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This story available online:

www.pcusa.org/pcnews/2009/09114<http://www.pcusa.org/pcnews/2009/09114

>Presbytery and synod news

>by Jerry L. Van Marter
>Presbyterian News Service

IRVING, TX ― Commissioners from the 11 presbyteries across
the Synod of the Sun [www.synodsun.com] have granted its
administrative commission for the Presbytery of South
Louisiana (PSL) authority to dissolve congregations within
the presbytery. The synod, at the request of some members
and the council PSL, established this 13-member
administrative commission last year.

"The (administrative commission) will continue to work
diligently and prayerfully with the Presbytery of South
Louisiana and has no desire to use this authority, except
in extraordinary circumstances, and unless the presbytery
itself is unable to function wisely in related matters
before them," commission member Rupert Turner, an elder
from New Covenant Presbytery, told the synod at its Feb.
11-12 meeting in Fort Worth.

The commission was originally charged "by the review of
records and by whatever face-to-face conversations the
commission deems helpful, shall determine the validity of
the presbytery's procedures and decisions (past, pending,
and future) regarding various congregations and their
properties. All pending and future decisions regarding
property in the Presbytery of South Louisiana shall require
the approval of the commission. This commission also shall
listen to other expressions of concern and/or
dissatisfaction with presbytery leadership and make
suggestions as to ways the presbytery can move toward a
fuller expression of the ministry of Christ's church."

An array of leadership, property and dissolution of
congregations issues have arisen in the aftermath of  the
devastation of the Gulf storms within the Presbytery,
beginning with Hurricane Katrina nearly three years ago.

"The commission has sought to be a faithful companion with
the congregations and the leadership as the PSL is also
confronted with restructuring its life, together with
dwindling financial resources," stated its report to the
synod. ― information furnished by the Synod of the Sun
Administrative Commission for the Presbytery of South
Louisiana

IOWA CITY, IA ― The Presbytery of East Iowa [www.peia.org]
has scheduled a series of elder training sessions on the
four Saturdays in March.

According to Maurie Campbell the presbytery's educational
consultant, the goal of the workshops is "to encourage a
change in the way elders understand their role in the
Presbyterian tradition. Right now, many view serving on
session in much the same way as serving on a community
board of some kind. The training is intended to challenge
elders to think about the 'call' of God in their lives and
to consider themselves as spiritual leaders in their faith
communities."

The training sessions will be held March 7 at First
Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids; March 14 at First
Presbyterian Church in Mt. Pleasant; March 21 at First
Presbyterian Church in Iowa City; and March 28 at
Bettendorf Presbyterian Church.  A second training series
is being tentatively scheduled for September.

CHARLOTTE, NC ― The Education and Nurture Ministry team of
the Presbytery of Charlotte [www.presbyofcharlotte.org] is
accepting nominations for the presbytery's 2009 Outstanding
Older Adult Awards.

One person from each congregation will be honored May 12 at
a luncheon at Covenant Presbyterian Church here.

The committee is looking for older adults who actively live
out their faith in service to the church and community.

EAGAN, MN ― At its recent meeting the Synod of Lakes and
Prairies [www.lakesandprairies.org] elected Elder Cheryl
Biller of Northern Plains Presbytery as its moderator for
2009.

The synod also elected the Rev. Robert Bouton of East Iowa
Presbytery as its vice-moderator, and Elder Jay Wilkinson
of Minnesota Valleys Presbytery to another term as stated
clerk.

And the synod voted to create a task force to study the
future and changing role of the synod.

LAKEWOOD, WA ― The First Cambodian Presbyterian Fellowship
of Olympia Presbytery [www.olypres.org] was officially
recognized as a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) New Church
Development at the presbytery's January meeting.

The NCD, pastored by the Rev. Sahara V. Chea, nests in
Westminster Presbyterian Church in Tacoma and includes a
number of worship, education and outreach programs to
Tacoma's burgeoning Cambodian community.

LEXINGTON, SC ― Churches in Trinity Presbytery
[www.trinity-presbytery.org] will embark March 13-14 on a
"Strategic Spiritual Journey" to seek their full potential
as congregations.

Following the two-day face-to-face session, participants
will engage in twice-a-month teleconferences, led by George
Bullard of the Columbia Partnership ― a Lilly
Endowment-funded pastoral excellence program ― and Bill
Howard of BeCoached!, a leadership development firm.

Through the strategic spiritual journey, pastors and
congregational leaders "experience a heightened intensity
in their congregation's passion to engage in a
transformation process; build up the spiritual readiness of
their congregation to take on a transformational process;
strengthen the capacity of their leadership core to lead a
transformational process; learn effective strategies for
transition and change that lead to transformation; complete
an assessment of their resources that empower a
transformation process; enjoy a coaching relationship that
seeks to build the capacity of the congregation to
minister; and gain in-depth knowledge about the Spiritual
Strategic Journey process so they can make an informed
decision about moving forward with this process."

LOUISVILLE ― Young adults in Mid-Kentucky Presbytery
[www.midkentuckypresbytery.org] have been invited to take a
partnership journey to Taiwan, led by the presbytery's
Louisville Taiwanese Fellowship. The trip is scheduled for
June 29-July 8.

The group will learn about Taiwanese culture and the
ministry and mission of Chang Hua Presbytery of the
Presbyterian Church in Taiwan. Current plans are for
participants to teach English to children involved in the
summer mission programs of two congregations, take part in
worship services and fellowship opportunities, and visit
mission and tourist sites selected by the  Chang Hua hosts.

CLEVELAND ― The Presbytery of the Western Reserve
[http://www.preswesres.org] is holding a special meeting
March 2 to continue efforts begun in January "to understand
and talk with one another about different perspectives on
Biblical authority, interpretation and homosexuality."

The special meeting ― at Church of the Covenant here ― will
feature a presentation by the Rev. Jack Rogers, former
General Assembly moderator, professor emeritus of theology
at San Francisco Theological Seminary and author of the
recent best-selling The Bible and Homosexuality.

The meeting will include time for questions and answers
with Rogers and voting on some of the proposed amendments
to the PC(USA) Constitution.

SEATTLE ― The Dick Lutz Peace Fellowship of Seattle
Presbytery [www.presbytery.org] meets Feb. 21 at Overlake
Park Presbyterian Church in Bellevue for its quarterly
meeting.

Featured speaker is Elder Neil Bolkcom of First
Presbyterian Church in Kent, who will speak on his recent
peacemaking trip to Ethiopia.

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