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Greetings Presbytery Family,
This week, as the radiant glow of joy, along with the upcoming light of love, shines from the Advent wreath, may we remember to embrace the spirit of togetherness and goodwill in this season of joyous anticipation. This edition of Staying Connected provides updates from Montgomery Center and provides more details about workshops at our upcoming Back Together Again event.
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Merry Christmas
The Presbytery of St. Augustine office will be closed Monday, December 25, through Monday, January 1, as the staff take time to enjoy the holidays with their families. The Lead Presbyter will be available by cell phone in case of emergencies.
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We’re thrilled to announce “Back Together Again,” a joyful return to a time of shared learning and fellowship among all members of the Presbytery of St. Augustine.
What: This event will inspire and equip leaders as we begin 2024! It is our prayer that, during our time together, you will be inspired and come away with practical tools to strengthen your ministry.
Who: This event is perfect for ministers, elders, teachers, session clerks and church treasurers.
When: Saturday, January 20, 2024, at Montgomery Center.
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Registration: Registration is $25. Price increases to $35 after January 10.
Click here to register.
Click here to pay.
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Workshops
Morning
- Clerk Training
- Charlie Evans, Stated Clerk
- Employment in the Church
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Suzi Lemen, Owner of DCSI
- Church Website Development
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Jessi Higginbotham, Associate Pastor at St. Giles PC
- Youth Initiative Update
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Bill Hoff, Pastor, Young Life Staff, Mental Health Counselor
- I'm an Elder. Now what?
- Craig Davies
Keynote Speaker: Rev. Dr. David L. Rollins, Lead Presbyter
Afternoon
- How to Read Financial Statements
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John Ragsdale, Treasurer of the Presbytery of St. Augustine
- Book of Order and Robert's Rules in 75 Minutes
- Sandra Hedrick
- Preaching for Lay Leaders
- Jessi Higginbotham, Associate Pastor at St. Giles PC
- I'm an Elder. Now what?
- Craig Davies
Learn more about the workshop sessions here.
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Winter Camp: Register Today
Register now for Winter Camp, which takes place at Montgomery Center January 3 through 5. Spaces are limited. Campers ages 6 to 16 are welcome to register.
The camp experience will include spiritual development and some traditional camp activities such as archery, climbing wall, arts and crafts and more!
For 17 and 18 year-olds who are considering applying to work on summer staff, apply to be a Winter Counselor in Training (CIT).
For more information about Winter Camp and CIT, click here.
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Montgomery Wish List
Consider choosing a gift from Montgomery's Wish List this holiday season. Click here to view and order from the Wish List.
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Give the Gift of Camp
Give the gift of camp by helping to sponsor a camper. About one-third of our campers receive help from churches, while others rely on Montgomery's scholarship program. We want to see any camper that wants to go to camp be able to do so. Make a donation towards the camper scholarship fund today!
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40th Annual Gathering of the Presbyterian Women | | |
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The 40th Annual Gathering of the Presbyterian Women will take place on January 27, 2024, at Montgomery Center. The keynote speaker will be Olive Mahabir, author of the current PW Bible study.
Click here to view and print the flyer.
Click here to register.
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Olive Mahabir is a fourth-generation Presbyterian and the first in her family to be an ordained minister. She was born on the island of Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean. In ministry for more than 20 years, she has pastored churches in Michigan, Atlanta and Jonesboro, Georgia. She’s a graduate of St. Andrew’s Theological College in Trinidad, the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Drew University in Madison, New Jersey, and Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia.
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Save the Date
The Winter Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of St. Augustine will take place on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at Montgomery Center. More information will be shared soon.
Click here to register.
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NEW Training Program: What is (WHO is) a CRE?
A Commissioned Ruling Elder (CRE) in the Presbyterian Church (USA) is a congregationally based ruling elder who has demonstrated skill for church leadership and has successfully completed CRE training. The role of the CRE is an expansion of the office and work of the ruling elder. The Book of Order states that “commissioning ruling elders to limited pastoral service” is a way that a presbytery nurtures the covenant community of disciples of Christ (G-2.1001).
The Presbytery of St. Augustine is launching a new CRE training program in 2024! If you feel called to be better equipped to serve beyond your home congregation, or if you know someone who might have interest, please plan to attend an Inquiry Session, Saturday, February 3, 2024, immediately following the Winter Presbytery meeting at Montgomery Camp and Conference Center. An overview of the program will be provided along with time for Q&A.
If you have any questions, please email Jerie Lukefahr or Cliff Lyda.
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Summer Registration is Open
Registration is open now for Summer 2024 residential camps with an EARLY BIRD discount. This discount, which expires December 31, can be stacked with the automatic sibling discount. New this year is Science Camp for ages eight to 11.
Day camp programs are for children ages six to 10, and run Monday through Friday. There will be four weeks to the attend in summer 2024. Registration for day camp opens January 1, 2024.
For more information about 2024 Summer Camp, click here.
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Prayer Corner
Please pray for the Lord to guide the following church (its staff and session) this week:
Covenant Presbyterian Church
Leadership
Roy Sharpe
John Tucker
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Key Events
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December 22 – POSA Office Closed (in observance of Christmas Eve)
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December 24 – Christmas Eve
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December 25 – Christmas Day (POSA Office Closed)
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December 26 through January 1, 2024 – POSA Office Closed
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January 16-18, 2024 – PC(USA) Matthew 25 Summit, Atlanta
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January 20, 2024 – Back Together Again Officer Training at Montgomery Center
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January 24-27, 2024 – Come All Who are Thirsty APCE Annual Event in St. Louis, Mo.
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January 27, 2024 – Presbyterian Women Winter Gathering at Montgomery Center
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February 3, 2024 – Winter Stated Meeting at Montgomery Center
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February 3, 2024 – CRE Training Program
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February 29 through March 3, 2024 – ASC Conference, Epworth-by-the-Sea
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March 1-3, 2024 – Montgomery Youth Retreat
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Positions Available In Our Presbytery
Check out the many ministry opportunities throughout our presbytery here.
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Blessings,
Susan Rose, 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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