WHAT HAPPENED AT PRESBYTERY
Our presbytery gatherings are one of the ways we live out what it means to be a connectional church—learning from one another, caring for one another, and joining together in the work God has given us to do. Bridge EP and Stated Clerk David Kemp has prepared the following summary of our recent meeting to help all of us stay connected to the life and ministry of Palo Duro Presbytery.
We encourage every congregation to share this report with your members. Not everyone can attend a presbytery meeting, but everyone can be part of the larger story of what God is doing among our churches. Thank you for helping strengthen those connections and keeping one another informed and encouraged.
WHAT HAPPENED AT PRESBYTERY?
Palo Duro Presbytery met for its 164th Presbytery meeting at First Presbyterian Church, Plainview, Texas, on September 25-26, 2026. Here are the highlights for your information, including action items our churches and members can take to further God’s Kingdom.
Dr. Margaret Aymer, Vice-President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, was our guest speaker, preaching at worship on Friday, and presenting “Considering the Proposed New Confession” on Saturday morning. Her materials are available for viewing. The link is on the right.
DISASTER RECOVERY: Rev. Libby Janes, Director, Synod Partnership for Disaster Recovery, provided information on the Synod of the Sun’s disaster response team. A link to her presentation is on the right.
ACTION: Consider how your congregation can become a part of the disaster recovery team for our Synod.
INTRODUCTION OF CELEBRATION SCHOLARS. Celebration Scholarships were awarded to the following students. Tristan Bagwell, 1st Presbyterian, Pampa; Samantha Brantley, 1st Presbyterian, Canyon; Anna Lipe, 1st Presbyterian, Lubbock.
ACTION: Consider contributing to the Celebration Scholarship Fund.
COMMISSIONED PASTOR CANDIDATE: Melinda Alexander, candidate for commissioned pastor, was examined and approved by the commissioners.
The “Minimum Terms of Call for Clergy” for 2027 was approved. That document can be found on the RESOURCES page of this website.
2027 BUDGET: The commissioners approved the 2027 Budget.
“THE TWELVE” – BETTER TOGETHER FOR CHRIST: Presbyterians are invited to join “The Twelve” – pledging to contribute $12 (or more) each month to Palo Duro Presbytery. See the link on the right.
Action: Join The Twelve!
REPORT FROM COMMISSIONERS TO GA227: Rev. Dana Mayfield, Grace Presbyterian, Lubbock, one of Palo Duro’s commissioners to General Assembly this past summer, gave a report. Thank you to Dana and our other commissioner, Remelle Farrar, First Presbyterian, Canadian, for their service.
EXECUTIVE PRESBYTER NOMINATING COMMITTEE: Time was set aside to provide input on the search for a new executive presbyter.
Action: Using the attached sheet, provide some comments to the Nominating Committee on the needs of the presbytery and the job description for our next executive presbyter.
PALO DURO PRESBYTERY MODERATOR: Rev. Becky Fox was elected for a second term as moderator of the presbytery for 2027.
Thanks to First Presbyterian Church, Plainview, for hosting the meeting, and to First Presbyterian Tulia for providing breakfast snacks on Saturday morning.
Upcoming Events:
October 4, 2026: 150th Anniversary Worship Service, 10:30 a.m., Union Presbyterian Church, Brownwood
October 9-10: St. Luke Seminar, St. Luke Presbyterian, Amarillo
October 18: 100th Anniversary Worship Service, 10:30 a.m., First Pampa
October 18-19: Festival of Faith, First Central Presbyterian, Abilene
January 27-30, 2027: APCE Conference, Portland, Oregon. (Scholarships available).
February 5, 2027: 165th Stated Meeting, hosted via Zoom by New Hope Presbyterian Church, Wichita Falls
September 25-26, 2027: 166th Stated Meeting, hosted onsite by First Presbyterian Church, Graham
