Faith Notes from October 2011 Synod Meeting

The Rhythm of the Synod

Faith Notes from Stated Meeting - October 10-11, 2011

James Ihlenfeld (Elder, Beaver-Butler) was installed as 2012 Synod Moderator and Barbara Adams-Smelter (Elder, Philadelphia) was elected and installed as 2012 Vice Moderator during the third meeting in the 294th year of the Synod of the Trinity. They were installed at the end of the business meeting and shall begin serving their terms on January 1, 2012.

The Rev. Dr. Bruce Stevens, Synod Executive, spoke about the articles released over the weekend that described the unanimous vote of the Middle Governing Bodies Commission of the General Assembly to eliminate Synods from the denomination. While many votes still have to take place in committees, at General Assembly, and in the Presbyteries for this action to become reality, Dr. Stevens was upbeat and positive about the work the Synod has been doing – and will continue to do.

Commissioner Douglas Portz (Clergy, Pittsburgh), who is the Associate Executive of the Presbytery of Pittsburgh and staff person to the Committee on Local Arrangements (COLA) brought the Synod Commissioners up-to-date on plans for hosting the 2012 General Assembly at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Moderator Nan Best (Elder, Donegal) described an event she attended in Florida that focused on the denomination’s new Engage Evangelism curriculum. While an early version is available online at www.pcusa.org, a final version will be made available in 2012. Moderator Best recommends this information as a very good resource for Presbyterian evangelists.

Lawrence Davis (Elder, Philadelphia), Chairperson of the Finance and Budget Committee, gave a report on the 2012 budget.  This 2012 budget was approved by the Synod Commissioners with a unanimous vote.

Chantal Atnip, Synod Treasurer, proposed changes in the process for distributing “New Initiatives for Presbyteries” money. The changes were accepted. The latest recipients of some of these funds were described for our Synod Commissioners.

Mission Program Grants, recommended by Commissioner Mavis Grant-Lilley (Elder, West Virginia) and a member of the Grants and Scholarships Committee, were approved for: African Christian United Fellowship New Church Development (Pittsburgh); Young Adult Ministry (Carlisle); and New Beginnings New Church Development (Upper Ohio Valley).

Synod Associate Executive, the Reverend Susan Faye Wonderland, showed Commissioners some of the features available with the new Synod web site.  It is being developed in conjunction with Media Post. Presbyteries and churches interested in developing their own web sites will be able to access less expensive and more comprehensive designs through the agreement the Synod has with this company.

The next business meeting of the Synod will be a Virtual Meeting held on Tuesday, March 6, 2012, from 10:00 AM until 11:30 AM. Commissioners and Ex Officio Members are encouraged to get web cams (if they do not have one) from the Synod office and make plans with the Synod office for a training session prior to this meeting. 

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Submitted Joyfully in the Name of Christ by,
The Rev. Lesley Imler Shoup
Associate Synod Executive/Stated Clerk