Meeting the Moment: Embracing Purpose in Every Season
Life is full of defining moments—challenges, opportunities, and turning points that shape who we are. The key is how we respond. Do we hesitate in fear, or do we step forward in faith? Genesis 3:19 reminds us, "For dust you are, and to dust you shall return." This verse is often viewed as a sobering reminder of mortality, but it also speaks to the significance of the present. If our time on earth is temporary, how much more should we embrace each moment with intention?
When I was in seminary, I was fortunate to see The New Mongrels. The New Mongrels were a musical ensemble that included Amy Ray and Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls, Gherkin, Michelle Malone, DeDe Vogt, members of Cowboy Envy, members of the Big Fish Ensemble, Gerard McHugh, Caroline Aiken, and members of the Dudley Manlove Quartet, under the leadership of Haynes Brooke. Basically, they were a supergroup of very talented musicians. Together they released an album titled, "Not Dead Yet." The song speaks of growth, development, and wisdom that are gained over time. The chorus lifts up the opportunity for that growth to continue throughout one's life. A simple truth sung three times with powerful harmony, "I'm not dead. I'm not dead. I'm not dead yet."
As long as we are here, we have the opportunity to impact the world in positive ways. We have faced challenges in the past and we will continue to face challenges and obstacles in the future. However, God's love and grace remain steadfast.
Meeting the moment requires trust in God’s plan. Consider Esther, who was called “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). Though uncertain, she stepped forward in faith, realizing that her position was no accident. Likewise, David, a shepherd boy, met his moment when he faced Goliath—not with fear, but with confidence in God’s power.
We, too, have moments that define our faith and purpose. Whether it’s standing up for truth, helping someone in need, or making a difficult decision, God calls us to act with courage. We may come from dust, but while we are here, we are called to live fully, love deeply, and serve faithfully.
Peace,
David
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News From Around the Presbytery
Communications
Receptionist
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 in the near future. Once we onboard that person, we will introduce to him/her 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.
Handbells For Sale: We have a set of 27 used Schulmerich Handbells in their original cases for sale. They are all polished, in relatively good working order, and have a good sound to them. Asking $2500-$3000 or best offer. Contact First Presbyterian Church of Williston at 352-734-0055
Continuing education opportunity
Please use the following link for information and registration for a one-day retreat on Gestalt Pastoral Care.
March 14 2025 Opening to Grace Retreat Flyer.docx
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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 10th, 11th and 12th 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.
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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.
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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
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.
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Prayer Corner
Special Prayer Request from Charlie Evans
Dear St. Augustine Presbytery friends, I wanted to let everyone know that I have a recurrence of cancer that required me to undergo chemotherapy starting March 3. A few years ago, I was fortunate to prevail against colon cancer that required surgery and chemotherapy. Now, this cancer has returned in a different location.
My hope is to create a week each month where I can focus on rest and recovery while undergoing chemotherapy. I will be asking the Coordinating Council to provisionally appoint a second Assistant Stated Clerk to join with current Assistant Clerk Ed Kelly to make sure the duties of the Clerk are accomplished if I am absent. The two churches that I pastor have also agreed to find pulpit supply for me once a month as well.
I deeply appreciate your prayers for me and your support of our Assistant Stated Clerks. This Presbytery is a special place due to each of you! I’ll send another update after the Council meeting on March 13. God bless!
Rev. Peter Sherrard an Honorably Retired member of our presbytery completed his Baptism as he passed away on March 1, 2025. The farewell service for Pete will be held on March 15 at 3 PM at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1001 NW 98th Street, Gainesville, FL 32606. Condolences may be offered at Milam Funeral Home (milamfh.com). Please include the Sherrad family and all who knew Pete in your prayers.
Please pray for the Lord to guide the following church this week:
Covenant Presbyterian Church
Rev. Dr. Joseph Roy Sharpe Pastor
Mr. John Tucker Clerk of Session
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Background Screening is underway
As most of you the Presbytery of St. Augustine recently adopted a new policy that requires active ministers and commissioned ruling elders to undergo level 2 background checks. A level 2 check requires fingerprinting. We are moving through the process alphabetically. In the near future a number of you will be receiving an email from First Choice. Please do not ignore this email. This is the company that we have contracted with to implement the checks and send us the information. The email from First Choice will share with you the information you need to provide and then schedule a fingerprint location that should be relatively close to where you live. I know a number of people may have already had level 2 checks. The only way for the presbytery to receive that information is for you to contact the entity that administered it and sign a release so we can have a copy on hand, without that you will need to be re-checked. The process is fairly smooth and important for those who serve or wish to serve in the Presbytery of St. Augustine.
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Boundary Training Opportunities: Certified Christian Educator Leslee Kirkconnell will conduct boundary training workshops through two live Zoom video conferencing events. One will be held on Saturday March 29, 2025, from 9:30-12:30 and the other on Tuesday April 29, 2025, from 9:30-12:30. There will be no cost to members of our Presbytery to attend.
Other opportunities will be presented in the future, but all are encouraged to take one of these two Zoom training courses, if possible. An in-person training was tentatively scheduled for earlier this year, but the instructor had to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances. Future events will be scheduled too, but if either of these two events work for your schedule, you are encouraged to go ahead and complete them now. Remember Ecclesiastes 11:4 “Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap”….and whoever passes on these two trainings will be stuck taking the training at a more inconvenient time!
Boundary Training is required every three years. If you have completed a boundary training course elsewhere within the last three years, please send me proof of that and you will not be due again until three years have passed since your last training.
If you wish to reserve a spot for March 29 or April 29, please let Charlie Evans know.
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Mission Haven
Click here to read updates from Mission Haven in their newsletter Haven Happenings.
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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.
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Upcoming Events at Montgomery Center
· Apr. 21 to 24, 2025 - Easter Respite at Montgomery Center
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Epworth by the Sea
In my role as The Lead Presbyter for the Presbytery of St. Augustine, I spent part of last week attending a Synod of the South Atlantic at Epworth by the Sea. Our synod includes the 16 presbyteries in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. The meeting included a retreat called The Journey Event. The Presbytery of St. Augustine was well represented. Rev. Olive Mahabir Pastor of Highlands Presbyterian Church and Ruling Elder Hansler Bealyer from Woodlawn Presbyterian Church served as our commissioners. We were joined by Cliff Lyda and Steve Crowley who attended on behalf of the council at the invitation of Valerie Young our Synod Executive and Stated Clerk. I am grateful for the dedication and wisdom of those I serve alongside.
Together we participated in inspiring worship led by Rev. Tony Larson Co-Moderator of the 226th General Assembly and Rev. Jihyun Oh the Executive Director and Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Oh, is the first Korean American to serve in the denomination's highest office, only the second woman, and the first woman of color elected to lead the PC(USA) in its more than 300-year history in the United States.
In nearly 28 years of ordained ministry, I had never been to a synod meeting. The meeting and the Journey Event were uplifting and inspirational. As those meetings concluded I and most of the presbytery leaders from the synod spent time receiving training from the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance on resiliency and disaster preparedness. We also had the time to do some collaboration around sharing resources and how to better support the churches and pastors we serve. Valerie Young schedules these times together so we can learn from each other and support one another in ministry.
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Positions Available In Our Presbytery
Check out the many ministry opportunities throughout our presbytery here.
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Blessings,
Cliff Lyda, Moderator of the Presbytery
Charlie Evans, Stated Clerk
David Rollins, Lead Presbyter
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Previous Staying Connected emails are available on our website.
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