eco national gathering strive 2016 -...
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ECO NATIONAL GATHERING
STRIVE 2016 JANUARY 26 – 28, 2016 // NEWPORT BEACH, CA
SYNOD MEETING – JANUARY 27, 2016 – 8:30AM
Worship
Call Meeting to Order & Prayer – Eric Jacobsen
ECO Movement Infrastructure – John Terech, Executive Director of Operations • Celebrating the Formation of New Presbyteries
Process for Proposing & Discerning ECO Business – Dana Allin, Synod Executive Theology Task Force – Richard Gibbons, Chair of Theology Task Force
• Proposed Amendment to Essential Tenets from Great Lakes Presbytery • Introduction of Theological Process
Nominations – Lucky Arnold, Chair of Nominating Committee
• See Nominations Packet Concluding Prayer - Larry Moffet, incoming Moderator and President of ECO
AGENDA
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ECO:ACovenantOrderofEvangelicalPresbyterians
NarrativeBudget2016
Ourmissionistobuildflourishingchurchesthatmake
disciplesofJesusChrist.Ourbudgetprayerfullyreflectsthatmissionandwelook
forwardtowhatGodhasinstorefor2016.
Income:ECOissupportedbyitscovenantedchurchesandbygiftsofindividualsand
churchesaboveandbeyondthe1%duesstructure.With246congregationsinECO
asweended2015,ourconservativeestimateforduesincomeis$1,840,000.Wecanexpectroughly$20,000inadditionalgivingfromchurchesorindividuals.OnlyGodknowshowmanymorechurcheswillcomeintoECOin2016andofcourseour
emphasisonchurchplantingwillproduceevenmorecongregations,butour
numbershereareveryconservative,representingcertaintiesmorethan
possibilities.
Expenses:Staff: ECOhasaveryflatstructure.In2016,expensesforstaffareprojectedat$1,073,520.Thisincludesthesalariesandbenefits,travelexpensesandallothertaxesrelatedtostaff.Specifically,thepeoplethatrepresentthestaffofECOare:
• DanaAllin,SynodExecutive
• JohnTerech,ExecutiveDirectorofOperations
• MatthewLee,NationalChurchPlantingCatalyst
• TimFearer,DirectorofDiscipleshipMinistry(hiredthroughgrantmonies)
• AnnaKent,DirectorofMissionalAffinityGroups
• BillYoung,DirectorofGlobalEngagement
• EmilyDay,DirectorofCommunications
• SarahVanLant,AssistanttoSynodExecutive
• ShelbyGoss,FinancialAdministrator
• PattyTerech,OperationsAssistant
• SkyeStevenson,ExecutiveAdministrator
• BethAllin,NationalGatheringCoordinator
• BrendaSmith,FinanceandHealth&WelfareConsultant
• 2additionalcontractsupportpeopleifneeded
Presbyteries:TheSynodofECOwillcontinuetosupportitsgrowingandmultiplyingPresbyteriesthrough2016.Ourexpectationisthatwewillbeginwith
13Presbyteriesin2016butwillhavemorethroughouttheyear.$306,000isbudgetedforthislineitem,roughly17%ofthetotalbudgetedexpenses.
OtherExpenses:Aratherbroadcategoryhereencompassesalltheothercostsofdoingbusiness.RentforourGoletaoffice,thesupplies,website,database
managementsoftware,WCRCfees,bankrelatedcosts,boardexpensesallresidein
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thispartofourbudget.$209,516iswhereweexpectthistobein2016aswemaintainalean,cloudbasedofficestructurewithnotonlyGoleta,CAasaplaceof
business,butthehomesofJohnTerechandothersaswell.
MinistrySupport:Hereiswhereyou’llfindmanyoftheinitiativesandsupportprogramswehaveforourlocalcongregations.Wehavebudgeted$187,500fortheseprograms.TheSynodExecutiveCouncilandStaffhaveavisionformany
opportunitiesforourchurchesandpastorsincluding:
• Leadershipdevelopment
• ContinuallyupdatedwebsiteforFlourish–ourministryandtrainingarm
• FurtherworkontheTheologyTaskForce,whichisnowECOonly
• Coachingsupplementation
• Sacramenttrainingforofficers
• Outsidepartnerships
• Churchplantingtraining
• Laypastortraining
• MissionInsitetools
Godwilling,witheverythinggoingaccordingtothebudget,ECOshouldfinishthe
yearwithpositivecashofjustover$88,000forreserves.
