The Stated Meeting of the Lehigh Presbytery took place on February 23, 2016 at The Presbyterian Church of East Stroudsburg, Pa. The meeting was opened with prayer by Teaching Elder Suzanne Brooks-Cope. Moderator Teaching Elder Susan Bennetch called the meeting to order and Teaching Elder Edmund Freeborn delivered greetings from The Presbyterian Church of East Stroudsburg congregation, shared some of the churches history, and the ministry the church serves students and faculty of East Stroudsburg University.   Rev. Freeborn presented details to help navigate the church building. Opening devotions were shared by Moderator Bennetch to prepare our hearts and minds for the business before us.

An inspiring and motivational presentation by Rev. David Loleng from the General Assembly Office of Evangelism of the PCUSA speaking on the topic of “Engage” a program of evangelism and engagement that equips congregations to become relevant again in our communities. Rev. Loleng provided exciting ways for our churches to be equipped to face the challenges of being God’s Church in the 21^st century. This program begins with training the session, who in turn train key leaders, and together they train a congregation to name the way God is at work in their lives, claim the gift of God’s work in their lives and share that in their community in a way that connects. You could feel the energy in the room as Rev. Loleng challenged the Commissioners to return to their congregations and be God’s Church.

A musical interlude provided by Honorably Retired Rev. George Taylor was enjoyed as the offering was collected for the Pastors Emergency Fund.

The new Camp Kirkwood Director, Tommy Campbell was introduced and given the opportunity to share his passion and enthusiasm for summer camp ministry which has led him to our Camp. Tommy’s background is well suited to the responsibilities of Camp Director at Kirkwood as he has been around Christian camping for much of his life. Tommy is looking forward to visiting with the youth and offering meet and greets at all the Lehigh Presbytery churches during the next few months. Please contact him to schedule this wonderful opportunity for your youth to meet him and learn more about Camp Kirkwood.

Ruling Elder Judy Steinberg presented on behalf of the Committee on Shared Gifts the 2016 Nominations for the Slate of Officers and committee members. These nominations filled vacancies open on the Committee on Ministry – Ruling Elder Rob Clark and Teaching Elder Susan Tindall; on the Permanent Judicial Commission – Ruling Elder Jane Davenport; and on the Camp Kirkwood Board of Trustees – Teaching Elder Kari Olson.

Teaching Elder Matilda Chase provided the report of the Committee on Ministry (COM) with the recommendation that Presbytery concur with United Presbyterian Church of Slatington’s request to allow an exception to the normal call process in accordance with the Book of Order G-2.0504c which states in part: “A Presbytery may determine that its mission strategy permits a teaching elder currently employed in a temporary pastoral relationship to be eligible to serve as the next installed pastor.” The Presbytery approved this request to call Teaching Elder Laura Stone as their next installed pastor pending approval of the Terms of Call by the Committee on Ministry.

Teaching Elder David Duquette presented the first reading to change to By-Laws of Lehigh Presbytery by adding XI. Immunity from Liability and Indemnification of Certain Persons Policy. Teaching Elder Duquette also presented for a first reading a change to Lehigh Presbytery’s Standing Rules regarding how many Elder Commissioners churches are allowed at Presbytery. The new formula would be:

• Members

• Churches shall elect ruling elder commissioners as follows:
  100 or few members                            1 ruling elder
  101-350 members                                2 ruling elders
  351-1500 members                             3 ruling elders
  1501-2000 members                           4 ruling elders
  2001-3000 members                           5 ruling elders

These changes will be voted on at the April meeting of Lehigh Presbytery.

Ruling Elder Donald Brown provided an update on the PET (Presbytery Engagement Team) for First Presbyterian Church, Reading.

Teaching Elder David Duquette provided an update on the PET for First Presbyterian Church, Bethlehem.

The meeting was closed with prayer by Teaching Elder Edmund Freeborn, East Stroudsburg. The Lehigh Presbytery wishes to thank the members of the Presbyterian Church of East Stroudsburg for being such gracious hosts.

The congregation of the United Presbyterian Church of Pottsville recognizes that it is blessed with a large space and like many other congregations; they are looking forward to the day when the pews will once again be filled. In the meantime, they continue to set their hands and hearts about the work of God.

Their drive stems from the teachings as found in Micah 6:8, “what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

They have taken this passage to heart and discerned that for today, it is a call to relationships. Relationships that are among and between those already inside the church walls, but also and equally important, this is a call to foster and develop relationships with those located outside of the walls of the church. Rising to this challenge, they are not content to leave this missional thought as merely a thought, or simply as words scribed to paper, but in fact to take action.

The leadership team, the Session, has most recently voted in favor of opening the doors of the church as an emergency shelter for the homeless. They are partnering with My Father’s House, a mission of Servants for All located on Centre Street, Pottsville.

This is merely one more step in their journey to build relationships of care and value. This ministry builds upon some already tremendous mission work there; from hosting the home site for the Schuylkill Choral Society, a meeting site for the Local Housing Options Team, AA meetings- 3x times a week, as well as operating a weekly food pantry, cooking and serving monthly meals for the local soup kitchen, to now becoming host of an emergency housing shelter. Additional discussions and discernment are ongoing for reaching out to build friendships and mentorships among teenage and young moms by partnering with a program called Mothers of Preschoolers.

What tremendous glories of God are happening through the members of the Pottsville church.