Presbytery Meeting Summary – March 12, 2024 via ZOOM
The Presbytery of the Highlands marked its third anniversary by celebrating the gifts of its members and congregations. It was a perfect reminder of the year’s theme, “Sharing Our Gifts,” as there were numerous new ruling elders attending, and more digital announcements than ever shared, demonstrating the vitality of our churches. For highlights of the Presbytery’s mission and ministry, go to the Annual Report.
This meeting wove worship, business, and “Sharing Our Stories” of missional engagement throughout. The Nominating Committee opened with gratefully receiving new gifts, as the Rev. Amy Lincoln (Flemington), presented two people for election to the Committee on Preparation for Ministry. Rev. Scot McCachren (Mendham), a member of Property and Insurance Team and the New Jersey Insurance Partnership, updated the Presbytery on the progress that is being made with updating the terms agreed upon with our insurer.
Administration and Coordinating Team Co-Moderator Pete Peterson first presented a new covenant between the Presbyterian Women of Highlands Presbytery and Highlands Presbytery; this was approved by the Presbytery. Pete then placed the ACT’s recommendation to concur with seven overtures under consideration by the General Assembly. Under the denomination’s rules, at least one concurrence is required for any Presbytery’s overture to go to the national level. By the end of the evening, each of the seven received the votes necessary to go to the appropriate GA committee this summer for subsequent action. To get more information on all of the actions being placed before GA 226 in Salt Lake City, and to follow the Assembly itself from June 25-July 4, go to PC-Biz.
“Sharing Our Gifts” as worship leaders were members of the Administration and Coordinating Team: Co-Moderator Pete Peterson (Clinton), Presbytery Treasurer Becky Moody (Madison), and ACT member Rev. Scott DeCaro (Alpha). Music was provided by Craig Barth (Morristown), including a solo of “Here In This Place” (“Gather Us In”), and playing “By All Our Saints” for the offertory. The piece was a fitting companion to the annual reading of the necrology, a moving observance that commemorates the ruling elders and ministers of the Presbytery who died in 2023. Those names can be found here and in the year’s Annual Report.
Returning to its business, the Presbytery approved the Committee on Preparation for Ministry’s policy addendum as presented by Co-Moderator Donna Rahmann (Ruling Elder, Fairmount). This action means our policy now complies with the new Book of Order for boundary training for all under care of the Presbytery. Presbytery Leader Jeanne Radak spoke on behalf of the Church Development Team, inviting congregations to take a deep dive into the people around them by using the Presbytery’s Mission Insite license. This demographic work can have both immediate and long-term benefits. Congregations should contact Resource Staff Steve Shussett (steves@highlandspresbyterynj.
The Presbytery learned new ways to participate in Presbyterian Disaster Assistance work, thanks to a video provided by Rev. Merideth Mueller-Bolton (Frenchtown). A National Response Team member herself, the video shared new ways that people can get involved in longer-term PDA work, and Merideth pointed to shorter but no less important opportunities to help with disaster relief. Steve Shussett (Presbytery Resource Staff) gave a report on the recent Family Spirituality Day hosted by the Young Leader Formation Team, which he staffs. Despite heavy rains, the ten adults and children who attended learned more about what it means to have a relationship with God. Members of the Presbytery were encouraged to mark their calendars for Sunday, August 25, from 2-6:30pm for the annual Young Leader Formation Workshop for all youth leaders. This year’s speaker will be Liz Moore, assistant director of Princeton Seminary’s Institute for Youth Ministry.
A full evening’s agenda ended with a lot of fun, as the Revs. Linda Owens (Bound Brook) and Hannah Faye Allred (Kitchell), members of the Discernment Team, unveiled the participants in the upcoming “Presbytery Scramble.” With a “Bachelorette”-style video — roses and all! — they shared the pulpit exchanges in which preachers and a several church members will be swapped later this spring.
