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Homestead Presbytery
Nebraska
Homestead Presbytery underwent a major transition in 2009. It had already gone paperless for meetings and limited its mailings, but early in 2009 the presbytery went completely virtual—meaning everything is accessible through the Web site. There are no stamps, minimal paper, and nothing but the Internet. Even the directory is online. Sixteen file drawers were reduced to three. Only personnel records and church information that must have hard copies still exist, and even that information is accessible via the Web site by those who need it. Once everything was working virtually, the presbytery council voted to make the staff more available to work with the congregations. So, the Homestead staff became field-based — truly working with the people, resourcing the pastors, church committees, and congregational members. No one was in the office to answer the phone or receive the mail, so the staff became decentralized. Each staff member has a home office. The presbytery phone is a cell phone—it goes with the staff wherever they go. A church is providing a room for the resources (mostly curriculum — everything else is online) and provides the presbytery staff with a mailing address. The staff still meets weekly and actually sees each other together more often now than when they were in an office. For those folks who are not friendly with computers, partners have been set up with each congregation to help disseminate information. In another transition, the presbytery welcomed a new executive presbyter.
How has this transition furthered the mission of Homestead Presbytery? It has helped the presbytery be more connectional than ever — sharing resources, sharing technology, sharing information, and sharing the love of God as one body like never before.
The presbytery is home to 56 congregations, 9,732 members, and Calvin Crest Camp and Conference Center.
Presbytery Staff
Rev. Richard Wyatt, executive presbyter
Rev. Harold Rainey, stated clerk
Elder Willard Bouwens, treasurer
Elder Barbara Hipple, mission and outreach coordinator
Elder Kris Peterson, communications and resource coordinator
PC(USA) General Assembly Staff
Bethany Furkin, GAMC
Rosemary Gallagher, BOP
Rev. Marissa Galvan-Valle, GAMC
Our Heavenly Father, transition can be so difficult sometimes, but with change comes growth. Please bless the ministry of Homestead Presbytery churches, and help the connectionalism that is growing out of change to be infectious and a blessing to you. Amen.
Ps. 96, 148 and Ps. 49, 138
Exod. 13:1–2, 11–16
1 Cor. 15:51–58; Luke 24:1–12
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