You’ll find that note penciled on July 8-9 of my calendar. If it sounds intriguing, it was, but not for the reasons you might think!

Six-Pack was a gathering of folks in Eau Claire from six presbyteries in our Synod (Winnebago, Milwaukee, John Knox, Northern Waters, Minnesota Valleys, Twin Cities) who wanted to talk about the future of presbyteries. Using small groups and thought-provoking questions, we spent our time together building relationships, learning about the challenges facing presbyteries, and engaging each other around those issues.

From these conversations I learned that we are challenged by geography, technology, a rapidly changing culture, the Book of Order, and differing views on what purpose presbyteries should serve. I also learned that we value our connectional strucutre, the wisdom of long-time members, the energy of younger members, our Book of Order, and the gifts that presbytery staffs bring to their ministry.

We plan to continue our conversation and to be open to whatever new thing the Holy Spirit may be doing among us. The challenges confront us and we don’t have answers. Yet, I left Six-Pack feeling hopeful for the future.

If you have any thoughts or questions, please feel free to share them here, or with those of us who attended from Winnebago Presbytery: Barbara Jordanger, Sarah Moore-Nokes, Lucy Rupe, or me — Cyndy Little.