Presbytery Summary
Summary of May 19, 2026, Gathering of the Presbytery of New Harmony
The Presbytery of New Harmony held its 121st Gathering at Indiantown Presbyterian Church. Moderator, James Wilson (Ruling Elder at Second P. C., Sumter) called the meeting to order with prayer. Following the declaration of a quorum, the Docket and Omnibus Motion were adopted. Land and Labor Acknowledgements were presented by the Moderator. Review of and approval of the Docket and Omnibus Motion were taken. First-time Ruling Elders were welcomed and recognized. Corresponding Members were introduced and seated.
Worship was led by Rev. Dr. Buz Wilcoxon (pictured above), Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual Life at Presbyterian College. Assisting in worship were Organist, Faye Townsend and Liturgist Commissioned Pastor Delcia Harper-Baxter. An offering in the amount of $1,100.09 was collected for the Giving Resources & Achieving Community Equity Fund at Presbyterian College. Ruling Elders Robert Callender, James Wilson, Teaching Elders Ashley Cheek and Tom Langston and Young Adult Advisory Delegate Lydia Cheek were commissioned to the 227th General Assembly.
Following worship, Buz Wilcoxon presented a history of South Carolina presbytery boundaries as part of the process for looking at what the boundaries need to be for the future.
Following lunch, the Presbytery took the following action:
- Received “Good News” from our congregations.
- Received a report on the Synod of South Atlantic from Synod Executive & Stated Clerk, Valerie Young.
- A presentation on the Special Offerings of the PCUSA was presented by Sarah McDowell (from the Annual Giving Office of the PCUSA) and Rebecca Cox (Stewardship Officer of the East). The PCUSA now has three offerings (One Great Hour of Sharing, World Communion, and Christmas Joy).
- Received a report from the Tithe Team (whose task is to recommend to the Presbytery how the tithe ($132,000) from the sale of Camp Pee Dee should go beyond the bounds of the Presbytery) and approved the recommendation that a gift of approximately $35,000 go to Mother Esther School and Rescue Center for the building of a new dorm to accommodate approximately 80 girls and that our NHP congregations be challenged to provide funds for the approximate $8,000 for the furnishings.
- Received the Stated Clerk report including information on membership changes, minister members, and commissioned pastors.
- Received a report from the Marion Presbyterian Church Administrative Commission and approved their dismissal to the Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians (ECO).
- Received reports from Fork, Hebron, Marion, New Harvest, Ruby, Salem Black River, and Timmonsville Administrative Commissions detailing their progress and continuing work.
- Received a report from the Guiding Council including approving Revised Bi-Laws of the South Carolina Inn at Montreat and changes to the distribution of funds from the sale of dissolved congregations.
- Received a report from the Committee on Ministry including action on covenants and terms of call, and its work with larger parishes, session minute reviews, triennial visits, and administrative commissions.
- Received a report from the Committee on Preparation for Ministry including the ongoing support of Inquirers, Candidates, and Commissioned Pastor Applicants.
Following expressions of thanks, the meeting was adjourned by Moderator James Wilson, with prayer by Rev. Dr. Ella Busby.
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