A Gathering for Leaders Committed to Transformation

Like us, we know you are deeply concerned about the state of our country and world. We long for real change and hope the Church will be at the forefront of leading that change; that our faith will stir up the courage for us to lead with resiliency toward whatever threatens our very lives and those around us.

But the problems before us aren't small. They are system problems. Immigration, racism, increased poverty, the dismantling of education, and discrimination based on gender identity, ethnicity, and religion are big issues. Wielding political power and authoritarian actions. None of these will be solved with book studies and finely crafted sermons. 

Or even a thoughtfully planned conference.

Which is why, when we sought to gather this November for the National Gathering, we took to heart the responsibility of planning something that mattered. It is why this event is part-training and part-gathering. We want participants to leave with leveled up skills, tangible resources, and a network of co-conspirators. 

We know the stakes are high. The Church needs healthy and courageous leaders. We truly believe when people join together with a shared purpose that transformation is not only possible, but inevitable.

Providence Pres in Montgomery has several boxes of puppets to give away to any church. If interested call, the church at 334-274-1018.

We hope the families of your congregation can join us at Living River for this year's Fall Elementary Retreat, Nov. 7-9. Please see the Registration List for helpful instructions. And visit our website for information:

https://www.livingriver.org/kidsandyouthretreats.html

Celebrate Theological Education Sunday

Theological Education Sunday is celebrated each September in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). This year, Theological Education Sunday is officially set for September 21, 2025, or whenever best fits your congregation’s schedule.

Resources for Celebration

A sample liturgy, which includes a bulletin announcement, hymn selections, scripture suggestions and prayers, and a newsletter or bulletin announcement are available for download along with other resources at the Presbyterian Foundation website to help you prepare for and celebrate this important day.

Bulletin inserts include testimonies from Rev. Emily McGinley, senior pastor of City Church in San Francisco, and the Rev. Sam Codington, pastor of McGregor Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC.

Additionally, PowerPoint slides are available for your use in projection or in your digital worship service.

"Theological Education Sunday is an invitation to be part of the future of the church by supporting our seminaries and future pastors," said the Rev. Zoë Garry, Associate Director of Theological Education Funds Development. "It is through your generous gifts that we are able to continue to support our Presbyterian seminaries and covenant partners throughout the US and Puerto Rico, providing scholarships, programs and unique opportunities to our Presbyterian students and future leaders."

You can support the Theological Education Fund easily online here.

We are excited to see registrations coming in for our conference in January! We hope you will join us in Birmingham, Alabama on January 12-14 as we think and pray together about the status of our Nicene heritage around the world today. Get a sense of what to expect by checking out our plenary session titles below!

Remember to save now by taking advantage of our early bird discount before it ends on September 5! If you are a student, be sure to check out our discounted student ticket as well!

Peace & Global Witness Offering Resources Available

The Peace & Global Witness Offering offers congregations ways to support efforts for peace and justice in their own community while also supporting the peacemaking work of mid councils and the PC(USA). Twenty-five percent of the Offering stays with the congregation, 25% stays with the mid council, and 50% is used nationally and internationally. Find Peace & Global Witness resources like minutes for mission, Pursuing Peace video, worship liturgy, and social media images (available in Spanish and Korean).

The 2025 Annual Congo Mission Network Conference will be held in Tuscaloosa, Alabama at Stillman College. The Conference is being co-sponsored by Stillman College, Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church, and The Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley.

Theme: "Ethical Leadership and the Church: Living Together"

Date: Thursday-Saturday, October 23-25, 2025 [in-person and via ZOOM]

In addition to Conference participants who will gather at Stillman College, other partner/participants in the Democratic Republic of Congo will participate and play significant roles in the Conference via ZOOM.

