Missouri Union Presbytery Meeting Summary

Vice Moderator, Rev. Pam Sebastian led us in our opening prayer and the reading of our Mission Statement. Our honored guests, GA Co-Moderators Rev. CeCe Armstrong & Rev. Tony Larson were welcomed. 

We then celebrated the ordination anniversaries with the following pastors:

Helen Logan - 15 years, Dale Stone - 45 years, Phil Olson - 50 years 

We also recognized FPC-Fulton, FPC-Columbia, and FPC-Jefferson City who have successfully maintained their status as Earth Care Congregations. 

Elder Micah McNeal, who passed all of his ordination exams on the first try was given a gift by the presbytery to celebrate his extraordinary accomplishment.

Rev. Bob Balwanz, CRE John Grimmett, and CRE Shawn McNabb were lifted up in prayer.

Barbara Chalfant presented statistics on leadership in the 49 Missouri Union Presbytery churches:

5 churches with called and installed PC USA pastors

8 churches with PC USA part time or interim pastors

4 churches with part time/interim non-PCUSA pastors

10 churches with pastors who are fully commissioned CREs

4 churches with elders serving as worship leaders

19 congregations with no pastor (use a rotation of pastors or are using internet resources to fill their pulpits

9 (soon to be 10) have Pastor Nominating Committees working

We were reminded that the current Presbytery calendar can be found on MUP’s webpage under the “About Us” tab. 

The book “The Art of Hospitality (Second Edition)”, our next THRIVE study book, was and is available for purchase. There is a leader’s companion book available as well.

Rev. Dr. Katie Collins, who serves First PC - Columbia, officially welcomed us and introduced three congregation members who shared their four-year involvement with five families in the Afghan Refugee Ministry.

Rev. Dr. Deborah Boucher-Payne shared that there is financial assistance available for a wide variety of ministry needs as well as scholarships from the Synod of Mid-America. Further information is available on their website.

Aleisha Mulnix reported on the 12 programs in 40 locations operated by the Presbyterian Children’s Homes & Services. In 2025, nearly 5,000 children and families were served. 

For our education presentation the GA Co-Moderators, Rev. CeCe Armstrong and Rev. Tony Larson, led a discussion concerning “Discerning Purpose”. They encouraged attendees to share their skills and tell their stories in order to transform lives.

Elder Andy Baker reported that total assets increased $18,253.52 compared to February 2026 total assets. One Mission Giving receipts are 23.81% of budget. This is 1.19% under budget. Total Receipts–General is .16% over budget. Total Expenditures are 3.73% under budget. Rev. Sarah Butler encouraged churches to apply for small church grants to be used for community impact projects.

COM Moderator, Rev. Phil Olson, led us through the approval of Shonda Galloway joining the MUP staff as the Region Three Coordinator and temporary Region Two Coordinator; changing the renewal for elders trained to lead communion and moderate session meetings shifting from one year to three years; and granting Elder Micah McNeal permission to officiate the Lord’s Supper at the summer camps. We also approved Elder Paul Yoder as Pulpit Supply for FPC-Kirksville for one year (renewable) and authorized the Finance Committee to administer the Resurrection Fund.

Then with great sadness we voted to concur with the request of FPC -Boonville and Rev. Tad Schuldt to dissolve their Pastoral Relationship effective July 11, 2026 so that Tad may answer a new call in Carlisle Presbytery in PA. Several people stood and shared comments and stories on Tad’s ministry and how he will be missed.

Rev. Susan Presley and Elder Barbara Chalfant recognized Elder Sami Shirk, FPC-Kirksville, and Rev. Katie Collins, FPC-Columbia, as delegates to General Assembly, June 22 to July 2, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Young Adult Delegate is unable to attend. Please pray that they will vote with wisdom as they represent us as General Assembly.

After a wonderful meal, we returned to the sanctuary for worship featuring the leadership of GA Co-Moderators Rev. CeCe Armstrong & Rev. Tony Larson. Rob Dalton sang and Micah McNeal and Kati Collins shared the task of liturgist. 

It was a wonderful meeting, and we are grateful to FPC - Columbia and all those who worked so well together to make it run so smoothly.

Prayer Basket

It is our great sadness to share that Rev. Robert (Bob) Balwanz passed peacefully away on Tuesday, May 26, in Columbia MO, after a long illness. His wife Linda and son David were at his side. His memorial service will be at his beloved Farber Presbyterian Church on Saturday, June 20 at noon, followed by a meal.

