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Interim Director of Pastoral and Ecclesial Care
Rev. Matt Rhodes
It has been a pleasure getting to meet many of you, and I look forward to getting to know so many more of you in Savannah Presbytery! I've been in my role as Interim Director for Pastoral and Ecclesial Care for two months now and have been delighted to see the ways that God is at work among all of you and in the presbytery as a whole.
It is an exciting time for our presbytery as many churches have been engaging in self-studies, discerning who God is calling them to be, and praying for guidance as they prepare to call their next interim, transitional, installed, or stated supply pastor. These processes have given me the opportunity to get to know many of the saints of this presbytery and how the lay leaders of these congregations live fully into their roles as leaders of their churches. This engagement of lay leaders in the governance and spiritual leadership of the church is part of what I (and I imagine many of you) love about being Presbyterian.
This time of year is also one of returning from vacation and camp, of planning for the academic calendar, preparing for the launch of Christian education programs in many churches, and settling back into familiar rhythms. While our congregations are engaged in those ministries, I also wanted to give you a glimpse of what your presbytery staff is up to.
Some of your presbytery staff are at work resourcing PNC's, exploring options to pool insurance so as to reduce costs to our congregations, developing new offerings for School of the Laity, evaluating the best options for summer youth camps for our congregations, etc. We've had the privilege of showing up for special days of worship at some of your congregations, and we have had the solemn honor of attending a few funerals in your congregations, as well. Put another way, it is important for us both to add value to your ministries and also to be in relationship with all of you through the joys and sorrows of life. We look forward to being the presbytery together and hearing about how we can support your ministries to God's people in our corner of the world.
Peace,
Matt
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Members of Wilmington Island drove to La Iglesia Latina in Swainsboro to celebrate La Iglesia’s 15th Anniversary. A worship service was held in Spanish with a translator for the English speakers and everyone shared a delicious meal together.
| | Butler Memorial and White Bluff held a joint worship, blending the choir and the attendees, in Butler Memorial’s sanctuary. The service was led by Rev. Dr. John Ruehl from White Bluff and Communion was shared. | | Rev. Bob Morgan, Honorably Retired, shared he was happy that Jonathan Murphy, First Presbyterian Savannah’s Music Director, chose “O God, You Give Us Neighbors” a new hymn by Reverend Carolyn Winfrey Gillette to accompany the parable of the Good Samaritan. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Louisville had recommended this hymn and chose it for their weekly chapel service to lift up the courage and faith of immigrants coming to and living in the U.S. The Louisville service was led by the Office of the General Assembly’s Immigration Advocacy group. | | On June 29, members and pastors of Altama PC, Brunswick Second, and Grant Chapel worshipped together as they do every “fifth” Sunday. This service was at Grant Chapel with Rev. Jamil el-Shair, Altama, preaching and a delicious boxed lunch served to everyone afterwards. | | Elder Eddie Tanon, Commissioned Pastor Brunswick Second; Rev. Dr. Jamil el-Shair, Pastor, Altama; Elder Rodney Fuller, Commissioned Pastor, Grant Chapel. | | Worshippers enjoyed "passing the peace" with one another. | | |
Presbyterians do “business” through a bi-annual meeting of commissioners elected by every presbytery. Savannah Presbytery is seeking applications for the three available positions. If you would like to have a voice in the proceedings, and are available to attend online committee meetings and in-person meetings in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from June 22 through July 2, please submit an application by September 22.
At our Fall Stated Meeting in October, we will elect –
A Ruling Elder Commissioner
A Teaching Elder (Minister) Commissioner
A Young Adult Advisory Delegate (between the ages of 18 and 23 at the time of the assembly)
Assembly Dates, Details about Online and In-Person Commitments, and our Presbytery Application are available at:
www.savannahpresbytery.org/227th-general-assembly
Questions? Please reach out to Rev. Deanie Strength, Stated Clerk.
| | Committees of the Presbytery | | |
Is there room in your schedule to join a presbytery committee? The following committees have openings. Most meetings are held by Zoom - some are monthly, others only 2-3 times per year. Please share your interest with Chair Omar Douglass, Brunswick Second, or Rev. Deanie Strength, Stated Clerk.
- Committee on Ministry (1)
- Education & Training (1)
- M.K. Pentecost Ecology Fund Committee (3)
- Nominating (2)
- Personnel (2)
- Stewardship & Finance (1)
- Commissioner to the Synod of South Atlantic (Ruling Elder)
| | We celebrate the faithful 15-year ministry of Marty Susie as the Christian Educator for Wilmington Island PC. Marty announced her retirement from the church position in June but will continue as the presbytery’s Director of Mission and Program Advancement. | | |
Open Ministry Positions
in the Savannah Presbytery
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Escape to Freedom Caravan: Saturday, September 20th
Join the Racial Justice Ministry Team for a day trip exploring local history in the Midway & Hinesville area of our presbytery led by Hermina Glass-Hill. Details and registration link coming to your inbox soon!
Georgia Presbyteries Gathering: Building a Bigger Table; Gathering, Sharing and Learning Together, Epworth, February 20-21st 2026
Montreat 2026 Youth Conference: June 7-13, 2026
Summer Camp 2026: June 14-19, 2026
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Special Update:
Funding Model Development Team
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Did you know that in 2022, the General Assembly commissioned a group to consider the financial health and sustainability of presbyteries and synods, with a focus on per capita?
The Funding Model Development Team is hard at work, exploring models, studying data, and discerning ways forward.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!
We plan to do a set of "field studies" in 2026, asking presbyteries to remit a percentage of their income, rather than a per capita figure.
ARE YOU CURIOUS???
We will hold a series of Zoom discussions to explore this possibility further with presbytery leaders (EPs, GPs, clerks, finance leaders, trustees, elected leaders, etc.)
SAVE THE DATES JOIN US FOR ONE OF THESE SESSIONS:
>Monday, August 11 at 4:00 p.m. EST
>Tuesday, August 12 at 11;00 a.m. EST
>Thursday, August 14 at 7:00 p.m. EST
https://zoom.us/j/99064912333
Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions. Thanks in advance for your consideration, and for your commitment to our common ministry.
Jeromey Howard, FMDT Co-Moderator, jeromey@presbywy.org
John Wilkinson, Staff Support, john.wilkinson@pcusa.org
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Rev. Wayne McDaniel, July 28, 1988 - 37 years
Rev. Nelle Bordeaux, July 30, 1995 - 30 years
Rev. Jann Briscoe, August 1, 1981 - 45 years
Rev. Ed Ayers, August 17, 1980 - 45 years
Rev. Dr. Cathy Belles, August 17, 2014 - 11 years
Rev. Dr. Ricky Porter, August 20, 1984 - 41
Rev. Deanie Strength, September 1, 1999 - 26 years
Rev. George Troost, September 18, 1983 - 42 years
Rev. Dana Waters, September 25, 2016 - 9 years
Rev. Rachel Rhodes, September 29, 2010 - 15 years
Rev. Dr. Carl Schlich, III, October 1, 1969 - 56 years
Rev. Tom Dunlap, October 1, 1969 - 56 years
| | Where can I find the information I need on Savannah Presbytery? | | See what’s happening at the denominational and synod levels by clicking on the logos below. | | Print the above PDF to hand out to members or mail to them | | | | |
