Please click here for Many Voices Ambassador information:
https://carlislepby.org/many-voices-ambassador-information/.
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Stated Meeting of the Presbytery

Saturday, February 7 | 9 a.m.

Hybrid meeting at Second Presbyterian Church and Zoom

A basket for farewell cards for the Rev. Kristal Smith will be available at the meeting.
Registration Closed Wednesday, February 4 at 5 p.m.

Introductory Documents
Call to the Meeting
Docket

Written Reports
2025 Income and Expense Report
2025 Funds Report 
2025 Financial Summary
Terms of Dissolution between the Rev. Kristal Smith and the Presbytery of Carlisle       

Report of the Coordinating Council

• Proposed Bylaws Revision
• Proposed Standing Rules Revision
• Sharon Davy Announcement
• Sharon Davy Resume
• Sharon Davy Statement of Faith

Report of the Commission on Ministry

• Background/Rationale for Action Item
• Martha Spong Professional Experiences 
• Martha Spong Statement of Faith
• Martha Spong Spiritual Autobiography

Report of the Committee on Preparation for Ministry

Registration closed Wednesday, February 4 at 5 p.m. On Thursday, February 5, registered individuals received an email reminder which included the Zoom link.

Workshops

Conflict Styles in Times of Stress and Transition
In-person Only

In this workshop, we will explore the ways individuals may respond to the challenges that are part of transitions or disagreements in church life. When things are not going our way, we often default to one of three conflict styles; within those styles are three variations. Each approach has something to offer within a faith community. When we recognize and draw on all three conflict styles, we become more resilient both individually and collectively, supporting adaptive approaches and healthy resolutions to change in congregational life.  

Facilitator: The Rev. Martha Spong is an ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC), and an iEQ9 Accredited Enneagram Practitioner; she coaches clergy and other church and denominational leaders in her private practice and with NEXT Church.  

Community Organizing 101
In-person Only

How to go from a hate pamphlet to a No Hate Rally in two weeks. 

Facilitator: Kathryn Johnston has been ordained and in the Presbytery of Carlisle since September of 2001 and the Senior Pastor of Mechanicsburg Presbyterian since 2009. Although she still misses her homeland of the beaches on the Jersey Shore, she has accepted her southcentral PA fate and appreciates how longevity in a space has brought connection and community.  

Combatting White Christian Nationalism: A Biblical and Theological Response
In-person Only

White Christian Nationalism (WCN) is a rival belief system to authentic Christianity that poses a grave danger to our nation, and the church of Jesus Christ. This non-partisan workshop will define WCN, explain its attractiveness, explore why it is such a danger and offer ways to combat it. 

Facilitator: Scott Bowerman has served as a PCUSA pastor for 33 years and is currently pastor of Central Presbyterian in Chambersburg. He is married to Susan, a high school French teacher, and they have three grown children and five grandchildren. He is active in his community and is Vice-President of Racial Reconciliation of Franklin County. 

Pastoral Letter Debrief 

Pastoral Letter on Political Violence

Last year, following a number of acts of violence from across the political spectrum, the Coordinating Council for the Presbytery of Carlisle felt like it needed to speak to our member churches about the call of Jesus to engage in “no more of this. “ What emerged, after a period of discernment, was a pastoral letter that went to all the congregations in the presbytery calling on all our members to reflect on the state of the nation in terms of our actions and our rhetoric directed at those considered “other.” In this workshop, we will explore the language used in the pastoral letter as well as discuss how to have civilized conversations between peoples who disagree with one another. Finally, we will engage in answering the questions offered at the end of the letter as we put into practice the methodology for having civil conversations that we have constructed over the course of the workshop.   

Facilitator: Rev. Dr. Jamie McLeod (in-person) and the Rev. Kristal Smith (Zoom)

The Rev. Dr. Jamie McLeod is the Presbytery of Carlisle Presbytery Leader for Transformation and Vision. Prior to arriving here, Jamie served churches in Kentucky, Alabama, New York, North Carolina, and Missouri. He holds master’s degrees in divinity and theology from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, a Doctor of Philosophy from Garrett-Northwestern University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Clemson University.

He came to Carlisle Presbytery after serving a congregation in Mid-Kentucky Presbytery while also working as an adjunct professor in theology at Bellarmine University and Louisville Seminary. Jamie is married to his best friend, the Rev. Dr. Lesley Ann Earles, with whom he has three delightful children. He enjoys a range of outdoor activities from golfing and hiking to scuba diving and fishing. He is a collector of bow ties and old vinyl jazz records, enjoys good coffee, and is on a quest to play the perfect game of chess. 

The Rev. Kristal Smith is the current Co-Presbytery Leader and has inhabited many roles in her life – daughter, wife, mother, engineer, spiritual director, pastor, chaplain, and friend. All of those roles have provided wonderful pathways for God to do the slow, patient work of faith.

 

 

The Joy of Music
In-person Only

In this workshop you will be introduced to an anthem, explore it with others, and prepare to sing it later in worship. Basic music reading skills are a plus but not required. The focus is on fun!  

Facilitator: Michelle Trefren is the Director of Music at Second Presbyterian Church, Carlisle, and the Director of Cantate Carlisle, an auditioned vocal ensemble featuring some of the most accomplished and passionate vocalists in the Carlisle area.  

 

Basic Workshop for Ruling Elders

You said “yes” to God’s call; now what?  This interactive workshop will guide new ruling elders through fundamental Session responsibilities relating to worship, education, mission, and administration.  We’ll explore duties that are mandated, strongly recommended, suitable, and permissible. Bring your copy of Part II of the PC(USA) Constitution, our Book of Order (BOO).  (Note: Kristal Smith has a few copies of the 2025-27 Book of Order. Please reach out to her to claim one of them! It’s also available from the on-line store; the electronic version can be viewed online or downloaded for free.) 

Ruling elders returning to Session for another term who’d like a refresher class are welcome to participate. Whether we were born into – or adopted into – the Presbyterian tradition, it’s usually not until God calls us to ordained ministry as Church Officers that we realize the importance of leadership that is faithful to our Reformed heritage.  Good news: we don’t have to re-create the wheel! 

Facilitators: Commissioned Ruling Elder Joe Calhoun (in-person) and Bill McHenry (Zoom)

 

Pastoral Issues and Approaches for Deacons 

Deacons faithfully share Christ’s love in concrete ways. While not the only Presbyterians called to provide ministries of sympathy and caring for neighbors and one another, deacons provide organized ways of bringing Christ’s love to the church and community. Join us for background on the office of Deacon and collaboration on ways to organize deacon ministries. 

Anne Ross is a second career minister who graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary in 2002. In 2003 she was calledto the Elkton Presbyterian Church in Elkton, Va. where she served as a solo pastor until her retirement in 2015.  Prior to seminary, she worked as a R.N. in a variety of hospital settings. Upon returning to PA, she came out of retirement to accept the call to be the Pastoral Assistant for Congregational Care at Market Square PC. In addition to member visitation, officiating memorial services, and guidance in spiritual formation, she shares staff support for the Board of Deacons along with Rev. Allison Smith.

Facilitators: Rev. Anne Ross (in person) and Rachel Schwab (Zoom)

Registration closed Wednesday, February 4 at 5 p.m. On Thursday, February 5, registered individuals received an email reminder which included the Zoom link.

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2026 Meeting Schedule