February 5, 2025

As always, our incredible stated clerk, Charlie Evans publishes written highlights from the meeting. Please share these with your congregation. In fact, why not share the entire newsletter.

PRESBYTERY HIGHLIGHTS

February 1, 2025

It was a true joy to gather in-person at Montgomery Center for our Presbytery meeting! Thanks go to Lisa Wells and the Montgomery volunteers for the smooth registration process. The entire staff and Board members of Montgomery were very gracious and helpful in preparations for this meeting and much gratitude goes to each of them. The Montgomery crew even ordered up the perfect weather!

Worship started us off on the right note. During the worship time, our Cuba Mission Team was commissioned for their upcoming work. We were also able to prayerfully remember the Ruling Elders and Teaching Elders that departed this world in 2024. Rev. Vickie Bossuot delivered the message, the praise band led us with great enthusiasm and The Lord’s Supper was celebrated. Plus, our offering in the amount of $876.62 will go toward providing scholarships for youth to attend summer camp at Montgomery.

Moderator Steve Crowley guided the Presbytery through the agenda. Highlights included:

           • The recognition of former Stated Clerk, Rev. Sandra Hedrick, for her years of devoted service to our Presbytery.

           • Introductions of Rev. Bob Scott, Interim Pastor at Fort King; Rev. Cheryl Duke, Temporary Pastor at Grace, Rev. Libby Rollins, Temporary Pastor at St. Giles, and of Candidate Mary Scine, member of Memorial.

           • The presentation of the State of the Presbytery by our Lead Presbyter, Rev. Dr. David Rollins.

           • The approval of the Presbytery 2025 budget.

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

           • Greetings from Clark Simmons of the Board of Pensions; Valerie Young of the Synod of South Atlantic; and Kathy Broyard from the Florida PDA Network.

           • A warm welcome from our host Rebekah Rodgers, Executive Director of the Montgomery Center.

           • AND…the Installation of Moderator Cliff Lyda! Welcome Cliff!

The meeting adjourned at 1:25 pm and a delightful lunch was served. Many pleasant conversations were held around the tables filled with joy and laughter. Please plan to participate in the next meeting of Presbytery on May 13, 2025, at a location to be determined. 

News From Around the Presbytery

Communications

The Presbytery of St. Augustine is in the process outsourcing some of its communications. If you have items for the newsletter, please send them to our Lead Presbyter David Rollins at david@staugpres.org or Lisa Wells our office manager at lisa@staugpres.org. Our new receptionist should be with us starting next week. We look forward to introducing her to you in Staying Connected. We are still working on outsourcing the website and know there are several updates that need to happen. Thanks so much for your patience during this process.

Presbyterian Youth Triennium

July 28 – July 31, 2025

Louisville KY

The Presbytery of St. Augustine is planning to send a delegation of youth and their adult advisors to this event in July. For the first time, Triennium will be held in an urban, convention center setting, with accommodations at nearby designated hotels. Accordingly, we are inviting students who are currently in 10^th, 11^th and 12^th grade to attend. (Younger students will have an opportunity to attend Triennium 2028.) Young adults aged 19-23 can register to attend as part of the work crew that will make it all happen. Adult advisors are also welcome to attend. Costs to attend are estimated to be approximately $1,000 per person (registration, air and ground transportation, double-occupancy accommodation, and meals.) Presbytery funding will cover approximately one-third of these costs.

For more information or to register to attend, please contact Vickie Bossuot at wbossuot@aol.com.

Kirking of the Tartans

On Sunday January 26th Lakewood Presbyterian Church had their annual Kirking of the Tartans worship service. The worshipping community had a number of people dressed plaids that matched and honored their Scottish heritage. The service included a roll call naming each clan present in the church and inviting them to stand. All were reminded that we all belong to the family of God and stood at that time showing our connection to both each other and our creator. Brian Mitchell preached an encouraging message backed by his natural Scottish brogue. Following the service many people stayed for a traditional Scottish meal and good fellowship.

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.

Resources: Jerie Lukefahr recently attended a workshop at APCE facilitated by a pastor in NE who has put together podcasts for Bible study use - for free. "Abundant Harvest: Midwest Ministry Hub" (FPC Hastings NE) Thought this might be worth sharing with the presbytery. https://midwestministryhub.org/

Congregations around the country that are on the front lines of welcoming all and providing sanctuary are beginning to deal with the reality that the landscape has shifted. If you are part of one of those congregations this may be useful https://pcusa.org/how-we-serve/global-engagement/immigration

The Presbytery of Chicago is hosting a 60-minute webinar at 1:00 p.m. our time (noon CST) tomorrow that is open to all. While it will certainly contain some items that are particular to their context the information may be helpful. Here is the link if you would like to attend https://chicagopresbytery.org/2025/01/27/chicago-presbytery-faith-leader-training-on-immigration-issues/

Many years ago, I learned a wise approach to sharing resources and educational opportunities. I provide what I am able noting the resources are available to all but not required by any. It is reflected in the statement, all may, some will, none must. Use whatever is helpful in your particular ministry context and we will continually look for ways to resource our congregations.

Prayer Corner

Please pray for the Lord to guide the following church this week:

Branford Presbyterian Church

Justice and Peace Calendar

Click here to view the 2024 PW Justice and Peace Calendar.

Mission Haven

Click here to read updates from Mission Haven in their newsletter Haven Happenings.

Montgomery Center



Summer Camp 2025

Registration for Camp Montgomery Summer Camp 2025 is now live! Click here to view the schedule and learn more about the various camps. Register today with a special early bird discount.

Upcoming Events at Montgomery Center

·       Feb. 28 to Mar. 2, 2025 - Spring Youth Retreat at Montgomery Center

·       Apr. 21 to 24, 2025 - Easter Respite at Montgomery Center

February is Black History Month

Black History Month originated as "Negro History Week" in 1926, created by historian Carter G. Woodson to encourage the study of African American history and was officially designated as Black History Month in February 1976 by President Gerald Ford, marking the entire month as a time to celebrate the achievements of Black Americans; the month of February was chosen due to the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass falling within that time frame. The following link will take you to the National Archives where you can learn or be reminded about a number of the incredible people and the positive contributions made to society through the years. People in Black History | National Archives

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