Dear Friends,

The definition of duties in the “ Terms of Call ” for pastors in our denomination requires a pastor serve not only a particular congregation but the “ larger church ” as well. I give priority to my pastoral obligations at Westminster, but I also take seriously my responsibilities as a presbyter.

The Session thought the congregation should know the ways in which I am active within the higher judicatories of our Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA) and within our local Lewes – Rehoboth Association of Churches (LRAC).

To start, I am humbled and honored to have been elected president of LRAC this past June and to have begun my term this September. Although this position will require a certain amount of time and energy, I feel there will be dividends paid on this investment in being better acquainted and connected to networks of leadership in both Church and community.

Also this past June I was elected to the General Assembly Nominating Committee of the PCUSA. This new work within the denomination means I will be relinquishing my role as Assistant to the Moderator for the week of the assembly. I had been in this position since 2001 which allowed me to meet and interact with many lay and clergy leaders who also serve the General Assembly as volunteers or attend the Assembly every year due to denominational politics. This knowledge of people and how the church “ works ” on a larger level is the reason I was a successful candidate to the national nominating committee. This work will take me out of town several times a year but not necessarily over a Sunday.

Within New Castle Presbytery I continue to serve the Committee on Preparation for Ministry which oversees ministerial students. In conjunction with this I am a reader of the Standard Ordination Exams which requires an out of town excursion. I mention this because as a pastor I put value in remaining visible and accessible within the congregation. Some of the commitments I now have will mean I am out of town more than I have been, but know pastoral services will be available from Rev. Dianne as well as our elders and deacons.

We are all part of the “ larger church. ” The first Sunday in October is World Communion Sunday. Let us be together and affirm the connections we have in Christ with believers everywhere as we come to table together in His name.

Yours in faith and service, Frank

Frank

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