An eUpdate for Church Leaders - August 2026 | | |
The Colombia Partnership: Three Reflections | |
Belkys Teheran Estrada, Principal of Colegio Americano de Barranquilla, Colombia, shared her faith story during worship at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Dayton, when she visited in July. Twenty-two years ago, the Colombia Partnership first brought her to Westminster when she visited from Colombia. Here’s part of what she had to say:
“Today I want to thank God for the partnership between the Presbytery of the North Coast and the Presbytery of Miami Valley. For me, this is not only the story of two presbyteries. It is part of my own story. It is part of how God changed my life. I grew up in a home with three generations of women: my grandmother, my mother, and me. We did not have many resources, but we had faith, love, and the desire to move forward.
“The church gave me a scholarship that allowed me to study at the Colegio Americano, a Presbyterian school (where she serves today as Principal). That opportunity opened a door for me. It gave me an education, but it also gave me a community, values, and a place where I began to discover that God had a purpose for my life. Because of the church, I met people who believed in me. And because of this partnership, my world became much bigger…
“My prayer is that this partnership will continue for many more years, and that new generations will also find a place in this story. May they receive the same faith, love, and opportunities that I received. And may they also learn that the Spirit of God always moves outward, creating community, crossing borders, and bringing us together in Christ.”
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Megan Worcester, from Oxford Presbyterian Church, attended both celebrations and gives us an excellent account of what went on. Here’s an excerpt:
“Over the past month five churches from Presbytery of the Miami Valley, celebrated the 30th Anniversary of our Partnership with their sister churches from the North Coast Presbytery. This is a major feat in our presbytery and can be seen as an example of how true partnerships can endure and thrive over the decades. During these weeks there were two different celebrations planned: one in June in Barranquilla, Colombia, and one in July around Dayton, Ohio. While these celebrations had moments of church-to-church fellowship and worship, the majority of the events on both sides focused on the presbytery-to-presbytery relationships…
“While both trips were short and jam packed with events and outings, they were also full of meaningful time together. We laughed together and shared stories of the past 30 years. We agreed that both countries are in troubling times, but we will work together to make things better. Most importantly, however, we reminded each other that we are not in this alone. None of our sister churches walk alone but are loved by both God and their brothers and sisters in Christ, despite our differences.”
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The Rev. Mario Bolivar, Equipping Presbyter and Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Florida, shared his gratitude for the Partnership and personal effect it had upon his life. Here is what he had to say, along with a video Mario made for the occasion:
“Although I could not be present for this year's partnership celebration, I wanted to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has invested in this ministry over the decades.
“This message is a personal tribute to the extraordinary partnership "Hermanamiento" between the Miami Valley Presbytery (Ohio) and the Presbytery of the North Coast of Colombia—a relationship that has faithfully connected two communities of faith for more than 30 years.
“I was born and raised in Barranquilla, Colombia, and I am living testimony to the power of that partnership. As a child, I never imagined that translating for visiting mission teams would become part of God's call on my life. Through the friendships, encouragement, and shared ministry fostered by this covenant relationship, God revealed gifts, opened doors, and ultimately led me to become a Minister of the Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).”
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From left: Commissioners Alice McCollom and Cynthia Holder Rich; YAAD Jorge Herrera | |
Impressions of the 227th General Assembly
From our presbytery delegation in Milwaukee
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We asked members of the Presbytery of the Miami Valley delegation attending the 227th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) held earlier this summer in Milwaukee, WI, to share their impressions of GA 227. (Read their full comments by clicking the link below.) Here are some excerpts:
Ruling Elder Alice McCollum
Commissioner
Trinity Presbyterian Church, Dayton
While I am a fourth generations Presbyterian, attending the 227th General Assembly was a first. I arrived with no predetermined agenda and no preconceived ideas. It was my belief that the Holy Spirit would guide me. Believe me when I say, I really needed that guidance! For the most part, the commissioners were on one accord. To arrive at consensus on committee recommendations, it was truly amazing to watch parliamentary procedure in action.
The Rev. Cynthia Holder Rich
Commissioner
Corinth Presbyterian Church, Dayton
I was grateful to serve as the Teaching Elder Commissioner for PMV at GA 227. I learned a lot, met great people, and took part in important conversations about the past, present, and future of our church. At a time of great change, it was energizing to see so many people from all over the church take the business of the denomination seriously.
Jorge Herrera
Young Adult Advisory Delegate
College Hill Community Church PC(USA), Dayton
When I arrived, I met a group of random YAADs, and they immediately invited me to hang out with them for the day. As time passed, I hung out with them more and more, and we pretty much settled on sticking together for the whole trip. On the days when Plenary had begun, I was a bit nervous since I felt like I didn’t really belong. I did not have the same experience as the people around me. That faded away once I got to sit with my presbytery, since they explained what we would be voting on and helped me fully grasp what was going on.
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A Message from the Moderator | |
In case you missed it, last month we sent out the July “Message from the Moderator” by the Rev. Diane Zielgler, Moderator of Presbytery of the Miami Valley. The July installment was called “Wonderful things happening in our Presbytery.”
