The Presbytery of the Highlands of New Jersey was blessed many times over at May 9th meeting, with a hybrid meeting taking place in beautiful Camp Johnsonburg. Being with so many others in person, and doing so in such a lovely setting, are things that we can no longer take for granted.

The Moderator, Rev. Tom Brown (Chatham Township), and the Vice-Moderator, Elder Sue Cail (Ringwood) opened the meeting with worship, with music provided by Johnsonburg’s own Justin Beaumont. Rev. Dr. Kimberly Wagner, Assistant Professor of Preaching at Princeton Theological Seminary preached, after leading the afternoon session of the day’s Pastors’ Retreat. She continued with our year-long focus on 2 Timothy, this time 2 Timothy 1:1-17, preaching through the lens of the television show Ted Lasso. Dr. Wagner and Rev. Brown then presided as those assembled in-person and online celebrated the Lord’s Supper. Worship closed by singing Pass It On, also known by its opening line “It only takes a spark.” Being a familiar component of many a church camp experience, it was sung with gusto, and became its own running theme throughout the evening.

Two teams within the Administration and Coordinating Team reported on some important initiatives taking place within our bounds. Discernment Team representatives, the Revs. Tim Clarkson (Union Hill) and Hannah Faye Allred (Kitchell), shared a video introducing the work of the Team and indicated how the whole Presbytery can expect to be involved. Elder Becky Moody (Madison) then shared a video on the Jim and Marie Chestnutt Fund, which supports an array of mission endeavors. Becky was there representing by the Funds Development Team.

Other Presbytery teams also reported in, beginning with Elder Lisa Kolterjahn (Old Greenwich), Co-Moderator of the Property and Insurance Team. She reminded the Presbytery of the Manse Assessement Form available on the Presbytery website. She encouraged all churches with manses to utilize this form annually, both as a safety check, and to make sure that these properties are in proper working order.

Then Amy Clarkson (Union Hill) spoke on behalf of the Young Leader Formation Team, inviting all interested persons to the free “Retreat~Refresh~Renew” gathering for youth ministry leaders, taking place at Johnsonburg in August.

The Johnsonburg Camp and Retreat Center then took center stage, as Executive Director Elise Bates Russell (Long Valley) updated the Presbytery on summer camp, construction plans which include the new Highlands Pavilion, and its ongoing capital drive. The Presbytery then heard from two young adults, Justin Beaumont and Harriet Tyler, who have been living at, and ministering through, Johnsonburg for the last year.

Following a motion made by Nominating Committee member, Rev. Amy Lincoln (Flemington), the assembly elected the Rev. Christopher Small to the Administration and Coordinating Team, Class of 2024. He is a chaplain at the Hunterdon Medical Center.

One final surprise was in store. Stated Clerk Steve Shussett learned days before the meeting, and after the docket had been finalized, that all of the proposed amendments to the Book of Order had reached the 84-vote threshold for passage. The votes of Highlands Presbytery having no impact on the final outcome, he sought permission from the Moderator to put the remaining amendments to a consent vote. Moderator Brown agreed, and the final six proposals passed quickly.

There being no new business, following the closing prayer many in attendance adjourned to the Lower Meadow to share s’mores and conversation around the campfire.

Our next Stated Meeting of the Presbytery will be on Saturday, September 9 at 10am. It will be a hybrid meeting, with the in-person component taking place at Pluckemin Presbyterian Church.