Friday, February 20

The Synod of Alaska-Northwest

Moving people across the expanse of this synod has always been difficult. Natural challenges such as treacherous banks of snow, oozing mud, and sheets of ice have not, however, kept Presbyterians from building relationships that claim justice and protection from violence for village children from Ahmaogak-Akootchook Parish to the five counties of southwest Washington State where lives were devastated by a storm in December 2007.

The seven presbyteries within the Synod of Alaska-Northwest are grateful for the shared mission support of congregations across the denomination. Their kindness has provided more than $150,000 a year for village congregations in southeast Alaska. Extra commitment giving has generated over $500,000 for a new church facility in Gamble, St. Lawrence Island. New ministries include the Tierra Nueva Coffee Project in the Presbytery of North Puget Sound and Mending Wings in the Presbytery of Central Washington. A new “Capture the Heart” campaign encourages sessions to support specific mission projects in each of the presbyteries. Sessions are encouraged to form partnerships. Kennewick First and University Presbyterian Seattle pump energy into the summer camping program at Rainbow Glacier Camp near Haines, Alaska.

The Sheldon Jackson College Board of Directors works to responsibly settle old debts and claim a new vision for an educational enterprise. Whitworth University continues to provide a strong Christian and Reformed Presbyterian witness. The 268 churches in the synod have 58,453 members.

Let us join in prayer for
Synod Staff
Rev. Joyce Martin Emery, transitional executive
Elder Alma-jean Marion, executive assistant
Elder Sarah Haworth, communication director
Dean Mielke, director, mission development certificate program
Linda Paulson, loan processor/accounting clerk
Robert MacDonald, comptroller
Dean Strong, treasurer

PC(USA) General Assembly Staff
Bridget Clancy, OGA
Dorothy Clark, BOP
Martha Clark, GAC

Prayer
O God, give us the courage to face the challenges of this day, whether they be great or small. Shelter us all under the shadow of your mighty wings so that we might find strength to rise up in hard places to claim the power of your grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Daily Lectionary
Ps. 130, 148 Ps. 32, 139
Isa. 65:17–25
1 Tim. 5:(1–16) 17–22 (23–25)
Mark 12:28–34