From Your Synod Executive

Rev. Greg Goodwiller

For some of you, the thought of attending presbytery meetings in four states as part of your official duties may sound like some form of cruel and unusual punishment. But the truth is, it is one of my favorite parts of serving as your Synod Executive. When I attend those meetings, I mostly observe and listen. Each of our twelve presbyteries has its own culture – its own way of doing things, its own way of being the church in what the Book of Order calls its “certain district.”

But more than that, they have their particular and unique vitality. To be sure, a number of our presbyteries are struggling to make ends meet right now, especially in the post-COVID church world and church in which we find ourselves. But they also have ministries and missions that engage and energize their congregations and members.

In a number of cases, a significant part of that energy is focused on disaster recovery work. Most recently, although the bulk of the news attention in both church and secular media on the effects of Hurricane Helene has focused elsewhere, Holston Presbytery in the Eastern most tip of Tennessee was significantly affected as well. And recovery work following floods and tornadoes is ongoing in several other presbyteries – in some cases years after the events occurred.  The next edition of the Virtual Voice will highlight some of those efforts, and give updates on progress. But pray for these communities, and those whose lives have been forever altered by such weather events.

Three of our presbyteries – Middle Tennessee, Mid-Kentucky, and North Alabama – have recently said farewell to their Executive/General Presbyters, and are in the process of seeking, or preparing to seek, new executive leadership. Just as when a Pastor leaves a congregation, those transitions are both times of reflection on what has been, but also of imagining and prayerfully discerning what can be, and where God is leading. Pray that these presbyteries will wisely discern their paths forward, and that new relationships will be established that lead them forward as they seek to be faithful disciples.

As this Church year comes to a close, I pray for Advent hope throughout the Synod of Living Waters – for a sense of vision that comes from honestly reflecting on where we have been, but that is open to God’s guidance and direction moving forward. Know that when I attend your presbytery meetings, observing and listening, what I am listening for is both signs of that hope, and also ways that we can be better partners together as the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s presence in our larger region.