A Conversation with

MaryAnn McKibben Dana

The Presbyterian Promise

AN $80,000 SCHOLARSHIP OVER 4 YEARS FOR ALL STUDENTS WHO ARE PRESBYTERIAN.



The Presbyterian Promise Scholarship is a commitment by Presbyterian College (PC) to recognize students for their merit and affiliation with the Presbyterian Church. PC seeks to develop students academically and spiritually in this signature scholarship. Students who are of members of Presbyterian churches will receive a scholarship for a minimum of $20,000 per year for up to four years—that’s an $80,000 commitment to you. For more information and to apply visit our site: www.presby.edu/presbyterian-promise

Heritage Preservation Grant Deadline - A message from PHS

Each year, the Presbyterian Historical Society offers Heritage Preservation Grants to PC(USA) congregations for up to $500 of free digitization services. Apply for this year’s grant by December 31.

APCE 2023 - A message from the Office of Christian Formation

Registration is now open for the APCE Annual Event, Unforced Rhythms of Grace, January 25-28, 2023, in Birmingham, Alabama. Join the Association of Partners in Christian Education for this opportunity to learn, connect, and renew. The event will be hybrid, offering both in person and online opportunities. We are excited that the online option is available in both English and Spanish. Sign up here for Spanish, which is being offered for free. Scholarships for online in English are still available.

PHFC Thrift Store Donations

Bring your usable furniture, furnishings, items and gently used clothing, etc. to the NEW Presbyterian Home for Children's Thrift Store donation center in the parking lot of Mountain Brook Presbyterian Church. Donations will be accepted every third Friday of the month from 9:00 AM - Noon.

The Home has a second donation drop off location at Southminster Presbyterian in the church parking lot. Donations will be accepted only on the first Saturday of every month from 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM. 

Look for the box truck onsite for your donation drop off. 

Our new PHFC store in Talladega is officially NOW OPEN! We held a ribbon cutting this morning with the Greater Talladega and Lincoln Area Chamber of Commerce and officially opened our doors right after. We have 20,000 square feet of space in this storefront at Northgate Shopping Center next to Marvin's. It is packed with furniture, antiques, houseware, clothing, toys and more!



Our hours are Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Come see us!

Programs for Deepening Understanding of Church Finances

The Presbyterian Foundation is pleased to bring you another Day of Learning with presentations and conversation about church finances and investments.

This FREE online learning opportunity is set for November 8, 2022.

12:00 PM ET/9:00 AM PT Understanding Budgets and Reports with Robert Hay, Senior Ministry Relations Officer

2:00 PM ET /11:00 AM PT Know your Fund Types: what are they and what are they for with Anita Clemons, Senior Vice President of Investment Management

4:00 PM ET/1:00 PM PT Understanding Investments: strategies, trends, and concerns with Brad Masters, Vice President, New Covenant Trust Company

Register Today

Matthew 25

Living into the vision: PC(USA) discerns what it means to be a Matthew 25 church

So what does it mean to be a Matthew 25 church – one that lives into Jesus’ teaching from Matthew’s Gospel to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, care for the stranger, the prisoner, those in need? Click the link above to read more.

If your church has recently become a Matthew 25 church, would you please let the Presbytery office know? You may email Tammy to confirm. Also, please register on the Matthew 25 website below and your church will receive a packet of resources from PMA:

https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/matthew-25/become-a-matthew-25-church/

Matthew 25 in the PC(USA):

A bold vision and invitation

Fall Elementary Retreat



This month at Living River

Support Living River's Annual Fund with holiday shopping- First, an Art & Craft sale. Join us online, Nov. 18-20, or in person Nov. 19, 9-1 pm at Second Presbyterian. Pieces include beautiful pottery, original art by local artists including Freedom Rider Rev. Clyde Carter, prints by A Sanctified Art, craft pieces by women at First Light, and various second-hand pieces. Second, a sweatshirt sale. From Dec. 21- Dec. 4th, Living River sweatshirts will be available for sale online and will ship directly to your home. Visit our website for more details on both sales. 

Also, please join us for a work day on Dec. 3rd (Dec. 10, rain makeup day). Volunteers can signup by emailing [email protected]. Details of the projects will be emailed out to volunteers a week ahead of the work day and posted online. Indoor and outdoor projects will be available.

PSCE Sponsored Cohort Groups for

Commissioned Ruling Elders

Commissioned Ruling Elders (CRE) in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are invited to participate in one of five cohorts whose goals are collegial support, sharing new ideas, and learning best practices for ministry. The cohorts are designed to fulfill the church's need for such support and to strengthen the ministry of CREs.

These cohorts will meet monthly for the 2023 calendar year. Groups will consist of up to eight participants and a facilitator. The cohorts will meet for two hours once each month on Zoom. Participants will receive a stipend of $500 for the year. 

Each participant must have a current commission in effect, serving as solo pastor in a congregation. Topics for engagement by participants will include spiritual disciplines and practices, seasonal needs in the church's program year (i.e., Advent, church school, Session meetings, educational opportunities), and the sharing of the needs and concerns of each participant. Preparation for meetings may include short reading assignments.

This program is sponsored by Union Presbyterian Seminary's PSCE program (Presbyterians Supporting Christian Education) which provides support for those in ministry in the PC(USA). The CRE cohorts were beta-tested in 2022, with very positive results based on participant feedback. A set of cohorts is currently under way for Christian Educators. This new initiative expands the meaning of Christian Education to include the broader work of the church. Check out this program at https://www.upsem.edu/psce/.

Deadline for applications is November 30, 2022. The cohorts will run from January to December, 2023. For further information, contact: Marilyn Johns at [email protected].

UKirk Show and Tell Celebration

Nov 10, Sanctuary Night

Get to know Ukirk better! Because Ukirkers are known to have so many amazing stories, we are dedicating a whole night to them! Everyone is welcome to bring a video, object, story, powerpoint etc. to share with the group. Humor and quirkiness is encouraged!

Growing in Gratitude

Nov 17, Spirituality Night

Join us to discuss how gratitude is presented in the Bible and how it relates to you.

Unbounded We Thrive

Moderators’ Conference 2022

November 10-12

The 2022 Moderators’ Conference will take place Thursday evening through late afternoon Saturday, November 10–12, in person at the Presbyterian Center in Louisville or online. Registration will open in the next couple of weeks, and will require each participant to use a link unique to them. Please, clerks and/or EPs, use this form to send us the name of the moderator, vice-moderator, and/or moderator-elect who should receive an invitation with that link; make sure you include the email they intend to use to communicate with us.

Since participants will need to travel home on Sunday, consider offering to fill the pulpit if your moderator would ordinarily be preaching that weekend.

If you missed other details shared previously, you can find them in this issue of the newsletter. 

Newsletters, Bulletins, News

• BOP Board Connections
• Presbyterian Outlook
• Montreat Conference Center
• Presbyterian Historical Society

Pandemic Ponderings by:

Rev. Dr. Sue Westfall



Twice a month our General 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 to read her "Ponderings" so far.

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.

Online Church Services

PRESBYTERY OPERATING FINANCES August 2022 YTD