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Greetings Siblings in Christ-
I recently took a few days to unplug with a friend in the hills of South Carolina near the North Carolina border. The trees were just beginning to show their fall colors, and the weather was just right- a brisk forty degrees overnight and a lovely mid-sixties temperature during the day with lots of sunshine! Glad and thankful to be part of God’s amazing creation.
Fall also brings us to a season of increased programming in Savannah Presbytery. We open registration for our 47th Annual Faith Enrichment Conference; THRIVE; Revitalize, Energize, Spiritualize that takes place on February 21-22nd, 2025 at Epworth by the Sea, St. Simons Island, GA., featuring Keynote Speaker, author and pastor, Rev. Graham Standish. Our committee has been hard at work inviting leadership to craft workshops that will equip our congregations to “revitalize, energize and spiritualize” their ministries. We encourage each church to intentionally build a delegation to participate in this event which follows our Fall Stated Meeting. The Education & Training Team has scholarship funds available so that costs will not be prohibitive at any person or congregation.
In addition, the Triennium Youth Conference registration opens for high school students. This event only occurs once every three years! While our Montreat Youth Conference brings hundreds of youth together for faith enrichment, worship and relationship building, thousands of youth will converge on Louisville, KY July 28-31st, 2025 for a once in a lifetime experience!
A reminder that our Summer Camp and Montreat Youth Conference registrations are open as well and we are encouraging churches to register NOW to save a spot for their children and youth. The Jean Breitenhirt Scholarship Fund is available to help children and youth afford to participate in ALL our events. If you want to help send children and youth to camp and conferences- please contribute to the fund by check or online at Donations Or Payments (eservicepayments.com).
My final mention is a plug for the March Elective class at the School of the Laity. We will welcome back, Dr. Christine Yoder, Professor of Biblical Interpretation at Columbia Theological Seminary to lead us in The TREE OF LIFE; An Introduction to the Wisdom Literature of Ancient Israel.
I pray you will intentionally share these opportunities with the members of your congregations, inviting them to apply for any necessary scholarships and to participate with you in equipping the body for ministry in God’s kingdom.
Peace,
Marty Susie
Director of Mission & Program Advancement
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Faith Enrichment Conference
Registration is OPEN!
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Based on his groundbreaking book, Becoming a Blessed Church, Graham Standish has helped hundreds of churches ground their churches spiritually so they can thrive in worship, ministry, and mission. His approach turned around a congregation that had declined for decades, as he led it to become a continually growing, thriving congregation.
Join us for Savannah Presbytery’s 45th Annual Faith Enrichment Conference, February 21-22nd, 2025, at Epworth by the Sea, Saint Simons Island, where he will share not only his approach to church transformation, but also newer insights and approaches he’s developed as a clergy spiritual director/coach and church consultant in helping pastors and churches thrive.
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Presbyterian Youth Triennium | |
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July 28-31, 2025
Louisville, KY
As if we were Dreaming
The theme for the 2025 Triennium is “As If We Were Dreaming…” (Psalm 126). Together, next summer – July 28-31 – thousands of Presbyterian young people will meet in Louisville, Kentucky for four incredible days of worship, recreation, group study and fellowship.
The Presbyterian Youth Triennium (PYT) is an ecumenical event hosted by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church that gathers high school age youth every 3 years. That means youth only get to go ONCE during their four years of high school! Triennium focuses on worship, disciple making, Christian compassion & justice and biblical/ theological education. It also helps youth take the next steps in their faith.
The 2025 preachers will be Rev. CeCe Armstrong, Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow, Rev. Dr. Peggy Jean Craig, and Rev. Dr. Jerry Cannon. Recreation will be led by Christian Antwi, Eric Dillenbeck, Omayra L. Gonzalez Mendez, and Joanna Wilkinson. The Nettletons 2.0 will be the Triennium Band.
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Montreat Youth Conference 2025 | |
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June 1-7, 2025
CALLING ALL HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH!
Rising 9th graders through graduating Seniors will not want to miss this opportunity to affirm their call to be and to shape the church of Jesus Christ at the 2025 Montreat Youth Conference!
Come to the mountains of North Carolina as part of the Savannah Presbytery delegation to a place unlike any other. Where authenticity, community, connection, and God’s truth thrives, and youth come to know and believe they are God’s beloved. Montreat is an inclusive environment where each voice can be heard and each heart can be molded; where change is invited, challenge is expected, and all are embraced.
