Anti-Racism Courage in Discomfort

Please click the flyer above to register.

The Annual meeting of the Synod of Living Waters is January 28, 2026. Thank you in advance to our representatives, Madison Roberts, Mountain Brook and April Lane, Grace Presbyterian, Tuscaloosa.

From the Office of Christian Formation

Looking to start, revitalize, or expand your university ministry? Is your congregation being called to reach out to your university neighbors - undergraduate or graduate students, alumni, faculty, staff, or administrators - but you are at a loss as to how to even discern where to start? Then the UKirk PCUSA Vinery Cohort might be right for you. The plan is to start with an in-person gathering at Epworth by the Sea on St. Simon’s Island January 25-28, 2026, with the teams and then people will gather with their cohort during monthly virtual meetings and also receive individual coaching to support your congregation’s journey. Contact UKirk Executive Director Rev. Gini Norris Lane to learn more about this opportunity and ask questions.

2026 Lenten Devotional

In a world marked by division, uncertainty and competing narratives, Matthew’s Gospel speaks with striking relevance. Matthew’s first audience — a young, fragile community navigating conflict, identity and fear — sounds a lot like the church today. This Lenten devotional by Outlook editor Teri McDowell Ott invites readers to journey through Matthew’s Gospel to discover how Jesus leads us toward humility, courage, compassion and faithful discipleship amid the fractures of our age.



Grounded in Scripture and written with pastoral warmth, this resource guides individuals and congregations through daily reflections, including a weekly visio divina practice. Each entry includes Scripture, a focus verse, a theologically rich reflection, guided questions, and a closing prayer — making it ideal for personal prayer, small groups, session devotions, or congregational Lenten study.

Ash Wednesday resources:

• Ash Wednesday Service: A season of unmasking by Anne Apple
• Ash Wednesday reflections
• Ash Wednesday Service: A call to repentance and renewal by Barbara Chaapel

Living River Summer Camp and Scholarships 2026

Summer camp registration and scholarship application are now open on both Living River website and the Presbytery web site.

Scholarships ($200 for full week camps and $75 for You & Me - both adult & child) are available on a first come, first serve basis until the funds are depleted. Priority is given to campers from Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley churches.

Mid-Council Leaders’ Property Roundtable:

January 20th @ 2 Eastern

Friends,

Happy New Year! We pray that all had a restful and renewing holiday season. As we begin the 2026 journey together, we invite you to mark your calendars now for our next Property Roundtable videoconference, scheduled for Tuesday, January 20, at 2:00 pm Eastern Time. 

During this virtual gathering, we will be discussing the Property Health Assessment, created by Foundry Commercial and briefly discussed at the recent Mid-Council Financial Conference. The Property Health Assessment is a tool to assist congregational and mid-council leaders with assessing multiple aspects of parcel maintenance. We will be joined by two dynamic speakers from Foundry Commercial – Carlin Beekman, Vice President of the Mission Property Gorup and Matt Messier, Partner / Managing Director.

We invite you to join us for this important discussion. Zoom connection instructions appear below and, as usual, we will begin at 2:00 EDT and will adjourn no later than 3:15.

Two quick reminders:

• Feel free to share this invitation with others that might find this information helpful.
• Resources from previous meetings can be found at our private web page: go to https://www.presbyterianfoundation.org/mid-council-leaders-property-roundtable/

and use password MCLPR

Blessings,

Sandra Moon & Olanda Carr

ZOOM videoconference instructions:

Presbyterian Foundation is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://presbyterianfoundation.zoom.us/j/85834058519?pwd=Nkulqb6fnvANuriRVAeuTQJzQ3ScAT.1

Meeting ID: 858 3405 8519

Passcode: 302430

Presbytery Youth Council Winter Retreat

Registration for the PSL Youth Retreat is now open! Come join other youth from around the Presbytery as they gather at Living River on February 20 - 22 for a weekend of fun, bible study, fellowship and lots of "friend" time as they explore with Rev. John McCrosky and the Youth Council leadership team what it means in this wired world to be "Unplugged and Untangled". Cost is $80.  

Registration is available on the Presbytery web site.  

Spring Retreat – February 20 – 22 | Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley

We are excited to see registrations coming in for our conference in January! We hope you will join us in Birmingham, Alabama on January 12-14 as we think and pray together about the status of our Nicene heritage around the world today. Get a sense of what to expect by checking out our plenary session titles by clicking the image above!

If you are a student, be sure to check out our discounted student ticket as well!

Prayer Concerns

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

Living Waters for the World

• Newsletter

Greater Birmingham Ministries

• GBM News

Presbyterian Outlook

• Little things to carry you into 2026
• A prayer to start 2026
• $14 million in medical debt erased
• Hispanic/Latino Presbyterians on Venezuela

Montreat Conference Center

• January in Montreat
• Have you considered becoming a Church Patron?

PRESBYTERY OPERATING FINANCES November 2025 YTD