Special Installation

Rev. Joe Genau was installed as the Pastor of the newly formed Edgewood Presbyterian Church from the merger of Edgewood and Second Presbyterian Churches. Pictured with Joe is his installation commission. View the installation service here.

Presbyteries are currently voting on two amendments to the Book of Order that were approved by wide margins by the General Assembly in July. The changes, which originated in an overture sent to the Assembly by ten presbyteries/synods, now require majority affirmative votes in a majority of the church’s 166 presbyteries. 

Click below for help understanding the impact and importance of these amendments.

Frequently asked questions

Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

The Insurance Board presented a webinar on January 16, 2025 that provides an overview of the legal landscape on “sanctuary” and reviews the legal rights of faith communities. The Insurance Board’s webinar is found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55vvvLuiZt0.

The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILCR.org) advocates for community members to work together to fight messages of fear and panic by helping community members learn about their rights and how to protect themselves from ICE. The ILCR has created a variety of materials to educate the community and prepare individuals for possible encounters with immigration authorities.

Information and Registration

for

Spring Youth Council Retreat at Living River

February 21 - 23

Register for Spring Youth Retreat

Moment for Mission given at IPC

Moment for Mission given at 8:45 AM and 11:00 AM services at IPC on Sunday February 16, 2025 by Tommy Thomson, M.D., Chair of IPC Global Missions Committee, concerning missions with which IPC has a direct and longtime relationship. Others of our churches also support these or other global mission which may be similarly affected. 

Financial Aid for Service - Student Loan Forgiveness Coaching Program

The Office of Financial Aid for Service at the Interim Unified Agency of the PCUSA would like to share with you opportunities for financial aid and debt reduction for those who serve Presbyterian-related institutions. They have a program that provides Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) support and coaching for people that work for the Presbyterian Church and all the related entities which are many.

This program provides one-on-one coaching from a student loan forgiveness expert. As of last year, coaches helped PCUSA borrowers with forgiveness by almost $8,000,000. Not counting some of the qualifying workers who received a reduction in their monthly payment of as much as $700 a month for savings or should I say a raise of $8,000 a year.

We want to spread the word about this life-changing service for people associated with our denomination. In addition, to pastors and church staff, we serve preschool teachers, retirement home staff, college, and seminary employees and so many more people employed by PC(USA) related workplaces. Coaching for loan forgiveness is a benefit PC(USA) related employers can offer to their staff. https://www.pcusa.org/loanassist 

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

Announcing our 2025 Women's Connection Keynote Speaker

The Impact of Churches’

Hunger Action Programs in this Presbytery

We are compiling a list of this Presbytery’s churches’ activities in combating hunger. We are wondering what your church is doing to combat hunger, such as: donating to food pantries, operating food pantries, rescuing edible foods, giving food from members’ gardens, participating in the Cents-Ability and Pentecost Can-paign programs, volunteering at food banks, etc.

Our churches are acting to help the hungry and food insecure. Let’s see what everyone is doing. Perhaps we can get ideas from each other on combating hunger.

Please send your church’s information to Ralls Coston, Mission Coordinator, rcoston@pslpcusa.org., phone 205-617-0216. Thank you for all you are doing.

News from General Assembly

Upcoming Webinar Opportunities and Mr. Rogers Day

A message from the Office of Christian Formation



Creating a Dementia-Friendly Worship Service—Join the Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network (POAMN) for this free webinar on Feb. 24th at 2 p.m. ET/ 11 a.m. PT. Nurturing the spiritual health of someone with dementia is an act of Christian love that preserves their dignity and affirms their personhood. As churches, we have a unique opportunity to respond to this need by finding ways to make worship accessible to people experiencing cognitive change. In this zoom workshop, you will learn how to create a modified worship service, either in-person or pre-recorded for your faith community. Rev. Ben Lindstrom and Eliane Burrell from Point Loma Community Church in CA will be leading. Register here.

Small Church Community Circle—Join Christian Formation Leaders on Feb. 25th at 1:00pm EST for a time of sharing resources and ministry areas with those who serve in the variety of contexts with small numbers. Register here.

Around the Table Community Circle—Join on February 19th at 1:00pm EST to learn more about the Around the Table Cohorts for leaders wanting to think about faith formation at home in their contexts. Also learn updates about Around the Table Resources. Register here.

On March 20, the PC(USA) celebrates Mr. Rogers Day as one of our special emphasis days with resources for congregational worship, education, mission, and fellowship. Make plans now for when your congregation will take extra time to be neighborly just as Presbyterian Pastor Fred Rogers did on and off screen. Here is a complete list of resources.

Prayer Concerns

Robert S Hay, Sr. - recent heart bypass surgery

Rick Atkerson - on the passing of his mother, Alys Jane Atkerson

Lin Veasey - on the passing of her Dad

Chuck Kukal - Hip replacement

Richard Hanna and family - on the passing of his wife, Lisa Kidd Hanna



Dallas County Long Term Recovery Group

This Presbytery has been involved with the Dallas County LTRG (Long Term Recovery Group) for the past year. The LTRG is working on Selma’s recovery from the January 2023 tornado which destroyed or damaged so much of Selma and Dallas County. So far, the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley has distributed over $31,000 to six cases in Selma. This money has been used to replace beds, tables, washing machines, dryers and roofing for the six different families impacted by the tornado. The funds for these cases came from contributions from the Presbyterian Disaster Fund, Independent Presbyterian Church, Southminster Presbyterian Church, First Presbyterian-Wetumpka and Oakmont Chapel Presbyterian Church. Thank you to all the donors.

There is still plenty to do in Dallas County/Selma’s recovery. Other organizations, such as United Way, Mennonite Disaster Services, Lutheran Disaster Services, Gospel Tabernacle Church, Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, and the Edmundite Missions of the Catholic Church are some of the workers/contributors to Selma’s recovery.

 This Presbytery can continue to help by providing funds to the Presbytery’s Perry/Dallas County Fund. Both churches and individuals may contribute to this fund. And, as the United Methodist case managers provide the cases, we can continue to help.

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

• Presbyterian Outlook
• Discover How a Church Harnessed Joyful Generosity and Overcame the Odds
• A guide for churches supporting non-profits
• Continuing Education at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
• PC(USA) faces backlash over mission co-worker layoff
• Montreat Conference Center
• February in Montreat
• Apply to be a Small Group Leader

PRESBYTERY OPERATING FINANCES December 2024 YTD