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Greetings Presbytery Family,
February blessings to our cherished presbytery members, may this month be filled with the warmth of love, the strength of community, and the guiding light of faith as we journey together in service and unity. This edition of Staying Connected shares updates from the Winter Stated Meeting, resources from MissionInsight and upcoming events taking place around the presbytery.
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Clergy Retreat Survey
As we begin to make plans for a clergy retreat, we are asking for your input on what would make a retreat worthwhile. Click here to complete our survey. Please make submissions by March 1.
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Black History Month
Shelton Bishop Waters (1918-2013) was the first African Presbyterian Church pastor and Presbytery of Philadelphia moderator. Read more about his life here.
Download this bulletin insert to share with your congregation.
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News From Around the Presbytery | |
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Flagler Forum
You're invited to enjoy a pre-forum gathering in beautiful Markland House at Flagler College on Friday, February 9, from 4:00 to 5:45 p.m. (drop-in). Connect with other PC(USA) youth ministry professionals and volunteers before the Flagler Youth Ministry Forum kicks off and enjoy some refreshments. Contact Rev. Rachel McNeal for more information.
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Opportunity to Serve
The Board of Trustees (BOT) carries out an important function: to care for all the properties held in trust by the congregations of the presbytery. What does this mean? It means they review requests for loans to congregations and all requests to sell or lease real properties held in trust by the congregation. The BOT meets once a month on the fourth Tuesday of the month via Zoom. The chair provides meeting-related documents ahead of time, so trustees have ample opportunity to read materials, come prepared with their questions and keep meetings to 60 minutes or fewer. The BOT has been particularly busy the last couple of years as some congregations closed and some requested loans. It’s an ebb and flow, a ying and yang, if you will; the sale of a property provides funds to other ministries so they may thrive. Approving a loan often means there is something exciting happening. They don’t know what’s in store for 2024, but whatever may come, they strive to serve faithfully, always seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit.
Three current trustees are rotating off the board, one has moved to another presbytery, there are two vacancies for the class of 2025 and one nomination for the 2026 class, leaving them short (too short) of members. Please prayerfully consider serving as a trustee for the 2025 and/or 2026 class. This is serving God’s people in another way. If you “feel the call to serve,” contact Ana Lugo-Berrios.
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2024 Winter Stated Meeting
Thank you to everyone who attended the 2024 Winter Stated Meeting. Read the Meeting Highlights from the Stated Clerk here.
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Prayer Corner
Please pray for the Lord to guide the following church (its staff and session) this week:
Fairfield Presbyterian Church
Leadership
Bea Newhart
Max Newhart
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News From Montgomery Center | |
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Spaghetti Dinner
Join Montgomery Center for a Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday, Feb. 10, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This is a drive through or dine-in event and they are requesting a donation of $10. Every 27 meals purchased provides enough funds for a camp scholarship! Purchase your tickets, in advance, here.
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Deeply Loved: Spring Challenge Retreat
Youth Retreat
We hear so often that God loves us. Those words sound great, but we often find it hard to sustain the feeling that we are loved today, always and forever. How can we hear those words again and protect them? Carry them with us in good times and in challenging times? During the Spring Retreat, we’ll discover ways that we hear God speak those words to us and develop ways that can fit into our busy schedules.
Who: This retreat is for youth in grades six through 12.
When: March 1 through 3
For more information, click here.
Share this event flyer with your congregations.
Register by February 23.
Register as an individual.
Register as a group.
Questions? Please send an email to program@montgomerycenter.org.
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Summer Camp
Registration is open now for Summer Camp 2024.
For information about 2024 Summer Camps, click here.
Summer Camp Positions Available
Each summer Montgomery looks to hire about 20 staff to be cross-trained superheros. Staff attend a 10-day training prior to the start of camp sessions that will fully immerse them into the camp culture and experience.
We are looking for individuals that aren't afraid to spend their days outside being a Christ-like role model for today's youth and who are not afraid to step up and serve daily with other like-minded people!
Click here to learn more about the positions available.
Click here to fill out the Summer Staff Interest Form.
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Matthew 25 Book Study: Poverty, by America
Matthew Desmond, the author of the 2023 book “Poverty, by America,” made an online appearance Monday to help launch a four-week PC(USA)-wide study of his best-seller. The text focuses on steps we can take to help eradicate systemic poverty. Desmond is Professor of Sociology at Princeton University. His 2017 book, “Evicted,” won the Pulitzer Prize for general nonfiction.
Click here to read more about "Poverty in America" and click here to listen to a special NPR segment.
Join with other PC(USA) members across the country to discuss Matthew Desmond’s book “Poverty, by America.” The remaining three sessions for the book study are: February 12, 19 and 26, at 7:30 p.m. Two to three chapters are discussed each session. Click here to register.
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MissionInsight
MissionInsite is a web based analytical tool providing community demographic information designed to empower churches with the tools they need to visualize and cultivate their current and prospective members, donors and volunteers. Click here to read 10 key ways to utilize this technology.
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Conferences and Learning Opportunities | |
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Association of Smaller Congregations Conference
The Association of Smaller Congregations (ASC) Conference: The Gift of Small promotes smaller congregations and highlights their unique beauty and immense potential. Despite their size these close-knit communities can nurture deep relationships and create a profound sense of belonging. In a world that claims that “bigger is always better,” smaller congregations know that passion and love define faith, not size. Smaller congregations can cultivate unity, and shared purpose, and become beacons of hope. Join the ASC at Epworth-by-the-Sea on February 29 through March 4, to celebrate The Gift of Small as we explore the powerful impact smaller congregations can and do have on the lives of individuals and communities. Learn more here.
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Positions Available In Our Presbytery
Check out the many ministry opportunities throughout our presbytery here.
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Blessings,
Susan Rose, Moderator of the Presbytery
Charlie Evans, Stated Clerk
David Rollins, Lead Presbyter
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Previous Staying Connected emails are available on our website.
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