Dear Presbytery Family,
This week's Staying Connected includes Youth Ministry resources, information about the the summer online session clerk gathering, PW Fall Gathering, and Come Rest Awhile retreat, opportunities to serve, and much more!
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Pray for Our Congregations, Ministries and PCUSA Focus Sundays
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Session Clerk Gathering on August 9
A summer online session clerk gathering will be held on Tuesday, August 9, at 5:30 p.m. for about one hour. The gathering will include prayer, a review of annual clerk tasks, presbytery and General Assembly updates, plenty of time for Q&A, and a blessing. If you would like to attend, complete this online RSVP form; you will receive the zoom link by the day before the gathering.
Share Your Gifts with the Presbytery!
The presbytery's Nominating Team is at work on its slate for the Fall Stated Meeting. Most of the terms begin January 1, 2023, with a few vacancies in other years. There’s a place for you to serve within our presbytery, and you can meet new friends! See what others are saying about the life and work of the presbytery. Check out these opportunities and apply today!
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Presbyterian Youth Triennium Presents!
“When Did We See You?” for YOU
Presbyterian Youth Triennium did not meet in person this year, but PYT has blessed us with amazing professional and FREE resources that we can use to create programs in our own communities. These resources are about SEEING and are appropriate for youth, young adults, families, and intergenerational groups. Click here to read more about the planning behind these resources, and take a look at each below in more detail.
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Group Study Guide
Three sessions of creative and interactive Bible study, conversation starters, reflective experiences, and group building. The Group Study Guide begins with the theme text from Matthew 25 and builds from there.
Recreation Guide
Let’s play! This Recreation Guide is PACKED full of games, ice breakers, and table activities that you can use around meals, breaks, and to build community.
Worship and Prayer Guide
Using the theme of “When Did We See You?” as well as the additional scripture explored in the Group Study Guide, this Worship and Prayer Guide offers fully developed worship and prayer experiences.
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Montreat Youth Conference
This summer, several of our youth groups enjoyed a meaningful and beautiful week at Montreat Youth Conference. Each week, there were 600-700 Presbyterian youth and their leaders who spent the week reflecting on the theme “more than enough.” Through keynote, worship and small group gatherings, they reflected on rest as an essential part of serving God. The gathering also created awareness of the ways that the world asks our youth to "perform" - to be someone other than who God created them to be. The youth were called to act as God’s shining light in this world. As one student from Memorial Presbyterian Church remarked, “I don’t want this week to end, it’s been the best week of my life.” Watch for a full story about the Montreat Youth Conference coming soon.
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Camp Montgomery Wraps Up the Summer!
Summer camp season is wrapping up at Montgomery Center! We want to take this time to thank all of our generous supporters for making this summer possible. The churches who sponsored children in their congregations and communities to attend, the Presbytery of St. Augustine grant which assisted many campers on scholarship, and the volunteer camp pastors and nurses who faithfully served with their time this summer. We are especially grateful for our Montgomery families who entrusted their children to us to offer a Bible-centered program. Stay tuned for a full recap of the summer! Mark your calendars for these upcoming events:
- September 23 - Presbytery Fall Youth Retreat
- October 15 - Oktoberfest
- December 10 - Christmas Gala
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Back to School Liturgy
Illustrated Ministry is offering free Blessing of the Backpacks and Back-to-School Worship Liturgy! The worship liturgy includes a Call to Worship, Opening Prayer, Blessing of the Backpacks Liturgy, Prayers of the People, Closing Prayer, and a Benediction. They are also sharing “You Got This” backpack tags. Click here for more information or to download the resources.
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Registration is Now Open for “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
Online registration is now open for the “Come Rest Awhile” retreat! Ministers, CREs and educators are invited to share in a few days of rest and restoration. As we reflect on God’s regenerative powers, you will be renewed! Come away and rest awhile. Click here to register online and for more information.
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Presbyterian Women Fall Gathering - Celebrating Sabbath
The Fall Gathering of the Presbyterian Women will be held on Saturday, August 27, 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., at Montgomery Center. Rev. Dr. Susan Rose will introduce the 2022-23 Presbyterian Women Bible study on Celebrating Sabbath: Accepting God’s Gifts of Rest and Delight. Register online or download the PDF flyer.
Early registration (by August 8) - $20.00
Late registration (after August 8) - $25.00
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Fall Stated Meeting - Save the Date!
Our fall meeting will be hybrid - in person at Trinity Presbyterian Church and online via Zoom. The meeting will be on Tuesday, October 4. Look for more information in mid-August.
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Women in Ministry
Rev. Dr. Susan Rose, our presbytery moderator-elect, recently had an article published in the Presbyterian Outlook! Susan leads a nonprofit, Diakonos Solutions, which is dedicated to mentoring women for ministry leadership. The article reflects on what it's like to be a woman in ministry in 2022. Click here to read the article.
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Rev. Holly Dillon Inglis Accepts Call in Presbytery of Tampa Bay
As announced in an email last week, the Rev. Holly Dillon Inglis has accepted a call to serve as the General Presbyter of the Presbytery of Tampa Bay. Her last day in the office will be Friday, September 9. Read her letter to the presbytery. The Coordinating Council is working with Holly to develop a smooth transition plan.
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News from the Board of Pensions
For congregations that provide BOP benefits to your pastor and/or church employees, this is the time to attend to 2023 benefits. Your Employer Agreement for 2023 will be available August 8 through October 7 on Benefits Connect. Click here for more information.
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Employment Opportunities
Visit our website’s classified page to check out the youth / family / children's ministry opportunities along with several installed, interim, and stated supply pastoral openings. There is also an opening for an administrative assistant position, and music positions available in our congregations.
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2022-2023 Presbyterian Planning Calendars
It’s time to pre-order your 2022-2023 Presbyterian Planning Calendar through the presbytery office! We expect delivery of 100 calendars by mid-August. 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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