August 9, 2023

Dear Presbytery Family,


Welcome to this week's newsletter, where we come together to bask in the warmth of faith and shine its guiding light upon our lives. This edition of Staying Connected highlights a special opportunity to meet with our Cuban mission partners and shares new resources.

News From Around the Presbytery

FISH 2.0

Join us for FISH 2.0 (Fresh Ideas Start Here) -- a leadership development opportunity at Montgomery Center September 22 through 23. This event is co-sponsored by the Presbytery of St. Augustine, the Central Florida Presbytery and SOAP APCE. FISH 2.0 is for Sunday school teachers, Bible study leaders, pastors, deacons, elders, youth leaders and Christian educators. Workshops will offer tactical tools that can be used in your ministries.


Learn more here.

Register here.

Meet Our Mission Partners

There will be three opportunities to visit with our Cuban mission partners from Matanzas, Cuba. Come out and learn more about the work that they are doing.


  • Wednesday, August 30, at noon, at Palms Presbyterian
  • Wednesday, August 30, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., at Hodges Blvd. Presbyterian
  • Sunday, September 3, during both the 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. worship services, at Memorial Presbyterian

Click here for more information.

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.

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.

Resources

2023-2024 Presbyterian Planning Calendars

It’s time to pre-order your 2023-2024 Presbyterian Planning Calendar through the presbytery office! The discounted rate is $12.00 each. Or only $10.00 each if you pick-up at the presbytery office. Click here to order your calendar(s).

Financial Leadership Grants Available

If you are a pastor, commissioned ruling elder (CRE), a leader of a 1001 New Worshiping Community or a member of a stewardship team, Presbyterian Foundation has Church Financial Leadership Grants available for you. The grants will enable you to institute best practices for church financial leadership, introduce you to new models of giving and stewardship, offer you new ways to talk about money and form generous disciples within your church.


For more information, click here.

To apply, click here.

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. Learn more about next steps here.

Presbyterian Women

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 Call 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. 

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. Please make checks out to Presbyterian Women.

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

News From Montgomery Center

Upcoming Events at Montgomery Center

  • August 26 PW Summer Gathering
  • September 22-23 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
  • January 3-5, 2024 Snow Winter Camp
  • January 20, 2024 Officer Training
  • March 1-3, 2024 Montgomery Youth Retreat

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!

Key Events

Share Your Events
We would be happy to publish your event in the coming weeks! Email [email protected] with the dates and details.

Positions Available In Our Presbytery

Check out the many ministry opportunities throughout our presbytery here.

Blessings,
Susan Rose, Moderator of the Presbytery
Charlie Evans, Stated Clerk
Previous Staying Connected emails are available on our website.