“What Then Shall We Say About a New Year?”
Reflection by Diane Wilson, Teaching Elder, Moderator-Elect
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What then shall we say about this new year of 2019?
As one who completed an interim pastor position in June, attended the Moderators' Conference in Louisville November 15-17, moved into a new home with my husband and two cats Thanksgiving week, and began a new pastoral position at First Presbyterian Church of Starke on December 2, 2018, there is no question that 2018 was eventful for me. It was both exciting and stressful, filled with farewells, firsts, and new beginnings, so it will be interesting to see what 2019 brings.
Still. the most stabilizing factor for me through this time has been God’s word, especially as we celebrated the beginning of a new church year through the Season of Advent, a time of “looking forward” with hopeful anticipation.
During Advent, as I thought about the cast of characters who surrounded our Savior’s birth, I came to better appreciate them. They were ordinary people like us going about their ordinary lives when, suddenly out of nowhere, God breaks into their lives and their worlds and changes them.
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Winter Stated Meeting
February 9 at Highlands United Presbyterian Church
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H
ighlands United Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville is set to host our Winter Stated Meeting on
Saturday, February 9 at 9:00 a.m
. Join us as we worship and fellowship together, meet new minister members, share ministry highlights, conduct official business, and install Diane Wilson as Moderator. David Lee, Pastor of Highlands United, will be our morning preacher.
We will also be commissioning the team leaving for Cuba on February 14, and collecting donations of needed over-the-counter medical supplies (see the Mutual Mission Update below for details). Lunch will be provided at a cost of $10 per person (cash or check payable at the door to Highlands United Presbyterian Church).
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Mark Your Calendar for the Upcoming
Stated Meetings in May and October!
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M
ake note of the upcoming Stated Meeting dates:
- Spring - Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. at Montgomery
- Fall - Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. at Montgomery
Be sure to share this information with church staff, ministers, and session members who may attend the upcoming meetings. Disregard any notices previously shared that contained different dates.
Click here for a flyer with the dates.
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Vote Coming Up on Constitutional Amendments
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O
ur presbytery will vote on proposed amendments to the Book of Order as a part of the Winter Stated Meeting to be held on February 9. These amendments were approved last summer at the 223rd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). As soon as we have voted, our Stated Clerk will report our response to the Office of General Assembly. A majority of the presbyteries must approve each amendment for that particular amendment to become part of the Book of Order. Commissioners and others may find information about the amendments by clicking on the button below and are welcome to email or call our Stated Clerk, Sandra Hedrick, for more information. Her email is
sandra@staugpres.org
, and her cell phone number is (904) 612-9766.
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Statistical Reporting Deadline is February 14!
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Thank you to all of our session clerks who are entering your church's statistical information into the portal on the website of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)! As of the date of this newsletter, 10% of our congregations have completed the report. One of the best benefits of keeping this information current is to pay your "per capita" based on accurate membership numbers. The portal will remain open until February 14, 2019. Please reach out to Nancy Brown [
nbrown@staugpres.org / (904) 733-8277 ext. 123] or Sandra Hedrick [
sandra@staugpres.org / (904) 612-9766] if you have questions or need assistance.
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New Subscribers Welcome!
Our presbytery notices and news (including this newsletter) are sent to all presbytery committee, team and commission members and other individuals who subscribe. Examples of notices that we share include meetings and special events, minister ordinations and installations, and deaths, and church events. Session moderators and clerks are encouraged to send an email to
Marigrace Doran with the names and email addresses of session members and other church leaders who may like to receive our news. There is also an option to suggest that someone subscribe by using the email list sign up link on the bottom of our home page or using the button below.
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Our Presbytery Welcomes Jo Anne Dyson as Pastor, Fort King
F
ort
King Presbyterian Church, Ocala, is pleased to welcome the Rev. Jo Anne Dyson as its Pastor. She began serving with Fort King on January 8, 2019. Jo Anne is transferring from Colorado, but she has served in numerous locations in the Southeastern United States, including spending a year (long ago!) as youth minister at South Jacksonville Presbyterian Church. A graduate of Union Theological Seminary in Virginia, Jo Anne has experience as a pastor, a hospice chaplain, and a college instructor. Jo Anne’s family includes her college-aged daughter Glenna, her mother Ann (who will live with her part of the year), and a cat who also made the trip to Ocala. We look forward to meeting Jo Anne at the February meeting. As Jo Anne begins her ministry at Ft. King, we also thank David McChesney and Marianne Niesen who are completing their interim ministry there.
