Salt Lake City — In the vast state of Utah, where the landscape is as varied as the people who inhabit it, lies a presbytery small in number but mighty in spirit. The Presbytery of Utah, with just 20 churches scattered across the entire state, has undertaken a monumental task: serving as the host presbytery for the 226th General Assembly (GA) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Hosting GA is no small feat, and for a presbytery of this size, the challenge could seem insurmountable. However, the Presbytery of Utah has proven that with faith, determination and a strong sense of community, anything is possible. Their journey is a testament to the power of unity and the profound impact a dedicated group of individuals working together as the body of Christ can make.
At the heart of this endeavor is a team of pastors, lay pastors, elders, clerks and hundreds of volunteers. Mirjam Haas-Melchior, the executive presbyter, provided leadership and vision that were instrumental in bringing the community together. At the assembly’s opening, Haas-Melchoir stated their presbytery likes to think of itself as one church with 20 campuses around the state. When they considered acting as the host presbytery for GA, she was asked, “Why would you host the GA? You are a small presbytery?”
“Why shouldn’t we?” Haas-Melchoir responded. “Our presbytery might be small in numbers, but we are mighty in our faith and commitment to serving our wider church family,” she says. “This is an opportunity for us to show the strength of our community and the beauty of our state.”
Even though only 2,100 Presbyterians reside in Utah, the Presbytery of Utah has managed to recruit an impressive number of volunteers to help host the GA, an achievement that speaks volumes about the dedication and enthusiasm of its members. From organizing logistics to providing hospitality, volunteers have stepped up in every possible way, embodying the spirit of service that defines the Presbyterian faith.
From organizing logistics to providing hospitality, volunteers have stepped up in every possible way, embodying the spirit of service that defines the Presbyterian faith.
GA brings together commissioners, advisory delegates and observers from all over the country. Hosting such a significant event requires meticulous planning, coordination, and a welcoming atmosphere — all of which the Presbytery of Utah has embraced wholeheartedly.
Every Presbyterian arriving at Salt Lake City International Airport was greeted by a team of people in blue vests holding signs and smiling a warm welcome. Those blue vests were a project of Utah’s Presbyterian Women (PW). Each church with a PW group lovingly sewed the vests in the months leading up to the assembly so that the volunteers would be easily recognized in the airport and the Salt Palace Convention Center downtown.
“It’s been an incredible experience to see our small presbytery come together for such a monumental task,” Haas-Melchior reflects on the journey. “We’ve faced challenges, but with each obstacle, our resolve has only strengthened.
“It’s been an incredible experience to see our small presbytery come together for such a monumental task.” — Mirjam Haas-Melchior
“This assembly is not just a meeting; it’s a testament to our faith and ability to come together as a community.”
The Presbytery of Utah is eager to showcase the unique beauty of their state to the assembly attendees. From the majestic mountains and national parks to the vibrant culture and history of Salt Lake City, there is much to share. They have highlighted it through beautiful displays present in all the meeting spaces, and they also found a creative way to showcase and protect the state’s natural beauty through an overture to the assembly advocating for “Protecting Utah’s National Monuments and Wildlands for Ecology and Justice.”
On Sunday, June 30, volunteers organized shuttles to local churches. During the bus rides, they narrated the landscape and history of the region. The presbytery facilitated fellowship opportunities to highlight the best of what Utah has to offer; at the assembly’s opening reception, it provided local food, honey, and microbrews to give the visiting delegates a taste of all their state had to offer.
“We want everyone to experience the warmth and hospitality of our community,” Haas-Melchior says. “This is a chance for us to share our love for our home and our faith with our broader church family. We hope that everyone leaves with a piece of Utah in their hearts.”
The newly elected co-moderators of the 226th General Assembly will not only leave with a piece of Utah in their hearts but also with a hand-crafted wooden mallet made by Derek Forbes, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Logan. Forbes presented the wooden mallets, which include the PC(USA) logo and a message from the presbytery, following the election of the moderators on June 30.
The Presbytery of Utah’s journey is an inspiration for all. It is a testament to the power of community, the strength of faith, and the incredible things that can be accomplished when we come together with a common purpose. The little presbytery that could embodies the assembly’s theme by living into hope!
