Dear Presbytery Family,
Stay Connected by joining in prayer, highlighting resources, learning about upcoming events, and sharing presbytery updates.
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God of light and love, our praises and prayers overflow with hope as the season of Advent opens. You come to your people to dwell with us. You come with power—not to dominate, but to transform. You come with promises—not to give us what we want, but to make all things new. You come with signs of your deep love for the world. You come, and your truth breaks forth, shattering lies and half-truths, setting your people free. Your coming is our hope, and so, we offer you our worship in gratitude and anticipation. Come into our lives again, O God, and show us how to hope in the face of all that is discouraging, for we pray in the name of Hope made flesh, Jesus Christ, your promise and our desire.
This week we join together in prayer for:
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Mission Partner
Pray for the presbytery's mission known as the Highlands Regional Ministry Center and for all the leaders and those who are blessed by the ministries there. Ministries include Days for Girls, Gainesville Community Counseling Center, Enduring Faith Ministries, Unspoken Treasure Society, Narcotics Anonymous groups, and UF Mobile Outreach. |
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Giving Tuesday
Today is #GivingTuesday2021! Join the presbytery and the PCUSA for a celebration of the collective power of Presbyterian generosity. We are excited to announce that all donations up to $1000 given to any of the five listed presbytery missions will be MATCHED dollar for dollar! Designate your gift to support the presbytery, the Candidate’s Fund, Highlands Regional Ministry Center, Mutual Mission, and Montgomery Center. Click on the Giving Tuesday logo to learn more about these presbytery’s missions and donate today! Help us spread the word by sharing our Facebook posts. |
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Coordinating Council Update
The Coordinating Council met at the Montgomery Center on November 18 for a day of strategic planning. With input from other leaders and ministers, it focused on discerning top mission and ministry priorities for 2022. At its next meetings in December and January, the Coordinating Council will refine these priorities into a “top three” to be presented to the presbytery at the Winter Stated Meeting on February 5.
Follow-Up Conversation about “How to Be a Hybrid Church”
If you participated in the "How to Be a Hybrid Church" workshop series in September please join us for a follow up conversation on Wednesday, December 1, at either 11:00 a.m. or 6:30 p.m. via Zoom.
Session Clerk “Pop-Up Training” on Annual Statistics
Our first “pop-up training opportunity” for session clerks will focus on the practical aspects of the annual statistics reporting. Session clerks are invited to attend one of the upcoming sessions (see below) in order to learn more about entering annual church statistics into the clerk’s “portal” with the PC(USA). The portal will open on December 3, 2021, and close on February 17, 2022. All sessions will be held via Zoom on the following dates/times:
- Tuesday, December 7, at 6:30 p.m.
- Thursday, December 9, at 9:30 a.m.
- Saturday December 11, at 9:15 a.m.
If you are interested in attending a session, please email Sandra at sandra@staugpres.org by Friday, December 3.
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Presbyterian Women Gathering
The Presbyterian Women are making plans for their Annual Gathering on Saturday, January 29, 2022. The meeting will be at Montgomery Center and hosted by the Presbyterian Women of Kirkwood Presbyterian Church. Save the date for now and watch for registration details.
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Deadlines Approaching - Overtures to General Assembly
Will our presbytery send an overture to the 225th General Assembly? If so, the process typically begins when a session sends a proposed overture to the presbytery for approval to go to GA (send to the stated clerk no later than 45 days before the stated meeting when it will be considered, which is December 22 for the February 5 meeting). Overtures proposing a constitutional amendment or interpretation and concurrences with constitutional implications are due to the GA no later than February 18. Other overtures with any financial implications are due to the GA no later than April 19. This means that such overtures would be presented for approval at the stated meeting on February 5. At the May 3 stated meeting, the presbytery could still consider other overtures not falling into the categories described above. If your session is considering an overture, please reach out to the stated clerk to begin a smooth flow towards consideration at the next stated meeting. Click here for the overture process in our presbytery. |
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News from Montgomery Center
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“Our mission of hospitality is to welcome all people to experience Christ
and creation in ways which deepen faith and strengthen relationships.”
