Dear Presbytery Family,
In this week's Staying Connected we welcome Rev. Dawn Mayes as Pastor of First Fernandina Beach, and share information about the Fall Youth Retreat, the Fall Stated Meeting, opportunities to serve, and much more!
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Pray for Our Congregations, Ministries and PCUSA Focus Sundays
Upcoming PC(USA) Recognition:
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Welcome Rev. Dawn Mayes
We welcome Dawn Mayes, the new pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Fernandina Beach as of August 15! Dawn and her husband Joseph have been busy settling into the Fernandina Beach community. Click here to get to know Dawn!
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Fall Stated Meeting
Our Fall Stated Meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 4, at 9:30 a.m., at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Palm Coast. This "hybrid" meeting will have a Zoom component for participation and voting. The meeting theme is "vital congregations." We hope to begin registration later this week.
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Your Gifts Are Needed!
Patti Phillips, former moderator of Presbyterian Women and chair of our Nominating Team is ready to talk with you about how you may share your gifts with your presbytery community. Email Patti Phillips, call her at (386) 288-5660, or go ahead and fill out our Opportunities to Serve application today!
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Goodbye Reception at Montgomery Center
On Sunday, August 21, a goodbye reception for Rev. Dr. Holly Dillon Inglis was held at Montgomery Center as she concludes her work as the Ministry and Mission Coordinator. Thanks to Rev. Rhonda Link-Cummings and the staff of Montgomery Center for hosting the event. Holly’s last day in the Presbytery of St. Augustine is September 9 before she begins her call as General Presbyter of the Presbytery of Tampa Bay.
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Save the Date — Implicit Bias Webinar for Ruling Elders and Deacons
On October 13 at 7:00 p.m., ruling elders and deacons are invited to join the Rev. Jinyun Oh of the Office of the General Assembly in a webinar about the impact of implicit bias and why it’s important to consider and reduce implicit bias as Christians in the PC(USA). Watch for more information when registration is live in September.
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Challenging White Supremacy in Ourselves and Society |
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This is a feature length documentary by Carolyn Crowder who traveled throughout the Southeast interviewing ministers, now in their 80’s and 90’s, about their experiences in the segregated South and what it took to go against the racist currents.
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Jamie McGhee and Adam Hollowell
The book is an invitation into James Baldwin’s demand for responsibility, honesty, and accountability in a time of great moral evasion. To help you move from conviction to action, each chapter includes prompts with concrete steps to work for justice.
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Eradicating Systemic Poverty Newsletter
The theme of the Fall 2022 issue of the PHP Post is Eradicating Systemic Poverty. The issue includes articles on community organizing, the increase in global hunger, the challenges of debt and debt repayments for some of our international partners, and more. Resources consider issues of poverty and work for community well-being.
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Matthew 25 Annual Report
The Presbyterian Mission Agency shared its Matthew 25 Annual Report of how PMA (PCUSA) has lived into the Matthew 25 vision. President and Executive Director of PMA Diane Moffett shared that "Even in these extraordinary once-in-a generation times, our vision and our mission are the same. We are called to bear witness to Christ, to actively engage in the world, so that faith comes alive, and the world wakes up to new possibilities."
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Presbyterian Women are Gathering on Saturday, August 27 at Montgomery Center!
Our Presbyterian Women will be gathering this Saturday beginning at 8:30 a.m. for check-in/onsite registration and continental breakfast. The morning worship and talks about Sabbath will begin at 9:30 with Zoom available for those who cannot attend in person. After a delicious Montgomery Center lunch, participants will participate in workshops and closing worship. Visit the website for Zoom login, schedule, and registration.
Women’s Retreat at Trinity Presbyterian Church
Not hosted by the presbytery, but still of interest to PW members, Trinity Presbyterian Women invite women to participate in a one-day retreat at Trinity Palm Coast on Saturday, October 8, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Guest speaker Snowden McFall will lead the conversation about “Getting Fired Up for Your Next Chapter.” Click here for details and registration.
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Service of Installation for Mark Hults
First Presbyterian Church of Gainesville will celebrate the Installation of the Rev. Mark Hults as Pastor on Sunday, September 18 at 3:00 p.m. Rev. Hults has been serving as pastor since early 2020 but the service of installation was delayed because of the pandemic. All are welcome to attend!
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“Come Rest Awhile” Retreat
October 17-19
El Caribe Resort and Conference Center in Daytona Beach
Guest Speaker: The Rev. Jon Brown,
Pastor of the Old Bergen Church in New Jersey
Clergy, CREs and Christian Educators are invited to join together for a few days of oceanside retreat time! The Come Rest Awhile retreat will be held October 17-19 at the El Caribe Resort in Daytona Beach. The Rev. Jon Brown will lead the programming based on Mark’s Gospel narrative to “Come away and rest a while.” (Mark 6:31) Details and registration is available on our website.
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Disaster Planning
Hurricane season has been relatively quiet so far, but hurricanes are not the only reason that churches need a detailed disaster preparedness plan! The Florida Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Network (FLAPDAN) is sharing a sample disaster preparedness plan template which churches can customize and maintain.
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Savannah School of the Laity Registration Deadline is September 2!
The registration deadline for the October 1-2 Savannah School of the Laity is September 2! Classes will be held in person at Epworth by the Sea and online via Zoom. Choose from three courses: Old Testament Survey, History, Mission & Polity, and The Old in the New. Click here for details.
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SOAP Regional Event
Join others in our region (Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Puerto Rico) who serve in educational ministry at Epworth by the Sea on St. Simon's Island, Georgia, November 3 - 5, 2022 to experience God through the art of play. SAVE $50 if you register for Playology before September 1! Register Today!
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Employment Opportunities
Visit our website’s classified page to check out the installed, interim, and stated supply pastoral openings. There are also openings for youth / family / children's ministry positions along with an administrative assistant position, and several music positions available in our congregations.
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2022-2023 Presbyterian Planning Calendars
Our order of 2022-2023 Presbyterian Planning Calendar is due any time now so get your pre-orders in! The discounted rate is $12.00 each … or $10.00 each if you pick up in the presbytery office. Click on the calendar image to order your calendar(s).
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Blessings,
Jerie Lukefahr, Moderator of the Presbytery
Holly Dillon Inglis, Ministry and Mission Coordinator
Sandra Hedrick, Stated Clerk
On Behalf of the Coordinating Council
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Previous Staying Connected emails are available on our website.
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