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The presider at the communion table proclaims,
“These are the gifts of God for the people of God.”
In our faith tradition, the presider or celebrant, is ordinarily a pastor, an ordained teaching elder. We Presbyterians are discovering that it is increasingly difficult to celebrate the Lord’s Supper without someone to administer the sacrament, primarily because we have many congregations without full-time pastoral leadership. In each congregation, the session is responsible for administering the Lord’s Supper on a regular basis. Our Book of Order states that it is appropriate for the presbytery to authorize and train specific ruling elders to administer the Lord’s Supper in the “event of the absence of pastors” and “when it deems it necessary to meet the needs for the administration of the Sacrament.” (G-3.0301b and W-3.0410)
Next month, I will return to teach at our School of the Laity a class entitled, “Elements of Worship” where we explore the theological implications of the things we do in worship, as well as the liturgical implications of theology. This time however, a special emphasis will be placed on the Lord’s Supper with an intentional appeal for those wishing to be trained. It will be a “hands-on” worshipful experience that will acknowledge our faithfulness to God, vitality in Christ, and our responsiveness to the Spirit as our goal. The opportunity to eat and drink with Christ is such a privilege that it is given to ALL of us who come in faith, repentance, and love.
Our Presbyterian understanding of the church is built on shared responsibility and accountability. Sessions who are regularly challenged in obtaining leadership for sacrament celebration should encourage ruling elders to register for this course offering. Those who are interested in this training should register as an in-person participant.
Blessings,
Rick
Director of Pastoral and Ecclesial Care
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Friday, February 23, 2024 @ 12 pM
Winter Stated Meeting of Savannah Presbytery
(in-person ONLY)
Altama Presbyterian Church
Brunswick, GA
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The Winter Stated Meeting will be a moving time to be together. The meeting will begin with lunch (noon) at Altama Presbyterian Church’s impressive new property in Brunswick (100 Marsh Drive) just down the street from the presbytery’s former office building. The day’s worship will include a sermon from guest preacher, Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett and the installation of Rev. Jamil el-Shair as the part-time pastor of the Altama congregation after his serving a number of years as the part-time temporary pastor/stated supply. As it will also be four years to the date of the murder of Ahmaud Arbery in Brunswick, we will remember his life and dedicate ourselves to continue the ongoing journey for justice with liturgists from our Racial Justice Ministry Team.
This meeting will highlight a pillar of the Matthew 25 Vision of the PC(USA) – “Dismantling Structural Racism.” Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett, the Executive Director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, will be preaching.
To consider why your congregation might join the Matthew 25 Movement, please read Marty Susie’s reflection on her recent attendance at the Matthew 25 Summit located in this newsletter and gather a delegation from your church to attend the Stated Meeting in person.
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News For Clerks of Session | |
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The deadline to submit 2023 Congregational Statistics is
February 15.
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Join the Savannah Presbytery in a Lenten Prayer Practice as we work our way through a devotional series called "Wandering Heart." Using commentary, art, poetry and reflection, this series from The Sanctified Art will engage our whole presbytery in following the story of Peter as he tries to follow Jesus. Each day, the presbytery will post a devotional prompt on our Facebook page and Instagram with a more in-depth post on Sundays. You can also register your email with us to receive the devotions directly to your email inbox by clicking the link below. We encourage you to follow the Savannah Presbytery on social media and further engage with your fellow presbyters through comments and reflections on the posts. May we journey together.
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Learning & Discerning Matthew 25 | |
The PC(USA), through the work of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, held the first Matthew 25 Summit at New Life Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, GA in January. Click on the buttons to read conference reflections of three participants from Savannah Presbytery! | |
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One of the upcoming foci of the Matthew 25 Invitation is Eradicating Systemic Poverty.
What does that mean?
To understand the nature of poverty in our communities we need to consider and learn about the root causes. The PC(USA) is hosting a free book study on Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond. The Rev. Dr. Alonzo Johnson, Coordinator of the PC(USA) Self-Development of People ministry states, ““This book is very detailed and thorough in laying out the intersections of systemic poverty — everything from mental health, employment, gender, and a whole plethora of issues — and it is clear about the way the systems contribute to poverty in a way that is not partisan,” Johnson said. “This book is very approachable.”
The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Poverty, by America will take part in the kickoff of the four-week book study being held next month on February 5th. Registration is open now for the free online study. Discussions will continue each Monday in February at 7:30.
