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Greetings Presbytery Family!
Grace and peace to you as we come together in faith and fellowship within our beloved presbytery. This edition of Staying Connected shares updates from both the Lead Presbyter and Stated Clerk and also shares upcoming events and opportunities to help you stay connected.
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News From Around the Presbytery | |
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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.
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From the Lead Presbyter
Here is a video message from our Lead Presbyter David Rollins.
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Board of Trustees: Opportunity to Serve
The board of trustees carries out an important function: To care for all the properties held in trust by the congregations of the presbytery. What does this mean? It means they review requests for loans to congregations and all requests to sell or lease real properties held in trust by the congregation. The Board of Trustees meets once a month on the fourth Tuesday of the month via Zoom. Meeting materials are sent out ahead of time to help keep meetings to an hour.
There are two vacancies for the class of 2025, three vacancies for the class of 2026 and two vacancies for the class of 2027, leaving the Board short of members. This is an invitation for you to prayerfully consider serving as a trustee for the 2025, 2026 and/or 2027 class. This is serving God’s people in another way. If you have any questions and are interested in serving, please contact Ana Lugo, president and chair.
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Presbyterian Planning Calendars
The 2024-2025 Presbyterian Planning Calendars are now available. The price is $15 per calendar. Click here to order.
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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.
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Prayer Corner
Please pray for the Lord to guide the following church (its staff and session) this week:
Palms Presbyterian Church
Leadership
Bryant Anderson
Beverly Dempsey
Carolyn Ettlinger
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Special Offering
As congregations receive the Peace & Global Witness Offering on World Communion Sunday, we recognize they do so with many concerns on their hearts for our siblings around the world. Climate change, violence and the refugee crisis in so many countries are humanitarian disasters of particular concern. The Offering offers congregations ways to support relief efforts for these issues while also supporting the peacemaking work of their mid councils and the PC(USA). Twenty-five percent of the Offering stays with the congregation and 25% stays with your mid council to support peacemaking and reconciliation in your own community and region. Find resources here.
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Season of Peace
This year’s reflections for A Season of Peace will highlight Presbyterians both well-known and little-known who have challenged injustice, broken down barriers and dividing walls, advocated for the marginalized, stewarded the common good, taught peace and been agents for the transformation of society. Sign-up for daily devotions here.
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Save the Date: PW Triennial Gathering
The Synod of South Atlantic will host the Presbyterian Women's Triennial Gathering at Epworth By the Sea in St. Simons Island, on October 17 though 19, 2025. The event will feature the Rev. CeCe Armstrong, Co-Moderator of the 226th General Assembly, as the Worship Leader and the Rev. Rhashell Hunter, author of the 2025-2026 Horizons Bible Study, as the Keynote Speaker.
Items such as gift baskets and gift cards will be needed for the Silent Auction. For more information, contact Nancy Carlton.
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Justice and Peace Calendar
Click here to view the 2024 PW Justice and Peace Calendar.
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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 September 15.
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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.
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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.
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Cruising with Montgomery
Do you love Montgomery? Do you enjoy cruising? You can now combine those passions on an Eastern Caribbean cruise on the Caribbean Princess. This cruise departs from Port Canaveral on January 6, 2025, with ports of call Nassau, San Juan and Grand Turk, returning to Port Canaveral on January 12. Staterooms start at $494 and are filling fast! A portion of your cruise fare will be given back to support the vision and mission of Montgomery Center. Don't wait to book. Come vacation with us!
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Upcoming Events at Montgomery Center
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Positions Available In Our Presbytery
Check out the many ministry opportunities throughout our presbytery here.
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Blessings,
Steve Crowley, 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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