The Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has put together a list of resources for churches and indiduals. Of particular interest is the information concerning unemployment benefits towards the end of the page.
Visit our other posts for resources for Virtual Worship, Education Ideas, and Technology Tips.
The Presbyterian Communities of SC is asking for help making masks to help protect their patients and staff as traditional supplies begin to run short. Check HERE for the pattern, and view instructional videos ONE and TWO for extra help. Please bring them to The Village of Summerville at 201 W 9th North StSummerville, SC when they are complete, and call Tim Barresi at 843-873-2553 to notify him you are coming as they are not allowing visitors. If you are not able to deliver them, please contact Tim at tim.barresi@prescomm.org to arrange a pick up.
Hymnal and Book of Common Worship Rights and Licensing Information
Worship Times Webinar on how to “Optimize Your Homepage for Covid-19 Isolation”
Zoom demos and video tutorials
Ten Tech Tips for Meeting Online from Next Church
1001 Worshipping Communities online ministry tools
Practical Resources for Churches has many pre-recorded webinars on technology and social media.
The Church.Digital also has many resources compiled on their website.
The PC(USA) Stated Clerk’s Office offers some suggestions.
Online Giving resources from the Presbyterian Foundation.
Palmetto Presbyterian Church PenPals – Lynn Wiard, the Director of Faith Formation said, “We are having “Pen “Pals” for the time being. I am encouraging my parents to have their children write a note or a letter or draw a picture and mail it to one of our seniors in our church to let them know they are thought of and prayed for and loved. I got great parental support!”
The Presbyterian Mission Agency has put together resources for Remote Faith Formation for the Long Haul.
The Presbyterian Publishing Corporation is offering free resources, including These Days devotions and activities for children.
Presbyterian Women Bible Study – To help Bible study participants who cannot attend a face-to-face Bible study (or even pick up the disc at the church) continue their study, lessons seven, eight, and nine of the Love Carved in Stone Companion DVD are now available on PW’s YouTube channel. Many thanks to Ellen Stroup, PWP moderator of Tampa Bay (and others), for suggesting this new way of being PW community. Says Ellen: “We need to let the women know that we can all stay connected even in difficult times.” Visit PW Youtube Channel to access the videos.
Free Resources from Illustrated Ministry – HERE. They are also offering 20% off digital resources to help churches provide Lent and Easter Resources. Search their great offerings HERE and use code MARCH20.
Looking into the Lectionary – Reflections from The Presbyterian Outlook’s Editor, Jill Duffield can be found HERE.
Growing in Grace and Gratitude – Each week the PC(USA) Store be providing on their Facebook page a free story with corresponding activities and a pack of five coloring pages from the children’s curriculum, Growing in Grace and Gratitude. Click the links above for this week’s offering.
Won’t You be My Neighbor? – A free intergenerational online curriculum based on Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood that could be adapted for families to use at home.
The Thoughtful Christian is offering their Lenten Study Packs for Adults and Youth for free. Each study includes six lessons:
Adult Study: “Jesus Sees Women: An Adult Lenten Study” The purpose of this six-session Lenten study pack for adults is to examine the Gospel stories about Jesus’ interactions with women in order to shed light on how we are called to be disciples of Jesus in our own time. Download Participant Handouts | Download Leader’s Guides
Youth Study: “Sabbath Keeping for Busy Teens: A Youth Lenten Study” The purpose of this six-week Lenten study pack for youth is to offer the opportunity to reflect on the frenetic consumer culture that demands their time, energy, and loyalties and consider how Sabbath can be a tool to resist the “culture of now.” Based on Walter Brueggemann’s book Sabbath as Resistance. Download Participant Handouts | Download Leader’s Guides
Because of the rapid spread of COVID-19, all in person meetings for presbytery groups or ministry teams are suspended until further notice. The staff is still hard at work and can be contacted by phone or email (details in the Staff tab above). If you would like to pick up resources during this time, please call the office to make an appointment. The Shepherding Team met virtually on March 17 and strongly recommends that congregations suspend in-person worship services.
The PC(USA) has released an Advisory Opinion on serving communion during a pandemic.
Several of our churches are live-streaming services or posting pre-recorded services on their websites. Follow the links below to worship with your brothers and sisters in Charleston Atlantic Presbytery:
The following churches will be worshipping via facebook live:
Westminster Presbyterian Church is posting videos to their new YouTube Channel. Rev. Lissa Long also put together some at-home worship resources that can be found on WPC’s facebook page.
We will be posting helpful tips and ideas and resources as we find them on our Facebook Page, so like and follow us there! We are a connectional church and are finding new ways to connect while practicing healthy social distancing.
The 224th General Assembly of the PC(USA) will be held June 20-27, 2020 in Baltimore, MD. For more information about the upcoming assembly, visit their website.
Charleston Atlantic Presbytery elected its commissioners at the Fall 2019 Stated Meeting on December 10, 2019. Please keep our commissioners in your prayers as they prepare to attend General Assembly and serve God, their homes churches, our presbytery, and the PC(USA).
Ruling Elder Commissioners:
Priscilla Holtzclaw grew up in Charleston and received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemistry from Furman University. Earning her MD degree from MUSC, she practiced as a family physician and a full-time hospice physician. She is now enjoying retirement. She and her husband Jim have three children and five grandchildren. Being a Gigi is fun!A long-time member of Westminster Presbyterian. she sings in the choir, plays in the handbell choir and is active in the Women of the Church. She has served as an Elder, worked with numerous committees and currently has the privilege of serving as the Clerk of Session. Additionally, she serves on the Board of Directors for the Presbyterian Communities of South Carolina, helping to provide quality senior living facilities for our older members. Over the past three years, Priscilla has been attending the SC Lay School of Theology with the intent of becoming a lay pastor, which will hopefully provide new opportunities to work with her church and the Presbytery. She has made mission trips to a sister church and school in Coban, Guatemala over the past three years, and remains passionate about the need of our churches to be involved in effective global mission partnerships.
Irene M. Whaley is a member of Edisto Presbyterian Church on Edisto Island, SC. Irene presently serves as an Elder, Shepherd Leader, Co-Chairperson of the Worship Committee, Vice Moderator of Edisto PW, a member of the choir, a member of the Presbyterians Concerned about African American Youth Steering Committee (PCAAY), and the Clerk of Sesson. Irene also served as a Youth Advisor and Sunday School Teacher. Irene is also the Secretary of CAP PW, a member of the CAP Shepherding Team and Personnel Committee, and a member of the CAP Hands of Christ Steering Committee. Irene has also completed the Lay School of Theology. Irene is married to Charles A. Whaley, who is also a member of Edisto Presbyterian Church. They are proud parents of three adult sons and two awsome grandchildren, Kasen and August Whaley.
Teaching Elder Commissioners:
Reverend Patricia Bligen Jones, a native of Edisto Island, SC, was born in Charleston, SC. She is a 1985 graduate of Baptist Hill High School; and a 1989 graduate of Morris College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature and a minor in History. She is a 2016 graduate of Erskine Theological Seminary, where she earned a Master of Divinity degree. Reverend Jones served as a Ruling Elder in St. James Presbyterian Church, (USA) for three-terms, where she served as moderator of several ministries, including Service and Worship. For nearly 20 years, Rev. Jones worked in 9-1-1 Public Safety Communications, where she served as a training supervisor and instructor. In 2018, she was ordained and installed as pastor of Hebron Zion Presbyterian Church, (PCUSA), making her the first female pastor in the church’s history. She has been married to Carl Jones for 28 years and they have two children, Avery Jordan, 24, and Peyton Leigh, 18.
