PC and Thornwell host joint gathering of South Carolina presbyteries

June 1, 2009

Presbyterians from throughout the state gathered on the Presbyterian College and Thornwell Home campuses May 29-30 for the annual joint meeting of South Carolina’s five presbyteries.

Hundreds of Presbyterians representing the Charleston-Atlantic, Foothills, New Harmony, Providence, and Trinity presbyteries were guests of the college and Thornwell Home for Children during the gathering, which featured worship, fellowship, and discussion.

"The 2009 joint gathering of South Carolina Presbyterians was a powerful reminder of the reach of the PC(USA) across the Palmetto State," said director of church relations, Dr. Jim Simpson. "This was a great event that helped highlight and celebrate the huge variety of ministry and missions undertaken on behalf of the wider community and world by the congregations within the five state presbyteries and by the presbyteries themselves."

The Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow, moderator of the 218th General Assembly for the Presbyterian Church (USA), preached on the topic 'Do We Have Faith to Dream?' during the Friday evening worship service and celebration of Holy Communion.

Simpson said the event was a perfect time to gather church leaders together and celebrate each other and the work they do.

"The sun shone all weekend, literally and figuratively," he said. "There was time for worship, deliberation, the exchange of ideas and encouragement."

It also was time to strengthen ties between the church and the college.

"It was great to see so many Blue Hose alums within each Presbytery," Simpson said.

In his remarks to the five presbyteries, PC president Dr. John Griffith highlighted the vitally important role PC has and will continue to have in developing leaders for church and community.