The Synod of the Trinity Enews: Kilberts reunite at General Assembly

	July 26, 2024 The Synod of the Trinity Being More Together General Assembly Kilbert twins relish time together at General Assembly Chris and Brian Kilbert attended this year's 226th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Salt Lake City. The 45-year-olds from the Synod of the Trinity region are not only brothers, but also twins. It made for an extra-special time for the two to bond over Presbyterian work while also getting in some sightseeing and hiking after their GA work was complete. “During General Assembly, I was very thankful to be able to share that experience with Brian,” Chris said. “Obviously we were with our own presbytery commissioners in different parts of the Assembly room, but for meals and evenings, we were able to be together and that was special.” For more on their experiences, which included being recognized for their 20-year ordination anniversary in front of a 600-person plenary, click here. __________________________________ Headlines from Salt Lake City CO-MODERATORS ELECTED Commissioners to the 226th General Assembly chose two South Carolina pastors, the Rev. CeCe Armstrong and the Rev. Tony Larson, to be the next co-moderators. They will serve a two-year term and are the fifth straight team of co-moderators to win election. To learn more about this team, click here. STATED CLERK NAMED Rev. Jihyun Oh was duly elected to the office of Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The vote was 420-2. For more on Rev. Oh, click here. PER CAPITA INCREASES During the final day of the General Assembly, per capita rates were set of $10.84 for 2025 and $11.26 for 2026. Those figures include 64 cents during each of those years for items with financial implications approved by the Assembly. The current per capita rate is $9.80. To read more, click here. LAKE ERIE OVERTURES Three overtures came before the 226th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) that were sponsored by the Presbytery of Lake Erie that dealt with "shared ministry." Click here to read more. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT The 10 most significant things commissioners did at the Salt Palace Convention Center and in neighboring churches between June 29 and July 4 have been recapped. Find the list by clicking here. Lake Erie Costly small fires doesn't deter New Hope Church Finding a beacon of light while sifting through the ashes following a fire isn’t easy. At New Hope Presbyterian Church in Erie, PA, the positive vibes that have come the congregation’s way since that May 9 emergency have helped carry it forward. “It’s just been incredible the amount of prayer support, cards and people stepping up to the plate,” said New Hope Church Commissioned Pastor Clay Woodring. “We had people from as far away as Indiana state that were at that pastors’ conference. All these Presbyterians are praying for us, and it just boomeranged. We have been taken care of, prayed for.” For more on the costly fire that could have been a lot worse, click here. Upper Ohio Valley Golf ministry a hole-in-one at First Westminster Church There’s something about the game of golf that can bring people together. No, the sport is not for everyone, but for those who enjoy golf, it can be as much a social experience as an athletic one. This in a nutshell is why the First Westminster Presbyterian Church of Steubenville, OH, has decided to bring the game of golf in the form of a golf simulator to its campus. It’s an activity that fits any age and one that can unite a congregation and, in fact, a whole community, while also providing life lessons and an important skill. “Our vision is for it to become a hub of relationships,” Jason said. “To watch the Holy Spirit work through relationships – it’s unbelievable how doors open. To watch the relationships fall into place, it as pretty evident that God had his hand through all of this. Ministry is about relationships and to watch this hook of golf bring those relationships together with God’s hand has been awesome.” For more on this unique outreach, click here. Philadelphia Synod grant helps Ivyland volunteers travel to Europe A Synod of the Trinity Mission Travel Grant assisted volunteers from Ivyland Presbyterian Church in the Presbytery of Philadelphia to travel to Europe this summer. "(In Naples), we met some wonderful children. We shared a week together studying the story of Joseph (Giuseppe). We studied lessons, worked on crafts, performed a play and played games. "The team walked together (6-7 miles per day), sweat together, ate together, laughed together and prayed together. It was a wonderful blessing." For more on this overseas trip, click here.