Please join us in continuing prayer for Linda, David Balwanz, and best friends, RIM and Judy Massey as they mourn his loss yet rejoice that he is with the one he loved the most, our Lord Jesus Christ.

June 2026 Prayer Circle

Lord of all creation,

Thank you for choosing us, for your blessings, your love and grace. We come before you once again seeking your guidance, power and action. We place our hope in you. We are bearing witness to the salvation you offer in Christ, to the power of your Spirit that you have sent to dwell with us. We are working together to become more and more faithful to you each day. We need you to lift up leadership within our congregations, in our presbytery and in our denomination to fill our need for pastoral care, vision casting, preaching that is prophetic, and the mirroring of your love into all our communities. We know you have plans for filling our pulpits, for bringing hope and new vision to our congregations as we navigate the great changes in our world. Thank you for loving us so much. Amen

Save the Date!

The next stated Presbytery meeting will be

Saturday, August 22, 2026 | Start Time – TBD

This meeting will be held at

First Presbyterian Church,

400 Lakeview Road, Mexico, MO.

Stay tuned for registration details!

Evelyn Bedell Nominations

Now Being Accepted

Each year Missouri Union Presbytery recognizes the contribution of older adults to its work and ministry by presenting Evelyn Bedell awards to outstanding older adults. Individuals are honored for their faithfulness in a congregation or for Presbytery-wide service. The award is named for Evelyn Bedell, who demonstrated the energy, imagination, intelligence and love with which a person of any age can serve the church. Evelyn came out of retirement to attend San Francisco Theological Seminary and at the age 72 was ordained by Missouri Union Presbytery as the "Tentmaker Pastor" for Bellflower Presbyterian Church.

Please note, parameters for nominations have been revised. Only one nomination per church will be accepted with all recommendations coming through session. 

Please click below to submit your nominations. Nominations must be received

no later than July 16, 2026.

Missouri Union Presbytery plans to honor all Evelyn Bedell award recipients at the August 22nd Presbytery meeting at First Presbyterian Church in Mexico.

Theological Education Discussion

Saturday, August 1 – 6:00 p.m.

First Presbyterian Church, 400 Lakeview Rd., Mexico, MO

The need for pastoral leadership is undeniable. There are 49 churches in our Presbytery. At our last Presbytery meeting, Elder Chalfant reminded us that in our Presbytery, we have:

5 churches with called and installed PC USA pastors

8 churches with PC USA part time or interim pastors

4 churches with part time/interim non-PCUSA pastors

10 churches with pastors who are fully commissioned CREs

4 churches with elders serving as worship leaders

19 congregations with no pastor (use a rotation of pastors or are using internet resources to fill their pulpits

9 (soon to be 10) have Pastor Nominating Committees working

In order to have pastoral leadership, theological education is necessary. Please, please, please come hear Rev. Dr. Andrew Pomerville, President of Louisville Theological Presbyterian Seminary, speak about the need and how we can help address it. 

Dr. Pomerville will host an open event at First Presbyterian in Mexico (400 Lakeview Road), MO on Saturday, August 1 at 6 PM. (Light snacks provided.) He will also preach at Mexico on Sunday, August 2 (9 AM). This is a fantastic opportunity for our Presbytery to be on the ground floor of helping in this vital matter of church leadership.

If you can RSVP to office@mexicofpc.com, great. But if you don't get your RSVP submitted in time, come on by anyway. We'll make extra snacks!

The Presbyterian Foundation’s Church Technology Grant program will assist Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) pastors and leaders serving churches or New Worshiping Communities. Funds are available for those pastoral leaders seeking to enhance their ministry through technology in a variety of ways:

• Upgrade existing technology or purchase new technology
• Upgrade a church website
• Online Training

Pastors with the greatest need serving congregations of color, small churches, new immigrant congregations, and congregations in economically challenged locales are invited to apply. Grants will be given to churches or presbyteries for release to the pastor for direct purchase or reimbursement for technology purchases and training. Those who received grant funds during the previous Technology Grant cycles are asked not to apply.

Visit presbyterianfoundation.org/tech-grant to apply for the grant. The application process will be open from May 20 to July 13, 2026. Applications will be reviewed after the closing date. We anticipate more applicants than available grants.

Click HERE to View as Webpage