GBM Community Day is Coming Up Soon!

Community Day is when GBM staff, board members, volunteers and our wider GBM family all come together for fun, outreach, and services. Community Day will be Saturday, July 19th from 10 am - 2 pm on the GBM parking lot. There will be food, school supplies, adult clothes, and more. Mark your calendar. You don't want to miss it!

General Presbyter Feedback Form

Dear Presbytery Members,

As we begin the search for our next Presbytery leadership, we invite you to share your insights. Your feedback will help us understand what our congregations need and what qualities are most important in our new presbytery leader. This survey reflects our presbytery’s commitment to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Matthew 25 initiative, focusing on congregational vitality, dismantling structural racism, and eradicating systemic poverty. Please respond thoughtfully but briefly by clicking the link below.

Thank you for your participation! This is your final opportunity to express your feedback.

https://form.jotform.com/251395106511147

Please be sure to check out the job openings within our Presbytery at the bottom of this page.

Articles Needed

The Presbytery Newsletter is reaching out to our churches for articles. If any of you have good news, events, special worship services, workshops, etc., coming up that you would like to share in our newsletter, please send them to Tammy Strickland.

Prayer Concerns

Cecilia Chang's father-in law

Joe Genau for the passing of his Dad.

Terry Tingle for the passing of his older brother.

Prayers for Peace in this world.

Presbyterian Earth Care

Calling all young adults (18-35) who are passionate about climate justice and creation care! Presbyterians for Earth Care is building a faith-based network of young people who are leading the way in environmental advocacy - from local congregations to the PC(USA) to the national stage. Is that you? Or does it describe someone you know? Join us by completing our interest form: bit.ly/PECYANetwork. Then, tag a friend who’s ready to take action and share this with your community.

NEXT Church National Gathering

November 11-14, 2025 in Grand Rapids, MI

We know the stakes are high, both inside and outside the Church. We have crafted an in-person gathering for church leaders to engage in community, learn from a practitioner in the field, and receive coaching in order to move toward impact. Rather than workshops, participants are invited to dig deeply in one pathway in order to embody transformation as they explore their ideas and experiment in a learning community. This year we are offering two tiers of registration in order to support those who do not have continuing education funds or access to scholarships through denominational resources, etc..

Free virtual gatherings will be offered by NEXT Church as well as our National Gathering in the fall!

The spirit of New Orleans — where people enjoy life through the city’s vibrant culture, food, music, and festivals as captured in its motto, Laissez les bon temps rouler, let the good times roll — awaits you at this year’s Stewardship Kaleidoscope Conference!

We are delighted to gather in New Orleans, Louisiana, Sept. 22-24, to experience the city’s creole cuisine, distinctive music, and historic architecture. New Orleans has recently been recognized as one of the top destinations in the U.S. by Conde Nast Traveler and was named one of the best cities in the world to visit by Time Out. It has also been crowned the Best Food Destination in the World by Time Out in 2025, making it a paradise for food lovers.

On Tuesday evening, following the sponsor reception, you will have the evening free to explore the city on your own or with your ministry colleagues and friends. We hope you’ll take advantage of being on Canal Street, steps away from the French Quarter, to get a taste of what New Orleans has to offer. Additionally, if you plan to arrive early or extend your stay, our hotel conference rate of $179/night is available Sept 19-27. 

For those who are planning to arrive early, St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church will be hosting a wine and cheese reception on Sun., Sept. 21, 5:00-6:00 p.m., to welcome all Stewardship Kaleidoscope participants to New Orleans. The reception will be held in the church's Land Building, 1535 State Street, conveniently located directly off the St. Charles Streetcar line, State Street stop. 

For additional ideas on what to do before or after our event or during your free time — and to learn more about New Orleans before your arrival — visit the New Orleans & Company website.

To book your room and to register for the conference*, click here.

(*Register by June 30 to take advantage of our Early Bird Registration rate of $360!)

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

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

Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network

• June 2025
• Scholarships Available for POAMN Conference

Presbyterian Outlook

• A Presbyterian landmark nationally recognized
• Small churches, big hearts: Caring for the caregivers

PRESBYTERY OPERATING FINANCES March 2025 YTD