Synod PW seeking mission project apps The Presbyterian Women of the Synod of the Trinity has announced that its Mission Team is accepting applications for the 2025 PW Synod Mission project grants. The criteria of the project is that it will impact the lives of: women, children, youth, racial ethnic persons and persons with a disability and have a PW connection. The nominated project for 2025 should be a project within the Synod of the Trinity. For more information and to learn more about the Synod's PW, click here. ____________ Northumberland PW learn about Casa Materna The Presbyterian Women of Northumberland Presbytery hosted a luncheon on June 22 to learn more about the Presbyterian Women 2024 Synod of the Trinity Mission Project: Casa Materna. Casa Materna is a prenatal clinic and birthing center in San Juan La Laguna, Guatemala. There is so much to the story, especially how Guatemalan women are being educated and certified in midwifery and nursing care. For more information, click here. Welcome new pastors! Gleaned from presbytery newsletters in the Synod of the Trinity region, we recognize these pastoral celebrations: PRESBYTERY OF DONEGAL **Easter Smart was installed as the pastor at Centre Presbyterian Church in New Park on July 14. HUNTINGDON PRESBYTERY **Scott Hoffman will be installed as the senior pastor at State College Presbyterian Church on Aug. 4. **Hilary Livingston will begin her ministry as the pastor at Providence Presbyterian Church in Altoona on Sept. 22. PCUSA launches interactive map The 226th General Assembly (2024) approved the descriptions of presbytery boundaries submitted via overture by each synod. This interactive map shows the results of this long and complicated process, which included invitations to all stated clerks and executives to share information in the early stages and to confirm the final product. Click here to view the map. Evangelism Conference set for Oct. Registration for the 2024 Evangelism Conference, planned by the PCUSA's Theology, Formation & Evangelism committee, is now open. The “A Lifestyle That Exudes Justice” Evangelism Conference will be held Oct. 3-5 at the Presbyterian Center in Louisville, KY. They will explore how we are called to embody the good news of God’s healing and compassion through "A Lifestyle that Exudes Justice." Click here to learn more and register. Donegal running trip for Civil Rights Tour The Presbytery of Donegal is sponsoring a Civil Rights Pilgrimage Bus Tour to Virginia, Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee from Oct. 19-26. The package includes eight days and seven nights of lodging, breakfast, transportation, museum tour fees and speakers. The cost is $1,625 per person for double occupancy and single occupancy is $2,175 per person (may be less depending on participants). Lunch and dinner are NOT included in the price. A limited number of single rooms are available. More information is available by clicking here. Krislund offering space for PSU fans If you’re looking for a place to stay during your Penn State football weekend, Krislund Camp & Conference Center in nearby Madisonburg, PA, may have just the place for you. Stay in one of the camp's cabins and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of Krislund after an exciting day at the stadium. For information on availability and pricing, call (814) 422-8878 or email registration@krislund.org. 'In the Arms of God' workshops at Montreat Montreat Conference Center in Montreat, NC, will hold its Women's Connection 2024 Workshops focusing on "In the Arms of God" from Aug. 9-11. Through “In the Arms of God,” you’ll have the chance to retreat from the day-to-day, take a deep breath of the Spirit, gather in community with other women of faith and leave with a heart full of hope. The preacher for the event will be Ruth Faith Santana-Grace, the co-moderator of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and general presbyter of the Presbytery of Philadelphia. For more information on these workshops, click here. Youth Triennium set for 2025 The Office of Presbyterian Youth and Triennium (PYT) has announced the 2025 Presbyterian Youth Triennium will be held in Louisville from July 28-31, 2025. It will be held at the Kentucky International Convention Center and surrounding hotels — all located very close to the Presbyterian Center — in downtown Louisville. Four new PYT Connect resources based on the theme of “When Did We See You?” can be used to create and host your own local or regional PYT theme experience. They are free to use for a wide variety of events and settings including church gatherings or a weekend retreat. The Event Planning Guide, Group Study Guide, Recreation Guide and Worship & Prayer Guide are available by clicking here.
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