The Presbytery of Cincinnati
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| A river runs through it! The Presbytery of Cincinnati (southeastern Indiana, northern Kentucky, and southwestern Ohio) borders both sides of the Ohio River, sometimes referred to as “the Jordan” by people fleeing from slavery in the early and mid-1800s. Although the “Promised Land” on the northern bank did not always prove to be a safe haven, God worked through Presbyterians on both sides of the river to end slavery in the United States.
In 2004, national and international attention focused on the Cincinnati area as the new National Underground Railroad Freedom Center opened along the city’s river banks. In celebration of the victory over slavery, Presbyterians uphold such names as those of Dr. Lyman Beecher, president of Lane Theological Seminary; Dr. Calvin Stowe, professor of biblical literature; Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin and other books; the Rev. John Rankin, Jean Lowry Rankin, and John Parker, well-known conductors on the Underground route in Ripley, Ohio; and the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher (Lyman’s son), pastor of Beecher Presbyterian Church in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, known for preaching antislavery sermons and raising money to purchase rifles (“Beecher’s Bibles”) for settlers in antislavery Kansas. Today, God is working in the Presbytery of Cincinnati to end racism and improve relationships among cultural diversities. Suburban Northminster Presbyterian Church and the urban Winton Hills Community Church joined in a hands-on project centered around breaking down the walls of racism and building up neighborhood relations. College Hill Presbyterian Church was one of seven sites in the area to host a free preview of “The Margaret Garner Opera.” Margaret Garner was a member of Richwood Presbyterian Church, in Richwood, Kentucky. In the 1800s, she took her child’s life when faced with being returned to slavery. Her legacy inspired Toni Morrison to write the novel Beloved. The Rev. Lisa Corum Fox, pastor of West Union Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati, will soon publish her research regarding the roles that area pastors played in the Underground Railroad. Working with and through the Metropolitan Area Religious Coalition of Cincinnati, a presbytery-supported organization, Presbyterians have been involved in such activities as community-police relationships and the hiring of African-Americans and women as contractors and workers for city projects. The Presbytery of Cincinnati has 84 congregations and 18,825 members. |
 Presbytery Staff Rev. Yvette L. Dalton, associate general presbyter, acting head of staff Elder Janis Adams, stated clerk and resource center director Elder Carol Winkler, administrative assistant and financial coordinator Marion Montefiore, administrative assistant, office Donna Burckle, bookkeeper Elder George Hufford, hunger action enabler Mission Volunteers in the U.S.A. Young Adult Volunteers, Cincinnati Council of Urban Churches, Cincinnati, Ohio: Katie Lingeman and Victoria Thoman PC(USA) General Assembly Staff Rev. Mienda Uriarte, CMD Kristine M. Valerius, OGA Gloria Van Dyke, FDN |
 I keep the Lord always before me; because [God] is at my right hand, I shall not be moved (Ps. 16:8). |
 Ps. 16, 102, 130, 148 Isa. 3:1—4:1 1 Thess. 4:1–12; Luke 20:41—21:4 |
