September 25, 2024

Dear Presbytery Family!

As we prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Helene, let us stand together in prayer and support for one another. This edition of Staying Connected provides updated information for the Fall Stated Meeting and also includes upcoming events and opportunities to help you stay connected.

Hurricane Helene

The office of the presbytery will be closed on Thursday, September 26, due to Hurricane Helene. Please stay safe and pray for those in the path of the storm.

Fall Stated Presbytery Meeting

Register for the Fall Stated Meeting

The Fall Stated Presbytery Meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at 9:30 a.m., at First Presbyterian Church of Palatka. Participation in the meeting will be in-person only.

View the video of an Overview of Meeting for Commissioners.

We ask that you please come prepared with the materials printed or prepared to access the materials from your own devices (ex: smart phones, laptops, tablets etc.). A complete composite of exhibits will be available soon. Click to view the agenda, bulletin and other meeting materials.

The offering for the meeting will go towards the Interface Youth Program. This program provides short-term shelters for youth who have run away (or threaten to) or are truant. Click here to give.

To register for the meeting, click here.

Lunch will feature a Taco Bar and is $15 per person. To purchase lunch, click here.

CRE Question-and-Answer Session

Are you a ruling elder feeling the nudge of the Holy Spirit to become better equipped to serve the church? Five ruling elders from churches throughout the presbytery are, currently, engaged in training to become Commissioned Ruling Elders. They are taking online studies through the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, working at internships and attending in-person seminars on topics such as Vital Congregations.

If you are curious about what this might mean for you, please stay for a Question-and-Answer Session directly following the Stated Meeting. No reservation required.

News From Around the Presbytery

PC(USA) International Peacemaker Visit

Zoughbi Zoughbi, Founder and Director of Wi'am, the Bethlehem Center for Non-Violence, will visit our presbytery September 26 through October 2. The opportunities to meet and hear from Zoughbi Zoughbi are below:

• September 27 -- Palestinian Dinner and Talk, Memorial PC at 6:00 p.m.
• September 28 -- Potluck Lunch and Talk with Islamic Center, Fort King PC at 12:00 p.m.
• September 30 -- Conversation, Westminster Woods at 2:00 p.m.
• October 1 -- Presbytery Meeting, Palatka First PC

For more information and to RSVP, please contact Ervin Bullock.

From the Stated Clerk

Once a year, the presbytery offers the opportunity to apply for grants from the proceeds of the sale of church property. The information about this grant can be found here. This deadline is October 7.

Twice a year, the presbytery offers the opportunity to apply for grants from Designated Funds. Click to view the information and application for these grants. This deadline is November 11. All applications must be submitted to Charlie Evans, Stated Clerk, by the deadline dates via email or mail.

Presbyterian Planning Calendars

The 2024-2025 Presbyterian Planning Calendars are now available. The price is $15 per calendar. Click here to order.

Prayer Corner

Please pray for the Lord to guide the following church (its staff and session) this week:

Riverside Presbyterian Church

Leadership

Brian Lays

Dana Riley

Lauren Scott

Sunelle Lays

Tripp Means

Prayer Request

Please keep Debbie and Jeff Welch in your prayers. Debbie's mom passed way on Saturday September 21.  

Learning Opportunities

Training Thursdays

Join the POSA Training Team for our September Training Thursdays webinar! The webinar for September will be on “Church Employees and Independent Contractors.” Led by Suzi Lemen, uncover the best practices for identifying, managing and paying independent contractors who are paid via 1099s. Lemen will explain the laws that impact how churches must correctly compensate individuals and identify common mistakes to avoid when determining if an individual should be paid through church payroll. This session will also provide background information on the new ruling posted by the Department of Labor earlier this year and explore the six new factors to be considered when categorizing ICs.



This virtual training session will take place on September 26, at 2:00 p.m. Click here to register.

School of the Laity

The Savannah School of the Laity will take place October 5 through 6. Courses are held both in-person, at Epworth By the Sea on St. Simons Island, and online, via Zoom. Click here for more information and to register.

SOAP Regional Event

Registration for the regional SOAP event is now open! The event will take place on November 9. This event is for educators, youth leaders, paid staff, volunteers and pastors. Registration is $35, and lunch will be coordinated at each host site. Click here to learn more and to register.

Opening to Grace Retreat Day

The Opening to Grace Retreat Day will take place on Friday, November 22, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Riverside Park United Methodist Church. This retreat will allow ou to experience a model of healing ministry that integrated Gestalt growth work with spiritual companioning and healing prayer. Gestalt Pastoral Care trusts that God desires to heal holistically in a way that is unique to each person.

The cost is $75 for a full participant and lunch is provided. for more information, contact Susan Silhan. Click here to register.

Presbyterian Women

Justice and Peace Calendar

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

Montgomery Center

Winter Camp

Camp Montgomery Winter Camp will take place January 3 through 5, 2025. Children ages 6 to 16 are welcome to attend at the cost of $220 per camper. There will also be an opportunity for youth ages 17 to 18 to participate as a Winter Counselor in Training (CIT). For more information, click here.

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

• Oct. 4 through 6 – POSA Fall Youth Retreat
• Dec. 6 – 4th Annual Gala
• Jan. 3 through 5 – Winter Camp
• Jan 6 through 12 – Cruising with Montgomery
• Jan. 18 – Officer Training
• Jan. 25 – PW Winter Gathering

Key Events

• Sept. 26 – Training Thursdays: Church Employees and Independent Contractors
• Sept. 27 through Oct. 7 – International Peacemaker Visit
• Oct. 1 – Meeting of the Presbytery at Palatka First
• Oct. 5 through 6 – School of the Laity at Epworth By the Sea
• Oct. 4 through 6 – Presbytery Youth Retreat at Montgomery Center
• Nov. 9 – SOAP Regional Event

Positions Available In Our Presbytery

Check out the many ministry opportunities throughout our presbytery here.

Blessings,

Steve Crowley, Moderator of the Presbytery

Charlie Evans, Stated Clerk

David Rollins, Lead Presbyter