Presbytery Update - COVID-19

Dear Presbytery Family,

All around the world, when people meet one another, there is some form of greeting. As we approach this Pentecost we remember that God’s Holy Spirit leads us in ways that join people across every barrier and boundary that seeks to hurt or divide us. So, with the Apostle Paul we greet you as brothers and sisters in Christ, praying, “God’s grace to you – and peace.”

Things to communicate and celebrate this week include:

We continue to update our COVID-19 web page, including resources that provide considerations for when and how to re-gather in person. This week we added the CDC's Interim Guidance for Communities of Faith and "Hurricane Preparedness During a Pandemic" provided to us by the Florida Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Network (FLAPDAN).

You are invited to the service of ordination of Forrest Wofford Foxworth on Sunday, May 31, at 4 pm – wherever you are. This is a link to the Zoom invitation, a livestream option, and a downloadable bulletin. Ordinations are always a presbytery event, and this may be the most well-attended one ever!

On Sunday, June 7, at 4 pm, the presbytery will hold a virtual service to commission our 224th General Assembly commissioners, young adult advisory delegate (YAAD) and theological seminary advisory delegate (TSAD). Click here for more information.

We are planning a brief drive-in presbytery meeting on Tuesday, June 23, at 12 noon, at First Presbyterian Church of Starke, for the purpose of voting on two recommendation of the Coordinating Council: (1) to amend our Manual of Operations to allow an electronic (virtual) presbytery meeting under special circumstances where we cannot meet in person; and (2) to amend 6.01 of the Manual (Bookkeeper) to adjust duties and title following the retirement of Nancy Brown at the end of June. The amendment allowing electronic meeting will facilitate our plan to hold a virtual presbytery meeting with limited business on Tuesday, July 28, at 6:00 pm. Click here for more information about the June 23 meeting.

We update our COVID-19 resources regularly with helpful information about spiritual nourishment, meeting community needs, education and faith formation, digital worship, and procedures congregations are adopting as they consider when and how to “re-gather."

More updates and information will be shared as we move forward in faith together, “on earth as it is in heaven.” We continue to pray with Almighty God for our world’s health and wholeness.

May the Lord’s grace and wholeness in body, mind and spirit continue to abide with you,

Diane Wilson, Chair of Coordinating Council

Edd Norris, Moderator of the Presbytery

Sandra Hedrick, Stated Clerk

Chris Lieberman, Relationship Coordination Director

On Behalf of the Coordinating Council