At its stated meeting on February 23 at New Life Presbyterian Church in College Park, the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta confirmed an exciting new pilot project that is being launched in partnership with the CF Foundation (a family foundation of Tom and Ann Cousins). Named the “Project on Renewing Presbyterian Pastors,” and funded by the foundation, it will provide coaching and mentoring to pastors of smaller churches, with a focus on growing congregations. The Rev. Tom Tewell, former pastor of Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City, has been retained by the foundation to serve as Executive Director of the Project and will report to the Executive Presbyter of the Presbytery. The Presbytery and the foundation will review the project annually during the three- year trial period, and at the end of that time will make a recommendation as to the project’s continuation.
In other business the Presbytery heard a report from the administrative commission for the Timberridge Presbyterian Church in McDonough. Timberridge has expressed a desire to withdraw from The PC(USA). Presbytery approved a motion to grant the commission authority to negotiate to full resolution all matters pending between the Presbytery and the congregation.
The Presbytery annual report for 2007 listed Trinity as one of only seven congregations to be fully represented by Elder commissioners at each meeting during the year. Trinity is allowed eight commissioners. Five of the other congregations with perfect attendance send two commissioners, and the other sends three.
Trinity was represented at the meeting by Elders Joe Brown, Virginia Williams, Ralph Kirby, and Tom Adams. The next meeting of Presbytery will be held at Trinity on May 6. A number of volunteers will be needed to host the meeting. If you would like to help in some way please notify Nancy Kirby at 404-495-8424.
