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Our Mission:
To identify and strengthen leaders
so that every congregation
ļ»æmakes new and mature disciples for Jesus Christ.
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Few of us could imagine . . .
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. . . the changes the world, the country, and our churches would be facing when the last eNews went out on March 3rd.
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But, even with changes in local, state, and federal recommendations on social distancing, not gathering in-person in groups, and the rest, I'm still struck --- as I was when I wrote two weeks ago --- by the way the Office of Theology and Worship chose to end its
Pastoral Statement on the Coronavirus/COVID-19:
- Above all, let us remember and rejoice that ānothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lordā (Brief Statement of Faith; Rom. 8:38ā39).
Keeping that in mind has been helpful to me from time to time over the last two weeks.
On Thursday evening, March 12, Patrice and I wrote to pastors, moderators, and clerks of sessions in our Presbytery to offer encouragement, resources, and prayers in this time of pandemic. In that letter, we wrote:
- While we are not making specific recommendations about in-person worship across the Presbytery of Tampa Bay as we write this letter tonight, that may change soon as things are moving very fast.
And, in my cover email, I added this:
- The letter reflects our views as we completed the letter tonight. We recognize that we are in a rapidly changing situation locally, nationally, and globally, that things that seemed extreme a few days ago may make perfect sense today or in a few days, and that some recommendations may have to change in light of new information --- some of which may come out as soon as a few minutes after I press "send" on this email.
You can read that email and the full text of the letter and included resources by
clicking here.
Neither of us had any idea that new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) would be reported the next day, recommending not only that "large gatherings (e.g., >250 people), and smaller gatherings that may bring persons together from multiple parts of the country" be canceled, but also including this stark challenge:
- For organizations that serve high-risk populations, consider cancelling gatherings of more than 10 people.
With so many members of our congregations and organizations in one or more of the āhigh-riskā categories, we realized we could no longer recommend social distancing and hygiene as primary responses in light of that update, and on Saturday sent Patrice's "It's Time" letter that we then made available on Facebook and the Presbytery website.
You can read the "It's Time" letter by
clicking here if you haven't already seen it; you can also read the CDC document with the "more than 10" recommendation by
clicking here).
As I wrote in my cover email with Patrice's letter on Saturday:
- We offer all of this to you in the hopes of empowering you, as the CDC guidance says, āto implement recommended actions, particularly in ways that protect persons at risk of severe illness such as older adults and persons with serious underlying health conditions (e.g. Dialysis patients, congestive heart failure, emphysema),ā especially since so many members of our congregations and organizations are in one or more of those categories.
On Sunday morning, some of you found (either on our
Facebook page or under "Latest News" on our
website) a list of churches in our presbytery offering worship experiences online -- that I found myself updating for several hours as more people let me know of links to their church's online services.
By the way, if your church offers online worship, please send the details (time and web link) to me at
info@pbty.com
!
Of course, we woke up Monday morning, March 16, to news of new guidance issued on Sunday in which the CDC, "in accordance with its
guidance for large events and mass gatherings, recommends that for the next 8 weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States," and that "[e]vents of any size should only be continued if they can be carried out with adherence to guidelines for protecting vulnerable populations, hand hygiene, and social distancing." By the end of the day on Monday, the President had
announced recommendations including "avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people" (with no limitation just to high-risk populations).
Patrice and others across the church have sometimes referred to this time as a "Kairos moment." In the New Testament "kairos" is distinguished from the more familiar word for time: "chronos." Chronos has to do with counting days, hours, minutes, and seconds, while kairos is about the right time, the opportune time, or God's time --- which can't be measured on a clock or calendar. We're facing challenges
we've never faced before, but others who have gone before us have faced other challenges and persevered. And, to any who would say to themselves or others that suspending worship for a few weeks or even months is going to "kill" the church, I offer these words sent by a young pastor --
who's a week or two shy of the
first
anniversary of his ordination -- to the congregation he serves (with blanks for you to insert your own church's street and city or town instead of his):
- My friends, no matter what is going on in the world, we are still the church. The church is not the building that sits on ____________ in ____________. The church is us! And as the church, we are still called to meet our friends and our neighbors with love and compassion and not suspicion. As the church, we are called to create spaces of both love and calm in the midst of what seems like turmoil. As the church, we are called to trust the Lord our God with our lives and our care.
May we all be so wise.
We'll be working on a special edition of the eNews trying to gather and present (in a more helpful format) some of the best ideas we've been hearing from some of you, counterparts across the country, and other sources. Please send updates to
info@pbty.com of what your church or organization is doing, challenges you're facing, good ideas and we-tried-but-learned-something reports, and the like so we can get them all in one place.
