Director's Corner

As we all know by now, Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida in the late evening hours on September 26th as a very dangerous category 4 storm bringing winds of 140 mph to the Big Bend area of Florida, not far from where I grew up. The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, developed in 1971 by civil engineer Herbert Saffir and meteorologist Robert Simpson divides storms according to sustained wind intensity to explain storms on a scale similar to the Richter scale for earthquakes. 

The impact of Helene has been felt across multiple states. With the storm surge, wind damage, and flooding, it is crucial to have the necessary resources to support the many communities that are affected, including of course our own congregations of Savannah Presbytery. As your Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) Point of Contact, I am hearing first-hand reports of devastating damage in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Here in our own presbytery, three churches thus far have reported damage, Iglesia Latina, First, Douglas, and Henry Memorial. 

We are in communication with these affected churches through PDA and the Georgia VOAD(Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) to share information and coordinate resources as damage is assessed. PDA has deployed a National Response Team to Tampa Bay Presbytery, Presbytery of Western North Carolina and Northeast Georgia Presbytery. Several initial assistance grant requests are in the works for our own affected congregations. We are also ready to receive additional requests to help respond to the needs of our faith communities.

In addition, our PCUSA Board of Pensions through the Assistance Program is ready to help with Natural Disaster Grants of $1,000 for affected church employees. Separately, need-based Emergency Assistance Grants may help Benefits Plan members as well as pensioners and surviving spouses. 

For more information, please call me at 912-674-0142 or email rdouylliez@savannahpresbytery.org.

AND… please remember, your generous monetary gifts to PDA will always bring hope and encouragement!

Rev. Rick Douylliez 

Director of Pastoral and Ecclesial Care

Fall Stated Meeting Save the Date

Presbytery leaders will determine on Monday, October 7 if conditions have improved to allow our Stated Meeting to proceed as planned. Please stay tuned for updates.

Tuesday, October 15 at Henry Memorial Presbyterian Church

(With volunteers from both Henry Memorial and Washington Street Presbyterian Churches)

Small Churches:

God Doing Extraordinary Things Through Ordinary People

Rev. Josh McKenna, Flemington - preaching

• 10:30 AM - Registration
• 11:00 AM - Lunch
• Noon - Worship/ Meeting
• 2:30 PM - Adjourn

This meeting will be hybrid. You can find registration buttons for both in-person and zoom below.

Childcare is available if the request is made by Monday, October 7. Please reach out to Pastor Cathy Belles: bellescatherine@gmail.com

Vegetarian meal options will be available.

Henry Memorial PC is fully accessible. The lunch will be hosted in the Christian Life Center which does not have steps. There is an exterior ramp and an interior chair lift to the sanctuary.

PDA Grant

Last month, tropical storm Debby, following a similar path as hurricane Helene, impacted our region with some winds and localized flooding. My congregation, Wilmington Island Presbyterian Church, lost 8-10 trees in a low-lying part of our campus, and these trees did some damage to our campus playground. 

All that seems ancient history as the impact of Helene is made known; there has been so much destruction and loss! We realize that with both Debby and Helene, we have been spared, relatively speaking. Sure, losing power and internet for 3-4 days, having to dodge a few trees blocking roads and cleaning up all the branches and pine cones has not been fun, but compared to the devastation in other parts of the southeast, the worst I can say is that we have been inconvenienced. 

Following Debby, we were blessed to have Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) to assist us. With the help Director of Ecclesial and Pastoral Care, Rick Douylliez, and David Woodburn, a volunteer with PDA’s National Response Team and member of Henry Memorial Presbyterian Church, we were able to quickly secure a $5,000 grant to assist us in our cleanup of the downed trees.

And PDA continues to be there to help our churches and communities clean up and rebuild after Helene. Please reach out to Rick, and he can get the process started for an Emergency Relief Grant that can be used to help your church get back to work, back to being the Light of Christ to the world, back to providing a beacon of hope in troubled times.

