From an email to Presbyterians churches and pastors by Rev. Hilda G. Pecoraro

This meeting we had some very special guests in attendance.  It was an honor and delight to welcome the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), and his wife, the Rev. Gail Nelson.  Also attending was the Rev. Nancy Martin-Vincent, our new Synod Executive for the Synod of the Pacific.  We were also happy to welcome back RE Rene Myers, Mission Engagement Advisor for the West Region and her husband, the Rev. Bruce Myers.   

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• We were warmly welcomed to Zephyr Point by Executive Director RE Bedford Holmes, who reminded us that this is Zephyr Point’s 95^th year of ministry. We enjoyed the comfortable accommodations, the delicious and plentiful meals and the stunning views of Lake Tahoe.  We are so grateful to Bedford, to Ryan McKenzie, the Rev. Dick Young and all the other staff at Zephyr Point for taking such good care of us!  We also received a welcome from host pastor, the Rev. Bob Kelley.  A special thanks to all the members of Lake Tahoe Community Presbyterian Church who volunteered and helped to make our stay a memorable one.  A very special thanks to registrar Karen Stokes who worked so hard to organize room assignments, keys, registration, meals and ….  She did a wonderful job working with Joan and the Zephyr Point staff. 

• An integral part of our Presbytery meetings are the times we gather for worship. A special thanks to the Rev. Adrian Doll, Ryan McKenzie and the Rev. Pat Mecham for providing our opening worship services and to the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson for preaching a challenging and inspiring sermon at the Tuesday evening worship service.  Herbert and Bob Kelley co-celebrated the Lord’s Supper.  A special thanks to Ryan McKenzie, assisted by Tony Zenier, for providing the music for our worship services.  

• The Tuesday evening offering was designated to assist the Lake Tahoe Community Presbyterian Church with the purchase of new kitchen equipment that will allow them to continue their feeding program. We thank the generous commissioners for giving $2,800.

• We thank Joan Jeffers, our hard-working Stated Clerk/Executive Presbyter for her guidance and all her work behind the scenes! She opened the meeting by sharing the good news that in the last year’s statistics the Presbytery of Nevada had 131 Professions of Faith and that nearly ½ of our churches have increased their membership! 

• Moderator RE Lynne Zenier did a wonderful job leading us through the agenda in her patient and gracious way. Thank you, Lynne!   We also thank the Christy Ramsey for his technical support during the meeting and his on-going work on the Presbytery website: www.nevadapresbytery.org.  A special thanks to our Journal Clerk Diane Chamber for keeping an accurate and complete record of our proceedings.  We had a lovely reception on Monday evening for the Stated Clerk, with special thanks to CRE Elaine York for organizing this event.  We thank Lynne Zenier for the Moderator’s Reception on Tuesday evening – lots of opportunities for fellowship!  The incomparable Rev. Jim Houston-Hencken presented a special Resolution of Thanks to the Rev. J. Herbert Nelson.  We can guarantee that after Jim’s presentation, J. Herbert will never forget his trip to the Presbytery of Nevada!

• Synod Executive, the Rev. Nancy Martin-Vincent introduced herself and gave an update on the staff changes in the Synod’s Central Office. She also shared that the Synod is at 98% capacity for loans, so they are welcoming deposits from churches.  She reminded the Presbytery that there are grants available through the Synod.  Information is on the  synodpacific.org website.

• Rene Myers from the Presbyterian Mission Agency shared how special the Presbytery of Nevada is and how much she enjoys visiting. She thanked all the congregations that financially support the mission of the PC(USA) and gave out certificates to the “Four by Four” congregations that receive all four Special Offerings.  Congratulations to Hawthorne, Lee Vining, First Filipino American, and Henderson Presbyterian Churches!

• We heard briefly from the Rev. Mark Frey from the Board of Pensions. He highlighted a program called “Healthy Pastors, Healthy Congregations” that will be coming soon in partnership with a Lilly Foundation Grant.  Visit pensions.org for more information.  We also heard from Jennifer Perri, of United Church Insurance Services.  They provide a number of on-line resources and training for churches.  Go to www.insuranceboard.org to learn more.

• We heard the report from our newest Presbytery committee, the Peace and Justice Committee. The Rev. Sue Taylor stated the three basic tasks of the Committee are 1) to encourage and support awareness of social justice issues 2) to be a conduit of information from the General Assembly to the Presbytery, and 3) to act as the Presbytery’s Self-Development of People Committee.  The Rev. Rebecca Watkins encouraged churches to consider becoming Matthew 25 churches and recommended the May/June issue of Presbyterians Today which describes this initiative of the GA.  RE Elaine Noble reminded us that the Peace and Global Witness Offering is received on October 6, World Communion Sunday; churches can donate to assist Hurricane Dorian victims through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance; there are resources for Creation Care – living greener lives and especially an awareness of food waste in our country.