In the meantime, along with the resources mentioned below, there are others included at pretty much every other link in this edition of the eNews. Each click might lead you to an answer, something you haven't thought of yet, or reassurance that you're doing better than you think.
And so I end where I began at the top:
- Above all, let us remember and rejoice that ānothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lordā (Brief Statement of Faith; Rom. 8:38ā39).
Amen. So be it.
Blessings,
Bill
Rev. William A. Wildhack III
Stated Clerk and Manager of Communications
(813) 868-4800, opt. 2
My work---and this newsletter---is supported by per capita funds from congregations in the Presbytery of Tampa Bay, which also help unite all Presbyterians in sharing Godās love through mission and ministry. Thank you!
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COVID-19 information for planning and prayer
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Three days before we woke up to news in Tampa Bay on two weeks ago of the first confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the Tampa Bay area,
Presbytery Coach and Coordinator Patrice Hatley wrote to pastors, clerks of session, and session moderators inviting them to review the information below from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) and offering some practical suggestions and offers of assistance.
Patrice's letter started with this . . .
- I write to encourage all of you to take strong leadership in preparation of all our ministries to address the potential for spreading coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) into our communities of service. This can be a Kairos moment for us as Christians, during the holy season of Lent, an opportunity to model Christ-like behavior, and impact lives in significant ways. A time to release what holds us back. Be the church God desires us to be. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers.
ļ»æ. . . and ended with this:
- I hope you all will pay close attention to this and do the work of preparing now rather than later. This can have larger impact than even threats of hurricane damage. This is not a time to panic, but a time to prepare and to reach out to the most vulnerable. The need is pretty urgent. Lord, have mercy. Stay safe and well and keep in touch! And wash your hands. Often.
Since then, Patrice and the rest of the Presbytery staff have been in frequent conversation with church leaders across the Presbytery and the larger church, and led to additional emails addressed to pastors, moderators, and clerks of sessions in our Presbytery, and conversations at all levels about all sorts of things we could pass on to you.
SOME of that discussion is reflected below --- but there's too much for one eNews. Look for more to come soon.
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Online worship experiences in the Presbytery of Tampa Bay -- let us know about yours!
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On Sunday, March 15, "church" happened in a new way for many of our congregations . . .
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. . . while it was just another online service (
but with far fewer people in the room!) for some others. It was also encouraging to hear of some churches and pastors that couldn't (yet?) offer a worship experience online suggesting on their web or Facebook pages that members visit one of the ones that did.
Here's what we posted on Facebook and the web on Sunday morning. Please send your additions or corrections to
info@pbty.com
so we can keep updating and adding to this list
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Info on online worship opportunities in the Presbytery of Tampa Bay on Sunday, March 15 ā
Psalm 118:24 ā
This is the day that the Lord has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Avery & Marsh, 1972 ā
The church is not a building,
the church is not a steeple,
the church is not a resting place,
the church is a people
Today, many of our churches will be livestreaming worship experiences on their websites and/or Facebook pages rather than gather in person as they support public health efforts to increase social distancing and try to slow the spread of COVID-19 as we care not only for each other but also the least of these among us at the most risk.
Below are some of the churches in the Presbytery of Tampa Bay weāve heard from who will be offering worship experiences ā in a variety of formats ā online. Weāve listed them in the order theyāve told us theyāll be online this morning (and several of them will leave the videos posted for viewing later). If youāre at one of the churches in this Presbytery offering an online worship and donāt see your service listed below, please send an email to statedclerk@pbty.com for adding to later updates.
Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church (āJoin us online for worship at 8:30, 9, 11, and 6pm March 15ā ā also one recorded video posted online available now)
https://www.palmaceia.org
Maximo Presbyterian Church, 9:00 a.m.
https://www.facebook.com/MaximoPresbyterian/
First Presbyterian Chuch of Winter Haven, 9:15 and 11:00 a.m.
https://www.facebook.com/FPCWinterHaven/ and https://www.youtube.com/chaā¦/UC3MV5kN2y2eWBUEZbeBcyrA/videos
Forest Hills Presbyterian Church, 9:30 a.m.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDyow2C8gWcpId8H8PCe1Ug
Hope Presbyterian Church, Winter Haven, 9:30 a.m.
https://www.facebook.com/Hope-Presbyterian-Church-171730186214905/
First Presbyterian Church, Tampa, 10:00 a.m.
