Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley

"partner with and equip present and emerging

PC(USA) faith communities in central Alabama

to serve Christ and our neighbors"

CCR Key Collaborating Partner: United Presbyterians of Wilcox County

“We’re standing on holy ground.”

Pastor James Ephraim, president of the United Presbyterians of Wilcox County, speaks solemnly and reverently of the old Annemanie School site in rural Wilcox County. One of six schools established by the Presbyterian church in the late 1800s for the education of children of recently freed slaves, the 300-acre property lies mostly dormant these days…well, except for the sound of saws and hammers as renovation of the principal’s house is now underway. When completed, the house will be a gathering place for community members for Bible studies, music lessons, weddings, community gatherings, and cooking lessons. The community garden is already well-established, and a new outdoor teaching kitchen will allow for culinary experts to demonstrate healthy recipes crafted from the fresh produce available on-site.


Construction is projected to be complete by September with an open house celebration planned for October.


It’s a joy and great privilege to partner with the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley, the United Presbyterians of Wilcox County, and our other Key Collaborating Partners through Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Ministry in Rural Areas and Small Towns Initiative. Read about the work of other CCR Key Collaborating Partners on our website, linked below.

190th Homecoming Celebration


Congratulations to First Presbyterian Church, Wetumpka on their 190th homecoming celebration which will be celebrated on October 11th, 2026. All are welcome.


Be sure to congratulate Jonathan also on his 20 year anniversary at First Wetumpka a few weeks ago.

Independent Presbyterian Church Parlor

Sunday, August 30 following the morning worship service


Join us on Sunday, August 30 for a reception honoring Rev. Susan Clayton’s 25 years of service as IPC’s Associate Pastor of Congregational Care and Adult Ministries. Enjoy light refreshments, cake, and fellowship as we gather and celebrate together!


Contact Info

Lauren Gentry

lgentry@ipc-usa.org

If your church has upcoming events or articles you would like promoted in the Presbytery Newsletter, please contact Tammy Strickland.

Stewardship Kaleidoscope 2026

Doing More in BaltiMORE.  


This year’s conference will be live in Baltimore, Maryland, September 21-23, 2026, with an online virtual registration option as well. In-person attendees will be able to choose from dozens of workshops in addition to attending diverse plenary sessions and worship experiences. Virtual attendees will be able to join us for live-streamed and recorded plenaries and worship, and will also have access to 8 workshops, 4 of which will be available via be live-stream. 


Registration rates as are follows:

First Call Pastor or Seminary Student In-Person Registration: $200

Virtual Attendee Registration: $150

After June 30, regular In-Person Registration increases to $425

 

For information on available grants through the Presbyterian Foundation to assist pastors and New Worshiping Community leaders to attend the conference, please visit

 https://www.presbyterianfoundation.org/resources/church-financial-literacy-and-leadership-program/grant/.


A limited number of scholarships are also available to in-person attendees who are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), which would bring the registration cost to $200. Please email tim.brown@elca.org for more information about this scholarship PRIOR to registering for the conference. 


The conference will be held at the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel, where a block of rooms will be available at the conference rate of $214/night. Your room reservation must be made by August 28.


To book your room and to register for the conference, click here.


Please be aware of potential internet scams! We WILL NOT call registrants asking for travel details and/or credit card information. Please email info@stewardshipkaleidoscope.org to report any suspicious phone calls, emails, or text messages related to Stewardship Kaleidoscope.


Check out the event website to view Workshop Details, prior to registering.


Register Now

The Presbytery Office is Hiring!


Effective January 1, 2027 we will be hiring a new Recording Clerk. If you know of anyone interested in this position please email Tammy at the presbytery office. Below is the position description. Please share.


PRESBYTERY RECORDING CLERK JOB POSITION


The Recording Clerk responsibilities:


• Monthly meetings of the Executive Council

  • attends and records minutes of meetings.
  • distributes meeting minutes to the Council.
  • ensures minutes are posted on Basecamp.

• Quarterly or called meetings of the Presbytery

  • attends and records minutes of meetings.
  • assembles the appendices of meeting minutes.
  • distributes minutes to the Stated Clerk and to the Presbytery Administrator for posting on the website.

• Annual reading of Presbytery minutes by the Synod

  • assists the Stated Clerk and Presbytery Administrator with sending minutes to the Synod.


The Presbytery may elect a Recording Clerk to serve a term of three years and shall be eligible for re-election.

