Well, the time has arrived.  It is time to send you one last epistle known as “SHORT SUBJECTS.”  It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as you General Presbyter for these past 11 years and 11 months.  THANK YOU so much for the many warm expressions of gratitude that I received Sunday night at the farewell party.  I look forward to receiving a DVD of the presentations.  I appreciate also the many emails and phone calls and personal thank you’s over the last several weeks and months.  This is a wonderful Presbytery, and you will be a blessing for your new Interim and installed General Presbyter.

Several people have noted that it was more important to help people become disciples of Jesus than to become Presbyterian.  That is true.  But in my last parting shot, let me remind you that it is also important for people to become Presbyterian.  NOT for institutional survival.  But for “Christ transforming culture.” 

I wrote something about that in answer to a question for a job interview maybe 30 years ago.  I brought it up to date this morning and wanted you to see it.  It is only one page, so you may not agree with every idea.  Perhaps each of you should write your own Presbyterian credo.  I am aware that my one page could very easily become the table of contents of one of the many books I have in my head, which I hope that God will allow me to write.  CLICK HERE FOR "What Excites Me About the Presbyterian Church"

God bless you mightily as you follow Christ into the future.  Thank you again for a wonderful 12 years.  “You have touched me, and I have grown.”

Richard

ECG 2013 "Let's Get It Started" will take place in ST. PETE BEACH, FLA during SEPT. 16 - 19!  Workshops will be offered to provide tools for New Ministries and their potential leaders.  Here are just a few of the titles:  Moving into the Neighborhood; Is That My Living Room or a New Church?;  Financial Realities of a Start-up; Legal Issues for New Immigrant Communities; Deepening Faith through Spiritual Practices; Disciple Making in a Fresh Context; Creating Vision for Your New Community; Leadership Needs for New Ventures; Innovative Promotions for New Projects; and Transformation Essentials: Managing Conflict, Leading Change, Getting Out of the Building and Following the Vision.  Learn more about this very extensive array of opportunites and register by going to:  

www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/ecg2013/  Early Bird DISCOUNT RATE of $220 if registered by MAY 15.

View a video presentation of the conference at: http://www.pcusa.org/resource/lets-get-it-started/

The TRANSITION TEAM met APRIL 23, 2013 at Community PC, Portsmouth. The Transition Team has scheduled THREE FORUMS to receive input from congregations. Two will be held on SUN., MAY 19, 2013 from 4:30 – 6:00 PM.  One will take place at PROVIDENCE PC in Virginia Beach and the other at KIRKWOOD PC in York County. The third will be held on SUN., JUNE 2 from 4:30 – 6:00 PM at COMMUNITY PC, PORTSMOUTH for anyone who missed the sessions held on the 19th. Members of the Transition Team will be present at each session.  Pastors and Clerks of Sessions will receive more information, including questions to consider, via email and snail mail during the week of May 6 - 10.  This information will also be posted on the PEVA website during that time.

At the 94th Stated Meeting of PEVA, held on Saturday, January 26, 2013, VIT made a RECOMMENDATION, which was approved.  This recommendation provides an outline for how the search process will be carried out.  We will provide updated details on this website as we live through the process.  (Click the word, "RECOMMENDATION" to read the full text of the motion.)

The official voting tally can be seen at:

http://oga.pcusa.org/media/uploads/oga/pdf/ga220-vote-results.pdf. As indicated on the tally sheet, all amendments need 87 affirmative votes to pass with the exception of 12-1, the Heidelberg Catechism, which requires 116 affirmative votes.

The tally page does not reflect the voting of those presbyteries that have voted but not reported to OGA.

YORKMINSTER PC renamed  their GIVING GARDEN in honor of JENNY RUSSELL, a former pastor of the church who died in late 2012.  The garden is maintained by volunteers and the produce is shared with food closets, clinics and organizations that supply it to low-income residents all over the Peninsula.  It has provided thousands of pounds of vegetables, according to organizers.  For much more information CLICK THIS LINK to go directly to the Daily Press article that was published on May 2.  Many of our churches may wish to consider a similar mission opportunity!

Presbyterian HERITAGE SUNDAY will be observed MAY 26.  Click the link provided to go directly to the PC(USA) website where you will find helpful information and downloadable bulletin inserts on our rich and wonderful heritage, much of which begins in Virginia!