REGISTRATION FORM Presbytery of the James Called Meeting Tuckahoe Presbyterian Church 000 Park Ave., Richmond, VA August, 0 -- :0 pm INSTRUCTIONS. Print and complete this form.. List name of church and location (Example: Second, Richmond). Complete this form and bring it with you to the Called Presbytery meeting on August, 0 at Tuckahoe Presbyterian Church, 000 Park Ave., Richmond, VA (0-- 0). Place this form in the Express Registration Basket on registration desk at the meeting and receive your name tag. My Name is: P R I N T Y O U R N A M E H E R E I am a member of Presbyterian Church N A M E O F C H U R C H My church is located in City/County W H A T C I T Y, C O U N T Y O R T O W N Place an X in the most appropriate box below. Mark only one box. Ruling Elder Commissioner Teaching Elder Other Ruling Elders Cauthorn, Dunlap, English, Flynt, Hale, Harvey, Holmes, M. Johns, Knox, Ring V O I C E & V O T E Certified Christian Educator (Allen, Brown, Shaw) VOICE, NO VOTE Visitor NO VOICE, NO VOTE
TUCKAHOE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 000 Park Ave., Richmond, VA Phone 0--0 FELLOWSHIP HALL Page
DOCKET CALLED MEETING Presbytery of the James August, 0, Tuckahoe Church *ORDER OF THE DAY *:0 pm Call to Order... Moderator, Teaching Elder Arch Wallace Welcome... Teaching Elder Patrick Dennis, Tuckahoe Church I. Committee on Nominations... Teaching Elder Gordon Lindsey, Scottsville Church II. Committee on Ministry... Teaching Elder Todd McCoy, Louisa Church A. That the following persons be examined for ordination: Candidate Kathryn Lester-Bacon, Philadelphia Presbytery, to become Associate Pastor, Second Church, Richmond... p. Candidate Todd Davidson, POJ, to become Associate Pastor, Three Chopt Church... p. 0 Candidate Katie Preston, Greater Atlanta Presbytery, to become Director, Virginia Interfaith Power and Light (VICPP)... p Candidate Nelson Reveley, POJ, to become Religion Teacher at St. Christopher s and Assistant Director of The Summer Institute... p. B. That the following process be followed: each candidate will preach a sermon in a specific location after which each candidate will be examined individually. Candidate Lester-Bacon... (Green Star) Wilson Hall Candidate Davidson... (Silver Star) Room 0 Candidate Preston... (Red Star) Fellowship Hall Candidate Reveley...(Blue Star) Sanctuary :00 pm III. Conversation about Settlement Agreements: led by Teaching Elders Ron Bullis, George Conway and Sarah Nave (pp. -) Adjournment Closing Prayer... Moderator, Teaching Elder Arch Wallace Page
0 0 0 0 COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS PRESBYTERY OF THE JAMES August, 0 I. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: That the Presbytery elect the following person to serve on a Presbytery committee: Committee on Ministry: Todd McCoy, Moderator, Teaching Elder, Louisa, Class of 0. Todd will complete the term of Moderator that has become vacant as a result of the resignation of Ruling Elder Larry Moffett. KATHRYN LESTER-BACON COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY PRESBYTERY OF THE JAMES August, 0 Ecclesiastical Status: PC(USA) Candidate Member Presbytery: Philadelphia Candidacy Date: 0/0/00 Formal Education: Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, New Jersey, graduated May, 00, Master of Divinity. Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, graduated May, 00 o Bachelor of Arts: Religion, English o Magna cum laude, graduated With Distinction in Religion o Senior Honors Thesis: University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK, completed Fall 00 o Courses included: Classical Latin, History of Philosophy, Early Church History Continuing Education: Clinical Pastoral Education o Duke Hospital Pastoral Services Department, Durham, NC ( units) completed May, 00. o Additional Training: trained in palliative and spiritual care for African American through APPEAL conference from Duke Institute on End of Life Care. o Residency Project: Hospital as Wilderness: Naming Awe-fullness Page
0 0 0 0 o Awards: Wes Aiken Award for Excellence in Pastoral Care and Appreciation of Service. Phoebe Ministreis at Phoebe Home, Allentown, PA ( united); completed August, 00. o Additional Training: certified as an Abider for end of life spiritual care Young Children & Worship curriculum o Trained as teacher/story-teller; Pottstown, PA; completed, May, 00. Experience Level: First Ordained Call Employment Type: Full-time Position Types (with experience) Associate Pastor (other), Chaplain, Associate Pastor (Christian Education), Associate Pastor (Youth), Associate Pastor (Young Adult), Pastoral counselor. Primary Skills: Children s Ministry; Corporate Worship/Sacraments, Group Process Facilitation, Hospital and Emergency Visitation, Older Adult Ministry, Pastoral Care, Preaching, Spiritual Development, Teaching, Youth Ministry. Sexual Misconduct Self-Certification Statement: I certify below that no civil, criminal, ecclesiastical complaint has ever been sustained or is pending against me for sexual misconduct; and I have never resigned or been terminated from a position for reasons related to sexual misconduct. I have read this certification and release form and fully understand that the information obtained may be used to deny my employment or any other type of position from the employing entity. I also agree the I will hold harmless the employing or judicial authority or any other entity from any and all claims, liabilities, and causes of action for the legitimate release of any information related to sexual misconduct. Past Experience: Trinity Avenue Presbyterian Church, Durham, NC (00 members) Director of Family Ministries Jan 0 present Accept newly created position to work with children, youth, and families to deepen and strengthen the life of Christian spiritual formation and fellowship. Help facilitate a church-wide cultural shift from pastoral-driven to lay-empowered. Implement intergenerational programs. Oversee weekly program for children and youth. Lead two ministry teams. Organize regional church camp. Supervise child care workers. Director of Youth Ministries July 00 Dec 0, Create, implement, and lead weekly program for th-th graders. Co-lead monthly program for rd-th grade. Lead youth in discussion, service, and worship experiences. Teach weekly Sunday school class and periodic adult education opportunities. Organize and train volunteers. Lead fundraising initiatives. Manage annual budget. Plan and lead retreats and summer trips. Coordinate and lead Youth Ministry Team. Volunteer Newsletter Editor Jan 0 June 0, Used Microsoft Publisher to coordinate, create, and edit monthly church newsletter. Duke Hospital and Duke Homecare and Hospice, Durham NC June 00 May 00 Page
