September Newsletter

Fall Stated Meeting Save the Date

Tuesday, October 15 at Henry Memorial Presbyterian Church

(With volunteers from both Henry Memorial and Washington Street Presbyterian Churches)

Small Churches:

God Doing Extraordinary Things Through Ordinary People

Rev. Josh McKenna, Flemington - preaching

10:30 AM - Registration
11:00 AM - Lunch
Noon - Worship/ Meeting
2:30 PM - Adjourn

This meeting will be hybrid. You can find registration buttons for both in-person and zoom below.

Childcare is available if the request is made by Monday, October 7. Please reach out to Pastor Cathy Belles: bellescatherine@gmail.com

Vegetarian meal options will be available.

Henry Memorial PC is fully accessible. The lunch will be hosted in the Christian Life Center which does not have steps. There is an exterior ramp and an interior chair lift to the sanctuary.

General Assembly in Brief

Read the GA in Brief Here

Remembering the Saints

Pastors, Elders, and Deacons who have died in the past year.

Please submit, name, photo, and a brief biography to:

rdouylliez@savannahpresbytery.org and martistein@gmail.com

Exciting News!

Second Brunswick’s Session approved a recommendation to become a Matthew 25 Church! They join First Presbyterian Statesboro and Butler Memorial in affirming that the work in which they are engaged is the work of Matthew 25.

Exciting Opportunity!

We at FPC Statesboro want to invite you and all SP congregations - especially our District 2 folks - to join us on Sunday, September 29 for a special morning with the Rev. CeCe Armstrong, Moderator of the 226th General Assembly as our preacher and Sunday School teacher.

We were hoping some churches could join us that morning and give both their pastor a Sunday off and be encouraged in our connectional church.

Details:

Childcare provided
There will be a meal so RSVP by September 15th to office@fpcstatesboro.org
Sunday School will be in the Sanctuary at 9:30am; Worship in the Sanctuary at 11am
Our choir director is happy to welcome any singers, too, and would love to put together a District 2 choir for the morning. Anthem would be sent well in advance for practice.

Our hope is to use this time to connect us with one another and with the greater denomination. What a gift that Cece will grace us with a lasting Word! Please feel free to ask me or the FPC Statesboro staff any questions and circulate this opportunity widely!

With gratitude,

TLGH

For those in District 1, the bus of First Presbyterian Church (Savannah) is available to transport those who would like to attend First Statesboro’s morning worship service with Rev. CeCe Armstrong on September 29. Those interested would need to meet at FPC at 9 am. We would return after lunch arriving back into Savannah between 3-4 pm. Please contact Rev. Deanie Strength, deaniestrength@savannahpresbytery.org to reserve a seat.

Presbytery-wide Book Study!

Poverty by America Book Study

We are offering a presbytery-wide study on the book Poverty by America written by Matthew Desmond.

Desmond grew up poor in Winslow, Arizona. His father was a pastor, and the family struggled financially. Eventually the bank repossessed their home. “I think that experience of seeing my family pressed and stressed by the pressures of poverty led me to ask, ‘Why do we have so much poverty in America?’” Desmond said of the wealthiest nation on Earth, where 1 in 9 people live below the poverty line and tens of millions more people are just getting by just above the line.

Participants will be asked to read assigned chapters and have opportunity to gather on consecutive Thursday evenings from 7:00-8:15 PM for discussion via Zoom. In small groups, participants can expect to explore a handful of questions.

Our schedule will be:

October 3rd: Prologue, Chapters 1 & 2

October 10th: Chapters 3 & 4

October 17th: Chapters 5, 6 & 7

October 24th: Chapters 8, 9 & Epilogue

Click Here to Register

WOW - Wonder of Worship

Quick sheet on Welcoming Children to Worship

WOW Newsletter

Summer Camp 2025

June 15 - 20, 2025

Camp Montgomery, Starke FL

Children & Youth ages 8-17 years

$585 per camper

Registration is open NOW

with an Early Bird Discount of $50 until November 30^th

to save your camper’s spot!