In it she writes about a grace-filled sign at The Hamilton Presbyterian Church, a wonderful story about the oldest and youngest members of the Seven Mile United Presbyterian Church, and Mister Roger’s Neighborhood at The Bellbrook Presbyterian Church VBS.
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Corinth Church is on the move!
From our friends at Corinth Presbyterian Church
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Corinth Presbyterian Church, 4281 Corinth Blvd., Dayton, is on the move!
The last worship service Corinth will have in its current sanctuary will be held on Sunday, August 30 at 10:30 AM. Corinth is auctioning its buildings and moving to a nesting location, with the first worship service in the new location to be held Sunday, September 7.
We invite you to come and worship August 30 with Corinth, praying for and with the congregation and wishing Corinth Godspeed as the congregation moves into a new chapter.
Red will be the color for the day on August 30, and we encourage those who come to wear red. This denotes the movement of the Spirit calling us out to a new place for ministry and mission.
Please let us know if you are coming or sending a representative on August 30 to help Corinth thank God for the gift of these buildings and prepare for the next steps in the congregation's ministry journey.
RSVP to pastoratcorinthpcdayton@gmail.com
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Why use Practical Resources for Churches? | |
Upcoming Free Webinars: Late Summer & Fall 2026
The Upcoming Webinars for Late Summer & Fall 2026 from Practical Resources for Churches and Presbytery of the Miami Valley have been announced. The schedule offers a range of topics, and you’re sure to find something that interests you!
These webinars are free for all churches of Presbytery of the Miami Valley because of our membership in PRC.
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Free materials and benefits for you!
Presbytery of the Miami Valley has partnered with Practical Resources for Churches (PRC) to provide a variety of materials and services to our churches.
Because of our presbytery’s membership, your church has access to all the products in the PRC online store at no cost. The free products in the store include materials for use with children, teens, and adults. There are resources for curriculum, faith formation, worship, liturgical seasons, leadership, and more.
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Shoe Drive Benefits Clean Water
From our friends at Northminster Presbyterian Church
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Northminster Presbyterian Church, Springfield, is hosting shoe drives on Saturday, August 22 and Saturday, August 29. We accept all shoe types and sizes as long as they are wearable and are free from mold/mildew. Simply drive through the shoe drop-off zone at Northminster, 400 Villa Road, Springfield, between 9:00 AM. and 2:00 PM either Saturday. Volunteers will unload the shoes from your vehicle.
The shoes will be donated to WaterStep, a non-profit organization that uses training and technology to provide clean, safe water to people in developing countries and disaster areas, as well as in the U.S.
In 12 years of collecting for WaterStep, Northminster has collected 64,942 pounds of shoes in total.
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College Hill and St. Margaret
10th Annual Joint Charity Golf Tournament
Saturday, August 29, 2026
| College Hill Community Church PC(USA), Dayton, in partnership with St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, Trotwood, will sponsor their 10th Annual Joint Charity Golf Tournament, Saturday August 29, at Meadowbrook at Clayton Golf Club, Clayton. The tournament is open to everyone, with proceeds supporting the ministries and missions of the two churches. | | |
Congratulations to The Presbyterian Church of Hamilton! | The Presbyterian Church of Hamilton earned first place for their float in the 2026 Hamilton, Ohio, Fourth of July Parade! | | |
Church Financial Leadership Grant Program | Grants are available from the Presbyterian Foundation to assist Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) pastors and New Worshiping Community leaders to attend continuing education opportunities which will help them in leading their congregations toward financial and missional vitality. Church stewardship team members are encouraged to apply with their pastors. | | |
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World Communion Offering
Sunday, October 4
Free promotional resources
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What the world needs now is for us to come together to answer the prophet Micah’s call, to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with our God. Our gifts help share the love that the world needs now.
The World Communion Offering, received during A Season of Preparation leading up to World Communion Sunday, October 4, is a new way for Presbyterians to “love kindness” expressed in action, often involving mercy, faithfulness and steadfast commitment. Racial justice, gender justice, global witness, peacemaking, and ecumenical and interfaith relations are the important causes supported by this Offering.
PC(USA) Special Offerings has prepared free online resources for churches, which include worship resources, bulletin inserts, minutes for mission, education materials for children, promotional items, and more.
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Boundary Training for Church Sessions | |
The Book of Order now requires Boundary Training for members of church sessions at least every three years. More important than the requirement, however, is that Boundary Training provides an opportunity for meaningful conversations within sessions about how churches can create safe, welcoming, and transparent communities.
Presbytery of the Miami Valley is partnering with Practical Resources for Churches (PRC) to provide this training. PRC is a nonprofit, non-denominational, education-based service organization providing consultants, educational webinars, workshops, and resources.
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Post your position openings on the PMV website | |
Presbytery of the Miami Valley maintains a “Jobs” page on its website for our churches to post position openings for staff, other than pastors. (Pastor positions go through our denomination’s system.)
We encourage churches to send us their position openings, and we’ll be happy to post them. They may be sent to Don Nowak at don.nowak@miamipresbytery.org
Check out the latest position openings on our Jobs page.
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