0 0 0 0 Chaplain in Pediatrics and Hospice (CPE): Provided spiritual care throughout hospital and to caseload of hospice patients. Initiated relationships with patients and staff on pediatric units. Responded to crises, deaths, and Advanced Directive inquiries during regular on-call shifts. Led Sunday worship and weekly spirituality group. Identified pastoral needs and wrote spiritual assessments. Trinity Episcopal Church, Rocky Hill, NJ (00 members) Sept 00 May 00 Children s Sunday School Teacher Co-created, organized, and led weekly activities for ages five to thirteen. Phoebe Home and Rehab Center, Allentown, PA June 00 Aug 00 Chaplain for Older Adults and End of Life Care (CPE): Provided pastoral care in skilled-nursing facility. Led worship through daily devotions, monthly spirituality groups, and Sunday services. Received training for end-of-life spiritual care. First Presbyterian Church of Germantown, Philadelphia, PA (00 members) Sept 00 May 00: Pastoral Intern Led and assisted in Sunday school, worship, pastoral care, and fellowship at inner-city church. Ghost Ranch Retreat and Conference Center, Abiquiu, NM June 00 Oct 00 Program Assistant Facilitated creative envisioning conversations between staff, participants, and faculty. Created 00 course catalogue, by processing applications and organizing course data. Communications and Publications Office at PTS, Princeton, NJ Sept 00 May 00 Student Editorial Assistant Interviewed, wrote, and assisted for the publication of Princeton Seminary s alumni magazine. Other Services: Presbyterian Campus Ministry at Duke; Durham, NC Vice-chair Jan 0 present, Liaison for New Hope Presbytery Campus Ministry Committee Sept 0 present Board member Sept 00 present, Friend of Iona Community, Iona, Scotland, UK May 0 present Companion of Casa del Sol, Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu, NM April 0 present Friend of Duke Chapel, Duke University, Durham, NC March 0 present Duke Chapel Pathways Program; Durham, NC Co-leader for Vocational Discernment Group Spring 0 present Member of Duke Theological Days Panel Oct 00 Selected Student Preacher Feb 00 Pathways Scholar Jan 00- May 00 Duke University Hospital; Durham, NC Guest Presenter on Family Systems for Pastoral Services Fall 0- present Rainbow Volunteer on Pediatric Bone Marrow Unit Spring 0 First Presbyterian Church; Durham, NC Covenant Network Conference volunteer Oct 0 Godly Play instructor Oct 00- May 00 Page
0 0 0 0 Princeton Theological Seminary; Princeton, NC Worship Leader for Daily Prayer Service Jan 00 Seminarians for Peace & Justice Sept 00-Sept 00 Duke University Chapel Choir, member Sept 00-May 00 President Sept 00-May 00 Westminster Presbyterian Fellowship, member Sept 00-May 00 Service Chair Jan Dec 00 Website Coordinator Jan Dec 00 Historian Jan Dec 00 Publications: To Do or Not to Do. Published by Young Clergy Women Project. May 0. Church Characteristics Desired: I offer four hopes for the congregation I might serve: First, may this congregation yearn to be a gathering space for a strange collection of pilgrims, for Christians who span generations, politics, fashions, and backgrounds. As a youth director, I lead weekly programs that strive to build this connectional community amongst a teen-aged bunch of saints. Second, may this congregation believe worship happens on Sundays in sanctuaries and at a hundred other unexpected times and places. I ve led worship in many settings, from youth lock-ins to Alzheimer s units, from Duke Chapel to an intensive care hospital room. Christ already walks with us into the unknown; we must awaken to perceive it. Third, may this congregation be open after Sunday morning. In teaching small groups of many ages youth, parents, college students, and older adults I relearn each time how deeply we are shaped by what we do each day and with what people we interact. Together we must ask what difference our church makes to the people around us, in our congregation and community, beyond Sunday. Finally, may this congregation choose to wonder aloud and dream together. If we each are lovingly formed by God, steadfastly claimed by Christ, and continuously beckoned by the Spirit to join in God s work, then where is the Spirit calling us right now? As a motley community of saints, may we seek to respond with all our hearts, minds, and strength. Three weeks after I began my current call, the beloved senior pastor left. During the congregation s tough transition, I continuously needed to use my skills in group dynamics, pastoral care, and hopeful envisioning. Then and now, I strive to create a space of safe fun and meaningful community for youth. Through the cultivation of new traditions like Sunday morning prayer with middle schoolers or the tag game Alien I aim to deepen a sense of group identity. I lead groups in conversation about topics ranging from the Bible to bullying to social media. Through art projects and scavenger hunts, I work to engage youth with their worship spaces in new ways. At the encouragement of the new senior pastor, I develop periodic intergenerational, multi-sensory worship services, and tap youth to help lead. I ve advocated for a new youth deacon position. I connect youth to the wider congregation and world by leading ecumenical mission trips to D.C. and Montana and by starting a youth-led Good Neighbors Walk. I also co-organized a neighborhood clean-up. Throughout, I ve Page
