The Presbytery of Northern Waters
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| I thank my God every time I remember you . . . because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now” (Phil. 1:3). Thus Paul writes of his love and mission with the church in Philippi, a sentiment shared by the Presbytery of Northern Waters and its partner in mission, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Portugal (IEPP).
Early in their ministry, Paul and Silas were determined to take their mission somewhere where “the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them.” Northern Waters had a similar experience attempting to establish a partnership with a presbytery in Latin America, but God seemed to repeatedly close that door. Then, just as Paul had the vision of a man pleading to come over to Macedonia and help, God opened the door for a partnership with a sister church in Portugal. It has proven to be a door that will stay open. In May 2004, a team of four persons traveled to Portugal and met with their brothers and sisters in the IEPP. In February 2005, several members of the IEPP traveled to meet with their counterparts in the upper Midwest’s Great Northwoods. The presbytery is trying prayerfully to implement the reality of partnership with every one of its 63 churches and 8,060 members. For partnership means a mutual ministry in which one’s weaknesses are countered by another’s strengths, and one’s strengths are used to help the weaknesses of another. There have already been some areas where Northern Waters has been of help to the IEPP and areas where the IEPP has been reciprocating. This partnership applies across waters north and south, whether it’s the Atlantic Ocean or the thousands of lakes within the presbytery. It is one for which thanks to God are offered with each remembrance. |
 Presbytery Staff Rev. Sharon Johnson, executive presbyter Elder Karen Habert, treasurer Jackie Walen, administrative secretary PC(USA) General Assembly Staff Debra Sexton, MSS Elder Steve M. Sexton, MSS Ruth Shaw, OGA |
 Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds (Ps. 36:5). |
 Ps. 7, 12, 36, 146 Jon. 3:1—4:11 Rev. 11:14–19; Luke 11:27–36 |
