Stated Clerk's Notes

Rev. Laurie Palmer

statedclerk@missionpby.org

I’m not terribly sure how we’re already on October 30, but here we are. One day at a time, I suppose. I don’t know about you, but once Labor Day passes, it feels like the rest of the year zooms by. Time passes slowly when the Texas summer heat bakes–I’ve done my own research. 🙂

For Clerks of Session:

The Annual Statistical Report season will be here later than usual.

It has always opened at the beginning of December, but this time around, it begins on January 2, 2026, and closes on February 15, 2026. If I were to make a hunch, I’d say that a rare few churches submit their reports in December. Perhaps the stats folks with the denomination decided to go with what really happens.

Based on your report last year, you can still review where you are and gather information before January 2.

I’ll send a letter with more information, as well as the annual reports I need — updated contracts or terms of call, updated clerk of sessions and church treasurer, etc.

Your letters regarding the session minutes review will go out soon.

Presbytery Meeting

It was a pleasure seeing you at the presbytery meeting! Thank you for your faithfulness, thoughtfulness, and participation. The BBQ that Cross Roads provided was fantastic, and y’all stayed to enjoy it and each other. Bobby and I received whipped cream facials, and not everyone can say that!

Food Insecurity

The Serve Committee focused on food insecurity over the last year. It feels most compelling now that November 1 is looming, and many will lose access to groceries.

Pray that this government shutdown will soon end.

Many of you have food pantries. Would you please let us know what impact you’re seeing? Please contact me at the email address above and tell me if you have a food pantry. We know who does, but we don’t know EVERY church that gives in this way. We’ll think about how this presbytery can support you in this season.

With this in mind and heart, I offer this prayer:

Holy God,

We are broken, and You are whole.

Help us to tuck within Your great wings so we would be whole, too,

that we would see what You see,

and hear what You hear.

And what would those things be?

Does Your heart break or does it fill with joy… or both?

“Wretched person that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:24-25)

Forgive us our sin.

Forgive us our sins.

Make us vulnerable to see the pain in the world, how we contributed to it, and the courage to heal it.

So many of us, Holy God, made the vow “to work for the reconciliation of the world.”

What does reconciliation of the world look like right now?

Above all else, we thank You for loving us, for drawing us to Your grace, for forgiving us–and not leaving us as we were.

In all things, in all ways, fill us with hope in Christ.

Amen.