Communion at evening worship
A special thanks to the Rev. David Dendy and the many members of Mountain View Presbyterian Church who did such a wonderful job hosting the Presbytery meeting. We were warmly welcomed and cared for by the church staff and volunteers. We were treated to delicious and plentiful meals and snacks. A special thanks to Karen Stokes who served as registrar and to the staff at MVPC – especially Chris and Shane with logistics and audio-visual support, and Tim for his magnificent organ music for worship. Thank you to the many volunteers and all who helped us feel the love and hospitality of this special Church.
We thank Rev. Prachuab Dechawan and the member of the First Thai-Laotian Presbyterian Church for preparing and serving the delicious Thai dinner on Tuesday night – what a treat! In addition we thank Kevin Inthaly and the Praise Team from FTLPC for music during the Tuesday worship service.
The worship services were inspiring and Spirit-filled. We were richly blessed by our times of sharing in Word and Sacrament! Thanks to Rev. Adrian Doll and our own United States Air Force Chaplain, Rev. Mitchell Holley for leading us in the opening worship. Thanks to Pastor Carl Dahlen for the powerful sermon entitled, “All That Really Matters” on Tuesday evening and to Rev. Nonong Ordonez and Praise Team members from First Filipino-American Presbyterian Church for the Wednesday morning worship service; there were few dry eyes in the sanctuary as we were reminded again of our Father’s amazing love!
The Special Offering received at the Tuesday evening worship service was designated for the Elko College Youth Ministry and the offering total was $1,813.00.
Stated Clerk, Joan Jeffers, Moderator Bob Kelley, listen to Bedford Holmes
A special thanks to Bedford Holmes, Executive Director of Zephyr Point Presbyterian Conference Center for hosting the Moderator’s Reception as a way of thanking the Presbytery of Nevada for the $50,000 donation toward the renovation of Dobbins Hall.
We had the joy of honoring RE Ani Lele’a who has been on the staff of the Synod of the Pacific for nearly 54 years! Special thanks to Vern Manke and others for preparing a Proclamation designating April 10, 2018 as “Ani Lele’a Day in the Presbytery of Nevada”, as well as lovely gifts to honor Ani and to thank her for her support of the Presbytery of Nevada all these years.
Special thanks to Rev. Jeanie Shaw, our Presbytery Adult Mission Coordinator for sharing videos from the Mission Trip to Beaumont, TX for hurricane relief and the mission trip to Nicaragua. In addition, Jeanie and Renee Kelly, our Youth Mission Coordinator are hosting an Adult and Youth Mission Trip to Metlakatla, Alaska August 2-11, 2018.
We heard from three of our wonderful General Assembly staff: Rev. Mark Frey from the Board of Pensions spoke briefly about programs offered by the Board. Rene Myers our regional Mission Engagement Advisor from the Presbyterian Mission Agency spoke about our various mission areas, the four PCUSA Special Offerings and also informed us that the 2019 GA Budget includes a proposed increase in per capita of $2.98 in 2019 and $ .74 in 2020. Rev. Sean Chow on the staff of the 1,001 New Worshiping Communities spoke about the exciting and creative possibilities for going out into the community with the gospel – especially to those who may never choose to come to a church building. Note: the 223rd General Assembly convenes in St. Louis, MO June 16-23, 2018. Our commissioners are RE Elaine Noble and the Rev. Byron “Ed” Luckett.
Active Shooter Training
We devoted two hours of docket time to receive excellent Active Shooter Training from two officers of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. The training was informative, practical and helpful. We were provided with a wealth of information on raising awareness and planning ahead as well as how to respond in the midst of a shooting.
The Presbytery of Nevada once again has a separate Committee on Representation (apart from the Nominating Committee). The members are Elders Connie Mulick, and Karen Stokes, Rev. Ed Luckett, Rev. Pat Mecham and Rev. Scott Trevithick (Liaison to Nominating Committee).
Pastors’ Terms of Call for 2018 were approved. We will be partnering with Whitworth College to provide training for Commissioned Lay Pastors.
The Equipping Committee renewed its strong commitment to promoting the spiritual growth of our youth and reminded us that it is not too early to begin encouraging youth to attend the 2019 Youth Triennium at Purdue University. A Spiritual Formation Task Force (members of the Equipping Committee – Rev. Joanie Tankersley, Elder Ann Sigurdson, Rev. Al Fry, Rev. Adolph Kunen) was formed to explore how we incorporate a spiritual focus in our Presbytery meetings. Note: Fall Presbytery meeting will include time on the docket for required Sexual Misconduct Prevention Training and Safe Church Training. ALL members of Presbytery will need to attend this training event. Northern Nevada pastors will be hosted by the Equipping Committee for a Pastors’ Luncheon on May 19, 2018 12:00-2:00 at Spanish Springs Presbyterian Church. Chair DeLois Basnett will soon be sending out invitations.
We heard inspiring reports from two of the ministries we support with our money and our prayers. David Davis from Teen Challenge shared the wonderful and transformative work they are doing through their faith-based approach to recovery and re-entry. We also heard the testimony of a young man whose life has been changed through the love of Jesus Christ and the ministry of Teen Challenge. Rev. Zack Darrah, Executive Director of FIRM (Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministry) gave a wonderful and challenging update on FIRM’s ministry to the refugee community in the Fresno area with a current focus on Syrian refugees.
Prayer for Taiwanese American NCD
One of the highlights on the meeting was the announcement from the Mission Committee that the Taiwanese-American Presbyterian NCD has been approved to proceed toward chartering! The hope is that this will happen sometime in the Fall. We heard from Rev. Paul Chen, pastor of this wonderful congregation that nests at Grace Presbyterian Church. A Chartering Committee was approved to assist in the steps needed for chartering: Rev. Paul Chen, Rev. Prachuab Dechawan, Rev. Jim Houston-Hencken, Rev. Adolph Kunen, Rev. Nonong Ordonez, and Ruling Elders: Louisa Kuo, Endry Chou and Scott Pam. Let us keep our sister congregation in our prayers as they move toward this wonderful celebration!
The Fall Presbytery Meeting will be held at Reno Korean Presbyterian Church in Sparks and will be co-hosted with Spanish Springs Presbyterian Church. The dates are: September 9-12, 2018.
Committee on Ministry awarded Rev. Hilda Pecoraro a $2,000 grant toward a mission trip to Kenya this September.
