Muskingum Valley Presbytery

February 10, 2014

 

Beloved of the Lord,

 

As you receive news of Paula's retirement (please read her enclosed letter), we know that you will join Council in giving thanks for her ministry.  We asked Paula to take on a one-year transitional term and she gifted us with two plus years.  We hope that you will mark your calendar to join us on February 25 at the Stated Meeting (hosted by First Presbyterian Church of Wooster) for a celebration lunch to say thank you.

 

On behalf of Council, I also wanted to outline the process we will be taking as we live forward.   In consultation with the Office of the General Assembly, we have developed the following transition plan:

 

  1. Appoint Jim Wilson, Esq. (former stated clerk of Scioto Valley Presbytery, member of the Committee of the General Assembly and Mid Council Commission) as our parliamentarian for a 90-day period.
  2. Invite Jody Le Fort (retired stated clerk of Western Reserve), in consultation with the Office of the Stated Clerk (OGA), to assist us in a full review of the recording and parliamentary duties of the stated clerk so as to determine an appropriate position description in light of the new Form of Government and our needs as a presbytery.
  3. Invite a stated clerk from a missional presbytery (three presbyteries have been recommended by the OGA) to serve as interim stated clerk for up to one year as we live into our new structure, develop bylaws, and ground our work in discernment and prayer with the help of Jill Hudson, former associated stated clerk and coordinator of mid council relations.
  4. Conduct a search for a stated clerk to serve an initial term of three-years.

 

As we all know, we live in a time of deep change.  This presbytery has been a leader across the country in placing vision in the driver's seat.  We believe God is now calling us to be a leader in discerning a missional model for the work of the stated clerk in Muskingum Valley Presbytery.

 

We look forward to sharing further detail at the February presbytery meeting.  In the meantime, should you have a question, please do not hesitate to contact a member of Council.

 

Together in Christ,

 

David de Vries

Chair, Council