Congregations of the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley can assist in the following and other ways:

1. Members attend the Conference in person or via ZOOM https://congopartners.org/register2025
2. Give financial support to help cover expenses [technology, meeting room setup, transportation, etc.]
3. Sponsor meals for in-person attendees [lunches, morning and afternoon refreshments, Friday night dinner]
4. Give contents for "Welcome-bags" for in-person attendees
5. Give-a-way items to in-person attendees [pens, note pads, etc.]
6. Assist with decorating meeting space at Stillman
7. Serve as worship leaders [music, sermons on Thursday, or Friday, or Saturday, etc.]

Members and congregations are invited to indicate the ways they might wish to support the Conference.

Contacts:   

Ralls Coston

Joseph Scrivner

Charles Nash [chasrnash@aol.com] or (205) 799-0260 cell

Prayer Concerns

Prayers for Peace in this world.

Join the Board of Pensions Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, 2-3:30 p.m. ET for Inside the Medical Plan: How It Works & Why it Matters. In this webinar, you will learn how the Medical Plan is shaped by Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) values and built for long-term sustainability. You’ll gain an understanding of what’s driving healthcare costs, how the plan is financially managed, and how Medical Plan benefits reflect a commitment to stewardship, care, and well-being. 

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

What’s ahead: Selecting benefits for 2026

Your congregations’ 2026 Employer Agreements will be available in Benefits Connect Aug. 28-Oct. 3. This is their opportunity to review pricing and select one or more benefits to offer their employees for next year. Look for an announcement email with more details soon.

Annual Enrollment for employees in your congregations will take place Oct. 20-Nov. 7. This is their opportunity to choose benefits their employer has offered for 2026. Employers will have access to updated communication resources in the coming months to help guide staff through the enrollment process.

Closing the Dallas Long Term Recovery Group

The Dallas County Long Term Recovery Group was formed in the winter of 2023 after the tornado that devastated parts of Dallas County and Selma. The LTRG was comprised of local community leaders, clergy, business people and funders from around the state. Cornerstone Presbyterian Church of Selma, the Episcopal Church, the Lutheran Church, Grace Tabernacle of Selma, the Edmundites (a Catholic order), Mennonites, the United Methodist Church and our Presbytery all worked together to raise funds and repair/rebuild housing in Selma. UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Recovery) provided the case management for 230 open client cases, performing 95 repairs/rebuilds of homes, and distributing almost $2.5 million dollars. Our Presbytery contributed $44,439.97 to replace appliances and furniture, repair roofs and help build 2 houses. This helped 10 families.

The work of the Dallas LTRG is now completed. We had a Celebration Supper in Selma July 8, where the families, the funders, the UMCOR team all met and heard each other’s stories.

Thank you Presbytery churches for all your generous help. It is time to give thanks to God.

There is much poverty in the Black Belt and so we will continue to be active in service there. Also, please do not forget about those who are suffering in western North Carolina and in Texas. The Presbyterian Church focusses on long term recovery in the aftermath of disasters.

Again, thank you, Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley. And thanks be to God.

Don’t miss the opportunity to join us in-person in New Orleans for plenary sessions, worship experiences, and workshops focused on best stewardship practices.

We will be learning with Rev. Dr. David King, Rev. Dr. Corey Nelson, Rev. Jean Marie Peacock and Rev. Dr. Becca Ehrlich. We will be worshiping together, hearing the Word brought to life by Rev. Dr. Alonzo Johnson and Rev. Dr. Becca Ehrlich.



We will be getting practical tools in workshops from leading experts in stewardship and planned giving, and we’ll be networking and building community through fellowship over meals and receptions. 

There's still time to register before in-person registration closes on September 5! We hope you will join us!

Our General Presbyter, Sue Westfall, is planning to drive down the day before the conference and is offering to carpool with anyone that would like to go. Contact Sue if interested.

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

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

• Fall Curriculum
• How selling land energized a small PC(USA) church
• The strategically small church
• Young Presbyterians share a vision for the church at Triennium 2025 

Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network

• August Addition

PRESBYTERY OPERATING FINANCES June 2025 YTD