Muskingum Valley Presbytery

Presbytery meeting

Gather for learning, lunch, worship, and the work we share.

First Presbyterian Church

217 East High Avenue
New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663
Get directions

The day together

At a glance

All times are Eastern.

  1. –

    Frameworks for Difficult Conversations

    Morning training with Ruth-Aimée Belonni-Rosario and Matthew J. Skolnik.

  2. Lunch

  3. Worship with Communion

    “The Problem with Old Containers” — Mark 2:21–22. With the Rev. Dr. Asa J. Lee of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

  4. Stated meeting

Morning training · 9 a.m.–noon

Frameworks for Difficult Conversations

A morning of learning together about approaching difficult conversations in the life of the church.

Ruth-Aimée Belonni-Rosario

Ruth-Aimée Belonni-Rosario

Associate Executive for Racial Justice

Synod of the Covenant

Rev. Matthew J. Skolnik

Rev. Matthew J. Skolnik

General Presbyter

Muskingum Valley Presbytery

Ruth-Aimée’s photo and title: Synod of the Covenant.

Worship · 1 p.m.

Worship with Dr. Asa Lee

“The Problem with Old Containers”
Mark 2:21–22

A service of Word and Sacrament, including communion and Dr. Lee’s sermon.

Read or print the order of worship

Hymns provisionally use the blue Presbyterian Hymnal (1990); host confirmation is pending.

Rev. Dr. Asa J. Lee

Rev. Dr. Asa J. Lee

President and Professor of Theological Formation for Ministry

Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

About Dr. Lee

Stated meeting · 2 p.m.

Our work together

Proposed agenda. Items below are for consideration; they do not record actions already taken.

Omnibus motion

The proposed omnibus motion includes:

  • Approve the minutes of the June 16, 2026 meeting.
  • Approve the minutes of the July 23, 2026 called meeting to examine Tim Pollock for ordination and consider his initial terms of call.
  • Elect Jim Arganbright, ruling elder (RE), and Karol Niehaus, commissioned ruling elder (CRE), to serve on the Nominating Committee.
  • Elect Tim Pollock, teaching elder (TE), to serve on the Committee on Preparation for Ministry (CPM).
  • Receive the attendance rolls of June 16 and July 23, 2026.
  • Receive the annual terms of call for ministers.

The Congress Community and Northminster commission matters will receive separate consideration outside the omnibus motion.

Prayer for students under care

Pray for the students under the care of the Committee on Preparation for Ministry as they continue their formation and discern their calls.

The current list of names is awaiting confirmation from CPM.

Administration: financial report

Receive Treasurer Mike Mast’s financial statements through June 30 and July 31, 2026, supplied by Alison Blondheim.

Congress Community Church — dismissal to the EPC

Hear the final report from the Administrative Commission, presented by the Rev. Alex Barnes, and consider its recommendation to dismiss Congress Community Church to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church under the conditions in the report.

This is a separate action outside the omnibus motion. The final report has been supplied.

Northminster Presbyterian Church — dissolution and assets

Hear the Administrative Commission and consider the congregation’s dissolution and asset recommendations as separate business outside the omnibus motion. The asset memorandum has been supplied.

The commission’s exact dissolution motion, effective date, and the contents of Supporting Items 1–3 remain to be supplied.

General Assembly report

Hear from Michael Wallace and Beth Pansino, if she is able to attend. Participation remains to be confirmed.

Synod report

Receive Ruth-Aimée Belonni-Rosario’s report from the Synod of the Covenant.

A written report has not yet been supplied.

Stated Clerk’s report

Receive Alison Blondheim’s report, including session-record review arrangements, Ro Robinson’s commissioning records, and notice of the December 8 meeting.

Formation courses: open to everyone

MVP is developing courses for Commissioned Ruling Elder (CRE) formation, Elder Enhancement, and continuing education—and they are open to anyone. Whether you are exploring a call to ministry, serving as an elder, continuing your education as a pastor, or simply seeking to grow in faith, there is a place for you to learn with us.

These courses invite us to deepen our understanding, practice faithful leadership, and bring what we learn into the life of our congregations. You do not need to be pursuing commissioning to take part.

Explore training and formation

Installation of Megan Benjamin

Join in celebrating the installation of Megan Benjamin at Central Presbyterian Church, Massillon, Ohio, on