The Presbytery of Alaska
Dr. Walter Soboleff’s commitment to justice serves as a witness to all in the presbytery.
With only Haines and Skagway congregations accessible by road, thirteen of the fifteen congregations and one preaching point of the Presbytery of Alaska are only accessible by air or water. Over half of the congregations are Alaska Native people — Tlingits, Haidas, and Tsimshians — with traditions and spirituality that enrich all ministry.
While ministry with the 1,066 members is challenging, the presbytery seeks to respond to God’s mission.
Hydaburg, home of the Haidas, is located on southern Prince of Wales Island. The congregation has been without a permanent pastor for many years. The congregation gathers every Sunday to sing and pray for themselves and others. Over half of the church service is spent in prayer for local and global needs. The churches in Ketchikan, Petersburg, Wrangell, Metlatkatla, and Craig have made a commitment to share their ministers to provide Communion quarterly for Hydaburg.
In 2008, Dr. Walter A. Soboleff, Pastor Emeritus at Northern Light United Church in Juneau, celebrated his 100th birthday. He was ordained in June 1940 and served Memorial Presbyterian Church in Juneau for twenty-two years. His ministry has also included serving on the Presbyterian Mission boats Princeton Hall and Anna Jackman; traveling to isolated communities without churches, U.S. Coast Guard light stations, and logging camps; and serving as a chaplain to the Alaska National Guard for twenty years.
Dr. Soboleff has worked to preserve and educate others of his traditional Tlingit culture and values. As leader, mentor, teacher and pastor, Dr. Soboleff’s life and ministry continue to call those in the Presbytery of Alaska and beyond to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.
Presbytery Staff
Rev. Dr. David Dobler, pastor to the presbytery
Guy Warren, stated clerk
Venus Zink, bookkeeper
Cyndi Gleason, office manager
PC(USA) General Assembly Staff
Rev. Kerry Clements, OGA
Anita Clemons, FDN
Gracious God, we give thanks for all people in Southeast Alaska who minister in Christ’s name. Renew and guide us to live lives worthy of your calling. Amen.
Ps. 56, 149 Ps. 118, 111
Isa. 66:1–6
1 Tim. 6:(1–5) 6–21; Mark 12:35–44
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