When registering be sure to:

Choose Session 1: June 15-20
Choose Discovery Camp (8-11 year-olds) or Challenge Camp (12-17)
Complete the HOME CHURCH form

Save YOUR camper's spot for Camp Montgomery at the button below

What’s NEW for 2025?

Campers will be from multiple PC(USA) churches & presbyteries!
We’ve added a day to the length of Camp Week! (now 5 nights/6 days)
Early Bird (until Nov. 30th) and Sibling Discounts are available!
Tiered Pricing format!
Registration is open NOW! **To guarantee a spot, campers need to register and pay a $50 deposit ASAP!
Summer Camp InformaZoom: September 5th, 7-8 PM

Download a Printable Summer Camp Flyer Here

SOAP Conference

Faith Enrichment Conference

Quarterly Resources

Click Here for Quarterly Resources

Justice for Ahmaud Arbery

After the murder of Ahmaud Arbery in Brunswick, GA, Savannah Presbytery crafted a joint statement with Greater Atlanta Presbytery on May 28, 2020,highlighting the anti-racism statement of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and through which we pledged to walk alongside his family as they endured the journey of grief and the quest for justice.

On Thursday, October 24th, we can act on that pledge again by showing up to support the Arbery family as Ahmaud’s killers appeal their conviction at the Superior Court of Glynn County (701 H Street, Brunswick). Please join Reverends Deanie Strength, Cathy Belles, Honorably Retired Bob Morgan, Marty Susie, Director of Mission & Program Advancement and other Glynn County clergy at 8:30 am at the courthouse. If you are interested in carpooling or have any questions please contact Deanie (Deaniestrength@savannahpresbytery.org) or Marty (MSusie1@savannahpresbytery.org)

Savannah Presbytery Statement

PC(USA) Evangelism Conference

A Way to Support Those Affected by War in Ukraine

Dear Friends,

It’s hard to believe that two and a half years have passed since the onset of the war in Ukraine. For those of us who live in peace, it’s challenging to fully grasp the profound impact this conflict has had on those caught in its midst—especially the children. Each time we travel to Ukraine, we return home with the same overwhelming feeling: We truly know nothing of war. Our experiences are fleeting. We can’t begin to comprehend the daily struggles of children who have spent the last two and a half years growing up in a war zone — or the parents raising them amidst constant danger. All we can do is listen to their stories and do our best to support them.

Here are some stories we’ve heard. They are stories of resilience and courage:

Bohdan’s Story:

Seventeen-year-old Bohdan was severely injured when Russian forces shelled his village in the Kharkiv region. The targeted airstrikes claimed the lives of three civilians, including Bohdan’s 14-year-old girlfriend. Bohdan was left with critical injuries to his eyes and left hand. Although his road to recovery is long and uncertain—his hand requires extensive rehabilitation and the vision in one eye is likely lost—your support has made it possible for us to help cover the costs of his treatment and medication.

Oleh’s Story:

Oleh was simply fetching water outside his home in Kharkiv when a rocket strike tore off one leg and severely damaged the other. After extensive treatment in both Ukraine and Germany, Oleh now relies on a wheelchair, unable to walk even with prosthetics due to severe spinal injuries. Thanks to your generosity, we’re able to contribute to the ongoing costs of Oleh’s care and essential supplies.

Natalia and Vladislav’s Story:

Natalia and her young son Vladislav were gravely injured in a mortar attack in their village yard. Natalia sustained life-threatening injuries, losing an eye and suffering deep wounds to her head and neck. Despite the overwhelming odds, Natalia has bravely resumed work to care for her son, who also suffered a leg injury. Your donations have been vital in supporting their continued recovery.

Nina’s Story:

Nina was at work in a pharmacy in Kharkiv when a Russian missile struck, shattering glass all around her. She was left with injuries to her face and body. After multiple surgeries, Nina continues her long journey of healing, and thanks to your support, we are able to assist with her ongoing treatment and rehabilitation.

“Camino”

A Presbyterian-Related Ministry Providing Humanitarian Aid in Ukraine

Rev. Dr. Cathy Belles, Henry Memorial Presbyterian Church

Saturday, April 20, 2024, (NPO) Camino’s director, Jan Dus, presented a one hourPowerPoint discussion for a small group gathered at Henry Memorial Presbyterian Church in Dublin.

