Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley |
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Reminder: The Thursday gatherings via zoom with Rev. Dr. Sue Westfall has moved to once a month on the first Thursday. The next gathering will be February 4, 2021. |
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Spiritually stitching what is torn
Presbyterians Today article
What the ‘mending’ trend can teach us about God’s redeeming love
I hadn’t heard of the “mending” trend until a few months ago. I was skimming the pages of the free newspaper that’s always shoved into my tiny post office box. Published before the pandemic, its ... read more.
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Deadline for donations
Attention Churches: The deadline to send in your Per Capita and any other donations to the Presbytery was January 7th. Any donations received after that date will be credited to 2021.
Thank you for your continued support of the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley.
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Pandemic Ponderings by:
Rev. Dr. Sue Westfall
Twice a month our Transitional Executive Presbyter, Rev. Dr. Sue Westfall sends out a meaningful, informative and uplifting blog during these unusual and strange times we are all going through together. Be sure to watch for the email or you may to read her "Ponderings" so far.
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Online Symposium on Worship
Spread the word: The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship is offering a free online learning experience January 6–26 on key topics and themes in worship and the Christian life. Registration is required.
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Matthew 25
What is a Matthew 25 church?
Matthew 25:31–46 calls all of us to actively engage in the world around us, so our faith comes alive and we wake up to new possibilities. Convicted by this passage, both the 222nd and 223rd General Assemblies (2016 and 2018) exhorted the PC(USA) to act boldly and compassionately to serve people who are hungry, oppressed, imprisoned or poor.
If your church has recently become a Matthew 25 church, would you please let the Presbytery office know? You may email Tammy to confirm. Also, please register on the Matthew 25 website below and your church will receive a packet of resources from PMA:
What does poverty look like in America? Watch this video to learn more about systemic poverty in America and how you can help eradicate it.
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Congo Mission Network
Education Session Confronts Critical Issues for School Children
On Jan. 16 and Jan 23, 2021, Congo Mission Network will examine the history, status and life-changing potential of primary and secondary education in the U.S. and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This two-part, virtual session will begin on Saturday, Jan. 16, and Saturday, Jan. 23 at 10 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, 4 p.m. Kinshasa time and 5 p.m. in the Kasaïs in Congo. Each segment will last about two hours.
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Small Alabama church devotes time, talents and treasures
In a year of unforeseen changes and challenges, the Matthew 25 vision to actively engage congregations in the world and community around them has taken on new meaning. Launched in April 2019, the Matthew 25 invitation has received its 700th congregation to make the commitment to radical and fearless discipleship. Union Springs Presbyterian Church in Union Springs, Alabama, joins other...
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Good News from Living River
Attached is the Fall Newsletter from Living River full of wonderful news. Be sure to open and read all about it.
Click here for articles that you may use in your church newsletters and Living River fun facts for church bulletins. Enjoy!
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Online Church Services
Several churches in our presbytery have made available live-streaming, Facebook live, or other platforms of their Sunday worship services. We are aware of the following churches (click the link below) that are offering these platforms and will plan to continue services on Sundays so their church members can participate in worship from home. If you are not on the list and would like to be added, please let Tammy know.
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UPDATE: PHFC Thrift Store Monthly Donation day at SVPC
The next collection date is Saturday,
February 6, 2021. Bring your usable discards, gently used clothing, etc., to the Presbyterian Home for Children's reception center in the rear parking lot, below the playground of Shades Valley Presbyterian Church. Volunteers will be on hand to unload your vehicle and to give you a receipt for your tax-deductible donation. The center will be open from 8 AM - 12 noon. To volunteer or for more information, contact Jonathan Ahern at 1-256-368-8109.
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Montreat Conferences
Montreat Conference Center has a full shedule of conferences for 2021, including college, spiritual, transitional ministry and more...Take a look below:
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Join us September 13-15, 2021!
And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. - Revelations 22:1
The Stewardship Kaleidoscope planning team is excited to announce the dates for the 2021 conference: September 13-15. It is our sincere prayer that we will be able to join together in person in Cincinnati, Ohio, but we also know that these are uncertain, anxious times, so we are planning a conference that is flexible and adaptable.
We will share more with you in the New Year as we finalize our 2021 presenters, new workshop offerings and know more about how best we can be together. For now though, we hope you will save the date and plan on “joining” in some way!
May the peace of Christ be with you and give you hope in this season and always.
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Teaching Elders and clerks of session,
The Presbytery’s Executive Council has approved a mission project, Project Empathy, in which we are trying to raise $50,000 to eliminate $5 million of medical debt in 10 counties in the Black Belt. One dollar donated eliminates $100 of debt.
We are asking your help in publicizing this Project to your churches and members. Below is a Zoom video about Project Empathy. It is 4 minutes long and can be used on your church’s online worship service, Facebook page, etc. Please contact me if you have any questions.
Thank you for your help.
Ralls Coston
Mission Coordinator
205-617-0216
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The Perry and Dallas County Fund has been set up to provide aid to mission work in Perry and Dallas Counties. In particular, funds will be provided to a local agency, C.E.T. Ministries. Please consider donating to this fund. Contact Ralls Coston for more information. Read more... View the flyer
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PRESBYTERY OPERATING FINANCES November 2020 YTD
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Sue Westfall
Transitional Presbyter
Tammy Strickland
Presbytery Administrator
Assistant to the Stated Clerk
Bookkeeping
Tom Winter
Stated Clerk
Linda Burrowes
Recording Clerk
Jean Russell
Treasurer
Ralls Coston
Volunteer Mission Coordinator
Pat Goodman
Volunteer Nurture Coordinator
James Ephraim
Volunteer Liaison for
African American Churches
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Updated Presbytery office hours for staff during the Pandemic:
9 AM - 4 PM Monday, Wednesday and Friday, staff works from home Tuesday and Thursday.
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Independent is looking for a Director of Youth Faith Formation
Reports to: Director of Children and Youth Ministries
Status: Full-time
Faith formation is the pathway to how we know the depths of God’s love, how we experience living in community, feel a sense of belonging, and see ourselves and others as God’s children. It is how our hearts are called to love our neighbor, how we grow closer to God by engaging our head, heart, and body in prayer and worship, and ....read more.
You may also find this job posting on IPC's website below:
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Independent is looking for an Assistant Director of Community Ministries
Reports to: Associate Pastor for Adult and Community Ministries
Status: Full-time
About This Role
The Assistant Director of Community Ministries will equip the congregation of Independent Presbyterian Church (IPC) to be the hands and feet of Christ in partnership with communities of need locally and globally. Read more...
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MBPC is searching for our next Pastor!
We are asking our neighbors to help find the person God has selected for our congregation. The candidate must be ordained in the PCUSA denomination.
Our beloved pastor Lant Davis will be retiring in November. Please submit any questions or resumes to [email protected].
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First Presbyterian Church
of Phenix City, AL is looking for a
New Part-time Pastor. Click here for the job description.
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First Presbyterian Church of Birmingham, Alabama, seeks a full-time Interim Associate Pastor. See attachment for Position Description.
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3603 Lorna Ridge Drive ~ Birmingham, AL 35216
Phone: 205-978-0320 ~ Fax: 205-978-0330
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