Comfort My People:
Mental Health Ministries in Healthy Congregations
The Presbytery of St. Augustine has received a $10,000 grant to fund a year-long initiative that we are calling, “Comfort My People: Mental Health in Healthy Congregations.”

As a focus of our initiative, Susan Lee , LCSW, a member of Highlands United Presbyterian Church, will serve as a consultant/coach with congregations in our presbytery. Susan (pictured) will be available to lead programs and intergenerational activities, provide workshops for congregational leaders, meet with resource people, and identify appropriate referrals for mental health support near you. More details will follow in November. Read more about our initial plans by clicking here . 
Fall Stated Meeting Highlights
Our 2019 Fall Stated Meeting on October 1 started off with joy-filled worship and continued with new minister introductions, elections, and other important business. Read the highlights here ! 
General Assembly Update and Overture Deadlines 
The 224th General Assembly of the PC(USA) will be held in Baltimore, Maryland, from June 20–27, 2020. Our commissioners are ruling elders Bob Bell (First Perry) and Yvette Grant (Nueva Esperanza) and teaching elders Sandra Hedrick (Stated Clerk/Kirkwood) and Joe Medearis (Arlington/Peace). Our young adult advisory delegate is Emma Cottrell (Community).

The deadlines for submitting overtures to the 224th General Assembly are: February 21, 2020, if the overture involves an amendment to/interpretation to the Book of Order; April 21 for overtures with financial implications, and May 6 for all other overtures and comments. This means that most kinds of overtures would need to come to our February 1, 2020 presbytery meeting in order to be approved and submitted in time. All presbytery overtures also require at least one concurrence to come before the assembly. For more information about the overture process, please contact our Stated Clerk, Sandra Hedrick, via email or by phone at (904) 612-9766. Click here to view our written overture submission policy.
Congratulations to Rev. Michaele Wood and Kanapaha Presbyterian Church!
The Rev. Michaele Wood was installed as the Pastor of Kanapaha Presbyterian Church on September 15! We congratulate both Michaele and the church and send our blessings and good wishes for their future. Michaele is pictured here as a worship leader with co-celebrant Don Johnson (Woodlawn) and Presbytery Moderator, Diane Wilson.
Dr. Yvan Kelly Commissioned to Pastoral Service for Middleburg Presbyterian Church
Congratulations to Dr. Yvan Kelly, who was commissioned to pastoral service for Middleburg Presbyterian Church on October 6! Dr. Kelly is a ruling elder member of Memorial Presbyterian Church, St. Augustine, and has been active in presbytery leadership for many years. In addition to his ministry at Middleburg, he teaches economics at Flagler College. Blessings to both Middleburg church members and Dr. Kelly! He is pictured here with Diane Wilson, Presbytery Moderator.
First Presbyterian Church of Gainesville Welcomes Interim Pastor Karl Kling

On September 17, First Presbyterian Church of Gainesville welcomed the Rev. Dr. Karl Kling as its Interim Pastor. Karl transferred from the Flint River Presbytery, where he most recently served as Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Bainbridge, GA. Born in northwest New Jersey, and the son of a Presbyterian minister, Karl received his M.Div. from Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA, in 1981, and later received his D.Min. from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 1989, with a focus in Pastoral Leadership and Pastoral Counseling. His wife Susan is a Public Health Nutritionist; son David is a Presbyterian pastor in Huntsville, AL; and son Michael is an electrical engineer in St. Petersburg, FL. He and Susan are looking forward to working with this intergenerational community during the interim period. Welcome Karl!
Nueva Esperanza Presbyterian Church Welcomes Rev. Ricardo Green

Nueva Esperanza Presbyterian Church (NEPC) is pleased to welcome the Rev. Ricardo Green as its part-time stated supply pastor, beginning October 16. Since 2017, NEPC has been in an intentional revitalization process, working with the Rev. Pablo Rivera, a coach with the PC(USA)’s New Worshiping Communities. Ricardo received his M.Div. degree from Princeton Theological Seminary and comes to us from the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta. He has served in different calls throughout the PC(USA) denomination in the United States since his ordination in July 1991. He and his family served as PC(USA) Mission Co-Worker to Brazil from 1998 through 2007. He and his beautiful wife Reyna (which means Queen) have been married for 33 years, and have three children, Kerry Helena, Ashley Danielle and Richard Ashbel. He enjoys spending time with his wife Reyna and son Richard. BIENVENIDO RICARDO. Ricardo is pictured here with Cathy Sanders and Mary Brown.
New Presbytery Member Rev. Susan Rose

We also welcome the Rev. Susan Rose who is one of the newest members of our presbytery. Susan lives in the Nocatee area and serves as a Parish Associate at the Memorial Presbyterian Church. She received her M.Div. from Memphis Theological Seminary and is working on a doctoral degree from Portland Seminary. Susan comes to us from the Presbytery of Arkansas and has a background in campus ministry, new church development, parish ministry, and much more. She and her husband Dave have two young adult children. Susan is pictured with Craig Davies.
Jeffrey Weenink to be Interim Pastor at Palms Presbyterian Church

