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Greetings Presbytery Family!
As we prepare our hearts and minds for the month ahead we pause, with gratitude, for the blessings of summer and the anticipation for the work to come. This edition of Staying Connected shares an update from the Lead Presbyter, new learning opportunities and resources and upcoming events in our presbytery.
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News From Around the Presbytery | |
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From the Lead Presbyter
If you have been reading the Staying Connected newsletters, you know that, recently, Joe Rigsby retired from serving as the Area 4 Area Relationship Coordinator. The presbytery has been working to fill a few of these positions for a while. Erin Horne moved earlier this year, and Area 1 has been vacant for about two years. Well, I am pleased to tell you that we recently hired Scott Brooks-Cope for our Area 3 Area Relationship Coordinator and Ruth Elswood for our Area 1 Area Relationship Coordinator. I have also been in conversation with potential candidates to fill the position vacated by Joe’s retirement. So in the very near future, we should be fully staffed. Please join me in giving a warm welcome to both Ruth and Scott. They have hit the ground running and have been reaching out to the churches in their areas. Of course, if you are aware of pastoral needs or prayer concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the presbytery office 904-733-8277. We are here to serve and support you as best we can.
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Board of Trustees: Opportunity to Serve
The board of trustees carries out an important function: To care for all the properties held in trust by the congregations of the presbytery. What does this mean? It means they review requests for loans to congregations and all requests to sell or lease real properties held in trust by the congregation. The Board of Trustees meets once a month on the fourth Tuesday of the month via Zoom. Meeting materials are sent out ahead of time to help keep meetings to an hour.
There are two vacancies for the class of 2025, three vacancies for the class of 2026 and two vacancies for the class of 2027, leaving the Board short of members. This is an invitation for you to prayerfully consider serving as a trustee for the 2025, 2026 and/or 2027 class. This is serving God’s people in another way. If you have any questions and are interested in serving, please contact Ana Lugo, president and chair.
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Presbyterian Planning Calendars
The 2024-2025 Presbyterian Planning Calendars are now available. The price is $15 per calendar. Click here to order.
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Hurricane Checklist
Make sure you are prepared for hurricane season. Click here for a hurricane checklist.
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PC(USA) International Peacemaker Visit
Zoughbi Zoughbi, Founder and Director of Wi'am, the Bethlehem Center for Non-Violence, will visit our presbytery September 26 through October 2. The opportunities to meet and hear from Zoughbi Zoughbi are below:
- September 27 -- Palestinian Dinner and Talk, Memorial PC at 6:00 p.m.
- September 28 -- Potluck Lunch and Talk with Islamic Center, Fort King PC at 12:00 p.m.
- September 30 -- Conversation, Westminster Woods at 2:00 p.m.
- October 1 -- Presbytery Meeting, Palatka First PC
For more information and to RSVP, please contact Ervin Bullock.
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Prayer Corner
Please pray for the Lord to guide the following church (its staff and session) this week:
First Presbyterian Church of Palatka
Leadership
Cliff Lyda
Rob Mattson
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Certificate in Fundraising
Have you ever wanted a certificate in religious fundraising? Wouldn’t it be great to help the organizations you work with better utilize their financial resources? There is a great opportunity being offered, in the Presbytery of St. Augustine, at Riverside Presbyterian Church. Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising (ECRF) training will be September 16 through 18. As part of a covenantal church relationship, there is a HALF-OFF registration rate for members of the Presbytery of St. Augustine (both clergy and laity). These spots will go quickly, so please register as soon as possible.
Click here to register.
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School of the Laity
The Savannah School of the Laity will take place October 5 through 6. Courses are held both in-person, at Epworth By the Sea on St. Simons Island, and online, via Zoom. Click here for more information and to register.
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SOAP Regional Event
Registration for the regional SOAP event is now open! The event will take place on November 9. This event is for educators, youth leaders, paid staff, volunteers and pastors. Registration is $35, and lunch will be coordinated at each host site. Click here to learn more and to register.