After a full and informative evening, fun and joy were the perfect ending to this third anniversary celebration. The next meeting of the Presbytery of the Highlands of New Jersey is May 14, starting at 4pm. It will be a hybrid meeting taking place at Camp Johnsonburg. Co-Moderator of the 225th General Assembly, the Rev. Ruth Faith Santana-Grace (Philadelphia Presbytery), will be speaking, the new Highlands (Presbytery) Pavilion will be dedicated, and our GA commissioners and delegate will be commissioned.
Sharing Our Stories
MEETING EMERGENCY NEEDS
First Presbyterian Church of Alexandria
Rev. Nick Hatch (Alexandria) relayed the church’s response to an area family unexpectedly losing their home. Several churches in the area, including several in Highlands Presbytery, helped the family find a place to live, and provided for their many needs. Recognizing that situations like this are not unique, given natural and human-caused emergency evacuations, Alexandria took on the creation of emergency packs, essential items needed by anyone when suddenly evacuating their home. (The photo – predating this current project – is of a group preparing clean fleece bedding for rescue animals.)
FIFTH SATURDAYS IN FRENCHTOWN
Frenchtown Presbyterian Church
Rev. Merideth Mueller-Bolton (Frenchtown) shared the story of the church’s “Fifth Saturdays in Frenchtown” ministry, which focuses on outreach and community building across age groups. Events have included
- an indoor game night (pivoting after rain cancelled the planned outdoor campfire);
- going to a Trenton Thunder baseball game;
- and a community clean-up day.
APPALACHIAN SERVICE PROJECT
Union Hill Presbyterian Church
June Kibe, music director of the Union Hill Presbyterian Church and friend of the congregation, shared how both youth and youth leaders benefit from the long relationship that the congregation has had with the annual Appalachia Service Project.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Program
Learn how your church can contribute to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance’s ministries by going here.
Regional opportunities for disaster relief are available here Upcoming trips to North Carolina are scheduled for early April and October/November, repairing damage from disasters that took place five years ago. Trips are $250 per person, and you don’t have to have construction skills to participate – there is demo and clean up work anyone can do, and they will teach you what you don’t know! An Application and Registration Form is available through the link.
To learn more about joining the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance National Response Team, see this PDA video
Who is My Neighbor? Conversations about your neighborhood
In Luke 10:25-37, Jesus tells us whom he considered to be a neighbor in the Parable of the Good Samaritan.
Do we know the answer to this question in our community?
God is in ministry in our neighborhoods and communities. How are we going to respond? The first step is to find those people in your neighborhood to whom God is calling you as partners. Who is My Neighbor? is a process of using your congregation’s demographics to learn about the people in your neighborhood and ministry opportunities. Follow the link to learn more.
Meet Our New Colleagues
Rev. Janice Ammon
Retired Minister Member
Rev. Chad Rodgers
Associate Director of Programs, Johnsonburg Camp & Retreat Center
Rev. Audrey Webber
Associate Pastor
Presbyterian Church in Morristown
Clergy Care Fund
The day’s offering was dedicated to the Clergy Care Fund which assists pastors in times of crisis and emergency. Gifts may be given online by
- using the QR Code below
- going to the Highlands Presbytery website here
- texting “PRESBY Meeting” to 73256
- or sending a check to Presbytery of the Highlands, 390 Route 10 West, Randolph, NJ 07869, and putting “Clergy Care Fund” in the Memo Line.
New Jersey Presbyterian Congregational Insurance Partnership
What is the New Jersey Presbyterian Congregational Insurance Partnership?
The New Jersey Presbyterian Congregational Insurance Partnership was developed in the late 90s and the early 2000s when an insurance company failed and churches and presbyteries were without coverage. Brown and Brown agency, in conversation with Presbytery Executives of the time, developed a “master policy” for congregations and presbyteries.
In early 2023, the Presbytery of Highlands was reviewing its insurance coverage when it was brought to their attention that their policy was not just for this Presbytery but for the entire state of New Jersey. This prompted a larger conversation with all four of the New Jersey presbyteries about the Partnership and the purpose of a master policy. In addition to participants from each presbytery contributing to the Partnership, the Property & Insurance Team of Highlands Presbytery is also involved.
More information will be provided.
