Below you’ll find the latest news and updates from South Highland.
Children’s Ministry (Part-time)
Part-time Children’s Ministry Director Hourly Expectations: 20 hours/week Reports to: Associate Pastor Rev. Abby Gatliff (will report to Sr. Pastor Rev. Cort Gatliff while Associate Pastor is on maternity leave) Position Summary: Plan and implement discipleship ministry to families and children 0–5th grade. Roles and Responsibilities: Skills/qualifications: To apply, please send résumé to shpcjobs@gmail.com.
Building a Life in Alabama
Inspiritus, Birmingham’s local refugee resettlement organization, has been active in Birmingham for three years now and has settled 326 refugees in our area. For most of the first year, the new arrivals were from Afghanistan but now they are from all over the world. The Akbary family fled Afghanistan on August 24, 2021, and arrived in Birmingham in January of 2022. They were welcomed by Inspiritus and a care team of South Highlanders. This care team relationship has evolved over…
Sunday Morning Nursery Worker
Commitment: at least 2 Sundays per month from 8:15-12:30. Pay: $80 per Sunday Summary: Help with infants and toddlers under three years during worship and Sunday School. Please contact: Karen Weeks, Nursery Coordinator for more information.
Building Project Progress August 2024
Various projects of SHPC’s building renovation continue to make progress. Pointing Repair work is fully underway on mortar joints in the exterior block of the 1926 Education Building (now housing our offices, library, youth and music suites). The process involves pressure washing the surfaces, preparing and injecting material into the joints. Rotted Wood Window frames and other rotted wood are being replaced with long-lasting mahogany. Roof Repairs Our church’s beautiful slate roof is being lovingly tended to. G-15 and G-16…
Missional Lunch Report
As part of our church’s interim period between called Senior Pastors, Transitional Pastor Rev. Dr. Sam Henderson led the congregation through a series of three exploratory conversations centered around our mission as the body of Christ. These lively, well-attended events focused on Participants were prompted to record answers to specific questions within those areas and post them on the wall; the responses were compiled by the Mission Conversation Team into a report which was presented on Sunday, August 11. In…
Congregation Votes on PNC Recommendation
The congregation of South Highland Presbyterian Church has called The Rev. Cort Gatliff as its next Senior Pastor, after a unanimous vote on Sunday, July 14, 2024. Cort was welcomed with thunderous applause from over three hundred members and family in attendance at the congregational meeting. In its report to the congregation (available here), the Pastor Nominating Committee stated that “Cort exhibits all the traits that our congregation felt were important for our next senior pastor. He is compassionate, relationship-oriented…
Report to the Congregation Scheduled July 14
The Session has called a congregational meeting for Sunday, July 14, in the Sanctuary, immediately after the 11:00 a.m. worship service, to hear and act upon the report of the Pastor Nominating Committee. All members of the congregation are strongly encouraged to attend this important meeting.
PNC June Update
As we enter into June, our South Highland family is approximately eighteen months into seeking who God has called as the next Senior Pastor of South Highland Presbyterian Church. We, as the PNC, are an extension of the congregation and this search encompasses the wisdom and prayer of the entire church family. In the coming weeks we will move into the final stages of this process and look toward final communication with the SHPC family. During this time may we…
Building Project Progress April 2024
South Highland’s Administration Ministry Team, which is overseeing our church-wide building renovation project, is excited to update the congregation on recent progress on several projects. Pointing This work was actually begun last year in advance of the fundraising campaign, thanks to a generous donation, and was the catalyst that ignited the Building for the Future campaign. It involved needed repairs to deteriorated mortar around some of the stonework on the Legacy Building. Work in that area has been completed and…
Presbytery Ponderings on Matthew 25
Some thoughts from Rev. Dr. Sue Westfall, General Presbyter of the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley—January 2024 Greetings, friends, As you know, the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley is part of the PCUSA’s Matthew 25 initiative. As of today, 1,180 congregations have embraced the vision. In addition, 96 mid councils and 66 groups have committed to helping our denomination become a more relevant presence worldwide. The Matthew 25 invitation focuses on Matthew 25:31-46, the parable of the sheep and goats…
Partnering to Relieve Homelessness
Avery Rhodes, Founder and Executive Director of Birmingham’s Community on the Rise, spoke to a warm and wonderful SHPC crowd at a special Chili After Church event on Sunday, January 28, 2024. Community on the Rise works with people experiencing homelessness in our community. Their truly problem-solving approach embraces survivors by celebrating their strengths and gifts, providing housing in the beautiful Marigold House, and offering a full range of counseling and gainful employment in an eco-friendly business. All to help…
PNC Update January 2024
At both worship services on Sunday, January 14, 2024, members of the Pastor Nominating Committee offered a status report on their work. Watch their 11 a.m. update below.