This is to let you know that early Thursday morning, January 21, 2010, Rev. Bob Chapman, first Executive Presbyter of Grand Canyon Presbytery died peacefully in his sleep.  Bob retired from his presbytery work in 1997.  A native of California, his earlier ministry included service as Pastor of Fruitville Presbyterian Church in Oakland, California and then, as an Urban Minister for the Presbyterian Church, also in Oakland.  In the Presbytery’s formative years, Bob oversaw the growth of the presbytery through the rapid expansion of new church development while building ministry bridges with our Native American congregations all over this part of Arizona.  Bob was a pilot and made many trips north in the Synod/Presbytery-owned airplane (a  plane purchased with Betty Crocker coupons!).  In recent years, Bob suffered from Parkinson’s disease, and yet kept as active a life as he could.  Bob is survived by his wife Carol, 3 married children and their families.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is responding to this earthquake through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and its partners. Presbyterian World Mission is gathering information on the safety and status of our mission personnel and ecumenical partners in the area.  

You, too, can be part of God’s answer to prayer for those affected by this disaster. Information on the situation and prayers and worship resources are available through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. Funds from One Great Hour of Sharing are already helping with the initial response. You can give to the ongoing relief through PDA account number DR000064.