This summer, we will build an accepting community of unconditional love where every story matters. Through engaging worship, lively music, practices of gratitude and fun, we will offer youth different opportunities to cultivate their spiritual faith journeys and practice sabbath. We will provide a secure space that is loving, holy, and authentic so that we may glorify God in all that we do, inspiring and equipping a lifetime of faith.
A Typical Day At Montreat may include: Fun Energizers, Small Groups, Inspiring Worship, Outdoor Events, Lookout Mountain, My Father’s Pizza, Back Home Time and much more!
Youth leave Montreat knowing:
- Their faith matters.
- They are loved as they are.
- They are part of a community of faith.
Deadlines:
November 15, 2024 – Registration Form & $340 deposit
March 7, 2025 – $300 balance
The registration form is to be completed by parents or guardians for each youth participant
- We will gladly take your registration fees BEFORE the dates listed above.
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We want anyone who wants to participate to be able to do so! Scholarships are available through the Savannah Presbytery Brietenhirt Fund. Contact Marty Susie for more information on scholarships: msusie1@savannahpresbytery.org
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DON'T FORGET REGISTER NOW TO SAVE YOUR SPOT
June 15 - 20, 2025
Camp Montgomery, Starke FL
Children & Youth ages 8-17 years
$585 per camper
Registration is open NOW
with an Early Bird Discount of $50 until November 30th
to save your camper’s spot!
When registering be sure to:
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Choose Session 1: June 15-20
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Choose Discovery Camp (8-11 year-olds) or Challenge Camp (12-17)
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Complete the HOME CHURCH form
Save YOUR camper's spot for Camp Montgomery at the button below
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What’s NEW for 2025?
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Campers will be from multiple PC(USA) churches & presbyteries!
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We’ve added a day to the length of Camp Week! (now 5 nights/6 days)
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Early Bird (until Nov. 30th) and Sibling Discounts are available!
- Tiered Pricing format!
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Registration is open NOW! **To guarantee a spot, campers need to register and pay a $50 deposit ASAP!
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We are a Matthew 25 Presbytery | |
Savannah Presbytery has officially registered with the Presbyterian Mission Agency on October 23rd as a Matthew 25 Mid-Council! We will continue to share stories from our congregations of Matthew 25 Moments - the work that we are confident all our congregations do - bringing God’s kingdom here to earth. We invite you to consider exploring Matthew 25 through the Bible Study attached below | |
A Note from Stated Clerk, Jihyun Oh | |
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I’m just dropping a quick email to say that I have been and am praying for you and for the presbytery as y’all continue to recover from the hurricane. I know that PDA staff have been in contact to work alongside you and support you as you need.
I also wanted to share a letter sent to us by our partners in the Presbyterian Church of Taiwan, their Moderator of the 69th General Assembly Rev. Fuyan Suda and General Secretary Rev. Chen Hsin-Liang. They wanted to share their care and prayers for our church members and leaders in this difficult time even as they were watching the movement of Typhoon Krathon go across Taiwan.
I hope you feel upheld by prayers and support across the denomination and across the globe,
Rev. Jihyun Oh (she/her/hers)
Stated Clerk
General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
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David LaMotte @ First, Fernandina Beach | |
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Join us for a weekend with David LaMotte on Friday night November 8 and Saturday, November 9th.
Beloved by Presbyterians and world renowned, David will be performing a concert at FPC on Friday night at 7 PM and on Saturday from 9 am to 12 he is presenting a workshop on being neighbors, being together as the body of Christ, and how we are changing the world simply by being in it.
Join us for a time of fun, fellowship, and learning!
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Rev. Pete Ullmann, Jesup, has accepted a call to serve as the installed pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Huntsville, Tennessee. His final Sunday with the congregation will be December 22. He will continue in his role as Presbytery Moderator until this date.
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In last month’s newsletter we welcomed Rev. Dr. Daniel De Beer to membership in the presbytery and his position of Interim Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Savannah but we called his wife by the wrong name. Please welcome Annette!
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Special Offering for
Montreat Conference Center
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At the Fall Stated Meeting, participants gave $1108 to help with recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene. Additional contributions may be made by sending checks to the presbytery office marked or through our online giving portal selecting “Montreat DONATION” | |
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Happy 134th Anniversary to
Vidalia Presbyterian Church
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The Vidalia church overcame challenges in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene to host a special anniversary celebration which was attended by its four most recent pastors. L to R: Rev. Jay and Barbara Warthen, Rev. Kevin and Melinda Hicks, Rev. Russell and Kathy Gladding, Rev. Ron and Melisha Gilreath | |
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How can you help your congregations
stay informed on Savannah Presbytery happenings?
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Share our newsletter with your members by…
- Sharing this link in your emails to members:
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