It is good to know that when a natural disaster strikes, our connectional church will be there with hope, guidance and even financial support. Thanks be to God!

Rev. Andy Meeker

Synod of South Atlantic News

Green Team

The GIPL (Georgia Interfaith Power & Light) Green Team Summit was held at First Presbyterian Savannah and had a Savannah Presbytery panelist- Cathy Douylliez, MK Pentecost Ecology Fund Coordinator- and was well attended. Workshops included how churches can start Green Teams, advocate for the North Atlantic Right Whales, Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge and Blake Plateau, create community gardens and get involved in a new initiative to create Resilience Hubs in which churches prepare to provide essential resources in the event of an emergency. What wonderful work of the Spirit in caring for all of God's good creation.

General Assembly in Brief

Remembering the Saints

Remembering the Saints 

Pastors, Elders, and Deacons who have died in the past year.

Please submit, name, photo, and a brief biography to:

rdouylliez@savannahpresbytery.org and martistein@gmail.com

by Thursday, October 10th

A New Matthew 25 Church!

Second Brunswick’s Session approved a recommendation to become a Matthew 25 Church! They join First Presbyterian Statesboro and Butler Memorial in affirming that the work in which they are engaged is the work of Matthew 25.

Skidaway Community Church

SCC Fall '24 Community Lecture Series To ExploreSounds of the Spirit

Skidaway Community Church is pleased to announce the schedule and theme for its Fall '24 Community Lecture Series:  Sounds of the Spirit.  Exploring the connection between music in worship and how that link has transformed over time, interactive programs will be held from 6:45p.m. to 8:00p.m. on the first four Wednesdays in October.

Beginning on October 2 and continuing through October 23, Sounds of the Spirit will consider:

Week 1... Classic Hymns (Holy, Holy, Holy/Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee); 

Week 2... Spirituals, Black Gospel and Contemporary Music Expressions in the Black Church  (Swing Low Sweet Chariot/Precious Lord, Take My Hand);

Week 3...Southern Gospel (Amazing Grace/Old Rugged Cross);                                                  

Week 4...Modern Christian Music Expressions  (Taize, Iona, Praise, Worship).  

Each Wednesday session will display and expand upon these treasured traditions through presentations and discussions guided by Pastor Jon Hauerwas, Series Organizer Karen Evans and guest speakers.

The Fall Lecture Series continues SCC's commitment to create and offer opportunities to engage with the greater Skidaway Island community in shared exchanges. Recent Series have explored tenets and traditions of the world's foremost Abrahamic religions, as well as lesser-known faiths. Led by a roster of esteemed local faith leaders, participants repeatedly credited these dialogues with delivering greater understanding of and appreciation for similarities and differences among varied faiths.

According to Pastor Hauerwas, "SCC welcomes this new opportunity to join with our Skidaway Island friends and neighbors in learning how music and worship have intertwined over the ages. Like earlier themes, we expect Sounds of the Spirit to inspire both individual and collective insights. All are Welcome. Please join us."

Registration for the free Fall '24 Series is requested and open at skidcc.org. Complimentary desserts will be provided prior to the start of each Wednesday program by OVERFLOW: Coffee with a Purpose, a SCC ministry supporting Savannah-area residents experiencing housing and/or food insecurities. Ample and accessible campus parking is located immediately adjacent to Liston Hall.

Presbyterian Women

Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry

Webinar on new older adult ministry resource

October 10, 2 p.m. ET

Learn about POAMN’s new online resource for older adult ministry leaders launched earlier this year. “Expressions of Older Adult Ministry” covers guiding principles for serving with older adults, a reformed theology framework, and a multitude of practical ideas you can implement in your context. Take a glimpse at the instructional videos, interviews with ministry leaders, and written materials available now. Explore the resources, meet others who are in ministry with older adults, and ask questions. Miatta Wilson from the PCUSA Office of Christian Formation, POAMN's partner in creating the resource, will lead this conversation. 



Register at https://poamn.org/expressions-webinar/  

Presbytery-wide Book Study!

