Musings with Our Stated Clerk Reid K. Beveridge Highlights of

Musings with Our Stated Clerk
Reid K. Beveridge
Highlights of December’s presbytery meeting. . .
Easily the highlight of the stated presbytery meeting on Dec. 3 was the visit
by General Assembly moderator Neal Presa. We were pleased that the moderator
participated in the second joy of the day,
the recognition of chartering of the new Olivet
Presbyterian Church at Pencader.
To which General Assembly Stated Clerk Gradye
Parsons responded by e-mail: “Hallelujah, the PCUSA
lives.”
The actual chartering of Olivet will occur next year
at the Pencader location. The former Ghanaian Fellowship,
which comprises Olivet, has been worshipping for several
years at the Limestone church. With prospect of chartering
Mawuna Gardesey & Neal Presa. Photo courtesy
as the presbytery’s 53 congregation, the presbytery decided
of Tom Davis.
to “give” the Pencader building to the Ghanians. Extensive
physical renovations are nearing completion, facilitated and supervised by the Presbytery
Trustees. Short answer: The building needed to be brought up to code.
Moderator Presa also brought “greetings” from the national church, including comments on
his travels around the denomination and
world-wide.
In other action, the Presbytery:
 Approved revisions in Appendix B of the
Presbytery Manual and adopted Appendix
S – Administrative Leave. This completes
revisions of the Manual. The presbytery
also rescinded the motion adopted several
years ago to adhere to the old Book of
Order pending such revisions.
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Adopted the unified Presbytery budget
for 2014. Per capita was set at $31 per
member.
Makemie Memorial PC. Photo courtesy of Tom Davis.
Approved the co-pastor relationship at
Calvary church with Neta Pringle and John Molina Moore sharing the full-time job, each at
half time. Rev. Moore will continue as associate pastor at Red Clay Creek.

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Approved the following pastoral relationships:
Jane Day Stover will be the called, installed pastor at Elsmere.
She has been designated pastor.
William Reed will be the commissioned ruling elder for particular
pastoral service (CRE) at Delaware City.
Pam Ruarke will be the same at Faith Chapel.
The presbytery approved the recommendation from the Committee
on Ministry to remove the Revs. Lynn Arnold and Lucinda Brown
from the roll of minister-members. This effectively removes their ordinations.
Moderator, Mark Olson commissions Bill Reed &
Pam Ruarke. Photo courtesy of Tom Davis.
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Approved two overtures to General Assembly (which convenes next June in Detroit):

Supporting the IMCK medical organization in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,
specifically in Kananga Province, with whose presbytery we have a relationship.

Urging General Assembly to rescind and repeal the 1991 Authoritative Interpretation
prohibiting PCUSA ministers from officiating at same-sex weddings and prohibiting
Sessions from permitting churches to be used for such
weddings. An authoritative interpretation is binding on all
Presbyterians. AI’s can be achieved in two ways: either by
approval in a General Assembly or a decision by the GA’s
Permanent Judicial Commission.

