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"
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Frequently Asked Questions:
Understanding Proposed Amendments 24-A and 24-C
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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
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The Bills and Overtures Committee will be holding one more informational meeting for presbytery commissioners about the upcoming Amendment vote that will happen at the February Presbytery meeting. The meeting will be on zoom on Wednesday February 12th at 4pm. The Zoom link along with the summary of amendments are below.
Wednesday February 12, 4:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87340996022?pwd=OW9wt4tfnmo30PpFxDn3w7XMh6xSuU.1
Meeting ID: 873 4099 6022
Passcode: 507450
SUMMARY OF AMENDMENTS_
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First Presbyterian Church, Birmingham is hosting a blood drive in memory of Bennett Fuller on Sunday, February 9th, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm in Matthews Hall, and we need you! There is currently a critical shortage of blood, and every unit counts! Even within our congregation, several individuals need blood products regularly. We invite you to please give if you’re able, and to encourage your friends to come and give as well. Together, we can make a difference for our neighbors in a tangible, life-giving way.
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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
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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
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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.
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Alabama Arise is excited to release The Alabama Maternal Health Toolkit, a new resource to support and empower new and expectant mothers, health care advocates and other readers in navigating the complexities of maternal health care in our state. This toolkit provides critical information on maternal health, Medicaid coverage, health care access and community resources across Alabama.
Read the toolkit and download a copy here.
Arise is committed to advocating for public policies to improve maternal health and make life better for families across our state. Achieving those goals will require continuous support, access to care and well-informed decision-making. Our toolkit aims to help readers understand available health care options and provide the confidence needed to take the next steps in securing and maintaining necessary care.
We encourage you to share this toolkit far and wide. Together, we can build a healthier future for all Alabama mothers and their families.
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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
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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.
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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
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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 works from home on Tuesday and Thursday's.
Please check with the office for availability before scheduling committee meetings.
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PRESBYTERY OPERATING FINANCES December 2024 YTD | |
Sue Westfall
General Presbyter
swestfall@pslpcusa.org
Tammy Strickland
Presbytery Administrator
Assistant to the Stated Clerk
tstrickland@pslpcusa.org
Bookkeeping
accounting@pslpcusa.org
Jay Wilkins
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
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Mountain Brook Presbyterian Church (MBPC) is currently seeking to fill the full-time position of Director of Youth and Christian Education.
MBPC is a gospel-driven church that views everything through the lens of the two great commandments - love God and love your neighbor. MBPC is dedicated to nurturing these Gospel values in the Mountain Brook community but is keen to remember its place in the greater Birmingham area. MBPC hosts a worship service that leans traditional. However, in the last three years, MBPC has sought to faithfully and artfully implement contemporary components into the service - especially its musical components which seem to hit all the right notes (pun intended!) of balancing the "oldies but goodies" with vibrant and joyful contemporary music. MBPC has been blessed with small, but steady growth in its congregation and worship services. As a result, more and more children are coming through the doors. As such, MBPC is seeking director of Youth and Christian Education who has the maturity, energy, and professionalism to help MBPC navigate its path towards growth without compromising its gospel values. Additionally, MBPC is seeking someone who can exemplify the joy of our faith and help steer our children in that joyful direction!
A full job description is attached. Additional information about our church can be found on our website at mbpcusa.org. If you, or anyone you know in your organization is interested in applying for the position, please email your resume directly to me at mroberts@mbpcusa.org. Or, you can visit this LINK on indeed to apply for the job.
| South Highland is looking to hire a part time Children's Ministry Director. Attached is the job description for this position. If you know of anyone who might be interested, please forward this information to them. |
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.”
| First Presbyterian Church, Eufaula, is looking for pulpit supply in a transitional period. Please contact Sue Westfall, General Presbyter for details. 520.490.1261. |
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.
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3603 Lorna Ridge Drive ~ Birmingham, AL 35216
Phone: 205-978-0320 ~ Fax: 205-978-0330
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