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.
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. 
Rev. Seth Finch, Associate Pastor at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Albuquerque, NM, shares his reflections on the season of Advent and his experience with the church in China. Seth and his wife Tiffany traveled to China as part of the Synod of the Southwest’s Global Mission Experience, “China, Witness for Faith”. 
The December 2009 Synod Report is now available – reports and events of Presbyterian Life in the Synod of the Southwest! 