Poverty by America Book Study

We are offering a presbytery-wide study on the book Poverty by America written by Matthew Desmond.

Desmond grew up poor in Winslow, Arizona. His father was a pastor, and the family struggled financially. Eventually the bank repossessed their home. “I think that experience of seeing my family pressed and stressed by the pressures of poverty led me to ask, ‘Why do we have so much poverty in America?’” Desmond said of the wealthiest nation on Earth, where 1 in 9 people live below the poverty line and tens of millions more people are just getting by just above the line.

Participants will be asked to read assigned chapters and have opportunity to gather on consecutive Thursday evenings from 7:00-8:15 PM for discussion via Zoom. In small groups, participants can expect to explore a handful of questions.

Our schedule will be:

October 3rd: Prologue, Chapters 1 & 2

October 10th: Chapters 3 & 4

October 17th: Chapters 5, 6 & 7

October 24th: Chapters 8, 9 & Epilogue

Montreat Youth Conference 2025

Please continue to keep the Town of Montreat and Montreat Conference Center as well as all of Western North Carolina in your prayers as they begin to recover from Hurricane Helene as well.

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 1, 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.
• 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

Summer Camp 2025

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 30^th

to save your camper’s spot! 

When registering be sure to:

1. Choose Session 1: June 15-20
2. Choose Discovery Camp (8-11 year-olds) or Challenge Camp (12-17)
3. Complete the HOME CHURCH form 

Save YOUR camper's spot for Camp Montgomery at the button below

What’s NEW for 2025?

• Campers will be from multiple PC(USA) churches & presbyteries!
• We’ve added a day to the length of Camp Week! (now 5 nights/6 days)
• Early Bird (until Nov. 30th) and Sibling Discounts are available!
• Tiered Pricing format!
• Registration is open NOW! **To guarantee a spot, campers need to register and pay a $50 deposit ASAP!
• Summer Camp InformaZoom: September 5th, 7-8 PM

SOAP Conference

Faith Enrichment Conference

COLA 2025

The Presbytery Council has voted to apply the 2025 COLA to staff salaries. The Personnel Committee encourages church sessions to consider doing the same for its employees.

Richmond Hill

Bluegrass Band Champions

PC(USA) Evangelism Conference

A Way to Support Those Affected by War in Ukraine

Dear Friends,



It’s hard to believe that two and a half years have passed since the onset of the war in Ukraine. For those of us who live in peace, it’s challenging to fully grasp the profound impact this conflict has had on those caught in its midst—especially the children. Each time we travel to Ukraine, we return home with the same overwhelming feeling: We truly know nothing of war. Our experiences are fleeting. We can’t begin to comprehend the daily struggles of children who have spent the last two and a half years growing up in a war zone — or the parents raising them amidst constant danger. All we can do is listen to their stories and do our best to support them.

Here are some stories we’ve heard. They are stories of resilience and courage:

“Camino”

A Presbyterian-Related Ministry Providing Humanitarian Aid in Ukraine

Rev. Dr. Cathy Belles, Henry Memorial Presbyterian Church

Saturday, April 20, 2024, (NPO) Camino’s director, Jan Dus, presented a one hourPowerPoint discussion for a small group gathered at Henry Memorial Presbyterian Church in Dublin. 

Dus is a Presbyterian pastor from the Czech Republic and a founder of the Christian humanitarian organization Camino. Camino is a Christian humanitarian organization legally registered in the Czech Republic. Its founders are Dr. Anna Dusova – a pharmacist and elder - and Pastor Jan Dus who are members of the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren (ECCB) in Policka, Czech Republic, which has very close ties with Presbyterian Church (USA). Camino was founded in 2022 with a twofold purpose - to provide humanitarian help in Ukraine and to organize service-tourism trips.

For the past two years, Camino has been providing humanitarian aid to people affected by the war in Ukraine. The need for aid and support in eastern Ukraine is dire.

