One weekend only! GAP (God’s Awesome People) Weekend is open to all presbytery youth in 6th – 8th grade.

Participants will grow in faith in Jesus Christ, experience the beauty of creation, and worship God.

This adventuresome weekend in the piney woods also features mission projects, singing, canoeing, low ropes, hiking, archery, and small group activities.

Come see old friends and make new ones at GAP! We want to see you there!

Registration for GAP weekend will open online in early 2023. Save the dates and join us!

Friday, March 24 – Sunday, March 26, 2023

Questions? Email Gary Holloman, Youth & Young Adult Program Director.

GAP weekend takes place at Gilmont Camp and Conference Center in East Texas.

ONLINE REGISTRATION

2023 GAP Flyer

KidQuake weekends are a little like summer camp and a precursor to Youth Connection.

Kindergarten – 6th grade children are invited to attend. Participants enjoy outdoor activities, small group Bible studies, mission projects, and old and new friends.

Churches must send sponsors with children and children must come with a church; however, the sponsors will not be responsible for programming at the event. The sponsors concentrate on participation and supervising their group.

Past and future youth camp counselors provide the programming along with Austin College ACtivators and other presbytery leaders. A team of Grace Presbytery educators plan the event.

Registration cost per child includes housing, meals, all programs and a t-shirt.

KidQuake Registration Packet

Online registration opens February 15, 2023.

For a directory of virtual (online) worship opportunities, we invite you to visit our list of Grace Presbytery congregations that currently livestream church services.

Hymn to the Life-Giving Cross

O Christ our God,
Ceaselessly we bow
Before your cross
That gives us life;
And glorify your Resurrection,
Most powerful Lord,
When on that third day
You made anew
The failing nature of mankind,
Showing us revealed
the path to heaven above;
For you alone are good,
The Lover of the Human Race.

St. John Damascene, 8th Century, Prayer Book of the Early Christians

Clay Brantley and Lil Smith have designed “Soaking in Resurrection” to be airy with lots of room for participants to choose how to lean into rest, to reflect, and to be renewed.

During the week of April 10th, each day will include one plenary session and one worship opportunity. Optional programming will be available for those who want more structure. Clay and Lil will also be available to meet with individuals who desire a time of spiritual direction/compassionate listening.

The rhythm of this retreat is designed for ministry leaders to engage in deep breathing after busy Lent and Easter seasons. There will be ample time to rest, to worship, to walk, to listen, to be with friends in community, to play, to soak in the resurrection message, and to feast at the table.

The presbytery’s Congregational Support Committee is partnering with Camp Gilmont to fund two-thirds of these Ministry Cohort expenses, so participants pay just $100!

Whether you are clergy, a musician, an educator, or ministry and spiritual leaders, your sacred space awaits at “Soaking in the Resurrection” at Camp Gilmont!

Retreat Flyer | Event Registration

KidQuake weekends are a little like summer camp and a precursor to Youth Connection.

Kindergarten – 6th grade children are invited to attend. Participants enjoy outdoor activities, small group Bible studies, mission projects, and old and new friends.

Churches must send sponsors with children and children must come with a church; however, the sponsors will not be responsible for programming at the event. The sponsors concentrate on participation and supervising their group.

Past and future youth camp counselors provide the programming along with Austin College ACtivators and other presbytery leaders. A team of Grace Presbytery educators plan the event.

Registration cost per child includes housing, meals, all programs and a t-shirt.

KidQuake Registration Packet

Online registration opens February 15, 2023.

The Committee on Representation and Social Justice Task Force will visit the west region of Grace Presbytery on Saturday, April 15, 2023.

Gethsemane Presbyterian Church in Fort Worth will host this fellowship and conversation gathering from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. Lunch will be served.

All churches in the west region of Grace Presbytery, pastors, elders, and members are encouraged to join.

Please RSVP to Tammy Stepka with your name, contact information, and any dietary restrictions.
Registration deadline is April 11.

Contact COR moderator, Crysta Brantley, or Joanna Kim with questions.

Your Committee on Representation looks forward to connecting!

Emmanuel Aka, Dallas, United African Presbyterian Church
Rev. Clayton F. Allard, Dallas, Oak Cliff Presbyterian Church
Crysta Brantley (Moderator), McKinney, Trinity Presbyterian Church
Karenna Malavanti, Waco, First Presbyterian Church
Sean Price, Dallas, NorthPark Presbyterian Church
Jade Voyles, McKinney, Trinity Presbyterian Church
Rev. Shane Webb, Irving, Woodhaven Presbyterian Church

SAVE THE DATE!

Grace Presbytery’s Educator Group meets virtually via Zoom* every month, but this month they are also meeting in-person!

