Save the Date!
Presbytery Stated Meetings
September 19, 2026
First Presbyterian, New Philadelphia
Saturday, 9 AM to 3 PM
217 East High Avenue
New Philadelphia, OH 44663
9 to Noon Workshop with Linda Leon
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Worship with Dr. Asa Lee, President of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
2:00 Stated Meeting
December 8, 2026
Location TBD
Tuesday evening, 6 to 8 PM
Order of the Day, June 16
Central Presbyterian Church, Massillon
47 2nd Street NE
Massillon, OH 44646
6:00-8:00 Worship and Business Meeting
Add to our Mission:)
Muskingum Valley Presbytery is committed to strengthening our churches, and fulfilling the Great Ends of the Church. We are also passionate about becoming a leading voice in our modern reformation. Help keep us going through your personal gifts.
Moderator, 2026
Lisa Rumbaugh, RE
Lisa is the Clerk of Session at Wooster First Presbyterian Church. She is a strong leader and passionate about the health of the church. She is also a proud spouse, mother (including of a PCUSA pastor), and grandma times two. She is known for her organizational skills, ability to listen, and calm demeanor.
MVP is blessed to have Lisa lead us in 2026.
Order of the Day (Draft as of June 4, 2026)Order of the Day (As of June 15, 2026 4:30 PM)
General Presbyter
Matt Skolnik
Celebrations
Rev. Deborah Bowsher will be retiring from pastoral ministry as of June 30, 2026. She has most recently been serving part-time at First Presbyterian Church of Uhrichsville.
Rev. Dr. JoAnn Watson has retired. She was ordained in MVP May 27, 1984, at Ashland First Presbyterian Church after she received her Ph. D and took a teaching position as Assistant Professor in Theology at Ashland Seminary.
Rev. David Rice, came to Wooster in 2014 from his first pastorate in Anniston Alabama. Ordained ministry is David’s second career as he was previously a professional opera and concert singer performing both in the United States and Germany.
Ro Robinson will be commissioned as CRE for Minerva FPC on July 5th.
Tim Pollock will be ordained as Minister of Word and Sacrament on Sunday, August 9 at Bloomfield Presbyterian Church where he has served as their CRE for a number of years, pending a CPM meeting this week.
Rev. Megan Benjamin has been called and will be installed at Central Presbyterian Church in Massillon. The date of installation will soon be determined.
Commissioning Michael Wallace, TE and Beth Pansino, RE to be commissioners for MVP at 227th General Assembly of the PC(USA) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from June 22 to July 2, 2026
Continuing the Journey Retreat Celebration
CRE Two Track Cohort Starting in September (Regional Chaplains and Congregational Pastors)
Stated Clerk
Alison Blondheim
Omnibus Motion
Approve the Stated Meeting Minutes of March 14, 2026.
Receive the Attendance Roster of March 14, 2026.
Approve the Presbytery Statistical Report for 2025.
Approve the two part-time validated ministries with Flourish Ministries and Coalition for Christian Outreach (CCO) for Rev. Dr. Linda Leon so that she can secure benefits with the Board of Pensions.
Dissolution of the pastoral relationship between Rev. Kenneth Krause and Northminster Presbyterian Church as Ken leaves to take a call in the Presbytery of Lake Erie.
Approve the sale of the First Millersburg Presbyterian Church manse.
Additional Information
We are seeking churches willing to host 2025 Session Minutes Reviews. If your congregation can provide meeting space for Clerks of Session to gather in your region, please contact Alison. Your hospitality would be greatly appreciated as we work to make these reviews accessible across the presbytery.
Full Clerk’s ReportCommittee on Ministry
Deb Bowsher
Approve the initial Terms of Call for the Rev. Megan Benjamin as Minister of Word and Sacrament at the Central Presbyterian Church in Massillon, Ohio beginning July 1, 2026. Installation will be set sometime in the near future. Statement of Faith
Statement of FaithAlison Blondheim has successfully completed her Commissioned Ruling Elder (CRE) training. In recognition of Alison’s faithful service and as a celebration of the diverse ways CREs may be commissioned to serve the church, the Committee on Ministry moves to commission Alison as a CRE for service as Stated Clerk of Muskingum Valley Presbytery.
This commissioning will also authorize Alison to officiate the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper throughout the bounds of Muskingum Valley Presbytery as part of her ministry and service.
Statement of FaithMotion to form and Administrative Commission with Original Jurisdiction to help with the closure of Northminster Presbyterian Church.
Official Motion and Additional InformationCommittee on Preparation for Ministry
The CPM recommends that we provisionally approve Edgar Sanchez Cruz to be an inquirer under care of the Muskingum Valley Presbytery and session of Christ Presbyterian Church pending CPM’s formal interview and approval at CPM’s next meeting (6.18.26).
Edgar’s Statement of FaithAnnouncement from CPM: All pastors in Muskingum Valley Presbytery (CRE, Ministers of Word and Sacrament) are invited to join together for prayer and fellowship Thursday, July 23rd, at First Presbyterian Church, New Philadelphia. We meet once a quarter to share and support one another in ministry. There is time for meditation on scripture and prayer for one another, as well as sharing the joys and challenges of ministry. All are welcome.
9:30 am -10:00 am – Gathering with continental breakfast
10:00 am -11:30 am – Scripture meditation and prayer
11:30 am-12:30 pm – Lunch
12:30 pm-2:00 pm – Discussion of issues in ministry
If you are interested in attending our next gathering on Thursday, July 23rd, please contact Edith Ophardt at edithmo82@yahoo.com or 330-244-6854 so she can prepare enough food for lunch.
