Synod News – Synod of Living Waters

Report on the National Black Presbyterian Caucus 48th Biennial Conference

By Natalie Toombs The Synod of Living Waters (Mid-South Region of the National Black Presbyterian Caucus) was well represented at the National Black Presbyterian Caucus 48th Biennial Conference at the Southport Marriott Hotel in Charlotte, NC, June 18-21, 2025. It was a joy to see old friends, colleagues, clergy, congregants, educators, staff, youth and youth […]

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Hopeful Anticipation in the Pastoral Transition Process

By Rev. Anne McKee “Keep Praying!” “It will work out!” “Trust the process!” These phrases repeat when members of a Pastor Nominating Committee look back on their churches’ leadership transitions. As someone who has served as an interim, or transitional minister, I asked members of four churches in the Presbytery of East Tennessee, that had

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The Power of Collaboration in Hurricane Recovery in Holston Presbytery

By Carolyn Krause In April 2025, First Presbyterian Church of Oak Ridge donated $30,000 of its former Belize Fund to the Holston Presbytery. The purpose was to provide relief to individuals in northeastern Tennessee who suffered damages to their homes from flooding induced by Hurricane Helene last year. The donation was made for two reasons.

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Encouragement and Hope in Chaotic Times

By Rev. Eugenia A. Gamble In my congregation I have being preaching a series on the “one another” passages in the New Testament: Love one another, bear one another’s burdens, pray for one another, accept one another, serve one another, be kind to one another, and the like. I am most often a lectionary preacher

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From the Synod Executive

Rev. Greg Goodwiller The Synod of Living Waters held its annual meeting on January 27, 2025. It was our first fully “in-person” gathering since January, 2020, just before the pandemic outbreak that changed all of our lives forever. It was exceedingly good to be back together, even with the recognition that because of various other

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Synod as Family Reunion

By Rev. Alexandra Hutson Growing up in the Presbyterian (U.S.A.) church, I have always appreciated the connectional nature of it. Attending Montreat Youth Conferences and Sheppards and Lapsley Presbytery Retreats is where I witnessed it most often as a youth. In a big world, it felt a little bit smaller when I came together and

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What if the Other One Wins?

Scott Sanderson, Transylvania Presbytery Finally, it has come down to this. Just a few days left and then, after all the vitriol and rancor a new president will be chosen. Many will not be happy. It does not matter who will win; a large group will be distressed. So, what if the other one wins,

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Fall 2024 Celebrations

In this issue: We are excited about life in our congregations and our denomination. Your synod Communications and Technology Team is happy to offer you a few stories to help you celebrate what God is doing with and through us in our Synod. As always we welcome your ideas and comments to inspire future issues.

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From the Synod Executive

This summer, I attended my sixteenth consecutive General Assembly. I still remember my first one. In 1999, I was an Alternate Minister Commissioner from the Presbytery of Mississippi. That assembly was held in Fort Worth, Texas. It was an awe inspiring experience for a thirty-something year old minister whose church experience including some synod-level work,

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A Resurrection Story

Rev. Karen Russell, Transitional Executive Presbyter, Holston Presbytery The story of Presbyterians in the early years of this nation cannot be told without telling the stories of Holston Presbytery. Beginning with Rev. Samual Doak, who sent off the Over Mountain Boys to turn the tide of the Revolution, to the Rankin family of church planters, Upper

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