The last presbytery meeting of 2023 was a joyful occasion of worshiping God and celebrating gifts we’ve been given, and that will carry us into the future.

The meeting opened with the Vice-Moderator, Ruling Elder Sue Cail (Ringwood) calling the meeting to order, She quickly turned things over to Co-Moderator of the Committee on Ministry, John Crozier, who introduced a familiar and a not-so-familiar face to those assembled. Long-time member of the Presbytery, Rev. Carie Morgan, is now the Interim Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Boonton. James Vespoli was welcomed to the Presbytery, as he provides pastoral leadership to the Panther Valley Ecumenical Church in Allamuchy while completing seminary. This is possible because of the four-denomination agreement that formed this congregation some sixty years ago.

Stated Clerk Steve Shussett updated the Presbytery on a judicial matter stretching back to last year. He announced that in “Scott Foster v. The Presbytery of the Highlands of New Jersey,” an appeal of the January 2023 decision, the Synod Permanent Judicial Commission (PJC) upheld all four counts against Mr. Foster, ruling in favor of the Presbytery’s PJC. The complete ruling can be found here.

Worship was in the form of “Worshipful Work,” meaning that rather than Word and sermon, song and prayer, all at the same point in the meeting, these were woven throughout our time together. The meeting’s theme “Filled with Joy,” was personified by the Moderator, Rev. Tom Brown (Chatham Township) in his comments, and the night’s music leader, Rev. Mary Beth Mardis-Lecroy (Old Greenwich), who played guitar and sang for “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” and “Be Thou My Vision.” Thanks to you both!

November meetings in Highlands Presbytery include approving the next year’s budget. Ruling Elder Pete Peterson, Co-Moderator of the Administration and Coordination Team and Moderator of its Budget and Finance Team, reviewed material originally presented for a first reading in September. The 2024 Budget was approved, meeting the Presbytery’s needs for the year – and year’s – ahead, while continuing to reduce the deficit that was created with the 2021 transition. Thank you to the churches and their members for your generosity.

The Presbytery then voted on the first of what would be a series of nominations throughout the evening, beginning with nominations to the Nominating Committee. Then, after reflections from outgoing Moderator Brown, those assembled voted on General Assembly Commissioners and Young Adult Advisory Delegate, and finally those people serving on the many committees of the Presbytery. Thanks to Nominating Committee Moderator, the Rev. Barbara Aspinall (Ret.) and the work of the Committee, committees, commissions, and teams that are the lifeblood of a presbytery were expeditiously filled. But there are opportunities here if you feel called to contribute to the ministries of Highlands Presbytery.

A significant portion of the meeting was designated for the ongoing work of the Discernment Team, seeking to help this still-new presbytery hear God’s call. Team Member Tracey Henry (Teaching Elder, Clinton) highlighted the results of the recent poll, which will be shared in upcoming newsletters. Then  those assembled were assigned to breakout rooms to discuss two questions: “What would be one thing you (meaning your congregation/church leadership) would do if you knew it would be successful?” and “What would be the worst thing that could happen if you tried just one thing?”

The meeting concluded with a special time of worship, the installation of Moderator Sue Cail and Vice-Moderator Chad Rodgers (Teaching Elder, Lower Valley Presbyterian Church, Califon). Before the outgoing moderator offered the last blessing of his tenure, Sue exercised the first prerogative of her tenure, by thanking Tom for his exemplary service over the year.

The next meeting of the Presbytery will be on Saturday, January 27, 2024 from 10am-12pm, via Zoom.