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Our Mission:
To identify and strengthen leaders
so that every congregation
makes new and mature disciples for Jesus Christ.
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Thanksgiving is just around the corner . . .
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. . . and that means Advent and Christmas can't be far behind!
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I grew up in northern Virginia, went to college in Delaware and seminary in New Jersey, and always knew Thanksgiving was coming from the change in the weather and the bright colors on the leaves---and from having to rake all the leaves! Then, when I moved to Panama in October of 1990, Thanksgiving snuck up on me out of the clear, bright, blue, and humid tropical sky one day! Sadly, I have to admit that even after having the same address in St. Petersburg since early 1996, it still does.
But, in the
already
of living on this side of Easter and the
not yet
of another Thanksgiving and Christmas season right around the corner, I'm struck again of the
already
and
not yet
of Advent---looking back towards the long ago approach of a baby's birth and ahead towards the long-expected return.
How many other things in your life are both "already" and "not yet"? An idea or a plan that is already formed but not yet realized? Spiritual (and maybe numerical) growth in the church you attend or serve that's already happening but not yet what you hope it will be? A child who is already "x" years-old and who grew up so fast, but still not yet as ready as they want you to believe to be on their own?
And, of course, it's already "the Christmas Season" all around us, while also not yet really Christmas at all.
I hope your holiday season --- no matter how early or late it starts for you! --- is a joyous and thankful one!
By the way, as you scroll down through local news and updates, keep scrolling for an update from Princeton Seminary on its recently released action plan for repentance of its ties to slavery and its report on that history from a year ago that prompted drafting the plan.
And, for pastors, commissioned pastors, and certified christian educators---and anyone else involved in reviewing terms of call---scroll all the way down for updated information on reviewing and reporting 2020 compensation.
Blessings,
Bill
Rev. William A. Wildhack III
Stated Clerk and Manager of Communications
(813) 868-4800, opt. 2
My work is supported by per capita funds from congregations in the Presbytery of Tampa Bay, which also help unite all Presbyterians in sharing God’s love through mission and ministry. Thank you!
+ + +
P.S.
PRESBYTERY MEETINGS IN 2020
-- B
ecause several have asked AND I realized this hadn't made it into the eNews yet . . . s
ave the dates -- and watch for more details on locations and other speakers as we get closer:
- February 20, 2020 (Thursday). Cindy Kohlmann, Co-moderator of the 223rd General Assembly, is scheduled to preach and give a keynote presentation.
- May 16, 2020 (Saturday). Diane Moffett, Executive Director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, is scheduled to preach and give a keynote presentation.
- August 27, 2020 (Thursday). Preacher/Keynote to be determined.
- November 12, 2020 (Thursday). Preacher/Keynote to be determined.
+ + +
P.P.S. Your phone or browser may not automatically show you the whole newsletter.
As you scroll down, watch for something near the end -- just after it seems the eNews ends awkwardly -- that looks like:
[Message clipped]
View entire message
If you see that in your browser or email program, click through the link to see the rest of the eNews!
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Watch for a variety of special events here over the next couple of issues. If you have something you'd like included, please get it to me ASAP---and please include "enews" in the subject line to help me keep track of it. Thanks!
Please note:
the focus here is on
special events hosted by our churches outside of regular or seasonal worship times;
we can support each other's special events while still worshiping with our own churches. 😇
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The Church on the Bayou in Tarpon Springs invites you to join them in giving thanks!
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From Church on the Bayou:
All are invited! Join us for a Thanksgiving Feast on Friday, November 22nd at 6 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Turkey and Fixin's prepared by the Fellowship Committee (suggested donation $5), bring a side dish/dessert to share. RSVP by calling 727-937-3795. Gather together for a wonderful time of fellowship as we give thanks. All are welcome!
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Holiday Hits & Handel
, Sunday, December 8 at 3 p.m.