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Would you like to better equip your Deacons & Elders to help care for your congregation? | |
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Enroll in the School of the Laity elective Congregational Care course led by Rev. Jamil el-Shair, pastor of Altama Presbyterian, and Chaplain Jarda Alexander, a Clinical Pastoral Education Supervisor at the Atlanta Veterans Administration.
“The church is a family of siblings in Christ. In our family people experience hurt and loss. We experience disruption of our normal way of being. When this happens, we want to and are called to comfort one another. In this Congregational Care course, you will be introduced to being present with someone, discerning their story, how to listen, and how to facilitate a person discovering their spiritual resources that can help them on the journey to a new normal. A key challenge and outcome of the course will be to begin seeing your own story and its impact on your providing care for God’s beloved people.” -Rev. Jamil el-Shair
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Rev. Jamil el-Shair
Pastor of Altama Presbyterian
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Chaplain Jarda Alexander
Clinical Pastoral Education Supervisor at the Atlanta Veterans Administration
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Essential Elements of Worship
This course, led by Rev. Rick Douylliez, our Director of Pastoral & Ecclesial Care, focuses on what constitutes faithful Christian worship and explores the theological underpinnings of the key elements of worship including scripture, confession, prayer, music, sacraments, and sermon. Participants will learn to think critically about each element of worship and will dive into some tenets within Reformed theology.
There will be a special emphasis on the Sacrament of Communion.
"In our faith tradition, the presider or celebrant, is ordinarily a pastor, an ordained teaching elder. We Presbyterians are discovering that it is increasingly difficult to celebrate the Lord’s Supper without someone to administer the sacrament, primarily because we have many congregations without full-time pastoral leadership. In each congregation, the session is responsible for administering the Lord’s Supper on a regular basis. Our Book of Order states that it is appropriate for the presbytery to authorize and train specific ruling elders to administer the Lord’s Supper in the “event of the absence of pastors” and “when it deems it necessary to meet the needs for the administration of the Sacrament.” (G-3.0301b and W-3.0410)
Sessions who are regularly challenged in obtaining leadership for sacrament celebration should encourage ruling elders to register. Participants who are seeking this authorization are REQUIRED to attend IN-PERSON for this training.
Pre-course assignment:
Participants are required to read A More Profound Alleluia; Theology and Worship in Harmony by Leanne Van Dyk.
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An Invitation from Central Presbyterian Church | |
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The Reverend Ms. Mary Jane Kerr Cornell of Central Presbyterian Church contacted Savannah Presbytery and shared that her congregation has joined with an ecumenical group of worshipping communities in the Atlanta/Decatur area that is working on the issue of gun violence in our state. She has volunteered to contact churches in Georgia who may be interested in contacting state officials advocating for them to pass legislation ensuring the safe ownership, storage, and usage of guns. The group has a resolution that states, “as people of faith, this continued gun violence, and the death, injury, and trauma that result from it, should be of particular concern to us” and “silence in the face of continuing gun violence at the very least violates God’s commandment that we love our neighbor as ourselves.”
If you have any questions or would like Rev. Cornell to contact you or your church, please click on the link below to let us know.
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City of Savannah to Dedicate Taylor Square | |
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Saturday, February 10th
Noon to 2pm
As the Director of the Susie King Taylor Women's Institute & Ecology Center, Hermina Glass-Hill, a member of the Midway Presbyterian Church, and the former Coordinator of the M.K. Pentecost Committee, has raised our awareness of Susie King Taylor within Savannah Presbytery.
The City of Savannah will dedicate Taylor Square, formerly known as Calhoun Square, on February 10, 2024 with a day-long event and sign unveiling.
The community celebration will begin at 11 a.m. with a dedication ceremony that will feature several speakers, musical acts, and clergy. Around noon, City officials and community members will unveil the new Taylor Square sign. The streets around Taylor Square will be closed to vehicle traffic from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
From noon to 2 p.m., a community celebration will be held in the square featuring local musical acts, dancers, as well as educational tables. In the evening, beginning at 6 p.m., there will be a reflection with libations and music.
Last week, in the first meeting of 2024, Savannah City Council approved the installation of a granite marker in Taylor Square which will note that the square was once named for U.S. Vice President John C. Calhoun who was a staunch supporter of slavery and will now be named for Susie King Taylor.
