July 26, 2023

Dear Presbytery Family,

We greet you with warm, Summer greetings today. This edition of Staying Connected introduces the new Lead Presbyter, shares highlights from Monday's Stated Meeting and features new missions opportunities.

News From Around the Presbytery

Special Meeting Highlights

Highlights from the Special Stated Meeting that was held via Zoom on July 24, can be found here. Please mark your calendars for our next stated presbytery meeting on October 3. St. Giles will host, and Zoom participation will be available.

Meet Rev. David Rollins, Lead Presbyter

We are excited to announce that Rev. Dr. David Rollins has been called as our Lead Presbyter of the Presbytery of St. Augustine. David has served for the past 13 years as pastor of Bayside Presbyterian Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia, a large multi-staff church. Prior to that, he served two long-term pastorates in mid-size churches in both Georgia and Alabama. David is a graduate of Indiana University, he earned his M.Div. from Columbia Seminary and his D.Min. from the Graduate Theological Foundation. Read more here.

Sabbath By the Pool

A Women in Ministry Event

Are you ready for a day of rest and renewal before the end of the summer? Join us for Sabbath by the Pool at the home of Synod Executive Valerie Young, in Jacksonville, Fla., on July 31, between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. This is a drop-in event and lunch, snacks and drinks will be provided. 

We are considering reserving a hotel block close to Valerie's home to allow women from throughout the Synod to attend. Travel grants may also be available.

Please register by TODAY! The address will be sent by email on Friday, July 28. 

2023 Border-to-Border Delegation

Coffee, Migration & Faith

Memorial Presbyterian Church and the Presbytery of St. Augustine have the unique opportunity to travel to learn about the interconnection of coffee, migration and faith November 10 through 18. Join with people on both sides of the border for a pilgrimage from the U.S./Mexico border to the Mexico/Guatemala border, exploring different connections.

View the flyer and learn more!

Register online here.

Please contact Julie Reffel with any questions you may have.

Mutual Mission: Cuba Mission Trip

The 2024 Cuba Mission Trip will take place February 8 through 15, 2024. This year, we are taking our collaboration to new heights by immersing ourselves in the vibrant Cuban culture and living side-by-side with our Cuban partners. During this journey, we will have the privilege of staying in their towns, sharing their homes, experiencing the life of the church and worshipping together. This unique opportunity will allow us to forge stronger bonds, gain a deeper understanding of their traditions and exchange valuable insights that will enhance our partnership.

Learn more here.

Download the application here.

Presbyterian Women Summer Gathering

Save the Date for the Annual Presbyterian Women Summer Gathering and 2023-2024 Bible Study Kick-Off. The event will be held on August 26, at Montgomery center, from 9:15 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Bible Study will be lead by Rev. Dana Riley and Emily Heeg.

Registration fees increase August 15.

View the flyer here, and share it with your congregation.

The Kay Beckman Scholarship Fund

The Presbyterian Women have a seminarian Scholarship known as The Kay Beckman Scholarship Fund that is awarded annually to qualified seminary students who have completed at least one year at an approved PC(USA) seminary.

Scholarship Guidelines and Details

The applicant shall:

• Be enrolled in a PC(USA) seminary
• Have completed the first year of Seminary.
• Have been recommended by a congregation in the St. Augustine Presbytery
• Have been recommended by the Presbytery’s Cal Commission
• Complete and return the application by the stated deadline and make arrangements for the necessary letters of recommendation to be received by the application deadline. 

The scholarship will be granted to the most deserving applicant(s) as determined by the PWP Coordination Team. Students are eligible for up to two years of scholarship support, when recommended by the Call Commission. Applications must be completed annually.

To begin the process, contact Lois Morse, PW Scholarship Coordinator for the Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery of St. Augustine, and an application and guidelines will be emailed to you. 

Upcoming Events at Montgomery Center

• June 16 through July 28 – Summer Camp
• September 21-22 – FISH 2.0: Ministry Workers Retreat
• September 30 – 2nd Annual Fall Fest
• October 6-8 – Presbytery Youth Retreat
• November – Thankful Pies
• December 2 – 3rd Annual Gala: Christmas Under the Oaks

Tractor Fund Challenge

Montgomery Center recently purchased a tractor to help maintain the road, keep the beaches clean and handle some of the heavy work on their 167 acres. Several individuals and churches have donated to help offset the cost of the purchase. To cover the entire cost, Montgomery Center is challenging the presbytery to help raise the remaining $12,000. To make a donation to the Tractor Fund, click here.

Share this flyer with your congregation!

Last Week of Summer Camp

Resources

Stewardship: Back to Basics

The Presbyterian Foundation is pleased to bring you another Day of Learning for getting back to basics with stewardship. This free online learning opportunity will take place Aug. 23, 2023, with two times available. Click here to register.

Matthew 25 Church

PC(USA) has released a brand new video to help Matthew 25 congregations and communities with next steps. Watch the video below and learn more about next steps here.

Key Events

• July 28 – Summer Camp ends at Montgomery Center
• July 31 – Sabbath by the Pool, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• August 26 – Presbyterian Women Summer Gathering at Montgomery Center
• September 15 – Deadline to apply for Mutual Mission Cuba Mission Trip
• September 21-22 – FISH 2.0: Ministry Workers Retreat at Montgomery Center
• September 24 – Arlington Presbyterian Church's 70th Anniversary Service at Arlington, 10:00 a.m.
• September 30 – Second Annual Fall Fest at Montgomery Center
• October 3 – Fall Stated Presbytery Meeting at St. Giles Presbyterian Church
• October 6-8 – Presbytery of St. Augustine Fall Youth Retreat at Montgomery Center
• December 2 – Third Annual Gala: Christmas Under the Oaks at Montgomery Center