One of the things I truly appreciate about our Presbyterian polity
is how our leadership is chosen. It is not chosen for us through a
bishop who taps someone on the shoulder. Charismatic individuals
cannot appoint themselves “the boss.” Instead, we call forward
individuals with particular gifts and talents for service in a
particular time and place. Together we discern the Spirit’s leading
of the whole community.
The participation of the members of the presbytery in the nominating
process is its greatest strength and its greatest challenge. The
Committees and Officers of the Presbytery are only as good as your
participation in this process. This is your presbytery and its
governance is a direct result of those you nominate and elect to
govern, so if there is some kind of change you would like to see,
“Nominate the change you wish to see.”
From October 2010 – September 2011 the Nominating Committee of the
Presbytery:
• Attended the Presbytery’s new clergy orientation to invite
participation in the committees of the Presbytery
• Solicited the members of the Presbytery for nominations to the
committees of the Presbytery
• Placed 33 names in nomination to serve the committees of the
Presbytery
• Placed four names in nomination for co-chair or chair of a
committee
• Invited nominations to the office of Vice-Moderator
• Studied applications and interviewed five nominees for the office
of Vice-Moderator placing one name in nomination at the May
Presbytery meeting
• Invited nominations for Commissioners to General Assembly 2012
A tremendous amount of time and energy went into the nominees
referenced above. Each nominee represents several phone and/or email
exchanges, as well as three or more individuals who declined to be
nominated. Thank you to Susan Quinn Bryan, Mary Ann Jacobs, Sam
Stare, Mark Kremzar, Jerry Pittman, Julia Dickey, Lydia Morgan, and
Holly Robertson for their hard work and dedication.
Respectfully submitted,
Michelle Bacon
Chair,
October 2010 – September 2011