• Chair of Mission Outreach Committee (MOC), the Rev. Jim Houston-Hencken reported that Amazing Grace, a ministry to the homeless population in Las Vegas has so far in 2019 served 10,000 plates of food and 3,500 bag lunches and conducted over 150 worship services. The Presbytery approved two actions that will enable the chartering of Valley Presbyterian Church (NCD).  The goal is to charter this newest congregation in the next year.  Praise the Lord!  Presbytery also approved the creation of a New Worshiping Community of the PC(USA), partnering with Emmanuel Faith Chapel in Las Vegas, a Nigerian Central and Western African Ministry under the leadership of Udechukwunyere Chukwukelu (UD).  We were blessed to meet UD and hear her faith journey and her hopes for this ministry to reach out especially to homeless teens. 

• The Presbytery voted to authorize the MOC to work with the PC(USA) to apply for New Worshiping Community status and funding.  We received a report from the Rev. Jeanie Shaw on the two Alaska Mission Trips this summer.  Her report included a beautifully created video.  Jeanie announced that there will be two Alaska Mission trips (adult and youth) in 2020.  The Presbytery approved sponsoring a fact-finding and pastoral Cuba Mission Trip in partnership with the Cuban Presbyterian Seminary, Metanza this November.  A fourth mission trip is a youth trip to Nicaragua February 14-23, 2020 in partnership with CEPAD.  The Presbytery approved making scholarship money available.

• The Rev. Dana Pope chair of Equipping Committee reported that 12 youth attended Youth Triennium. We watched a video the youth had prepared to thank the Presbytery for their support.  Dana reported that up to $250 for four pastors is available to assist pastors who would like to attend the Fall Preaching Pastors Retreat in Zephyr Point Sept. 30-Oct. 2.  The Equipping Committee would like to hear from pastors and churches what sort of training they would find most helpful so the Committee can assist in planning and presenting training events.

• Pastor Carl Dahlen presented the report of the Committee on Ministry (COM). It was a great joy to welcome two new minister members of the Presbytery of Nevada.  The Rev. Dr. Richard “Dick” Young was received by transfer from Western New York Presbytery.  He is called to a validated ministry as Director of Development for Zephyr Point.  The Rev. LaVonne Alexander was received from the Presbytery of Indian Nations.  She is the pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Elko.  Terms of call were approved as presented and installation date and commission will be determined at a later date. 

• We also had the joy of hearing an update from Ryan McKenzie as he continues his process toward ordination. Presbytery voted to move him from Inquirer to Candidate status.  COM approved up to $14,000 from its special funds to assist First Presbyterian Church, Virginia City in construction of new sidewalk and steps.  COM also approved $20,000 from Small Church funding to assist the Lake Tahoe Community Presbyterian Church with on-going fire remediation expenses.

• Chair of Trustees, RE Ray Bledsoe and Director of Finance, RE Vern Manke reported on the financial health of the Presbytery. Overall we are doing well!  Ray reported that there will be no increase in per capita for 2020; it remains at $46.00.  There are some grant monies available for churches in our presbytery.  Requests should come through the Stated Clerk’s office.    The Presbytery approved the 2020 Budget.

• Personnel Committee Chair, the Rev. Ed Luckett brought two items of business to the Presbytery. First the motion to accept the resignation of Stated Clerk/Executive Presbytery RE Joan Jeffers, effective March 31, 2020.  Second the motion to accept the resignation of Presbytery Pastor, the Rev. Hilda Pecoraro, effective December 31, 2019.  Both staff members were thanked for their service and prayer was offered by the Rev. Pat Mecham.  Ed encouraged individuals to consider whether God is calling them to serve in either of these positions.

• The Committee on Representation Chair, RE Connie Mulick spoke about the value of diversity in our Presbytery Committees. She encouraged nominating more racial/ethnic persons to serve at the Presbytery level.  She also reminded the Presbytery that if each person serves on only one committee, there will be more openings available for greater representation.

• The Nominating Committee under the leadership of the Rev. David Dendy presented the slate of officers for the coming year. After nominations from the floor, the Presbytery approved the slate.  Congratulations to all the newly elected committee members and officers! 

• The Stated Clerk will mail out the completed slate to the Presbytery. The newly elected committee members were installed by the Rev. Helen Hutchison.  Moderator Lynne Zenier presented the Moderator’s Cross to our new Moderator, the Rev. B. Ed Luckett.  Vice-Moderator is CRE Elaine York.

• Maria Winchester, Administrative Assistant at John’s Presbyterian Church was honored (in absentia) for receiving her Level 3 Certificate from the Administrative Personnel Association. RE Ray Bledsoe made the presentation.

Thank you all for your interest, prayers, and support!

Blessings! Hilda

Rev. Hilda G. Pecoraro
Presbytery Pastor
Presbytery of Nevada
702-610-7123
hilda50@cox.net