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Thankful Pies
We express our gratitude for member and community support and time spent engaging in camp activities – we are joyful to share that the 2021 Thankful Pies fundraiser was a success with 294 homemade pies rolled, filled, baked, and delivered to churches for enjoyment during Thanksgiving week. Your generous gifts are investments in Christ-centered programs for youth and community in 2022 and beyond. Jared Lane delivered pies to the presbytery office which the staff enjoyed!
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Christmas Under the Oaks
We are thankful for your member support as we finalize plans for the 2021 Montgomery Camp and Conference Center’s Gala and Silent Auction “Christmas Under the Oaks.” The inaugural gala event has sold-out, and the decorating teams are now transforming the grounds and main dining hall with festive holiday decorations in preparation for the Gala!
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Property Updates
We hope to see you soon as we embark on several property-related activities at camp; we plan to visit our member churches in the new year to share with you. Many thanks to our friends, David Huh and John F. Kirkham for dedicated service. Now, the camp’s gazebo restoration includes a wheelchair and walker accessible ramp overlooking little Lake Crystal – a beautiful respite on any day for peace and reflection. Renovations also include bathrooms and plumbing in Cabin 7 and deck boards at Gregory Lodge and Cabin 11.
Projects to consider include repairing benches, replacing deck boards, and operating the leaf blower to create new compost for our spring gardens. We hope you will consider opportunities where you are led and want to engage at camp. Come, enjoy the beauty and fellowship of God’s creation. Please email John Raimer at maintenance@montgomerycenter.org to learn more about opportunities with your group, or to schedule a visit and meet new friends. |
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Resources and Opportunities
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Scripture
Coordinating Council Chair Edd Norris invites the presbytery to share in the reading and study of scripture. You are invited to read Ephesians 2:11-22.
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Come to Bethlehem and Be Nourished:
Advent’s Hunger Gives Way to Christmas Fulfillment
This year’s Advent and Christmas devotional by Presbyterians Today journeys with theologian, preacher and activist Howard Thurman through the many "acts" of Advent: faith, joy, strength, trust and love. You’ll find heartwarming stories, Scriptures, reflections and prayers for every day of Advent, the 12 Days of Christmas and Epiphany. If you delight in being prayerfully hands-on, you may enjoy the recipes included each week. Readers are encouraged to serve others by baking and sharing loaves of bread. Click here to read the devotional online or download (and freely share) a PDF version that’s formatted for printing.
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PDA Forum on Afghan Resettlement
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) recently hosted a webinar discussing the resettlement housing needs for those arriving in communities throughout the country. Here is the recording of the webinar.
Understanding Congregations: A Systems Perspective
This online course, offered by Columbia Theological Seminary from February 14-March 18, 2022, is a study of the often unseen congregational dynamics that affect the life of a congregation. Click here for more information and registration.
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December 4 – “Christmas Under the Oaks” Gala at Montgomery Center
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December 21 – December 23 – Winter Camp at Montgomery Center
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December 23 and December 27 – Presbytery office closed for Christmas holiday
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December 25 – Christmas Day
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December 31 and January 3 – Presbytery office closed for New Year’s holiday
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January 29, 2022 – Presbyterian Women Annual Gathering at Montgomery Center
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February 5, 2022 – Winter Presbytery Stated Meeting
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February 11-12, 2022 – Flagler College Youth Ministry Forum
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May 3, 2022 – Spring Presbytery Stated Meeting
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June 18 – July 9, 2022 – 225th General Assembly, Louisville and virtual
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July 24 – July 27, 2022 – 2022 Presbyterian Youth Triennium, Indianapolis
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Blessings,
Edd Norris, Chair of Coordinating Council
Joe Albright, 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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