Synod of the Trinity
2025 Assembly Report
Omni Bedford Springs Resort, Bedford, PA
October 26-28, 2025

Jihyun Oh, the stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), speaks during communion while standing next to Martha Jordan and keyboardist Rod Horner.

The 2025 Synod of the Trinity’s annual Assembly in late October was an in-person gathering held in-person in Bedford, PA. Below are some of the highlights of the meeting.

LACKAWANNA-LEHIGH MERGER UPDATE

Currently, Mountain Laurel Presbytery is only awaiting one more approval for the Lackawanna-Lehigh merger to be official. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is the last “signature” needed for incorporation, and the presbytery has submitted the paperwork and is awaiting approval.

KEYNOTE ADDRESS: REV. JIHYUN OH, PCUSA STATED CLERK & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE INTERIM UNIFICATION AGENCY

There was much anticipation leading up to the Assembly as folks were eager to hear Rev. Oh’s remarks on the current state of Christianity in general, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and the Interim Unified Agency in the existing environment.

Bolstering the vitality of churches and presbyteries, as well continuing to prioritize inclusivity and new ways of moving forward as a denomination, were some of the dominant themes of Rev. Oh’s address.

Rev. Oh spoke at length two separate times during the Assembly. Additionally, a separate session for questions and answers was provided on Monday night. Many attendees took advantage of this time with Rev. Oh and came prepared with questions.

Some attendees wrote their question on a notecard, and Synod Stated Clerk Skip Noftzger moderated submitted questions and those from the floor for Rev. Oh.

One question was posed through the words, “I wonder if our recently retired clergy could be tapped more intentionally to equip our ruling elders and deacons in nurturing the next leader generation? And if so, how?”

Rev. Oh responded by relaying that our denomination would encourage anyone, not just retired clergy, to assist with this type of nurturing. Deacons, elders and other church leaders could all potentially be called to design this type of training. She urged folks to ask, what is the skill that is needed, and who has the experience and skills to meet the need? Rev. Oh went on to share that we do one-and-done learning a lot and we need to consider developing communities of learning that follow more of a CP model of reflecting, acting and then coming back and reflecting.

Another question asked was, “I have close relationships with many ecumenical leaders, ELCA, UMC, Roman Catholic, etc. I’ve had little connection, and even resistance, from evangelical connections. So, do you see connections with evangelical bodies ever, particularly those who left the PCUSA now, or even in the future?”

Rev. Oh responded thoughtfully and expressed that the evangelical covenant order of the Presbyterian Church was represented at the World Communion of Reformed Churches meeting in Thailand. A synod leader was present at the meeting with whom Rev. Oh already had a congenial relationship and who was seeking to continue working to strengthen that relationship. She did share that admittedly it was hard to be in an ecumenical relationship with any denomination that may be actively trying to “recruit” churches during a period of discernment within the local PCUSA congregation. Although this can be a sensitive topic because of recent history, she did express hope and thanked the person for the question being raised.

The energy in the room during Rev. Oh’s addresses was inquisitive and engaged. Attendees came with thoughtful questions and open minds and were appreciative of the time and effort that Rev. Oh gave to the Synod Assembly gathering.

WORSHIP

Stephen Emick and Martha Jordan led a spirited opening worship at the Synod Assembly on Monday morning, Oct. 27.

The Synod Assembly was led in worship by Ruling Elders Meg Steele and Susan Nesti, Synod co-moderators, with the proclamation of the Word by the Rev. Stephen Emick and the Rev. Dr. Martha Jordan from the merger team of the newly formed Mountain Laurel Presbytery. Using Esther 4 and Mark 6 and in conversational style, they proclaimed God’s grace and guidance in and through the process of the merger. Commissioners from each of the presbyteries and staff members came together around the Lord’s table to be nourished and strengthened by God’s grace for our calling together.

Rev. Jessica McClure Archer, general minister of Pittsburgh Presbytery, led the Assembly in a devotional time. Rev. Archer encouraged participants to reflect upon Psalm 46 and similar to the “star words” exercise, hear God speaking a particular word to each of them. Rev. Archer provided colored pencils and cardstock to each table, and participants were encouraged to get creative in their reflection and write the word, doodle and/or draw on the cardstock to remind them of their word and reflection once they got back home and back to their routine.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE LAND

In a change from years past, the Assembly not only acknowledged the earliest inhabitants on the land where the gathering took place, but also has the opportunity for an optional tour of the nearby Fort Bedford Museum. This unique opportunity was spearheaded and facilitated by commissioner Stan Howes.