0 0 0 0 concentrated on effective communication and organization. Recently, during an intergenerational envisioning meeting, conversation participants identified the following strengths in the program: enjoyable, cohesive, connected, highly visible, with great things happenings. These words make me happy. I am grateful for what has been accomplished in two and a half years. Leadership Style: I lead with curiosity, creativity, honesty, and energetic spiritual formation. I ve offered leadership to diverse populations in diverse settings, including inner-city high schoolers, small-town older adults, critical hospital patients, and discerning college students. Thus, I ve developed a distinct and thought-full style: I ask questions and dig deeply into the responses; I seek and name talents of individuals; I examine why we communicate a particular presentation of our selves; I create organizational structures that aim to empower and nurture those who offer their time and talents to the church. I ve learned to do this in different ministry work. As a chaplain and youth director, I first listen and watch, learning from people and processes. As coordinator of volunteers, I connect with people one-on-one, in order to discover how to use individual gifts in meaningful ways. In the past, as program assistant at a retreat center or as newsletter editor at a mainline church, I ve examined how to more adeptly communicate the vision of that unique organization. In the future, as a teaching elder and minister of Word and Sacrament, I hope to lead by exploring the existing narrative of our communities and selves, asking: Why do we do this? What is our purpose here and now? In life, I seek depth of spiritual awareness, rather than easy answers. In leadership, I seek to meet others, so that we might encounter how the Spirit is working in our life together. Key Theological Issues: What role will the Church play in people s daily lives? How will we claim Christian community in this time and space? Contemporary society is struggling to understand what individual purpose and community look like, in an age of social media and / access to information. The church must participate in these cultural conversations in three ways. First, the Church must teach people how to take time to look at their lives, through a lens of theological reflection and grace-filled contemplation. Second, we must show people how to engage the world with loving and humble hands. In doing so, together, we can discover how the gospel is already unfolding in our midst. Third, we must not hide from the rest of the world. We must intertwine our churches in the daily life of our neighborhood and congregants, by opening our doors to create a safe space for community events and by looking inward to create a safe space for individual spiritual reflection. We are entering a new age with ancient yearnings. Our theological conviction assures us that the Church is Christ s body and will not die. By grace, the Church is not only transformative; it is transforming. We are equipped to respond to the gifts that God is already giving, the love that Jesus is already redeeming, and the work that the Spirit is already doing. Together, we must claim this blessing and purpose both in individual lives and in our community and we must teach others to do the same. Statement of Faith: I believe in God, the first Person of the Trinity who creates in loving freedom, sustains by empowering justice, and redeems in glorious mercy. The Trinity reveals the Persons of the Divine Self, each Person ever-working, giving, and moving on our behalf. Page
0 0 0 0 I believe in Jesus, the second Person of the Trinity. Christ walked on this earth, fully divine and fully human, in a wonderful exchange that we cannot fully explain. Christ took on the cross because he freely chose to love us in this world and he knew that such loving means dying for our sake. I believe that God knew suffering as Christ hung on the cross and that Jesus Christ descended into hell and rose on the third day, so that God might reveal to all creation how fully everything moves in and for God s purpose. Even sin, the sting of death, has been and will be used by God. I believe that, in the resurrection of Christ, we realize that death is not the end of the story. God s faithfulness extends beyond the limits of our human perception and one day, we ll know the renewal of all Creation. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Trinity. By the power of the Spirit, we are justified and adopted into something more beautiful than we yet understand. I believe that, one day, the Holy Spirit will reveal, to all creation, God s plan and purpose and we will fully know how long God has been working on our behalf even when we had no idea. I believe that through the acts of Christ, from the dawn of time, the end is decided but, for the time being, there is work to do. This is our call of discipleship. Our call grows and re-forms as our own knowledge of our selves, in relation to Christian community and God s movement in the world, grows and re-forms. I believe that Christ calls the Church, seen and unseen, to bear witness to the Spirit s work on earth. The Church offers a place to gather in community, hear the Word of the Lord, respond to the Word, and, thus equipped, go into the world to seek and serve the Lord. In this holy, catholic, and apostolic communion of saints, we learn how to live a faithful life in Christ. I believe that Scriptures are God s Word, fully revealed and yet hidden, available to all and yet wholly understood by none. By the Holy Spirit, we must return to the scriptures continually to understand who we are and where we are going. I believe that, through the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord s Supper, God once more uses concrete elements to reveal the Spirit s mystery and Christ s love in this time and space. Baptism cleanses and seals us in the renewing work of God s Kingdom. The Lord s Supper nourishes and sustains us with the hope of Christ s redemption. Through the Word and Sacraments, we are raised into renewed participation in the Triune glory of our Maker, Redeemer, and Sustainer. I believe that I will never fully articulate how, when, why, or where the Holy Spirit moves through me and through the world, but I believe that I must always keep trying. DAVIDSON, DENTON TODD Ecclesiastical Status: PC(USA) Candidate Membership Presbytery: James Formal Education: B.S. Business Management, Virginia Teach Master of Divinity, Union Presbyterian Seminary, December, 00. Page
