“As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the

grace of God in vain.” 2 Corinthians 6:1

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, a day we dedicate to remembering

our mortality. We receive ashes and we pause to remember all Christ

has done for us. This year, pause to remember the abundant grace we

receive daily from God. Paul reminds us in the letter to the Corinthians

that the grace of God shouldn’t be forgotten in vain, it is the greatest of

all gifts and we have received it for free.

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted

by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he

was famished. Matthew 4:1-2

Lent is a symbolic period of time. Just as Jesus went into the desert to

pray and fast for 40 days so we use these 40 days for our own time of

prayer and reflection. Some focus on giving things up, others take on

new spiritual practices. If we spend our Lenten time focusing on God’s

abundant grace, we may find the best practice is expressing gratitude.

Our Youth Ministry Team is working to analyze youth ministries at different churches. Please assist us by having your youth ministry leader, minister, session clerk or an office staff member complete the Youth Initiative Survey. Only one survey needs to be completed for each church.

Please remember to submit your Terms of Call report by March 6, 2023. Reports may be returned to Charlie Evans, Stated Clerk, by email or by mail: Presbytery of St. Augustine, 1937 University Blvd. W., Jacksonville, FL 32217.

We are, currently, looking to fill the Area Relationship Coordinator position for Area 1 (Gainesville Regional Area). This presbytery staff position promotes communication, coordinates mission and fosters connectional relationships with pastors and churches in an assigned geographic area, strengthening the relationship between the churches and with the presbytery. This position is for Teaching Elders or CRE with commission in our presbytery, estimated eight (8) hours per week, reporting to the presbytery’s Lead Presbyter. Read the position description.

Check out the many ministry opportunities throughout our presbytery here.

The Synod of South Atlantic Stated Meeting was held Feb. 24 and 25, at Epworth by the Sea.

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

Join us for Open House on Saturday, March 4, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. This is a great opportunity for guests to visit Montgomery, learn how to schedule a retreat and get a taste of camp life. Fun activities include a rock wall and zip line.

Join us for our Rummage Sale on March 3 and 4, from 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 each day.

Donations for the Rummage Sale may be dropped-off this week from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Montgomery. For more information, email Rebekah Rodgers.

Lenten Fish Fry Friday will take place, at Montgomery, each Friday during Lent from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Trail mix is sweet and salty, just like life. Our lives are filled with joys, worries, hardships and ordinary times. All sixth through 12th-graders are welcome to join us from April 21 to 23, at Montgomery Center for a study on Philippians 4:4-9, as we look at the trail mix of our lives. Click here to register.

Join us every 3rd Friday, at Montgomery, for a workday! Projects range from construction and plumbing to cleaning and organizing. Can't make it on a Friday? Call the Montgomery office to schedule your service day for any time, 352-473-4516.

We'd love to see what your congregation is doing this Lenten season. Send your ideas to [email protected].

Liturgical Lessons, written and owned by Rev. Jessi Higginbotham, is offering members of the presbytery a FREE Maundy Thursday lesson and activity download. This lesson can be done with children, youth, adults, or as an individual. Click here to download the lesson.

The Presbyterian Publishing Corporation is introducing new resources throughout 2023. This year they are debuting Spanish and Korean resources first, with an intentional expansion of curriculum for children, adults and ordered ministry. In addition, there are bilingual aids that are accessible to English-speaking congregations. Presbyterian Publishing Corporation also offers free Spanish-language Christian education resources with topics focusing on the Bible or on Christian practices. Click here to learn more.

In 2022, 147 students were awarded a total of $665,000 under this needs based program. Do you know someone who should apply in 2023? The opportunities and requirements are explained in this PC(USA) news story. 

March 2-5, 2023 – Epworth by the Sea. View registration information here.

March 11, 2023 – Epworth by the Sea. View more information here, and to register, click here.

View Upcoming Events at Montgomery Center Here.

Previous Staying Connected emails are available on our website.