https://www.facebook.com/firstprestampa/
Hyde Park Presbyterian Church (āWith worship service canceled, you can hear a sermon on prayer. Watch and letās pray for each other.ā
https://youtu.be/v-FHmdUcCmk
Church on the Bayou (10:30 a.m.)
https://www.facebook.com/The-Church-on-the-Bayou-Presbyterian-Church-USA-386895604657441/
First Presbyterian Church of Dunedin, 10:30 a.m.
https://www.fpcdunedin.org/
First Presbyterian Church of Lakeland, 10:30 a.m.
https://www.facebook.com/fpclakeland/ and https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmUVW6hCkmBENsOwEsrJN3Qā¦
First Presbyterian Church, St. Petersburg, 11:00 a.m.
https://www.fpcstpete.com/ and https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYcYHUzgbUrt_w04s4Vb5_g
Lake Seminole Presbyterian Church (TBD)
https://www.facebook.com/Lake-Seminole-Presbyterian-Church-153974773682/
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Even if you already sent in your info another way, please send it again to
info@pbty.com
in as close to the format above as possible. Thank you!
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Coordinating Team Continues to Plan and Pray
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The Coordinating Team asks your prayers for it even as it and all its members continue to pray for you
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For those who might not know, the Coordinating Team (CT) is a standing administrative commission of the Presbytery of Tampa Bay that includes the Moderator of the Presbytery, Vice Moderator, the Chair of the Coordinating Team (usually the immediate past moderator), the elected chairs of the Commission on Ministry, the Commission on Preparation for Ministry and the Commission on Church Vitality, Board of Trustees, Committee on Nominations and Representation, the Presbytery Coach and Coordinator, the Stated Clerk, the Associate for Emerging Ministries, and the Treasurer.
The CT met using Zoom on Sunday evening to wrestle with some of the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The main reason for the meeting was to consider calling a special meeting of the presbytery for the purpose of acting on two proposed amendments to the Presbytery's bylaws in order to permit the Presbytery itself to conduct meetings electronically when appropriate and to specifically authorize the CT to act with the full powers of the presbytery In the event of an emergency or public health order forbidding social gatherings or requiring action before the presbytery is able to hold a duly called special meeting.
Unfortunately, when the bylaws were last updated, the kind of emergency we're facing today was not anticipated.
The bottom line is that in order for us to do presbytery-level work without an in-person meeting, we need to make these changes.
When CT met on Sunday, it concluded that it was necessary to call the meeting but that it might also need to be canceled if things changed.
Then, after hearing Monday morning of new CDC guidelines, followed later that day by the President's recommendations, CT decided not to call a special meeting this month.
CT continues to hope and pray that nothing arises that would ordinarily require a special meeting of the Presbytery of Tampa Bay before we can meet again as a presbytery.
If an emergency does arise before the presbytery is able to hold a duly called meeting, however, the CT will act in good faith and with great care to do what is necessary, and ask the Presbytery at its next meeting to ratify any emergency action taken.
Please address any questions or concerns about this to me at
statedclerk@pbty.com for forwarding to the Coordinating Team.
Blessings,
Bill
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You can read the Presbytery's policy on electronic meetings and actions between meetings
on lines 165-177 of the Presbytery's Bylaws by
clicking this link
. Those rules provide a good framework for a session to consider in adopting its own rules for such things. You can also find out more about the rules for meeting electronically rather than in person (and other Book of Order provisions that apply in a time like this) by downloading and reading the recent Advisory Opinion from the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly on "Church in an Emergency/Pandemic" by
clicking here
.
If you would like to review the proposed amendments to the bylaws mentioned above, send a note to statedclerk@pbty.com and I'll forward them to you.
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A word of prayer from the 223rd General Assembly co-moderators for these uncertain timesā¦
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A word of prayer from the 223rd General Assembly...
Eternal God, sustainer, provider, God of all wisdom and knowledge, Our spirits are weary, our faith quivers, our minds get clouded by news of sickness and death. You know our thoughts before we express them, even the fears we dismiss, you know...
Read more
pres-outlook.org
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Presbyterian Disaster Assistance pandemic preparedness guide
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From Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA):
As the media generates interest in the current outbreak of Coronavirus, presbyteries and congregations have an opportunity for a āteachable momentā
about how to prepare for and respond to widespread contagious diseases. As you begin to plan, two items to address are what can/should be done NOW, and what may be necessary LATER.
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Presbyterian Disaster Assistance releases pandemic...
