Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley |
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"partner with and equip present and emerging
PC(USA) faith communities in central Alabama
to serve Christ and our neighbors"
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Friends, how are you doing in this "new normal"? Do you find yourself wondering if we learned anything at all from living through an Unprecedented Global Pandemic? Is it harder than ever to manage your schedule and set faithful priorities for yourself and your congregation?
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Moderator's Conference
And you shall be my witnesses: Cultivating Mission-Minded Leadership Moderators’ Conference, November 11–13—Zoom
Now’s the time for presbytery and synod moderators (and/or those on deck) to register for the 2021 Moderators’ Conference, and we are counting on mid council leaders to share that information with the folks who ought to be participating. October 28 is the last day to register, so please don’t put us in the position of having to turn people away because they weren’t notified in a timely fashion.
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Vaccinations and religious exemptions
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(Virtual) 2021 Polity, Benefits, and Mission Conference
We look forward to gathering with you virtually at the 2021 Polity, Benefits, and Mission Conference. This event will be held October 14, 2021 - October 15, 2021, 11:00 AM - 4:15 PM Eastern Time, each day, with a break in the middle. Co-sponsored by the Office of the General Assembly, The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and the Presbyterian Mission Agency, this event is an opportunity to...read more.
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2021-2022 Planning Calendars
The Presbytery still has approximately 40 planning calendars left at a discounted price of $10.50 each. If you or your church would like to reserve a copy, please contact Tammy.
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Peacemaking Survey
A message for your congregations from Research Services and the PPP
The Presbyterian Peacemaking Program is conducting a survey of congregations and their peacemaking practices and commitments. Responses to this survey will help shape our ministry and provide you with the best peacemaking resources from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). This survey will take approximately 10 minutes depending on your answers, and your feedback is appreciated.
You might think that this survey looks or sounds familiar, and you would be right! Originally, this survey was sent to congregations in July. Unfortunately, there was a low response that is probably related to covid and vacations. Now that summer is waning, it seems like the right time to resend this survey. If you completed it in July, thank you. You do not need to respond. For those of you who were not able to respond early, here is your opportunity.
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Southminster
Presbyterian Church
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 2021. The total funds available are up to $39,000. All grant requests must be received by September 1. Grants will be awarded in late November.
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PHFC Thrift Store Monthly Donation day at SVPC
The next collection date is Saturday,
November 6, 2021. 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 Terry Tingle, 256-339-4030.
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2021 Habitat House
The Birmingham area churches in the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley are sponsoring a Habitat for Humanity house for 2021. The house build will be at 1018 Herring Street, Midfield, 35228. The family will be the Carolyn Hamilton family. We need donations of money and volunteers to help the Hamilton family. Please join us in this way to serve Jesus Christ.
Volunteers may register online at: hfhgb.volunteermatrix.com. This will take you to the Calendar, where you may choose the date you wish to work. The Access Code is: presby21. You will need to login to your volunteer profile before you can register for a date. If you have not created a Volunteer Profile, you will need to create one, with a username and password..
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PHS Live—A message from the Presbyterian Historical Society
Join PHS staff October 6 from 6:00–7:00 p.m. Eastern for a conversation with Latinx mid council leaders during Hispanic Heritage Month. Click here for more information.
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POAMN 2021 National Conference
This conference is featuring our longtime friends Donna and Dennis Haines from Missouri, leading our music and worship. We will observe communion during Thursday’s worship, please come prepared with your own elements. Our Keynoter is internationally-recognized author...read more.
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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 to read her "Ponderings" so far.
Sue will be involved in Mid-Council conferences all this week and will have to cancel the monthly zoom gathering this Thursday, October 7th.
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Happening at Mountain Brook
Sunday, October 17, 3-6:30 PM: Fall Festival
Join us as we enjoy the fall weather in the MBPC parking lot. We'll have activities for everyone, including live music!
Sunday, October 31, 4-6:30 PM: Trunk or Treat
Do you like candy and costumes? Well, come on and join us in the MBPC parking lot to celebrate Halloween!
Sat., November 20, 3-6:30 PM: Chili Cook Off
Do you like candy and costumes? Well, come on and join us in the MBPC parking lot to celebrate Halloween!
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SDOP Webinar October 29
You are invited to sign up to hear from SDOP community partner New Mexico Women’s Global Pathways and other community and church leaders for a discussion on how the church can understand ways to listen, engage and form relationships with communities.
Attached are panelist bios and a flyer for this event, please share widely.
This is a 1.5-hour virtual discussion. The event is for congregations, mid councils, local community partners, volunteers, organizations, and anyone interested in the work of creating equity and/or advocating for social justice issues.
Our purpose is to create an awareness around the intersectionality of immigrant justice, poverty eradication and varied economic and social justice issues. We also want to provide perspectives through a national and local lens and explore possible ways to help guide our work in eradicating poverty and how to listen, engage and form relationships with communities.
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Refer a Student to
UKirk Campus Ministries
The PC(USA) college ministries in our Presbytery (UKirk) would love to connect with your college students as they head off to school this fall! If your congregation has students who may be interested in UKirk, please fill out this form and share it widely in your congregations. The UKirk ministry leaders (Rev. Caroline Barnett - UKirk Auburn, Rev. Andy Spaulding - UKirk Bama, The Steering Team for UKirk Birmingham, and Lin Veasey - UKirk JSU) will check submissions regularly and get in touch with students to welcome them to campus. And most importantly, tell your college students to look up UKirk when they arrive to campus; a word of mouth recommendation from someone they trust is the most effective form of referral. We can’t wait to welcome your students to our communities this fall.
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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:
Bulletin Inserts Available
Click here to read shared stories.
Click here to share your story.
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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.
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Perry Dallas County Fund
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... View the flyer
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Involvement of Youth—A message from Presbyterian World Mission
The Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) invite you to a partnership conference, Involvement of Youth, Sunday, October 17, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Eastern.
This YOUTH partnership conference is to bring together people of all ages from both the Czech Republic and the U.S.A. to get to know the different ways of youth involvement, gain inspiration, and share mutual experiences. There will be four thematic workshops: youth activities in civil society, leading summer camps, ways you can be active outside the church, and youth involvement inside the church.
Please spread the word to your congregations.
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PRESBYTERY OPERATING FINANCES August 2021 YTD
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Sue Westfall
Transitional Presbyter
Tammy Strickland
Presbytery Administrator
Assistant to the Stated Clerk
Bookkeeping
Tom Winter
Stated Clerk
Linda Burrowes
Recording Clerk
Jean Russell
Treasurer
Ralls Coston
Volunteer Mission Coordinator
Pat Goodman
Volunteer Nurture Coordinator
James Ephraim
Volunteer Liaison for
African American Churches
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Updated Presbytery office hours for staff during the Pandemic:
9 AM - 4 PM Monday, Wednesday and Friday, staff works from home Tuesday and Thursday.
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First Presbyterian Church
of Phenix City, AL is looking for a
New Part-time Pastor. Click here for the job description.
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UKirk Ministry Coordinator Position
UKirk Birmingham is hiring! We are searching for our next Ministry Coordinator. This part-time role is a vital part of our ministry, working closely with the Supervising Pastor and Student Minister(s), and planning our service learning and social justice opportunities. To apply, check out the job description, and send a cover letter and resume to Robert Newman ([email protected]) or Emily Burt ([email protected]).
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3603 Lorna Ridge Drive ~ Birmingham, AL 35216
Phone: 205-978-0320 ~ Fax: 205-978-0330
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