October 2025 Stated Meeting

by Stated Clerk Randy Moody

The October Stated Meeting of Peace River Presbytery, which also serves as the Annual Meeting of the Corporation, was at Estero Community Church on Saturday, October 18. Moderator Teaching Elder Ed Brandt presided over the meeting. Pastor Kevin Morris and members of the host congregation provided gracious hospitality and served a wonderful hot meal for lunch.

Teaching Elder Jaco Bester, Pastor of Burnt Store Presbyterian Church, preached and presided at Table with Teaching Elder Kevin Morris in worship. Ruling Elder Janice Croley of First Presbyterian Church of Bonita Springs, was installed as Moderator for 2026 during the service. The offering of $1,195.00 is directed to the work of missionaries Dan and Elizabeth Turk in Madagascar.

Congregations from Palmetto to Lely had commissioners present – 27 of the 36 congregations in the presbytery were represented. Total registered attendance was 113, but not all the busy members of Estero Community Church registered because they were focused on welcoming everyone to their facility, which became their home in 2021. For most people present, it was their first visit to the property.

Business for the day included receiving Rachel Mallett, a member of Church of the Palms, as an Inquirer upon the recommendation of the Committee on Preparation for Ministry. Rachel is a student at Harvard Divinity School. Also, the Reverend Matt Shapton, Pastor of The Community Church, Babcock Ranch, was received as a Temporary Member of Peace River Presbytery under the terms of the Formula of Agreement between the ELCA, PCUSA, RCA, and UCC. Presbytery also approved the Committee of Ministry recommendation that congregations be encouraged to give Teaching Elders and Christian Educators a 3% COLA plus additional duty and performance raise for 2026, as appropriate.

Commissioners to the 227th General Assembly in Milwaukee, WI were elected:

• RE Luceal Curry, Burnt Store Presbyterian Church
• RE Richard Shafer, Covenant Presbyterian Church
• TE Steve Aguzzi
• TE Becky Schwandt
• Dylan Hurd, Kirkwood Presbyterian Church, was elected Young Adult Advisory Delegate.

Please see the minutes of the meeting posted here for complete information. Thanks to all who participated in the meeting and fellowship.