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300th Anniversary Service

of the
First Presbytery Meeting
Sunday, October 1, 2006
4:00 PM

Old Pine Street Presbyterian Church

Philadelphia
"Building a Future Worthy of Our Past"

Join the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the first presbytery meeting in the United States on Sunday, October 1, 2006 at 4:00 pm in Philadelphia. The location is at Old Pine Street Presbyterian Church, 412 Pine Street, Philadelphia - the only colonial Presbyterian Church still standing in Philadelphia located on the southern edge of the "most historic square mile in America."

Main speakers are the Rev. Joan Gray, Moderator of the 2006 General Assembly, Elder Robert Wilson, Vice-Moderator, and the Rev. Dr. Clifton Kirkpatrick, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly.  They will be speaking on "Building a Future Worthy of Our Past".  Senator Thomas Carper, and former Governor of Delaware (a member of Wilmington Presbyterian Church) will also take part in the service.

Music will ring out with a brass quintet and a special 50 voice choir from the Middle Atlantic Presbyteries directed by Barry Hemphill, Music Director at the Presbyterian Church of Arlington, VA.  Adding color and drama will be the flags and banners of the co-host presbyteries - West Jersey, New Castle, New Brunswick, Donegal, Lehigh, and Philadelphia.

From the April 6, 2006 OGA News, Stated Clerk Kirkpatrick reflects on this important milestone affecting all Presbyterians:
  "2006 is the 300th anniversary of organized Presbyterian life in America. The first presbytery was organized on this side of the Atlantic in Philadelphia in 1706—the beginning of the adventure that led to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) today. Those Presbyterians who came together in Philadelphia to form that first presbytery knew well that we can’t be good Presbyterians in isolation from one another. With all of our diversity, we need one another to faithfully discern the mind of Christ for the church and to witness to God in this nation. How right they were!"  
The service will be preceded by an open house from 1:30 to 3:00 pm at the Presbyterian Historical Society which is adjacent to the Church. Free on-street parking is available. Plan now to attend the festivities!  It will be exciting, dramatic, and uplifting!

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