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Highlights

The Presbytery of St. Augustine met for its Summer 2008 Stated Meeting on Saturday, 19 July 2008 at Community Presbyterian Church. We were welcomed with warmth and enthusiasm by a corps of well-informed and friendly volunteers, under the leadership of pastor Dr. Gabe Goodman, Associate Pastor Peyton Hopkins, and Rev. Daisy Holt, Parish Associate at Community. There were delightful refreshments in the Youth Lounge, a delicious lunch in the Fellowship Hall, and smoothly-operating electronics in the sanctuary – in short, a well-coordinated effort on the part of the membership and ministers of Community Church.  

The Praise and Worship team from Community led the presbytery in a contemporary worship experience. Musically talented and creative, the team ably facilitated congregational singing and set a worshipful tone for the morning. Gabe and Daisy presided at table for the celebration of the Lord’s Supper.  

The presbytery was privileged to welcome Rev. Dr. Gradye Parsons, newly elected Stated Clerk of the General Assembly. Gradye preached the sermon at worship, built on the theme “Promises” from Genesis 28. He also served as our featured speaker for the morning, sharing his vision for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Gradye’s presentation on his vision was recorded, and will be available in DVD format from the presbytery’s Resource Center. 

Following Gradye’s presentation, our GA commissioners made their report on the Assembly. Using a PowerPoint format, our commissioners provided a comprehensive review of the actions and experience of the 218^th General Assembly meeting in San Jose, CA. Their PowerPoint will also be available from the Resource Center. 

Among the actions of interest from the meeting: 

The presbytery issued a call to the Rev. Do In Kin to be the Organizing Pastor of the One-in-Christ New Church Development in Jacksonville. Rev. Kim is a minister member of the Presbyterian Church of the Republic of Korea, and was received into PC(USA) membership by transfer of his ordination.  

The presbytery welcomed Daniel Thayer into its membership to be Stated Supply at First Crescent City. Daniel is a candidate from the Presbytery of Southern New England and a graduate of Pittsburgh Seminary. He and his wife live in Gainesville, where she is a graduate student in microbiology at the University of Florida.  

The presbytery noted the call of Rev. Kathy McLean as the designated pastor of Lake Shore Church. Kathy is a long-time member of the presbytery, having served in both pastoral and chaplaincy positions. She will serve a two-year term at Lake Shore. 

The presbytery granted honorable retirement to two of its long-time servants, Rev. Jim Bullock and Rev. Dr. Mike Williams. Jim retired on 8 June 2008 from his pastorate of sixteen years at Fort King in Ocala. He and Ervin will continue to live in Ocala, where Jim will be even more engaged in the work for juvenile justice and care. Mike will retire on 31 August 2008 after serving this presbytery with distinction for more than 23 years as Associate Executive Presbyter. Mike and Sharon have recently purchased a “fifth wheel” travel trailer, and they plan to visit parks and campgrounds and serve as volunteers.  

The presbytery entered into a contract with Rev. Dr. John Ragsdale to serve as Temporary Associate Executive Presbyter (part-time).  John will join the presbytery staff on 1 September 2008. The position is a temporary one while the presbytery determines its new structure and staffing design through the strategic planning process.