New Beginnings

This Saturday will mark the next stage in the creation of the new Oklahoma presbytery. The three Oklahoma presbyteries will meet again at First Presbyterian Church of Stillwater, Oklahoma, for the Winter Presbytery Meeting. The commissioners will spend the day learning about disaster preparedness and assembling disaster clean-up buckets before they break for lunch and worship. The three presbyteries will then gather separately to conduct their own business. It will be in those individual meetings that the presbyteries take official action to nominate folks to serve on the revamped Oklahoma Presbytery Task Force and the six work groups. 

While this step may sound procedural, it is the vital beginning of the next phase of the creation process. To this point, a group of twelve from the three presbyteries has discerned and guided the process of considering the creation of a new presbytery. This work has taken two years to get to this point. With this meeting and these nominations, the process moves forward to the actual creative work. We move from the “talking” stage to the “dream and doing” phase. This is an exciting step. 

These individuals were chosen, and many volunteered because their gifts would benefit the process. Our goal is not to recreate what Presbyterians already have, but to give life to something new and better, tailored to this time in the life of the church. The task force and work group members will bring their discernment skills to this creative task. 

I believe that the individuals who will serve the presbyteries in this generative task were called and equipped specifically for this time. Their church and professional experiences will guide conversations, visioning, and action. Please pray for all of those who will serve on the Oklahoma Presbytery Task Force and the six work groups.  Pray that everyone involved in the creation of a new Oklahoma Presbytery will see their faith deepen and our friendships strengthened as we do this work together. 

Blessings,

Rev. Tim Blodgett

General Presbyter

Eastern Oklahoma Presbytery