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"
|
|
|
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 click the link below to read her "Ponderings" so far.
Please join Sue this Thursday, July 9th at 4:00 PM for her weekly Presbytery gathering (via zoom):
|
|
Matthew 25 Presbytery
We currently know of three of our churches that have become a Matthew 25 church.
If you have recently become a Matthew 25 church, would you please let the Presbytery office know?
You may
email Tammy
to confirm. Also, you may register on the Matthew 25 website below and your church will receive a packet of material from PMA:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At our last Presbytery meeting in May we voted to become a Matthew 25 Presbytery where:
We do hereby commit to become a Matthew 25 mid council. We pledge to encourage 20% or more of our congregations to become Matthew 25 churches and embrace these areas of focus:
- Building congregational vitality
- Dismantling structural racism
- Eradicating systemic poverty
We promise to keep track of the impact of our ministry and share our stories with the PC(USA) from time to time.
|
A manuscript written years ago by our own
Rev. Joe Slane
is now revised, illustrated, and published!
May this book
bring joy to others and glory to God.
|
Pentecost Canpaign 2020
The Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley will have the Pentecost Canpaign again this year. Because of the COVID-19 virus and social distancing, we will be doing it a little differently this year.
Churches that participate in the Pentecost Canpaign collect cans of food, or its money equivalent ($1 equals 2 cans of food). The churches send the food and/or money to anti-hunger organizations of their choice. Then, the churches inform Presbytery as to how much food was collected and where the food was sent.
The news reports increased need for food at food banks and pantries. The need for food to help the unemployed is real.
The Pentecost Canpaign can help with this need. The Canpaign will run from May 1 through September 15 this year. This should help our socially distanced churches to collect the food. However, this year, instead of amassing the food and giving it to the charities all at once, please give what money and food your church has collected to your anti-hunger organizations as you collect the gifts. They need the food now. Just keep a running total of what your church has collected and let us know at Presbytery by September 15.
Contact the Presbytery office or Ralls Coston, Mission Coordinator (
[email protected]
).
|
Southminster Foundation
for Ministry
The purpose of the Southminster Presbyterian Church Foundation is to expand the Ministry and Mission of Southminster by supporting community service agencies and special missions of the Church in the community, Presbytery, Synod, region and the world.
The Foundation awards grants annually to support this ministry and mission. The Foundation is now accepting grant applications for 2020. The total funds available are up to $29,000. All grant requests must be received by September 1. Grants will be awarded in late
November.
|
Risers Available
Three risers are available at Shades Valley Presbyterian. Available for free to first interested party. Heavy and bulky to move. Size: 8'x4' wide; 2' tall. If interested, please contact Lana Lash at
[email protected]
.
|
Free Baptismal Font
Pastor of Westminster Birmingham, Jerome Bell has a friend who has a free baptismal font to give to a church. Please share and contact Jerome Bell at
[email protected]
if interested.
|
|
Habitat 2020
This year, 2020, the Presbytery will not be sponsoring a Habitat for Humanity house in the Birmingham area. Covid-19 has disrupted this year's project. Habitat for Humanity-Birmingham will be doing some construction work in June and July. There is a new way to register to volunteer this year. Go to:
hfhgb.volunteermatrix.com
to register.
If your church has been giving money monthly to Presbytery for the Habitat Fund, please continue to do so. Presbytery will accumulate any donations for next year's Habitat house construction. If your church desires, it can donate directly to Habitat for Humanity for use in 2020.
If a group of volunteers (no more than 10) want to go and work on the same day, please let Ralls Coston (
[email protected])
know and we can coordinate the workday.
|
Presbyterian Home announces donations for construction of 2 new homes in Union Village
TALLADEGA – The Presbyterian Home for Children (PHFC), Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB), Daniel Foundation of Alabama and Independent Presbyterian Church (IPC) Foundation have joined forces to expand safe and affordable housing for individuals who are deaf, blind or deafblind.
|
August Presbytery Docket
Our next Presbytery meeting will be August 20th via Zoom (info to be sent at a later date). If you are on a Committee or Commission, please let
Tammy
or
Stated Clerk, Tom Winter
know if you would like time on the docket to speak
|
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.
