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 Closet – a school...

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 Presbyterian, I understand...

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 tenure as Music...