Oregon 04/2008 - Pacific Northwest Presbytery

My travels took me to Oregon to visit my friend, Kyle Parker, who pastors the Cascade Presbyterian Church in Eugene, Oregon. Cascade has been around for about 20 years, and I first started visiting here about 10 years ago, when Jack Davidson was the Pastor. Jack pastored here for over 15 years. Kyle has been the Pastor for about 18 months. Kyle previously served as an RUF minister at Colorado State and the University of Southern Mississippi (USM or the "college").



The Pacific Northwest Presbytery was meeting at Cascade for the first time. They meet for two days, given the vast area that this Presbytery cover - Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and parts of Montana (I think). The first day consists of seminars and committee meetings, with an evening meal provided by the host church. The folks at Cascade did a wonderful job of hosting, and the meal was absolutely wonderful. Thanks Monica!

I hear reports that there was great fellowship at the Parkers' house on Thursday evening after all of the committee work was done following the first day of the meeting. Rumor is that some folks didn't leave until the wee hours. Having had a hard Session meeting myself the night before, and having gotten up pretty early to head to the airport, and still being on Central Time, I wasn't much of a participant, but was glad the 40 or so guys had a good time. It was my pleasure to supply the guys with Moose Drool, Black Butte, and Fat Tire, with a little No. 10, Woodford Reserve, and Lagavulin thrown in along with some cigars. Sorry, no photos.


Rob Rayburn is the Stated Clerk and has pastored the Faith Presbyterian Church in Tacoma, WA for 30 years. As you might notice, he is the old man here, being just about the only one to wear a coat and tie. Those younger guys must not have any church clothes.



Here is Nathan Lewis, who pastors the multi-site Evergreen Presbyterian Church in Portland, OR, trying to get Shellie Houston, a long time member of Cascade and wife of Deacon, Mark Houston, to give him some snacks, but she was standing firm and told him he was supposed to be downstairs at the Presbytery meeting, not scouting out the snacks.




Kyle and Nadine, wife of RE John DeBruin, are visiting about all the Presbytery doings at Cascade.



No Presbytery meeting is complete without an Executive Session.



Everyone, who was not a Commissioner, had to exit and speculated on what was being discussed. It is remarkable to note the improvements made to this (and all areas) of the Church. It is really starting to look good. My Church, First Presbyterian, Hattiesburg, Mississippi helped with some of the remodeling expenses.



Here is Brad Chaney, who pastors the All Saints Presbyterian Church in Boise, ID. I met him last September, when Chris Leonard and I traveled to Boise to see the USM Golden Eagles play the Broncos on the Blue Carpet and take a hot springs tour (that will be the subject of another blog). Brad got some of Shellie's snacks and is eating them with all of his friends.



Presbytery took up some difficult issues and dealt with them in a very well reasoned and orderly manner. It was obvious they were serious about doing their duty in a fair and balanced manner.