Angela Pool, Presbytery Administrative Assistant, presented a summary of what Missouri Union Presbytery Churches gave to various mission projects in their local communities. The total of over $302,000 and over 15,000 volunteer hours of labor donated during 2010 shows that collectively Presbyterians in our 72 churches are making a difference.
General Presbyter Elder Joan Erickson thanked those that had to leave long before the beautiful sunrise this morning to attend today’s Presbytery meeting. Joan invited all pastors, CLP’s, clerks of session and Presbytery committee members to attend a Presbytery Leadership Retreat on November 15 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, Columbia.
The Presbytery thanked Rev. Ron Roberts and Elder Julie Leverenz for their excellent service as Moderator of Presbytery and Moderator of Council, respectively. Ron Roberts presented Moderator Service Awards to Debby Howland and Rev. Mary Ellen Waychoff for their outstanding service to the Presbytery.
Rev. Rim Massey invited everyone to Trinity Presbyterian Church December 3 at 5:00 p.m. for a Christmas Potluck Dinner with the African Agape Fellowship to celebrate the Christmas season.
Rev. Alex Wales used Bob Hope’s theme song “Thanks for the Memories” to express the Presbytery’s thanks to the Green Ridge congregation, the great music and hospitality, and a wonderful meeting.