September 11, 2024

Greetings Presbytery Family!

On this solemn day, we gather in faith, remembering the past with hope for the future and holding each other in prayerful community. This edition of Staying Connected provides updated information for the Fall Stated Meeting, shares reflections from the Lead Presbyter and also includes upcoming events and opportunities to help you stay connected.

Fall Stated Presbytery Meeting

Register for the Fall Stated Meeting

The Fall Stated Presbytery Meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at 9:30 a.m., at First Presbyterian Church of Palatka. Participation in the meeting will be in-person only.

To register for the meeting, click here.

Lunch will feature a Taco Bar and is $15 per person. To purchase lunch, click here.

News From Around the Presbytery

Reflections on General Assembly 2024

The 226th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) met this past June, in Salt Lake City, Utah. I had the pleasure of attending the meeting alongside our commissioners and advisory delegate. At our upcoming presbytery meeting (October 1, 2024, Palatka First), our commissioners and delegate will share their insights and perspectives on the assembly. 

I am a cradle Presbyterian. The PC (USA) has helped to nurture and guide me since before I can even remember. As someone who has been baptized, confirmed, ordained, married and served the church as a minister of word and sacrament for over 27 years, it is safe to say this is my spiritual home. In some sense, attending the General Assembly is like being part of a very large family reunion. People gather from all over the United States and in fact around the world.

For me this was the third time I had taken part in the General Assembly. In June 2006, I served as a volunteer. In 2018, I was elected by my presbytery to serve as a commissioner. This year was my first experience attending as someone involved in presbytery leadership. I was there to observe, support our commissioners and learn about how other churches and presbyteries are addressing the current challenges in ministry. 

My time in Salt Lake City was uplifting. As Presbyterians, our large, family gathering worship services are done extremely well. It is uplifting and encouraging to see the wide swath of humanity gathered singing, praying and celebrating God’s grace and our commitment to serve Christ. Yes, the assembly gathered for business, to respond to motions and to refer amendments to the presbyteries for their votes of yay or nay, but this was worshipful work. In my opinion, it was the embodiment of the response to the question in the shorter catechism: “What is the chief end of humanity? The chief end of humanity is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.” 

Read more here.

From the Stated Clerk

Once a year, the presbytery offers the opportunity to apply for grants from the proceeds of the sale of church property. The information about this grant can be found here. This deadline is October 7.

Twice a year, the presbytery offers the opportunity to apply for grants from Designated Funds. Click to view the information and application for these grants. This deadline is November 11. All applications must be submitted to Charlie Evans, Stated Clerk, by the deadline dates via email or mail.

Presbyterian Planning Calendars

The 2024-2025 Presbyterian Planning Calendars are now available. The price is $15 per calendar. Click here to order.

PC(USA) International Peacemaker Visit

Zoughbi Zoughbi, Founder and Director of Wi'am, the Bethlehem Center for Non-Violence, will visit our presbytery September 26 through October 2. The opportunities to meet and hear from Zoughbi Zoughbi are below:

•  September 27 -- Palestinian Dinner and Talk, Memorial PC at 6:00 p.m.
• September 28 -- Potluck Lunch and Talk with Islamic Center, Fort King PC at 12:00 p.m.
• September 30 -- Conversation, Westminster Woods at 2:00 p.m.
• October 1 -- Presbytery Meeting, Palatka First PC

For more information and to RSVP, please contact Ervin Bullock.

Prayer Corner

Please pray for the Lord to guide the following church (its staff and session) this week:

Peace Presbyterian Church

Leadership

Jodi Dodge

Learning Opportunities

Training Thursdays

Join the POSA Training Team for our September Training Thursdays webinar! The webinar for September will be on “Church Employees and Independent Contractors.” Led by Suzi Lemen, uncover the best practices for identifying, managing and paying independent contractors who are paid via 1099s. Lemen will explain the laws that impact how churches must correctly compensate individuals and identify common mistakes to avoid when determining if an individual should be paid through church payroll. This session will also provide background information on the new ruling posted by the Department of Labor earlier this year and explore the six new factors to be considered when categorizing ICs.



This virtual training session will take place on September 26, at 2:00 p.m. Click here to register.

Certificate in Fundraising

Have you ever wanted a certificate in religious fundraising? Wouldn’t it be great to help the organizations you work with better utilize their financial resources? There is a great opportunity being offered, in the Presbytery of St. Augustine, at Riverside Presbyterian Church. Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising (ECRF) training will be September 16 through 18. As part of a covenantal church relationship, there is a HALF-OFF registration rate for members of the Presbytery of St. Augustine (both clergy and laity). These spots will go quickly, so please register as soon as possible.

Click here to register.

School of the Laity

The Savannah School of the Laity will take place October 5 through 6. Courses are held both in-person, at Epworth By the Sea on St. Simons Island, and online, via Zoom. Click here for more information and to register.

SOAP Regional Event

Registration for the regional SOAP event is now open! The event will take place on November 9. This event is for educators, youth leaders, paid staff, volunteers and pastors. Registration is $35, and lunch will be coordinated at each host site. Click here to learn more and to register.

Opening to Grace Retreat Day

The Opening to Grace Retreat Day will take place on Friday, November 22, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Riverside Park United Methodist Church. This retreat will allow ou to experience a model of healing ministry that integrated Gestalt growth work with spiritual companioning and healing prayer. Gestalt Pastoral Care trusts that God desires to heal holistically in a way that is unique to each person.

The cost is $75 for a full participant and lunch is provided. for more information, contact Susan Silhan. Click here to register.

Presbyterian Women

Justice and Peace Calendar

Click here to view the 2024 PW Justice and Peace Calendar.

Youth Ministry

Presbytery Youth Retreat

The Presbytery Youth Retreat will take place October 4 through 6, at Montgomery Center. This is a retreat for youth in grades six through 12. Click here to register your group by this Sunday, September 15.

Montgomery Center

Winter Camp

Camp Montgomery Winter Camp will take place January 3 through 5, 2025. Children ages 6 to 16 are welcome to attend at the cost of $220 per camper. There will also be an opportunity for youth ages 17 to 18 to participate as a Winter Counselor in Training (CIT). For more information, click here.

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

• Oct. 4 through 6 – POSA Fall Youth Retreat
• Dec. 6 – 4th Annual Gala
• Jan. 3 through 5 – Winter Camp
• Jan 6 through 12 – Cruising with Montgomery
• Jan. 18 – Officer Training
• Jan. 25 – PW Winter Gathering

Key Events

• Sept. 15 – Ordination of Jessica Means at South Jacksonville, 4:00 p.m.
• Sept. 16 through 18 – Certificate in Fundraising Training at Riverside
• Sept. 26 – Training Thursdays: Church Employees and Independent Contractors
• Sept. 27 through Oct. 7 – International Peacemaker Visit
• Oct. 1 – Meeting of the Presbytery at Palatka First
• Oct. 5 through 6 – School of the Laity at Epworth By the Sea
• Oct. 17 through 19 – PW Triennial Gathering at Epworth By the Sea
• Oct. 4 through 6 – Presbytery Youth Retreat at Montgomery Center
• Nov. 9 – SOAP Regional Event

Positions Available In Our Presbytery

Check out the many ministry opportunities throughout our presbytery here.

Blessings,

Steve Crowley, Moderator of the Presbytery

Charlie Evans, Stated Clerk

David Rollins, Lead Presbyter