By Maureen Wright
Our daughter was married in August; it was a wonderful celebration of two smart, strong, purposeful, beautiful young adults. Those of us who love Emily and Matt gathered for a festive weekend celebrating their love and surrounding them with our support. There were many speeches and toasts given to honor the couple, including a welcome to the wedding reception by myself and Matt’s mom, but one stands out in my mind. At the rehearsal dinner, Matt’s Aunt Lisa offered a toast of advice to the bride and groom that focused on the need to “show up” in their marriage. Strong marriages are built when each person shows up to do the work – the work of forgiveness and grace, the work of putting one’s partner and marriage first, the work of love and laughter, the work of details and day to day, the work of special times and events.
January 12 was noted in the Presbyterian Planning Calendar as Baptism of the Lord Sunday. Due to the weather, I heard sermons on both January 12 and January 19 about baptism. I believe that showing up to do the work is connected to baptism. With the heading Flowing from Baptism, the Book of Order declares, “As a sign and seal of God’s gracious action and our grateful response, Baptism is the foundation for all Christian commitment.” (W-4.0101) Christian commitment is showing up to do the work, God’s work. The Book of Common Worship adds that “Baptism is at once God’s gift of grace, God’s means of grace, and God’s call to respond to that grace.” (Book of Common Worship, Westminster John Knox Press, 2018, p. 404.)
Last week I spent time with the Leadership Team in retreat. These leaders set aside their daily lives for two days to show up and do the work of the Presbytery of West Virginia, God’s work. The team focused on the implementation of the Strategic Plan adopted at the November stated meeting of the Presbytery. There was listening and planning. There was creativity and worship. There was reflection and work. The work included forgiveness and grace, love and laughter, and many, many details. I am thankful for the members of the Leadership Team: Dawn Adamy, Chris Bailey, John Bolt, Randy Fife, Senta Goudy, Amy Kesterson, Jane Lothes, James Morley, Bill Myers, Amy Parker, and Andy Rice.
Adding to the discernment begun in December, the Leadership Team is reaching out to people to serve on a Manual Revision Task Force, a Transitional Nominating Committee, and search committees for the Communications Coordinator, Treasurer/Business Administrator, Connectional Presbyter, and Lead Presbyter.
As the Presbytery moves through 2025, focused on the implementation of the Strategic Plan, you are invited to show up and do the work. All are invited to remember their baptism when God’s grace called us to respond by showing up to do the work, God’s work. Churches can show up by sending commissioners to Presbytery meetings, paying their Per Capita, offering gifts to Shared Mission, and sharing the news of the many events planned to develop leaders and support the work and faith of their leaders. Individuals, the people of God that make up the Presbytery, can show up by praying for the Presbytery, by considering invitations to join the work of implementation when they believe God is calling them to do so, and by attending the events planned to develop leaders and deepen faith. This work will require forgiveness and grace, love and laughter, and at least a few details. Remember your baptism; show up to do the work, God’s work.