The Presbytery of Lake Erie met in a hybrid format (some in person, some joining by Zoom) on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at First Presbyterian Church in Titusville. Jim Ohrn, the vice moderator, greeted us and offered a prayer. Rev. Vaughan Smith from Titusville gave us a message asking us to know that to have Shalom (wholeness, peace, purpose, fulfillment) is only possible in connection to and knowing Jesus, both together and in our individual lives. Shalom requires us to “know who we are”, actually demonstrating to the world the difference Christ makes in our living. We are the Light of the world because Jesus, the Light, lives in us. Shalom comes from God and no where or no one else. Nathaniel Licht provided a wonderful music ministry to lead us in worship.
We also honored Rev. David Edmunds and granted him Honorable Retirement status. Several members shared how David had been a light in their journey with God. We have been blessed by David’s ministry and know that he will continue to be among us in the future.
Rev Gregg Townsend, the presbytery moderator, led the committee reports. We heard about good financial standing from the Administrative Committee. We approved new guidelines for emeriti status presented by the Committee on Ministry, including extending that honor to Commissioned Pastors if sessions so choose. We heard about a worship leaders’ workshop that the Spiritual Formation Committee held earlier this winter. We were reminded of opportunities for retreats and PW gatherings, youth events, theological education forums, grants to help our congregations, and other ways of being the Presbytery whenever we have the opportunity to be together in that way.
We also paid our respects during the necrology report, honoring and praising God for the Light that has shone in our presbytery through ruling elders, deacons, and pastors who have passed away this year in our congregations.
We did spend some moments talking about ways to live into the Light by looking at concurring with overtures from other presbyteries that will be coming to the General Assembly this summer. We gave concurrence on three: one to review the actions and processes for the restructuring of World Mission that occurred this past year; one asking the denomination to produce a new missiology statement (our theology and goal in mission); and one asking for future General Assemblies to return to an all-in-person format. We also formally elected Rev. Ben Black to be our Synod TE Commissioner.
The congregation at Titusville welcomed us and brought Light into our day with a wonderful meal of chicken salad and dessert. We were the Light in fellowship, stories, prayers, worship, debates, song, and just being church together. Special thanks to Brian Kessler (OC Second and Worship Committee), Nathaniel Licht and Laura Zimmerman (Titusville), and Melinda Wingenbach (Presbytery Office) for tech support, and to Rev. Tara Eastman, who attended to those attending by Zoom. We will meet again as an assembly on May 12 at 11 am at New Hope Presbyterian Church in Erie.
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