Called Meeting Highlights

SUMMER CALLED MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

by: Alexandra (Sandra) Hedrick, Stated Clerk

The mission of the Presbytery of St. Augustine is to support our faith community,

so that together we may be a greater witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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This has been a summer of called presbytery meetings! After COVID-19 cancelled our Spring Stated Meeting, we were still able to complete our time sensitive business on June 23, July 28, and August 25. Here are the highlights of the actions taken:

Electronic Meetings: At a drive-up meeting on June 23, the presbytery approved holding electronic meetings under extraordinary circumstances as determined by the Coordinating Council. The meetings must be held in a way that all members participating may simultaneously hear one another during the meeting.

Office Manager: At that same meeting, the presbytery approved amending our Manual of Operations to add a full-time office manager position and to delete the position of bookkeeper. Cyndi Rigley began working as office manager on August 3, 2020. The presbytery thanks Nancy Brown for her faithful work as our bookkeeper and congratulates her on her retirement.

President of Trustees: At the meeting held by Zoom on July 28, Presbytery Trustee member Ana Lugo-Berrios was named as president. We thank past president Cynthia Montgomery for her excellent service in that role.

Reddick Administrative Commission: At the request of the session of Reddick Presbyterian Church, the presbytery established a five-member administrative commission to facilitate the closing of the church.

Amended Operating Budget: The presbytery voted to amend the presbytery budget that was approved at the Winter Stated Meeting. The changes addressed the reduction in revenues during this season of COVID-19. To view the amended budget, click here.

Strategic Planning: After the Winter Stated Meeting, the Coordinating Council devoted significant time to strategic planning that would further the work approved at that meeting. On July 28, the Coordinating Council shared the results of that work in the areas of staffing and realignment and reconnection of volunteer committees and teams. In connection with the report, there was a first reading of amendments to our Manual of Operations. Those amendments were approved on August 25 as reflected immediately below. Here is a chart showing our current staffing and structure.

Staffing Design: The presbytery approved the recommendation to create the position of Mission and Ministry Coordinator. The individual holding this position will serve with the Coordinating Council to promote the presbytery’s mission and shared values. He or she will supervise staff, connect the presbytery with other councils of the church, and work with commissions, committees and teams to accomplish our strategic goals to:

Create a culture of unity and diversity where everyone is of one heart and soul and working together for the common good to the glory of God;
Thrive and grow in faithfulness to Jesus Christ, showing God’s love to all generations;
Create a strong missional focus; and
Shepherd our gifts for God’s glory.

When this new position is filled, the Relationship Coordination Director position will end.

The presbytery also approved some changes to the part-time Stated Clerk position while retaining the core duties. Some of the duties in the current role will be placed into the Mission and Ministry Coordinator’s position and others will be done with the assistance of the Office Manager.

Committees and Teams: The presbytery approved combining two of our committees, phasing out one of our teams, and moving some teams so that they connected with different committees. The changes will help us better focus on mission and ministry (including emerging ministries) and be more efficient in tending to work that supports all of our strategic goals.

Commissioning of Bea Newhart: A special highlight of our August 25 meeting was the commissioning of ruling elder Bea Newhart to pastoral service to Fairfield Presbyterian Church. Presbytery Moderator Edd Norris led the commissioning, and Fairfield’s retiring Pastor Bruce Seaman offered the charge and closing prayer.

Our Fall Stated Meeting will be held on October 6, 2020, using the Zoom platform. To register, click here. See you then!