The Bridge to the Eastern Area
Lisa Allgood, Executive Presbyter
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:23-25
The Eastern Area of the Presbytery is comprised of 11 churches, spanning an area 50 miles east to west and 35 miles north to south – and includes Batavia, Cherry Fork, Cranston Memorial, Georgetown, Hillsboro, Mowrystown, Red Oak, Seaman, West Union, Williamsburg, and Winchester. The congregations are small but MIGHTY!
You may be familiar with the Vine, their Eastern Area newsletter. You may know that they have a staff coordinator, RE Barbara Jean Havens, who helps them coordinate events and Bible Studies and council meetings, with a representative from most of the churches in attendance monthly. They hold each other up and share ideas and resources and encouragement. And of course Jesus.
In the last couple of months alone, they have celebrated graduates (giving everything from Bibles to scholarships), dedicated hymnals and Bibles, celebrated the faithful 60 years of an organist’s dedicated service, held community prayer services, participated in and hosted parts of the Racial Equity Multicultural Justice Network underground railroad tour, held an annual all-EAC picnic (that chicken was amazing!), made ice cream and had parties to share with the neighborhood, put flags out for the 4th of July, participated in parades…
Alone and together, these small churches honor God – love each other – and make a difference to their congregation, to their neighbors, and to the Kingdom.
Thank you Eastern Area for your faithful witness!!