On November 1, Palms Presbyterian Church, Jacksonville Beach, will welcome the Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Weenink as its Interim Pastor. Jeffrey will be transferring from the Genesee Valley Presbytery, where he spent the last two years as the Interim Pastor for the First Presbyterian Church of Pittsford, NY. Prior to that, he served in a Bay City, MI, congregation for 20 years, and a Lansing, MI, congregation for 10 years. A third-generation church professional, Jeffrey received his M.Div. degree from Duke University Divinity School in 1980, and later received his D.Min. degree from San Francisco Theological Seminary in 1993. He and his wife Jeanne, a retired educator, have three adult daughters. All love the water and enjoy travel. Jeffrey looks forward to living at the beach and being involved in all aspects of ministry at Palms during this interim time. Welcome Jeffrey! He is pictured here with Palms members (L to R): Tom Brown, Jeffrey Weenink, Sally Giles, and Chip Tousey. 

Workshop for Session Clerks Still Has Space

Session clerks, assistant clerks, moderators, and session members are invited to attend the Session Clerk’s Workshop on Saturday morning, November 16. First Starke will host the training, which will be presented by Sandra Hedrick, Stated Clerk, and Ed Kelly, Assistant Stated Clerk. Cost is $15 per person, which includes lunch and workshop materials. Currently there are 27 registrants for the Session Clerk’s Workshop, and there is room for more!  Click here for the workshop flyer with complete details.
Presbyterian Women
Women from Memorial Presbyterian Church’s Sew and Sew group came to Faith Presbyterian Church on September 11 to observe the Days for Girls Satellite Center in action. They learned the steps needed to make components that assist Gainesville’s Days for Girls Center. These five ladies quickly learned sewing tricks and took materials back to start working on their own components for the kits. Carol Saunders will spearhead the group. Memorial PW members Karen Minder (L) and Darlene Hall (R) are pictured here.
Cuba Connections
Submitted by Amy Lehr Camp

As we celebrated communion at the October 1 Presbytery meeting and then on World Communion Sunday October 6, I could not get a still-life image from Cuba off my mind. I had never before seen a chalice turned over with wine spilled out. That was the image in a painting hanging in the Fellowship Hall of the church in Havana where we stayed for our Mutual Mission trip in February.

The image is a concrete reminder to me of “resurrection life and human flourishing flowing from great sadness and deep suffering.” Our Presbyterian brothers and sisters in Cuba are teaching me the truth that we carry in our bodies the dying of Jesus in order that the LIFE of Jesus may also be made manifest in our mortal flesh! (2 Cor 4:10)

Pastors from the Presbytery of St. Augustine and the Matanzas Presbytery will gather together for a Pastor’s Retreat in Cuba from February 11-17, 2020. They will share the Lord’s Supper, experience various spiritual disciplines, and exchange stories in ministry in a beautiful beach setting. There will also be opportunities to see amazing art in a vibrant culture. Registration is now closed for the retreat, and we thank God for our growing friendships and partnership with Matanzas Presbytery of Cuba!
2020 Dental-Medical Trip to Jamaica
Submitted by Bob Bell

The Dental-Medical trip to Jamaica in 2020 will be June 14-20, 2020. We will go at the pleasure of our Jamaican partners as part of the Presbytery of St. Augustine Mutual Mission program (SAMM) and will join our partners in the Jamaica Ecumenical Mutual Mission (JEMM) program to provide dental and medical help for those persons in Jamaica who lack dental and medical care.

We would very much like to have dental professionals from the Presbytery of St. Augustine join us for this trip. We need dentists, dental assistants, dental hygienists, and dental technicians that know how to build dentures. Contact Bob Bell at: mmbob@fairpoint.net or (850) 556-4566. 
FLAPDAN Awarded Grant for Hurricane Irma Recovery

The Florida Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Network (FLAPDAN) has been awarded a grant from the Volunteer Florida Foundation's Florida Disaster Fund in the amount of $25,000 for Hurricane Irma recovery! The grant will allow FLAPDAN to assist Long Term Recovery Groups by connecting them with grants and other resources. They are one of only 14 organizations out of over 90 applicants that will receive a grant. The basic funding for FLAPDAN comes from the six presbyteries in Florida.
Terry Patterson
Former Executive Director Terry Patterson

We are saddened to announce the passing of our former Executive Director, Terry Patterson. Terry passed away suddenly on October 2 at Our Lady of The Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge after a month-long battle with cancer and other health complications. Terry was committed to the mission and ministry of the Montgomery Presbyterian Conference Center, serving as Executive Director from 2014-2018.

MPCC held a Celebration of Life service in remembrance of Terry on Saturday, October 19. Terry is survived by his three daughters, Samantha (Kyle) Kramer, Taylor (Daniel) Ramsey, and Hope Patterson; mother Carol Patterson; father Eugene Patterson; sister Cindy (Jarrett) Reid; brother Robbie Patterson; and former wife and mother of his children, Susan Patterson.
Fall Retreats at Montgomery

Montgomery is proud to present several retreats this fall! They include its brand new silent retreat, a youth retreat, and a men’s retreat. Come spend time in God’s great creation, fellowship with others, and re-center yourself through worship and study. For more information and to register for a retreat, please visit our website or give us a call at (352) 473-4516.
David Imhoff and Ft. Caroline Presbyterian Church in the News!