0 0 0 0 Experience Level: First Ordained Call Employment Type: Open to Both Position Types: Youth Director (non-ordained), College Seminary Staff Primary Skills: Community Service and Leadership, Conflict Management/Mediation Skills Involvement in Mission Beyond the local Church, Preaching Problem Solving/Decision Making Spiritual Development, Teaching, Training Volunteers, Youth Ministry, Young Adult Ministry Clergy Couple: No. Sexual Misconduct Self-Certification Statement: I hereby certify below that no civil, criminal, ecclesiastical complaint has ever been sustained or is pending against me for sexual misconduct; and I have never resigned or been terminated from a position for reasons related to sexual misconduct. I have read this certification and release from and fully understand that the information obtained may be used to deny my employment or any other type of position from the employing entity. I also agree that I will hold harmless the employing or judicial authority or any other entity from any and all claims, liabilities, and causes of action for the legitimate release to sexual misconduct. Past Experience: Director of Youth Ministries, -00, Blacksburg United Methodist Church, 000 members, Blacksburg, VA. Director of Youth Ministries, 00-00, Salisbury Presbyterian Church, 000 members. Director of Student Ministries (part-time), 00-00, New Song United Methodist Church, 00 members, Mechanicsville, VA Intern 00-00, Presbytery of the James, Richmond, VA Summer Intern, 00, Christ Presbyterian Church, 0 member, Richmond, VA Vice-Coordinator, Youth Council, 00-present, Presbytery of the James, Richmond, VA St. High Youth Director (part-time), 00-00, River Road Presbyterian Church, 00 members, Richmond, VA Director of Youth Ministries/Pastoral Assistant, 00-present, Three Chopt Presbyterian Church, 00 member, Richmond, VA Other Services: Helped plan and lead new Contemporary Worship service at Three Chopt Presbyterian Church Recruited and lead contemporary worship planning team for new worship service Serving as contemporary service coordinator with responsibilities in liturgy, music, and technology. Served as Director and Assistant Director for Richmond-area ACTS Middle School Mission Project. Member of Presbytery of the James Committee on Youth Ministry. Page 0
0 0 0 0 Organized, planned and led POJ Confirmation Retreat for the past three years. Served on Union-PSCE Ultimate Frisbee Tournament Planning Team Workshop Director at Massanetta Middle School Conference Workshop Leader at Massanetta Springs SALT Youth Leadership Event Keynote Speaker for June 00 Massanetta Springs Middle School Conference. Helped plan, organize, and lead multiple mission trips for Presbytery of the James. Served on Presbytery of the James Missions/Disaster Response Group. Served on Camp Hanover New Ministries Models Task Force Church Characteristics Desired: To borrow from scripture, it is my desire to serve a church or organization that loves God and loves one another. I would like to work alongside people who are seeking to faithfully live out what it is they think God is calling them to do. Together we would, as the body of Christ attempt to fulfill Paul s words by letting love be genuine; hating what is evil, holding fast to what is good; loving one another with mutual affection; outdoing one another in showing honor. It is my hope that we would not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, and serve the Lord. Ideally, we would rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer and contribute to the needs of the saints; and extend hospitality to strangers. I would further like to work alongside people who can respectfully discuss and challenge each other s thoughts and opinions, and be quick to forgive when there are differences and mistakes. I bring with me a great deal of experience in a variety of settings. I have an ability to relate to a variety of different people. I have a wealth of energy and enthusiasm for God and the church. I love to laugh and genuinely enjoy others company. I am a team player and enjoy hearing others thoughts and opinions on any given subject. Through many life experiences, I have an unshakable faith in God. I bring no pretense I know that any successes I may have come from God who is always with me. Accomplishments in present call: I believe my present call is to serve God is in some setting as a Minister of Word and Sacrament. One thing I have learned well throughout my lifetime is that I do not always know the plans God has for me. I have made a promise to God that I will devote my life in service to God and the church and trust that in return God will always show me the next step. Thus far God always has and I do not believe this time will be any different. Going to seminary was a leap of faith but I believe it has been the right one. As I am limiting myself to a specific geographical area due to family, I truly am open to wherever God might lead me and us. What began as a job in youth ministry grew and blossomed into a calling. While I have greatly enjoyed all of my years in youth work and still feel very much called to it, seminary and my position at Three Chopt have provided me with new experiences in worship leadership and preaching that I have enjoyed immensely. These opportunities have enhanced my sense of call to Teaching Elder in the PC(USA). Leadership Style: I would describe my leadership style as one of inclusivity. My years in the church have taught me that challenges are best faced with a variety of inputs and opinions. However that same experience has taught me that being a leader means taking responsibility for decisions. I understand and accept Page
