December 10, 2025

News From Around the Presbytery

Update about Mutual Mission and Hurricane Melissa Assistance

The roots of the Jamaica mission partnership stretch back more than forty years in the Presbytery of St. Augustine. Ed Albright launched the Jamaica Ecumenical Mutual Mission in the 1970s with partners he met and recruited in Jamaica, guided by a deep desire to help the Presbytery become a truly missional body. Over the decades, the Jamaica partnership has continued to grow, adapt, and bear fruit.

The dental clinic remains a vital expression of this work, serving those in need through cleanings, extractions, fillings, and dentures. Bob Bell has participated in countless mission trips there, and several years ago he inspired Mark Poole to join the team. I give thanks to God for their years of dedication and service. Mark is pictured here on a recent trip.

Mutual Mission has since expanded beyond Jamaica into Cuba, widening the reach of our shared ministry. These mission partnerships provide us with meaningful opportunities to serve beyond our borders and remind us that our common calling is deeper and broader than the work of any single congregation.

I celebrate the many ways we are actively engaged in mission and ministry—both here at home and around the world.

Peace,

David

I delivered the check to JEMM. Renee Mills Programs Coordinator-JEMM indicated that these funds will make a huge difference to those impacted by Hurricane Melissa. 

Also of note, “Ethel” the tooth bus was not impacted and is all ready for the upcoming dental mission the first week of January. -Mark Poole

Area Relationship Coordinator (ARC) Needed

We are looking for an ARC following Scott Brooks-Cope decision to step down from the role. Scott has offered to help us on-board the next candidate once they have been identified. This is a part-time position with an annual renumeration of a little more than $6,700.

Please contact David Rollins to apply at david@staugpres.org

Click here for the job description.

Coming to Riverside Presbyterian

Starting November 18th and ongoing-

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.

Discover, Grow, and Serve Together! Equipped to Serve 2026

Mark your calendar for Equipped to Serve 2026, a full day of inspiration and learning on Saturday, January 24, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Montgomery Conference Center in Starke, FL. With four workshop sessions to choose from, you’ll find topics to enrich your faith, leadership, and ministry. Enjoy a delicious lunch, fellowship with Presbyterians from across the region, and return home renewed.

Registration is just $30 in advance online, or $35 in person the day of the event. Lunch included! Register today and be equipped to serve!

Registration link:

https://www.montgomerycenter.org/equipped

Saturday, January 31st, 2026

9:00 am to 2:00 pm

Montgomery Conference Center

Click here for all registration & event information:

https://www.staugpres.org/presbyterian-women

Keep the people of Jamaica in your prayers.

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

St. Giles Presbyterian Church

Suzanne Brooks-Cope & Libby Rollins, Interim Pastors

Tim Wilson, Clerk of Session

Church Spotlight

St. Giles Presbyterian Church

Special Services have always been important at St. Giles. In addition to our missions and outreach they have been a way to further our community involvement.

We celebrate our historic roots in February on Scottish Heritage Sunday, which kicks off the Northeast Florida Highland Games and Festival. It’s a spectacle with Pipes and Drums, Tartans of all the Clans on display and the special Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan during the worship service.

On Maundy Thursday, in partnership with the First Presbyterian Church of Starke we present “This Do In Remembrance of Me”, a dramatic reenactment of the Last Supper featuring actors from both congregations portraying Jesus and his disciples.

In November on the Sunday before Veteran’s Day we honor our veterans on Military Appreciation Day. There’s a bit of pageantry as our own veterans participate with the posting of the colors and playing the songs for all six branches of service. After the service we host a luncheon in our Fellowship Hall which is decorated with historical displays of significant military events and the memorabilia of our members who served.

This year we added some Special Community Events, which turned out to be very successful.

Last Spring we took on an ambitious project, the presentation of Godspell, the musical. We provided the facilities and logistical support as well as some actors. Over several months, dozens of our church members worked as a team to make it happen. It proved to be a popular event, bringing in over 600 attendees for the six performances.

Building on the success of Godspell, we were approached by KKBookfairy Productions to present the world premiere of Memory Lane: A New Musical, a musical dramedy, about Alzheimer’s that takes a lighthearted, but poignant look at the disease. We opened our facilities and provided logistical support for the auditions, rehearsals, and three performances in our Sanctuary this November. It was a success by all measures, bringing in hundreds of attendees.

You can learn more about us by visiting www.stgilesfl.org or our Facebook page.

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 Winter Camp

December 30–January 2

Ring in the new year with campfires, worship, games, and friends!

👉 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

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

Visit our website here: https://www.staugpres.org/

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