Reverend Dr. Patrick Perryman was born in Texas and grew up in Orlando, Florida. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from Rollins College, a Master of Divinity from Columbia Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary. Patrick has served for 22 years in churches in Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina as well as Chaplain for Hospice Atlanta. Since 2010, Patrick has served as Head of Staff at First Presbyterian Church of Beaufort. He has a passion for local outreach and has also led rural and urban mission trips to Mexico, West Virginia, North Carolina, and Jamaica. As a member of several presbyteries, he has served on the New Church Development Committee, Self Development of Peoples Committee, Committee on Peace, Unity and Purity, and has served our own presbytery’s Vision Task Force. Patrick was the guest preacher for the Charlotte Presbytery for a meeting devoted to race relations in the wake of the tragic events Mother Emanuel Church. Patrick has been married to Sissy for 21 years and is the father of Walker and Holland, a junior and sophomore in high school.
Young Adult Advisory Delegate:
John White is a senior vocal major at Charleston Country School of the Arts. When he’s not volunteering, studying, singing Sinatra at a local restaurant, teaching Cotillion at Society Hall, or Hosting at Grace and Grit, he’s probably at church. John White has been a member of First Scots since he was confirmed in the 8th grade. Prior to becoming an adult member of the church he sang in church choir, volunteered in the nursery, travelled to several Maryville conferences, and served on the Youth Leadership Team and as a Docent giving tours of the historic church. As an adult member he took an even more active role in the church serving on the Stewardship Committee for three years as well as becoming ordained and installed as an elder. In his sophomore year John joined the Presbyterian Youth Council to lead middle and high school retreats to Bethel Woods. In the summers he travels to Montreat with his youth group. They have also traveled to Chicago, the Dominican Republic, San Francisco, and Puerto Rico on mission trips. John White also volunteers with several local nonprofits. He has spent the last three summers volunteering with Hands of Christ distributing school supplies and uniforms to students in Charleston. Additionally John White is a Team Leader for Charleston Area Justice Ministry, an interfaith coalition of congregations that fight to right injustice in the community, working on issues like high suspension rates in failing schools and increased access to affordable housing for Charleston’s working class. His involvement with these organizations has not only allowed him to better serve the community but also make lasting friendships with members of fellow congregations in the presbytery. After graduation John White looks forward to attending college to study Engineering and Vocal Performance and potentially attending the 224th General Assembly in Baltimore.
Alternates are Elder Betty Bryan and Rev. Lisa Schrott.
The SC Presbyterian Convocation scheduled for May 15-16, 2020 has been cancelled. You will be notified about plans for our Spring meeting as soon as they are made.
An orientation for commissioners will be held at 9:00 am. Please elect your elder commissioners and ensure your church is represented at the meeting.
It is important that all elder and minister commissioners from each church download the handbook when it becomes available and read it thoroughly prior to the meeting so that they can actively participate in the meeting. All commissioners have voice and vote at the meeting and may ask questions or pull an item from the consent agenda for more discussion. Please see the “Standing Rules” on page 2 of the handbook for more information. You may submit a motion or amendment in writing to the Stated Clerk using the form on page 3. You are also encouraged to contact the Stated Clerk, Associate Stated Clerk, Moderator, or Committee/Ministy Team/Commission chairperson if you have questions prior to the meeting.
Presbytery Joys Video: We will share presbytery joys in video form during the meeting. If you would like for your church or event to be included, please send photos taken since our last presbytery meeting (February 22) along with a brief one-line description to dblackwelder@capresbytery.org by Monday, May 11.
Excused Absence: If you are a minister member of presbytery who is not able to attend, please send notice to Barbara Burger by May 11.
CAP Winter Meeting ReCap
Lowcountry Presbyterian Church in Bluffton hosted the Winter Stated Meeting of the Charleston Atlantic Presbytery on Saturday, February 22, 2020. A highlight of the welcome by the host church was its “History in Song” written and performed by church member Dale Nordby. LPC celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, and has done, and continues to do a lot of great things. See their written history in the meeting handbook.