Blessings,
JohnTerech
ExecutiveDirectorofOperations
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ProcessforOverturesandAmendments
InECOpolity,ahighlevelprocessisgiventomakeamendmentstotheconstitution.
Thishighlevelprocessisspelledoutin6.02ofourConstitution.
6.02AmendingthisConstitutionPresbyteriesmayoverturetheSynodofECOforchangesinthis
Constitutionasfollows:a.Twopresbyteriesmustconcurintheproposedchanges
andoverturethelargerbodywithchanges.
b.TheSynodmayamendandtransmittheproposed
changestotheConstitutiontothepresbyteriesfortheiraffirmativeornegativevote.Atwo-thirdsmajorityofthepresbyteriesshallbe
requiredforadoption.
c.AnyamendmenttotheEssentialTenetsshallrequireanaffirmativevoteoftwo-thirdsofthevotingmembersoftheSynod
presentandvoting.Inaddition,theaffirmativevoteofeach
presbyteryforsuchamendmentshallrequireanaffirmativevoteof
two-thirdsofthevotingmembersofsuchpresbyterypresentand
voting.
Furtherclarification,however,isneededastothetimingandmechanismthata
presbyterymayusetosubmitthoseproposedamendmentsaswellasother
overturesthatdonotrequirechangestothepolity.Thefollowingprovidesthe
guidelinesforsubmissionofthoseovertures.
1.Allovertures,whetherrelatedtothepolityornot,mustcomebywayofthe
presbyterytotheSynod,orbeproposedbytheSynodExecutiveCouncil.All
overturesshallincludeaclearandlegalmotion.Iftheoverturerequiresanamendmenttotheconstitution,itshallclearlystatethetextthatistobeadded
and/orremoved.Arationaleshallalsobeincluded.Becauseourmeetingsareshort
andtheagendaneedstobeclearlydefinedinadvance,nonewbusinesscanbe
broughtontotheflooroftheSynod.
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2.Presbyteriesmustsubmitovertures120daysinadvanceofaparticularSynod
meetingandconcurrencebyanotherpresbyterymustbemade90daysinadvance
oftheSynodmeetingfortheitemtobeconsideredontheattheSynod.(Thenext
SynodmeetingisJanuary23,2018.Overturesmustthereforebesubmittedby
September25,2017andmusthaveconcurrencebyOctober17,2017.)
3.AlloverturesthatrequireSynodactionwillbepassedontotheSynod.TheSynod
ExecutiveCouncil,andotherrelatedSynodentitiescancommentonthesubmitted
overture.Unlessotherwisestatedinthepolity,Synodapprovalisdonebyasimple
majority.
4.SomeoverturesmaybeabletobehandledbytheSynodExecutiveCouncilina
moretimelyfashion.IftheSynodExecutiveCouncilcannothandletheovertureto
thesatisfactionofthesubmittingpresbytery,thentheoverturewillbepassedonto
theSynod.
5.Someoverturesmaynotrequireachangetothepolityortheologybutberelated
toaruleorprocedure.Inthesecases,iftheovertureispassed,itdoesnotrequire
concurrenceofthepresbyteries.Therefore,theresultoftheoverturegoesinto
effectatthecloseoftheSynodmeeting.
6.Someovertures,ifpassedattheSynod,requireapprovalofpresbyteries.The
presbyterieswillhave180daysafterthecloseoftheSynodmeetingtovote
affirmativeornegativeonthoseovertures.Iftheoverturepassesattherequired
numberofpresbyteries,itwillgointoeffectonthe181stdayafterthecloseofthe
Synodmeeting.Inthecaseofthe2018Synod,theeffectivedateisJuly22,2018.)
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TheSpiritandProcessfortheDeliberationofAmendmentsatSynodmeetings
ECOhasalwayssoughttopositionandmaintainitselfasanauthenticgospel
movement in the midst of a post-Christian culture. Our mission is “to build
flourishingchurchesthatmakedisciplesofJesusChrist.”Wehaveabothapolityas
well as a theology that have been developed to create an environment in which
churchesmayflourish.Thesearelivingdocumentsandarenotconsideredinerrant
in and of themselves. There is a process in place in our polity to change these
documents.