The outreach ministry of Ft. Caroline Presbyterian Church, and its Stated Supply Pastor, David Imhoff, were recently highlighted by the Presbyterian News Service. Click on the links below to read the articles.


McIntosh Presbyterian Church Commissions Billboard

McIntosh Presbyterian Church recently commissioned a billboard on US 441, south of Gainesville. Tommy Lane, Commissioned Ruling Elder, shared why the church decided to try the billboard: “McIntosh is a community of 500 people with six churches. Everyone knows everyone and we respect the reality that many McIntosh folk are ‘settled’ in their churches. Thus to grow MPC, we have taken an entrepreneurial approach. Our Session believes it is important to offer the Gospel in the ‘marketplace of ideas.’ We must be willing to encounter people on their own turf and within their own ‘normal.’ This is also true with how we market the church. Our approach is to emphasize our ‘core product’ - which is the Grace of Christ Jesus. The Session felt the use of billboard advertising was a good way to establish our identity in the marketplace. Results thus far have caused us to look for a 2nd billboard about 5 miles from McIntosh. The message will be on the order of “Don't stop yet. You are almost there. Grace awaits. Say ‘Bill Board’ sent you.” 
My Experience at Florida Council of Churches Gathering
Submitted by Jim Black

Jim Black recently attended the Florida Council of Churches gathering in Orlando which highlighted how injustice is at work in many ways and at many levels. This two-day event challenged over 50 pastors from nine denominations to be active advocates in numerous social justice issues, including equality and equity in healthcare, public education, the environment, and prison reform. While primarily focused on Florida, this was also a part of the national "Faith at Work" community to bring justice to the nation. Notable speakers focused on ways to focus on justice and fairness in the “here and now!” Leaders shared practical ways that individuals and congregations can easily contact their elected representatives in Washington and Florida. Jim described it as “a wonderful experience” and encourages all of us to be “better doers of the Word” for justice. 
Special Worship Service at Korean Presbyterian Church
Sunday, October 27 at 4:00 p.m.

On Sunday, October 27, at 4:00 p.m., the Korean Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville will hold a “Service for the Ordination and Installation of Ruling Elders and Gwonsas,” followed by a reception. The church is located at 856 Margaret Street in Jacksonville. Sandra Hedrick will be participating as a worship leader, and the church welcomes all presbytery brothers and sisters to attend and participate.

Trinity Presbyterian Church Celebrates 40th Anniversary
November 10, 2019 at 4:00 p.m.
Submitted by Tracy Martin and Del Smith, Trinity Members
Trinity Presbyterian Church, Palm Coast, is turning 40 years old, and the congregation is celebrating their birthday on November 10, 2019, at 4:00 p.m. The first worship service of the new congregation was held in November, 1979. Although Palm Coast was vastly different in 1979, Trinity continues to provide a special worship space and fellowship for the community 40 years later. Some of the founding members from 1979 still worship at Trinity today! Past ministers and members will return to Trinity for the Celebration Service and everyone is welcome to attend.

Click here to read more about the history of Trinity Presbyterian Church and their ministry in the Palm Coast community. The website post includes historical photos (the original church building is pictured here) so you can get a glimpse of how the church has evolved over the years. Congratulations Trinity! 

  • The Art of Yes, and ... – November 14-16, 2019 at Epworth-by-the-Sea in St. Simons Island, GA. A conference sponsored by South Atlantic Puerto Rican Region of the Association of Presbyterian Christian Educators.


  • 2020 Winter Stated Meeting of the Presbytery – Saturday, February 1, 2020 at Memorial Presbyterian Church, St. Augustine.

  • Pastors' Retreat in Matanzas Presbytery, Cuba – February 10-17, 2020 (Registration closed).


  • Synod Stated Meeting – April 30-May 1, 2020, at Epworth-by-the-Sea, St. Simon's Island, Georgia.

  • 2020 Spring Stated Meeting of the Presbytery – Tuesday, May 5, 2020, at the Montgomery Presbyterian Conference Center.

  • Dental-Medical Mission Trip to Jamaica – June 14-20, 2020 

  • 224th General Assembly of the PC(USA) – June 20-27, 2020 in Baltimore, MD.
Celebrating With You!
If you are celebrating a milestone anniversary as a congregation or in years of ordination as a Minister of Word and Sacrament, please let us know. Email Marigrace Doran so that we can include your milestone in The Connection.
The Presbytery of St. Augustine Connection Newsletter is a publication of the Presbytery of St. Augustine. It is written and designed by Communications Coordinator Marigrace Doran. Editorial assistance is provided by Stated Clerk Sandra Hedrick, Relationship Coordinator Director Chris Lieberman, and other presbytery leaders.

Masthead photo by Will Barnwell
The mission of the Presbytery of St. Augustine is to support our faith community, so that together we may witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ.