By Maureen Wright

When I interviewed with the Transitional General Presbyter Search Committee, I shared on several occasions my belief that the work of the Presbytery during this time of transition should be grounded in scripture. In my first newsletter article following my election I shared these words, “One of the most important ways for us to discern what God is calling us to do and be is through the study of scripture.” God speaks to the people of God through the study of scripture. It is tempting to think that God speaks only to pastors or ruling elders, to deacons or bible study leaders, but in the Kingdom/kindom of God, we all hear the voice of the triune God – Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer – through the study of scripture.

October 31 marked the end of our first 90 days together. I have continued thinking about the Presbytery’s need to ground itself in the scriptures and ways to make space for this. I know that God speaking through scripture is directly tied to discernment – listening for what God is calling us to be and do as a community of faith in West Virginia.

One way to create a space for the Presbytery to ground itself in scripture will start in January. At a meeting of the 2024 committee chairs on November 1, I invited them to focus Presbytery committee devotions for 2024 on scripture. Starting in January, I will share a scripture passage or bible story for each month. The goal is that by our committees asking deep questions and studying God’s word together we will create a space to listen for God’s word to us – to start a conversation about discerning God’s will. I will also share these passages in the newsletter so that churches and individuals can participate.

At the recent Synod of the Trinity Assembly, I was asked to lead a morning devotion for those gathered. For the study of the scripture, I used the spiritual discipline of Lectio Divina. While this may sound exotic and possibly unattainable without a theology degree, it is a simple practice. Lectio Divina is an ancient practice that offers a way to meditate on scripture in which one slowly and prayerfully reads and re-reads a text in order to listen and apply God’s word to one’s life. With a “shout out” to Dawn Adamy, our incoming Presbytery Moderator, who adapted the practice for a Presbytery event, I share the following template that can be used with any scripture passage.

1st Reading:       Listen for the word or phrase that captures your attention.

2nd Reading:     Pray on that word or phrase – what is the Spirit saying to you in this moment?

3rd Reading:     What is God’s gift/invitation to you in this passage? Pray on this gift throughout our time together.

I find it helpful to read the passage from a different translation each time; you might try reading first from the New Revised Standard version. The second reading may be from Eugene Peterson’s The Message, and the third from the English Standard version or the New International version. (Note: there are multiple free apps that can be downloaded for your phone or tablet that contain multiple versions of the Bible in one easy app.) There is no magic amount of time between readings, just enough to allow you to reflect briefly.

At the Synod Assembly, I invited those present to reflect on the passage chosen by our current Presbytery Moderator, David Lee, for my commissioning as Transitional General Presbyter. The passage was Joshua 1: 6-9, which I reflected on in an earlier newsletter article. I invited the Synod Assembly to listen to this scripture on Joshua’s leadership and God’s involvement with God’s people and reflect on how it might instruct them on the way we lead.

I invite the whole Presbytery to join in the 2024 scriptures and stories – think about what they may say about where God is leading the Presbytery of West Virginia to go, and the work God is calling us to do. Try Lectio Divina. If you want to get a head start, you can start with Joshua 1: 6-9.