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Free Guides for Sharing Stories with Children
These guides, along with additional free resources, help families and churches share picture books with children, offering prayers, questions to wonder about and engagement activities that bring the story to life! New guides are added each month, so be sure to bookmark the page. All guides are available in English and Spanish, with the Spanish-language guides providing a translation of the book’s text or a summary translation. Guides are also available in Korean when the featured book is also available in Korean. The Read * Pray * Wonder * Play guides are created in partnership with the Office of Christian Formation’s “Around the Table” Initiative. Access these resources here.
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Special Offering
As congregations receive the Peace & Global Witness Offering on World Communion Sunday, we recognize they do so with many concerns on their hearts for our siblings around the world. Climate change, violence and the refugee crisis in so many countries are humanitarian disasters of particular concern. The Offering offers congregations ways to support relief efforts for these issues while also supporting the peacemaking work of their mid councils and the PC(USA). Twenty-five percent of the Offering stays with the congregation and 25% stays with your mid council to support peacemaking and reconciliation in your own community and region. Find resources here.
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Season of Peace
This year’s reflections for A Season of Peace will highlight Presbyterians both well-known and little-known who have challenged injustice, broken down barriers and dividing walls, advocated for the marginalized, stewarded the common good, taught peace and been agents for the transformation of society. Sign-up for daily devotions here.
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Save the Date: PW Triennial Gathering
The Synod of South Atlantic will host the Presbyterian Women's Triennial Gathering at Epworth By the Sea in St. Simons Island, on October 17 though 19. The event will feature the Rev. CeCe Armstrong, Co-Moderator of the 226th General Assembly, as the Worship Leader and the Rev. Rhashell Hunter, author of the 2025-2026 Horizons Bible Study, as the Keynote Speaker.
Items such as gift baskets and gift cards will be needed for the Silent Auction. For more information, contact Nancy Carlton.
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Justice and Peace Calendar
Click here to view the 2024 PW Justice and Peace Calendar.
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Presbytery Youth Retreat
The Presbytery Youth Retreat will take place October 4 through 6, at Montgomery Center. This is a retreat for youth in grades six through 12. Click here to register your group by September 15.
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Winter Camp
Camp Montgomery Winter Camp will take place January 3 through 5, 2025. Children ages 6 to 16 are welcome to attend at the cost of $220 per camper. There will also be an opportunity for youth ages 17 to 18 to participate as a Winter Counselor in Training (CIT). For more information, click here.
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Cruising with Montgomery
Do you love Montgomery? Do you enjoy cruising? You can now combine those passions on an Eastern Caribbean cruise on the Caribbean Princess. This cruise departs from Port Canaveral on January 6, 2025, with ports of call Nassau, San Juan and Grand Turk, returning to Port Canaveral on January 12. Staterooms start at $494 and are filling fast! A portion of your cruise fare will be given back to support the vision and mission of Montgomery Center. Don't wait to book. Come vacation with us!
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First Wednesday Sack Lunch
The First Wednesday Sack Lunch for September will be on September 4, at noon. A monthly Zoom conversation will allow you to learn and share resources and best practices on a new topic each month. The topic for September is Basic Needs Ministries.
Every congregation collects food for the hungry, clothes for those in need or assists with housing in some way. As we continue to address the essential needs of our neighbors — whether through food distribution, shelter, clothing or other vital services — we believe that South Atlantic Community Knowledge can have a positive impact on our efforts to serve God’s people. This meeting will provide an opportunity to talk about:
Current Initiatives: Share what your church is doing and learn about other programs.
Opportunities: Learn from each other and explore ways to work together on projects and events.
Challenges and Solutions: Discuss common challenges and brainstorm potential solutions.
Click here to register.
Upcoming Topics:
- October - Facilities Safety
- November - Mental Health Ministries
- December - Racial Justice/Social Witness
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Positions Available In Our Presbytery
Check out the many ministry opportunities throughout our presbytery here.
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Blessings,
Steve Crowley, Moderator of the Presbytery
Charlie Evans, Stated Clerk
David Rollins, Lead Presbyter
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Previous Staying Connected emails are available on our website.
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