Reverend Rachel Winter Preaching

The 2024-2025 Planning Calendars

Have Arrived!

The Presbytery has approximately 100 of the 2024-2025 Presbyterian Planning Calendars. If you or your church would like to reserve one or more please email Tammy. Also, if you have pre-ordered, please let Tammy know when you will be able to pick yours up. The cost per calendar is $11.00.

On September 29th the youth of Sheppards & Lapsley have a really great opportunity to hear from Rev. Gail Henderson Belsito! Gail has keynoted and preached multiple Montreat conferences, and is slated to preach at college conference in January. Gail will be sharing with us about “Life in the Messy Middle,” and how we can build community with one another. Come and join in the fun!

RSVP to Southminster office at (205) 822-1124 so you can be counted for the cookout!!!

The Case for Black racial repair in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

There is no redemption without restoration, no deliverance without atonement, writes William Yoo.

It was a little more than a year ago that you invited me to speak for an event on history and racial justice with some members of the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley at Mountain Brook Presbyterian Church. I remain tremendously grateful for your invitation and loved being with everyone as we engaged both our Presbyterian past and present. I am writing now to share with you my article from this month’s Presbyterian Outlook issue on reparations: https://pres-outlook.org/2024/09/127388/

I was invited to write on any topic connected to reparations, and I decided to focus on our specific denomination with an essay that seeks to be honest and hopeful as well as constructive and accessible about a matter that I know can be confusing and divisive. Being together with pastors and lay leaders such as you and others in your presbytery has certainly shaped my own thinking and writing, and you all encourage and inspire me with your faithful efforts to shine the light and love of Christ in your local communities of faith as well as towns and cities across Alabama. 

Gratefully,

William Yoo

Church Security Workshop

Sponsored by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance

November 2 - Southminster Presbyterian Church

Online registration 

Download the flyer

A number of churches are planning to move their worship service to Living River that day. You are encouraged to attend. 

Firehouse of Hope Gala

You are invited to the 2nd Annual Firehouse of Hope Gala at the Grand Bohemian Hotel on September 19, honoring Don Lupo for his longtime support of Firehouse Shelter. The evening will feature a live auction, wonderful dining, entertainment, and opportunities to learn about their mission.

Click photo for more information.

Click photo for more information.

Real Tools for

Real Ministry

September 23 - 25, 2024

Hilton Portland Downtown

Portland, OR

As you may know, we are fast approaching Election Day, which will take place on November 5. As people of faith, it is imperative that we vote to help ensure officials at the local, county, state, federal levels are elected who honor our values of justice and community.

Some dates to keep in mind:

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

Conference Information & Registration at:  www.pcusa.org/evangelism

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.

See your church for registration or Rachel Mathews at rvmathews@livingriver.org

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

Also, please check out how to volunteer at Habitat for Humanity's website at: habitatbirmingham.org

Prayer Concerns

Leeann Scarbrough - Recent surgery



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.

Newsletters, Bulletins, News

• Presbyterian Outlook
• Grants for Vital Congregations
• Weekly Outlook
• Montreat Conference Center
• Experience Montreat
• Christians as Voting People of Faith
• September in Montreat
• The Virtual Voice - Synod of Living Waters Newsletter

PRESBYTERY OPERATING FINANCES June 2024 YTD