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Don McGarity is now Area Relationship Coordinator for “Area One”
T
hank you to Don McGarity who is now serving as an area relationship coordinator for “Area One,” which includes congregations and ministers in the Gainesville area and the presbytery’s western vicinity.
Don is a retired teaching elder who has joyfully served our presbytery for 34 years, both as a pastor and, after retirement, as a stated supply pastor. Last year, he completed six years as stated supply pastor at First Presbyterian, Starke. He looks forward to continuing to serve the presbytery as an area relationship coordinator and getting to know the pastors and churches in “Area One.” Don also enjoys playing timpani with the Gainesville Pops. Don joins fellow area relationship coordinators Rhonda Link-Cummings, Craig Davies, and Joe Rigsby in this important role of helping pastors and congregations stay connected and nurture healthy relationships in ministry.
Click here
to view the churches served in each area.
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Orientation and Healthy Boundaries
Training on February 12
M
inister members who have come into the presbytery since January 2016 and newly commissioned ruling elders will soon receive invitations to attend an orientation and healthy boundaries awareness event on Tuesday, February 12th from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm at First Presbyterian Church of Green Cove Springs. Rev. Sandra Hedrick and Rev. Larry Green will lead the healthy boundaries workshop portion of the event.
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Cuba
On February 14th, these seven members of our Presbytery will leave for a week-long visit to the Matanzas Presbytery of the Iglesia Presbyterian Reformata de Cuba:
- Diane Watkins, First, Fernandina, Group Leader
- Pat Crews, Middleburg
- Martha Shafer, Hodges Blvd.
- Donna Mountain, St. Giles
- Rev. Wain Wesberry, First, Fernandina
- Rev. Amy Camp, Memorial
- Rev. Joe Medearis, Peace and Arlington
The team will be visiting with six congregations and with the leadership of the Matanzas Presbytery to continue discerning whether it may be appropriate to develop a partnership with these Presbyterian brothers and sisters. The team will be delivering filters to two of the churches that are needed for use in the Living Waters systems.
We also would like to bring gifts of needed over-the-counter medical supplies. These would include pain relievers, vitamins, digestive medications, and first aid supplies. If your congregation is interested in contributing, supplies can be brought to the February 9th Presbytery meeting. If each congregation could bring just 5 bottles of medications, that would be over 250 bottles for our friends in Cuba. Please contact Diane Watkins at
staugmm@gmail.com if you have any questions.
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Jamaica
O
n Saturday, January 5, the St. Augustine Mutual Mission (SAMM) executive team (Bob Bell, Diane Watkins, Pat Crews, and Mark Poole) met with the Jamaica Ecumenical Mutual Mission (JEMM) executive team to evaluate our relationship and consider new ways of doing mutual mission. We used an evaluation process developed by Presbyterian World Mission (PCUSA). Both executive groups agreed that going forward it is most important to emphasize the relationship aspect of our partnership. We discussed new ways of sharing the gospel through church to church partnerships, technology, bible studies, and music. We were excited to hear about JEMM’s plans to begin a project of raising castor bean plants that will produce castor oil. Castor oil is used in medicines, cosmetics, and the automotive industry. This project will give them a revenue stream to help them become more self-sustaining. Both partners thought that much was achieved in the meeting.
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Gratitude Service Held at Normandy Property
A
large white tent, folding chairs, and a group of 40 worshippers marked the spot for a Service of Gratitude held at 8084 Normandy Boulevard (Jacksonville) on December 29. Moderator Mary Mickel presided, and the Rev. J.W. Rigsby brought the message as the presbytery said goodbye to a building that has been home to two congregations.
Beginning in the 1960s, the building housed the Covenant Presbyterian Church, which was a new church development. After the Covenant church held its last service in 1999, the Iglesia Presbyteriana Nueva Esperanza began its ministry at the same site. During the worship service that was held in Spanish and English, many men and women shared their memories of worship and family life at the property. A message of hope, prayers of thanksgiving, and quite a few tears completed the service. The Nueva Esperanza church has been sharing space with the Kirkwood Church in Argyle Forest (Jacksonville) for several years. The building on Normandy is scheduled to be removed soon due to its age and condition and in order to help prepare the property for sale.
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Presbyterian Women Support Days for Girls
T
he Presbyterian Women have been busy cutting and sewing for Days for Girls. This wonderful mission has a goal of supplying every girl with sanitary supplies so she can attend school. We are supporting the Gainesville Sewing Room with supplies and volunteer hours. Faith Presbyterian in Melrose opened their Satellite Sewing Room in November (pictured). For now, the sewing room is open once a week. The former Highlands Church in Gainesville is housing the Gainesville Sewing Room, and an anonymous donor pays the room rental. Not only does DFG help in developing countries, but it is giving supplies to homeless women in Gainesville as well. This
Together in Service
mission has brought women together for a hands-on mission project that will truly yield dividends.