Celebrated the installation of Ruling Elder Mark Olson (First and
Central) as moderator for 2014 and Ruling Elder Julius Jackson
(Community) as vice moderator.
-- Reid K. Beveridge, stated clerk
Outgoing moderator, Sara Holben, installs Mark Olson &
Julius Jackson. Photo courtesy of Tom Davis.
See more photos of our 822nd Stated Meeting of Presbytery at Makemie Memorial PC taken by Tom Davis here.
Moderator's Prayer Calendar
Praying Through the Presbytery
Week 50 December 11h – December 17th
NCP Congregation:
Teaching Elders:
Seaford (Laurie Hiller, pastor)
Jody Taualofai (member at large)
Jackie Taylor (assoc. exec. NCP; director Speer Trust)
Beth Thomas (parish assoc., First Newark)
Committees/Units:
Speer Trust: Debr a Latture, (TE, Makemie Memorial)
MDU: Signe Bell, lay, Fir st & Centr al
NCP Staff:
Reid Beveridge (Stated Clerk)
NCP Partners in Ministry: NCP commissioners to GA:
Neeshard Ahamad, (RE Limestone)
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Feasting and Dignifying Differences
Feasting together is human beings’ default way to dignify their differences. This was the principle
message of the Rev. Neal Presa when he spoke to members of New Castle Presbytery, convening at
the Makemie Memorial Presbyterian Church in Snow Hill, Maryland, on December 3rd. See the
video below.
If you read my last post you’ll notice that Neal and I
agree. I wrote there about four steps to interfaith
peacemaking. Supping together is the recommended
first step in that process.
Interfaith readers might want to know, what’s a
Moderator do? Well, Presbyterians in the United
States every two years hold a national assembly, and
that assembly is presided over by a Moderator, who
guides the proceedings using prayer and Roberts’
Rules of Order. Moderators are elected at these
assemblies, and serve for one term, until the next
assembly takes place. Lay people as well as pastors
are eligible for election. After the assembly adjourns
the Moderator and Vice Moderator become
representatives for the denomination. They visit
throughout the country and abroad, giving speeches
to interpret and promote the mission of the whole
church.
In his closing remarks Moderator Presa told an
interfaith good news story, about a Christian pastor
who defied the Egyptian government in order to build
media literacy educator, photojournalist, film
a new church, and was saved from imprisonment later by maker Director of Teledavis LLC
Twitter: @tcd123usa
Muslim neighbors. Watch this story
Blogs: CyberKenBlog InterfaithReflections
about the “inside-outside” church.
The presbytery of Eastern
Virginia is seeking a parttime pastor, perhaps
someone who is
newly retired, to serve two small Makemie churches in
Accomack County, Virginia. For those whose geography is
weak, Accomack County is immediately south of Pocomoke
City. The town of Accomack is the county seat.
The churches, which are yoked, are in Accomack and
Onancock. There is a manse in Onancock. The present supply
pastor is fully retiring in the near future. Anyone interested in
this opportunity should contact Q. John Tamm, a member of
PEVA's Committee on Ministry, at 757-831-1942.
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LDU Kick Off Event
For New Officers and Experienced Leaders!
February 9th 2pm-5:15pm
Elkton PC 209 E Main St, Elkton, MD
For New Church Officers &
Experienced Church Leaders
Red Clay Creek will host
4 more weeks of Officer Training
following this kick off event.
See the full schedule below.
For the cold beautiful places
that we can visit briefly
before returning home
to warm rooms and hot chocolate,
thank you!
For this lovely terrifying world
we get to visit briefly
before you call us home,
thank you!
Photo of Naamans Creek, Arden, Delaware just
after a snow storm. Photo and prayer copyright
2013 by Danny N. Schweers, http://
www.photoprayer.com/
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t
-
r
APCE (Association of Presbyterian Church
Educators) Scholarships Now Available for the
National Conference "Connected", to be held in San
Jose, CA January 29--February 1, 2014. LDU has
set aside $1500 in scholarship money for 2-3
educators. If you work with children, youth, and/or
adults in Christian Education this is the conference
for you. Great workshops, incredible worship
experiences, connecting with other educators from
all across the globe.
Interested? Contact Rachel Sykes via email or (302) 366-0595.
Race, Reconciliation and Reconstruction:
Celebrating 20 Years of
Democracy in South Africa
A Travel/Study Event to South Africa
June 2 – 15, 2014
Sponsored by the Presbyterian Campus Ministry at The University of Delaware &
New Castle Presbytery
In 1994, South Africa held its first ever all-race elections and Nelson Mandela became
her first democratically elected president. Apartheid, the social system established to separate the
races in all aspects of life, was shattered overnight, but the legacy of apartheid haunts South Africa.
Unemployment, poverty, HIV and AIDS, are just a few of the massive social problems facing South
Africa going forward.
In this visit, just months after the 20th anniversary of those first democratic elections, we will explore
the political, economic, social and religious transitions and challenges in this young democracy. The
agenda will include conversations with religious, political, and social activists who fought the antiapartheid struggle and with students who are members of the “born free” generation. Visits to
schools, churches and hospitals, often in poverty stricken former “townships” will supplement and