By Mari Graham Evans| Presbyterian News Service LOUISVILLE - In light of the global outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, more commonly known as the coronavirus, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) has released a " Preparedness for Pandemics " guide ...
Read more
www.presbyterianmission.org
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PC(USA) Office of Theology and Worship issues Pastoral Statement on Coronavirus/COVID-19
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Coronavirus: Faith not fear | Presbyterian Mission Agency
by Tammy Warren | Presbyterian News Service LOUISVILLE - Many people worldwide have questions about Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), first detected in China and now in more than 60 locations internationally, including the United States.
Read more
www.presbyterianmission.org
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Remember: 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, please click through that link to see the rest of the eNews!
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A Call to Prayer from the Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
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A Call to Prayer from the Stated Clerk of the...
As the novel coronavirus has captured the headlines in recent weeks, misinformation, conspiracy theories, and fear of the unknown have raised anxiety and caused widespread apprehension. Financial markets have wobbled and people of Asian descent...
Read more
www.pcusa.org
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COVID-19 resources for churches and individuals
In response to increased anxieties and concerns around the global outbreak of COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and its ministries have compiled a series of resources for pastors, congregational leaders and ...
Read more
www.pcusa.org
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CDC's main COVID-19 website . . .
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a virus (more specifically, a coronavirus) identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China.
Read more
www.cdc.gov
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. . . and CDC's page for Schools, Workplaces & Community Locations (that's us, church!)
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) - Preventing...
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) - Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities
Read more
www.cdc.gov
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And two articles that may be helpful in a different way
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What Now When We Can't Meet? Putting the Mission into...
Start by mobilizing your church to meet small and serve big! The new CDC guidelines came out last night. They recommend no gatherings "of 50 people or more throughout the United States" for the next eight weeks. What now?
Read more
www.christianitytoday.com
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10 guidelines for pastoral care during the coronavirus...
Officials are arguing over whether the novel coronavirus has reached the level of pandemic, as outbreaks continue to spread globally. Meanwhile, religious leaders still must care for people-many of whom are feeling a rise in anxiety verging on...
Read more
www.christiancentury.org
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Presbyterian Foundation Online Giving Program
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Offering more than the offering plate
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Your church can easily accept secure online donations through the Foundationās online giving system.
- Add a donation form to your website to accept gifts by electronic funds transfer, debit or credit card.
- Simple, safe and secure.
- No setup or maintenance fees.
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The 224th General Assembly (2020)
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The 180 Days of Prayer may become 210 or more.
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The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) requires that a general assembly be held during this calendar year, but it doesn't say when. The Stated Clerk of the General Assembly is having ongoing discussions regarding when and how the Assembly will meet.
In the meantime, we
invite you to continue to prayer for our commissioners and young adult advisory delegate, their counterparts from other presbyteries, and the mission advisory delegates and ecumenical advisory delegates who will join them from around the world --- whenever the meeting happens
Our commissioners and young adult advisory delegate (and their alternates) are:
- Ministers of Word and Sacrament: Laurie Palmer (St. Andrew, New Tampa), Andy Walton (Trinity, Clearwater), and Alternate: Neddy Astudillo (GreenFaith)
- Ruling Elders: Kitty Rawson (Lakeview, St. Petersburg), Sally Speer (Palma Ceia, Tampa), and Alternate: Marsha Rydberg (Palma Ceia, Tampa)
- Young Adult Advisory Delegate: Hadley Owen (First, Winter Haven), Alternate: Hannah Rose Wanless (First, St. Petersburg)
You can join in prayer with others across the PC(USA) by visiting
ga-pcusa.org/180-days-of-prayer/
. The first prayer was added there on December 23, 2019 --- 180 days before the scheduled date for the meeting. At the bottom of that page, you can sign up for a daily email with the prayer for that day.
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March Newsletter from Presbyterian Women
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Glad Tidings, the monthly newsletter for Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery of Tampa Bay is here!
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Click here or on the image for more. Inside, you'll find a picture of just some of the women who attended the local Annual Gathering held in February at Peace Memorial, thoughts on early planning for the 2021 Churchwide Gathering in St. Louis, and this unexpected Q&A:
Did you know the Synod of South Atlantic is the top synod for total giving to Presbyterian Women and the Birthday Offering? Nice job, Synod PW!
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It's time for the One Great Hour of Sharing
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For over 70 years, One Great Hour of Sharing has provided Presbyterians a way to share Godās love with our neighbors in need around the world.
