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.

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.

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.