What Happened to 2026?

by Randy Moody

TE Becky Schwandt speaking to a motion during plenary debate.

Wow!  Is it August already?  Over half of 2026 is behind us and planning for 2027 is staring us in the face!  General Presbyter Melana Scruggs is probably saying, “Wow! Is it August already?  The first month of my sabbatical really flew by!”  (Her return can’t come soon enough for me.)

Peace River Presbytery was represented well in Milwaukee at General Assembly this year by Commissioners TE Steve Aguzzi, RE Janice Croley, RE Richard Shafer and TE Becky Schwandt in addition to YAAD Dylan Hurd.  They will present their reports at the October Stated Meeting of Peace River Presbytery at Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church, October 17 (see picture above).  RE Janice Croley and I were surprised to see our faces projected behind the Moderator during one of the plenary sessions (picture, left).

As we prepare for the October Stated Meeting of Peace River Presbytery, the Human Relations Committee is working on a slate of nominees for our committees and officers—please feel free to submit names of qualified ruling and teaching elders for service on a committee.  Communication, Connection and Community Committee is facilitating newsletter articles and planning ways to better connect to build community.  The Finance Committee solicited budget requests from all the committee moderators and is working on the 2027 Budget.  The Committee on Preparation for Ministry is meeting with inquirers (current and potential) and candidates preparing for their future ordered ministry.  The Committee on Ministry is working with pastors and congregations plus looking at COLA compensation data; as your Congregation’s Personnel Committee considers raises and benefits for next year please visit the Board of Pensions website which just posted 2027 benefits information with costs.

Peace River Presbytery is busy preparing for the future while finishing strong in 2026!  Thank you for being the body of Christ together!

Please place the following Stated Meeting of Presbytery dates on your calendar:

• October 17, 2026 at Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church, Naples
• February 18, 2027 at The Community Church, Babcock Ranch
• May 8, 2027 at First Presbyterian Church, Sarasota
• October 21, 2027 at Faith Presbyterian Church, Cape Coral