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To awaken your holiday mood, the December program will feature the beautiful voices of the
Tampa Oratorio Singers. Directed by Nancy Callahan, this excellent choral group will bring popular carols and songs of the season (including some fun sing-a-longs) plus some Christmas selections from Handel’s
Messiah.
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Lakeview, St. Pete, invites you to its annual bazaar on Saturday, December 7 -AND- a Live Nativity on December 22!
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Updates from our covenant partners
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The Eckerd College Board of Trustees voted unanimously on Nov. 9 to elect Damian J. Fernandez, Ph.D., as the fifth president of the national liberal arts institution. He will assume office on July 1, 2020.
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Eckerd College announces its fifth president
"Dr. Fernandez's enthusiasm for Eckerd College and all that makes the Eckerd educational experience distinctive is exactly what we were hoping to find in a fifth president who will work with us to continue Eckerd College's upward trajectory,"...
Read more
www.eckerd.edu
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IN CASE YOU DIDN'T REALIZE IT . . .
Eckerd College in St. Petersburg was founded by the Florida Synod of one of our predecessor denominations and chartered in 1958 as Florida Presbyterian College. Today, Eckerd is one of 56 colleges and universities that continues their historical relationship with the Presbyterian Church (USA). As noted on the college website:
"The mission of Eckerd College is to provide excellent, innovative undergraduate liberal arts education and lifelong learning programs in the unique Florida environment, within the context of a covenant relationship with the Presbyterian Church (USA)." (Approved by the college's Board of Trustees, May 21, 2016)
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Beth-El's November Newsletter is here!
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Dr. Dan Branca, a dentist from Brandon (and 2009 Eckerd grad), writes in this month's newsletter about volunteering at Beth-El and how we all have super powers we can use like superheroes to make a difference. Dan writes:
Superheroes. They play a huge role in modern fictional entertainment, but superheroes play an even larger role in each of our lives. We all have our own set of SUPER POWERS, and we have the ability to use them to change lives everyday. Whether that is helping kids after school or just holding the door for someone. Sometimes giving the gift of a smile is all that it takes to make a difference. I encourage all to find your super power and put it to use! Be uncommon.
Read all of Dan's comments---and the rest of the newsletter---
by clicking here!
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Thanksgiving at the Farm
Once again, Beth-El Farmworker Ministry will be hosting a Thanksgiving Dinner at a local farm, but we can't do it without your help! We need volunteers to help prepare and serve the meal. We also need donations of food.
Read more
us11.campaign-archive.com
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Celebration of AT and Doris Brown
December 7, 2019 at 3 PM
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A chance for "Florida family" to celebrate this remarkable couple
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AT and Doris Brown, the married team that were instrumental in bringing the ministry of Cedarkirk to a reality, have both passed away within the last year and a half. We owe so much to them for their tireless work in the first 20 plus years of Cedarkirk. Services for Doris, and then AT, were held in Black Mountain, NC. Many of you were not able to attend.
We would like to give their “Florida family” the opportunity to join us in celebration of their lives. All three of their sons will be joining us on Saturday, Dec. 7th at 3:00 for this tribute to their lives. We will have a service followed by some time to share stories and walk the grounds. We hope you can join the Brown family and extended Cedarkirk family for this special event.
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Cedarkirk Christmas Retreat 2019!
You don’t have to wait a whole year to see your counselors and friends or do all of your favorite summer camp stuff! The Christmas Retreat brings you a little bit of summer camp in the winter! Join us for a weekend of fun, faith-building, fellowship, and fantastic food as we learn about – and prepare for – the birth of Christ and what that means for our lives today. This is also a great chance to bring a friend and introduce them to camp!
Dates: December 20-22, 2019
cedarkirk.org
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Looking for that Special Holiday Gift?
It's never too early to start your holiday shopping. Shopping can be stressful. There is always someone on your list who has everything or who is hard to shop for! Do they have great memories of spending time at Cedarkirk?