Aschangesareconsidered,withinpresbyteriesandtheSynodasawhole,it
is our hope that there will be a healthy spirit behind considering these changes.
Deliberative bodies can often be set up in adversarial stance or in a “win-lose”
stance. It isourhopethatwithinECOtherewillbeadifferentethos. Ourhopeis
thatproposalswillbemadeandconsideredbasedonthequestionofwhetherornot
a proposal helps us, both nationally and individually, fulfill our mission to build
flourishingchurchesthatmakedisciplesofJesusChrist.
If we are clear and singularly focused on our mission, then we can have
robustdialogueaboutparticularproposalsandhow theymayormaynothelpus
fulfillourmission. Ifwearesingularlyfocusedonourmissionandthepositonwe
advocatefordoesnotcarrytheday,itwillallowustocontinuetomaintainourunity
aswefulfillourmission.
Proposed process - When a proposal is brought to the floor of the Synod,deliberationwilloccurasfollows:
- The moderator will allow for 20 minutes of discussion after an initial
presentationismade.
- Eachspeakerfromthefloorwillbeallowedtospeakfor120seconds.
- Speakerswillalternate,asmuchaspossible,betweenthosewhoarefora
proposalandthosewhoareagainstaproposal.Thosewhoareinfavorof
theproposalshouldspeaktohowtheproposalwilladvancethemission
ofECO.Thosewhoareagainsttheproposalwillshouldspeaktowhythe
proposaldoesn’thelpadvancethemissionofECO.
- Ifdeliberationisfinishedbefore20minutes,thenthemoderatormaycall
forthevote.
- If after 20 minutes there is a desire for further discussion, the may
entertainamotiontoexpanddeliberation.
- Voteswill ordinarily be voice votes unless a count is neededbyhaving
commissionersstandorapaperballot.
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ProposalforAmendmenttotheECOEssentialTenetsRegardingBaptism
IntroductionandRationale:TheEssentialTenetsoftheECOhasbeenaneffectivedocumentinunitingchurches
aroundthecommonreformedheritagethatweembraceandhasservedasabridge
togreatertheologicalengagementacrossdenominations.Thewordsthathavebeen
craftedflowoutofthelanguageoftheconfessionsandattempttocommunicate
manytruthsinaconciseandeffectiveway.Inregardstooursacramentaltheology
muchburdenwasplaceduponafewwellconstructedsentences,howeverthe
brevityoftheconstructionleftsomeopportunityformisunderstanding.Somehave
interpretedourstatementtoallowforanunderstandingofbaptismalregeneration.
Thisismostcertainlynotanintendedunderstandingofthesacrament.Toaddress
thisconcernacombinationofphrasesandideasfromtheWestminsterConfession's
statementonBaptisminChapterXXX/XXVIIhavebeenselected.Thisstatementwill
addadditionalsubstancetotheexistingtextandfurtheranchorthestatementto
ourconfessions.
ThethirdparagraphofSectionIII.C.oftheEssentialTenetswouldreceivean
additionallineoftext,showninred,thatwouldexpanduponourconvictions
regardingbaptismandclarifyourrelianceupontheconfessionsforour
understandingofitseffectiveness.
Proposal:Withinthecovenantcommunityofthechurch,God’sgraceisextendedthroughthepreachingoftheWord,theadministrationoftheSacraments,andthefaithfulpracticeofmutualdiscipline.First,throughtheworkoftheHolySpirit,thewordproclaimedmayindeedbecomeGod’saddresstous.TheSpirit’s
illuminatingworkisnecessarybothfortheonewhopreachesandforthosewho
listen.Second,theSacramentsofBaptismandtheLord’sSupperaresignsthatare
linkedtothethingssignified,sealingtousthepromisesofJesus.IntheBaptismof
infants,weconfessourconfidenceinGod’sgraciousinitiative,thatababywho
cannotturntoGodisnonethelessclaimedasamemberofthecovenantcommunity,
achildofGod,cleansedbygraceandsealedbytheSpirit;intheBaptismofadults,
weconfessourconfidencethatGod’sgracecanmakeusnewcreationsatanystage
ofourlives.<Baptismisasignandsealofthecovenantofgrace,amarkofentranceintothevisiblechurch,anditistheHolySpiritthatmakesthissacramentefficaciousinGod'stimetothosewhomhehascalled.>IntheLord’sSupper,weconfessthatasweeatthebreadandshareonecuptheSpiritunitesusto
theascendedChrist,sothatHisresurrectionlifemaynourish,strengthen,and
transformus.Third,thecommunityoftheChurchpracticesdisciplineinorderto
helponeanotheralongthepathtonewlife,speakingthetruthinlovetoone
another,bearingoneanother’sburdens,andofferingtooneanotherthegraceof
Christ.