Rev. Shane Webb and Hallie Spence, Director of Discipleship & Outreach, have graciously offered to host the educators group at Woodhaven Presbyterian Church in Irving on April 20, 2023.

Attendees share ideas and inspiration, as well as learn about new Presbyterian children’s curriculum and discussions focused on liturgical planning.

Questions about this event, or other education/curriculum matters, can be directed to Resource Center Director, Leah Wyckoff.

*for Zoom login links and passwords, please contact Leah via email.

KidQuake weekends are a little like summer camp and a precursor to Youth Connection.

Kindergarten – 6th grade children are invited to attend. Participants enjoy outdoor activities, small group Bible studies, mission projects, and old and new friends.

Churches must send sponsors with children and children must come with a church; however, the sponsors will not be responsible for programming at the event. The sponsors concentrate on participation and supervising their group.

Past and future youth camp counselors provide the programming along with Austin College ACtivators and other presbytery leaders. A team of Grace Presbytery educators plan the event.

Registration cost per child includes housing, meals, all programs and a t-shirt.

KidQuake Registration Packet

Online registration opens February 15, 2023.

The Young Adult Ministry Committee (YAMC) meets quarterly at the Presbyterian Mission Center.

Moderator of the committee is Rev. Owen Gray. Presbytery staff representative is Gary Holloman.

To learn more about the Young Adult Ministry Committee and the Young Adult program, please visit this page on the presbytery website.

Questions? Email Owen or the YAMC committee.

Spring Worship is an opportunity for the youth of Grace Presbytery to gather to praise God and give thanks.

The theme of this worship gathering is Spring Cleaning. First Presbyterian Church in Grapevine will host the service on Sunday, April 30th from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Worship and music leaders from all Grace Presbytery congregations are invited to participate.

Youth Spring Worship Flyer

First Presbyterian Church is located at 1002 Park Blvd. in Grapevine, Texas.

Questions? Please email Jodi Haun, Director of Children’s Ministry and Missions at FPC, Grapevine.

What is a pilgrimage weekend?

During the three days of a pilgrimage weekend, participants form a small Christian community. They worship, study and share with one another while gaining a personal awareness of their faith and the joys and responsibilities that are a result of that faith.

The purpose of Pilgrimage is for the participants to discover a new and exciting relationship with Christ and to encourage them to take this new-found relationship back to their home. It challenges and equips each local church member for Christian action in their local church, in their home, in their place of work and in their community.

What should I expect?

Pilgrimage is a three day weekend that lasts a lifetime!

The three-day weekend is a purposefully-designed method for renewing the faith of individuals. Activities throughout the weekend provide opportunities for participants to discover a new and exciting relationship with Christ. ​

Enjoy discipleship, fellowship, music, small group discussions and joyful experiences shared with Christian brothers and sisters.

If you feel called to enrich your faith, or to take the next step in your relationship with Christ, sign up to attend a pilgrimage weekend!

Upcoming pilgrimage weekends:

May 4 – 7, 2023 at Camp Gilmont
October 19 – 22, 2023 at Camp Gilmont

More Information | Register Here

New year ─ New vision ─ New experiment!

As proposed and approved by Grace Presbytery (by vote to suspend the standing rule requiring four stated meetings per year), the 2023 calendar features two full-day stated meetings and two presbytery-wide fellowship gatherings.

Make plans to join us in East Texas at Camp Gilmont on Saturday, May 13th for the first of these two fellowship events.

Schedule of the Day’s Activities:

9:30 – 9:45 a.m. Arrival at Gilmont*
10:00 a.m. Keynote Speaker: Reverend Dr. Jerry L. Cannon
11:00 a.m. Fellowship Activities
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Workshops & Camp Activities
3:00 p.m. Worship Service
4:00 p.m. Departure

Examples of camp activities may include: Low ropes courses, archery, axe throwing, and/or canoeing & paddle boarding

*For those interested in arriving Friday and spending the night, please register online via Camp Gilmont. (Overnight accommodations range from $25/cabin stay to $100/lodge room; book early for best availability)

Registration for Saturday’s gathering and workshop options will open Monday, April 3rd.

Grace Presbytery’s annual youth mission trip takes place each summer.

It’s a great opportunity for youth throughout our presbytery to enjoy fellowship and hands-on mission work at a low cost to participants, while experiencing new communities each year.

Save the dates and join us next year!

Sunday, June 11 – Saturday, June 17, 2023

To learn more, and make plans for your youth group to participate, please contact Gary Holloman in the presbytery office or Jessica Karlinski at St. Barnabas Presbyterian Church in Richardson.

