May Newsletter

Director's Corner

Dear Friends in Christ,

As many of you know, last Sunday, April 27 marked my retirement after serving 30 years as pastor and head of staff at First Presbyterian Church, St. Marys. I plan to also retire from my position with the presbytery once the Interim Director of Pastoral and Ecclesial Care is named and a smooth transition occurs.

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity of serving the presbytery as we navigated together this new model of mid-council leadership and the privilege and joy of working alongside Deanie, Andy, Marty, and Doug. It has been a true blessing and I am deeply thankful for their partnership in ministry.

Cathy and I plan to remain in St. Marys and look forward to our continued service in the life and mission of Savannah Presbytery, as well as enjoying this new chapter of our lives with our family and friends, including our two precious grandchildren.

With love and gratitude,

Rick

(Pictured L to R: Rev. Ben and Tammy Beasley, Rev. Rick and Cathy Douylliez, Rev. Deanie Strength)

Spring Stated Meeting

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

hosted by:

Butler Memorial Presbyterian Church

Savannah, GA

Lunch at 11:00am with meeting to follow at 12:00pm

Agenda Items

Worship with Rev. Rachel Rhodes, St. Simons, preaching

Retirement Liturgy for Rev. Jann Briscoe, Rev. Rick Douylliez, Rev. Dr. Ricky Porter

Vote on Proposed Amendments to The Book of Order

Examination of an Inquirer Seeking Status as a Candidate

Special Guests

Cindy Howell, Insurance Board, will have a table in the church's conference room to visit with attendees who have questions about insurance coverage for churches. Savannah Presbytery's policies are with Insurance Board.

For those who plan to eat lunch at 11:00am, please be courteous to our

host church and register for lunch by Wednesday, May 14th.

In-Person Registration Link

Zoom Registration Link

Proposed Amendments

to the PCUSA Book of Order

Savannah Presbytery’s minister members and commissioners will vote at the Spring Stated Meeting (Tuesday, May 20) on the proposed amendments to the Book of Order. These proposed amendments were approved by the 226th General Assembly at its gathering in Salt Lake City in the Summer of 2024, but a majority of presbyteries must approve an amendment for it to be entered into the Book of Order.

A complete list of amendments with Background, Rationale, and Advice from PCUSA entities may be found at: https://www.pcusa.org/resource/proposed-amendments-constitution

A vote tally of presbytery’s that have undertaken their vote is updated every other week:

https://prod-pc-biz-media.s3.amazonaws.com/media/Uploads/37b26f78-167a-437e-9bd2-684b9301ced4/GA_Voting_Report_Totals-5.pdf

Around the Presbytery

District One Clerks' Meeting

To Review 2024 Minutes

Saturday, May 3^rd

10:00 AM

Click Here for Details and How to RSVP

Search for Interim Director of Pastoral and Ecclesial Care

The Search Committee interviewing candidates for the position includes:

Elder Marti Stein (Presbytery Moderator), First Savannah – Council

Rev. Jon Hauerwas (Council Chair), Skidaway – Personnel

Elder Rodney Denmark (Trained Ruling Elder-TRE), Richmond Hill- District 1

Elder Barbara Riddle (PW Moderator), Henry Memorial – District 2

Rev. Doug Craven (S & F Chair), First Darien – District 3

The field of candidates is very strong and the committee's recommendation will go to the Council for approval at the appropriate time.

White Bluff Presbyterian Church

Celebrates 280th Celebration

Sunday, May 4th - Former Pastors Eric Beene and Carol Cash & Family Picnic
Saturday, May 10th - Community Forum Reconciliation and Peacebuilding (Hosted by Columbia Theological Seminary & Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary)
Sunday, May 11th - Rev. Dr. Paul Roberts, Rev. Dr. Victor Aloyo (Hosted by Columbia Theological Seminary & Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary)
Saturday, May 17th - Community Celebration of 280 years
Sunday, May 18th - Pastor Bob Brearley & Boy Scout Reunion

June School of the Laity

Click Here to Register

Matthew 25 Moments

First, Statesboro

First Presbyterian Statesboro became Savannah Presbytery’s first M25 Congregation prior to the pandemic. Elder Doty Dunn shared they began living into the vision by focusing on each of the three areas of the Matthew 25 initiative. They studied M25 together as a church to gain a better understanding of each area through their pastor’s sermons, Wednesday night studies and teaching their children and youth about what being a Matthew 25 church means. They renamed their mission committee the Matthew 25 Committee and now use Matthew 25 as a measuring stick for the work and programming of our church.

Click the button below to read the article by Lindsey Gribble,

Co-chair of First Statesboro’s Matthew 25 Committee, to learn how they live out Matthew 25 in tangible ways!

Article by Lindsey Gribble, First, Statesboro

Items Available from St. Simons

St. Simons Presbyterian Church has a temporary stage and baptismal font looking for a new home. If your church is interested in these items please contact David Keen, Facility Manager at SSPC.

David Keen

david@sspres.org

Office: 912-638-2220

Mobile: 678-910-3062

The stage consists of the following:

4 - 3’ x 8’ x 32” high platforms
4 - 3’ x 8’ x 18” high platforms
3 - 1.5’ x 5’ x 23” high side platforms
1 - 1.5’ x 5’ x 8” high front platform

All of these platforms can be connected to each other or set up individually. A dolly comes with the stage where the platforms can be folded up and stored.