The Rhythm of the Synod Faith Notes from the Fall Meeting of the Synod of the Trinity Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) Carlisle, Pennsylvania October  21-22, 2004

During the third meeting of the 287th year of the Synod of the Trinity, Commissioners unanimously elected Elder Jean Kennedy (Pittsburgh Presbytery) as Synod Moderator and the Rev. Ed Gray (Washington Presbytery) as Vice-Moderator for 2005.

A beautiful tablecloth was presented to the Synod by the Rev. Mercy-Danki and Evangelist David Thomas Aboagye-Mensah from the Presbyterian Church of Ghana.  They participate in a mission partnership with Lackawanna Presbytery.

Three Networks were recognized: Peacemaking, Resource Center Mission Network, and the Regional Network for Congregational Transformation.

A covenant with Davis and Elkins College located in our West Virginia Presbytery was renewed.   Founded in 1904, Davis and Elkins is celebrating 100 years as a Presbyterian-related school. Shown to the left is the Gatehouse on the campus of Davis and Elkins College.

Bruce Stevens and Tom Robinson, Synod Co-Executives, presented, on behalf of the Church Development Coordinating Team, a recommendation to distribute development grants to: Hot Metal Bridge Fellowship (Pittsburgh Presbytery); Fountain Park Presbyterian Church (Pittsburgh and Beaver-Butler Presbyteries); Willamsport Korean Fellowship (Northumberland Presbytery); and Kreutz Creek Presbyterian Church (Donegal Presbytery). Approval was given for participation in funding these projects.

Treasurer, Kelly O’Leary, presented a budget of approximately $1,650,000. This was approved for 2005. A “Narrative Budget” describing budget categories is available for Presbyteries by contacting Jane Rosborough at the Synod office or via email at jrosborough@syntrinity.org.

Presbyteries that submitted ordination exam waiver plans were approved for proceeding with their plans when the need arises. Presbyteries that had not submitted plans were to be notified that they could not go forward with waivers for candidates

until plans were submitted and approved by the Commissioners.

Concern was expressed in a letter from General Assembly Stated Clerk, Clifton Kirkpatrick; Moderator, Rick Ufford-Chase; and Executive Director of General Assembly Council, John Detterick. The letter addressed a situation that came up in the Middle East during a recent visit by a travel group affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). Comments made public during the course of that trip were not in line with General Assembly positions and were disavowed by the denomination’s leadership.

Bonnie Morrison, Moderator of Presbyterian Women in the Synod, announced that the next meeting for Synod PW will be at Waynesburg College, June 15-17, 2005. She also talked about mission work being done with Haitian families.

The Personnel Committee announced the hiring of Administrative Assistants, Jane Rosborough, Staff; Marcia Humer, Resources; and Gloria Mullen, Office Services.

The Transition Task Force was recognized, thanked and dismissed. The work of this team was an important step in the development of the new Synod structure.

The Summer Conference Meeting was approved for June 27-30, 2005 at Elizabethtown College. The next regular meeting of the Synod is scheduled for February 24-25, 2005.