August 22 Presbytery Meeting Recap

Greetings of delight began at registration at 9:00 as we gathered for our Presbytery meeting on Saturday, August 22, 2026.  Volunteers from First Presbyterian Church - Mexico graciously welcomed us to their building with good directions, coffee, tea and treats.  

The meeting began at 9:41 with an opening prayer and the reading of our mission statement by Moderator, John Grimmett.  Quorum was declared, the docket was amended and approved, and first time commissioners were introduced.  Our General Presbyter/Stated Clerk shared many things including: a reminder to carefully read the proposed amendments to the Bylaws for Missouri Union Presbytery in order to be prepared to vote at the November meeting; a reminder to communicate well with your committees and to attend meetings so our committees can do their work effectively; an update in the IRS milage rate to .76 cents per mile; and dates she would be out of the office.

Barbara also shared the proposed dates for the 2027 Presbytery meetings and invited congregations to let us know when they would be able to host.  The dates are:

Saturday, February 20

Tuesday, May 18

Saturday, August 21

Tuesday, November 16

The next Zoom study will focus on “High Touch” churches and will meet from noon to 1:00 p.m. via Zoom on Tuesdays, October 6, 13, 20, 27 and November 3 and 10. (Refer to the registration link provided in this newsletter.)  Churches were also invited to take one of the photo frames provided and to fill it with a photo of their congregation and return it at the November Presbytery meeting so it can be a part of a display at the Presbytery office and be prayed over daily.  

Barbara then shared pastoral concerns for Helen Logan, Shawn McNabb, Deb Olson, Sarah Butler, Cheryl Hartman, and Tom Oakes.  She then led us in prayer.

Susan Presley brought us greetings from First Presbyterian Church - Mexico and shared what we needed to know to find our way around the building.  She then shared with us information concerning “Uplift Mid-MO”, a local organization that responds to the needs of families and individuals on multiple levels.  The offering taken during worship went to this great cause and they collected $575 for Uplift Mid-MO!

Our speaker for the morning was Debi Nixon, the author of “The Art of Hospitality” and an executive staff person for Resurrection UMC in Kansas City.  She gave us good information about how to go beyond being a friendly church to become a church centered on hospitality.  It was a blessing to have her with us! As requested, her slide presentation link is included in this newsletter.     

We then heard from our dynamic duo, Kati Collins and Sami Shirk who were our commissioners to General Assembly.  They shared with us their experience of

online committee work, learning how to write amendments, how to vote appropriately via computer and how to speak for or against a motion.  They shared with us about the “Guns to Gardens” program, the amazing worship experiences, the people they met and became friends with, old pals who were there and the pervasive sense of being surrounded by the Spirit as they did their work in faithfulness.  The next General Assembly is scheduled for late June 2028 in Puerto Rico.  

Lunch was wonderful with sandwiches, sides, and good conversation!  Which is why it was hard to return upstairs on time to engage in our afternoon of business and celebration.  However, the first thing on the docket was the Evelyn Bedell Awards.  We gave awards to nine individuals and one couple.  One of our recipients actually knew Evelyn Bedell, and her mother had received the award as well.  What an amazing legacy.  It was a delight to honor these eleven servants of God, and to say thank you again for the blessed gifts from God.

Pat McGuire did a great job presenting the Stewardship of Resources report.  He reminded congregations to let the Presbytery know what your churches’ pledge for “One Mission Giving” will be for 2027.  It helps with budgeting and makes a difference in the kinds of resources that the Presbytery can offer all the MUP congregations.  He also reminded Presbytery committees and commissions to get their proposed budgets to the Presbytery office by the September 11 deadline.  He also asked that you remind your church treasurer that we would love everyone to be up to date on their “One Mission Giving.”  It is easy to forget to send in a check in the summer!

In order to ensure accurate records, Shonda Galloway reported on the corrected details of a recent survey of a church property that was sold.  Then Micah McNeal reported about the lively camps he and Audra West led this summer on our behalf.  He also announced that the fall youth retreat would be at camp, overnight on October 24-25.  Watch the newsletter for more information.

The report from COM was short and sweet and given by J.R. Greer.  Susan Presley gave a report from the Nominating Committee.  Dale Stone was elected to serve as one of our Synod commissioners and Mike Briggs was elected to serve on the Bills and Overtures committee.

Worship was a delight with Micah McNeal preaching, Barbara Green on the organ, Elizabeth McNeal on flute, and Amanda Wyss on clarinet.  Micah and Susan Presley officiated communion and the meeting was formally closed by Pam Sebastian with prayer.  

It was a beautiful day to be together in a lovely church.  Many thanks to First Presbyterian Church - Mexico for their hospitality.