Dus is a Presbyterian pastor from the Czech Republic and a founder of the Christian humanitarian organization Camino. Camino is a Christian humanitarian organization legally registered in the Czech Republic. Its founders are Dr. Anna Dusova – a pharmacist and elder - and Pastor Jan Dus who are members of the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren (ECCB) in Policka, Czech Republic, which has very close ties with Presbyterian Church (USA). Camino was founded in 2022 with a twofold purpose - to provide humanitarian help in Ukraine and to organize service-tourism trips.

For the past two years, Camino has been providing humanitarian aid to people affected by the war in Ukraine. The need for aid and support in eastern Ukraine is dire.

Camino is proud to be a sponsored ministry of the Presbyterian Foundation. The Pres Foundation produced a short video about CAMINO, https://vimeo.com/902340981/1860cdd832?&login=true#_=_

Camino is a fully volunteer-based organization, including Director Dus. Thus, 96% of all donations directly support their humanitarian projects. As Rev Dus continued to share the work this volunteer organization is doing, I was reminded of Jesus’ great commandment, to love the Lord our God with all… and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

This ongoing crisis is unfathomable to those of us living in the peace of the USA. Jan Dus notes,

“For those of us who live in peace, it’s challenging to fully grasp the profound impact this conflict has had on those caught in its midst—especially the children. Each time we travel to Ukraine, we return home with the same overwhelming feeling: We truly know nothing of war. Our experiences are fleeting. We can’t begin to comprehend the daily struggles of children who have spent the last two and a half years growing up in a war zone — or the parents raising them amidst constant danger. All we can do is listen to their stories and do our best to support them.”

Camino works on an as needed basis, providing health care covering medical expenses, rehabilitation, food, shelter and even a summer camp for children un the Kyiv region in collaboration with Father’s House and the Institute for Child Trauma and Development. The camp is described, “In a country where children’s lives are overshadowed by conflict, offering them moments of joy and normalcy is more important than ever. This camp provided a safe space for vulnerable children, helping to boost their self-confidence and communication skills during these challenging times.”

Your support through the Presbyterian Foundation goes directly to Camino and ensuresmore needs are being met.

Henry Memorial was blessed to learn about Camino and to provide aid to many people besieged by war.

To financially support Camino:

Credit card:

Donation link: www.presbyterianfoundation.org/camino/

Personal Check:

Check is to be issued to: “Presbyterian Foundation”

With the memo line: “Camino - account number 102276006406”

Please send the check to:

Presbyterian Foundation

200 E 12th Street

Jeffersonville, IN 47130

Energy Saving Resources for Congregations

A message from the Presbyterian Hunger Program

Did you know that congregations can get both tax rebates and direct pay options for installing energy-efficiency upgrades and/or renewable energy? Find out more from this summer’s presentations to the General Assembly Committee on Environmental and Climate Justice and the General Assembly plenary, as well as a fuller hour-long webinar hosted by Presbyterians for Earth Care. The Senior Advisor at the U.S. Department of Treasury for Inflation Reduction Act Implementation, Ronald Newman, has been a great resource and wants to support congregations applying for these incentives.

Blog post with presentation clip and multiple suggested resources from June 2024

National Presbyterians for Earth Care webinar in July 2024

A New Stewardship Book

A message from PC(USA) Store

Tailored specifically for pastors and lay leaders navigating the delicate task of stewardship, God’s Gift of Generosity transcends the mundane “how” of giving to explore the profound “why” behind our acts of generosity, making the “how” a much easier task. Expand the use of this book through a comprehensive group discussion and planning guide that assists you as you develop your generosity program.

Read an Excerpt.

Student Loan Forgiveness

A message to share, from Financial Aid for Service

Did you know that the Presbyterian Mission Agency and the Board of Pensions of the PC(USA) have teamed up with PeopleJoy to assist people in service with student loan forgiveness? We want to make sure you understand the ins and outs of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) process. People who can benefit: teaching elders, UKirk registered ministers, those who work for PC(USA)-related schools, colleges, seminaries, camps, conference centers, mid councils, and church corporations. Learn more.

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