To the Session, deacons, and members of every congregation across Mountain Laurel Presbytery, grace and peace. When the Presbyterian Mission Agency produced a short video to help congregations understand per capita giving, they titled it The Tie That Binds. It’s an image worth sitting with as we come together as one presbytery. Per capita is not a line item buried in a budget report — it is the thread that connects Mountain Laurel’s congregations to one another, to our synod,

What does it mean to invest in the future of the church? For Mountain Laurel Presbytery, one answer can be found in the young people who gather together to worship, learn, serve, ask questions, build friendships, and discover what it means to be part of the body of Christ this past summer at Montreat. In 2026, youth ministry continues to be an important part of the church’s mission. Young people are navigating a rapidly changing world while seeking meaningful relationships, a

By Rev. Scott DeCaro September 2026 It’s That Time Again! It feels like the year was just beginning yesterday, and now we’re here. The kids are back in school, summer has come to a close, and in our churches, this is the time that our programs begin anew. It’s one of the busiest times of the year, and in many ways, that’s true in the life of the Presbytery too. Because of that, I know that looking ahead right now is hard to do, especially when that leads to an even busier

By Rev. Mark Juengel On May 20 the Synod of the Trinity held the Eastern Regional Gathering at Faith Presbyterian Church in Emmaus, PA. Our Mountain Laurel Presbytery representatives to the Synod, were Alex Hendrickson, Yvonne Lewis, Mark Juengel, and our stated clerk Scott DeCaro. The day began with a warm welcome by Faith Presbyterian Church’s pastor, the Rev. Rebecca Mallozzi who has served there for 8 years. She shared with us two of the church’s ministries, the Teacher C

By Rev. Scott DeCaro What’s a Presbyterian Anyway? Immediately after reading that title, you’ve probably got an answer that’s already formed in your mind. What’s a Presbyterian anyway? If you’re reading this, chances are that you are a Presbyterian, and that means something to you. It might mean a set of beliefs – we are Presbyterians because of what we believe about justice, about salvation, or about discipleship. It could mean a certain theology – because I am a Presbyteria

By Corey Bartell It is a profound honor to be invited by the Mountain Laurel Presbytery to reflect upon my vocational journey toward becoming a Commissioned Ruling Elder (CRE). My path began at the age of sixteen, when I first served as an organist for a local Catholic parish in West Scranton. By eighteen, I had expanded my ministry to serve two distinct congregations, a period of formative years that deepened my musical and spiritual foundations. However, it was during my te

By Rev. Ruth Amadio Childhood me would have never imagined myself as a pastor. I loved learning and playing “school” with my sister, and was absolutely positive that I would be a teacher someday. I suppose, in a way, I am a teacher of sorts, just not the kind I imagined. I grew up in the very same church where my parents met, and attending church was very much a part of my normal rhythm of life. As I got older, my participation grew to include volunteering to help lead parts

Am I to blame for my burnout? Just lately I have been wondering. And I am not even burned out! Not really. Not compared to some people I know. During the second week of March, I was one of three members of Mt. Laurel Presbytery who left the comparative cold of eastern Pennsylvania for the sunny swamps of Orlando. We gathered with over 300 of our PC(USA) colleagues for the very first Luminosity Conference, sponsored by the Presbyterian Foundation. In all honesty: I was d

March 2026 Presbytery Assembly Update Isaiah 43:19 – I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth; do you not perceive it? God is indeed doing something new, and we have perceived it! We saw it first with a partnership, and then a merger as we formed Mountain Laurel Presbytery, and most recently with our first Stated Assembly, which was held on February 28, 2026. Though we celebrated our birth at the November 2025 Assembly, it was the final joint Assembly of the Presb

Reflections inspired by Dr. Eric Barreto’s plenary address at the Luminosity Conference, March 2026 What if the church we are becoming is more exciting than the church we've always known? As Mountain Laurel Presbytery begins its life together — uniting the rich histories of Lackawanna and Lehigh into one shared calling — we find ourselves in a moment that demands exactly what Dr. Eric Barreto invites us toward: a sanctified imagination. Stories That Stretch Us Dr. Barreto rem

Far from being merely the "church of tomorrow," youth are the church of today, bringing essential energy, perspective, and passion that invigorates existing congregations and shapes the future of the faith. Recognizing and actively cultivating the role of youth is not just an optional ministry; it is critical to the survival, relevance, and vitality of the entire body of Christ. The Summer of 2025, Lackawanna and Lehigh Presbyteries teamed up with Rev. Taylor Hall at FPC Alle