“This will be a momentous day for Savannah and for our nation,” Mayor Van R. Johnson, II said. “For the first time in our 290-year history, we will have a square name honoring a person of color, a woman, and a formerly enslaved person. I am proud of the work that has been done by our community and the Savannah City Council to adequately honor those who have too often been forgotten by history books. We’re excited for the unveiling event. We invite everyone to join us as we continue to make history.”
In November of 2022, the 139th City of Savannah Administration voted to remove the name of John C. Calhoun from the square. Following nearly a year-long process engaging the community, Savannah City Council voted in October of 2023 to rename the square in honor of Susie King Taylor.
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Looking for a Speaker for an Event at Your Church? | |
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The Synod of South Atlantic PW selected Daryl Mullee, Moderator of St. Augustine Presbytery PW in Florida, to be a participant in last year’s Presbyterian Women USA Mission Experience. It took place in October 2023. The group visited partners in Phoenix, Douglas, Tucson, and the Arizona-Mexico border, focusing on immigration and refugee issues, violence against women and children throughout the immigration process, and challenges facing indigenous people living in Arizona. For the next two years, Daryl will be available to groups/churches throughout the Synod of South Atlantic to share her experiences and insights gained.
If your church is interested in having her visit, please contact her at mulleedaryl@yahoo.com Cell (352) 246-1056. She resides in Gainesville, Florida.
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It's Time to Register for Summer Camp! | | |
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Registration is OPEN now through June 23, 2024
(Space is limited, especially for younger campers so register early!)
Who: Ages 8 through 17-year-olds
Where: Montgomery Conference Center, Starke FL
Cost: $410 per camper
Breitenhirt scholarships available!
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Summer Camp is a terrific way for children and youth to unplug from hectic schedules, to embrace God’s good creation in nature and to participate in experiences designed to enhance relationships with God, peers, and other Christian adults.
Savannah Presbytery will help facilitate transportation if needed.
During the registration process, families will be required to pay a $100 non- refundable deposit. The remaining monies due will be paid to Savannah Presbytery through your home churches before the June 23rd registration deadline. Canteen monies can be sent with transportation drivers/campers to place on their accounts upon arrival.
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2024 Association of Smaller Congregations | |
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The 2024 Association of Smaller Congregations’ conference will be held at Epworth-by-the-Sea on St. Simons Island from February 29th through March 3rd. This year’s gathering will again be an invaluable time of fellowship, sharing ideas, encouragement, and growing together.
This year’s theme is “The Gift of Small” with Mark Tidsworth of Pinnacle Leadership as the keynote speaker.
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Presbyterian College Scholarship | |
An $80,000 Scholarship over 4 years for all students who are Presbyterian
The Presbyterian Promise Scholarship is a commitment by Presbyterian College (PC) to recognize students for their merit and affiliation with the Presbyterian Church. PC seeks to develop students academically and spiritually in this signature scholarship. Students who are members of Presbyterian churches, or who attend Presbyterian/Reformed secondary schools, will receive a scholarship for a minimum of $20,000 per year for up to four years—that’s an $80,000 commitment to you.
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2024 Federal Mileage Rates Per IRS memo | |
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IR-2023-239, Dec. 14, 2023
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today issued the 2024 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.
Beginning on Jan. 1, 2024, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be:
- 67 cents per mile driven for business use, up 1.5 cents from 2023.
- 21 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes for qualified active-duty members of the Armed Forces, a decrease of 1 cent from 2023.
- 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations; the rate is set by statute and remains unchanged from 2023.
These rates apply to electric and hybrid-electric automobiles as well as gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles.
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Join us Sunday, February 25th, following the Winter Stated Meeting and the Faith Enrichment Conference, as we ‘resurrect’ an old favorite –
the Savannah Presbytery Pulpit Exchange.
With all that is going on that week, who has time to prepare a sermon? Instead, pull out a beloved homily and preach it to an eager audience at a different church and live out the connectional nature of our presbytery.
If you and your church are interested in signing up, please contact Rev. Andy Meeker (andymeeker@savannahpresbytery.org) by February 9th.
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We are looking for a good home for this communion ware from the former Christ Presbyterian Church in Pooler. The set includes 4 each of Communion cup trays and patens for bread, covers for each, two liquid wax candles and one cross, all with brass finish.
Anyone who might be interested can contact me andymeeker@savannahpresbytery.org; 912-658-2496
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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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