Dear Presbytery Family,

As scripture reminds us, “let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.” (Heb. 12:1) Even as COVID-19 has affected our lives in unprecedented ways, we "do not grow weary and lose heart." (Heb. 12:3) In every church and ministry, the Holy Spirit give us the creativity and consensus to share God's word and love our neighbor as ourselves. We continue our ministries with care for everyone's well being, staying in touch with those who are lonely or isolated, feeding the hungry, and taking precautions like hand washing, personal distancing, and wearing masks when in close proximity with others.
This week in our Staying Connected highlights we want you to know about:

  • Montgomery Presbyterian Conference Center’s Holiday Pie, Cake and Coffee Fundraiser is underway. The challenge this year is for each congregation to sell at least 10 gourmet pies/cakes or packages of coffee. Click here for information.

  • The annual Session Clerk Workshop, led by Sandra Hedrick and Ed Kelly, with Zoom sessions on the evening of November 16 or the morning of November 21. Click here for the flyer and registration links.

  • The seven congregations who have taken action to identify themselves as part of the PCUSA Matthew 25 invitation and vision: First Crescent City, Fort King, Kirkwood, Middleburg, Memorial, Palms and Riverside. Click here to ready Matthew 25 Moments – stories from our participating churches. A new story featuring Memorial and Middleburg outreach programs will be added very soon! Click here for a short (2 minute) video about the Matthew 25 vision and invitation.

  • “Stewardship season” is a time to celebrate God as the Giver of all good gifts. Our response, in our daily living, is as grateful stewards of all that is entrusted to our care. With grateful and generous hearts please support ministry through your local congregation. And, we thank all our congregations for joining together in supporting ministry through the presbytery that none of us could do alone.

  • New online boundaries training for our minister members includes a focus on preventing sexual misconduct and protecting our youth and children. More information will be sent directly to our members.
Remember that you can visit our Prayer and Devotions page to request prayers for you, your church family, and your community. That same page provides access to daily lectionary readings.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Diane Wilson, Chair of Coordinating Council
Edd Norris, Moderator of the Presbytery
Sandra Hedrick, Stated Clerk
Chris Lieberman, Relationship Coordination Director
On Behalf of the Coordinating Council