By Maureen Wright

Today is exactly four weeks until the Presbytery of West Virginia gathers at First Presbyterian Church, Fairmont, for its final meeting of 2024. Just over a year ago, the Presbytery began A Season of Discernment led by the Leadership Team in consultation with Emily Swanson of Holy Cow! Consultants. This journey has led to a number of clear priorities for the Presbytery as we move forward. I know that many of you are wondering about details. Here is a sneak peek. It is clear that our churches are seeking support from the Presbytery in three key areas: relationships, resources, and leadership development. The Leadership Team met for nearly four hours this morning, working on the finishing touches of both the full report that summarizes the discernment process and a vision for the Presbytery, as well as a “Cliffs Notes” summary of the vision.

This process reminds me of long car trips both as a child and a parent. When I was 4 years old, my family drove from Ohio to California to visit my dad’s uncle, aunt, and cousins. There are enough stories from that trip to write an entire stand-up comedy routine – my grandmother’s suitcase flying off the luggage rack as we drove down the interstate, my sisters winning game after game of the card game Hearts by the dubious use of my grandmother’s reflective polaroid sunglasses, my play telephone conversations with an imaginary friend, you get the picture. Most of you have your own stories of the traditional family car trip. It does not take much prompting to remember passing the miles singing songs (with or without the radio), looking for the license plates of all 50 states, and playing endless games of travel bingo. Who can forget car snacks? I am sure that you can recall when everyone tires of traveling and the endless question of “Are we there yet?” comes way too often.

We are so close to concluding A Season of Discernment, but these last weeks are a bit like a long car trip. As I think about this last two or three hundred miles, I am reminded of my earlier newsletter articles exploring the biblical theme of wilderness, exploring the wandering of the Israelites for 40 years. How many times do you think the Israelites asked God in a whiny voice, “Are we there yet?” The Presbytery of West Virginia is clearly ready to leave wilderness wandering. As I pondered just what to say in today’s article, I thought about the Israelites preparing to cross into the promised land and found myself reading Joshua 1. This passage brings us full circle. At my commissioning as Transitional General Presbyter and Stated Clerk, then-Moderator Dave Lee reflected on Joshua 1: 6-9. In my fourth newsletter article as your Transitional General Presbyter, I reflected on this passage, noting, “This passage offers a charge to both me and to the Presbytery for our time together.” As we end discernment and prepare to vote on what’s next, the charge remains the same – be strong and courageous.

The NRSV Student Bible (Zondervan, 1994) describes the book of Joshua as a “good news book.” It focuses on Joshua’s leadership and God’s involvement with God’s people. Chapter 1 tells the story of the passing of the mantle of leadership from Moses to Joshua. Verse 6 begins with the Lord’s words to Joshua, “Be strong and courageous.” Joshua will be the one to lead the Israelites into the land God promised to their ancestors. Verse 7 repeats God’s command to be strong and courageous; Joshua is to focus on the law given by God to Moses to be successful. In verse 8, Joshua is told to meditate on the book of the law so that he may act in accordance with it. Verse 9 emphasizes God’s charge to be strong and courageous, “for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” This is a powerful passage.

The words that I shared in September of last year are still true. Joshua 1: 6-9 speaks to us in the midst of our transition. God’s repetition of the words be strong and courageous challenges us. In discernment, we have sought to move beyond tweaking around the edges to curiosity and deep questions about our identity and community. Discerning and following the will of God has called, and continues to call, for us to meditate on God’s word, to be focused on God – never straying left or right, so that our kingdom/kindom work is successful – all to God’s glory. Joshua 1:9 declares that God is with us on this journey. As we prepare to move from discernment to what’s next, we will need to be strong and courageous to boldly accept and live out what God is calling us to be and do.