Melinda “Beyond Borders”

Melinda Harden, a member of South Highland Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley, has been selected as our Synod’s representative for the 2008 “Beyond Borders: Presbyterian Women Focus on Immigration”. Melinda will join a group of Presbyterian Women, one from each Synod, as they travel to El Paso and Ciudad Juarez and engage in a week-long trip which will combine education with hands-on ministry. Later they will share their experiences in their synods and raise awareness of the ways people of faith confront the issues that divide us.

“Presbyterian Women will focus on immigration and its relationship to violence, poverty, racism, exploitation of women and children, and global economic policies by

• hearing the voices of our sisters and responding with compassion,
• working for the end of all forms of violence,
• advocating for the rights of women and children,
• supporting our domestic partners and
• allowing ourselves to be transformed by partnership experiences.”

We are very pleased and fortunate to have Melinda selected. She has an incredible appreciation and respect for other cultures. Her strong desire to understand others does not necessitate their changing to match her views. She speaks Spanish fluently having taught Spanish for 27 years. A South Highland member describes her as having a friendly and lovely personality, one who likes nothing better than interacting with others. We congratulate her and pledge our support for her efforts.

Dean Vandegrift

PWP Moderator