Camino is proud to be a sponsored ministry of the Presbyterian Foundation. The Pres Foundation produced a short video about CAMINO, https://vimeo.com/902340981/1860cdd832?&login=true#_=_

Camino is a fully volunteer-based organization, including Director Dus. Thus, 96% of all donations directly support their humanitarian projects. As Rev Dus continued to share the work this volunteer organization is doing, I was reminded of Jesus’ great commandment, to love the Lord our God with all… and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

This ongoing crisis is unfathomable to those of us living in the peace of the USA. Jan Dus notes,

“For those of us who live in peace, it’s challenging to fully grasp the profound impact this conflict has had on those caught in its midst—especially the children. Each time we travel to Ukraine, we return home with the same overwhelming feeling: We truly know nothing of war. Our experiences are fleeting. We can’t begin to comprehend the daily struggles of children who have spent the last two and a half years growing up in a war zone — or the parents raising them amidst constant danger. All we can do is listen to their stories and do our best to support them.” 

Camino works on an as needed basis, providing health care covering medical expenses, rehabilitation, food, shelter and even a summer camp for children un the Kyiv region in collaboration with Father’s House and the Institute for Child Trauma and Development. The camp is described, “In a country where children’s lives are overshadowed by conflict, offering them moments of joy and normalcy is more important than ever. This camp provided a safe space for vulnerable children, helping to boost their self-confidence and communication skills during these challenging times.”

Your support through the Presbyterian Foundation goes directly to Camino and ensuresmore needs are being met. 

Henry Memorial was blessed to learn about Camino and to provide aid to many people besieged by war. 

To financially support Camino: 

Credit card:​

Donation link: www.presbyterianfoundation.org/camino/

Personal Check:

Check is to be issued to: “Presbyterian Foundation”

With the memo line: “Camino - account number 102276006406”

Please send the check to:

Presbyterian Foundation

200 E 12th Street

Jeffersonville, IN 47130 

Energy Saving Resources for Congregations

A message from the Presbyterian Hunger Program



Did you know that congregations can get both tax rebates and direct pay options for installing energy-efficiency upgrades and/or renewable energy? Find out more from this summer’s presentations to the General Assembly Committee on Environmental and Climate Justice and the General Assembly plenary, as well as a fuller hour-long webinar hosted by Presbyterians for Earth Care. The Senior Advisor at the U.S. Department of Treasury for Inflation Reduction Act Implementation, Ronald Newman, has been a great resource and wants to support congregations applying for these incentives.

Blog post with presentation clip and multiple suggested resources from June 2024

National Presbyterians for Earth Care webinar in July 2024

Comings and Goings

• We welcome Rev. Dr. Danie de Beer (Henrietta) who begins work as the Interim/Transitional Minister of the First Presbyterian Church of Savannah on October 1. Dr. de Beer has served numerous churches as Transitional Pastor, most recently Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church in South Carolina
• We give thanks for the ministry of Rev. Russell Gladding (Kathy) who completed his work at Vidalia Presbyterian Church on September 30 and has begun his retirement.
• We welcome Rev. Dana Waters (Kira) to membership and residency in Savannah Presbytery (Guyton). Dana is the Ministry Relations Officer for the Southeast Region of the Presbyterian Foundation and has responsibility for Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and Puerto Rico.
• We welcome Rev. Matt Rhodes (Rachel) to membership and residency in Savannah Presbytery (St. Simons). Matt is the Accredited CPE Educator for Northwell Health in New York.
• At his request, we have transferred the Rev. Dr. Alan Baroody (Judy) to the Presbytery of Western North Carolina.

Student Loan Forgiveness

A message to share, from Financial Aid for Service



Did you know that the Presbyterian Mission Agency and the Board of Pensions of the PC(USA) have teamed up with PeopleJoy to assist people in service with student loan forgiveness? We want to make sure you understand the ins and outs of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) process. People who can benefit: teaching elders, UKirk registered ministers, those who work for PC(USA)-related schools, colleges, seminaries, camps, conference centers, mid councils, and church corporations. Learn more.

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