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People At Synod Meeting

Synod executive David Snellgrove cited the example of Democrats and Republicans and people of many faiths who have united in their response to a time of national tragedy. “Isn’t it time,” he asked, “for the Presbyterian Church to bypass our differences and unite in a way that will advance the cause of Christianity by showing the world that Presbyterian brothers and sisters can live together in unity even when we have major differences of opinion?”

Gary Bullard, chair of the Synod’s Living Waters for the World committee, reminded the Synod that it had approved a Synod-wide offering for this water purification mission project on February 10, 2002. “This is the Synod’s mission,” he said, “and it belongs to all of us.” He reported that eight units have been installed so far in Mexico, Honduras and Haiti. “We want to work in partnership with all of our presbyteries,” he said, “and we hope to be installing twelve units a year in the near future.”

Charles Van Devender, chair of the Presbytery Ministry Partnerships committee, had good news to share about the ministry partnerships that are already in place: “We are evaluating them and encouraging them and we feel good about the acceptance and understanding of this process. We have all the paper work in place now and it is readily available. Our committee is organized and functioning and ready to proceed with ministry in partnership with our presbyteries.”

Host church pastor Tom Walker welcomed the Synod to First Presbyterian Church in Franklin, Tennessee. The church staff were all gracious and helpful in making this Synod meeting comfortable and hassle-free for commissioners. The worship service, the music and the facilities exemplified the kind of true Southern hospitality that is available in the Synod of Living Waters.

Juan May reported that the Hispanic Presbyterian Church in Decatur, Alabama, has increased from one family to seven families. “The message is they are no longer strangers, but children of God,” he said. Juan is Hispanic minister for North Alabama Presbytery.

Transylvania Presbytery commissioner Doug Gerdts joined EP Cheryl Ann Elfond to report on the use of a mission program grant for redevelopment in the region. Doug told the story of the Presbyterian Church in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, which has been revitalized. “The grant has been the genesis of renewed spiritual energy,” he said.

The Synod gathered with members of the church on Monday evening after dinner for a delightful musical interlude with Andy Gay, a Presbyterian pastor whose hobby is folk music. Against a background of the grand pipe organ in the sanctuary of First Franklin, he played a medley of Celtic folk tunes on a tin whistle. During the evening, he played several musical instruments and sang and played old songs from the British Isles, telling stories about the songs and their origins. Andy is pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Sentatobia, Mississippi.

Ann Smith, commissioner from Sheppards and Lapsley, and a member of the Alabama Campus Ministry Board, gave a rousing report on campus ministry in Alabama, thanking Synod for its support and stressing that the need for more funds and continuing support is very great. Reports from the other states in the Synod echoed that sentiment. Campus ministry is historically a cause that gets a priority in the Synod of Living Waters.