Transitional PLAN

Dear Denver Presbytery,

As we celebrate and appreciate gretchen Sausville’s three years of faithful ministry with us, we invite you to join us in honoring her service and the new call she has received. We are deeply grateful for her leadership and commitment during her time as our Stated Clerk.

We also want to assure you that we have been carefully planning for coverage during this period of transition. The Stated Clerk Nominating Committee has been working diligently with candidates to discern who will be brought forward for nomination as our next Stated Clerk in the upcoming months. In the meantime, we have engaged Ruling Elder Anne Bond and Rev. Brian Ellison to support and cover the essential roles and responsibilities until the next Stated Clerk is in place.

Here is what you need to know about the transition plan:

Anne Bond is well known to many of you as a former Stated Clerk of the Denver Presbytery, where she served faithfully for many years. She is a member of Central Presbyterian Church and has served on numerous national committees including leading the GA committee of Episcopal-Presbyterian Bilateral Dialogue. Anne will act as a consultant until March 3rd and has been elected by the Visionary Leadership Commission to serve as the Stated Clerk Pro-Tem for Presbytery Operations after that date.

Rev. Brian Ellison is the Stated Clerk of the Synod of Mid-America, a member of Heartland Presbytery, and the Executive Director of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians. Brian has also served on the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission. Brian's path has previously crossed with Dee’s as they worked together in Heartland Presbytery. Brian will also serve as a consultant until March 3rd and has been elected by the Visionary Leadership Commission to serve as the Interim Stated Clerk, with a specific focus on the work of the Investigative Committee.

To ensure the operations of the presbytery office continue without interruption, we encourage you to reach out to Dee, gretchen, and Anne  (statedclerk@denpres.org) with any questions or needs during this time. We are working diligently behind the scenes to ensure a smooth handoff and transition, and we are confident in this plan to carry us forward.

Thank you for your support and prayers during this time of change. We look forward to celebrating Gretchen’s ministry with you and entering this new chapter together.

Blessings,

Rev. Dr. Dee Cooper
Lead Presbyter