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!

https://form.jotform.com/251395106511147

HELP NEEDED FOR OUR SIBLINGS IN WILCOX COUNTY!

On April 9, 2025 a tornado touched down in Camden and Arlington, Alabama in the Pine Hill area of our presbytery. This is in the Black Belt and is home to two of our African American congregations - Annemanie in Arlington and New Trinity in Camden - and members of both congregations were personally affected though the church buildings themselves were not damaged. There were many downed trees and much debris from shattered structures. Wilcox County, in which these towns are located, is one of the most depressed counties in the state. What the county did was to remove all the downed trees and other debris from the road and pile it up on the edge of people’s property but have not removed it from the property nor did they help with the removal of debris that struck and damaged houses. This leaves many people with the task of either removing the debris themselves (though few have the heavy equipment necessary to do so) or hiring someone to remove the debris from their yards. In some of the affected properties, the homeowners did not have insurance. At its meeting last Tuesday, the Executive Council set up a relief fund and is asking you to help out.   

This is the link for the information about the tornado itself: 

https://www.waka.com/2025/04/09/action-8-update-survey-team-confirms-two-tornadoes-hit-wilcox-county/

The United Presbyterians of Wilcox County are coordinating the effort of debris clean up. The presbytery is receiving the donations from our congregations. Please send your donations to the Presbytery Office marked “Pine Hill Tornado” 3603 Lorna Ridge Drive, Birmingham, AL 35216 or online with the link below making sure you earmark for “Pine Hill Tornado”: https://pslpcusa.org/online-giving-paypal/

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Rev. Dr. Margo Coker. A faithful servant of God, Dr. Coker peacefully entered eternal rest last week at her home.

Dr. Coker was a beloved member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Birmingham and served as Pulpit Supply from 2016 to 2018. During her time at Westminster, she provided compassionate spiritual leadership and a steadfast presence in the life of our congregation.

We give thanks for her ministry, her wisdom, and the grace with which she shared the Word of God. Her legacy will remain in the hearts of those she touched through her service and fellowship. Please keep her family and loved ones in your prayers during this time of mourning. Further details regarding arrangements will be shared as they become available.

Global Mission is Happening!

In the April "Jay's Jottings" I shared a news report from the PC(USA) regarding changes happening in world mission. I noted the sadness associated with the report, and what it means for the changes in how the PC(USA) is engaged in world mission. The news was spread with a news article by Greg Garrison who contacted me and others for more information. I mentioned that other organizations related to the PC(USA) are responding to Christ's call to share the good news. We have Presbyters involved with several of those organizations, including the Frontier Fellowship and the Outreach Foundation. The Outreach Foundation has sent out a letter inviting conversations seeking to discern next steps for our church's work in global mission. I have attached their letter for your reading and lifting up prayers for the mission of Jesus Christ. 

Hymnals needing to be rehomed! 

Sadly, due to circumstances beyond our control, Providence Presbyterian Church in Montgomery, AL is closing and we will be selling our property. We had our final worship service on Sunday, April 27, and we have approximately 160 like new, red "Glory to God" Presbyterian Hymnals that need to be rehomed. We also have 3 of the loose-leaf accompaniment books that go with the hymnals. We will gladly donate any or all of them to a church that would like to have them, for just the cost of shipping. Please contact Kathy Sweezey at kathsweez46@gmail.com, or text or call 334-467-3943 if you are interested. 

Deadline Extended: GA Grants for Congregations and Presbyteries

The 2025 General Assembly Unassigned Fund Grant Program application period is now open. Find information on the funds available and all application materials. The final deadline for submissions is August 1. Please contact Interim Unified Agency staff with questions: RFOS-PCUSA@pcusa.org.

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

Pentecost Offering

Pentecost Sunday is a celebration of the Holy Spirit’s arrival, empowering the disciples to overcome their fear and boldly share the Gospel message. The Pentecost Offering, which supports children at risk, ministries with children and youth (including the Youth Triennium, which happens this July in Louisville), and the Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) program, is a way Presbyterians encourage our young people to do the same. Please join us in receiving this offering to ensure that our younger siblings in Christ begin life with a solid foundation of faith.

Prayer Concerns

Joe Genau for the passing of his Dad.

Terry Tingle for the passing of his older brother.

Jothany James for a recent surgery.

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!

Join us in New Orleans as prominent PC(USA) leader and powerful preacher, the Rev. Dr. Alonzo T. Johnson, opens the Stewardship Kaleidoscope Conference in worship on Mon., Sept. 22!

Johnson, the manager for the Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People Program (SDOP) in the PC(USA)’s Interim Unified Agency, has 25 years of experience in missional church studies, urban ministry, congregational-based organizing, youth/education, creative arts, peacemaking, anti-poverty, prison and social justice ministries. He is also the convener of PC(USA) Public Education Roundtable and is an active staff member of the Poverty Consultant team, an anti-poverty working group composed of both PC(USA) national staff and mid council leaders. He is married to the Rev. Aisha Brooks-Johnson, executive presbyter for the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta.

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.

PAM Worship & Music Conference:

“Clothed In Love”

Join musicians and worship leaders for the most widely attended annual conference of the PC(USA) denomination, June 15 – 20 and June 22 – 27, 2025, at the Montreat Conference Center in Montreat, North Carolina!​ Together, we will create music, learn, and worship. Your participation is an investment in the dynamic growth of our denomination as we explore the promising future together. Register now.

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 Outlook

• PC(USA) seminaries adapt for young professionals
• Why is the PC(USA) so "political"?
• Presbyterian Foundation Day of Learning is back!

Montreat Conference Center

• Announcing Montreat's Summer Worship Series

PHS Matters

POAMN Conference

PRESBYTERY OPERATING FINANCES March 2025 YTD