

| If so, we have several vacant pulpits and would like you to prayerfully consider filling one while you are down in our area? Please contact the Chair of PSL's COM at pslcom@yahoo.com for further information, and to determine if your services could be used on a Sunday morning. |

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| Are you a PCUSA Minister coming to the Greater New Orleans Area? |
| Administrative Commission! Given all the past remarks made about such groups chills run down the spine at the specter of an Administrative Commission! By now you all know that the Synod of the Sun has elected an Administrative Commission to work with the leadership of the Presbytery of South Louisiana. Many of you have received a copy of the letters that led to this action and a copy of the charge given to the Commission itself. If you have not and wish to have a copy please call Glenda at the Presbytery Office. I am already seeing blogs and notes predicting the worst. I was called the other day and asked if the Synod had someone sitting in the Presbytery office monitoring activity. We do not. |
| In the service of Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we will promote the spiritual, mental and physical health of our congregations, minister-members, Christian Educators and other Church Professionals... we will help our congregations to carry out their missions and connect them to each other, as well as to the larger Church and... we will coordinate and execute those ministries specific to the Presbytery. All that we do is dedicated to the Glory of God. |
| I would ask that here in the Presbytery of South Louisiana we all step back and take a few deep breaths. The charge given to the Commission indicates that they are coming to work with us and help us sort out a variety of issues. The hysteria surrounding property tends to cloud all responses and is perhaps the presenting issues. But Presbytery Council, in its communication to Synod, and in its discussion at its meeting, acknowledged that there are long-standing issues in the Presbytery that need to be addressed and that help from outside the Presbytery was needed. The process we will go through starts with the formation and an initial meeting of the Commission itself for training. This is the responsibility of the Synod. Training will be provided and a general outline of action will be proposed. At that time the Commission will communicate with the Presbytery and we will begin to work together. Let me emphasize those last few words – we will begin to work together. The words of Jesus are perhaps appropriate. When he appeared to his disciples after his resurrection his first words, echoing the angel that appeared to Mary, were “Do not be afraid!” This is what we need to hear and hold fast to in this time as we wait for the Commission to get organized. |

| Jefferson Presbyterian Church Sanctuary, Jefferson, LA Burns |
| As most of us know, the Jefferson PC in Jefferson, LA (a neighboring community to New Orleans) was struck by lightning early April 5th and the interior of the Sanctuary was destroyed. Speaking with Elder Nancy Pearson, she relates that ATF and insurance evaluations are going on at this moment to confirm the origins of the fire so that insurance adjusters can start their part of the recovery, gutting and rebuilding plans. At this point, services are being held in the Fellowship Hall and they have basic materials to continue with worship. Elizabeth Ford-Jones, the volunteer site coordinator for Jefferson, confirms that they are still able to house volunteers and support the Project Homecoming rebuilding efforts. In fact, Guniston PC from Airville, PA Volunteers had just pulled in for their 10th rebuild trip on Sunday and immediately jumped in to help to adjust the Fellowship Hall to their temporary configuration. As added copy to relate the spirit of Jefferson PC from the New Orleans Times-Picayune: “We’ll rebuild”, said Ingeborg Crain (86) a member since 1929, “It’s not the building: it’s the people. We trust in God that we will rebuild” Contact person at Jefferson PC will be Loretta Credo at 504-388 3979 Richard MaagProject Homecoming The rebuilding effort of The Presbytery of South Louisiana |