Give them the perfect gift: a Personalized Brick Paver for the walkway leading to the our new dining hall. Your personalized brick can be created in honor of or in memory of a loved one or friend. We invite you to partner with Cedarkirk in this unique effort and leave your mark for generations to come.
Click
here
or download the
flyer
to explore the various brick paver options available to celebrate the importance of this "Place Apart".
For more information on our Capital Campaign, please contact
Julie
,
our Capital Campaign Director; visit our
website
;
or, contact the camp office at 813-685-4
224.
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Updates from other organizations
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Florida Congregations for Conservation launches website
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Following a kick-off Conservation Forum at Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church on October 27, Will Wellman writes:
I wanted to share that Florida Congregations for Conservation is live with a
website
and a letter people of faith can sign to show their support for protection of Florida's natural lands and waters, especially high priority areas along the Florida Wildlife Corridor. We just launched the website and are trying to share this far and wide.
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Joanne Rogers on her husband Fred Rogers’ commitment to prayer, church, children
(and a link to info on the new movie)
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Joanne Rogers: On her husband Fred Rogers' commitment to ...
(RNS) - At "91 and a half," Joanne Rogers remains a devoted advocate for the legacy of her late husband, the iconic star of the long-running children's show "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood." Fred Rogers' widow shared churchgoing traditions and a...
Read more
pres-outlook.org
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A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood Movie | Official...
Two-time Oscar®-winner Tom Hanks portrays Mister Rogers in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, a timely story of kindness triumphing over cynicism, based on the true story of a real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and journalist Tom Junod....
Read more
www.abeautifulday.movie
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Princeton Theological Seminary Announces Plan to Repent for Ties to Slavery
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After a two-year long historical audit, Princeton Seminary published a
report in October 2018 which included this as part of its introduction:
The following report begins to trace the complicated story of Princeton Seminary and its relationship to slavery. From its founding aspirations, Princeton Seminary has placed high value on both rigorous scholarship and Christian faith, and a commitment to these values informs our present study of the Seminary’s history, which is both an act of faith and scholarly investigation. These efforts are part of an honest and transparent evaluation of our past. Truth-telling is an important discipline for Christian people. It is critical that we understand the truth about our history, for only then can we make confession and move toward the reconciliation that God desires for us all.
In October 2019, Princeton Seminary released an
action plan for repentance of its ties to slavery with more than 20 initiatives. As seminary president Craig Barnes says in the press release at the link below:
“Our response to the historical audit is the beginning of our community’s journey of repair as we seek to redress historic wrongs and to help the Seminary be more faithful to our mission as a school of the church, both now and in the years to come,” says Barnes. “We are taking tangible action to write a new chapter in our story.”
For more on both the report and the action plan, click through the link below.
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Princeton Theological Seminary Announces Plan to Repent...
PRINCETON, N.J., October 18, 2019 - Princeton Theological Seminary Board of Trustees unanimously endorsed the implementation of a multi-year action plan to repent for its ties to slavery. The approved series of new initiatives, ranging from...
Read more
gather-story.ptsem.edu
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March 13-15, 2020: SMALL TENTS, BIG MISSION
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The Association of Smaller Congregations has it's annual conference at Epworth-by-the-Sea on St. Simons Island in the middle of March. You can check out more details about the conference by
clicking here, and watch for more info later about our own Small Church Network's arrangements to get a group to go together!
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The eNews welcomes employment opportunity notices from our member churches and partner organizations. For more information about any of the items below, please contact the church or organization directly rather than the Presbytery office.
A request: If you've filled a position you posted here -- or if you know it's been filled -- please send an email to
statedclerk@pbty.com
so we can remove the post! Thank you!
