2025 News

During the recent government shutdown, rising food costs and disrupted support systems have increased food insecurity for many families. In response, the generosity of our communities has been overwhelming. Members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) have stepped forward in powerful ways—organizing food drives, filling pantries, and sharing resources to ensure neighbors do not go without. This outpouring of care reflects our shared commitment to compassion and justice, especi

Devotions for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany Author and pastor the Rev. Dr. Robert Boak Slocum talks about his Advent/Christmas/Epiphany devotional on ‘A Matter of Faith: A Presby Podcast’   LOUISVILLE — What does it mean to find comfort and hope in the seasons of Advent and Christmas and then Epiphany? For their answer, the Rev. Lee Catoe and Simon Doong, the hosts of “A Matter of Faith: A Presby Podcast,” turned to the Rev. Dr. Robert Boak Slocum, the author of a book of m

Lord of Light, As we await the coming of Christ, we open our hearts to the gifts of this holy season. Fill us with hope , that we may trust in Your promises and eagerly anticipate the joy of Your arrival. Grant us peace , that we might live in harmony with one another and reflect Your calming presence in the world. Instill in us joy , that our hearts may rejoice in Your love and in the blessings of this season. And pour out Your love upon us, that we may share it freely with

Where you’ll spot me in January 2026 (All zoom unless noted): January 7 - 1 st Wednesday SACK Lunch with COM Leaders January 8 - Embody Committee Funding Model Development Team January 9&10 - Coordinating Committee online retreat January 12 - Cultivate Committee Florida Presbytery Search Committee January 13 - Staff meeting January 14 - Columbia Theological Seminary Mid Council Partnership January 20 - New Synod Commissioner Orientation 6:30 pm – 8 pm Eastern January 24 -

I have LOTS of words to describe what the world is going through right now. The ones I can list here include grief, dystopia, mourning, disbelief, etc. During the Advent season, a season of preparation for the arrival of Christ having come and coming again, the world continues to see grievous loss of human beings, culture, history and especially decency. When wars and senseless murders are happening in such rapid succession, how and where can we find hope? This isn’t about si

For over a decade, Grant Chapel Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church in Darien, GA (Savannah Presbytery) have collaborated for a community event that brings together people of faith and goodwill to celebrate the true spirit of Christmas through prayer, song, and fellowship.   The joyous event will take place Sunday, December 7, 2025 at 4:30 pm at Grant Chapel Presbyterian Church in Darien (across the street from the Darien Post Office).   They are honored to welc

The Synod of South Atlantic recently awarded 14 grants to churches within the Synod. Some grants supported church building improvement, while others helped churches with new ministry ideas and cultivating community partnerships and peacemaking efforts. Two groups within Providence Presbytery received grants to support their ministries. Congratulations to the Graceful Threads Quilting Group at Grace Presbyterian Church in Fort Mill, SC for receiving a $3,000 grant. Part of the

The Presbyterian Historical Society is in the process of developing a resource and/or training to help churches research and write their own histories through an anti-racist lens. To inform the process, PHS staff would like to hear directly from churches and mid councils on what would be most useful for you as you engage in this work via this survey . As part of this effort, PHS is collecting and preserving products of self-study undertaken by PC(USA) congregations and mid c

Providence Presbytery is launching a new workplace justice initiative, and we need your help. Our first step is to use the gifts and skills in our Presbytery to create a "safety net" of sorts. Imagine how folks within our communities might benefit from the following: An employment lawyer to advocate for legal recourse in regards to unfair working conditions A realtor to help ensure people have the best housing option available Someone specializing in health care to help find

It was a joyful occasion at First Presbyterian Church of Brandon (Presbytery of Tampa Bay) as the congregation gathered on November 2nd All Saints’ Day to celebrate 35 years of Stephen Ministry—a caring ministry that has touched countless lives within the church and beyond. The celebration included a special visit from Rev. Paul Reiter, who helped organize and launch Stephen Ministry at First Presbyterian more than three decades ago. Rev. Reiter shared memories of the ministr

Greetings from the   Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations ! The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), along with Presbyterian Women, will form a joint delegation to attend the  70th Commission on the Status of Women  (CSW70) to be held March 9–20, 2026.  CSW is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women.  We are proud to be a part of this community of over 5,000 participants from around the

Dearest Choir Directors, Ensemble Leaders, Singers, Musicians, and Friends: I hope this message finds you well! As the holiday season approaches, I am excited to extend a heartfelt invitation to you and your choir or small ensemble to participate in our upcoming event, “Joyful Harmonies: A Holiday Celebration.” Join us at Light of Hope Presbyterian Church on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at 2:00 PM for an afternoon filled with music, joy, and community spirit! On the day of the e

Here’s where you might find our Synod Exec/Stated Clerk in the coming weeks:   Nov 9-12 - Mid Council Leader Gathering, Louisville, KY Nov 10 - Cultivate Committee via Zoom Nov 13 - Embody Committee via Zoom Funding Model Development Team via Zoom Nov 19-21 - 2025 Mid Council Financial Conference, Chicago, IL Dec 2 - Central Florida Presbytery, New Smyrna Beach, FL Coordinating Committee via Zoom Dec 3 - Synod of South Atlantic S.A.C.K. Lunch via Zoom Dec 4 - Presbyter

Pastor Christina Greenawalt Co-chair, Synod Inspire Committee Vice-Moderator Elect Synod of South Atlantic   This November, as we approach Thanksgiving, our thoughts naturally turn to gratitude. It is a time for counting our blessings—the warmth of family, the comfort of home, and the richness of our shared life, the community, our churches and the synod. This year, let us consider what it means to be grateful not just for what we have, but for the very abundance of God that

Click HERE to return to the Small & Mighty page . There will be no gathering in December.  We will resume on January 6, 2026 ... stay tuned for details coming soon! November 7 Topic : Tips & Tricks of Conflict Resolution Facilitator : Britanny DiGiammarino, Christian Educator and Small Church Coordinator forFlint River Presbytery Summary : Conflict is inevitable in every congregation—but it doesn’thave to be destructive. In this session, we’ll explore practical tools for navi

Robyn Mills, Scholarship Recipient It has been an honor to be a teacher at the MIPC ( Merrit Island Presbyterian Church, Merritt Island, FL ) for over 15 years now, I have grown over those years and continued to learn with these children. Starting as a teacher for 3-year-olds to now one of the preschool’s Co-Directors. Over the years, I have noticed that the children around me have changed, their behaviors, their needs. My eyes have been opened to see that our community needs

Today we are gathered to celebrate the wonderful people who have volunteered their time, talent,  and treasure to the larger church, through service to Flint River Presbytery, Synod of the South Atlantic,  and the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA).   Paul tells us that there are variety of gifts and varieties of activities,  but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone as a manifestation of the Holy Spirit for the common good. There is no insig

Take a moment this month to focus on what you appreciate most about your pastoral leaders and any other staff you may have.  Here are a few suggestions to share with your particular congregation.  At the very least , send a hand-written note to your clergy to share your appreciation.  Our words matter.  Make it personal and thoughtful rather than a quick “shout out” on Facebook. Other tangible acts of appreciation may include the following: Offer gift cards or a “coupon” for

Here’s where you might find our Synod Exec/Stated Clerk in the coming weeks:   Oct 13 - Cultivate Committee via Zoom Oct 15 - Synod Exec forum via Zoom Oct 16 - Synod Task Force on Insurance via Zoom Oct 17-19 - Synod PW Conference, St. Simon’s Island, GA Oct 20 - Stated Meeting of Synod of South Atlantic via Zoom Oct 22 - Stated Clerks Gathering via Zoom EP/GP Gathering via Zoom Oct 23 - PC(USA) Leader Formation Webinar – Polity "Back to Basics" via Zoom Oct 26 - Pr

What does it take to change a life? Is it a single event, a powerful sermon, or a charismatic leader? The truth is, it's something far more profound: it's the collective, faithful actions of people like you. When we say church changes lives, it’s not because of a grand master plan—it’s because of YOU. Every week, a new chapter is written in our story, and every commissioner, pastor, and volunteer in our synod is an author. For some, it's the chapter of a new beginning, a welc