Presbytery Meeting, March 27-28

The weather was marvelous and the setting beautiful for our 2-day Presbytery Meeting at Mountain View Church in Scottsdale. Our hosts were more than gracious, going far out of their way to be certain that everything was ready and welcoming.

The Sanctuary Choir that led us in worship might have been the most striking element of the event. I'm sure I wasn't the only one to leave with a severe case of choir envy. When the choir processed into the sanctuary, they just kept coming and coming! Their voices literally shook the building. The term "awesome" is sorely over-used these days, but would be perfectly applied to this choir. Since my home church choir has nearly 7 voices on a good Sunday, listening to nearly 100 voices was, simply stated, awesome.

Beyond the worship, which, as has been our practice, extended through out the entire meeting, this Presbytery was less than uplifting, except perhaps for those such as My Dear Husband who revel in parliamentary procedures and theological debate. There was much ado about Robert's Rules, a controversial motion with long debate, and a thorough examination of a candidate for ordination. The Kingman Overture which has been in discussion since, if memory is correct, last November, was finally dealt with by our adopting a new examination for membership policy. I don't dare attempt to define the new features of this policy except that the COM will continue to examine new members of Presbytery, both those called to churches and retired ministers. It was a long discussion for a Saturday morning that ran through lunch time, and many stomachs were voicing disapproval, although the (substitute) proposal was approved.
The celebration of the end of Morning Star New Church Development was bitter-sweet. An impressive "Power Point" photo series demonstrated the energy and joy of that congregation, seemingly full of members of several generations, sharing worship, work and playful activities. Yet the pains of reality have closed that congregation, despite the best efforts of many dedicated people. Members of that West Valley congregation have been shepherded into other churches, and we can only wait expectantly for Our Lord to show where the ministry should be planted.


Only a few Sidekicks were able to get together at our Get-Together. Not surprising, since most of us have jobs other than being Clergy Spouses. One regular participant had recent surgery and several of us have had ailing preachers to attend. So it's all the more important for us to keep in touch and encourage each other through phone calls, cards and email. And definitely check out our new website: http://sidekicks.ning.com