On Monday, March 16, Grace Presbytery Council voted unanimously to pass the following motions, including official recommendations to our congregations, in an effort to slow the rate of COVID-19 infection and keep our churches as safe as possible.
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That Grace Presbytery approve the following actions taken by the Presbytery Council as delegated by the Manual of Administrative Operations and receive the items of information:
A. Suspended all face-to-face presbytery gatherings due to the coronavirus pandemic until further notice, including: all committees will meet by conference call or other electronic means, staff will work from home unless it is essential to go to the office for some necessity, and all children and youth activities will be suspended.
B. Recommended to sessions within Grace Presbytery that all face-to-face church gatherings be suspended including worship services until public health officials advise it is safe to resume group gatherings.
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That Grace Presbytery approve the following addition to the Standing Rules sent via the United States Postal Service to all members of Grace Presbytery including all ministers of Word and Sacrament and all ruling elders eligible to serve as commissioners at a presbytery meeting:
If a presbytery meeting needs to be cancelled or delayed for any reason, it will be announced on the Grace Presbytery website, eNews and through other electronic media.
The decision to cancel or delay the start of a presbytery meeting will be made by the Moderator of the Presbytery in consultation with the General Presbyter and Stated Clerk. Rescheduling a cancelled meeting is the responsibility of the Stated Clerk in consultation with the Moderator and General Presbyter.
In the event of a natural disaster, a state of emergency, or other situation which would delay, postpone or cancel a meeting of the presbytery, the Presbytery Council is delegated the authority to act on behalf of Grace Presbytery and the Board of Trustees is authorized to conduct corporate business on behalf of Grace Presbytery, Inc.
Attendance at the March 16, 2020 Presbytery Council special meeting held via electronic means:
Class of 2020: Rev. Donald Hogg (Fort Worth, Westminster), Ruling Elder Beth Peak Thompson (Denton, Trinity), Rev. Thomas Lamb (Temple, Grace), Class of 2021: Rev. William Wilson (Kilgore, First), Ruling Elder Wendell Black (Arlington, Grace), Class of 2022: Ruling Elder Kathy Jones (Dallas, NorthPark), Ruling Elder Denyse Rodgers (Waco, Central), Ex-Officio with Vote: Council Moderator Rev. John Williams (Sherman, Austin College), Former Moderator of Presbytery Council Ruling Elder Phyllis Kidwell (Athens, First), Moderator of Presbytery Rev. Lisa Patterson (Denton, St. Andrew), Moderators of Presbytery Entities: Rev. Andy Odom (Personnel Committee), Rev. Michael Waschevski (Committee on Ministry), Rev. Harry Meissner (Church Development Committee), Rev. Woody Meredith (Budget and Finance Committee), Ruling Elder Brian Parker (Irving, Woodhaven and Congregational Support Committee), Rev. Lisa Juica Perkins (Nominating Committee). Ex-Officio without Vote: Stated Clerk Rev. Gerry Tyer (H.R.), Presbytery Staff: Joanna Kim (Director of Ministry Services), Rev. Elizabeth Callender (Director of Ministry Development), M.E. Clary (Director of Communications), Vicki Roberts (Director of Finance), Ruling Elder Karen Ebling (Director of Property Management). Excused: Class of 2021: Rev. Seong Soo Lee (Frisco, Holy Seed New Church Development), Vice Moderator of Presbytery Ruling Elder Mike Jones (Dallas, NorthPark), Presbytery Treasurer Trey Angel (Dallas, NorthPark), Rev. Craig Krueger (Director of Ministry Transitions).
If you are a pastor, moderator or ruling elder, and have additional questions, please let us hear from you. We are here to help.
Grace Presbytery Staff Contact Information