“Something Else is Happening” Rev. Brian C. Henderson of St James Presbyterian Church told those assembled in his sermon, based on I Corinthians 1:18, during the opening worship, which included Holy Communion. An offering in the amount of $1,407.50 was received to support the work of the mission team going to Puerto Rico March 21-28. The members of the Puerto Rico Mission Team and the Commissioners and Young Adult Advisory Delegate to the General Assembly in Baltimore June 20-27 all were commissioned during the service. Learn more about our commissioners HERE.
Stephen McDonald, the Camp Director for Bethelwoods Camp and Conference Center, spoke about upcoming summer sessions at the camp. This year a bus will be available to transport campers from the lowcountry to Bethelwoods for three of the week long sessions. He also introduced Lexi Green, a new camp staff member.
Charlie Frost spoke about the Hymn Society, the Presbyterian Association of Musicians (PAM), and the Montreat Music and Worship Conference. He encouraged those interested to consider joining the first two organizations. He also announced a new grant, The St. Phillips Grant, available from the PAM for attendance at either of the two sessions of the Montreat Music and Worship Conference. Churches are encouraged to apply to defray the cost of attendance.
The Presbytery Joys Video was shared. Thank you to all of the churches who sent in pictures. We hope to see your church represented in May!
The Shepherding Team had much to report, including news about the ongoing renovations at the former Park Circle Church. The work is underway, with occupancy of the presbytery offices scheduled for May, if all goes as planned. Parkside NCD continues to have steady attendance. The newest CAP staff member, Bob Ingram, who will work part time as bookkeeper, was introduced. Long time CAP Director of Administration, Barbara Burger will be retiring at the end of May. The personnel subcommittee of Shepherding is working on a staffing model for the future.
The Stated Clerk gave a “shout-out” for pastors and church members to think about more actively funding the work of the presbytery, including its contributions to the Office of the General Assembly and the Synod.
The Commission on Ministry introduced the Rev. Tracey Daniel, the new Associate Pastor at First (Scots) PC in Charleston and Elder Eugene Richardson who will be commissioned as Commissioned Lay Pastor at St. Andrews PC on Johns Island. Each shared a bit about their faith journey and vision for their new call. COM also celebrated Rev. Ashley Sanders’ new call as installed pastor of the Presbyterian Church on Edisto Island. She shared the many ways she has experienced God’s grace in her 13 years as a member of CAP and 5 years as Temporary Pastor of PCEI. Her family and and many members of her church were present to support her and this new call.
The Service to Others Ministry Team, Moderated by Sandra Otero and Antonio Colon-Roman, submitted a written report of its many activities, but also reported that the presbytery-wide Day of Service, scheduled for March 7 has been postponed. Watch the Chatline for news about rescheduling.
Reports of all the Teams, Committees and Commissions of the presbytery can be found in the HANDBOOK and SUPPLEMENT.
New Moderator, Susan Mellichamp, conducted the meeting efficiently and effectively, concluding with prayer at 12:30, in time to enjoy a wonderful lunch provided by the host church.
Respectfully submitted by Catherine Byrd, Stated Clerk
Williston Presbyterian Church hosted the Fall Charleston Atlantic Presbytery Meeting, with great hospitality and charm. The members of the congregation went all out to be sure attendees were directed to parking, registration, coffee, etc., and of course to the recently renovated sanctuary, beautifully decorated for Christmas. Of note were the advent banner and communion set that were brought from Barnwell Presbyterian Church, which has made the difficult decision to close. Many of its members have begun worshipping at Williston and some were volunteering to help make the presbytery meeting a success.
Outgoing moderator, Rev. Sam Martin, brought the message during worship using the words of baseball great Ted Williams and Bible great John the Baptist. Rev. Martin once played pro baseball and avers “there is so much theology in baseball, y’all.” His reaction to being critiqued by the baseball legend in a practice session illuminates the reaction we all may have to being confronted with John the Baptist. It can be irritating to be told to change our ways, to turn our stance around, to try something different when we are sure we already know what we are doing.
