Hello,
I have received many kind and thoughtful responses and good wishes from across the country as Newark Presbytery is featured in today's Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study. As God continues to lead us toward growth and a hopeful future, it is encouraging to know that individuals, congregations, and presbyteries uphold us in prayer. Likewise, we pray for our sister presbyteries and congregations who, like us, seek to be open to God's preferred future.

In case you missed the entry in the MIssion Yearbook today, I have copied it below. Thank you for your prayers for our life together.

Sincerely,
Kevin

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The Presbytery of Newark is “Growing the Church Deep and Wide” in its life and witness according to the Moderator, The Rev. Robert N. Burkins, “God is transforming the church, offering us an opportunity to participate in those places where God is at work.” God sent our congregations to not just make a difference in the world, to make the world different.

Korean United and the women’s fellowship of the Bloomfield Church on the Green worked together to package hygiene kits for Haiti’s recent victims. “It was as if they couldn’t wait,” Dr. Kevin Yoho, General Presbyter, joyfully remarked. “We wrapped up an energizing presbytery meeting, celebrated the formation of a new ministry center and a new congregation, when two dozen people hurried off as servants of all nations to put hope in action.”

We are, “reclaimIng our relevance and finding new and creative ways to minister to this present age,” said Rev. Burkins. Growing in discipleship stretches our elders to be more effective leaders. “Without reliable data we are subject to tyranny and guesses about ministry,” Dr. Yoho observed in launching an effort to help every session access resources.

The Mission Council hopes to increase the presbytery’s missional intelligence by collecting individual and group stories and a presbytery-wide web-based survey. What is learned will be shared with presbyteries participating in similar Listening Projects funded by the synod’s New Jersey Presbytery Partnership Group.

Newark Presbytery’s thirty-nine multi-cultural and multi-ethnic congregations are delivering the Good News to the 800,000 residents living within its 150 square-mile bounds, capturing a fresh vision for transforming our life and ministry together with the world.

Prayer:
Dear God, thank you for loving the world and sending your Church to grow in service, discipleship, and effectiveness. We are grateful for examples of those who are listening to your Spirit’s voice. Guide and surprise all those involved in innovative ministry. In the blessed name of Jesus. Amen.

Staff:
Rev. Dr. Kevin Yoho, general presbyter
Elder Warren McNeill, stated clerk
Nailesh Bhavsar, accountant
Deirdre Malloy, office manager