Mountain Laurel Presbytery

May 2026 Presbytery Assembly Update

Although our Stated Assembly on May 16, 2026 was the second Assembly since Mountain Laurel came into being, it was our first in person Assembly.  As we strive to be Better Together, the importance of gathering together cannot be understated and is a cause for celebration, which was certainly the case at this Assembly.  The sense of coming together began even before the Assembly, as commissioners gathered after registering to share a light breakfast and to share a brief time of fellowship together.  As the Assembly began, we came together with prayer and with a welcome to Valley United Presbyterian Church from Elder Dale Barber.  The history of how Valley United formed with a merger of three different congregations in Pennsylvania and New York was a reminder of how we came together as Mountain Laurel, seeking to bring our unique histories and gifts together to serve God in ways that we could not do on our own.

After making minor changes to the docket and reviewing late documents and the procedure for new business, we began a gathering activity focused on where God has been at work in our lives and in the life of the Presbytery.  Following the gathering activity, God’s presence was made known in worship, led by Rev. Sharan Knoell and Father Daniel Toomey, both of whom also gave a message with the image of composting – taking what both former Presbyteries had to offer and allowing God to turn it into compost to help us to grow Mountain Laurel.  After sharing communion and receiving an offering to benefit Chow for Children, worship concluded and we shared a meal together, which was prepared by volunteers from Valley United.

Following lunch, the business of the meeting resumed after a mission spotlight with the report of the Committee on Church Orders, which included updates on policies as well as the work in aiding churches in transition.  As part of the report, Mary Lazar, an inquirer under care of the Presbytery was examined and was moved to the status of candidate.  Following COCO’s report, Rev. Denise Pass gave the General Presbyter’s report, including an update on the Ministry Launch Plan, and Rev. Scott DeCaro gave the Stated Clerk’s report which highlighted the reading of the Minutes and further opportunities for those who were not able to gather for minute review prior to this Assembly.  Rev. Christian Creyer then gave the Treasurer’s report, noting the work that has gone into combining the finances of the two former Presbyteries.  Elder Jane Dougherty’s Council Report noted the work on a unified grant application, Rev. Lory Ryan emphasized the importance of per capita as part of Budget and Finance’s report, and Rev. Stephen Emick discussed Incarnation and Empowerment’s work on the goals for next year and the vision of the Presbytery moving forward.  The reports of Personnel, Property and Resources, and Technology and Communication were received as well.

One of the highlights of the Assembly was the commissioning service for our General Assembly Commissioners.  Prior to the service, we elected our final Ruling Elder Commissioner for General Assembly, Martha Cox.  Afterward, we commissioned all four of our General Assembly Commissioners (Elder Martha Cox, CRE Bruce Jordan, Rev. Martha Jordan, and Rev. Sharan Knoell) and our Young Adult Advisory Delegate Kylee Vogel.

Following the commissioning service, the Presbytery received an update from the Inkerman Presbyterian Church Administrative Commission, letting us know that that final worship service at the church would be held on June 20, 2026.  An update was also presented from the Coryland Presbyterian Church Administrative Commission, given by Rev. Stephen Emick, who noted that there would likely be a special meeting before the next Stated Assembly for the purpose of dissolving the congregation.  An Administrative Commission was also commissioned to work with Bethania Presbyterian Church in Scranton.  Finally, the Presbytery took up two separate items of business regarding approval to begin the process to selling church property: a request by Hickory Street Presbyterian Church in Scranton to sell a piece of unused property which had been donated to the church in the 1930s, and a request from Wysox Presbyterian Church to subdivide and sell a portion of their property to Towanda Area Christian Outreach, both of which were approved.

Prior to adjourning with prayer, it was announced that a total of 60 people from throughout the Presbytery were in attendance at the Assembly.  I am hopeful that you were one of them; if you were not, you missed a wonderful Assembly and we hope that we’ll see you on August 15, 2026 at our third Stated Assembly at the First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem, PA.  Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and check our website (https://www.mlpres.org) for more details.