October 15, 2025

In the Presbytery of St. Augustine Our mission is " to support our faith community, so that together we are a greater witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ!"

News From Around the Presbytery

Presbytery Meeting Highlights

October 7, 2025

It was a true joy to gather in-person at First Presbyterian Church of Gainesville for our Presbytery meeting! Thanks go to Lisa Wells, Jennifer Tucker and the many Gainesville staff members and volunteers for the smooth process from parking through lunchtime. The entire staff and volunteers at Gainesville FPC were very gracious and helpful in preparations for this meeting and much gratitude goes to each of them.

Worship started us off on the right note with the hymns being sung with great vigor and with talented musicians and vocalists throughout. Rev. Dr. David Rollins delivered the message based on Isaiah 6: 4-6, I Cor. 12: 4-7 and Matthew 28: 18-20, entitled “Reclaiming Our Call”. The Lord’s Supper was celebrated. The offering collected at the Presbytery meeting totaled $693.00 and will go toward the ministry of the Gainesville Community Ministry, which provides help and hope to those in crisis. At the conclusion of the service, fellowship in the sanctuary was enjoyed among those in attendance.

Moderator Cliff Lyda guided the Presbytery through the agenda.

Highlights included:

• The election of General Assembly Commissioners: Rev. Adam Anderson, Rev. Jo Anne Dyson and Ruling Elder John Young (St. Giles).

• Recognition of ordination anniversaries for those celebrating 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55 and 60 years of ordination.

• Greetings from Rev. Wilson Kennedy from the PC(USA) Stewardship and Funds Development Office.

• A merger of our Finance and Personnel Presbytery committees.

• Filling vacancies on many committees by the Volunteer Management Team.

• The presentation of the Presbytery’s 2026 Asking Budget.

• An update from the happenings at Montgomery Center.

• Reports from our Jamaican Mission Team and from the Cuba Partners Network.

• An idea for a New Worshipping Community in the Mayport area.

• AND…..the awarding of $80.000 in Youth Engagement Grants!

Additional reports and updates were given as well. The Presbytery concluded its business just before the lunch hour. A delightful lunch was served by the Gainesville church, which included another healthy dose of fellowship as many pleasant conversations were held around the tables and in the sanctuary.

Please plan to participate in the next meeting of Presbytery on February 7, 2026 at Woodlawn Presbyterian Church, Jacksonville, FL.

Charlie Evans, Stated Clerk

Johnchoufong@gmail.com https://facebook.com/AskJohnFong#

Office Closed

Please be aware our office will be closed on Wednesday, October 22nd. We will be back to return calls & emails and greet you the following business day.

All Are Invited

Come and hear the Rev. Dr. Victor Aloyo preaching the morning message at Orange Park Presbyterian Church on Sunday, October 19, at 10:30 a.m.

Dr. Aloyo is the president of Columbia Theological Seminary.

The church is located at 1905 Park Ave. Orange Park, FL 32073. A reception will follow the service.

For more information, contact Rev. Sandra Hedrick at pastorsandra@oppresby.com.

The Sacred Pause is the theme for the Presbytery of St. Augustine’s Clergy, CRE, and Certified Educator retreat. We are encouraging you to join us to take a deep breath, to take a step away from the strains and stress of the ministry and make plans to be with us at Epworth By the Sea. Our retreat will take place November 2-4. We will begin with dinner on Sunday at 5:30pm and conclude with breakfast on Tuesday morning. The cost is $300 per person, which includes lodging and all meals. A schedule will be made available closer to the event for those who have registered.

There will be times for worship (evening and morning prayers) and there will be plenty of space for fellowship and relaxation. Monday following breakfast and morning prayers there will be free time until dinner. Box lunches will be provided so you can find something to do that nourishes your soul. We will have some planned options available which you can join or form a group on your own.

The call to ministry is a unique one and it is important that we spend time together with people who understand firsthand the joys and the struggles that are part of our lives. We believe that listening, learning, and supporting each other is essential for our self-care and strengthens us for our continued service to Christ. Please use the following link to register.

