Last week I had three Vice-Moderator visits in a few days' time. My first visit was last Wednesday as I drove to Richmond, VA to the campus of Union-PSCE.
I was invited to spend a whole day of activities at the school where I received my Master of Arts in Christian Education back in 1994. As many of you now know the school is federated since 1997 and just about everything is located on Union's side of the campus. Where PSCE used to be located now belongs to Baptist Theological School at Richmond (BTSR). They have done a fine job restoring and renovating the old campus. I began my time by preaching chapel service in the beautiful Lake Chapel in the Allen and Jeannette Early Center for Christian Education and Worship. I preached on the subject "What Happens Next?", giving all the challenge of following Christ in today's world. Afterward I ate at the weekly Community Lunch for students and staff at the Belk Center and had conversations with various people. I was given a tour of the Morton Library and I have to say that is one of the finest libraries I have ever been in! Next I went across the street to the the offices of the Presbytery of the James and Synod of the Mid-Atlantic where I met with staff and given a tour of the building. I ended my time with a Question and Answer session with students and faculty followed by a pizza party before heading back to Raleigh. It was only the second time in 15 years that I had set foot on campus and I need to make it a point of coming back more often. The highlight of my visit was being escorted by Rev. Syngman Rhee, Director of the Asian American Ministry and Mission Center and Moderator of the 212th General Assembly. It was a honor to assist him with communion during chapel and getting to talk about life and ministry. Thanks to President Brian Blount and all faculty and staff for being great hosts!
The following Sunday I was the guest preacher at University Presbyterian Church in Chapel Hill, NC with Rev. Bob Dunham, Pastor and Anna Pinckney Straight, Associate Pastor. I preached both the 8:30 and 11:00 services (and two children's messages) and was taken out to lunch by Bob and his wife, Music Director Thomas Browne, and Anna at 411 West. But the highlight of my day was being a part of the Presbytery of New Hope Commission to Ordain Sarah Wiles as Minister of the Word and Sacrament at Wake Forest Presbyterian Church. Sarah, a recent graduate of Union Theological Seminary in New York and under care of New Hope Presbytery, was ordained at her home church as a pastoral resident at First Presbyterian Church of Ann Arbor, MI in the Fund for Theological Education/Lilly endowed Transition Into Ministry Program. I have known for the past 13 years when I first came into this presbytery as an adult member of the Youth Committee and she was a high-schooler on the Youth Council. It has been a privilege to see her grow and follow God's call into the ministry and I was honored to be a part of her special day!
Any plans for Washington State to visit the INN this year?
Posted by: Stead Halstead | September 30, 2009 at 11:36 AM
Not yet but keep prayin' :-)
Posted by: Byron Wade | October 01, 2009 at 10:16 PM