Synod of the Trinity Enews: Ruth Santana-Grace standing for GA co-moderator

	June 9, 2022 The Synod of the Trinity Being More Together Philadelphia Ruth Santana-Grace answers call to stand for co-moderator Standing for moderator of the General Assembly had always been in the back of the Rev. Ruth Santana-Grace's mind. And when the executive presbyter of the Presbytery of Philadelphia received an out-of-the-blue phone call on a Monday morning in February urging her to stand, she decided to throw her hat into the ring. If elected, Ruth, who is standing with the Rev. Shavon Starling-Louis at the 225h General Assembly (2022), hopes they can team up to make a difference in the denomination. “I hope that we can start reframing and reclaiming the story that goes from east to west, north to south, so that we can inspire and be reminded of who we are called to be,” she said. To read more about Ruth's call and aspirations if elected, click here.                                                                        Meet the candidates Tonight: Presbyterian Outlook hosts conversation with standing co-moderators Tonight (June 9) at 7 p.m. (Eastern), the Presbyterian Outlook will hold its biennial "Meet the Candidates" gathering where commissioners and the public can meet those standing for moderator. There are two teams standing for co-moderator for the 225th General Assembly (2022), and one of them includes the executive presbyter of the Presbytery of Philadelphia, the Rev. Ruth Santana-Grace. More information and registration are available by clicking here.                                                                        225th General Assembly The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) will make history this month with the denomination's first hybrid General Assembly. The following are some of the highlights of the gathering (times are Eastern): Saturday, June 18 Opening Worship, 11 a.m. Elections, 8 p.m. Sunday, June 19 Juneteenth Service, 11 a.m. June 20-July 2 Committee Meetings July 5-9 Plenary 4-17 (online) A full docket is available by clicking here. Synod executive serving as ACC moderator Synod of the Trinity Executive Forrest Claassen will be the moderator for the Advisory Committee on the Constitution during the 225th General Assembly (2022). The ACC works during a 60-day window to review items of business with possible constitutional implications — including resolutions, reports and overtures that relate “to interpretation and amendment” — and then crafts written advice that Assembly commissioners and other participants can review as text. For more on Forrest's upcoming work and that of the ACC, click here. Lehigh Lehigh Presbytery follows Jack Ferlino's lead to help Ukraine Lehigh Presbytery's relationship with the Hungarian Reformed Church of Romania dates back three decades. With the war that is currently occurring in Ukraine, this bond has become even more important these days. The presbytery created a matching donation drive, with the money being used to purchase supplies like diapers and sanitary wipes that are in high demand for these refugees, as well as basic foods, laundry detergent and medical supplies. A portion of the money was also forwarded to a Hungarian church that is housing some refugees. As of early May, Lehigh Presbytery had sent more than $17,000 in contributions to the Hungarian Church in Romania. For more on this longstanding ministry at Lehigh Presbytery, click here. Upper Ohio Valley Calvary Church's Little Kidz Kloset fills need in St. Clairsville, OH There are numerous outreaches for the poor, the homeless, teenagers and those with addictions. At Calvary Presbyterian Church in St. Clairsville, OH, the congregation is embracing a different demographic with the hopes of making a difference in its community. Every Thursday, the church opens its Little Kidz Kloset to provide necessities like diapers, wipes, clothing and even toys for newborns to age 5 in the area. It’s an outreach that is both unique and sorely needed. “It’s to help young mothers who may be struggling with having a baby and how to take care of a baby,” said Beth Hahn, the coordinator of the program. To read more about this unique ministry, click here. Huntingdon Partnership Grant is music to Huntingdon Presbytery's ears In the fall of 2021, the Synod of the Trinity awarded a Partnership Grant to Huntingdon Presbytery’s Committee on Presbyterian Life, which it is using to create a songbook for use in pastoral ministry across the presbytery and synod as well as with ecumenical partners throughout the world via the internet. To date, the places the prayer songs have been used recently include funerals, day care centers and during hospital and senior residence visits. For more on this songbook ministry, click here.
Pittsburgh Presbytery passes voter suppression resolution At Pittsburgh Presbytery's stated meeting in May, it passed a resolution on voter suppression that is asking for "election integrity." "The indisputable fact is that lawmakers are making it increasingly difficult for people of limited means to vote, something that surely, and we believe intentionally, disproportionately affects people of color," explained Sheldon Sorge, the presbytery's general minister. "It is an ill-disguised attempt on the part of legislators currently in power to reduce the number of votes that would likely go against them." Find the resolution plus Sheldon's reaction to the recent shooting in Uvalde, TX, by clicking here. Weapons at Church: The Unthinkable in God's House We like to think of our churches as places of safety and refuge. A place to commune with God and join in fellowship with our church community. Unfortunately, others view churches as targets. White supremacist Dylan Roof murdered nine people at Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in South Carolina in 2015. Recently a Las Vegas man with a grudge against Taiwan entered the Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods, CA, and shot members and friends of the Irvine Taiwanese Presbyterian Church who were gathered at a celebratory luncheon. It is unfortunate that church leaders must think about how to prevent such violence or how to respond to it if it happens. But sessions should discuss church safety. There are many resources available for churches. The Synod has compiled a webpage on Church Safety/Disaster Preparedness and is available by clicking here. 7 from Synod are regulars at Pentecost The Pentecost Offering helps the church encourage, develop and support its young people, and also addresses the needs of at-risk children. Up to 40 percent of the Pentecost offering can be retained by individual congregations wanting to make an impact in the lives of young people within their own community. The remaining 60 percent is used to support children-at-risk, youth and young adults through ministries of the Presbyterian Mission Agency. During the past 20 years, seven churches in the Synod's bounds have participated every year in the Pentecost offering. They are: CARLISLE PRESBYTERY • Market Square Presbyterian Church • Silver Spring Presbyterian Church LEHIGH PRESBYTERY • Faith Presbyterian Church of Emmaus NORTHUMBERLAND PRESBYTERY • First Presbyterian Church of Galeton PRESBYTERY OF PHILADELPHIA • Doylestown Presbyterian Church PRESBYTERY OF WEST VIRGINIA • Davis Memorial Presbyterian Church • Highlawn Presbyterian Church Flooding causes havoc in WV church In early May, Enslow Park Presbyterian Church in Huntington, WV, suffered some flooding damage from the rains that affected many in the region. According to Pastor John Yeager, "Water ranged from zero to 3 inches in the basement." On Friday afternoon when the flooding started, at the church's preschool that also is housed in the building,"The 20 remaining kids and nine adults got out by 4:30," John said. "Polly and her seven teachers and Jeannie Evans were nothing less than profiles of courage as they watched their cars get 'totaled' and remained vigilant in their protection of the children." For a news report on the localized flooding, click here. Church financial leadership coaching program The Presbyterian Foundation has created a free, 12-month coaching program for church pastors that will assist them in leading their congregation down the path of financial sustainability to fulfill their church's mission. Click here to view a short video about the program and fill out an application to become a coaching program participant. Campground ministry chaplains needed The Pennsylvania Council of Churches’ Campground Ministry is seeking chaplains for the 2022 summer season. This is a paid position and this year, they’ve added even more opportunities to serve across Pennsylvania. To learn more about the position, click here. It’s easy to apply via PCC's website and the online application. This is a first-come, first-filled opportunity, so if you or someone you know might be interested in serving, please apply immediately.
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