This retreat is planned and hosted by:

Julie Higbee Associate Pastor First Presbyterian Fernandina Beach

Cliff Lyda Pastor at First Presbyterian Church Palatka and the Moderator of our presbytery

David Rollins The Lead Presbyter for the Presbytery of St. Augustine

The retreat is specifically for those involved in ministry. It is not a family retreat. *Childcare will NOT be provided.

Thanks to all who have registered. The deadline has passed.

Coming to Riverside Presbyterian

Starting November 18th

Sacred Ground

A film and reading-based dialogue series on race

and faith produced by The Episcopal Church USA.

It was developed to assist each of us to move

toward the vision of a Beloved Community where

all people are honored, protected, and nurtured as

beloved children of God.

Click here for more information

Continue to keep Olive Mahabir in your prayers.

Pray for the Lord to guide the following church this week:

Peace Presbyterian Church

Jodi Dodge, Clerk of Session

Church Spotlight

Peace Presbyterian Church

The story of Peace Presbyterian Church (PPC) began simply, as a Sunday School group that evolved into The Presbyterian Church of Southside Estates, which held its first service on February 27, 1949. The church's name changed in 1983 to Peace Presbyterian Church, which is what we are proudly called today.

You can find us right on Southside Boulevard in Jacksonville, nestled between Atlantic and Beach Boulevards.

While we may be small—our weekly attendance averages around 20—our faith, friendships, and fellowship are mighty. This small but vibrant congregation has been consistently blessed by the 40 years of wonderful music ministry provided by our extraordinarily gifted music director, Guy Hawker.

Our commitment to serving the community remains strong. We previously operated a food pantry and clothes closet and now support the Duval County Public School System by hosting Atlantic Coast High School students each week for vocational education training. We also love gathering for monthly Heritage Club luncheons to share food and fun.

What’s Happening at Montgomery?

As the seasons turn, Montgomery is buzzing with energy! We’re thrilled to share the events coming up—some we’re leading, and others we’re blessed to host for our guests and partners. Mark your calendars and join us in the life of this place.

🍂 Montgomery’s Fall Festival

October 18 | 3–7 pm

A family-friendly, free event with food, games, and fellowship. Come enjoy the cooler air and celebrate fall with us!

💡 Healing Solutions Conference

October 24–26

Hosted by Mighty Oaks CCC, this event explores healing and wholeness in body, mind, and spirit. Learn more and register:

👉 wholeholyhealthyandhappy.com/healingsolutions

❄️ Montgomery Winter Camp

December 30–January 2

Ring in the new year with campfires, worship, games, and friends! Early bird discount available through October 15.

👉 Register now

🙌 Equipped to Serve: Presbytery Enrichment & Elder Training

January 24

A day of equipping and encouragement for church leaders. Registration is now open:

👉 montgomerycenter.org/equipped

🧘 Save the Date: Yoga Den Retreat

February 13–15

We’re excited to welcome Yoga Den for their first-ever retreat at Montgomery! Stay tuned for more details.

We are grateful for the many ways Montgomery continues to be a place of connection, growth, and renewal—whether through retreats, conferences, or good old-fashioned camp fun. We hope you’ll join us for one (or many!) of these upcoming events. Your presence helps make this community vibrant and alive.

See you soon at Montgomery!

Rebekah Rodgers

Executive Director | Montgomery Center

Call to Serve

Are you called to serve God at the presbytery level? Several of our committees have positions that we need to fill to carry out our mission. We are looking for ruling elders and teaching elders that have time and energy to serve Christ beyond the local church.

For more information, please contact Beth Touchton, Volunteer Management Committee Chair,

or David Rollins, Lead Presbyter.

Synod of South Atlantic

Home | Synod of South Atlantic

Positions Available In Our Presbytery

Check out the many ministry opportunities throughout our presbytery here.

Blessings,

Cliff Lyda, Moderator of the Presbytery

Charlie Evans, Stated Clerk

David Rollins, Lead Presbyter

Previous Staying Connected emails are available on our website.

Staying Connected Archives

In the Presbytery of St. Augustine Our mission is " to support our faith community, so that together we are a greater witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ!"

Presbytery Meeting Highlights

Office Closed

Church Spotlight

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