Newark Presbytery formed the United Presbyterian Church of West Orange, a union of the former St. Cloud Presbyterian Church, Paterson Memorial Presbyterian Church, and Ridgeview Community Church, all of West Orange, at its stated meeting March 21, 2010. A second action of the presbytery was to establish the West Orange Presbyterian Center on the site of the former St. Cloud Church which now becomes the home for the new church and it's site partner Elmwood United Presbyterian Church's Elmwood West congregation.

The Rev. Rebecca Migliore serves the new congregation as its full-time pastor. She formally was pastor of the Patterson Memorial Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Robert N. Burkins is pastor of Elmwood United Presbyterian Church Who main campus is in East Orange. The United Presbyterian Church of West Orange will be officially established in a grand celebration on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2010.

The presbytery learned a great deal from the recent union-forming process, including:

• Pastors who pray, dream, and work together create vital ministry
• Clarity in understanding the difference between a congregation and its building
• Demonstrates the presbytery’s ability to partner with congregations in strategic planning
• Provides the presbytery with a model for other congregations and presbyteries in PCUSA

The United PC congregation will experience:

• Vital and Innovative Worship
• Increased Ministry Capacity
• Optimized Stewardship of Resources
• More Opportunities for Partnership

The United Church and the WO Presbyterian Center will provide the community with a place that:

• Facilitates Ongoing Learning
• Expands community outreach
• Demonstrates Diversity and Unity

The presbytery is especially thankful to the members of the Administrative Commission, and our General Presbyter and Stated Clerk, who worked collaboratively in bearing fruit from a vision planted years before. We are grateful to God for the opportunities for transformation that are unfolding as love for all of West Orange, New Jersey is expressed in ministry and mission. We welcome your continuing prayers as Uniting Hearts & Congregations Serve a Greater Community. More information and versions of the presbytery presentation are attached. Please post comments below.

Kevin Yoho