Pastor Pete's article titled "Jesus is the Only Way"

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The NCP Discernment Team working with Neelsville recommended to the Leadership Council of the presbytery that the process move forward. Leadership Council approved the establishment of a task force to determine property and financial considerations in order to complete the disaffiliation process.

We thank God for all the good we see Him doing in the life of our congregation and in our community... Read more.

Dr. Jim Singleton, Associate Professor of Pastoral Leadership and Evangelism at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, shared his insights on denominational issues ... Read more.

Discernment Considerations for our Presbyterian Affiliation

by Craig Arold, NPC Elder and Discipleship & Discernment Chairman   Read more.

Our D&D Team is working with the National Capital Presbytery financial task force to determine the financial cost of disaffiliation. 

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19

Throughout 2017, session has been actively setting the stage for NPC's transition from PC(USA) to ECO, A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians. This has included the initiation of a Discernment process that saw several congregational meetings with members of NPC's discernment team, meetings with representatives from the National Capital Presbytery, the initiation, conduct and analyses of a survey to assess the congregations thoughts and concerns with staying and leaving PC(USA). 

Based on the results of that survey, the Presbytery's discernment team recommended to the Presbytery's Leadership Council that NPC proceed to the next steps in the disaffiliation process. This has included a complete review of NPC's financial records, property and historical accounting reports. This process culminated in early 2018 with the National Capital Presbytery's team providing NPC with the terms and conditions associated with disaffiliation. Session has been actively working to ensure 2018 budgets consider the fiscal aspects of the disaffiliation; however, are looking with excitement to 2018 when NPC will officially transition to ECO. The official process is in the works, but it is anticipated there will be an advisory vote of the congregation followed by an official vote from the Leadership Counsil at the National Capital Presbytery.

The Lord is surely doing a new thing at NPC and 2018 will bring many changes. In addition to embracing our new Presbyterian denomination, we will be sending off Pastor Pete with our prayers to his new call at Maple Valley Presbyterian Church. While we are sad to see him go, we remain excited about who God has already identified to come to NPC. Over the early part of 2018, guest pastors will fill the pulpit for a brief period; however, session is optimistic that an interim pastor will be quickly identified and hired. The role of the interim pastor will be to assist those mourning the loss of Pastor Pete and, in time, preparing the way for the new permanent, full-time pastor. This may involve congregational surveys, meetings, discussions and the development of a pastor nominating committee to do the work of advertising, interviewing and recommending a senior pastor. This can be a long process; however, what greater place to be than at the center of God's will. We want to make sure we take the appropriate amount of time to discern His will as part of that process.

God’s plan is perfect. God’s timing is perfect. How humbling and what a blessing to be in the midst of God’s handiwork.

SUE'S STORY: My Journey within the Presbyterian Church...Read more.

A congregational meeting was called for June 5, 2016 during which the Discipleship and Discernment Team updated the church. Read more.

There will be a congregational meeting Sunday, March 19, beginning at 12:15pm for the purpose of electing a new deacon and hearing the Discipleship & Discernment Team report on the congregational survey. Rev. Dr. Wilson Gunn, National Capital Presbytery General Presbyter, will be our guest in the 11am worship service and will attend our meeting. 

With grateful hearts we announce that we are formally dismissed from the National Capital Presbytery, PC(USA).

Join us for a unity service with leaders from PCUSA and and ECO Presbyteries to celebrate joining our new denomination, the Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians (ECO)! Following the service stay for a harvest potluck luncheon as we feast together in gratitute: for years of labor by church members and for God's faithfulness bringing a harvest and blessing at this time of transition. Main dish will be provided. Please bring a side dish to share... if your last name starts with A-P, or a desert if your last name starts with Q-Z. There will be fun and games for all ages!

Discussing Denominational Discernment

Process, Issues, and Information

Questions & Answers.  View the PowerPoint presentation.

Session' letter to National Capital Presbytery leadership Council informing them of Neelsville's desire to enter discernment.
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Review of Town Hall meetings with the National Presbytery Discernment Team. Session to contact the Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians (ECO) to learn more about this denomination as a possible home for Neelsville, should the church decided to move out of the PC(USA). Read more.

For a number of years the Neelsville session (elder board) has had lengthy discussions regarding denominational issues. Last December the session concluded that now is the right time to revisit the concept of discernment... Read more.

After a two plus year process of discernment, 86% of the members present at the one service on 3-25-18 voted 148 to 25 to leave PC(USA) and join ECO. The Presbytery’s discernment team will use this information to make a recommendation to the Presbytery Leadership Council, who will vote on April 4, 2018. The Leadership Council will then make a recommendation to the entire Presbytery for a vote on May 22, 2018. While there is still work ahead of us to complete our disaffiliation, let’s rejoice in this Holy Week knowing that God is with us, and He has great plans for our church.

The congregation met Sunday, March 19th 2017 to hear a report on the discernment survey. General Presbyter, Rev. Dr. Wilson Gunn was present to answer questions. Elder Chad Porter presented the results and analysis of the National Capital Presbytery survey, that showed strong support of the Session's recommendation NPC leave PC(USA) and join ECO, a Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians. Read the report here.

Following several years of discussion and a full year of prayerful discernment regarding denominational issues, the Session is recommending to the Neelsville membership that we disaffiliate with PCUSA and seek affiliation with the Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians (ECO).

The NPC Session affirms that we remain affiliated with PCUSA in good standing at this time, and a congregational vote to disaffiliate will adhere to the disaffiliation process defined by the National Capital Presbytery (NCP) and led by the NCP Discernment Team.

National Capital Presbytery Process for Use When a Church Wishes to Disaffiliate from the Presbyterian Church (USA)

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