LEADERSHIP CHANGES

Stated Clerk Nominating Committee Update

Rev. Erin Kobs shared that the final version of the “MDP” is nearly finished. Anticipating its completion and affirmation, the committee will move forward with its posting, collecting and reviewing possible applicants for the Synod’s Stated Clerk position.

Co-Moderators for 2025

Susan Nesti (Redstone) was elected for a second term as co-moderator of the Synod. She will be joined next year by Mark Juengel (Mountain Laurel), who will fill the vacancy of Meg Steele (Washington). Meg will end her two-year stint as a co-moderator on Dec. 31.

EXECUTIVE’S REPORT

Synod Executive Forrest Claassen addresses the floor during his “State of the Synod” report.

Synod Executive the Rev. Forrest Claassen reviewed the primary and secondary ends of the Synod and identified his activities in the last year categorized by the “Ends,” “Presbyteries” and “Hours.”

At the conclusion of that report, Rev. Claassen facilitated guided table reflections of Synod commissioners on the current and future vision and plans within the ministry of the Synod using the following prompts:

• How do we let the Gospel be its best vintage for a given environment?
• How do we learn from folks that we previously taught?
• How do we leverage our history to pursue our future?

GIVING OPPORTUNITY

Opening Worship Offering

The offering benefited a New Worshiping Community in Washington Presbytery that supports Haitian refugees in Charleroi, PA, an outreach that is led by the Rev. Sharon Woomer. Rev. Woomer was present to share firsthand some of the details and impact of the work of this ministry as a New Worshiping Community. In total, the offering raised $1,132, which included a $272 match from the winner’s total during the Synodopoly game played on Sunday night.

SYNODOPOLY

Sunday evening’s program included a couple rounds of “Synodopoly,” a game designed like the board game Monopoly that requires table groups to answer trivia questions about the presbytery they land on. A correct answer rewarded the table with “Synodopoly” money. The table with the most money at the end of the game had their winnings matched by the Synod and added to the offering for the Haitian Refugee Ministry.

GOVERNING COMMISSION REPORT

On behalf of the Nominating Committee, the following people were nominated and moved to election for the Permanent Judiciary Committee: Bruce Humphrey (Carlisle), Sally Pavlina (Beaver-Butler) and Jim Wilson (West Virginia).

New members to the Synod’s Committee on Representation and Nomination and Governing Commission were elected. The incoming class for CoRN includes Dave Koehler (Kiskiminetas), Brian Choi (Huntingdon), Destini Hodges (Carlisle), Martha Manning (Northumberland) and Dan Klaproth (Lackawanna).

New GC members consist of Destini Hodges (Carlisle), Stan Howes (Huntingdon), Elizabeth Campbell-Maleke (West Virginia) and Mark Woomer (Washington).

FINANCIAL REPORT

2026 Per Capita

The financial report included a 2025 budget overview. The Synod’s per capita amount for 2026 will remain at $2.40, marking the eighth consecutive year without an increase in this amount.

REPORTS FROM SYNOD PARTNERS

Joyce Johnson spoke on behalf of the Presbyterian Women of the Synod of the Trinity. Joyce encouraged both men and women to join PW for their upcoming gathering in July 2027. More information on the Synod’s PW group is available on the Synod website by clicking here.

Rev. Emily Chudy, a church consultant from the Board of Pensions, spoke about various changes and the period of open enrollment for Pension members.

Lauren Rogers, associate director for Stewardship & Funds Development, joined us and promoted the current activities within Funds Development, including: special offerings, PDA and the encouragement for general unrestricted giving.

Rev. Ellie Johns-Kelley addressed the Assembly on behalf of the Presbyterian Foundation and addressed the opportunities for pastors and churches for engagement through Stewardship Kaleidoscope, Luminosity and other events. She expressed her willingness to meet with any church or presbytery as well as encouraged churches and presbyteries to reach out to explore scholarship options for their events.

MUSICAL ACCOMPANIMENT

Rod Horner, the church musician at Bedford Presbyterian Church, provided keyboard accompaniment throughout the morning portions of the Assembly on Monday. Enriching the accompaniment was the addition of Rod’s wife, Sonia, who assisted with vocals and song leading.

Synod Co-Moderator Susan Nesti presents stoles to Synod commissioners during the Synod Assembly in Bedford, PA, on Oct. 27.