We welcome the promotion of Rev. Laura L. Lupton to be our Bridge Associate General Presbyter for Mission Coordination and Associate Stated Clerk starting January 1. Rev. Lupton has a depth of experience in our Presbytery and has hit the ground running. She was ordained by the Presbytery of East Tennessee in 1995 to accept a call to Community PC in Pinehurst. She served there for 7 years as Associate pastor, then accepted another associate position before returning to our Presbytery. Upon her return she served some small congregations then joined our Presbytery staff on a part-time basis in 2006. She was a Regional Coordinator when we had 6 regions, then she was called as a full-time Mission Coordinator for the West Community.
As Assoc. GP for Mission Coordination she will be working with all three community steering teams and staffing several committees of the presbytery. In March, she will receive training from the denominational office for the Stated Clerk functions. Duties will be shared between Rev. Lupton and Rev. Lowry; these details will be worked out over time.
She is looking forward to familiarizing herself with the churches in the Central and East Communities during this year. She will visit congregations and is available to preach on a limited basis.