Healthy Boundaries Training

All ministers and ruling elders are required to participate in Healthy Boundary Training for the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley. Below is a link to a Jotform Registration Form. This registration form contains registration information as well as the link to the video (which is password protected) and the password. The video takes you to another link for you to watch the content.  

After watching, It is very important to return to the Jotform, acknowledge your completion and SUBMIT the form. This will ensure the stated clerk receives notice that you have completed the training.  

Thank you for participating in the required Healthy Boundaries training. Your comments on both the process and the content are welcome. Please reply to our Stated Clerk if you have any questions and/or wish to share your comments.

Registration and link to Healthy Boundary Training for the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley

Board of Pensions Zoom Sessions

The Board of Pensions has approved a new Benefits Plan structure, effective January 1, 2025. This represents a significant change for churches and pastors because the existing Benefits Plan has been in place for over 35 years. My colleagues and I are committed to helping churches prepare for the changes ahead and the new flexibility they present.

I will host eight different ZOOM sessions on the dates of July 23-25 to share details about the redesigned benefits plan and answer questions. The content shared at each meeting will be the same as what I shared at prior in-person and virtual orientations offered in each presbytery I serve. All are welcome at any of these events, but because the same info will be shared at each, it is not necessary to attend more than one. Some may want to hear it again. Some may have other leaders in their congregations who need to understand it.

We are sending this information for all of our ministers and congregations.

Please register by clicking on the individual registration link to attend one of the eight zoom meetings listed below. All times are Eastern, and the ZOOM meetings will not be recorded.

• Tuesday, July 23
• 10:00am EDT
• 2:00pm EDT
• 7:00pm EDT
• Wednesday, July 24
• 12:00pm EDT
• 4:00pm EDT
• 7:00pm EDT
• Thursday, July 25
• 10:00am EDT
• 12:00pm EDT

Keenan Rodgers

Church Consultant, Board of Pensions

The ladies of Second Presbyterian have 40 blue Hymnals they would love to give away. Please call 205-871-4302 if you are interested in these Hymnals.

The Impact of Churches’

Hunger Action Programs in this Presbytery

We are compiling a list of this Presbytery’s churches’ activities in combating hunger. We are wondering what your church is doing to combat hunger, such as: donating to food pantries, operating food pantries, rescuing edible foods, giving food from members’ gardens, participating in the Cents-Ability and Pentecost Can-paign programs, volunteering at food banks, etc.

Our churches are acting to help the hungry and food insecure. Let’s see what everyone is doing. Perhaps we can get ideas from each other on combating hunger.

Please send your church’s information to Ralls Coston, Mission Coordinator, rcoston@pslpcusa.org., phone 205-617-0216. Thank you for all you are doing.

If you are a pastor, commissioned ruling elder (CRE), a leader of a 1001 New Worshiping Community or a member of a stewardship team we have Church Financial Leadership Grants available for you. The grants will enable you to institute best practices for church financial leadership, introduce you to new models of giving and stewardship, and offer you new ways to talk about money and form generous disciples within your church.

Presbyterian Home for Children Thrift Store Donations

is Now being picked up by the King's Home

Bring your usable furniture, furnishings, items and gently used clothing, etc. to the King's Home donation center in the parking lot of Mountain Brook Presbyterian Church. Donations will be accepted every third Friday of the month from 9:00 AM - Noon.

The Home has a second donation drop off location at Southminster Presbyterian in the church parking lot. Donations will be accepted only on the first Saturday of every month from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM.

Look for the box truck onsite for your donation drop off.

Concerned about Gun Violence?

Join Presbyterian Peace Fellowship for the James Atwood

Institute for Congregational Courage:

Aug 22-25, Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu, New Mexico

Join us for four days of hands-on continuing education for clergy and lay leaders. Including:



• Educational, pastoral and action skills taught by leading gun violence prevention activists 
• Keynote speech by Father John Dear, Catholic biblical scholar and activist
• Develop a path for your congregation to join in the Presbyterian Decade to End Gun Violence 

We’ll build skills, courage and community for gun violence prevention mission for the local church.

First Presbyterian Church - Alexander City is seeking pulpit supply until they can fill their pastoral vacancy. Their worship services are on Sundays at 11:00 for one hour. If you are interested, please call the church office at (256) 329-0524.

Hearts and Minds Prepared for Worship

You are invited to this leadership event being sponsored by The Center for Excellence in Christian Education, Union Presbyterian Seminary, and the Presbytery of Charlotte. This fully online event is designed for folks who are involved in worship leadership whether that be clergy, worship committees, or educators.

I'm sure many of you remember Sarah Dianne Jones who grew up in Sheppards and Lapsley--she is now the Program Associate for the Center and would love to have some PSL folks join this event!

The website for the event is here: https://na.eventscloud.com/website/71005/.

Registration is now open.

Click the photo for more information.

Prayer Concerns

Chuck Kukal - Recent hospital stay

Presbytery Tech Person Needed

The Presbytery is looking for a Tech person to help with our quarterly Presbytery meetings. (This includes four eight hour meetings per year plus be available for four 2 hour planning meetings quarterly) Must have knowledge of Zoom, including issues with sound and video. Must be available to set up equipment to start each meeting and monitor Zoom participants. Compensation is negotiable. If you or someone you know may be interested please contact Tammy Strickland at tstrickland@pslpcusa.org.

Dallas County Long Term Recovery Group

This Presbytery has been involved with the Dallas County LTRG (Long Term Recovery Group) for the past year. The LTRG is working on Selma’s recovery from the January 2023 tornado which destroyed or damaged so much of Selma and Dallas County. So far, the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley has distributed over $31,000 to six cases in Selma. This money has been used to replace beds, tables, washing machines, dryers and roofing for the six different families impacted by the tornado. The funds for these cases came from contributions from the Presbyterian Disaster Fund, Independent Presbyterian Church, Southminster Presbyterian Church, First Presbyterian-Wetumpka and Oakmont Chapel Presbyterian Church. Thank you to all the donors.

There is still plenty to do in Dallas County/Selma’s recovery. Other organizations, such as United Way, Mennonite Disaster Services, Lutheran Disaster Services, Gospel Tabernacle Church, Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, and the Edmundite Missions of the Catholic Church are some of the workers/contributors to Selma’s recovery.

 This Presbytery can continue to help by providing funds to the Presbytery’s Perry/Dallas County Fund. Both churches and individuals may contribute to this fund. And, as the United Methodist case managers provide the cases, we can continue to help.

The New Wilmington Missionary Conference

July 19-24, 2024 / Westminister College, New Wilmington, PA

The New Wilmington Missionary Conference is one of the oldest continuous Presbyterian Missionary Conferences the church offers. It is a great opportunity to discover how God is active in other parts of the globe. Here is the link to the conference this year. https://www.nwmcmission.org/promo-resources For more information contact Cody Watson.

Please be sure to check out the job openings around our Presbytery at the bottom of this page.

Newsletters, Bulletins, News

• Presbyterian Outlook
• July in Montreat

PRESBYTERY OPERATING FINANCES May 2024 YTD