0 0 0 0 that leadership means I will be called on to make the call on decisions and that ultimate accountability will rest with me. I have come to appreciate that history and tradition very much have a place in the church and that a leader cannot be ignorant of these things. At the same time, I am not afraid to try new things. I place a high value on relationship and have enjoyed the collegiality that comes from serving with a staff. I consider myself an approachable person and also a good listener. I am a problem solver and enjoy challenges. I have a very good handle on my strengths and weaknesses and who God has made me to be. I know what I do not know. If I am in a situation where I need help, I do not pretend otherwise and am not afraid to ask for it. Lastly, I have an ability to unite people for a goal and foster cooperation and teamwork among them. Key Theological Issues: Christianity is no longer the dominant voice it was several in generations past. There are other entities, activities, and religions that have changed the landscape. The church is seeking to define itself in the world and help its members define themselves and their faith within this context. Many have predicted the imminent demise of the church. I am tired of this talk. I am tired of giving eulogies when we should be giving preludes. I am not disagreeing with numbers, facts, or figures. I am disagreeing with people limiting the God I love and serve. The church, while far from perfect, is what God has given to us. It was given thousands of years ago and throughout a great many generations and challenges, has lived on. Are we to believe that after all of this, God is abandoning it now? Not the God I worship. The God I worship is faithful to God s followers for a thousand generations. To quote the movie The Shawshank Redemption, Get busy living or get busy dying. The church needs to get busy living! This shapes my ministry by affirming my belief that the church very much has something to offer people, namely relationship in an increasingly isolated society. I continue to strive to find new ways to merge church with the ever-evolving world around it. At the same time, I believe that the supportive relationships people find a church family is a key piece of what we have to offer those around us. Statement of Faith I believe in the triune God who was, is, and always will be. I believe in a God that loved creation into being and who above all else desires relationship with that creation. The Biblical narrative testifies to a God of second chances. Throughout the scriptures from judges to kings to prophets to the ultimate gift of God s own son, I believe in a God who continually refuses to give up on creation. I trust that God s grace an undeserved and un-earnable love - is absolute and nothing we do can separate us from this. I believe humanity, though good at times, is ultimately a broken and flawed group that only God s love and grace is capable of redeeming. I believe that although God s grace ultimately bridges some of the gap between God and humanity, there is a mystery and majesty to the Creator that will never be fully understood, at least not in our time in this world. I believe in God s one and only son, Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for my sins and the sins of all others, even those I might despise or many may think are least deserving of God s grace. Jesus came to earth to live among us, showing creation a glimpse of who God is and what God values. Page
0 0 0 0 I believe that in Jesus ministry God s standards were set for humanity. Jesus came to offer healing to the sick, forgiveness to the broken, hope to the lost. I believe as a Minister of Word and Sacrament, my first example in the care and compassion for others comes from Jesus Christ. I believe it is never my responsibility to be Christ but to serve as one who points others to Christ s life and teachings. I believe in the Holy Spirit, which is present in the church, its people, and the world outside the church. It is an innate sense of relationship, of being in or near the presence of God. The Holy Spirit helps us discern what we think God s will is in our lives and allows us to turn from sin and move towards the image of God in which we are created. When we worship, when a newborn is baptized, when we are gathered with fellow believers and our voices are joined together in joyous praise, the Holy Spirit is present. It gives us the strength pastorally to wade into situations that others do not wish to deal with. It is the way in which we know God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. The Holy Spirit is alive and active in the world. I believe the Bible is the divinely inspired, authoritative Word of God. It is an amazing composition of time and diversity. It is the story of our faith, a history of God s love and interaction with God s creation. Though those who created and canonized the Bible were not perfect, the Holy Spirit redeems their work, making the text sacred. I believe God s word is alive and no matter how many times it is read and proclaimed there is always new and fresh insight to be gained. I believe in the sacraments of baptism and communion, visible symbols of God s love. We celebrate both of these sacraments in response to Jesus experiences and directives in the scriptures. Baptism is a sign and seal of God s presence in our Christian lives and though we do not believe the act to be salvific, we do believe that through the water and Spirit, God claims us. The Lord s Supper is a meal of God s grace. In the eating of the bread and the drinking of the wine, we remember Jesus life, ministry, and death and the new covenant established through those experiences. The meal s importance cannot be overstated as it sets us apart from all other groups or organizations. Every time we come to the table or remember our baptism, we are reminded of God s love, forgiveness, and desire for relationship with us. I believe the church must offer God s love to a broken and hurting world. As we are in relationship with God, we seek to bring others into that same relationship. We are to spread the good news of the Gospels to others as Jesus directed in scripture. KATIE BELLE PRESTON Ecclesiastical Status: PC(USA) Candidate Member Presbytery: Greater Atlanta Candidacy Date: December, 0 Formal Education: B. S. Physics, Furman University, 00 M.Div from Columbia Theological Seminary, 00 Continuing Education: Certified in Environmental and Leadership, in progress Page