After worship, four guests brought greetings and information: Stefanie Marsden called attention to the financial services of the Texas Presbyterian Foundation, which despite its name, serves Presbyterians throughout the country. Elizabeth Little highlighted several positive changes at the PC (USA) Board of Pensions, including the abolishment of vacancy dues and the positive effects of the menu plan option recently added to the medical benefits. Stephen McDonald, Camp Director of the Bethelwoods Camp and Conference Center, gave an update on Camp activities. Joyce Lieberman, the executive Presbytery and Stated Clerk of the Synod of South Atlantic highlighted some of the services of the Synod. Of particular note is its Association of Smaller Congregations which holds an annual retreat and which administers the Mary Hemphill Fund, a designated fund to be used for structural repair, replacement, renovation, and improvement to the church building, for small congregations (100 members or less) in the state of South Carolina. Deadline for the application for a grant from the fund is December 31st. Click HERE for the application to the Hemphill Grant for small congregations.
The Committee on Representation presented nominees for membership on presbytery committees, commissions and teams for 2020, nominees for Moderator and Vice Moderator, nominees for Synod Commissioners, and nominees for Commissioners and a Young Adult Advisory Delegate to the 224th General Assembly of the PC(USA) to be held this summer in Baltimore. Members of an Administrative Commission for dissolving the Barnwell Presbyterian Church also were elected. GA Commissioners wil be Elder Priscilla Holztclaw, Elder Irene Whaley, Rev. Patricia Jones and Rev. Patrick Perryman. Alternates are Elder Betty Bryan and Rev. Lisa Schrott. Click HERE for a complete list of newly elected members of presbytery teams, committees and commissions.
The Commission on Ministry introduced two new pastors it recently examined and received into the presbytery: Dr. Annette brewer is the new pastor at Wallingford Presbyterian Church and Dr. William E. Robinson is the new senior pastor at First Presbyterian Church on Hilton Head.
The Commission also introduced to individuals recently commissioned a Commissioned Pastors: Henry Meeuwse will serve Bethel Presbyterian Church in Walterboro. Bo Hamilton will serve at The Village in Summerville, while continuing to serve at Summerville Presbyterian Church.
After some discussion, the budget proposed by the Stewardship of Financial Gifts of Ministry Team was passed. Two things which came out of the discussion: First, we would be in better financial shape if more churches followed the lead of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Hollywood and paid a true per capita towards the work of the presbytery and the denomination. Second, there are people in our presbytery who have knowledge and ideas in the area of finance who would be valuable members of the SOFGOMT. (The moderator of the team, Peter Jones, and the moderator of the Committee on Representation, James Deavor, are the people to contact if you are interested.)
It was with great joy that the Park Circle Commission, led by Rev. Mike Fitze, reported that the sale of the current presbytery office on Ashely River Road for $1,502,500.00 closed on November 22, 2019, after a three and a half year effort. The presbytery may remain in the building for four months past the date of closing. Presbytery offices will be moved to a portion of the education building of the former Park Circle Presbyterian Church. The balance of the education building and the sanctuary will be converted into flexible space for meetings and mission. The Park Circle Commission was authorized to spend up to $1,400,000.00 from the proceeds of the sale of the Ashely River Road Property for the renovations to the Park Circle Property.
Elder Susan Mellichamp was commissioned as the new moderator of the Presbytery. She received the gavel from outgoing moderator Sam Martin and then closed the meeting with prayer and a benediction.
Respectfully Submitted by Catherine Byrd, State Clerk
Due to the rapid spread of COVID-19 in the US and world, CAP’s mission trip with the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has been postponed to Fall 2020 – stay tuned for more information.
On September 20, 2017, Hurricane María hit Puerto Rico with winds in excess of 155 miles per hour. The Category 4 storm left millions homeless, destroyed the island’s power grid, and killed thousands. Last year, CAP sent a team of eight volunteers to work with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance in the early stages of rebuild- ing. The team worked to prepare an empty school owned by the First Presbyterian Church of Aguada to house future mission teams. This year, we will send another team to continue the ongoing work of bringing hope out of chaos through the ministry of Presbyterian Disaster As- sistance. Please keep the mission team in your prayers as they prepare for their trip.