Greetings!
Even as I write this, Paul is loading the contents of his office into a moving van and is headed west! I wish him Godspeed and all the best in his new ministry.
I wish him Godspeed and all the best in his new ministry. Meanwhile the Presbytery of St. Augustine is poised on the edge of a new era! The Interim/Transitional Search Committee is working diligently to help move the presbytery forward and I am working along with the Office Staff (Nancy Brown, Allyson Criminger, & Dorothy Dornblaser) to make sure that the transition is smooth. We have a wonderfully diverse presbytery with congregations engaged in a wide variety of mission work, ministries and creative activities. Throughout the transition the presbytery will continue to work to support you with our resources so that all might flourish. Remember we are in this together, we are the Body of Christ. May we be guided, strengthened and united by the grace and love of Jesus Christ as we seek a new way forward!
FYI: There are some exciting opportunities planed for fall. I hope you will participate in them.
October 2
At our Fall Stated Meeting, N. Graham Standish will be the keynote speaker and preacher. Graham is the pastor of Calvin Presbyterian Church in Zelienople, PA. He’ll be talking about his book Humble Leadership: Being Radically Open to God's Guidance and Grace.
We will also celebrate Mission in Motion - our new Mobile Dental Lab will be on site for you to tour. After over 30 years of mutual mission with our Jamaican brothers and sisters we are moving in an exciting new direction!
October
During the month of October two peacemakers will be visiting our churches:The Rev. Judy Chan, Secretary for Communication for the Hong Kong Christian Council, and from Northern Ireland, the Rev. Wilfred Orr, honored for his service to community relations.
Nov. 9-10
Officer Training at MPCC. The Rev. Heahwan Rim, Transitional Synod Executive for the Synod of the South Atlantic will lead the class on FOG (Form of Government); Rev. Dr. Tim Simpson will lead the class on the Book of Confessions; Rev. Charlie Landreth & Rev. Alisun Donovan will lead a new section of Healthy Congregations.
During the transition I will be in the Jacksonville office at least one day a week, usually on Tuesday. If that is inconvenient for you please feel free to call me to schedule an alternate meeting time.
Reg Parsons is our Interim Stated Clerk. He can be reached at 904-536-7551.
I am excited about the possibilities ahead but there is much work to be done. So I ask for your patience and your prayers.
Kindly,
Alisun Donovan
Presbytery Mission Coordinator