|
Virtual Choir Video
Members of the Chancel Choir of the First Christian Church of Birmingham, AL (Disciples of Christ), along with friends from around the Southeast, present an arrangement by
Sheppards and Lapsley minister, John Allen Bankson
, Director of Music. See the video below:
|
PHFC THRIFT STORE MONTHLY DONATION DAY AT SVPC
The next collection date is Saturday,
August 1, 2020. 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 a
t 1-256-368-8109.
|
Update from Living River
While Living River is not able to have summer camp sessions this year, we welcome individuals and families who are looking for a day-trip or overnight adventure. Of course, everyone will follow state or county guidelines in place regarding COVID19. Living River is open weekdays from 7:30 to 3 for folks wanting to hike, picnic, kayak, canoe or fish. We ask that you email
[email protected]
at least 24 hours before you plan on coming so we can make sure there will be someone to open gates. Contact Jenny at the same email address for information on overnight stays. We look forward to seeing our PSL friends at the river this summer!
|
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...
|
Stewardship Kaleidoscope
is moving online
Make me know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth, and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long. - Psalm 25: 4-5
These are extraordinary times and while we can’t “do church” the way we are used to the needs of our communities and our call to be stewards of God’s kingdom has not been put on hold.
This year Kaleidoscope will offer learning over three weeks in the fall to help you respond to
the needs of your community, adapt to change, and think about how to engage as church in new ways. We hope you can join us on three consecutive Tuesdays: September 22, September 29, and October 6 at 11:30am eastern/8:30am pacific.
On September 22nd hear from Eric Barreto of Princeton Theological Seminary on the Acts of the Apostles in the 21st century - imagination, vision, and creativity in responding to our call;
September 29th we will learn with consultant Bonnie Ives Marden about the ways in which
faith shapes our financial health, and get practical tools for church financial management;
October 6th Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow will provide perspectives on engaging congregations
across generations, cultures, and ethnicity to imagine building the church for forward thinking funding and functioning.
|
|
In our Prayers
Please keep
Presbytery Stated Clerk, Rev. Tom Winter
in your prayers as he continues chemotherapy treatments.
Please be in prayer for the mission of our congregations, our presbytery and our mission partners overseas.
Pray for peace in Congo and the safety of our mission co-workers. Jeff and Christi Boyd.
If you would like to support our mission co-workers, click the link below and type in their name. You will be led to their personal page with more information on their mission story and how to give.
|
|
PRESBYTERY OPERATING FINANCES May 2020 YTD
|
|
 |
Sue Westfall
Transitional Presbyter
Ralls Coston
Volunteer Mission Coordinator
James Ephraim
Volunteer Liaison for
African American Churches
Tammy Strickland
Presbytery Administrator
Assistant to the Stated Clerk
Tom Winter
Stated Clerk
Linda Burrowes
Recording Clerk
Jean Russell
Treasurer
Pat Goodman
Volunteer Nurture Coordinator
Bookkeeping
|
|
|
|
First Presbyterian Church
of Phenix City, AL
is looking for a
New Part-time Pastor.
Click here
for the job description.
|
MINISTRY COORDINATOR JOB DESCRIPTION
THE ORGANIZATION
UKirk Birmingham exists currently as a Campus Ministry through the Presbyterian Church (USA), located in the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley. We seek to be a “theologically reformed and socially progressive” community of faith, rooted in our weekly gathering where we celebrate the gifts and mystery of God’s love and grace.
THE ROLE
The Ministry Coordinator for UKirk Birmingham will work directly with the Student Ministers who are chosen to serve at local Birmingham-area colleges and universities. The role will be formed out of the Presbytery and will oversee the students in a way that fosters supervision and discipleship. This person will also be responsible for the administrative and organizational tasks of UKirk.
|
Minister of Music
Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church
of Tuscaloosa seeks a Minister of Music who will develop and guide a vibrant music program under the pastor’s direction and in consultation with church leadership. The person who fills this position should have demonstrable musical gifts on the piano and organ, preferably, or on either, and be conversant in traditional hymns, modern gospel music, and contemporary praise music. Attendance and participation in weekly rehearsals, Sunday morning worship, and special services are required. This opportunity is a part-time position (approx. 5 to 7 hours per week), and salary is negotiable, dependent upon experience and ability. Please send cover letter and resume to Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church, 3535 Stillman Blvd, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401; Attn: Elder Bettye Colbert, Personnel Committee.
|
|
|
|
3603 Lorna Ridge Drive ~ Birmingham, AL 35216
Phone: 205-978-0320 ~ Fax: 205-978-0330
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
