Director's Corner

Friends,

As the writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us:

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die…(Ecclesiastes 3:1-2)

In October of 2009, Savannah Presbytery gave birth to Christ Presbyterian Church in Pooler as our newest worshipping community; and there was great rejoicing! In October of 2022, however, Christ Presbyterian Church in Pooler, after 13 years, held its last worship service; and there was great sadness.

But if our faith teaches us anything, out of death there can come new life, as Jesus himself demonstrated on that first Easter morning! And out of the closing of Christ Presbyterian Church there comes new life available to other churches and entities in Savannah Presbytery.

Earlier this year, our Presbytery established the “Christ Church Legacy Grant Fund” using the proceeds from the sale of the church property in Pooler (which have been invested with the Presbyterian Foundation). Grants are being offered within our Presbytery to “innovate, enliven, and strengthen churches and ministries” with special consideration given to ministries that:

• cultivate community partnerships and peacemaking efforts
• seek to try something new in meeting missional needs
• support efforts that have proven to be beneficial
• address physical plant and equipment needs in our churches

This year alone, we have some $70,000 to give away in grants! But the deadline for applying for grants – September 4^th – is fast approaching. Please click on the link below for more information…and don’t wait – get those applications filled out, approved, and sent in!

In Christ’s Service,

Andy Meeker

Pastor, Wilmington Island Presbyterian Church

Associated Stated Clerk

Former Chair of the New Church Development Committee

I am about to do a new thing;

now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

 -Isaiah 43:19

Savannah Presbytery Events

October School of the Laity

Application Deadline: September 4

Pilgrimage to Atlanta

Application Deadline: September 10

We invite you to our overnight pilgrimage to Atlanta! Over the past few years, we have traveled to Montgomery, AL, and to each of the three districts of our presbytery to gain a fuller understanding of our history. By doing so, we open ourselves to the possibility of more fully living as the body of Christ—a body that lifts up each member as a unique and honored part of the whole, made in the Imago Dei (Gen. 1:26–27). We are simply not complete without one another. Come join us!

We do not want costs to be prohibitive for anyone, if you are in need of financial assistance, please contact Mary Simpson, Chair, Racial Justice Ministry Team at mnsimpson978@gmail.com.

Fall Stated Meeting

In-Person Registration Now Open!

The Fall Stated Meeting will be held at Metter Presbyterian Church (611 South Lewis St) on Thursday, October 8 at 10 am. We will worship together and carry out the necessary business of the meeting then will enjoy a buffet lunch at Bevrick’s Restaurant just down the street from the church. The lunch will feature a presentation by the Rev. Dana Waters, a minister member of our presbytery, who is the Presbyterian Foundation’s Ministry Relations Officer for the Southeast (AL, FL, GA, MS, and PR). Dana’s program will be helpful for pastors, treasurers, and members of Stewardship & Finance Committees and Sessions. We encourage our churches to send more than just commissioners to this meeting!

Director of Pastoral and Ecclesial Care

Part-Time/ Flex-Time

The Director position can be bi-vocational with other work or responsibilities supplementing the presbytery work, including working less than full-time in a church or other ministry setting. All three directors (Director of Administration, Director of Mission and Program Advancement, Director of Pastoral and Ecclesial Care) work together with the Stated and Associate Stated Clerks, with the Associate Director of Pastoral and Ecclesial Care, with other staff members, and with the other elected officers of the presbytery. The directors meet monthly for coordination.

This is a salaried “flex-time” position requiring, on average, 15 hours per week. The rate per hour for all directors is calculated at approximately $32.62. A benefit stipend (20% of salary) may be applied to a 403b Retirement Savings Plan or a Flexible Spending Account, both offered through the Board of Pensions. Social Security taxes are paid by the presbytery (FICA) or paid to clergy (SECA). The DPEC receives $2000 for Professional Expenses (travel, meals, subscriptions) and $1,500 (Continuing Education). A laptop computer is provided and, after four years of service to the presbytery, the laptops become the property of the user. The presbytery offers a general phone number with a dedicated mailbox for each director. Cell phone charges are the responsibility of each director.   

Application Deadline: September 4

Interested applicants should provide

1. Cover Letter
2. Resume
3. Faith Statement
4. Three References

Please direct questions and requested information to Chair of the Personnel Committee, Rev. Dr. Jon Hauerwas, Pastor of Skidaway Community Church, at jon@skidcc.org.

Matthew 25 Moments

• Johnnye shared that Grant Chapel supported the Third Saturday events in the Arbery Park held by Ahmaud’s Aunt Diane & others for children over the summer months. Gloria O’Neal led the children in some gardening exercises of both planting and transplanting. The children also went on a visit to a farm. Backpacks and school supplies were also provided. Bob Morgan noted that often in impoverished groups, families have to choose between school supplies and food for their children so often the families go hungry so the children are not shamed at school.

September

1st- Education & Training Team (ETT) @ 2:00 pm

2nd- Committee for Preparation for Ministry (CPM) @ 10:00 am

2nd- Synod Sack Lunch Zoom @ 12 - RSVP Here

3rd- Committee on Ministry (COM) @ 2:00 pm

3rd- DEADLINE for Christ Church Legacy Grant Fund Apply Here

3rd- DEADLINE SOL Registration Signup Here

8th- Mission Committee @ noon

10th- Personnel Committee @ 9:30 am

10th- DEADLINE for Atlanta Pilgrimage Registration Signup Here

3rd- Committee on Ministry (COM) @ 2:00 pm

14th- Racial Justice Ministry Team (RJMT) @ 3:30 pm

15th- Council Meeting @ 10:00 am

15th- Georgia Presbyteries 2028 Planning Team @ 2pm

16th- Synod COM Sack Lunch Zoom @ 12pm - RSVP Here

22nd- Stewardship & Finance Committee @ 10:00 am

October

3-4th- School of the Laity Epworth on St. Simons or online signup here

8th - Fall Stated Meeting - 10AM Meeting, 12PM Lunch/Learn - Metter PC

10-11th Intergenerational Pilgrimage to Atlanta - Register by Sept 10

You can find our Organizational Chart and info on Darkness to Light Training on our website.

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