August 27, 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

The following communication comes from the Synod of South Atlantic, they have asked us to share it with you.

Dear Presbytery Colleagues:

It's that time again to prepare for the 227^th General Assembly, to be held next summer in Milwaukee. St. Augustine is able to send two Ruling Elder Commissioners, two Teaching Elder Commissioners and one Young Adult Advisory Delegate. Soon, there will be an application made available for nominations to these positions. In the meantime, please consider nominating yourself or others (with their permission) for these positions. Following is additional information about the 227^th GA.

The planning calendars are here! They are $15 each, including shipping.

*Click on our payment link to order HERE to pay online.

*Or, you can mail us a check made out to:

Presbytery of St. Augustine

1937 University Blvd. W.

Jacksonville, FL 32207

*We are happy to report that this year's calendars have bigger spaces to write in- an improvement from last year!

*Still needed:

*Please spread the word:

Substitute (temporary) Pianist

needed for First Presbyterian Church Williston

Williston, First is looking for someone to fill in as the pianist from the first Sunday in September through the last Sunday in October.

If interested, please reach out to

Sandra Landers at (352) 441-4026

Our Presbytery of St. Augustine in-C Directory is an amazing resource.

If you have a change in your church staff let our office know so that we can update the directory accordingly. If you notice there is information about your church or a person that in inaccurate and not up-to-date please reach out. https://info.in-c.net/

We need your help in making sure everyone has access to the correct information.

Send us an email at info@staugpres.org

Upcoming Events

Clergy Round-Table Discussion

A Clergy Round-Table discussion is set for Monday September 8, 2025, at Camp Montgomery 9:30-12:00 concluding with lunch. This gathering will begin with a brief devotional followed by table discussions with guiding questions about preaching and church leadership in today’s day and age.

Hi all!

If we haven't met, my name is Lauren Scott and I serve as the Associate Pastor for Youth and Families at Riverside Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville, FL. I, alongside some incredible youth leaders in our Presbytery, are planning and leading our Presbytery Fall Youth Retreat!!

Here are the details!

When? October 10th-12th, 2025
Where? Camp Montgomery
Who? All 6th-12th grade youth are welcome to come!
How Much? The price per youth is $160 and the price per chaperone is $90.

Registration details will be sent out in the next week or so! For now, please save the date on your church calendar and share this information with your youth and families!

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out! lauren.scott@rpcjax.org

I hope to see you all at Camp Montgomery, October 10-12!

Blessings,

Lauren

You are invited to attend an exciting Presbyterian Women Synod Gathering October 17-19, 2025 at Epworth by the Sea Conference center.

Click HERE for all the details on our website.

The Sacred Pause

You are Invited to a Clergy Retreat

Nov. 2-4, 2025

Location: Epworth by the Sea

100 Arthur J Moore Dr, St Simons Island, GA 31522

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 available closer to the event.

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.

Please keep Olive Mahabir in your prayers. Olive is the pastor of Highlands United and is taking some time off due to recent health issues.

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

Mikesville Presbyterian Church

Shirley Mergan, Pastor

Greg Means, Clerk of Session

Church Spotlight

Mikesville Presbyterian Church

Mikesville Presbyterian Church has been serving families in the North Florida area since 1877, sharing the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ.

What makes us unique is the atmosphere in which this is done. We know no strangers. We have families whose ancestors founded this church,

and we have new friends who quickly become extended family. Think of Walnut Grove and the Ingalls family who attended their country church in several of the "Little House on the Prairie" series episodes. We are like that congregation by making people always feel welcome and a part of us from their first visit.

Although our numbers may be considered "small", the hearts of these members are anything but...they are "huge" as we welcome visitors with big smiles and arms held wide. The rural setting of our church, with its adjoining cemetery, imparts a sense of peace and allows one to quietly listen for God's voice. When you leave, you take a feeling of contentment that maybe, after all, most is right with the world because God is close by.

We invite you to come visit - in fact - come celebrate with us this October 26th as we welcome all to our yearly Homecoming.

Written by Sue Tuell, Ruling Elder

Summer 2025 Wrap Up

Thank you for an unforgettable summer! It was a joy to spend this summer under the oaks with campers backed by your prayers of support. The days were long and hot, but the summer passed by so quickly.

Summer 2025 Highlights

✨ 20 Summer Staff (6 returners), with many continuing in year-round roles and already signed on for Winter Camp and Summer 2026.

✨ 115 Campers attended overnight programs — 84 received scholarships and church sponsorships, totaling $47,000+ in aid thanks to donors and churches.

✨ Positive Finances – For the first time in recent history, summer programming operated without a net loss!

✨ Theme: Created to Care – Campers explored God’s creation and our call to respond with God’s love as stewards of the world.

✨ Volunteer Support – Special thanks to Rev. Adam Anderson, Jenny Tammera, Pastors Jimmy Griffin & Cathy Belles, Lindsey Anderson, and Ashley Nelson for their faithful leadership and care.

Help Wrap Up the Summer

As we reflect on this season, you can help Montgomery continue to grow:

📝 Parent Survey – Share your feedback here.
⭐ Leave a Review – Encourage others by leaving a review on Facebook or Google.
📣 Spread the Word – Tell your friends and family about Camp Montgomery!

Looking Ahead

🍂 Fall Fest – October 18 – Free community event with games, live music, and food.

🎉 Winter Camp – Dec 30–Jan 2 – Ring in the new year at camp!

📅 Summer 2026 Dates – Coming soon!

Other Camp News

🖥️ New Registration Software – Launching by October 1.

🌲 Girl Scout Troop 452 designed and built beautiful new trailhead signs for the Prayer Trail, Emerald Lake Trail, and connector trail. Thank you, Scouts!

Giving Back

💙 Nearly 3 out of 4 campers attended on scholarship this summer. Help us grow the fund so more children can experience faith-filled adventures in 2026:

Give Now

📦 Support year-round ministry and help replenish summer supplies by shopping our wish list:

Amazon Wish List

We are grateful for your continued support of the ministry of Montgomery. We look forward to welcoming you again soon for your next faith-filled adventure!

Be blessed,

Rebekah Rodgers

Executive Director

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.

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