The Presbytery of Mississippi
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| While mindful of its heritage—which began in 1799 with the Rev. Joseph Bullen, a missionary from the Synod of New York—the Presbytery of Mississippi continues to fulfill the Great Commission both at home and abroad. A new meaning has been discovered in the Mission Yearbook theme, “from age to age,” in its partner relationship with the Presbytery of the Northeast in Brazil. One of the first joint projects of the partnership was the development of a preschool to minister to those of very young age. This preschool, in a very poor neighborhood of the city of Patos, Paraiba, has forty-three students, aged three through kindergarten, many of whom come from single-parent families. At the preschool, they receive loving care and age-appropriate training as well as two good meals each day, meals that many of them probably would not get at home.
On a recent mission trip, a team from the Presbytery of Mississippi installed a Living Waters for the World water purification system at the preschool. This system added a new dimension to the good health of the children—and their families can now take water home from the preschool. At the dedication of the purification system, the smiles on the faces of the children who drank pure water, probably for the first time, were an incredible reward for the team members. On that same trip, the Brazilian host pastor, the Rev. Jango Miranda, remarked that many elderly people in the churches of that region face numerous quality of life issues. He challenged the Mississippi team to think of ways of ministering to older citizens. So as this partnership with the brothers and sisters in Brazil matures, it moves from age to age. The Presbytery of Mississippi has 46 churches and 6,501 members. Within its bounds are Belhaven College and Chamberlain-Hunt Academy. |
 Elder Carolyn McLarnan, member, GAC Presbytery Staff Rev. John C. Dudley, stated clerk Christina Courtney, administrative assistant Aserelene Pickett, resource center director Amy Ruff, campus ministry director Sara Brown, hunger action enabler PC(USA) General Assembly Staff Carolynn Race, NMD Alexis Racek, BOP Bernice Radecke, BOP |
 Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country (Luke 4:14). |
 Ps. 81, 116, 143, 147:12–20 Esth. 7:1–10 Acts 19:11–20; Luke 4:14–30 |
