Our Mission

As disciples of Jesus Christ, instructed by the Scriptures and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we are called by God to be a community of faith to carry out the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A,) in accordance with the Constitution of the denomination.

We are a middle council of the Presbyterian Church (USA) which encompasses the following Presbyteries:

Los Ranchos

Riverside

Synod Assembly

Meets annually.

Equal number of Teaching Elder Commissioners and Ruling Elder Commissioners elected from and by each presbytery, plus officers with voice / no vote.

The Commission of Assembly – 19 MEMBERS

An elected body with nineteen members, representing seven Presbyteries, Assembly Commissioners, BIPOC community, and two committees (Polity & Records, Committee on Representation & Nominations) who makes various decisions between Assemblies. It typically meets three times a year (March, June, October)

The Permanent Judicial Commission – 11 MEMBERS

Handles all Judiciary matters. Conduct Trials when necessary.

Polity and Records - 7 members.

Work on amendments to the Bylaws and other policies.
Creates and presents policies to Assembly/COA.
Oversees Annual Presbytery Minute Reviews.
Processes overtures.

Committee on Representation and Nominations – 9 members

Identifies and invites volunteers to fill committee slates; advises them of term parameters.
Makes recommendations to the Assembly/COA, including Chairs of committees and on the vice-moderator.

Partnering Grants - 7 members

Accepts applications from the Presbytery partners on dedicated funding for congregation developments.
Makes recommendations to the Assembly/COA
Reviews and determines grant needs of the Presbyteries and makes recommendations to the Assembly/COA.

Restricted and Special Funds - 7 members

Receives grant applications from Presbytery partners relating to designated funds and Matthew 25 grants
Makes recommendations to the Assembly/COA

Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation - 9 members

Maintains its own designated funds.
Makes recommendations relating to various issues.
Provides funds for related projects.

The Rev. Dr. Leon Fanniel Racial Ethnic Pastoral Leadership - 7 members

Has its own coordinator (paid staff).
Manages own funding.
Carries annual grant budget of $8,000.
Makes decisions on scholarship grants ($3,000 max per) to seminarians on the ordination tract.
Follows up on grant recipients’ progress and reports to the Synod annually.

Finance Committee - 7 members

Oversees all finance-related matters to ensure Synod practices good stewardship Oversee investments to ensure proper returns.
Creates a budget and presents it to the Commission of Assembly.
Synod treasurer is an ex officio member.