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"


Fall Back


Remember to Set your clocks back one hour before going to bed Saturday night.

2024-2025 Planning Calendars


We still have plenty available at a discounted price of $11.00 each.


How is your church doing financially?


Do you ever wonder how well your church is doing financially? Or how your church compares to other Presbyterian congregations your size?



The Presbyterian Foundation is bringing back its popular evaluation tool that will help your church measure your sustainability, evaluate participation and leadership, set priorities, and much more. This web-based tool, called the Church Financial Health Assessment, asks you a series of questions in a simple format, producing a report with recommendations and resources that your church can use. 


Read more and take the assessment

Deadlines


Our next Presbytery meeting is November 21st at Cahaba Springs Presbyterian Church. Your church commissioner(s) are due no later than November 6th. Please email Tammy their names, and email where the Presbytery packet can be sent. If you are a committee or commission chair, your reports are due no later than Friday, November 1st.

Cohorts for Commissioned Pastors and Christian Educators

A message to share from UPSem


Free to participants — and with a $500 annual stipend! — Union Presbyterian Seminary (UPSem) sponsors Presbyterians Supporting Christian Education (PSCE), a program with tracks for Commissioned Ruling Elders/Commissioned Pastors and for Educators (certified, not certified, volunteers, and pastors involved in Christian Education). In its sixth year, PSCE has served over 100 people. Cohorts of up to eight people plus a facilitator meet on Zoom for two hours once a month for support, learning, and sharing. Each cohort decides its own content. Educator groups often study a book or curriculum, while CRE/CP participants often discuss an article and present a case study.


Applications are due by November 30, 2024, for cohorts beginning in January, 2025.

Church Security Workshop

Sponsored by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance

November 2 - Southminster Presbyterian Church

Online registration 

Download the flyer

Help Address the Horror of Hurricane Helene


A message from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance



Hurricane Helene is among the deadliest storms to hit the United States. You can help amplify the message that the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is responding through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. Resources (videos, graphics, prayers, bulletin inserts and more) are available on the PDA Facebook page and website to communicate engagement opportunities with your mid councils. Thirteen presbyteries were directly affected, with over half of them having devastating damage in their communities, and a significant number of PC(USA) churches experienced flood and wind damage. PDA is actively coordinating with local leadership, providing emergency grants, and deploying National Response Teams to assist in recovery efforts. Emergency and long-term support is needed; donations can be sent via the QR code, by texting HELENE24 to 41444, or by sharing this link.

Contemplative Outreach Birmingham

presents

Introduction to Centering Prayer

at

Southminster Presbyterian Church

1124 Montgomery Highway

Vestavia, AL. 35216

Saturday, November 9, 2024

9:00 A. M. – Noon

 

Centering Prayer is an ancient form of sitting meditation in the Christian tradition.

It is rooted in the indwelling presence of God in each of us.

 

This introductory workshop will include four 20-minute presentations, covering

*prayer as relationship

**the method of Centering Prayer

***dealing with intruding thoughts

****deepening our relationship with God.

& 2 guided centering prayer sessions. Also time for breaks, coffee/snacks, & questions.

 

Presenters for this workshop are Rev. Dr. Mary Porter and Dr. David Smith.

 

To register, email or call Betsy Murphy:

betsy@southminsterpcusa.org       205-822-1124 Ext. 304

 

For more information about centering prayer and Contemplative Outreach Birmingham (COB) and to sign up for the quarterly newsletter, see www.contemplativeoutreachbirmingham.org

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, 2024 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. Early bird registration runs through November 15th.

See your church for registration or Rachel Mathews at rvmathews@livingriver.org

As you may know, we are fast approaching Election Day, which will take place on November 5. As people of faith, it is imperative that we vote to help ensure officials at the local, county, state, federal levels are elected who honor our values of justice and community.

 

Some dates to keep in mind:

Read More

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


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.

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

If you are interested contact Ralls Coston, Mission Coordinator at rcoston@pslpcusa.org

The Birmingham area churches are sponsoring a Habitat for Humanity house to be built in the Birmingham area. Construction began September 12, 2024. It will be built for Timmesha Baylor and her daughter, Raelya. The house will be built at: 3823 Barton Lane, Bessemer in the Hopewell Community. Timmesha was born and raised in Bessemer. She attended Lawson State Community College, where she studied criminal justice. She is working as a Branch Specialist at America’s First Federal Credit Union.


We will need volunteers and money for this project.


Also, please check out how to volunteer at Habitat for Humanity's website at: habitatbirmingham.org

Prayer Concerns


Richard Hanna and family - on the passing of his wife, Lisa 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.

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 August 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


North Alabama Presbytery Executive Presbyter Job Description Opening


Application Process for Position of NAP Executive Presbyter


The NAP EP Search Committee is seeking applications for the position of Executive Presbyter. (part-time, 25 hrs/week)



Applications must include 1) a one-page cover letter speaking to why you feel called to the position of NAP EP and 2) your resume. Please include contact information (phone, email) for three recommendations. Please send applications to Anita Raby at araby123@bellsouth.net.

In person interviews will be scheduled.


APPLICATION DEADLINE: November 21, 2024


Click below for the EP Position Description.

EP Position Description

PCUSA Job Openings


Positions in national agencies

Presbyterian Foundation open positions

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.

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.

Immanuel PCUSA in Montgomery is searching for an individual to serve as part-time Director of Family Ministries; for full position description contact the Immanuel Church Office - 
334-260-0567


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