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SynodExecutiveCouncil
ClassofSynod2018 ClassofSynod2020 ClassofSynod2022
LauraSmit(p) ScottPalmbush(p) RichardKanwischer(p)
LarryMoffett(e)-
PresidentGregSmith(e) KarenHook(e)
Jaylee(p)
JenniferHoltz(p)-
VicePres.BobReich(e)
PJC ClassofSynod2018 ClassofSynod2020 ClassofSynod2022
MichaelCarey(p) LarryLangon(e) PatrickSinger(e)
BobEfird(e) RonHorn(p) KenRobbins(e)
CindyPirtle(e) JenniferParham(e) MarkKlusmeier(e)
NominatingCommittee
ClassofSynod2018 ClassofSynod2020 ClassofSynod2022
BecciCurtis-Lillie(p) CarolKillman(e) JasonSchepp(p)
SuzanneGeiger(e)
BrianStewart(p)
MJRomano(p) TimMcConell(p) SaraMcDonnell(e)
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NominationsSynodExecutiveCouncilClassof2022RichardKannwishcer
TheRev.Dr.RichardR.KannwischerservesastheLead
Pastorofthe3,200-memberSt.Andrew’sPresbyterian
ChurchinNewportBeach,CA.AnativeTexan,Richard
graduatedcumlaudewithabusinessdegreefromTrinityUniversity,wherehecurrentlyservesasamemberofthe
boardoftrustees.HealsograduatedwithaMasterof
DivinityfromPrincetonTheologicalSeminary.Heservedasa
memberoftheboardoftrusteesforPrincetonTheological
Seminaryfrom2010–2012.Hereceivedhisdoctoratefrom
FullerSeminaryandiscurrentlyservingtheschoolasamemberoftheboardof
trustees.Richardmethiswife,KellyBeckhamKannwischer,atPrinceton
TheologicalSeminary.KellycurrentlyservesasVicePresident,University
AdvancementforVanguardUniversity.
Followingseminary,RichardservedasanAssociatePastorattheFirstPresbyterian
ChurchofHoustonandasSeniorPastoroftheCentralPresbyterianChurchof
Summit,NJ.InSummit,heledthe1,200-membercongregationthroughthewakeof
theSeptember11thtragedy.HethenservedastheSeniorPastoratFirst
PresbyterianChurchofSanAntoniopriortocomingtoNewportBeachinthefallof
2009.KellyandRichardspendmuchoftheirtimechasingtheirtwoprecious
daughters,Danica(age12)andAshby(age11).Richard’sotheractivepursuits
includesnowskiing,hikingandplayinggolf.
KarenRandall-Hook
Iwasbornin1956,youngestoffour,andraisedinthe
Seattlearea.IgraduatedfromWashingtonStateUniversity
andthenfromphysicaltherapyschoolattheMayoCIinicin
Minnesota.WhileinMinnesotaImetmyhusband,afellow
student,andwemarriedin1981.AfterlivinginMichiganfor
threeyearswerelocatedtothePNWin1983.Weboughta
houseinNETacomain1985andproceededtoworkand
raiseourtwodaughterswhoarenowtwenty-eightand
twenty-four.Wearebothstillworking,althoughIampart
time,andlookingatretirementinthenextfewyears.
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MyhusbandandIbeganattendingMarineViewPresbyterianChurchandjoinedin
1986.OvertheyearsIhaveparticipatedinvariousaspectsofchurchactivitiesand
ministryincluding:music,children'sprograms,attendingandattimesleadingbible
study,women'sministry,youthmissiontrips,personnelcommission,Deacon,and
mostrecentlyElderwhereIservedonourdiscernmentcommitteeintheprocessof
choosingtoleavetheUPCandjoinECO.
