Church’s voting majority
supports PCUSA departure
The Layman, January 28, 2011
A strong majority of voting members at Desert Hills Presbyterian Church in Carefree, Ariz., has expressed official support for leaving the Presbyterian Church (USA) to join the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC). 
Desert Hills Presbyterian Church
In a Jan. 23 congregational meeting, in which the Presbytery of Grand Canyon polled members by written ballot, 84 percent said they support dismissal of the congregation to the EPC. The more than 500-member congregation declared its intent to leave the PCUSA with its staff and property in tact in May 2010 following an 18-month discernment process.
Desert Hills is among the largest congregations in the presbytery. It originally had discussed becoming an independent congregation, but has since indicated its desired affiliation to the EPC – a popular destination for churches leaving the PCUSA.
With 292 member ballots cast, only 46 support staying in the PCUSA. Of the 292 voters, 253 said they would continue attending Desert Hills if it were dismissed to the EPC with its current property. The number of supporters drops to 217 if the dismissal doesn’t include the current property. Only 49 voting members said they would continue attending if the congregation remains affiliated with the PCUSA.
Among the issues that led to Desert Hills considering departure are previous General Assembly actions on ordination standards, the authority of Holy Scripture, social justice, interfaith relations and the mission of the Church.
The presbytery’s vote on the dismissal is anticipated at the March 11-12, 2011 meeting in Yuma, Ariz.