2001-2002 Erskine Student Government Association
President Laura Williams '03

Erskine President Speaks at ARP Synod Meeting

Erskine College and Seminary President Dr. John Carson addressed the 198th annual meeting of the General Synod of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church Wednesday morning, discussing Erskine’s plans to host Synod in the summer of 2003 and introducing Paul Patrick as Erskine’s new Chaplain.

Carson outlined plans for Synod 2003 in Due West, the bicentennial celebration, which will include a conference on church history, programs for women and youth, and the Synod meetings.

"We are going to unashamedly showcase Erskine, and include our faculty, our coaches and our musicians, and try to put our best foot forward," Carson said. "This will be a great time for Erskine and a great time for the ARP Church."

Carson introduced Patrick as the new chaplain, saying Patrick will return to Erskine this summer where he served as an assistant chaplain before working at a church in Georgia.

"I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity to pastor students at Erskine," Patrick said. "My vision for ministry is that students will desire to do prosperous work and bud and flourish in the grace of the gospel."

Carson also introduced two former SGA Presidents at Erskine to share their experiences at the college, rising senior Laura Williams, and Chris Spires, who recently graduated with the Class of 2002.

Erskine Vice President for Institutional Relations Jay West updated Synod on the recent growth at Erskine Seminary, saying that ARP students now make up nearly 60 percent of the seminary student body.

West also introduced several Erskine Seminary students, including Brian Howard, who performed music to open and close the Erskine portion of the program, and Patrick Miller, Libby Draffin and Andy Lewis, who shared their seminary experiences.

The Bicentennial Synod at Erskine is scheduled for June 8-12.