Tradition and Trajectory--Synod Begins Its Work
There is a lot represented in the faces of delegates to Synod--—many places, many congregations, many encouragements and disappointments. Jonathan Watt recognized that in his brief sermon tonight as retiring moderator of Synod.
The 175th meeting of the RPCNA Synod convened this evening in the Old Main Chapel of Geneva College. Geneva is a Reformed Presbyterian institution in Beaver Falls, Pa.
The approximately 150 delegates, as well as guests, began the evening by singing Psalm 1. Afterward, Jonathan Watt sought to encourage pastors and elders with a message focusing on Hebrews 6:10, "For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister."
He pointed out that "at times in Synod, issues can dwarf servants," and so he asked people to be careful to look at the servant, and to look at the congregation he is representing.
The first evening of Synod is always a night for tradition, one of which is the introduction of first-time delegates. There are about a dozen new delegates this year, including Rut Etheridge, pastor of Providence RPC in Pittsburgh, Pa., installed just a few weeks ago.
Another long tradition is the electing of Synod's moderator. Pastor Bruce Hemphill nominated Rev. James C. Pennington, recently retired missionary-pastor, who was elected by unanimous voice vote. Rev. Pennington has served five North American congregations over his career and served as a missionary-pastor in Japan.
Later, the legacies of servants of the church who have died in the past year were remembered. This includes three pastors, E. Raymond Hemphill, Raymond P. Joseph, and John O. Edgar; two ruling elders, Harold McCrory and James Humphries; and four pastors' wives, Bernice Caskey, Jean Martin, Peg Wilson, and Marion Vos.
There was an introduction of some of the work ahead, as the Business of Synod Committee revealed its recommendations regarding a large number of communications to the Synod this year. These communications, typically transferred through presbyteries for a ruling from the “higher court” of Synod, cover many topics. They include church property, church membership, wine in communion, and appeals of certain presbytery decisions.
Those topics will be taken up again tomorrow. Also on the agenda will be home and foreign missions and reports of the seven presbyteries. Synod is scheduled to meet through June 30.
--Drew Gordon, editor
Reformed Presbyterian Witness
(As always, your corrections to these articles are welcome. I'd rather that timeliness not get in the way of accuracy. Send corrections to drew@psalms4u.com.)
The 175th meeting of the RPCNA Synod convened this evening in the Old Main Chapel of Geneva College. Geneva is a Reformed Presbyterian institution in Beaver Falls, Pa.
The approximately 150 delegates, as well as guests, began the evening by singing Psalm 1. Afterward, Jonathan Watt sought to encourage pastors and elders with a message focusing on Hebrews 6:10, "For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister."
He pointed out that "at times in Synod, issues can dwarf servants," and so he asked people to be careful to look at the servant, and to look at the congregation he is representing.
The first evening of Synod is always a night for tradition, one of which is the introduction of first-time delegates. There are about a dozen new delegates this year, including Rut Etheridge, pastor of Providence RPC in Pittsburgh, Pa., installed just a few weeks ago.
Another long tradition is the electing of Synod's moderator. Pastor Bruce Hemphill nominated Rev. James C. Pennington, recently retired missionary-pastor, who was elected by unanimous voice vote. Rev. Pennington has served five North American congregations over his career and served as a missionary-pastor in Japan.
Later, the legacies of servants of the church who have died in the past year were remembered. This includes three pastors, E. Raymond Hemphill, Raymond P. Joseph, and John O. Edgar; two ruling elders, Harold McCrory and James Humphries; and four pastors' wives, Bernice Caskey, Jean Martin, Peg Wilson, and Marion Vos.
There was an introduction of some of the work ahead, as the Business of Synod Committee revealed its recommendations regarding a large number of communications to the Synod this year. These communications, typically transferred through presbyteries for a ruling from the “higher court” of Synod, cover many topics. They include church property, church membership, wine in communion, and appeals of certain presbytery decisions.
Those topics will be taken up again tomorrow. Also on the agenda will be home and foreign missions and reports of the seven presbyteries. Synod is scheduled to meet through June 30.
--Drew Gordon, editor
Reformed Presbyterian Witness
(As always, your corrections to these articles are welcome. I'd rather that timeliness not get in the way of accuracy. Send corrections to drew@psalms4u.com.)
posted by RP Witness at 4:41 PM
<< Home