1001 New Worshiping Communities Grant Deadline

 

Grant deadline and award dates have been announced for 2026 1001 New Worshiping Communities grants. More information about the grants can be found HERE.

 

2026 Submission Dates are: Sept 1.


Please submit applications to nwcgrants@pcusa.org.

Prayer Concerns


The family of Margaret Bowman. (former Presbytery photographer)


The family of Emerson Mylalsingh.


The family of Donna Winn.


Cathie Bonner, wife of CP, Jeff Bonner. Cathie has been diagnosed with a brain tumor and is undergoing treatment.

Prayers for Peace in this world.

Please be sure to check out the job openings within our Presbytery at the bottom of this page.

Healthy Boundaries Training


All ministers and ruling elders are required to participate in Healthy Boundary Training for the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley. Below is a link to a Jotform Registration Form. This registration form contains registration information as well as the link to the video (which is password protected) and the password. The video takes you to another link for you to watch the content.  

 

After watching, It is very important to return to the Jotform, acknowledge your completion and SUBMIT the form. This will ensure the stated clerk receives notice that you have completed the training.  

 

Thank you for participating in the required Healthy Boundaries training. Your comments on both the process and the content are welcome. Please reply to our Stated Clerk if you have any questions and/or wish to share your comments.

 

Registration and link to Healthy Boundary Training for the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley

Ministry in the church can be life-giving and life-changing and, in the midst of it, we all need faithful companions along the road. Welcome to Along the Road – a podcast on faith and leadership for ministry leaders of the PC(USA).

Newsletters, Bulletins, News


Stewardship Kaleidoscope 2026

Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries

Montreat Conference Center

Presbyterian Outlook

Presbyterian Peace Fellowship

Reminders


Just a reminder that the Presbytery office is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday's from 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (4 PM on Friday). The staff work from home on Tuesday and Thursday's.


Please check with the office for availability before scheduling committee meetings.

On-going Newsletter Articles


PHFC Thrift Store Donations

Perry Dallas County Fund

Online Church Services

Matthew 25

Selma Disaster Relief Funding

PRESBYTERY OPERATING FINANCES June 2026 YTD  


Rev. Dr. Mark McCormick

General Presbyter

mmccormick@pslpcusa.org


Tammy Strickland

Presbytery Administrator

Assistant to the Stated Clerk

tstrickland@pslpcusa.org


Bookkeeping

accounting@pslpcusa.org


Marilyn M. Tucker-Marek

Stated Clerk

statedclerk@pslpcusa.org


Linda Burrowes

Recording Clerk

lburrowes@pslpcusa.org


Jean Russell

Treasurer

jabrussell@gmail.com


Ralls Coston

Volunteer Mission Coordinator

rcoston@pslpcusa.org


Pat Goodman

Volunteer Nurture Coordinator

pgoodman@pslpcusa.org


James Ephraim

Volunteer Liaison for

African American Churches

jamesephraim61@gmail.com



Montevallo Presbyterian Church is looking for a Transitional Pastor. Please see the job description below.


Transitional Pastor Agreement


If you are interested please reach out to Mary Blakeley at meblakeley@charter.net

South Highland Adult Day Care Center has an opening for a program assistant. We are seeking a part-time (20 hours per week) Caregiver for the Center. The Center is open Monday through Friday from 7:15 am to 5:30 pm. The basic job description is below.


  • Provide hands-on assistance and supervision appropriate to each participant’s needs.
  • Promote dignity, independence, choice, and maximum functional ability.
  • Actively engage participants in scheduled and spontaneous therapeutic activities.
  • Observe, document, and promptly report health, safety, or behavioral concerns.
  • Follow all South Highland Center policies and procedures.


Contact Allison Walker at AWalker@southhighland.org


First Presbyterian Church - Alexander City is seeking pulpit supply until they can fill their pastoral vacancy. Their worship services are on Sundays at 11:00 for one hour. If you are interested, please call the church office at (256) 329-0524.

“If you are interested in applying for our pastoral vacancy, please visit the CLC. Our MDP is posted there for details.”

Westminster Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, AL is in need of a Musician. If you or someone you know are interested in applying, please contact the church office at

(205) 322-0161 for more information.



3603 Lorna Ridge Drive ~ Birmingham, AL 35216
Phone: 205-978-0320 ~ Fax: 205-978-0330
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