During the first meeting of the 291st year of the Synod of the Trinity of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Synod Leadership Team shared responses to the Synod Review report which was received at the October 2007 meeting. The Synod Leadership Team also recommended that the priority of the Synod for the next three years be Leadership Development.
Leadership Team members are the elected officers of the Synod: The Rev. Dr. Bruce Stevens, Synod Executive; the Rev. Lesley I. Shoup, Synod Stated Clerk; Mrs. Chantal Atnip, Synod Treasurer; Elder Mary Speedy, 2008 Synod Moderator; and the Rev. Gary Lyon, 2008 Synod Vice-Moderator. Assisting the Team is Elder Jean Kennedy, 2005 Synod Moderator.
Synod participants met in small groups for prayer and conversation about the responses and recommendations of the Leadership Team. Then, each small group reported to the whole Synod meeting. Responses are at this link.
It was agreed that a called meeting of the Synod will be held on Monday, May 5, 2008, in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, from 10 AM until 3 PM, for the purpose of discussing and acting upon the recommendations of the Synod Leadership Team which have been made in response to the Synod Review Team Report, subsequent “Table Talks,” and conversations he ld during the February 2008 Synod meeting.
Mary Speedy (Elder, Carlisle) was installed as 2008 Moderator and Gary Lyon (Clergy, Kiskiminetas) was installed as 2008 Vice-Moderator. A Service of Installation was held and the Rev. Linda Jaberg, Chairperson of the Washington Presbytery Council, preached. Elder Jean Kennedy, 2005 Synod Moderator, asked the installation questions. Communion was celebrated during this time of worship.
Elder Elizabeth Todd, Moderator of the Presbytery of Washington, brought greetings from the Presbytery to the Synod.
The Personnel Committee acknowledged the resignation of the Rev. Dr. Thomas Robinson as Synod Co-Executive, which was effective January 31, 2008. Personnel Chairperson Gary Close (Clergy, Redstone) recommended and Commissioners approved that the Rev. Dr. Bruce Stevens be given the title of Synod Executive.
Synod Mission Networks recognized for 2008: Adults with Disabilities Network, Disaster Assistance Network, Eastern Church Transformation Network, Peacemaking Ministries, Presbyterian Men of the Synod, and Trinity Youth Conference.
The next stated meeting of the Synod will take place during the Summer Conference which will be held June 4-6, 2008, at Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania in the Presbytery of Shenango. The theme, “Jesus Sent Them…Why Are We Here Now?” will focus on transformational congregations and Bible study. Information about the missional church will be provided by the Rev. Dr. Pat Keifert, Director of Church Innovations.
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