Rachel’s Reflections
Grace and peace to you! As I write, we are only five days away from the opening of the 227th GA.
What a gift it is to be Presbyterian in this moment. Soon, faithful commissioners from every corner of our nation will gather in Milwaukee with a shared purpose: to prayerfully discern God’s will for the PC(USA) in this moment of history. Through worship, prayer, conversation, debate, listening, learning, and more prayer, our commissioners root their decision-making, not in winning or losing, but in seeking together the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
In a time when public life often seems dominated by division, competition, and the pursuit of victory at the cost of neighbors, Presbyterians gather to witness to another way, trusting that God speaks through the whole body, and that faithful discernment is best done in community. Hallelujah!
Connecting. I look forward to seeing many of you there. I will be present for the plenary portion and would love the opportunity to connect. You can find me outside the Town Hall gathering space from 2:00–5:00 p.m. on June 27. If you would like to arrange another time to visit, please feel free to call or text me at 502-823-3825.
Keeping Up. Whether you are attending in person or following from home, here are several ways to stay connected and informed:
- Official Site. Welcome to the 227th GA
- On the Road to the 227th GA. Sign up
- Facebook. The 227th General Assembly
Introducing Vilmarie Cintrón-Olivieri, US-Facing GEL serving the Synods of Boriquén, Mid-America, South Atlantic, and the Sun. Many of you already know Vilmarie through her faithful leadership as Co-moderator of the 223rd General Assembly and her years of service as Regional Liaison for the Caribbean.
With a ministry that spans local congregations, presbyteries, the wider church, and global partnerships, it is nearly impossible to capture Vilmarie’s gifts and accomplishments in a few sentences. Rather than attempt to summarize such a rich vocation, we invite you to learn more through the articles below, which offer a glimpse into her faithful leadership, passion for connection, and commitment to Christ’s church.
- Living Sanctuary: Youth from Tres Ríos, Mission and Palo Duro presbyteries gather once again for a time-honored event.
- Not just a pastor’s job A ‘Year of Leader Formation’ helps members step up to serve
- Vilmarie Cintrón-Olivieri closes out Secret Sauce conference with an ancestral recipe
Content blips. I have learned that my previous monthly updates did not always arrive in a readable format for everyone. I apologize for the inconvenience. Beginning with this edition, I will be using a more traditional email format and attaching a PDF version as well. Thank you for your patience and grace as I continue working through the occasional technological glitch. My hope is that this approach will make these reflections easier for everyone to receive and enjoy.
Know that I am grateful for each of you and for the ministries you faithfully carry out across our church. You are in my prayers continually.
In Christ, Rachel
