standing item on Session’s agenda each March is the election of Commissioners to Presbytery. It is a joy now to share the names of the Elders called to serve in this role for the coming year: Carl Adams, Charlene Chapman, Marna Elliott, Eck Gerner, Jacki Miller, Patrice Smith, Tom Stephenson, and Joe Stock.

As defined in their charter, “Commissioners to the Philadelphia Presbytery (“Presbytery”) are the installed ministers of the Word and Sacrament as well as elders elected by the Session to the Swarthmore Presbyterian Church to participate in the work and witness of the Presbytery.”

Work and Witness. “What does that look like?” you may be wondering. As in our local church, it takes many forms (and many meetings). The Presbytery of Philadelphia (the oldest presbytery in the country) is a body of roughly 115 worshiping communities. Through the God-given intelligence, energy, imagination, and love with which the pastors and designated elders of these churches serve, work and witness looks, in part, like the following:

The nurture and placement of pastors for each church. The Commission on Preparation for Ministry (moderated by Rev. Joyce Shin) oversees the nurture of “Inquirers” and the examination, ordination, and installation of pastors throughout the Presbytery. Our Commissioners have the honor of witnessing this process—hearing statements of faith, asking questions of those being ordained, and affirming their calls through their votes.

The stewardship of real estate and property. As Trustees, they make business decisions with care and compassion. The most recent quarterly meeting of Presbytery included the final report of the Kirkwood Administrative Commission, a group that includes Eck Gerner. Eck has managed the real estate efforts of this project. A special outcome of their work was the approval of a $50,000 gift to the Nanticoke Association in Delaware, the awarding of which was witnessed by our Commissioners. The Nanticoke and Lenape people have been a tribal nation since the 1600s.

The outreach of support for “innovative mission in the world and creative ministries of nurture and discipleship through the church.” Through the Commission on Resources and Creative Ministries (moderated by Rev. Sarah Cooper Searight), grants are offered to “ministry innovators” forging new paths towards the development of worshiping communities doing ministry in creative ways and places.

It is fascinating and fruitful work. We are grateful for those who have answered this call: newcomers Jacki Miller and Tom Stephenson, who will attend their first meeting next week, continuing Commissioners Carl Adams, Charlene Chapman, Marna Elliott, Eck Gerner, Patrice Smith (Secretary), and Joe Stock, and our pastors, soon to include Rev. David Norse Thomas. Thanks, too, to retiring Commissioners, Ron Albrecht and Max Smith, for their years of service in the role.