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Montgomery Update
E
xcuse our mess! With the new year comes new improvements, and, in the coming weeks, we will begin capital improvements to the dining hall and the office, regrading the road and parking area, and security lighting throughout the property. While the work is ongoing, we are open and accepting reservations! Come see what’s happening at Montgomery and meet our new Culinary Director, Jared Lane. Jared joined the full-time staff in November and is quickly changing the culinary program with his new and innovative ideas.
Did you know that we can plan your program for you? If you are looking for a place to hold a meeting, a conference or a retreat, did you know that we can plan everything - programming, speakers, and dining options - for you from start to finish? All you have to do is show up! As you think about your programming needs this year, give Montgomery a call and allow us an opportunity to work with you on your event. Lexi Green can be reached at
lexi@montgomerycenter.org
or (352) 473-4516. Any new group reservations that are booked between now and the end of March will receive a 12% discount on rates.
Are you looking for summer camp programs for your children or grandchildren? We’ve just announced our summer program and have camps available for children starting at 2
nd
grade all the way through college. Or maybe you are looking for a retreat for your youth group? We’ve got that too! Take a look at our camp schedule for Summer 2019 at
www.montgomerycenter.org/summercamp
. The theme this year is “Overwhelm” and we challenge you to live an overwhelming life! Overwhelming with so much love, joy, grace, and faith that you shine as a lighthouse in the darkness. Join us this summer and explore how people throughout the Bible showed overwhelming faith and how we can do the same.
The Montgomery Center Board of Directors would like to invite you to join us for a Montgomery Work Day on
Saturday, March 9
from 10:00 a.m – 4:00 p.m. Please join us as we spend the day beautifying our grounds, painting cabins, building our new camp vegetable garden, cleaning gutters, building a BBQ pit and more! Grab your shovels, your work gloves, and your friends and come on out! Lunch will be provided. Please contact Maurie at
maurie@montgomerycenter.org
for more information.
Finally, SAVE THE DATE for
Saturday, April 6
, to celebrate our new beginning. Plan to spend the day at Montgomery for a BBQ luncheon at the outdoor kitchen, enjoy tours of the property and the new changes we are making, and learn more about our vision. Be on the lookout for more information. As we continue reimagining our future and the vision of Montgomery, we invite you to support us and become involved in our mission. Visit
https://montgomerycenter.org/donate/
i
f you would like to help shepherd in this new future and join our efforts.
If you would like to learn more about what is happening, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Maurie Dugger at
maurie@montgomerycenter.org
or Lexi Green at
lexi@montgomerycenter.org
. As we continue our outreach efforts, we’d love an opportunity to meet with you.
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Joint Ministry of Ft. Caroline Presbyterian Church
and Jim Dotson Foundation in the News!
O
n Christmas Day, the
Florida Times Union
published a feature story on the mobile food pantry which is a collaborative ministry of the nonprofit Jim Dotson Foundation and Ft. Caroline Presbyterian Church. Twice a month the food pantry distributes food, clothing and other needed items and serves a pancake breakfast cooked by the “Arlington Pancake Ladies.” They also offer breakfast for Arlington area police officers occasionally.
Click here
to read more about this ministry. To thank the church for their partnership, the foundation plans to assist with some painting and repairs. Thanks for caring for the vulnerable in our community and sharing in ministry together.
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6th Ecumenical Vespers in Northeast Florida
January 24, 2019 at 6:00 p.m., Southside United Methodist Church, Jacksonville
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ur presbytery family of churches and ministers is invited to this year's 6th Ecumenical Vespers in Northeast Florida which will be held at the Southside United Methodist Church. This event is a part of the 2019 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Our Stated Clerk, the Rev. Sandra Hedrick, will represent our presbytery and denomination in the worship service, which will be attended by Christians from many different faith traditions. The Rev. Chris Lieberman (our Relationship Coordination Director) and the Rev. Joyce Lieberman (Synod Executive and Stated Clerk) will also be attending. Past services have been an inspiration to all who long for more unity in the Body of Christ. Please consider whether you can attend and be part of this visible witness to our oneness in worship and service! F
or more details, please go to this website:
http://ecumenicalvespers.org/
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CTS Ministry Fundraising Luncheon
C
olumbia Theological Seminary invites you to a Partners in Ministry Fundraising Luncheon on Tuesday, February 26, 12-1 pm, at Riverside Presbyterian Church. Hear from CTS President Leanne Van Dyk, current students and staff about how they are educating and nurturing faithful, imaginative and effective leaders for today’s church. For more information or to RSVP, contact Heidi Gleason, Director of Annual Giving, at
GleasonH@CTSnet.edu
or (404) 687-4588.