0 0 0 0 Experience Level: First Ordained Call Employment Type: Full-time Geographic Choices: Virginia Primary Skills: Administration of Programs, Administrative Leadership, Budget Preparation, Curriculum Building, Office Management, Organization/Administration, Preaching, Project Management, Stewardship and Commitment Program, Teaching. Sexual Misconduct Self-Certification Statement: I certify below that no civil, criminal, ecclesiastical complaint has ever been sustained or is pending against me for sexual misconduct; and I have never resigned or been terminated from a position for reasons related to sexual misconduct. I have read this certification and release form and fully understand that the information obtained may be used to deny my employment or any other type of position from the employing entity. I also agree that I will hold harmless the employing or judicial authority or any other entity from any and all claims, liabilities, and causes of action for the legitimate release of any information related to sexual conduct. Past Experience: July 0 present Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, Richmond, VA Director, Virginia Interfaith Power & Light Membership: over 00 individuals supporting work Statewide Coordinated advocacy and policy efforts on environmental issues with people of faith in Virginia Researched and contributed to grant application process Coordinated planning of programs across the commonwealth regarding environmental stewardship Developed plan for 0 Climate Conversations curriculum Offered educational resources to congregations and members regarding environmental issues Met monthly with coalition members in Hampton Roads on the uranium mining issue February 0 June 0 Big Peach Running Company, Marietta, GA Guest Advocate, June 00 December 0 Georgia Interfaith Power & Light, Atlanta/Decatur, GA. Operations Director Membership: over 00 congregational partners Statewide Act as Regional Coordinator: coordinate outreach efforts to new congregations in the southern area of the state of Georgia, Act as Office Administrator: maintain supplies in office; maintain necessary phone and internet service; act as office coordinator for scheduling meetings, space use, and events with congregations Act as Chief Financial Officer: maintain accounting procedures using QuickBooks; handle deposits and grants as well as other bills to pay; establish internal controls; create a Policies and Procedures Manual; handle all incoming and outgoing cash/checks Page
0 0 0 0 Act as Grant Administrator: manage all finance and accounting information regarding Federal grant programs; prepare monthly and quarterly reports on grant income and expenses; invoice congregations for services; pay contracted employees based on work completed December 00 December 00 Ameriprise Financial Atlanta, GA, Administrative Assistant March 00 - October 00 Fidelity Bank, Atlanta, GA, Lead Teller April 00 - March 00 Fidelity Bank, Roswell, GA, Teller September 00 - May 00 Ted s Montana Grill, Marietta, GA, Server, Server Assistant June 00 - April 00 Venice Presbyterian Church, Venice, FL Director of Children s, Youth, and Family Ministry Membership: ~0 Suburban Responsible for programming events for children, youth and families Participated in worship weekly Dealt with budget planning September 00 - May 00 John Bulow Campbell Library, Decatur, GA, Student Assistant, Assistant to the Periodicals Librarian June 00 - August 00 Roswell Presbyterian Church, Roswell, GA, Youth Ministry Intern Membership: ~00 Suburban. Worked in conjunction with Youth Ministry Team to coordinate summer events and activities for youth in th through th grades Attended staff planning meetings once a month Planned Fall Kick-Off activity with colleagues May - August Publix Supermarkets Marietta, GA, Cashier Other Services: PEC Newsletter planning team for the last two years PEC conference planning team for the 0 Conference at Ferncliff Serve as a resource to Rebecca Barnes in Environmental Ministries, Leslie Woods in the Washington Office, and Mark Koenig in the UN Office in disseminating their work to local congregations. Church Characteristics Desired: Over the last four years I have realized my call to ministry outside the bounds of a parish. I believe God is leading me to the work of connecting people of faith to the care of Creation, as lived out in my work and ministry with Interfaith Power & Light. In my last few years of seminary, I was invited to do a second internship, and feeling that my call was to non-traditional ministry at that time, Page
0 0 0 0 took an opportunity to work with Georgia IPL. Over the next two years, my role with the organization grew, and my love for the work deepened. I believe that people of faith have a moral obligation to care for Creation and to respond faithfully to our call to be good stewards of all the gifts God has blessed us with. Through my work with IPL, I have been able to help people make these connections, using Scripture and the traditions of the PC(USA). I believe my own love of Creation and my personal commitment to "tread lightly" inform my work with IPL. I am able to speak from a personal context both theologically and practically with people about these issues. I am also able to connect with congregations across the state, both in Georgia and now in Virginia, through worship and education. I truly feel that God has called me to this work and given me the gifts of passion and compassion to spread the message of hope in care for Creation. Accomplishments: For the last four years, with a slight break between my work in Georgia and Virginia, I have been engaged in care for Creation through the Interfaith Power & Light network. I began this work as an intern in my final year at Columbia, which developed into a part time job as I completed my M.Div., and then into a full-time position after graduation. I continued working for Georgia IPL for another two years, managing our federal grant and outreach to congregations especially the Presbyterian churches throughout Georgia. Over the course of that time, I taught and led workshops on connecting our faith to the practical steps of care for Creation. Since I have arrived in Virginia, my work has broadened to include work on legislation and with legislators at both the state and federal level, as well as more regular preaching opportunities. This has been a rewarding development, as I am able to grow into my call to connect faith and stewardship, through engaging in congregational education and action as well as supporting policies that move us in the right direction for a sustainable future. I feel that God has led me to this particular time and place and to this specific work. It is work that I am