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"

Calling All Presbyterian Women


Dear Presbyterian Woman,


I would like to thank you for taking the time to read the following. I am Jan Albert, your representative to the Search Committee for the Board of Directors of Presbyterian Women.


I was elected to this position in August 2024 and will serve until the Business Meeting in 2027. I have been given the opportunity to reach out to all PC(USA) women in the Synods of the Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic and Living Waters. As your representative, I am available to answer questions about the process of finding women who feel called to serve Presbyterian Women (PW) at the national level. I am available to answer your questions (317-679-5040 or jtalbertky@gmail.com) about the various positions available and the process related to searching for the dedicated women who want to serve. I will be reaching out directly to the leadership teams within your synod and presbytery. I hope to have the opportunity to meet you in the future.


Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you or someone you know is interested in serving at the national level.


Grace and Peace,

Jan Albert



Information and Registration

for


Spring Youth Council Retreat at Living River


February 21 - 23



Register for Spring Youth Retreat

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


Apply for Montreat Summer Staff!

by Celeste Abney-Crowe, creative services manager at Montreat Conference Center


Do you know a young adult looking for a summer job? Montreat Conference Center is currently accepting applications for its 2025 Summer Staff season. All young adults who are at least one year out of high school are invited to apply.


Available positions cover a wide range of skills and interests such as childhood education, hospitality, recreation, and more! All positions are paid and include the option to live on campus. Plus, certain positions may qualify for college credit.


This is a great opportunity to gain valuable job experience and enjoy life in our close-knit mountain community. If you think someone you know would be interested, please encourage them to apply at montreat.org/summer-staff! First round selections begin on January 17, 2025. Apply early for top consideration!

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.

Confirmation Retreat @ Living River


Join us at Living River for our 2025 overnight Confirmation Retreat from Friday, January 24th to Saturday, January 25th! The retreat is open to any middle school or high school students interested in being confirmed in the PC(USA). During our time together, we'll cover a number of confirmation topics, including Bible history, sacraments of the church, details of the liturgical year, Book of Order & Book of Confessions. We'll also have worship and fun group activities together throughout the weekend! The cost of the retreat is $50 for youth and $100 for adult chaperones. This cost covers rooms and all meals during the weekend. To register, contact Rev. Joe Genau at pastor@edgewoodpc.org. We ask that you please register by January 10th to help us in our official headcount. You can also contact Joe for any questions about the retreat. We hope you'll join us for this exciting opportunity at Living River!

APCE Annual Event

A message from the Office of Christian Formation


Join faith formation leaders, pastors, and youth workers in Memphis, TN, January 29th – February 1st, 2025 for the Association of Partners in Christian Education annual gathering. The theme is “Wrestling with God and Church: Toward a More Beloved Community.” Learn more and register here.

Prayer Concerns


Rick Atkerson - on the passing of his mother, Alys Jane Atkerson on December 10th

Lin Veasey - on the passing of her Dad

Chuck Kukal - Hip replacement on January 15, 2025

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



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.

On-going Newsletter Articles


Ponderings by: Rev. Dr. Sue Westfall

PHFC Thrift Store Donations

Perry Dallas County Fund

Online Church Services

Matthew 25

Selma Disaster Relief Funding

PRESBYTERY OPERATING FINANCES November 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



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.


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