The Presbyteries--More News from Tuesday

Another focus of the day was the work of the RPCNA’s presbyteries—six of them in North America and one in Japan. Presbyteries met separately in the afternoon; then, in the evening they reported to the Synod. Here are some highlights from those presbytery reports:

Alleghenies—Gave thanks for the successful merger of the Geneva and First Beaver Falls congregations. There were two well-attended presbytery youth conferences in the last year, and there are eight theological students under care of the presbytery. Sadness was expressed over the need to suspend one pastor.

Atlantic—There has been nearly a 50 percent increase in deacons in the past year among the six congregations. There are two centers of outreach in the presbytery, both under the oversight of the Cambridge, Mass., RPC.

Great Lakes-Gulf—Has given the green light to exploratory work in Atlanta after a positive report from a presbytery commission. This is a key population center in the presbytery that has no RP congregation.

Japan Presbytery—Asked prayer for hard-working pastors in the presbytery, who are also teaching at Kobe Theological Hall (KTH). Some pastors and their families are facing health problems. Kobe Theological Hall has 14 students. Missionary Patricia Boyle is teaching English at a local university and is academic dean of KTH, in addition to other work in the congregations.

Midwest Presbytery—Stan Copeland accepted a call to Minneola, Kan., RPC, leaving just one vacant congregation among the 17.

Pacific Coast Presbytery—three mission teams visited the presbytery. This presbytery is also the current regional focus of the work of Synod’s Revitalization Committee.

St. Lawrence Presbytery—Received a new student under care today. Announced plans to organize the Russell, Ont., mission work as a congregation in October.