Director's Corner

Greetings from your Associate Director of Pastoral & Ecclesial Care!

I wanted to share with you a vision that I have been thinking about for quite a long time—one centered on connection, encouragement, and renewed fellowship among our ministry leaders serving Savannah Presbytery.



In the midst of our many responsibilities, it can be easy to become isolated in our individual church contexts, even as we labor toward the same greater purpose.

For this reason, I am hosting a luncheon designed to bring ministry leaders serving Savannah Presbytery together in a spirit of unity and mutual support.

I envision this gathering not to be about agenda or policy, but about presence—creating space for meaningful conversation, shared stories, and genuine relationship-building. I believe that when our ministry leaders are given the opportunity to connect beyond committee meetings and the daily responsibilities of ministry, trust deepens, collaboration becomes more natural, and a stronger sense of shared mission emerges.

My hope is that fostering these relationships will have a lasting impact not only on those who attend, but also on the congregations and communities we serve. When we feel connected to one another, we lead with greater encouragement, clarity, and resilience. In a time when many carry heavy burdens, even a simple act of gathering around a table can be a powerful reminder that we are not alone in this work.

It is my hope that this luncheon will serve as a starting point—an intentional step toward cultivating a more relational and supportive network of leaders within our presbytery. By strengthening these bonds, I believe we can better lean into the unity that our Moderator, John Ruehl, has chosen as his theme this year, and that we are called to embody as ministry leaders of Savannah

Presbytery. Please see the details that follow!

Blessings,

Ben Beasley

Savannah Presbytery Events

Leadership Luncheon

All ministry leaders within Savannah Presbytery are warmly invited to gather for a time of connection, encouragement, mutual support, and to share a meal together. Ministry Leaders including:

• Teaching Elders (Ministers of Word and Sacrament) who are installed, contracted (Transitional Pastors, Interim Pastors and Stated Pastors) and in Validated Ministries beyond churches

• Ruling Elders serving as Trained Ruling Elders, Commissioned Pastors, and active members of their church sessions

• Presbytery staff

Date: Tuesday, April 21

Time: 11:00am

Location: Allenhurst Presbyterian Church

(30 Church Street, Allenhurst, GA 31301)

Lunch Provided: including a vegetarian option

Please RSVP by April 14th to: benbeasley7@gmail.com

Mission Trip

Plans are being finalized for our Mission Team that includes participants from other Georgia presbyteries all working with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance for Hurricane Helene recovery work in Canton, NC.

We have only a few spaces left for folks to join us! The deadline to register for participation is Friday, April 10th!

Interested parties should reach out to Marty at MSusie1@savannahpresbytery.org. There are four forms to complete. The cost to participate is $120 per person (for the Host Site, Canton Presbyterian Church), one meal out and a contribution to your carpool's fuel. Do not let cost be prohibitive! Mission scholarships are available- contact Marty Susie.

We will have breakfast & dinners at the Host Site and pack our lunches for the work day. We hope you will join us in this opportunity to serve others and build new relationships with our Mission Team!

*Skill level will not prevent anyone from participating! It is simply a tool used to help PDA know what skills our team can bring to the table.

It's Time t0 Register for Summer Camp!

Summer Camp Financial Aid

Do you need financial assistance for your camper(s)?



• Camp Dogwood Acres is providing $50 Discounts for subsequent siblings of campers
• Several of our congregations are offering campers scholarships of 50% or MORE! Check with your Session or Pastor to see what your congregation is offering.
• Savannah Presbytery's Jean Breitenhirt Scholarship is available and awards up to $150 per camper. To learn more or to apply see below:

Spring Stated Meeting

School of the Laity

Take part in the Class of 2028 Cohort -A small group participating in the full School of the Laity program! Over 370 people have completed this program to deepen their Biblical understanding, explore our Reformed Tradition and how we as PC(USA) Christians govern and do work as the Church since the 80's.

Dr. Bob Bryant has been leading our Intro to the Bible course for over 25 years and recently retired from Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC.

If you have contemplated attending the School of the Laity, now is the time to register! Register early for the Intro to the Bible course and begin your preparation with the documents that follow:

Opportunities to Serve in

Savannah Presbytery

The Nominating Committee will meet in April to fill openings on the following committees: Mission, Committee on Ministry, Nominating, Committee on Preparation for Ministry, and Stewardship & Finance.

Please reach out to Chair Omar Douglass or to Stated Clerk Deanie Strength with your interest or to make suggestions for consideration.

The presbytery seeks candidates willing to share their “energy, intelligence, imagination, and love” to strengthen the Church of Jesus Christ in southeast Georgia!

