Dear Synod of Southwest, Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

It was so good to meet and spend time with you last October during Mission Challenge 2009. My special thanks for all who welcomed me to their churches and offered me hospitality. I am also thankful for Mary Lynn Walters who coordinated all my visits. I pray that God would keep world missions on your heart and in your prayers.

Currently, I am back in Los Alamos visiting with my parents.  Leith remains in Thailand, working with 2 of our students from the Bangkok Institute of Theology, in preparation (by faith) for a summer mission experience in a closed neighboring country.  A full fledged protest is in process in Bangkok, the UDD who are demanding the government to dissolve and new elections to be held.  Most of the UDD favor the ousted and convicted former Prime Minister Taksin, who is currently in exile. Please pray!  

Just to let you know that our December 2009 and January 2010 prayer letters are posted on our website:http://www.pcusa.org/missionconnections/profiles/fujiil.htm

Thank you for your valuable partnership!
Love,
Leith and Carol Fujii, PCUSA mission co-workers, Thailand

The February 2010 Synod Report is now available – reports and events of Presbyterian life in the Synod of the Southwest!  Click here to read.

The two presbyteries in New Mexico took a giant step forward in plans to restructure staffing with the calling of the Rev. Dr. Sallie Watson as Regional Presbyter/ Stated Clerk at a special joint meeting of the two governing bodies on February 27.

Because of the phasing out of Mission Partnership Funds by the General Assembly Mission Council, Sierra Blanca Presbytery and Santa Fe Presbytery began a planning process several years ago to find ways of reducing costs and still maintaining a vibrant ministry in this vast state.

Rather than merging the two presbyteries which have different cultures, the decision was to re-structure staffing. Watson will begin her work on April 1. In the months ahead there will be further staff reductions as the two presbyteries move toward having an Associate Stated Clerk/Office Manager and an Administrative Assistant. There currently are two part-time stated clerks and three support staff between the two presbyteries. Offices will be maintained in each presbytery. Each presbytery will maintain its own committee structure and financial records.

Watson is a life-long Presbyterian who grew up in Dallas. She is a graduate of Austin College, Austin Theological Seminary where she earned her Master of Divinity degree in 1987 and McCormick Theological Seminary where she earned her Doctor of Ministry in 2007.

She has served churches in Texas, California, and Utah. Most recently she has been Interim General Presbyter for the Presbytery of Arkansas. She is married and the mother of two children.

She succeeds the Rev. Jim Collie, executive in Santa Fe Presbytery for the past 16 years, and the Rev. Jeff Finch, interim executive in Sierra Blanca Presbytery.