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Received during the season of Lent (that's February 26-April 12 this year)
,
One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS)
is the single, largest way that Presbyterians come together every year to build Godās household and welcome our neighbors-in need around the world by providing relief from natural disasters, food for the hungry, and support for the poor and oppressed. Each gift to OGHS helps to improve the lives of people in challenging situations through three impactful programs:
PRESBYTERIAN DISASTER ASSISTANCE
- Works alongside communities as they recover and find hope after the devastation of natural or human-caused disasters
PRESBYTERIAN HUNGER PROGRAM
- Takes action to alleviate hunger and the systemic causes of poverty so all may be fed
SELF-DEVELOPMENT OF PEOPLE
- Invests in communities responding to their experiences of racism, oppression, poverty and injustice and educates Presbyterians about the impact of these societal ills
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Cedarkirk exists to provide faith-building experiences that are transformative and community-focused. We provide a place apart where all of God's children can nurture their spirits in a natural environment focused on relationship formation in a beautiful, natural setting.To see a complete list of our programs,click
here
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Cedarkirk is seeking its next Executive Director!
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Who Weāre Looking For:
Our next Executive Director is a person who has the savvy to navigate two particular worlds ā the one of camp ministry and the one of business matters. How comfortable are you moving from the campfire circle to a boardroom table? We envision a person can both spend the day with campers and counselors (leading songs and hip pocket games, tying on a carabiner, offering a blessing for a meal, mentoring a young adult) AND then attend a worship with a local congregation on a Sunday morning at which you are called upon to offer a clear and concise minute for mission and then take a potential donor out to lunch and ask for a gift to the annual fund. Above all, this person is a collaborator ā one that knows how to ask for help when needed and can work with the talents of others that have been called to this ministry.
If this sounds like a good fit for you---
OR for someone you know---take a look at the materials below to find out more about the position and how to apply!
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As you pray for the continuing witness of our churches --- and so much more --- today, please also pray for Cedarkirk and all of our church-related camp and conference centers. Visit
https://cedarkirk.org/
or call (813) 685-4224 for updates on all of its programs.
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BULLETIN BLIP
ļ»æ
Do you love learning about the amazing animals that inhabit our world? At Cedarkirkās Amazing Animals camp youāll learn awesome facts about local creatures through a variety of creative activities. You will also get to spend a day at Zoo Tampa seeing some animals up close! We canāt wait to see you this summer! For more information and online registration, visit
www.cedarkirk.org
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NEWSLETTER ARTICLE
ļ»æSUMMER CAMP CHANGES LIVES!
Are you looking for a summer program for your child that will provide him or her with opportunities for spiritual, physical, and social growth?
Cedarkirk offers small-group, residential camp programs that allow children and youth to explore, learn, and just be themselves. Besides being fun, summer camps help kids: improve confidence and self-esteem; learn new skills; improve critical thinking and decision-making abilities; experience the wonder of the natural world; learn to live and work as part of a community; and connect with God in a place where earnest discussions and honest dialogue allow them to make their faith their own. Send your camper to Cedarkirk this summer to discover how a single summer can last a lifetime!
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Cedarkirk Capital Campaign Continues
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Capital Campaign
Cedarkirk's Capital Campaign Setting a place for all. Sharing meals is a fundamental means of caring for and including one another in fellowship and in the formation of community. The table is often at the heart of our giving thanks and is a...
Read more
cedarkirk.org
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Info from other organizations
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Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network also has a newsletter . . .
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Our nation has many strong points but it also has several weaknesses. Sometimes these lead to people being marginalized. God is with us always. This is easy to know when life is good, but not so easy to recognize when challenges beset us. As Children of God our proper response is to reach out to others when life comes down on them hard. At times, each of us feels utterly powerless to be of any help. However, even in those situations, simply being with someone and listening to them is a blessing to both of us.
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Stewardship Kaleidoscope 2020
We have over 40 amazing workshops planned for 2020 with learning content that covers stewardship, legacy, community building and more!
Read more
stewardshipkaleidoscope.org
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The Fellowship Community
Dear Friends, We pray you are safe and in good health. On March 16, The Fellowship Community board members gathered on a conference call to pray and discern the best way forward regarding our National Gathering. We agreed unanimously - because...
Read more
www.fellowship.community
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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 Presbyterian Church of Seffner is seeking a part-time youth leader to walk with our youth during this part of their faith journey.
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ļ»æFirst Presbyterian Church of St. Petersburg has several openings, including
(as of this writing):
- Associate Pastor (full-time)
- General Office Admin (full-time)
- Receptionist/General Office Admin (part-time)
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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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And visit us on Facebook, too!
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Thanks for reading all the way to the end! -- Bill
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