October 7, 2026

In the Presbytery of St. Augustine Our mission is " to support our faith community, so that together we are a greater witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ!"

It's now time to register for the upcoming presbytery meeting.

Join us at San Marco Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville, FL on Saturday October 24, 2026 for our Fall Stated Meeting.

Advance registration will close on Monday, October 19th. Registering in advance will help us properly prepare for the meeting.

Childcare will be provided- if needed.

*Send in a lunch with your child.

Click the link below for our presbytery meeting page with all the information-

Fall Stated Meeting Registration & Event Details

Calendars are still available!

We only have a few calendars left and we won't be ordering another shipment. Get them while you can!

The new 2026-2027 Planning Calendars are here! The cost for each calendar is $15 if you pick it up here at the presbytery and $17 if we mail it to you.

Please call Lisa with your order, 904-733-8277 or email lisa@staugpres.org

If you are far from the presbytery and want to avoid the shipping cost we will bring the calendars with your request to the next presbytery meeting.

*The next presbytery meeting is on Saturday, October 24th at San Marco Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville.

PoSA Growth Churches: October Insights and Check In

If you could not join our last Church Growth workshop, here is a quick look at our October insights. To learn the three doable steps to grow your church, please schedule a Zoom consultation.

Collecting Contact Info at Fall Events

Trunk or Treat Offer a free giveaway or gift basket to enter and win. Include signups for Family Fun, Arts and Craft Kits, and your Community Art Studio. Use a greeter to warmly direct visitors to sign up. Hint: Add a box asking if families are interested in Children’s Ministry. One church had 150 attend and 69 checked yes.

Family Jam Session Collect contact info with a giveaway entry, signups for Family Fun and Music Boxes, and signups for Family Drum Circle. Use a greeter to guide families to sign up.

Blessing Opportunities

Blessing Baskets Offer a free basket families can enter to win. This helps collect contact info for follow up.

Blessing Gifts and Activities (Nov, Dec, 2027) Offer simple Family Fun Kits, a free Prayer Journal, or small activity packs families can sign up for, along with other free fun activities. These help collect contact info and begin building a friendship.

Keep It Simple

Choose one or two easy ways to collect contact info. Our growth plans are built on low resource and high return on engagement. Ask for donations or small contributions, and most activities only need a couple of helpers.

Connectional Social Media

If you would like to learn why connectional social media is more effective than traditional church social media, schedule a quick Zoom chat.

Support Available at No Cost

Customized church growth plan Ongoing coaching for at least six months New Presbytery Growth Support Group launching next year

I am your presbytery growth resource and ready to help. If you would like support, please schedule a quick Zoom chat, begin a customized church growth plan, or reach out for a short phone call. God bless. johnchoufong@gmail.com

Peace, John

Geneva Presbyterian has about

50 hymnals to give away to any church that could use them.

If interested please contact Karen Bhola, Clerk.

karenfb2015@gmail.com

Large Cross Available

When the presbytery sold the church property that once housed Nueva Esperanza Presbyterian Church, a neighbor asked for the large wooden cross.

For several years he has used it outdoors to decorate for Christmas. He has enjoyed it for many years but is now offering it back to anyone who would like to take it. He lives in Jacksonville off Interstate 10 near Chafee Road. The cross is in two pieces and is 16 feet tall and 8 feet across.

If you are interested, email Rev. Alexandra (Sandra) Hedrick, who can put you in touch with the man who has it. alexandrahedrick@gmail.com

Join us at The Resilient Soul: Rest, Recharge, Reconnect

Clergy Retreat | Nov. 1-3, 2026 | Epworth By the Sea

100 Arthur J Moore Dr., St. Simons Island, GA 31522

The Resilient Soul is the theme for the Presbytery of St. Augustine’s Clergy, CRE, and Certified Educator retreat.

We are encouraging you to join us to take a deep breath, to take a step away from the strains and stress of the ministry and make plans to be with us at Epworth By the Sea. Our retreat will take place November 1-3. The cost is $268 per person for single occupancy, which includes lodging and most meals. Or, only $134 per person for double occupancy, which includes lodging and most meals.

Click the button below for full details, schedule and registration information. There is still time to join us- the registration deadline and payment has been extended through October 26th.

THIS WEEK-

Intentional: Intergenerational Preaching, Teaching, & Worship

October 8-9, 2026

In-Person and Hybrid in Charlotte, NC

A two-day symposium for practitioners to explore the foundations and frameworks for intergenerational ministries the first day. The next day move from theory to practice in your context. Write liturgy, outline sermons and educational experience then receive feedback from the leaders in these areas. Leaders include Dave Csinos, Rich Volez, Janaki Gooty, Jenny McDevitt and more! For more information on leaders and logistics visit: bit.ly/4vJnFaU

SAVE THE DATE

The next meeting of the Presbytery of St. Augustine will be October 24, 2026, at San Marco Presbyterian Church. Registration information can be found at the top of the newsletter.

"Money Matters in Ministry"

- a continuing education opportunity

Would a review of church finance be helpful? Does reading financial reports make your head hurt? Please join us as Rev. Dr. Jonathan Swanson, an Economist, formerly of the Federal Reserve , Ph.D., and pastor of 30 years reviews these topics and more during a workshop, Saturday, November 7, from 9 a.m. until noon at Hodges Blvd Presbyterian Church.

Everyone is welcome. No charge to attend.

Please register by October 24 by emailing emailjerie@gmail.com.

2026 Cluster Gatherings

*Mark your calendar!

Tentative Dates for the remainder of 2026:

Nov. 16, St. Augustine

Nov. 17, Jacksonville

Nov. 18, Gainesville

Nov. 19, Ocala

SAVE THE DATE: The Winter PW Gathering will be January 23, 2027.

Pray for the Lord to guide the following church this week:

Palatka, First

Charlie Evans, Interim Pastor

Rob Mattson, Clerk

What’s Happening at Montgomery?

October 10: Montgomery's Fall Festival

October 16-18: Presbytery Fall Youth Retreat

October 26-31: Volunteer Work Week

November 13-15: Choose FI Jacksonville Retreat

December 5-13: Flint Hill K9 Training

Dec 30-Jan 2: Winter Camp

January 23: PW of St. Augustine Winter Gathering

February 20: Equipped to Serve '27

April 16-18: Spring Youth Retreat: Power of Love

June 4-6: Lifeguard Training with Mermaid Aquatics

June 13-18, 20-25, July 4-9: Summer Camp 2027

https://www.montgomerycenter.org/summer-camp

Call to Serve

Are you called to serve God at the presbytery level? Several of our committees have positions that we need to fill to carry out our mission. We are looking for ruling elders and teaching elders that have time and energy to serve Christ beyond the local church.

For more information, please contact Beth Touchton, Volunteer Management Committee Chair,

or David Rollins, Lead Presbyter.

Synod of South Atlantic

Home | Synod of South Atlantic

Positions Available In Our Presbytery

Check out the many ministry opportunities throughout our presbytery here.

Blessings,

Barbara Darby, Moderator of the Presbytery

Charlie Evans, Stated Clerk

David Rollins, Lead Presbyter

Visit our website here: https://www.staugpres.org/

Call us: (904) 733 - 8277

Previous Staying Connected emails are available on our website.

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