October 12, 2026

Grace and peace to all our congregations in the Presbytery of Western North Carolina! Thank you for your faithful service to Christ and the many ministries you engage in for the sake of God’s kingdom. 

As a community, we rejoice in each of the opportunities the Lord has provided for us to serve and fellowship throughout the Presbytery. God has been good to us and we are very grateful to be a part of something so much larger than ourselves and our individual congregations. Together we are the body of Christ in this place and time. Thank you for your willingness to join with us in mission and ministry!

As a Presbytery, we have been engaged in a number of wonderful projects this year. Here are just a few highlights:

• We continue to encourage new initiatives to renew our long-serving congregations, to support smaller ones, and to establish new congregations and worshipping communities.
• Leadership development is a priority as we focus on Faith Formation training, the Church Leadership School (6 students graduated in June), and certification of Commissioned Pastors.
• Under the leadership of Anne Waple, we continue to support efforts to rebuild our churches and communities, and recover from the devastation of Hurricane Helene. Financial resources and work teams have contributed greatly to this effort.
• Outreach and mission work is an essential part of our Presbytery ministry locally, in Guatemala and Malawi, with hunger programs, and initiatives toward peace and justice.
• Four stated Neighborhood Presbytery meetings were held in July.
• We formed a team to welcome new ministers into the Presbytery with an open-house and luncheon at the Presbytery office in May.
• Our General Presbyter, Byron Wade, has developed a “What is a Presbytery and Why does it matter?” presentation that he offers to churches and groups.
• $200,000 was allocated for Community Outreach and Hospitality grants. 34 have been awarded so far to congregations for a total of $146,329.

As members of this Presbytery, we are blessed to enjoy a connectional system so none of us is ever left to face challenging times alone. Together, we can do so much more in ministry and mission, in support of one another, and in witnessing to the love of Christ.

We look forward to 2027 and even more opportunities to walk faithfully together in the footsteps of Christ. As a congregation of the Presbytery of Western North Carolina, we encourage you to prayerfully consider your congregation’s planned unified giving for 2027 as soon as possible, and return the linked pledge card no later than Nov. 25, 2026.

On behalf of the Finance Team, may God’s grace and peace be with you all.

Don Scofield, Chair

Finance Team