Dear Presbytery Family,
This week's Staying Connected includes Matthew 25 resources and General Assembly updates. Be sure to read to the bottom of this email for lots of good information about educational opportunities, mental health resources, free books, and employment opportunities within our presbytery.
|
|
Pray for Our Congregations, Ministries and PCUSA Focus Sundays
Mayport Presbyterian Church
Highland Regional Ministry Center
|
|
General Assembly Updates
The 225th General Assembly began on June 18, when our new co-moderators were elected: Rev. Ruth Santana-Grace and Rev. Shavon Starling-Louis. From June 20 through June 25, eight GA committees met to take action, including Race and Gender Justice; Polity; Mid-Councils; Environmental Justice; Rules of Discipline; Addressing Violence in the USA; Health, Safety and Benefits; and Theology, Worship and Education. The remaining GA committees meet from June 27 through July 3. Click here to view the docket. All committee meetings and the plenary sessions that begin on July 5 can be viewed online here.
|
|
Commissioner Jennifer Hallberg, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Jasper and Area Relationship Coordinator, served on the Health, Safety and Benefits Committee last week. Reflecting on her experience, she saw that during this past week, “God’s grace and love abounds at committee meetings. I worked with many others from across the United States on issues involving mental health, family medical leave, reproductive justice and abortion, and sexual misconduct. I can only hope that some of the amazing work that we did passes through General Assembly. I am amazingly grateful to see God’s hand in all this work and all the people. I really enjoyed helping to write amendments and being part of the PC(USA) process firsthand.”
Two good places to read about committee actions are the Presbyterian Outlook and the Presbyterian News Service. Please continue to pray for the discernment of our commissioners and the whole PC(USA) as we seek the will of Jesus Christ in all that we say and do!
|
|
Congratulations to Becca and Greg Putman!
After years of hopes and prayers, Kathryn Lawson Putman was born on June 8, 2022 at 9:31 p.m. Her proud parents are Rev. Becca Lawson Putman (Westminster) and her husband, Greg. Kathryn weighed 7lbs 5oz and was 18.5 inches long. Despite a few complications, mother and child are doing well, and the family is enjoying getting to know each other.
|
|
Five Spiritual Practices to End Poverty
As disciples of Jesus Christ committed to the Matthew 25 vision, together we can work to eradicate systemic poverty. Learn more about what you can do in this resource guide packed full of action steps and the core principles behind them.
|
|
Poor People’s Campaign
The Poor People’s Campaign banner hangs from the Presbyterian Center in Louisville. As General Assembly committees meet, know that PC(USA) stands with this partner in our Matthew 25 work for Eradicating Systemic Poverty and Dismantling Structural Racism!
“Pain and Poverty in America” is a five-minute video created by the Poor People’s Campaign that takes a close look at what it means to live with a low income or in poverty in the United States.
|
|
Be Inspired!
Be inspired by this video about a clergy couple at a Matthew 25 church in Washington. The church’s mission is to help people escape poverty and addiction and is led by the couple that have been clean and sober for 10 years. Be inspired by how God has transformed them and their church community!
|
|
|
Preaching and Worship Planning Resources
With minister and CRE input, the presbytery’s Communications and Training Teams have compiled a resource page that is full of preaching and worship planning tools. You may find resources that will deepen your understanding and spark creativity in your preaching and worship planning! We know the list is not complete, so if you have a resource you’d like to share, use the form at the bottom of the page. Click on the graphic to view the resources!
|
|
Savannah School of the Laity
The Savannah Presbytery fall courses for the Savannah School of the Laity will be held October 1-2, 2022 and are open to anyone interested. You can choose to participate online (via Zoom) or in person at Epworth By-the-Sea in St. Simon's Island. Course topics are Old Testament Survey, History, Mission & Polity, and The Old in the New. Click here for an informational flyer, or visit the Savannah Presbytery's website for details and registration.
|
|
Personal Finances for Ministers
Lancaster Seminary is offering a 6-session online class on Personal Finances for Ministers. You will learn skills for creating a budget; understanding credit and debt as strategic tools; clergy tax considerations; savvy consumerism; and planning for retirement and health expenses. The class will be held Tuesday evenings, July 12 – August 16, from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Earn 2.5 CEUs. $125 registration fee. Visit the Lancaster Seminary website for details and registration. Lancaster is a seminary of the United Church of Christ in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Student Loan Webinars Are Continuing
Do you have student loan debt from seminary? There have been significant changes to Federal Student Loan policy that may provide you with substantial benefits. You don’t have to navigate this process alone! Visit the Presbyterian Mission Agency’s Student Loan Assistance page for information about digital advising and assistance with document preparation. Register for the next webinar on July 20, at 3:00 p.m., or watch previous recordings.
|
|
News About Mental Health Resources to Share
We wanted to let you know about two upcoming changes related to mental health crises which you may want to share with your congregation.
Suicide Prevention Lifeline Will Soon Be 988
988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to everyone across the United States starting on July 16, 2022. When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary. The current Lifeline phone number (1-800-273-8255) will always remain available to people in emotional distress or suicidal crisis, even after 988 is launched nationally.
FDLE Purple Alert
Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has set up a purple warning alert effective July 1, 2022. The purple alert will be similar to amber and silver alerts, but specifically set up for people with mental challenges and handicaps that are missing. This may be worth reviewing and adding to congregation messages/bulletins, so they know if their cell phones alert after July 1st. Visit the FDLE's Purple Alert page for more information.
|
|
Summer and Fall at Montgomery!
Camp at Montgomery is off to a flying start. The kids and staff are having fun. Savannah Presbytery had a great week and plans to return next summer. This week is sold out! Register now for weeks 3, 5 & 6. If needed, Montgomery has scholarship funds available.
It is time to start planning fall events. Montgomery has additional staff to meet the needs of a growing program. Nora Corbett is our Program Director, who is directing summer camp and will work with churches in developing retreats for youth and adults. Shannon Moreau is our Administrative Assistant. Rebekah Rodgers is one of the managing trustees working with marketing and coordinating all aspects of the ministry at Montgomery. It is an exciting time at Montgomery. Come and visit!
|
|
2022-2023 Presbyterian Planning Calendars
This 16‐month calendar will be available beginning in August, but you can pre-order now through our office! The discounted rate is $12.00 each … or you can pick up in the presbytery office for $10.00 each. Click on the calendar image to order your calendar(s).
|
|
Books, Books and More Books!
We still have Books, DVDs, CDs, and more from our former Resource Center that are looking for a new home! If you are interested, stop by the presbytery office to browse the offerings (and take your treasures home!). There are also two 7-foot sections of metal shelving that we would like to donate to a church or ministry that needs it and will take it away. Contact Lisa Wells at (904) 733-8277 or via email at lisa@staugpres.org.
|
|
Employment Opportunities
Visit our website’s classified page to check out a wide variety of employment opportunities. In addition to full and part-time pastoral openings, other employment opportunities include an audiovisual technician for First Fernandina Beach, a part-time administrative assistant for Fort Caroline Presbyterian Church, music accompanist for Woodlawn, and several youth / family / children’s ministry positions.
|
|
Blessings,
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