inform these conversations.
Our group will visit Pretoria, Johannesburg and Cape Town, including the former townships of
Soweto, Guguletu and Belhar. Group leader will be Bob Schminkey, a former PC(USA) mission
worker in South Africa.
COST: The cost of this trip for non-students is estimated to be $4,250. Please note that the pr ice
is highly dependent on air fares available at the time of purchase and exchange rates. The group size
will be limited to a maximum of 20.
Application Deadline: January 15, 2014
To request an application or for more information, please contact
Bob Schminkey at: [email protected] or Rev. Nona Holy at: [email protected]
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Choir Director Wanted
Ocean View Presbyterian Church located in
Ocean View, Delaware is currently seeking a
Choir Director to lead our choir during Sunday
worship and special Celebration services.
Candidates must be able to play piano )organ
experience a plus), work with the choir in a
teaching capacity, and participate in music
selection as a member of the church's Worship
Committee. OVPC is a small church with a rich
history dating back to
1856 actively committed
to mission, fellowship,
and worship.
For more information or
to submit a resume please
email [email protected]
or call (302) 539-3455
MARRIED CLERGY
We invite you to bring your sweetheart,
come away from the world, and focus just
on your spouse and your relationship;
Restore, Renew, and Rekindle.
Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekends take
couples beyond the frustration, disappointments, and
loneliness that can be a part of everyday life. Make
your marrriage sparkle!
An Inter-denominational Marriage Encounter
Weekend will be offer ed for cler gy only Jan. 16-18,
2014 (Thurs. evening-Sat. afternoon)
presented by the Presbyterian, United Methodist, and
Mennonite/Brethren Faith Expressions.
This Thurs night through Sat. afternoon schedule
enables clergy to be back in their churches on Sunday.
The "weekend" will be held in a beautiful romantic
bed and breakfast in Havre de Grace, MD.
Due to an interfaith grant, your cost is only $150 per
couple.
Contact Mike & Julie Rominger (ph. 302-477-1133)
[email protected] to register or go on-line at:
www.encounter.org
NCP’s F.I.R.S.T. church planter, Holly ClarkPorter is doing work to create a new
worshipping community in the city of
Wilmington. The work she is doing is part of the
1001 worshipping communities initiative.
She is writing a blog (called the Agora Report) Check it out!
Washington
“Guide our feet into the path of peace.” (Luke 1:79)
Jesus Weeps
Resisting Violence Building Peace
Advocacy Training Weekend 2014
March 21-24
Washington, DC
Join Presbyterians for
Compassion, Peace, and Justice Training Day
Friday, March 21, 2014, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Register early for the best rates! Early registration
open October 1–January 15
$60—CPJ Day, not attending EAD
$40—CPJ Day, also attending EAD
$20—CPJ Day, student and youth (under 30)
Continue learning with our ecumenical
sisters and brothers during
Ecumenical Advocacy Days
Friday, March 21, 6:00p.m. through Monday,
March 24, 2014
Register early for the best rates! Early registration
for EAD through March 21
$195—Friday through Monday
$100—Friday and Saturday only
$100—Sunday and Monday only
For additional information, please visit pcusa.org/
washington.
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With great sadness, the Presbytery announces that Robert and Nancy Titus, lost their adopted son from Sri
Lanka. PK (Patrick Kanan) succumbed to muscular dystrophy at age 19 on November 19. Read his obituary
here.
Nancy and Bob are now pastors at two different churches in Pittsburgh. They served at New Castle in the
early 2000's. They also have twin boys and a daughter from China.
Here is their contact information for any pastors in the area whom would like to send condolences:
[email protected]
Revs. Robert and Nancy Titus
3339 New England Road, West Mifflin, PA 15122
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Beating Bowel Cancer
This month, we are celebrating
Decembeard, a fundraiser that focuses on
the treatment and prevention of colorectal
cancer.
Bowel
cancer
affects over
41,000
people
every year – men and women of all ages –
and claims almost 50 lives every
day. BUT if bowel cancer is caught early
over 90% of cases can be treated
successfully. If you have symptoms and
you are worried, make an appointment and
talk to your doctor today.
New Castle Presbytery
&
Speer Trust
1102 W. Church Road
Newark, DE 19711–2506
(302) 366-0595 office ● (302) 366-0714 fax
www.ncpresbytery.org www.speertrust.org
Hours: Monday-Thursday
8:30 AM—4:30 PM
Friday
8:30 AM-3:00 PM
Staff
Rev. James L. Moseley, Executive Presbyter
Rev. Jacqueline E. Taylor, Associate Executive
Presbyter and Director, Speer Trust
Reid Beveridge, Stated Clerk
Donna L. Scully, Executive Assistant
Rachel Sykes, Administrative Assistant;
Communications Coordinator
NCP Resource Personnel
Rev. Tom Davis
Rev. Doug Gerdts
Rev. Nona Holy
Susan Wilson
Related Organizations
Click to visit our Health Ministry page this
month to learn more about colorectal
cancer and its symptoms.
Stephanie Scully ,
RN, BSN
Presbyterian Campus Ministry
Career Insights for Teens
Crossroads International Fellowship
Interfaith Resource Center
Meeting Ground Inc.
New Hope Pastoral Counseling
Pacem In Terris
PCUSA Investment & Loan Program
Presbyterian Foundation
Presbyterian Women
Westminster Village
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