A Note From Terry

by Terry Newland, Synod Executive

A good while back I told you that I was the "luckiest Synod Executive in all the land!" Well, it's still true. Several recent events have reinforced in me a deep love and appreciation for all of you as we seek to answer God's call in our lives as individuals and as part of the body of Christ on earth. Everywhere I go people know about you. I wish you could see the faces on people when I tell them I'm from the Synod of Living Waters. Eyes brighten, smiles pop up, and they start telling me about one mission or another to which you have recruited their interest and, more times than not, their participation. I must admit that I regularly face the need to repent of the sinful pride that overtakes me.

Your response to the enormous needs in Mississippi following the destruction left by hurricane Katrina has been a powerful witness of the loving, healing, restoring power of God. Each presbytery has stepped out in faith and found ways to provide physical, financial and Spiritual relief to neighbors you have never met. Even while you have struggled with your own financial and physical needs, you have given in abundance. Perhaps more importantly, you have stood with strangers and discovered our kinship with all of God's children. Your continued long term commitment to our congregations and their communities in Mississippi is a testament to the steadfast care we enjoy in Christ.

Your covenant relationship with the Synod of the Yucatan Peninsula continues to bare Spiritual fruit for the Presbyterian Church in that part of Mexico as well as for our congregations and presbyteries. I recently attended their Synod meeting along with our Moderator, Tom Pickering. We were blessed by their Spirit filled worship, fellowship and stories of mission and ministry, many of which exist because of your partnership with them. Church growth is high in the Yucatan and they seek your prayers and ongoing partnership as they look for ways to keep up with God's plans for them.

Your Living Waters for the World water mission project is growing every day at a rate that often makes its leaders anxious. You have trained and equipped mission teams from at least 25 states who have partnered with Christian communities in 14 countries proclaiming a strong witness to the Living Water of Jesus Christ for our souls as you help provide clean water. Many of your churches have entered covenant relationships with congregations and communities all over the world. I have witnessed the transforming power of the Spirit in you and in the people with which you have partnered as you reach out in Christian love. Next year promises even more opportunities. The Presbyterian Women of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) have joined you in this ministry through their Birthday Offering. The financial assistance they will provide is just the tip of the iceberg. They will be promoting your mission project wherever Presbyterian Women gather.

Your commitment to Campus Ministry, New Church Development, Church Transformation, Hunger Action programs, nurturing of faith journeys for children, youth and adults, your care of ministers and church professionals, and much more is evident in the stories you share in this publication. Look back through these pages at all that God is doing through you and know that there is much to celebrate.

Can you begin to see why I feel so lucky to in the Synod of Living Waters? There are those who say that the Presbyterian Church has lost its commitment to mission. When I hear these people I tell them about you. I thank God for your commitment and for the opportunity to be a part of it all.

The Peace of Christ be with you.