New Jersey Presbyteries Born Anew

On March 1st the General Assembly Administrative Commission on Mid Councils approved the reorganization of the seven New Jersey Presbyteries into four new missional communities.  This action was no simple merger of whole presbyteries.  Instead, it was a carefully crafted plan created by two separate working groups of representatives across the state working in tandem with their presbyteries.  Last fall all seven presbyteries voted to approve the plan which brought together churches from as many as four presbyteries to create brand new communities.  Since the vote transition teams were formed with people from what would become the new presbyteries to begin to put together their new ways of being missional and operating.  This has been a chance to reimagine what it means to live together in community in service to God.  While each presbytery will take a different shape based on the goals and dreams of the presbytery members, there will be a concerted effort made to share resources and services across presbyteries or across the state wherever possible.   

These ecclesiastical presbyteries have new names: Presbytery of the Highlands of New Jersey, Presbytery For Southern New Jersey, Presbytery of Central New Jersey and Presbytery of Northeast New Jersey.  Each new presbytery met in March to approve initial officers, by-laws, staff and methods of operation.  The presbyteries have one year to complete the transition which includes transferring assets, closing out the three corporations that will cease to exist, and in some cases revisiting the initial bylaws and staffing structure to continue to make changes. The Synod created an Administrative Commission to assist the presbyteries during this year of transition in whatever ways are needed.  

While many hands have been laid upon this work to come to this point, the work of reimagining and recreating will continue in many cases for several years to come.  Congratulations New Jersey on a job well done!  We at the Synod will continue to walk alongside you as endeavor to create your new missional communities.   

Below is the contact information for the Presbytery Leaders. Because the ecclesiastical presbyteries are only one month old, staff are still changing email addresses. We will continue to update this information on the synod website as we receive it.

Presbytery of the Highlands of New Jersey

Rev. Jeanne Radak, Presbytery Leader jbradak@highlandspresbyterynj.org
Rev. Carl Wilton, Acting Stated Clerk statedclerk@highlandspresbyterynj.org
Presbytery Office – office@highlandspresbyterynj.org

Presbytery For Southern New Jersey

Rev. Debby Brincivalli, Executive Presbyter revdeb@wjpres.net
Rev. Wendy Boer, Stated Clerk revwendy@msn.com

Presbytery for Northeast New Jersey

Warren McNeill, Acting Stated Clerk warren@pnenj.org
Presbytery Office -- office@pnenj.org

*Jeremy Campbell, Presbytery Co-Leader/Stated Clerk, jtcampbell@pnenj.org
Jeremy officially starts with the Presbytery of Northeast NJ on April 15th.
For all stated clerk matters needing attention before then, please contact Warren McNeill.

*Steve Huston, Presbytery Co-Leader/Resource Presbyter, shuston@pnenj.org
Steve officially starts with the Presbytery of Northeast NJ on June 1st. Please contact Liz Hathaway in the office for assistance before then.

Presbytery of Central New Jersey

Rev. Larissa Kwong-Abazia, Head of Staff/Communications, pastorkwongabazia@gmail.com
Rev. Sue Smith, Acting Stated Clerk, reverendsuesmith@gmail.com
Rev. Paul LaMonagne, Staff and Resource for Core Transition Team/Operations dypxlamo@earthlink.net
Rev. Jeremy Campbell, Committee on Preparation for Ministry/Technology and Communication Support, jtcampbell@gurzo.com