Changes in PEC Leadership

Dear Friends,

Members of the Steering Committee of Presbyterians for Earth Care gathered at Heartland Presbyterian Camp and Conference Center near Kansas City, Missouri late in October.  Heartland Center sits nestled in the Missouri River bluffs, greeting them with multiple arrays of solar panels. Thanks to Heartland Earthkeepers for providing hospitality.

The Steering Committee gathers once yearly in the fall for a visioning retreat.  This year we appreciated briefings with Rebecca Barnes and Bryce Wiebe (staff with the Presbyterian Hunger Program) and Leslie Woods of the Office of Public Witness. They reminded us that PEC helps keep the denomination accountable…in areas of eco-justice as we serve as a collective witness in keeping and healing the Creation.

We welcome two new Steering Committee members, Curt Karns, who also serves as Executive Presbyter of Yukon Presbytery, and Kathleen Dove, an environmental planner in Orange County, CA.  We send our thanks and gratitude to two Steering Committee members who have transitioned off, Fred Milligan and Mary Roberts.  Fred worked diligently in areas of development and as a liaison to Eco-Stewards as an At-Large Representative.  Mary served faithfully as Pacific Regional Representative before Kathleen accepted the position.

Curt is the current Northwest Regional Representative, as Holly Hallman transitioned from that position to the Vice Moderator position.  Jane Laping, previous Vice Moderator, has accepted the position of Coordinator.  We are very thankful for their gifts of leadership as we move forward.

The Steering Committee reaffirmed our commitment to care for Creation through prayer, word, and hard work. We are dedicating our time in areas of reflective leadership, as we examine ways of increasing our advocacy and witness.  Our challenge is to work for eco-justice not only to a national and international audience, but very importantly now…at local and state levels.  Our voices need to be heard!!

Join us!!!  Pray, speak out, and serve as a part of our collective witness.  We need you! All Creation needs you!

Amen.

Diane Waddell
PEC Moderator