Robert Donnell Presbytery met on Saturday, September 20, 2025, with the Gurley Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Gurley, AL. There were 10 ministers and 10 elder delegates present. A quorum was declared, and presbytery began with the election of the moderator, Rev. Dr. Darren Kennemer. Rev. Dr. Pam Phillips-Burk was elected vice-moderator. Rev. Brad Hall, pastor of the Gurley Church led presbytery in worship serving as liturgist and preacher. The texts were Isaiah 65:17-25; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; and Luke 21:5-19. The message was on the importance and value of endurance in our faith and work in the church. Rev. Martha Fisher introduced the time of offering which went to the Stott-Wallace Missionary Fund. Communion was celebrated and Rev. Hall was assisted by Elder Maurice “Mo” Ottinger of the Gurley Church. Following worship a short recess was declared.
Business included the following:
- Approved the Missions and Ministry Retreat to be held again in late June 2026.
- Approved a fall mission trip to assist Sacred Sparks and the Loads of Love ministry.
- Approved Presbytery to pay the registration fee and hotel expenses for anyone attending The Symposium, Nov. 6-8, 2025, in Chattanooga, TN.
- Approved the budget and 2026 apportionments which will remain the same for the next year.
- Removed Lacey Patterson from the presbytery roll of candidates.
- Approved the Rev. Ed Herring as honorably retired.
- Received Sadye Webb as a candidate from the Scottsboro Cumberland Presbyterian Church. She was presented to presbytery and shared her call story. Testimonies were given on her behalf, and presbytery was given the opportunity to ask questions. Rev. Matthew Ingram asked her the questions for candidacy. After answering in the affirmative, there was a time of prayer, which was given by her pastor, the Rev. Micaiah Tanck. She was then added to the presbytery roll as a candidate and welcomed into the presbytery.
- Presbytery-appointed moderators – Concord CP Church – Rev. Keith Lorick; Huntsville First Church – Rev. Brad Hall; Walnut Grove CP Church – Rev. Dr. Pam Phillips-Burk (via Zoom)
- Approved Elder Lorna Light to serve communion at Walnut Grove CPC for another year.
- Presbytery continues to experiment with the Planning Council concept for another year as it seems to be working well.
- Approved 2026 General Assembly commissioners: Rev. Keith Lorick (Rev. Brad Hall as alternate), Elder Bill Rawlins (Elder Mo Ottinger as alternate), Gabe Ingram Youth Advisory Delegate (Ellie Kennemer as alternate)
- Received written and verbal reports from 2025 GA commissioners.
- Clerk Earl Goodwin reminded presbytery that Synod of the Southeast will meet May 2, 2026 at the Oak Ridge CP Church in Knoxville, TN. It will be a General Synod where every minister attends, along with one elder representative from each church.
- Approved the reports from the Commissions to install Rev. Angela Anderson (Christ Church) and Rev. Earl Goodwin (Stevenson CP Church).
