“I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason, I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers.” Ephesians 1: 15-16
Presbytery Friends, Every morning I wake up grateful for the love of Christ being expressed through faithful disciples in our Lake Erie Presbytery. Every day my prayers are full of joy for your commitment and service. In my role as General Presbyter, I am privileged to see a broad view of church life in this presbytery. I see ordinary acts of faith expressed consistently year after year. I also see extraordinary expressions of loving service. Both often go largely unnoticed as dedicated Christians quietly serve in Christ’s name without fanfare or applause. With this in mind,, I will highlight a mission or ministry of one of our churches that valiantly reflects the love of Christ. I hope that you will join me in giving thanks for these ministries.
This month, Anita Applauds loving mission outreach all across our presbytery. On January 1, 2026, James and I were at the Sikh Golden Temple in Amritsar, India. On that first day of the year, we toured the public kitchen associated with the Golden Temple, a site as spectacular in its beauty as the gleaming temple. In a massive, organized, and efficient manner, a few staff and hundreds of faithful volunteers serve a traditional Indian meal to over 100,000 people every day. Yes, you read that correctly. Operating 24 hours a day every day, the Sikh faithful feed the masses in need. It is a beautiful thing. Though not on the same huge scale, the faithful in our presbytery are doing the same thing – meeting human need with compassion on a daily basis.
In Erie at First Covenant, the homeless are fed with dignity and respect around tables with non-plastic flatware and plates during Sunday Suppers. In Bradford, The Friendship Table offers more than meals, as does The Open Door in Oil City. Josh Botts, full-time Commissioned Pastor at First Presbyterian, Oil City, previously at Second Presbyterian, has devoted decades of energy and care to those who struggle with homelessness, addictions, poverty, and despair. At First Presbyterian Church in Ripley, NY, a high-turnover clothing closet aims to supply working men and women with professional attire, part of Commissioned Pastor Phil Johnson’s expertise. At First Presbyterian in Coudersport, among other things, the church fills the need for feminine hygiene products where SNAP benefits leave a gap. At Nickleville Presbyterian, outreach to the community is vigorous and generous, whether they are members or not. At Elmwood Avenue Presbyterian in Erie, a weekly offering from The Free Store supplements their active food pantry gifts. Here people may browse and choose what is most needed. In Meadville, First Presbyterian Church, other area congregations, and the Lake Erie Presbytery support the Meadville Free Clinic, addressing healthcare deficiencies. In all these places of the Lake Erie Presbytery and many, many more, loving compassion for the disadvantaged is an expression of our faith in Jesus Christ. It is a beautiful thing….as beautiful as our diverse and gorgeous worship spaces.
Rev. Anita Bernhardt – General Presbyter / Presbytery of Lake Erie
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