Presbytery Summary

Summary of November 11, 2025, 119^th Gathering

of the Presbytery of New Harmony

The Presbytery of New Harmony held its 119^th Gathering at the First Presbyterian Church, Hartsville. Moderator, Rev. Ashley Cheek, 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. 

Commissioned Pastors Bob Henry and Chuck Staggs gave presentations celebrating and honoring the ministries of Timmonsville and Fraser Memorial Presbyterian Churches. Worship featured a sermon by the moderator, Ashley Cheek about belonging to God, to ourselves, and to each other. Committee members, who had served full terms and were rotating off at the end of the year, were recognized for their service. The Lord’s Supper was celebrated and an offering, in the amount of $807.43, was received for the Mother Esther School and Rescue. Following worship, a conversation on a New Harmony Presbytery Internation Covenant Partnership was held. 

Following lunch, the Presbytery took the following action:

• Received “Good News” from our congregations.
• Received a presentation by Rev. Dr. Steve Lindsley, Senior Ministry Strategist for Horizon Stewardship.
• Received a report on Synod of South Atlantic from Elder Jackie Rembert, Moderator of the Synod of South Atlantic.
• Received a report from COM in which Avery Dickson thanked those who had served on COM and Administrative Commissions in the past couple of years for their willingness to work on any task that had come before COM. Included in the report was the Faith Journey and Statement of Faith of Rev. Christopher Weichman, who will begin his ministry at Georgetown Presbyterian Church on December 8.
• Received a report from Guiding Council from Moderator of Guiding Council, Gavin Meek, and approved electing members of the Committee on Representation and Nominations as follows: Ruling Elder Linda Jackson, Moderator; Ruling Elders Linda Jackson and Betty Anne Smith and Commissioned Pastor, Bob Sloan to the class of 2028. Approved on the second reading the Proposed 2026 Operating Budget. Also approved the Assoc. for COM position and Rev. Joel Long to fill it. 
• Received a report from the Committee on Representation and Nominations reported by incoming moderator, Linda Jackson, which indicated that they were able to fill all vacancies for the coming year.
• Received reports from Administrative Commissions for Fork, Fraser Memorial, Hebron, New Harvest, Salem Black River, and Timmonsville Presbyterian Churches.
• Received a written report from the Cultivation and Empowerment Committee.
• Received information reports from Presbyterian College and Presbyterian Communities of South Carolina.

Following expressions of thanks, the meeting was adjourned with prayer by Moderator, Ashley Cheek.