Executive Presbyter's New Years Letter
"December 31, 2003"

Dear Pastors, Elders and Friends of the Presbytery of San Diego:

"The Year of Nehemiah" is behind us…or is it? Even though the year has come to an end, "The Year of Nehemiah" is really not over. Our rebuilding process within the presbytery is not finished. In many ways, it is still just beginning. Nehemiah's workers labored long hours with a tool in one hand and a sword in the other to fight off the opposition! (4:17). Change does not come easily. Rebuilding takes energy from a lot of people. In many ways, and for many of us, this past year has been a difficult one. It has left many of us…tired. It has been a year of struggle. It has been a year of hard work. And yet, in the midst of the struggle, it has been a year of solid rebuilding. Thank you for your tireless effort and countless hours of service given to our ministries this year. You are appreciated.

Early in the year we saw the transition of several employees and the addition of five new staff members in the presbytery office. In May, we had to make the difficult decision to close the Bargain Bungalow Thrift Store in El Cajon. In June, the Committee on Preparation for Ministry recommended the adoption of the document, The Essential Tenets and Reformed Distinctives. The Presbytery adopted the document by a 70% vote of approval. Several national renewal groups featured the work as "a wonderful tool for renewal within our denomination." Other national groups within our denomination lamented over "a new kind of fundamentalism in San Diego."

A Task Force was established in July to review all of the ministries of the Presbyterian Crisis Center. The final report to the presbytery in November included a recommendation to close the Home Run Transitional Housing Program. More changes. Emotions are still running high over many of these "rebuilding" changes in our presbytery.

The fires in late October left many of us exhausted. Several members from some of our churches lost personal property. One church lost people. We all wept together. We became more connected to one another through the tragic events of late October. Difficulties can and do unite us. The final presbytery meeting in November contained heated and confrontational debate that left us all extremely saddened…no one left victorious. We all left somewhat wounded.

Indeed, it has been a difficult year. Rebuilding is not easy. Nehemiah's work was difficult. So is ours. Nehemiah not only persisted, he found deep joy in the rebuilding process. So must we. Nehemiah encouraged his people not to mourn or weep over the difficulties before them, but to find true joy in the midst of the struggle…

"This day is sacred to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep." For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. From the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day, the Israelites had not celebrated it like this. And their joy was very great!"(Ne. 8:9-10,17)

Joy is not the absence of suffering, but the presence of God! "The Year of Nehemiah" has been a difficult year characterized by…JOY. Joy and struggle are not mutually exclusive! God is present with us. Immanuel. That is the message of the manger. If God is with us, then we can find the deepest joy in every circumstance…even rebuilding! May we learn how to celebrate with sincere joy all God is doing in our midst as we enter the New Year. May the joy of the Lord be our strength!

Blessings to you this New Year on behalf of all of us at the Presbytery offices,

Andy Smith