IambothhonoredandnervousaboutthisopportunitytoserveinECO.Thepurpose
andtenetsofECOresonatewithmeandIamexcitedtobeabletoparticipateinits
growth,andIleavethechoicetoGod,throughyou,andwillservetothebestofmy
abilityifHeputsmeinthisposition.
RobertReich
Bobisahighschoolgraduate;earnedhisbusiness
administration&businessfinancecertificateandalso
completedrequiredcourseswithlocalandoutofstate
universitiesandtheAmericanBankersAssociation.Hehas
alsoannuallycompletedaccreditedcontinuingeducation
coursesduringhis35yearbankingcareer.Heisa2003
graduateofNorthumberlandPresbytery,CommissionedLay
PastorSchool.Priortohisretirement,hewasemployedfor32
yearswithNortheasternFarmCredit,whereheservedthelast
25yearsofhiscareerasPresidentandChiefExecutive
Officer.PriortohiscareerwithNortheasternFarmCredit,he
servedthreeyearsasacommercialbankerwithLewisburg
NationalBank,Lewisburg,PA.Bobhasservednearly30years
ofcooperativeleadershipandservicethroughPennStateCollegeofAgriculture
Sciences-PennsylvaniaCouncilofCooperatives.Fortwenty-fiveyearsheservedon
alocalministerialcommittee,whichengagedteachingandevangelismprogramsfor
largecommunitychurchvenues.Heservesandchairedvariousofficesinhisformer
PC(USA)presbytery.
CurrentlyheisaCommissionedLayPastorattheMountainPresbyterianChurch,
Sunbury,PA.,havingcompetedhisseventeenthyearastheirleadpastor.
AdditionallyheisamemberoftheECOPresbyteryoftheNortheast,wherehe
servesaschairmanoftheMinistry&AssimilationTeam(MAT)andisamemberof
thePresbyteryExecutiveTeam.AdditionallyheservesasChairmanoftheBoardof
DirectorsofBethesdaFamilyServicesFoundation,Lewisburg;memberofthe
GreaterSusquehannaValleyChamberofCommerce.BobandhiswifeVirginialive
onan18-acrefarm-etteinSnyderCounty,PA.TheReich’shavetwomarriedsons,
threegrandsonsandonegranddaughter.
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PresbyteryJudicialCommitteeClassof2022PatrickSinger
PatSingerwasborninPortsmouth,Ohioandtraveledwith
hisfamilythroughouthisyouth,attendingfivehighschools
infourstatesfromOhiotoCalifornia,graduatingin
Mississippi.HeattendedcollegeatTheOhioStateUniversity,
earningaBAinRussianLanguageandLiteratureandaJuris
DoctoratefromTheOhioStateUniversityCollegeofLaw.
WhileanundergradatOSU,hemetandlatermarriedhis
spouse,Bonnie.Theyhavetwosons(andtwodaughters-in-
law)andsevengrandchildrenranginginagefrom18tosix
months.TheSingerfamilyjoinedtheAirForcein1970and
spentthenexttwentyyearsservinginlocationsfromTurkeytoGuam.Patheldjobs
asaRussianLinguist,aTitanIIMissileLaunchOfficer,andaJudgeAdvocate.He
retiredin1990andthefamilymovedtoAppleValley.Afterfiveyearsofprivate
practice,PatwaschosentobecomeaMunicipalandthenSuperiorCourt
Commissionerwhereheservedonthebenchhearingtraffic,smallclaimsand
evictioncases.