passionate about and that I thoroughly enjoy doing. Helping people of faith see the connective threads of theology and ecology has been very rewarding and I look forward to continued engagement in this work as an ordained teaching elder. Leadership Style: Truthfully, this is the most difficult question on the PIF! I believe that my leadership style has been informed over the years from the things I have liked and disliked about those that have been in leadership above me. I feel like the best quality of a leader is someone who encourages individual thought and autonomy. I have really enjoyed having superiors who motivate me to do my work without hovering and nitpicking. I hope that these are the qualities I emulate as a leader in my role and responsibilities. I also believe that through my work, my leadership style includes the way I engage folks on a complicated issue. Discussing care for Creation through a theological lens helps to lessen some of the push back on climate change and the role of humanity in raising the global average temperature. But I hope that as I lead classes and preach the Word, I do so in a way the leads people to make their own conclusions about why it is important to engage in this work, regardless of political affiliation. I consider this a way to engage pastorally with the people I work with a way to preach the good news even when it s difficult to hear. Key Theological Issues: Page
0 0 0 0 For me a key theological issue is caring for Creation and the true understanding of stewardship. Stewardship, in my understanding, is being a good steward of all of the resources that the Creator has blessed us with. This includes financial resources of course, but also includes all the natural resources that we have been given and our interaction with them. The story of Creation found in Genesis demonstrates that all of nature was created before humanity and that humanity was created to watch over and care for the natural world and for one another. Jesus calls on us to care for the orphan, the widow and the poor. In this call, Jesus is teaching us the importance of social justice. Care for Creation is a matter of social justice. People are struggling to live healthy lives because of pollution. It is our moral and ethical duty as Christians to fight for clean air and water. We are also called to care for Creation because it is a gift from the Creator. When we express our faith through caring for Creation, we are living out what it means to be Christians as Christ called us to be. All of Creation belongs to God and comes from God. When we remove ourselves from nature, from Creation and from the Creator, we cut ourselves off from the life-giving forces that are present within them. In order to sustain ourselves, we must live a sustainable lifestyle, one that nurtures and replenishes the world around us and that shows respect and awe for the Creator and the Creation. Statement of Faith: I believe in the God of the universe as the Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer known to us in the persons of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth, the sea and the sky and called it good. As stewards of the earth, guardians of the Creation, we are called to keep it good. The ultimate human example of this goodness is the person of Jesus Christ. In Christ, the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. The God of the universe was pleased to dwell among humanity, to redeem all of his creation. Through the life of Christ we are given a shining example of what it means to be good stewards of all the resources God has blessed us with. In the death of Christ we have been redeemed to the Creator. In Christ s resurrection we are rejoined with our Creator and at our own death we will be reunited in full glory with the God of the universe. The breath of God, first breathed into Adam, is what sustains us. At the first Pentecost the breath of God was again breathed on the people and the church was born. The breath of God in the form of the Holy Spirit breathed life into the people and into the church. The sustaining breath moves the church in all times and places to witness to the life, death and resurrection of the Redeemer in Jesus Christ. The church is also called to be a community of life for all of Creation and a place to worship the Creator, the God of the universe. I believe the sacraments are an expression of our faith and connect us to the Creator. They are a way to open ourselves to the movement of the Spirit and a way to connect with the Creator and Redeemer in this place at this time. Through the sacraments we are able to glimpse the grace of God in our lives, no matter how sinful we have been. In the Eucharist, we rely on bread and water to serve as reminders of the body and blood of Christ, unstained from sin and given as a sacrifice to reunite us with the divine. And yet, as the earth is despoiled and it becomes harder and harder to grow healthy grain and grapes to make into these elements, we desecrate the sacrament. In like manner, we speak of the purity of the waters of baptism for washing us clean from our sins, but when we pollute our natural waters and allow the exploitation of our resources the water no longer runs clean. How can we teach of the cleansing of our sins in dirty baptismal waters? No, we must fight to have healthy water and soil, so we can maintain the truly holy nature of our sacraments. Page
