Presbytery Profiles

Submitted by: Rev. Sid Burgess, HR

Birth, Death, Rebirth Mark Merger 

of Shades Valley, Southminster 



Birth, death, and now the hope for rebirth, perhaps in this case, revitalization, mark the merger of Shades Valley and Southminster Presbyterian churches. The union of the two suburban Birmingham congregations becomes official on October 2nd. Shades Valley...

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Practicing Inclusion

A Leader Formation Webinar for Ruling Elders and Deacons

What is implicit bias—and how does it affect the ability of the church to be faithful to God’s will? How can the church be more welcoming and inclusive of all voices?

On October 13 at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time Jihyun Oh, Director of Mid Council Ministries in the Office of the General Assembly, will lead a 90-minute webinar exploring these matters—both identifying problems hindering our faithfulness and offering tools to address them.

The cost of the webinar is covered by your per capita dollars. Register no later than October 5.

Spanish Version

This month at Living River

This month, Living River is sharing stewardship statistics to encourage new donors for its Bedrock Sustaining Donors program. Did you know Living River depends on donor contributions for 65% of its annual revenue? You read that right! Living River's income from camps, retreats, miscellaneous facets, and grants only accounts for 35% of its revenue. This means Living River is dependent on regular donations from the pastors, members, and people of the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley to be able to do the camping and environmental stewardship ministry our presbytery cares about. Please consider giving a monthly donation of $25 or annual donation of $300 to become a Bedrock Sustaining Donor. Please also share this informational blurb with your congregation and visit our website, livingriver.org for more information!

Is there an artist or craft-person in your congregation? Living River is holding an Arts and Crafts sale as a fundraiser the weekend of November 18-20 online and in-person at Second Presbyterian. We would love to include local and presbytery artists! Contact Rachel Mathews, rvmathews@livingriver.org, if you know someone who may contribute their art or craft.

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. 

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. 

Congratulations to Daniel Killilea

The E.L. Bell Memorial Prize is awarded to a student in his or her first year who has demonstrated excellence in biblical studies. Established in 1953, the award is presented in memory of Edwin Lewis Bell (1864-1942), a deacon and elder of Old Stone Presbyterian Church in Lewisburg, W.Va., and the father of Margaret Bell Hanna of Lexington, Ky., who was the spouse of Dr. C. Morton Hanna (1896-1964), a Louisville Seminary alum, professor and pioneer of the supervised field ministry movement.

Preaching About Racism

Study Group

How do we preach faithfully and effectively about racism? Following the racial justice pilgrimage this spring, the Anti Racism Committee wanted to help resource those in our presbytery who wish to address racism in their preaching. We know that many of us in our presbytery feel compelled to speak about racism and white supremacy in our preaching and in other teaching settings, but we don’t always feel well equipped to do so. 

Below are the upcoming sessions:

Week 3 - September 29  

Ch. 4: Talking about Racial Identity

Week 4 - October 6

Ch. 5: Biblical Preaching about Racism

Week 5 - October 13  

Ch. 6: Theology for Preaching about Racism

Week 6 - October 20  

Ch 7: Strategies for Preaching about Racism

Accountability and Next Steps

2022-2023 Planning Calendars

Please email Tammy if you would like a planning calendar. We have approximately 25 calendars left at a discounted rate of $10.50 each. (regular price is $16.95)   

Host an International Peacemaker

A message from the

Presbyterian Peacemaking Program

World Communion Sunday is a prime time to host an International Peacemaker. Maina Talia of Tuvalu (Pacific Islands), who can bring information and awareness of climate change and other crucial issues, is available Wednesday, 9/28/22 through Tuesday, 10/4/22.

See his bio, and visit the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program website or call Amy Lewis for additional information. Submit your application to host online.

Newsletters, Bulletins, News

• Presbyterian Outlook
• POAMN
• BOP - Wholeness Edition
• 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.

In Our Prayers

Please keep Rev. Mary Porter in your prayers. She was involved in an automobile accident leaving church a few weeks ago.

The Congo Mission Partnership of the Presbytery is saddened to learn of the death of the Executive Secretary of the West Kasai Synod in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Albert Mputu Kabasele died on August 14, 2022 and was buried on August 27, 2022. Our Congo Mission Partnership has partnered with the two Presbyteries of Nganza and Tshibashi for many years. Please pray for our Congolese sisters and brothers in their grief and loss.

PRESBYTERY OPERATING FINANCES August 2022 YTD