Dear Presbytery Family,

We hope you enjoy this week's Staying Connected as we experiment with a more regular publication and briefer format.
Pray for Our Congregations, Ministries and PCUSA Focus Sundays

First Presbyterian Church of Jasper –
110 years of ministry

Hodges Boulevard Presbyterian Church – 30 years of ministry

(March 6)
Journey In Lent

Last Sunday I preached that Jesus’ Transfiguration was a mountaintop prayer retreat. Jesus took three trusted disciples with him to pray and though they were sleepy, they saw God. Peter wanted to stay on the mountain forever.

This Lent my church is engaged in 40 Days of Prayer together. We’re making our own retreat, a quiet time every day, to read the same Bible passages and pray for our church and discern where God is leading us as we move out of Covid.

Think about your own experience alone with Jesus. Is your church offering a series of readings? Join them. If they aren’t, maybe it is not too late to start. Readings are online (see below) or you could pick up the book of Luke and read all of it between now and Easter.
Let's Talk! Please Join Our Strategic Focus Conversations on Youth
Please come and share your questions and thoughts about how the Spirit is leading us to act boldly in the area of ministry with and for our Youth. This conversation will be on Zoom on Thursday, March 3 at 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Meeting ID: 511 055 6981
Passcode: 1937

To join by phone, dial
301-715-8592
and enter the Meeting ID 
Our conversations on Vital Congregations and Matthew 25 were wonderful opportunities for discussion and collaboration. The Let’s Talk! conversations will continue with a variety of topics. If you have a topic that interests you email Holly Dillon Inglis. Watch for details!
Lenten Resources

During this Lenten season, families are encouraged to use the activities in the Sharing Calendar for Lent to focus on the ministries supported by the One Great Hour of Sharing gifts - Presbyterian Hunger Program, Self-Development of People and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. Learn more about OGHS.

Rev. Dr. Bill Weimer, a retired Navy chaplain and honorably retired minister in our presbytery, has compiled prayers from Christians throughout the centuries which he is sharing through Community Presbyterian Church. You are invited to pray these daily prayers to enlighten, expand, and encourage your own prayers. Praying with Christians: Lent through Easter 2022

Presbyterians are being introduced to a Lenten practice that takes its cue from the Advent wreath — only rather than lighting a candle weekly, the Lenten “wreath” extinguishes a candle weekly. Read more in the Presbyterians Today article.

Rev. Jessi Higginbotham, Parish Associate at St. Giles Presbyterian Church, invites you to use these two resources as we begin the season of Lent. First, learn about the Labyrinth on Ash Wednesday. Then follow along with the Stations of the Cross as we travel this sacred journey together with Christ. For more seasonal lessons updated throughout the liturgical year visit: https://www.jessihigginbotham.com/lessons
Lenten Reflections on the Spirituals by Luke Powery
In these devotions for the season of Lent, Powery leads the reader through African American spirituals as they confront the mystery of Christ’s atoning death and victory over the grave.
Confronting the Legacy of American Slavery by Cheri L. Mills
This Lenten devotional invites readers to learn more about slavery and to recognize how its legacy continues to harm the descendant of slaves today.
Vital Congregations Resources
The Vital Congregations Initiative (VCI) is a program of the PC(USA) Presbyterian Mission Agency which works alongside leaders of existing congregations continually assessing, discerning and living into faithful actions that increase vitality. You will be hearing more about VCI as the year progresses. In the meantime, download this flyer, and email Holly Dillon Inglis to schedule a time to meet with church leadership. The Initiative is open to all congregations in the presbytery.
 
Conference for Smaller Congregations
The Association of Smaller Congregations conference will be held at Epworth by the Sea, March 18-20. The conference theme is Building Bridges for Smaller Congregations: Offering Help, Hope, and Healing. Registration deadline is March 4. Visit the ASC website for details and to register.

Good Stewards of God's Grace - A PC(USA) Leader Formation Webinar
March 30, 2022; 7:00-8:30 p.m.
As spiritual leaders in the congregation, deacons and ruling elders have vital gifts to offer in the leadership of worship. This webinar will help to equip ruling elders and deacons for particular roles and responsibilities as worship leaders in a variety of settings. This webinar will be provided in several languages with interpretation based on requests made through the registration process. As a result, there is a registration deadline of March 23, 2022. Register for the webinar

Ecclesial Health from the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center
The responsibility for maintaining healthy relationships between pastor and congregation is a two-way street. This is the topic for a one-day workshop, Facilitating Healthy Pastor–Congregation Relations, on Tuesday, March 29 via Zoom. The fee is $99, or $84 per person for groups of four or more. For details please go to https://lmpeacecenter.org/

The Cost of Connecting in New Ways
During the past two years, our world— and with it the church — has changed. This article from Presbyterians Today looks at technology and staffing as churches move forward. 
Services of Installation and Commissioning
Congratulations to First Presbyterian Church of Green Cove Springs and the Rev. Susan Takis who was installed as Pastor on Sunday, February 23. Kirkwood Presbyterian Church will celebrate the commissioning of ruling elder Yvan Kelly to special pastoral service at Kirkwood on March 6 at 3:00 p.m.
 
Audire Spiritual Direction Formation
The Audire Spiritual Direction Formation program is offering free information sessions on March 21 or April 21 for those who may be interested in becoming prospective students in the 3-year formation program which starts in the fall. Click here for details. 

Churches Are Seeking Pastors!
Several churches in our presbytery are seeking installed or stated supply pastors. More information can be found on our classifieds page.
Upcoming Montgomery Center Events
Montgomery Center invites presbytery members to these open house events:
Mardi Gras Celebration on Saturday, February 26, 2022 from 12 noon to 7 pm (Creole food and family friendly games).
Friday Fish Fry with all the fixins’, every Friday during Lent – March 4 through April 15 – from 5 – 7 pm (dine with us outdoors or take your meal “to-go”).
Upcoming Events
Blessings,

Joe Albright, Chair of Coordinating Council
Jerie Lukefahr, 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.