OnretirementfromtheAirForce,theSingersjoinedChurchoftheValleyinApple
Valleyandhaveservedinamultitudeofprograms.Pathasaspecialinterestin
ChristianEducation,servingasElderofAdultEducationandteachingtheAdult
SundaySchoolclassformanyyears.Pat,BonnieandtheirsonRichardareallElders
withRichardcurrentlyservingonSessionandPatservingasClerkofSession.Pat
alsoservedontheCommitteeonMinistry,chairedthePersonnelCommitteeand
servedasamemberandastheModeratorforthePJCinRiversidePresbytery.He
waselectedastheElderDelegatetotheGeneralAssemblyinFtWorth.Patchaired
theCOVcommitteetoworkwithRiversidePresbyteryduringtheGraceful
Separationprocess.SincejoiningECO,Pathasbeenselectedtoserveonthe
PresbyteryPJC.Sincehisretirementfromthebenchin2013,heandBonniehave
beentravelingandplayinggolfwhennotspendingtimewiththeirfamilyand
friends.KennethRobbins
KennethM.RobbinsisapartnerwiththelawfirmofMason,
Robbins,Browning,&GodwininMerced,California.Priorto
enteringprivatepracticein1980,Kenservedwiththe
UnitedStatesNavyintheJudgeAdvocatesGeneralCorpsand
intheU.S.AttorneysofficeintheNorthernDistrictof
California.
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Kenreceivedhisbachelor’sdegreefromtheUniversityofCalifornia,Davisin1972,
hisJ.D.degreefromPepperdineUniversityin1976,andhisL.L.M.intaxationfrom
theUniversityofthePacific,McGeorgeSchoolofLawin1983.Hehaswrittenand
lecturedonwaterissuesbeforetheCaliforniaAssociationofWaterAgenciesandthe
AmericanBarAssociationaswellasteachingcontinuingeducationclasses.
Ken is very involvedwith leadership positions in his community and his church,
CentralPresbyterianChurchinMerced,CA.Heservesoncorporateandnon-profit
boards of directors, has served as trustee of the University of California-Merced
Foundation. He is an Elder in the Presbyterian Church and has served in several
leadershippositionsincludinghischurchgoverningboard,asModeratorofStockton
Presbytery (PCUSA), Commissioner toGeneralAssembly and Synodof thePacific,
andasamemberoftheSynod’sPermanentJudicialCommission.Kenalsoservedas
theorganizingModeratorofthePresbyteryofN.California/NevadaoftheCovenant
OrderofEvangelicalPresbyterians(ECO).
He has beenmarried to the formerBetty JeanBritts (also an elder) for 43 years.
Theyhaveraisedfourchildrenandnowenjoytheir12grandchildren.
MarkH.Klusmeier
MarkKlusmeier,57,hasbeenapracticingattorneyin
southwestOhioformorethan30years.Heisadmittedto
practiceintheStateofOhioaswellastheUSDistrictCourts
fortheNorthernandSouthernDistrictsofOhio,theUSCircuit
CourtofAppealsfortheSixthCircuit,andtheUnitedStates
SupremeCourt.
HeisanElderatCollegeHillPresbyterianChurchin
Cincinnati,Ohio,wherehehasbeenacovenantpartner(and
previouslyamember)since1971.During2016,heisalso
servingaspresidentofthechurchcorporationandchairsthe
church’sFacilities,Finance,andAdministrationTeam.HeandhiswifeAnnwill
reach25yearsofmarriageintheFallof2016,havethreechildren,andresideinthe
Cincinnatiarea.
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NominatingCommitteeClassof2022JasonSchepp
IhavebeenblessedtoserveGodforthelastnineyears
atEastBrookPresbyterianChurchinWestern
Pennsylvania.ItisherethatIfindmyselfimmersedin
thewoodedhillsides,enjoyingthecreationthatGod
laidoutforus.Iamaproudfatheroftwochildren,
ages9and6,wholiketokeepmywifeandmyselfbusy
withhorses,martialartsandcamping.
Whenaskedaboutmypassion,IhavealwaysfeltthatFaith,FamilyandFellowship
defineme,inthatorder.Ifeltthecalltoministry,andhavebeenblessedtoserveas
thePastorofEastBrookPresbyterianchurchforthepastnineyears.However,Ialso
workastheSalesManagerforaspringmanufacturerinPittsburgh,PA.
MypassionforservingChristgrowsallthetime,andIamcontinuallystrivingtosee
whereGodisleadingandwhatgreattaskHehasinstoreformeandmyfamily.Iam
honoredtoserve2016astheModeratorforthenewRiversofLifePresbytery,and
lookforwardtoservingwithinECOasGodcontinuestobuildandshapethis
ministry.Intheend,itismygreathope,thatthroughmyprayers,mywordsandmy
actions,peopleseeandcometoknowJesusChrist.
BrianStewart
BrianStewartservesastheAssociatePastorfor
EvangelismandMissionatFirstPresbyterianChurch,
Greenville,SC.BeforecomingtoFPCsevenyearsago,he
wasachurchplanterforthirteenyearsinTennesseeand
NorthCarolina.
HeisapreviousmoderatoroftheEastCentralPresbytery
andhasservedonthatPresbytery'sMATsinceits
inception.HewillcontinuetoserveofthePresbyteryof
theSouth'sMATonceisitorganized.Brianiscurrentlyservinginhissecondtermas
atrusteeoftheOutreachFoundation.Heandhiswife,Tracie,alsoapastor,havetwo
teenageboys,BrianandWilliam.
SaraMcDonnell
SarahasbeenamemberofFirstPresbyterianChurchin
NorthPalmBeach,Florida,since1986.Shehasservedthe
churchthroughtheyearsasaStephenMinistryleader,a
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deacon,anelderandanadultSundayschoolleader.
Sararetiredin2006afterteachinginthepublicschoolsinWestVirginiaandFlorida
for26yearsandacceptedthepart-timepositionasCoordinatorofMembershipat
FirstPresbyterianChurch.Hereducationaltrainingincludesabachelor'sdegreein
historyandmasters’degreesinsociologyandeducation.
SaralooksbacktoseeGod'strainingandequippingforherpresentposition
welcomingnewmembersandvisitorsthroughtheBibleteachingandleadership
trainingatFirstPresbyterian,andfromEmmausandBibleStudyFellowship.Sara
enjoystraveling,gardening,photographyandherextendedfamilyinWest
Virginia.Shehasthreegrowndaughters,whoaremarried,andtwograndsons.
Classof2020BetsyStraiter
BetsygraduatedfromWhitworthCollegeandFuller
Seminary(whereshereceivedbothaM.DivandaTh.M
concentratingontheMissionalChurch).Herfirst
pastoralcallingwasinBendOregon.Shehasservedin
avarietyofrolesatGlenkirkChurchinSouthern
Californiaforthelast30plusyears.WiththePCUSA
sheservedonCPM,astheModeratorofSanGabriel
PresbyteryandCouncilChair,twiceasacommissioner
toGeneralAssembly(onceasvicemoderatorofthe
CommitteeonSocialJustice),helpedtostarttheWeeKirkConferencesontheWest
CoastandservedontheCoalitionBoard(forashorttimeasmoderator).
WithECOBetsybeganservingontheMPTteamofthePresbyteryoftheWest
resourcingchurchesinCaliforniaastheytransitionedintoECO.Asthepresbyteries
begantodivideBetsybecameandcurrentlyservesasModeratorofthePresbytery
ofSo.Cal.Betsy’sbrotherisalsoapastorservingachurchinVistaCalifornia.Betsy
enjoysgolf,skiing,andtravel.Shehasastrongcommitmenttodoingwhatever
needstobedonetohelpECObecomeaflourishingdenominationthathelps
flourishingchurchesmakedisciplesofJesusChrist.Classof2018SuzanneGeiger
ElderSuzanneGeigerhasbeeninECOsinceJune,
2012.ShehasservedontheNominatingCommitteeof
thePresbyteryoftheNortheastfortwoyears,andas
chairforthepastyear.ShehasservedontheMinistry
&AssimilationTeam(MAT)for3years,inthe
PresbyteryoftheEast,thenNortheast.Sheenjoys
participatingintheassimilationinterviewswith
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PastorsandSessions,andfindsitagoodwaytomeetpeoplecomingintothe
Presbytery.
SuzannewasordainedasanElderatFirstPresbyterianChurch,Dunellen,NJin
2000,andhasbeenamembertherefor31years.ShehasbeenClerkofSessionfor9
years,andisactiveinmusicministryandascoordinatorofGrowthGroups.Shehas
servedasaDeacon,andenjoysleadingsmallgroupBiblestudies.Suzanneformerly
workedasadministratorforaninterfaithhomelessshelterprogram.Sheandher
husbandMannyhavethreegrownsons,andaredelightingbeinggrandparents.