Director's Corner

As your Stated Clerk, I am thankful that Savannah Presbytery provided the means for me to attend the PC(USA) biennial General Assembly with our two commissioners and our Young Adult Advisory Delegate (YAAD).

Accompanying them on the trip gave me the opportunity to connect with other mid-council colleagues, interact with denominational leaders to learn about available resources, and observe the assembly's proceedings so that I can help communicate its work back home.

In this month’s “Director’s Article,” please take a moment to read about the experiences of our commissioners and our YAAD, all of whom represented Savannah Presbytery with thoughtfulness and care.

God bless you in the ways you serve your church and presbytery,

Deanie Strength

Stated Clerk/ Director of Administration

Director of Pastoral and Ecclesial Care (Interim)

Teaching Elder Commissioner

Rev. Dr. John Ruehl, Pastor,

White Bluff and Moderator of Savannah Presbytery

General Assembly Reflections

Ruling Elder Commissioner

Marti Stein,

First Savannah

Post GA – Report to Presbytery

YAAD

Ariana Perez-Roblero,

La Iglesia Latina (Swainsboro PC)

GA 22th Report

Savannah Presbytery Events

June School of the Laity Recap

A great weekend is about more than the classes—it’s about the people.

This past weekend, participants from across Savannah Presbytery gathered for School of the Laity to study Scripture, strengthen their leadership, and build relationships with one another. It was a weekend filled with thoughtful conversations, practical learning, and faithful encouragement.

We can’t wait to do it again this fall! Registration is now open for our Fall School of the Laity session (October 3-4). Whether you’re returning or joining us for the first time, we’d love to welcome you.

Learn More and Register for October!

October School of the Laity

Pre-Course Assignments

Printable Flyer

The Leslie McCracken School of the Laity Scholarship Fund

Printable Flyer

Pilgrimage to Atlanta

We invite you to our overnight pilgrimage to Atlanta! Over the past few years, we have traveled to Montgomery, AL, and to each of the three districts of our presbytery to gain a fuller understanding of our history. By doing so, we open ourselves to the possibility of more fully living as the body of Christ—a body that lifts up each member as a unique and honored part of the whole, made in the Imago Dei (Gen. 1:26–27). We are simply not complete without one another. Come join us!

We do not want costs to be prohibitive for anyone, if you are in need of financial assistance, please contact Mary Simpson, Chair, Racial Justice Ministry Team at mnsimpson978@gmail.com.

Printable Flyer

Fall Stated Meeting - Save the Date!

The Fall Stated Meeting will be held at Metter Presbyterian Church (611 South Lewis St) on Thursday, October 8 at 10 am. We will worship together and carry out the necessary business of the meeting then will enjoy a buffet lunch at Bevrick’s Restaurant just down the street from the church. The lunch will feature a presentation by the Rev. Dana Waters, a minister member of our presbytery, who is the Presbyterian Foundation’s Ministry Relations Officer for the Southeast (AL, FL, GA, MS, and PR). Dana’s program will be helpful for pastors, treasurers, and members of Stewardship & Finance Committees and Sessions. We encourage our churches to send more than just commissioners to this meeting!

In Our Churches

Comings & Goings

Rev. Stephen Robertson, Pastor of Butler Memorial Presbyterian Church in Savannah, has accepted a new call as Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Red Wing, Minnesota. His final day at Butler will be August 2. We send Stephen off with our gratitude for his service to the church and to the presbytery as the Chair of the Committee on Preparation for Ministry. We also give thanks for his wife Shantell's contribution to the presbytery's Education and Training Team as director of our Faith Enrichment Conference for two years and tech helper.

Rev. Dr. Cathy Belles, has announced her retirement and end of service as pastor of Henry Memorial Presbyterian Church in Dublin effective August 31 (reception following the service). In service to the presbytery, Cathy has chaired the Education and Training Team, served as a counselor and camp leader in the various children's camps we've hosted, and moderated the sessions of Washington Street and Vidalia Presbyterian Churches. We will miss her as she plans to move to Oregon to be near family.

Marilyn Borst, a member of our Pulpit Supply List, and her husband Mark are moving to Bloomfield, Michigan, their home state, for her to take the position of “Director of Mission, Ministry and Kirk Women” at Kirk in the Hills Presbyterian Church. Kirk in the Hills

Sid Leak, a retired minister member of Flint River Presbytery, has been approved by COM to be on our Pulpit Supply List. Dr. Leak is willing to travel throughout the presbytery to preach as he can access military housing as a retired chaplain of the Army National Guard. He was educated at Columbia and McCormick Seminaries and pastored churches in Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee..

Our pulpit supply list is located in our online directory. Please reach out to Deanie if you need assistance.

Ordination Anniversaries of Savannah Presbytery’s Ministers of Word and Sacrament

Don Dilley 7/9/69

Tom Mueller 7/22/79

Michael Jinkins 7/12/81

Jann Briscoe 8/1/81

Bert Cramer 7/13/80

Ed Ayers 8/17/80

Mark George 7/15/90

Nelle Bordeaux 7/30/95

Wayne McDaniel 7/28/98

Mike Johnston 8/1/98

Craig Pope 7/26/2009

Cathy Belles 8/17/2014

Georgia Interfaith Power & Light

White Bluff Presbyterian will be hosting the GIPL (Georgia Interfaith Power & Light) Coastal Green Team Summit on August 15^th from 10 am to 3 pm. Author Janisse Ray is the keynote speaker!