Update from your Interim Moderator – the Rev. John Dowds. November 2025

Hello everyone at First Presbyterian Church! As you may all remember, I have been appointed as the Interim Moderator of First until you call a new Minister to serve among you. Interim Moderator is one of those ‘fancy’ Presbyterian terms that simply means to guide and support you during this time when you are without a Minister.

A few things to tell you:

Session - Your Elders have been working faithfully and diligently to support the many important ministries at First. Worship, Pastoral Care, Christian Education, Outreach and many administrative pieces are being maintained through the careful support and oversight of the Session. Session has also been engaged in reviewing roles and responsibilities of Elders, along with some team building opportunities.

Board of Managers - The Board, as you may know, manages the finances and the building maintenance of First. Recently, I had the opportunity to attend one of their meetings and learned so much about the Board’s ongoing comprehensive building maintenance program, and the Board’s attention to detail regarding the finances of the congregation.

Search Committee - As a congregation, you are indeed blessed to have a group of people who have stepped up to lead the important and sometimes demanding work of seeking a new Minister for First. As you know, they have sought your input through a congregational survey (https://form.jotform.com/252917246323053 – or on paper) - thank you to those of you who have taken time to complete the survey (deadline is the end of November, if you haven’t yet completed it).  The next step is to complete a Congregational Profile which should be ready early in the new year to share with prospective applicants. The Search Committee Convenor, Matt Read, will keep you up to date on progress.

Worship at First - As you may know, Laura’s last Sunday at First will be December 21. Thanks to Laura for her Worship Leadership and for the Team Building she has been engaged in with Session!! We will miss you, Laura!

A number of options were considered by Session regarding Worship Leadership in the New Year. Although there was some discussion around the Rev. Harry Currie returning to lead some Worship Services, it was decided by Session that it would be valuable for the congregation to continue to experience other Worship Leaders. With that in mind, I am in the process of arranging for people to lead Worship in 2026. More to come!!

In this time of ongoing transition at First, please continue to pray for each other and for those serving in leadership. Together, with God as our guide and strength, we continue on our journey of faithfulness and commitment.

Sincerely,

The Rev. John Dowds  780 441 1678 jfkdowds@gmail.com