Presbytery Meetings
Winter Stated Meeting
Friday, February 20, 2026
St. Simons Presbyterian Church
205 Kings Way, St. Simons Island, GA 31522
10:00am Meeting
Registration & Coffee begin at 9 am
Lunch following – Reservation is REQUIRED
IMPORTANT UPDATE REGARDING WINTER STATED MEETING
A “tech visit” to St. Simons Presbyterian Church revealed that the AV system of the church does not allow us to run Zoom which enables our remote voting and participation. Therefore, all voting commissioners should plan to attend in person at St. Simons Presbyterian Church. Those unable to attend in person can watch the meeting livestream through the SSPC Vimeo link.
We are sorry that remote participation will not be possible for this meeting.
This meeting will provide opportunities for celebration and connection. In the first half, we will turn our minds to God’s provision in worship, commission several ruling elders to serve as church pastors, and address the necessary business (approve our 2026 budget and the Nominating Committee report and install our new Moderator-Elect, Moderator and Council Chair).
In the second half, break into 8 conversation groups based on ministry roles and on 2025 church statistics reported to the PCUSA.
If you are unable to attend the Winter Meeting and wish to share your reflections on the conversation on ministry you may complete this survey: Stated Meeting Conversation Survey
Future Meeting Dates:
- Spring 2026 – Tuesday, May 19th time and location TBD
- Fall Stated Meeting – Tuesday, October 20th, Location TBD
On selecting “Hope” as the theme of her year as
Presbytery Moderator
When I was in college, I had a composition professor who advised us at the beginning of the semester if we ever used the word ‘hope’ in any of our writing, it would be returned to us with a severe point deduction. She hated the word hope. She said hope was an overused and weak word. Often, it is.
However, in the context of scripture, hope is a powerful word, a word full of promise.
Jeremiah 29:19 For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope.
I have relied on Jeremiah 29:19 during the three worst times in my life: 1) when my brother was diagnosed with late stage color cancer 20 years ago; 2) when my
grandson, who suffered from clinical depression, died by suicide at the age of 18; and 3) and when my son’s life was nearly taken in a random hate crime.
Each of these events strengthened my belief that events can only be viewed in hindsight because God promised us a future and a hope. My brother miraculously survived and is an activist on the value of a colonoscopy. My daughter now speaks at school assemblies about suicide and is on the Suicide Prevention Board in St. Louis. My son-in-law leads grief support groups. My son believes God spared his life for a specific reason and is in prayer to listen for what God is calling him to do now with his spared life.
My brother, my daughter, my son-in-law and my son believed in God’s promise of a future and a hope and so do I.
Troubles of all kinds abound. Troubles of all kinds will always abound. However, God has promised us a future and a hope. We can act on that promise and become the living embodiment of hope for others.
Marti Stein
Presbytery Moderator
Savannah Presbytery is made up of all congregations of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) located within the geographical bounds of Savannah Presbytery except any congregations which are members of non-geographic presbyteries of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
The presbytery meets in person at least three times per year, usually in October, February, and May. The location of presbytery meetings ordinarily rotates among the different churches. A Zoom option is available when the Wi-Fi and technological system of the host church allow for it. A quorum for a meeting of the presbytery consists of one-quarter of the minister members of the presbytery plus ruling elder commissioners from one quarter of the member congregations of the presbytery.