0 0 0 0 There are so many ways our faith informs our interaction with all of Creation people and nature. To be Disciples of Christ is to care for Creation. As Christ came into this world to reconcile us to the Creator, so too did Christ come to reconcile the whole of Creation. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son Christ s sacrifice on the cross was for all of us, and we must honor that sacrifice in all that we do, whether with neighbor, or in our neighborhood. REVELEY, NELSON Ecclesiastical Status (PC(USA) Candidate Candidacy Date: June, 00 Membership: Grace Covenant, Richmond, VA Formal Education: A.B. Princeton University 00 (major in Religion, minor in African American Studies) M.Div. Union Presbyterian Seminary 00 Th.M. Princeton Theological Seminary 0 (Religion & Society) Ph.D. University of Virginia expected 0 (Theology, Ethics, & Culture: focus on Augustinian and economic ethics) Positions you would consider: Associate Pastor, Pastor, Campus Ministry, College/Seminary/Faculty Employment type: Part-time Community type you would consider: Urban, Inner City, College Primary Skill Choices: Adult Ministry, Community Ministries, Preaching, Urban Ministry, Community Service and Leadership, Corporate Worship/Sacraments, Scholarship/Publishing, Teaching, Young Adult Ministry. Geographic Choices: Virginia Sexual Misconduct Self Certification: I certify below that no civil, criminal, ecclesiastical complaint has ever been sustained* or is pending* against me for sexual misconduct; and I have never resigned or been terminated from a position for reasons related to sexual misconduct. I have read this certification and release form and fully understand that the information obtained may be used to deny my employment or any other type of position from the employing entity. I also agree that I will hold harmless the employing or judicial authority or any other entity from any and all claims, liabilities, and causes of action for the legitimate release of any information related to sexual misconduct. Page
0 0 0 0 Work Experience: First Ordained Call University of Virginia, Teaching Assistant, Charlottesville, VA (0-present) Courses: Theology, Ethics, and Health Care ; Religious Ethics and Moral Problems ; Religion, Ethics, and the Environment Plan discussion section curriculum with professors and fellow TAs Lead and facilitate weekly class discussions; hold office hours Create and grade course examinations in conjunction with professors and TAs St. Christopher s School, Richmond, VA (00-present) Summer Institute on Leadership and Public Service (SILPS) Assistant Director (00-present) Direct a five week program for - rising high school seniors from around the Greater Richmond Area Oversee application, interview, and participant selection process Create and teach curriculum on engaged citizenship Guide students throughout the program (site visits to non-profits, internships, discussions) Organize site visits, internships, speakers, and alumni outreach Supervise college student interns International Boys Schools Coalition (IBSC) Student Forum Co-founder and Assistant Director (0-present) Co-founded program for students from schools around globe Orchestrate and implement curriculum (via internet Nov-May and in person during BSC conference in June) Theme of Student Forum Creating the Globally Engaged Citizen Leader Religious Studies Teacher (part time, 00-present) Repeat courses taught: Biblical Studies, African American Christianity, The Roots of Religious Faith, and Medical Ethics (expected summer 0) Periodic preaching in morning chapel service Union Presbyterian Seminary, Teaching Assistant, Richmond, VA (0) Co-created May term seminar, Not By Bread Alone: Theology and the Politics of Food, with Professor Dawn DeVries Helped lead discussions Newtown Presbyterian Church, Youth and Worship Leader, Newtown, PA (00-0) (~000 members) Co-lead NPC s th - th Grade Youth Group Helped plan worship and led worship as needed Preached as needed Williamsburg Presbyterian Church Williamsburg, VA, Fall 00-Spring 00, Intern (~00 members) Assisted with Mid-High Youth Fellowship ( th - th grade) as well as Campus Ministry to the College of William & Mary Page
0 0 0 0 Wrote sermons, preached, and helped lead worship during select weekend services as well as Advent and Lenten Wednesday services Provided pastoral care visits to elderly Took Clinical Pastoral Education course concurrent to this internship Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, Richmond, VA (00-00, 0-present) Ruling Elder (0) Christian Education Committee co-chair (0) Mission Committee member (00-00, 0-present) Initiated and now lead Disciple Bible Study program (0-present) Lead worship and preach as needed (0-present) Led Youth Group (00-00) Richmonders Involved to Strengthen our Communities (R.I.S.C.) Richmond, VA (00-00, 0-present) Participated in R.I.S.C. s efforts to unite Richmond congregations in justice ministry Researched justice issues related to jail system in Richmond Church Hill Academy, Teacher, Richmond, VA (00-00) Taught high school World History at small inner-city private school for at-risk youth Forged relationships with students and motivated learning Church Characteristics I am looking to work full-time or part-time teaching and researching religious studies, particularly theology and ethics, at either a college or seminary. I am particularly interested in how our beliefs and desires are formed (both consciously and subconsciously), and how those beliefs and desires influence the way we relate to God, each other, and the rest of creation. I am open to serving in various educational settings (religious or secular, small or large), but one that would also allow me the chance to be a part-time pastor. I could most energetically and effectively serve a church that has a special emphasis on education, preaching, spiritual disciplines, and missions to local and global communities. I would like to serve an urban church that can have/has a direct relationship with local communities and affords the opportunity to become deeply involved with issues affecting it both problems to address or joys to celebrate in community and I am open to serving any size congregation. I also feel that I could energetically benefit others as a chaplain at the high school level. That position would unite many of the skills I would use as a pastor or professor: preaching, leading worship, teaching, offering pastoral care, and helping lead engagement and service with the community. I have gained much experience over the past five years in these areas, and with them I aim to help the communities I am a part of realize and embrace the reality of God in their everyday lives. Please describe your present call and accomplishments I feel a particular call to use my intellectual abilities and academic enthusiasm to help others understand how scripture, faith, and Christian ethics connect with their lives. The Lord calls all of us to devote ourselves to the love God and neighbor, but I believe one of the minister s primary tasks is to serve Please describe your leadership style: Page 0