At the third meeting of the 288th year of the Synod of the Trinity, Commissioners elected Elder Ruth Rusling of Lehigh Presbytery as 2006 Moderator and Elder Ronald Robertson of Lake Erie Presbytery as 2006 Vice-Moderator

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The 2006 Synod per capita was set at $2.00, reflecting a ten-cent decrease from this year’s per capita.

Opening worship was lead by Synod Vice-Moderator, the Rev. Ed Gray of Washington Presbytery and the Rev. Sue Pizor Yoder of The BARN, a new church development in Lehigh Presbytery which incorporates contemporary worship and a creative outreach/evangelism ministry.

Synod Moderator Elder Jean Kennedy (Pittsburgh Presbytery) led Commissioners in an evening discussion of the Peace, Unity and Purity Theological Task Force Paper.  Small groups considered the recommendations of the Task Force.  Each small group was asked to look at a specific recommendation through the perspective of three different persons, to describe where these persons were discussing the recommendation, when they were discussing the recommendation, what the news headline would be about their discussion, and what was the essential idea coming out of their conversation.  Many creative responses were offered as Commissioners explored the contents of this document which will be brought before the next General Assembly in June of 2006.

Five Mission Networks gave updates to the Commissioners about their activities: Eastern Church Transformation, Adults with Disabilities, Resource Center Mission, Trinity Youth Conference, and Peacemaking Ministries.  Two new networks were recognized: Medical Equipment Delivery and the Western Lay Academy.

Mrs. Chantal Atnip, Acting Treasurer, was introduced. The 2006 Budget she presented, in conjunction with the Finance and Budget report, was approved.

Commissioners shared what their Presbyteries are doing in disaster relief efforts. They approved a motion directing the Synod Leadership Team to inquire about needs in the Synod of the Sun and Synod of the Living Waters, to make use of up to $100,000 in unrestricted funds to assist in relief efforts, and to make a report to the Synod in February about what has been done and what plans are being made for future Synod support of our Presbyteries in their disaster relief work.

The next meeting will be held February 9-10, 2006 at The Inn of Chestersprings in Exton, Pennsylvania in the Presbytery of Donegal.

Respectfully submitted,
The Rev. Lesley Imler Shoup, Stated Clerk

	Hurricane Relief Continues...
New Orleans First Presbyterian		Lakeview Presbyterian Church

The Presbytery of South Louisiana needs your help!  Read about Rebuilding Hope in New Orleans (RHINO) and the "Adopt a Family" Ministry. These are two very important projects that deserve your attention and response!

Volunteers are needed long-term and work teams needed for at least three years.  Please prayerfully consider forming a work team to help with the recovery needs of disaster survivors. View these videos and actually see the work that needs to be done.  Interested in helping? Click on Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.  In addition to your resources and time, your daily prayers are needed as survivors and volunteers work to resume normalcy.

The Synod of the Trinity encourages your participation in all relief efforts and asks that you send us reports of your personal, congregational, or Presbytery-related happenings.