Opening

Li Dong, Moderator

Call to Order, Declaration of Quorum, Approval of the Docket and Consent Agenda

Moving the Church Forward

Matthew J. Skolnik, GP

• The following prayer was submitted by Rev. Lynn Shetzer and written by John Paarlberg, Regional Coordinator with Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP).

Let us pray:

O God of life and love and peace,

we witness the violence and injustice

in your world and our hearts ache.

Our hearts ache for the people of Israel—

for the victims of violent attacks by Hamas,

for those held hostage,

for those who live with fear and insecurity,

for families separated or bereaved.

O God of life and love and peace,

our hearts ache for the people of Gaza—

for the victims of the Israeli military assault,

for those grieving the death of children and loved ones,

for those being denied water,

food and medical care,

for those who have been driven from their homes.

O God of life and love and peace, we pray—

that weapons of war be laid down,

that walls of separation be dismantled,

that prisoners be released,

that enmity and hatred give way to understanding,

that calls for revenge and violence will grow silent,

and that those in authority might find ways to

work together for the good of all people.

O God, you have promised

to speak peace to your people,

to those who turn to you in their hearts.

Kindle in our hearts a true love of peace.

Make us instruments of your peace

that the barriers of fear,

suspicion and hatred may crumble and fall,

and the people of the world

be united in justice and peace. Amen.

• Israel, Palestine, Russia, Ukraine, Syria, Iraq, South Africa, Ireland, Serbia, Herzegovina, Chechnya, Korea, Vietnam, inner cities, suburban schools, homes…
• Psalm 83 (Violence as the history of humanity.)
• Genesis 32:22-32
• Prayer Groups for Salam/Shalom
• Celebration of those who were ordained and have gone to the Church Triumphant in 2023. Necrology Report
• Prayers of Communion

Actions of the Assembly

Motions from the Stated Clerk

• Approve minutes from December, 2023
• Proposed Overture for GA, presented by Westminster Presbyterian Church in Wooster: Confessing our Complicity in Christian Zionism Today
• MVP Administrative Commission with Reedurban PC have published their first preliminary report.
• First reading of proposed by-law changes.
• Updated Terms of Call
• See Alison’s report, for all announcements.

Committee on Ministry

Commission on Preparation for Ministry Notes

•  Elder Enhancement workshops will begin in February 2024. All elders in the presbytery are welcome to attend any or all of the workshops. Participation in these workshops can be applied toward the CRE program in the future.

Nominating Committee

 Adminstation

• Financial Reporting

Synod

Presented by Matt Aragon-Bruce.  Matt is the first ever Director of the Cultivating the Gift of Preaching Initiative at the Synod.