The 2024-2025 Planning Calendars

Have Arrived!

The Presbytery has 200 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.

Stillman College’s Presbyterian roots run deep

PC(USA)-related HBCU’s eighth president, Dr. Yolanda W. Page, seeks to further historic relationships

A majestic magnolia stands tall in front of the William H. Sheppard Library at Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Emily Enders Odom)

From the majestic magnolias that grace both Stillman College’s 105-acre campus and the school’s striking seal, to the plentiful purple hull peas, pole beans and cucumbers that thrive in its community garden, the entire campus is alive with new growth.

With Dr. Yolanda W. Page — the PC(USA)-affiliated HBCU’s eighth president — as its gardener in chief.

Even before Page arrived on July 1, 2023, 

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.

Click photo for more information.

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.

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

Celebrate Theological Education Sunday

Theological Education Sunday is celebrated each September in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). This year, Theological Education Sunday is officially set for September 15, 2024, or whenever best fits your congregation’s schedule.

Resources for Celebration

A sample liturgy, which includes a bulletin announcement, hymn selections, scripture suggestions and prayers, and a newsletter or bulletin announcement are available for download along with other resources at the Presbyterian Foundation website to help you prepare for and celebrate this important day.

Bulletin inserts include testimonies from Rev. Emily McGinley, senior pastor of City Church in San Francisco, and the Rev. Sam Codington, pastor of Faith Presbyterian Church in San Diego.

Additionally, PowerPoint slides are available for your use in projection or in your digital worship service.



"Theological Education Sunday is an invitation to be part of the future of the church by supporting our seminaries and future pastors," said the Rev. Zoë Garry, Associate Director of Theological Education Funds Development. "It is through your generous gifts that we are able to continue to support our Presbyterian seminaries and covenant partners throughout the US and Puerto Rico, providing scholarships, programs and unique opportunities to our Presbyterian students and future leaders."

You can support the Theological Education Fund easily online here.

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

Prayer Concerns

Leeann Scarbrough - Recent surgery

Chuck Kukal - Recent hospital stay

Family of Coleen Duke, former Presbytery Administrator

and wife of the late Rev. Mickey Duke

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
• A Special Invitation for Elders: Revitalize your Faith and Leadership
• Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
• Stories of triumph & caution for church leaders
• Fall Seminars at Princeton Seminary: Augustine & Ecotheology
• Christian nationalism ... and hope
• Montreat Conference Center
• Finding Hope in a Weary World
• Worship and Music Conference
• Presbyterian Historical Society
• PHS Matters - Newsletter
• Older Adult Ministries
• Spiritual Formation in Older Adults

PRESBYTERY OPERATING FINANCES June 2024 YTD