Matthew 25 Moments

Our presbytery's Bridge Building initiative is underway! Several participants are engaging in faith-filled, and often difficult, conversations centered on race and loving our neighbors as ourselves over the next few weeks. What began with conversations within identity groups is now bringing these participants together in diverse small groups as Bridge Builders. Bridge Builders will learn and practice skills that engage in fostering diversity and meaningful conversations about race and racial healing with emphasis on listening, education, prayer and research.

April

1st- Committee on Ministry (COM) meeting @ 2 pm

1st- Committee for Preparation for Ministry (CPM) meeting @ 10 am

2nd- Maundy Thursday

3rd- Good Friday

5th- Easter Sunday

7th- Education & Training Team (ETT) meeting @ 2 pm

9th- Personnel Committee meeting @ 10 am

10th- Mission Team Registration deadline

13th- Racial Justice Ministry Team (RJMT) meeting @ 3:30 pm

14th- Savannah Presbytery Council meeting @ 10 am

14th- Mission Committee (MCOM) meeting @ 12 pm

21st- Leadership Luncheon at Allenhurst PC @ 11 am

26th- May 2nd - Mission Trip to Canton, NC

28th- Stewardship & Finance Committee meeting @ 10 am

May

1st- Breitenhirt Scholarship Applications (Summer Camp) deadline

15th- Summer Camp registration closes

19th- Spring Stated Meeting@ White Bluff PC

25th- School of the Laity registration closes

June

1st- Summer Camp fees must be paid in full

7th-13th- Montreat Youth Conference, Montreat, NC

14th-19th- Summer Camp at Dogwood Acres, Chipley, FL

26th-28th- School of the Laity Session, Epworth on St. Simons or online

October

23rd- Board of Pensions Mini-Regional Summit with Clark Simmons

The First Presbyterian Church of St. Marys welcomes Interim Pastor Rev. Dr. Mike Johnston on April 15, 2026. Mike has moved his membership from Grace Presbytery where he has been serving as Stated Supply Pastor for Trinity Grace Presbyterian Church in Mansfield, Texas - Our Team — Trinity Grace Church Mansfield . Mike and his wife, Dr. Valerie Johnston- a faculty member at Texas Christian University, are retiring to St. Simons Island.

First Presbyterian, Savannah, some open spots for this mission trip to a place our church goes to regularly. If you have questions, contact allison@savannahfpc.org

Ready to register?

Do so here: First Presbyterian Church Mission Trip Registration Form

Learn more about Synod Network Groups and seed grants to begin them with this video:

During our time together, we will discuss:

• Medical Plan cost trends and changes in the healthcare system
• Dues package subsidies designed to ease financial burdens for congregations, pastors, and their families
• Plans and programs that support those who serve the Church, including enhancements to the Assistance Program

This meeting is open to all. Pastors, Personnel Committee chairs, and church business administrators will especially benefit as they begin planning for 2027.

There will also be time for questions and open conversation. I hope you will join us for this opportunity to learn, share, and engage in a collaborative discussion about the Benefits Plan and what lies ahead.

Peace,

T. Clark Simmons

Senior Church Consultant

Montgomery Center in Starke, FL, is offering FREE lodging for all pastors, Christian educators, music directors, and other church leaders during the week of April 6-9.

Choose to stay for one day or the whole week!

Beth Remmes, Coastal Outreach & Climate Resiliency Coordinator,

Georgia Interfaith Power & Light (GIPL) asked us to share an opportunity for congregations to join Blessed Tomorrow on Saturday, April 25, 2026, as a host location for the National Faith + Climate Forum, a powerful national gathering uniting people of faith to lead on climate solutions grounded in justice, hope, and spiritual courage.

The 77th Annual “Come See Columbia Day” is scheduled for Thursday, April 23rd, 2026.

This event is designed for Presbyterian Women and their friends to meet the Columbia Friendship Circle Scholarship recipient and experience the life of Columbia Theological Seminary.

Participants will enjoy a continental breakfast, worship led by Dr. Martha Moore-Keish, a seminary class, a meal with the scholarship winner,

and a tour of Mission Haven.

The cost for this event is the cost of your meal ($15.00). It is a wonderful opportunity to learn, be inspired, and see what God is doing in the world.

For more information, please contact Julie Bailey: baileyj@ctsnet.edu.

Limited on-campus hotel-style rooms are available.

The IRS Business Travel Rate is $.725

We’ll be using this rate to reimburse our presbytery staff for their travel, and we encourage all churches to use this standard rate for staff reimbursements as well.

You can find our Organizational Chart and info on Darkness to Light Training on our website.

www.savannahpresbytery.org

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Need help connecting your church?

Contact Marty Susie at MSusie1@savannahpresbytery.org

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