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Foothills Presbytery 132nd Stated Meeting
Saturday, May 16, 2026 at Central Pres Church
1404 North Boulevard, Anderson, SC 29621
"While We're Young"
Foothills Presbytery Explores Faithful Innovation and
New Possibilities at 132nd Stated Meeting
Foothills Presbytery gathered at Central Presbyterian Church in Anderson on May 16 for its 132nd Stated Meeting, centered around the theme “While We’re Young.” The gathering highlighted youth leadership, faithful innovation, collaboration, and hopeful imagination for the future of the church.
The day began with worship led by the Presbytery Youth Council, including the commissioning of the 2026–2027 Presbytery Youth Council. Throughout the service and meeting, participants celebrated the vitality and leadership of young people across the presbytery and affirmed the importance of nurturing the next generation of church leaders.
A major focus of the meeting was the presentation of the final report from the Presbytery Think Tank, an eighteen-month process of listening, prayer, and discernment across Foothills Presbytery. The report identified five key themes shaping the life of the presbytery: innovative and missional spirit, connectional church, financial and property stewardship, beloved community, and cultivating healthy leadership. Leaders emphasized that while congregations face real challenges, signs of new life and faithful transformation are already emerging throughout the presbytery.
The Think Tank highlighted several “Bright Spots” already taking root, including ministry cohorts, mental health initiatives, the new Property Advisory Committee, and the Presbytery Youth Council. Presenters also shared “Spotlights” for future investment and exploration, such as innovation incubators, collaborative ministries, leadership support systems, and reimagining church property for mission and ministry.
One significant area of excitement is Re:Center, Foothills Presbytery’s first 1001 New Worshiping Community and a collaborative ministry with the South Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Leaders described Re:Center as a new community space for spiritual exploration, artistic expression, healing, and connection. Scheduled to officially launch this summer in Greenville, the ministry reflects the presbytery’s commitment to experimentation, collaboration, and engaging people both inside and outside traditional church spaces.
The Property Advisory Committee shared updates on its work helping congregations navigate questions related to aging buildings, sustainability, and property stewardship. The committee emphasized viewing church property not simply as a burden, but as a potential asset for mission and community engagement.
Commissioners also celebrated the examination and approval of the Rev. John DuBose to serve as Co-Pastor at Easley Presbyterian Church alongside the Rev. Dr. Bill Seel. Additionally, Foothills Presbytery commissioned its delegates and advisory delegate to the upcoming 227th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). They are Phil Beckwith (RE, St. Andrews), Frances Cox (Young Adult Advisory Delegate, Eastminster), Ameka Cruz (RE, First Greer), Diane Lee (RE, North Anderson Community), Lynn Miller (TE, Limestone), Audrey Reese (TE, Westminster, Westminster), Michael York (TE, Central).
The Committee on Shared Ministry highlighted a variety of ongoing ministries, including gatherings for smaller congregations, Presbyterian Women events, intergenerational ministry workshops, and growing international partnerships with pastors from the Goiás Southwest Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Brazil.
Throughout the meeting, leaders repeatedly returned to themes of courage, imagination, collaboration, and hope. As the presbytery reflected on both current challenges and emerging opportunities, participants were reminded that God continues to call the church into new forms of ministry and faithful service.
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