By Rev. Dr. John Odom, Executive Presbyter
Big things afoot!
One hundred thirteen registered participants and guests gathered in person at Third Presbyterian Church and online via Zoom. The presbytery gathered to do what Presbyterians have done for centuries: seeing and addressing the Big Issues of the day with the Good News and Big Solutions from our even Bigger God.
The following are some of the Big Things that PGV accomplished:
- Glorified God though worshipful work as the elements of worship were combined with elements of business as an active reminder that praise and worship inform all that we do together.
- Kindled but not consumed by a glowing sermon on Luke 12 by retired minister, Jim Renfrew. Not only did Jim burn through most of a box of matches in his sermon, but he also warmed our hearts with Jesus’ demand that faithfulness to the Gospel requires the church to address societal divisions and challenges.
- Embodying—physically and verbally—some of the big things that PGV is engaged in. T. Rex presbytery exec., John Odom:
- Highlighted the fact that PGV has given roughly one-quarter of a million dollars in 2025 to do mission and ministry that includes: La Madonna della Strada No-Barrier Homeless Shelter, Camp Whitman, Cameron Ministries, Genesee Area Protestant Campus Ministries, Peoples Pantry, Rochester Presbyterian Homes Chaplain, the Synod of the NE, and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
- Reminded attendees of the Gap Loan program of the Trustees, proving up to $100,000, 5-year, SOFR-minus-.5%-interest loans to congregations for major maintenance issues.
- Shared the Presbytery of Geneva’s request to actively engage in merger conversations with PGV.
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Approved new 2026 minimum terms of call for pastors. The minimums allow for maximum flexibility for pastor’s salary and benefits and establishes minimums based not on effective salary but the total cost of pastoral compensation.
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Approved exceptions allow Byron church’s current interim pastor, Michael Fry, to become Byron’s installed pastor. Also, granted an exception to candidate, Craig Kunkle, to waive the minimum 1-year time requirement for candidacy so that Craig can accept—and be ordained—to his call to be pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Sturgis, MI.
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Engaged in healthy debate of the Trustees’ proposed PGV Church Dissolution Policy and Guidelines. The concerns discussed included differentiating between financial and property assets, relationship-building, and a focus on faithful discernment involving the body of Christ as a whole. The policy was approved.
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Approved the 2026 Presbytery Budget which is roughly 3% larger than 2025. The 2026 budget is balanced with total projected expenditures of $539,847.00.
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Approved the 2026 per capita of $40.00. This figure represents $11.26 to the General Assembly, $4.25 to the Synod of the NE, and $24.49 to the Presbytery of Genesee Valley.
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Elected teaching elders Marcia Reiff and Evan Wildhack and ruling elders Barbara Jackson (Perinton) and Christopher Bensch (Third) as commissioners to the 227th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Milwaukee. Teaching Elder William Wilkinson was also elected as a TE alternate.
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Concluded the presbytery’s worshipful work with the celebration of Holy Communion.
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Adjourned to continue Christ’s work and mission through the presbytery.
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Feasted together on a lunch provided by Third Presbyterian Church.
In case you were unable to attend the Stated Presbytery Meeting on Saturday, or if you’d like to rewatch the recording, we’re excited to share that it’s now live on our YouTube channel! Click the button below to take a look!
