Dear Presbytery Family,

Stay Connected by joining in prayer, highlighting resources, learning about upcoming events, and sharing presbytery updates.  
Prayer
God of expectation, you visited the shepherds at night with tidings of great joy! As we approach that time of celebration once again, help us not to rush. Invite us to slow down, reflect and linger. Reveal to us your light that is all around us: the stars in the sky, the lights on the tree, the wonder of little children, the gleam in a grandparent’s eye. As your light is revealed, be with those for whom this Christmas is difficult, who are grieving great loss, who are suffering, who feel all alone. In our churches, give us compelling voices as we tell the story of Emmanuel, your Word made flesh, the Prince of Peace. In the whole Presbytery of St. Augustine, summon us to serve the Christ Child in this season and in all the days of our lives. We make this prayer with gratitude for the comfort, peace and joy of your abiding love, Amen.

This week we join together in prayer for:
Larger Church
First Presbyterian Church, Mayfield, KY and all of the presbyteries that were impacted by the recent tornadoes.
Mission Partner
Pray for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance as they respond to this and other disasters.
Presbytery News
Winter Presbytery Meeting
Our Winter Presbytery Stated Meeting will be held on Saturday, February 5 at 9:00 a.m. Currently we plan to hold a hybrid meeting in person at Trinity Presbyterian Church and online via Zoom. Watch your email for details and registration soon!

Upcoming Celebrations
Mark your calendars for the upcoming Services of Installation, Ordination and Commissioning throughout our presbytery. All dates are Sundays!
  • January 23 at 4:00 p.m. – Installation of Rev. Adam Anderson as Pastor of South Jacksonville Presbyterian Church
  • January 30 at 4:00 p.m. – Installation of Rev. Bryant Anderson as Pastor of Palms Presbyterian Church
  • February 6 at 3:00 p.m. – Ordination of Scott Stuart, First Presbyterian Church of Gainesville
  • February 20 at 4:00 p.m. – Installation of Rev. Susan Takis as Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Green Cove Springs
  • March 6 at 3:00 p.m. – Service of Commissioning of Dr. Yvan Kelly, Ruling Elder (Memorial), to Pastoral Service to Kirkwood Presbyterian Church
Giving Reminder
We are happy to share that we have received six giving commitments so far from our congregations, including several that increased their anticipated annual giving to the presbytery! Because we will approve the 2022 budget based on indications of church giving, we ask that sessions communicate their 2022 giving expectation to our office manager, Lisa Wells by January 10 if possible. Her email address is lisa@staugpres.org. Thank you!
“Plugin and Recharge with the Presbyterian Women” on January 29
January 29 is the date, and Montgomery Center is the place, for the 2022 annual gathering of our Presbyterian Women. Kirkwood Presbyterian Church is hosting the event with the theme "Plugin and Recharge with Presbyterian Women." Rev. Sandra Hedrick will bring the message during morning worship. Workshops, a business meeting, and lunch will be included. Registration materials for the PW Annual Gathering will be available soon! PW Moderator Daryl Mullee shared this moderator’s report to keep you up to date on the PW activities. 
Session Clerk Reminders
Session clerks are invited to review the "Dates to Remember" and other documents in our "Clerks of Session Resources" web page.

Employment Opportunities
Have you checked our classified page lately? Is God calling you (or a friend or colleague) to inquire further into one of the calls posted there? There are full time opportunities available as well as part time stated supply positions at St. Andrews, Calvin, Covenant, and High Springs. Please visit our website at https://www.staugpres.org/classifieds/ for details.

Thanks for Giving!
Thanks to all those who donated on Giving Tuesday! Your gifts of $350 were received and matched by $350, for a total of $700. We received funds for Montgomery Center, Highlands Regional Ministry Center, Mutual Mission, and the presbytery (general funds).
News from Montgomery Center
“Our mission of hospitality is to welcome all people to experience Christ
and creation in ways which deepen faith and strengthen relationships.”
Thank you to the “Christmas Under the Oaks” gala guests whose level of commitment was awesome to behold! Watch for follow up stories on our website coming soon! 

Volunteers for work on the Montgomery Center grounds are always needed. If you’d like to work on a project, contact John Raimer to learn about opportunities.

Youth and leaders throughout the presbytery will be enjoying time together at Winter Camp 2021 this week! Keep the youth and leaders in prayer as they experience Christian fellowship, worship, ropes course activities, archery, a polar plunge, and more! 
Resources and Opportunities
Scripture
Coordinating Council Chair Edd Norris invites the presbytery to share in the reading and study of scripture. You are invited to read John 4:43-54.
Together is Better: How Small Membership Churches Fulfill Their Missional Call Through Partnerships
The Synod of South Atlantic is offering a Zoom webinar on Thursday, January 13 at 4:00 p.m. with the Rev. Dr. Lisa Culpepper, author of Together is Better: How Small Membership Churches Fulfill Their Missional Call Through Partnerships. This free webinar will introduce “Together is Better” and present the rationale and methodology for working together through the missional cluster model of collaboration. Lisa’s book is available for order online. You are encouraged to gather with other pastors and church leaders to watch the webinar ... since together is better!
Flagler College Youth Ministry Forum
The Youth Ministry Forum is happening February 11th and 12th, 2022 in St. Augustine, Florida. Click on the logo to register for this incredible weekend!

Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations
Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations: Innovation Amidst and Beyond COVID-19 is a five-year research project funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. and led by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research. The initial year’s report offers insight into the implications the pandemic might have on religious life across the United States. Visit the project’s website. 
Upcoming Events
  • December 23 and December 27 – Presbytery office closed
  • December 25 – Christmas Day
  • December 31 and January 3 – Presbytery office closed
  • January 13, 4:00 p.m. – Synod of South Atlantic Webinar with the Rev. Dr. Lisa Culpepper
  • January 18, 6:00 p.m. – Eighth Ecumenical Vespers, Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine (Sandra Hedrick and Holly Dillon Inglis participating)
  • January 23, 4:00 p.m. – Installation of Adam Anderson at South Jacksonville
  • January 29 – PW Annual Gathering at Montgomery Center
  • January 30, 4:00 p.m. – Installation of Bryant Anderson at Palms
  • February 5, 9:00 a.m. – Winter Presbytery Stated Meeting at Trinity Presbyterian Church and Zoom
  • February 6, 3 p.m. – Ordination of Scott Stuart at First Gainesville
  • February 11-12 – Flagler College Youth Ministry Forum
  • February 20, 4:00 p.m. – Installation of Susan Takis at First Green Cove Springs
  • March 6, 3:00 p.m. – Commissioning of Dr. Yvan Kelly at Kirkwood
  • May 3 – Spring Presbytery Stated Meeting
  • June 18 – July 9 – 225th General Assembly, Louisville and Zoom
  • July 24 – 27 – 2022 Presbyterian Youth Triennium, Indianapolis
  • October 4 – Fall Presbytery Stated Meeting
Christmas Blessings,

Edd Norris, Chair of Coordinating Council
Joe Albright, Moderator of the Presbytery
Holly Dillon Inglis, Ministry and Mission Coordinator
Sandra Hedrick, Stated Clerk
On Behalf of the Coordinating Council
Previous Staying Connected emails are available on our website.