From the Interim Executive,
Grace and Peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ! In this newsletter you’ll find information about upcoming workshops to support your presbyteries and churches, such as Boundaries Training and Preachers’ Workshops. Meanwhile, however, I wanted to let you know about the celebration which was the Synod’s October 2021 Assembly.
At that assembly, the Administrative Commission returned jurisdiction to the Synod! In non-Presby speak, this means that the team assembled by the General Assembly in 2018 recognizes the progress we have made, together, in order to lead ourselves once again. You can read more about their decision and input here. Thank you for all that you have contributed to this progress!
We also adopted our overarching theme for 2022, “In our Synod, we’ll do anything to equip leaders who are engaging God’s creative, emerging future.” We’ll concentrate on four ministry foci: (1) encouraging and supporting faith communities to be vital; (2) eradicating structural racism and modeling inclusion; (3) experimenting with new ways to be church and to live out our faith; and (4) connecting presbyteries, congregations, and leaders to reach foci 1-3 above. Read more about these aspirations for 2022 here.
We also elected our new moderator, Deb Uchtman of Cincinnati Presbytery, and Adrienne Adams of Detroit Presbytery, as well as an interim Stated Clerk, Fran Lane-Lawrence, and a volunteer treasurer, Martha Blenman. It is an understatement to say that they have all hit the ground running! You can read Fran’s and Martha’s brief bios and get their contact information here.
I am thrilled with how the Spirit led all of us at the Assembly, and where we are headed in 2022! Thanks be to God!
Your partner in ministry,
Rev. Charles B Hardwick, PhD
Interim Executive
chip@synodofthecovenant.org