Presbytery Digest
A summary of actions and information from the meetings of Pittsburgh Presbytery
February 16, 2017
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
Opened with a service of worship with the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson II, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, preaching, and the Rev. Nikki Porter, Minister of Music at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, leading music as part of the celebration of Black History month. An offering of $2,009.25 was received for equal distribution to the Lazarus Fund and the Hunger Fund. This amount will be matched by the Pittsburgh Presbyterian Foundation.
Installation of Moderators:
Outgoing Moderator, the Rev. Jay Lewis, installed the Rev. Heather Schoenewolf as Moderator, the Rev. Trent Hancock as Senior Vice Moderator (North Branch), Ruling Elder Dan Beckstrom as Vice Moderator for the South Branch, Ruling Elder Hill Jordan as Vice Moderator for the East Branch, and Ruling Elder Cathy Nelson as Vice Moderator for the West Branch of the Presbytery.
Resolution of Thanks to the Outgoing Moderator:
Stated Clerk Carla Campbell presented a resolution of thanks to the outgoing Moderator of the Presbytery, the Rev. Jay Lewis, Esq. for his dedication and service to Pittsburgh Presbytery.
From the Executive Committee for information/action:
From the Stated Clerk:
Saturday, April 8, from 9-11:30 AM at Linway United Presbyterian Church
Saturday, April 22, from 9-11:30 AM at Hampton United Presbyterian ChurchSaturday, May 6, from 9-11:30 AM at Bethel Presbyterian Church, Bethel Park
Saturday, May 20, from 9-11:30 AM at Wallace Memorial Presbyterian Church
Saturday, June 3, from 9-11:30 AM at the Pittsburgh Presbytery Center
Overall Make-Up Session:
Saturday, September 9, from 9-11:30 AM at the Pittsburgh Presbytery Center
From Commission on Preparation for Ministry:
From the General Minister including:
From the Commission on Ministry:
Announced the following:
Approved the Appointment of the following Moderators:
- The Rev. Catherine Purves was named Pastor Emeritus for Bellevue United Presbyterian Church effective December 2, 2016
- The completion of the contract between the Hebron Presbyterian Church and the Rev. Cinda Isler effective January 31, 2017, and Oakdale United Presbyterian Church and the Rev. Robin Humphreys effective February 28, 2017
- The Rev. Darrell Knopp will be serving as part-time pastor at Emlenton Presbyterian Church, Lake Erie Presbytery effective January 1, 2017
- The Rev. Betty Angelini will be leaving Crestfield Camp & Conference Center effective February 20, 2017 to join Living River Camp and Conference Center in Birmingham, Alabama
- The request of the Rev. Dr. Wayne Peck for honorable retirement effective March 12, 2017; approved
- The Rev. David K. Wood as Moderator of the Glenshaw Valley Presbyterian Church effective February 1, 2017
- The Rev. Laura Strauss as Moderator of the Hebron Presbyterian Church effective February 1, 2017
- The Rev. Dr. Bob Downs as Moderator of the Clinton United Presbyterian Church effective April 24 – August 4, 2017
- The Rev. Dr. Billy Younger as Moderator of Oakdale United Presbyterian Church effective March 1, 2017
- The Rev. Steve Werth as Moderator of the Community House Presbyterian Church effective March 13, 2017
- The Rev. Dr. Roger Fischer as Moderator of the United Presbyterian Church of Buena Vista effective December 12, 2016
- The Rev. Rebecca DePoe as Moderator of Liberty Presbyterian Church effective February 1, 2017
- The Rev. John Yohe as Moderator of the Chartiers Valley United Presbyterian Church effective January 1, 2017
Approved the following Temporary Pastoral Contracts:
- The request of the Glenshaw Valley Presbyterian Church for the services of the Rev. David K. Wood as Interim Pastor effective February 1, 2017 for a period of one year
- The request of the Bethany Presbyterian Church for the services of the the Rev. Melany Hamilton as Interim Associate Pastor effective January 1, 2017 for a period of one year
- The request of the Lincoln Place Presbyterian Church for the services of the Revs. Judith Slater, Joshua Fisher and James Davidson as Temporary Pastors effective November 1, 2016, for a period of one year
- The request of the Carnegie Presbyterian Church to renew the contract for the services of the Rev. Tom Moore as Temporary Pastor for one year effective January 1, 2017
- The request of the Central Presbyterian Church, Tarentum, to renew the contract for the services of the Rev. Robert Dayton as Temporary Pastor for one year effective January 1, 2017
- The request of the Grace Memorial Presbyterian Church to renew the contract for the services of the Rev. Ronald Peters as Theologian in Residence for six months effective January 23, 2017
- The request of the United Presbyterian Church of Ingram to renew the contract for the services of the Rev. Aaron Teter as Temporary Pastor for one year effective January 1, 2017
- The request of the Mosaic Community Presbyterian Church to renew the contract for the services of the Rev. Saleem Ghubril as Temporary Pastor for one year effective January 1, 2017
- The request of the Homestead United Presbyterian Church to renew the contract for the services of the Rev. Sharon Stewart as Temporary Pastor for four months effective September 1, 2016
- The request of the Homestead United Presbyterian Church to renew the contract for the services of the Rev. Sharon Stewart as Temporary Pastor for one year effective January 1, 2017
- The request of the Homestead United Presbyterian Church to renew the contract for the services of the Rev. Joshua Fisher as Temporary Pastor for four months effective September 1, 2016
- The request of the Homestead United Presbyterian Church to renew the contract for the services of the Rev. Joshua Fisher as Temporary Pastor for one year effective January 1, 2017
- The request of the Mt. Pisgah Presbyterian Church to renew the contract for the services of the Rev. Tom Ribar as Temporary Pastor for one year effective January 1, 2017
- The request of the Verona United Presbyterian Church to renew the contract for the services of the Rev. Brian Diebold as Temporary Pastor for one year effective January 1, 2017
Approved Request to Close a Position:
- The request of the Lincoln Place Presbyterian Church to close the position of Pastor effective October 31, 2016
Granted Member-at-Large Status to the following:
Accepted the following Letters of Reception:
- The Rev. Cinda Isler effective February 1, 2017
- The Rev. Robin Humphreys effective March 2, 2017
Approved the Administrative Commission to Install:
- The Rev. David K. Wood from Wabash Valley Presbytery effective February 1, 2017
- The Rev. Karen Rohrer from Philadelphia Presbytery effective February 16, 2017
- The Rev. Owen Lewis Clark, HR, from Western New York Presbytery effective February 16, 2017
- The Rev. Dan Turis from Classis of Queens, Reformed Church of America, effective March 5, 2017
- The Rev. Andy Greenhow from Philadelphia Presbytery effective February 16, 2017
Approved the following Validated Ministries:
- The Rev. Tara Thompson as Associate Pastor of the Southminster Presbyterian Church on March 26, 2017
- The Rev. Karen Rohrer serving as Director of the Church Planting Initiative at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
- Kendra Buckwalter Smith serving as Worship Coordinator at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
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