Synod Youth Workshop (SYW) is a unique conference for high school youth adult and adult sponsors 23 years and older. Time is balanced between small group and large group activities and discussions designed to offer students the space to encounter God and one another.

Join youth from across Grace Presbytery (grades: rising 9th ─ graduated 12th) for a week of fellowship, mission projects, worship & more!

SYW is sponsored by Grace Presbytery, Synod of the Sun, University of Tulsa, and College Hill Presbyterian Church.

SYW 2023: Faith over Fear
Location: University of Tulsa, Oklahoma

Dates: Monday, July 13 – Saturday, July 15
Questions: Email Gary Holloman, Youth & Young Adults Program Director, Grace Presbytery

Event Flyer | Event Website

A new ministry cohort of Grace Presbytery that seeks to widen the church’s welcome of LGBTQIA+ people in our presbytery, congregations, ministries, communities, and individual lives.

Leaders: Pepa Paniagua and Brian Ellison

Dates: Monday, September 11th – Thursday, September 14th

Cost: First 15 participants pay just $100; remaining program costs underwritten by Congregational Support Committee grants and Grace Presbytery

Online registration opening soon!

Confirmation Retreat is for youth (grades 6 & up) who are beginning their confirmation journey.

Churches are invited to kick-off their confirmation year with a bang by inviting students and their mentors to join us for a weekend-long educational & transformational retreat.

Students and mentors will have the opportunity to grow, bond, and meet other Presbyterian confirmands from across the presbytery.

Questions? Please contact Gary Holloman, Director of Youth & Young Adult Programs, or Emily Cox, member of the Children & Youth Ministry Committee.

The stated meeting of Grace Presbytery will take place Saturday, September 23, 2023, at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, located at 9800 Preston Road in Dallas.

Please note: This meeting will be offered in a HYBRID format.

Members of the presbytery and elected commissioners have the option to attend in-person. Those who prefer to attend virtually will be able to participate via the AirMeet platform. Details and links are provided via email prior to the meeting.

Registration will open online 21 days in advance of the stated meeting.

Questions may be directed to the presbytery office or Mike Jones, moderator of Grace Presbytery.

SAVE THE DATE!

As proposed and approved by Grace Presbytery (by vote to suspend the standing rule requiring four stated meetings per year), the 2023 calendar features two full-day stated meetings and two presbytery-wide fellowship gatherings.

Make plans to join us in Sherman on Saturday, October 28th for the second of these two presbytery-wide fellowship events.

SAMPLE Schedule of the Day’s Activities*:

10:00 a.m. Keynote Address
11:00 a.m. Fellowship Activities
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Workshops & Activities
3:00 p.m. Worship Service
4:00 p.m. Departure

*finalized schedule TBA; registration will open approximately 6 weeks in advance of the event.

A new ministry cohort of Grace Presbytery that seeks to coordinate, facilitate, and connect leaders in the creation care community.

Leaders: Bryan Smith, Seminary of the Wild
Miatta Wilson, Mission Associate for Christian Formation, PC(USA)
Clay Brantley, Parish Associate, Trinity Presbyterian Church, McKinney
Lil Smith, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University

Dates: Monday, October 30th – Thursday, November 2nd

Cost: Participants pay just $100; remaining program costs underwritten by Congregational Support Committee grants and Grace Presbytery

Online registration opening soon!

A new ministry cohort of Grace Presbytery that seeks to coordinate, facilitate, and connect leaders in the creation care community.

Leaders: Bryan Smith, Seminary of the Wild
Miatta Wilson, Mission Associate for Christian Formation, PC(USA)
Clay Brantley, Parish Associate, Trinity Presbyterian Church, McKinney
Lil Smith, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University

Dates: Monday, October 30th – Thursday, November 2nd

Cost: Participants pay just $100; remaining program costs underwritten by Congregational Support Committee grants and Grace Presbytery

Online registration opening soon!

Grace Presbytery will operate with minimal staff during the week of Thanksgiving: Monday, November 20th – Friday, November 25th, due to the official holiday and personal vacation days.

Most staff members will check email at least once a day, even when using vacation time, so please consider using email to reach staff members during the days listed above. For a comprehensive listing, visit our online staff listing.

We hope everyone enjoys a wonderful Thanksgiving break!

Regular office hours resume Monday, November 27th.

Grace Presbytery operates with minimal staff the final two weeks of the year, beginning Monday, December 18th – Friday, December 29th.

This is due to a combination of recognized holidays and staff members’ elected vacation days/PTO.

The office will also be closed Monday, January 1, 2024.

Many staff members check email at least once a day, even when using vacation time, so please consider using email to reach staff members during the days listed above. For a comprehensive listing, visit our online staff listing.

Regular office hours resume Tuesday, January 2, 2024.