Dear Presbytery Family,

Grace and peace to you as we enjoy the cooler weather that comes with the change of seasons!

In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus teaches about building on a solid foundation so that we can face any difficulties that may come along: “The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house . . .”
This week we want to highlight some of the ways we can stay connected to the rock of our salvation and our community of faith:

  • This Sunday, October 4th, is World Communion Sunday. You are invited to worship with your church online or in-person as we celebrate our oneness in Christ with all our brothers and sisters around the world. It is also an opportunity to participate in the annual Peace and Global Witness Offering as a way of continuing the ancient Christian practice of sharing what we have with brothers and sisters in need.

  • Our Fall Stated Meeting will be held by Zoom this coming Tuesday, October 6, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Click here for the recent notice about the meeting, and register using the online registration form by Monday at 4:00 p.m.

  • As the seasons change, we encourage you in these days of social distancing to find healthy ways to stay connected to things that nourish your spirit and renew your passion for life: go for a walk, experience the wonder of fresh air, savor a morning sunrise or an evening sunset, listen to God’s call that may be leading you in new ways.

  • During our last few Coordinating Council meetings, we have been talking about how we have adapted and what we have learned during the year 2020. In the same way, we celebrate the reports from our congregations about the movement of the Holy Spirit in every part of our presbytery!
As Eugene H. Peterson translates Jesus’ message in Matthew 7:24-25, “These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who builds a house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit ­but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.”

May the grace of God, the love of Christ, and the communion of the Holy Spirit allow us to stay connected. Alleluia. Amen.

Blessings,

Diane Wilson, Chair of Coordinating Council
Edd Norris, Moderator of the Presbytery
Sandra Hedrick, Stated Clerk
Chris Lieberman, Relationship Coordination Director
On Behalf of the Coordinating Council