February 19, 2025

This week three of our colleagues will be making their way to Cuba. As Amy Camp, James Kendrick, and Julie Higgenbotham embark on their journey to connect with and support our mission partners in Mexico, missional movements have been on my mind and in my prayers. Personally, some of my most profound experiences of the Holy have taken place while being part of a mission trip or an intentional outreach effort. I remember when my youth group traveled to Atlanta when I was 18. We slept on the floor in the fellowship hall of Oakhurst Presbyterian Church. We painted parts of the church, and we served at the Open-Door Community on Ponce De Leon. The time there brought tears to my eyes as I witnessed the depth of hunger in the community. I believe the time also deepened my faith and caused my heart to grow. It seems to me that the majority of the time that our hearts and minds are aligned with God as we seek to serve, we get far more than we give.

I am convinced that our missional movements are as important now as they have ever been, perhaps even more so. In a world where there is so much division and rhetoric gets amped up through news organizations, social media, and talking heads, we have a great opportunity. The world is hurting, and we are called to be vessels of God's light and love. That love is visible and tangible in the wide variety of ways churches in our presbytery seek to feed those who hunger and clothe those who don't have enough resources. It is apparent every time we welcome those society might consider a stranger or an outcast. It also happens when we have the courage to speak out against injustice.

While our roles will vary from person to person, place to place, and age to age our call to respond to God's grace and follow Christ into the mission field is perpetual and evolving. The way Jackie Shannon wrote about it in 1965 still resonates with me, "What the world needs now is love, sweet love. It's the only thing that there's just too little of. What the world needs now is love, sweet love. No not just for some but for everyone." I believe that meshes perfectly with the commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves. Missional Movements are available to us every day. Sometimes they may involve big things like building a house with Habitat for humanity or traveling some distance to work hand in hand with our siblings in Christ from other parts of the world and at other times the opportunities present themselves in ways that may seem mundane such as providing a listening ear, being a partner in prayer, or calling someone to check in on them.

What will your next mission endeavor look like? How will you be serving? Where will you go? Is God calling you to something right around the corner or on the other side of the world?

Peace,

David

News From Around the Presbytery

Communications

Woodlawn Presbyterian Church U.S.A. located at 3026 Woodlawn Road, Jacksonville, Florida will begin its celebration of 155 years of worship, praise, faith and service to our Lord Jesus Christ during a Worship Service on Sunday, February 23, 2025 – 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary. Planned events will be held throughout the year.

The church has been an integral part of the Jacksonville community since 1870, with its beginning as the Third Presbyterian Church, later being named Laura Street Presbyterian and presently Woodlawn Presbyterian Church.

Our mission has always remained the same: sharing the Good News of Jesus and providing our church as a path to discipleship to serve Christ.

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

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 10^th, 11^th and 12^th 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.

Kirking of the Tartans

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.

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.

Prayer Corner

Please pray for the Lord to guide the following church this week:

Community Presbyterian Church

Rev. Rusty Benton Pastor

Lisa Herrold Clerk of Session

We are sad to announce the death of Elizabeth Neale on February 3, 2025, at the age of 95. A lifelong faithful servant of the Lord, Elizabeth attended Union Theological Seminary and became Director of Christian Education at First Presbyterian Church of Palatka in 1952. She and her husband, Rev. Dr. James Neale were instrumental in founding Faith Presbyterian Church in Melrose. Elizabeth was also active for many years with Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery of St. Augustine, serving as president from 1984-1986.

A memorial service will be held at Faith Presbyterian Church in Melrose on Saturday, March 1 at 2 p.m.

Mission Haven

Click here to read updates from Mission Haven in their newsletter Haven Happenings.

Montgomery Center



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

·       Feb. 28 to Mar. 2, 2025 - Spring Youth Retreat at Montgomery Center

·       Apr. 21 to 24, 2025 - Easter Respite at Montgomery Center

February is Black History Month

Black History Month originated as "Negro History Week" in 1926, created by historian Carter G. Woodson to encourage the study of African American history and was officially designated as Black History Month in February 1976 by President Gerald Ford, marking the entire month as a time to celebrate the achievements of Black Americans; the month of February was chosen due to the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass falling within that time frame. The following link will take you to the National Archives where you can learn or be reminded about a number of the incredible people and the positive contributions made to society through the years. People in Black History | National Archives

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