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Association of Smaller Congregations Retreat
T
he registration deadline for the upcoming 32nd Annual Conference and Retreat sponsored by the PC(USA) Association of Smaller Congregations is February 21, 2019. The retreat, designed for leaders of congregations with a membership under 200, will be held
Friday, March 15 - Sunday, March 17, 2019
at Epworth-by-the-Sea, St. Simons Island, GA.
The Keynote speaker is
Kathryn Threadgill,
Associate for Vital Congregations, Presbyterian Mission Agency. The program will focus on the “7 Biblical Marks of Vital Small Churches.” It is designed to uplift and support smaller congregations, offering tools and opportunity for fellowship. Take time to re-energize and re-focus! Details and registration information can be found in the registration packet linked below
.
Contact Chris Lieberman at
chris@staugpres.org
if you have questions.
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Registration for the 2019 Youth Triennium is Now Open!
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resbyterian Youth Triennium is a gathering for high school age youth from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Many youth have said it changed their lives and is one of the best things that the church does. The 2019 event is July 16-20, 2019 at Purdue University.
Please help us identify and encourage youth from your congregation to be part of this exciting once-every-three-year event. Help youth – and their families – follow these three basic steps
:
Step 1
- Decide that you can attend the 2019 Youth Triennium (July 16th – July 20th at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana), and have the church session endorse your participation and make a plan for funding the experience.
In the first box “Delegation/Name,” scroll down and select “St. Augustine Presbytery / Chris Lieberman."
Step 3
- Send your Triennium Deposit to the Presbytery, and complete final payments.
The good news is that twice as many Youth may be attending from our Presbytery. Please help us make sure no one is left out because they weren’t invited.
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New Seminary Debt Assistance Program for Temporary/Part-Time Pastors
The Presbyterian Mission Agency is offering a new type of program to help with seminary debt assistance. The Transformational Leadership Debt Assistance program is making forgivable loans available to teaching elders in temporary or part-time calls with loan proceeds paid to the borrower’s student loan servicer.
Click here
to find more information about the Transformational Leadership Debt Assistance program and specific eligibility requirements.
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Calendar
- January 24 (6:00 p.m.) - 6th Ecumenical Vespers in Northeast Florida, Southside United Methodist Church, Jacksonville
- January 26 (8:30 a.m.) - Annual Gathering of the Presbyterian Women, Trinity Presbyterian Church, Palm Coast
- February 9 (9:00 a.m.) - Winter Stated Meeting of the Presbytery at Highlands Presbyterian Church, Jacksonville
- February 14 - 21 - Mutual Mission Cuba Mission Trip
- February 26 (12:00 p.m.) - CTS Ministry Fundraising Luncheon, Riverside Presbyterian Church
- March 9 (10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.) - Montgomery Work Day
- March 10 - 16 - Jamaica Medical / Dental and Housing Mission Trip
- March 15 - 17 - Association of Smaller Congregations Conference and Retreat, Epworth-by-the-Sea, St. Simons Island, GA
- April 6 – BBQ Luncheon at Montgomery Presbyterian Conference Center
- April 21 - Easter Sunday!
- May 7 (9:00 a.m.) - Spring Stated Meeting of the Presbytery at Montgomery
- May 22 (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) - Engaging Aging in Today's World Conference, St. Leo Abbey, Tampa
- June 16 - Camp Montgomery Summer Camp begins (registration is now open)
- July 16 - 20 - Presbyterian Youth Triennium 2019, Purdue University
- October 1 (9:00 a.m.) - Fall Stated Meeting of the Presbytery at Montgomery
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Celebrating With You!
If you are celebrating a milestone anniversary as a congregation or in years of ordination as a Minister of Word and Sacrament, please let us know. Email
Marigrace Doran
so that we can include your milestone in The Connection.
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The Presbytery of St. Augustine Connection Newsletter is a publication of the Presbytery of St. Augustine. It is written and designed by Communications Coordinator Marigrace Doran. Editorial assistance is provided by Stated Clerk Sandra Hedrick, Relationship Coordinator Director Chris Lieberman, and other presbytery leaders.
Masthead photo by Will Barnwell
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The mission of the Presbytery of St. Augustine is to support our faith community, so that together we may witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
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