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"The First Presbyterian Church of Inverness, Florida, has a brand new Associate Pastor position open. Check out our MIF on the CLC Opportunity Search! MIF #: 20182.AD0”
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The people of our church are very warm and loving, and we are seeking an Associate Pastor whom we can love and who will love us, as we all grow in the grace, hope, joy, and love of the Lord together. We are praying that God will send us a new Associate Pastor who has a vibrant faith in Jesus Christ, a contagious enthusiasm for the gospel, and a deep commitment to the PC(USA). Spiritually-grounded, self-motivated and self-differentiated, our Associate Pastor will need to be able to relate well to youth, children, and families, both inside and outside the church. The ability to teach, communicate clearly, accomplish tasks, think creatively, collaborate with staff and volunteers, utilize social media, preach and lead worship, engage meaningfully with the unchurched, and offer compassionate pastoral care and counseling to a wide spectrum of people will also be important areas for the Associate Pastor to excel in. A life of prayer, lots of energy, and a sense of humor will help too.
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Beth-El Farmworker Ministry seeks new Executive Director
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How will this position help you to reach your vision and mission goals?
The Executive Director is responsible for the spiritual, fiduciary, and administrative vision of the ministry. He/she is the prime development officer of the corporation providing oversight and vision for programming and funding. These responsibilities include soliciting donations from donors, overseeing grant writing process, and organizing fund raising events. The director is also responsible for identifying economic and demographic trends within the Wimauma community to ensure the mission’s objectives of ‘feeding mind, spirit, and body' are being fully realized within the scope of services offered by the corporation and its mission partners.
Beth-El Farmworker Ministry is a Presbyterian mission in covenant partnership with Peace River Presbytery and the Presbytery of Tampa Bay of the PCUSA and the Mission Ministry Team of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
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*NEW THIS MONTH*
Office Administrative Manager
Bayshore PC, Tampa
Bayshore Presbyterian Church (2525 Bayshore Blvd; between Howard and Bay to Bay) is "seeking an experienced, outgoing, charismatic Office Administrative Manager for 18 hours weekly, 9 am – 3 pm, three days weekly."
++++++
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Youth Ministry Coordinator
Christ PC, Largo
Christ Presbyterian Church in Largo is looking for a part-time youth ministry coordinator to serve 10-12 hrs/wk (
Sunday mornings; Wednesday evenings; other fellowship programs, special worship services, and special events as determined).
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"Form F-1: 2020 Compensation and Call Form"
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ICYMI: The Commission on Ministry has approved a 1.6% COLA for ministers, commissioned pastors (formerly CRE), and certified christian educators
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On October 24, the Commission on Ministry (COM) voted to increase the total effective salary as shown on Line 7 of
"Form F-1: 2020 Compensation and Call Form" for minsters of the Word and Sacrament, commissioned pastors, and certified Christian Educators by 1.6% based on the cost of living adjustment (COLA) announced by the Social Security Administration in October.
The new minimum effective annual salary for ministers is $45,771, an increase of $721 over 2019. The minimum for others remains at 85% of the minimum for ministers.
* * *
Presbytery of Tampa Bay policy requires an annual report of pastors’ salaries via the F-1 Form, sent to the Stated Clerk for review and approval by the Regional COMs.
Click here for an excerpt from the COM Manual explaining many of the terms used on the form.
You can download an updated version of "Form F-1: 2020 Compensation and Call Form" that's ready to fill out on your computer --- and which does
some of the math for you ---
by clicking here.
The regular, printable form to fill out manually is also still available; get yours by
clicking here.
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Remember, there's always a lot of content on the Presbytery of Tampa Bay website, with info about all the presbytery commissions and committees, resources for clerks of session, news and announcements, and more. Click the button below to start exploring!
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Have an idea for the
bi-weekly
eNews? Send it to
statedclerk@pbty.com
with "eNews" in the subject line.
Deadline
for submitting something to the bi-weekly eNews is
as early as possible
😉
but no later than Monday morning
the week it comes out. The next issue is scheduled for Thursday, December 5
, so please get things to me by Monday, December 2!
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Thanks for reading all the way to the end! -- Bill
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