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The Presbytery of the Western Reserve
Ohio
The children and youth at John Knox Church display the personal care kits they assembled before distributing them in Cleveland’s annual Homeless Stand Down.
Led by its Justice Ministry, the Presbytery of the Western Reserve is engaged in a five-year program based on the words of Jesus in Matthew 25:34–40. The goal of the program is to encourage the development within congregations of ministries related to each of five identified issues. The vision is that at the end of five years all congregations will have ministries of compassion and justice that respond to the needs of all of God’s children who suffer the effects of hunger, racism, homelessness, poor or no health care, and imprisonment.
“The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned,” wrote Maya Angelou. In response to the year-long focus on homelessness in 2008, Presbyterians played a large role in Cleveland’s annual interfaith Homeless Stand Down. At John Knox Church in North Olmsted, items for 125 personal care kits were donated and then assembled by children in the Logos midweek program. At the Stand Down, participants received hot meals, haircuts, medical screenings, clothing, information on resources, and even massages! In three days, more than 1,500 people were served. The purpose of this engagement was to put theological convictions into action: to provide for the physical and spiritual needs of those without a place to call home.
In northeast Ohio, the light of Christ is shining from Presbyterian congregations as they seek to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with one another and God.
The Presbytery of the Western Reserve has 50 congregations, 3 fellowships, and 13,388 members.
Presbytery Staff
Elder Susan Gillespie, associate for hospitality and communication
Rev. Liza Hendricks, general presbyter
Rev. Susan Holderness, pastor to clergy
Rev. Nona Holy, associate for leadership development
Rev. Andy Jacob, associate for justice and church development
Elder Lee Lohr, associate to the general presbyter and stated clerk
Elder Laurie Steidel, associate for finance and data management
PC(USA) General Assembly Staff
Mary Douglass, BOP
Thomas Dragani, BOP
Edward Driscoll, BOP
God of mercy, forgive us that so many among us are without homes or secure shelter. We pray for those unprotected from the harshness of life. Melt our defenses that we might reach out to those who have experienced more rejection than acceptance, more violence than nurturing care. Help us live in such a way that we give all people reasons to trust in a God of love and hope. Amen.
Ps. 34, 146 Ps. 25, 91
Jer. 7:21–34
Rom. 4:13–25; John 7:37–52
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