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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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Our first ONLINE Presbytery meeting starts at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 27 |
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Here are some not-quite last minute reminders and updates on the meeting . . . |
At 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 27, the Presbytery of Tampa Bay will be holding a meeting online using Zoom video conferencing for participants.
We're also working hard on making sure the business is finished by 12:30 p.m.
All ministers, ruling elder commissioners, and corresponding members from other presbyteries should already be registered for the Zoom meeting (and pastors and clerks should have already reported the names and email addresses of your ruling elder commissioners to office@pbty.com).
- If you expect to participate in the meeting (not just observe) and have not registered in Zoom yet, please contact me ASAP at statedclerk@pbty.com or (813) 868-4800, opt. 2.
Are you ready for the meeting?
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Download the full packet for almost everything you need to know about the meeting!
- Or take a look at the Docket to get an idea of all of what's in the full packet.
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Download the the worship flyer by itself and print if off so you can follow along and focus on the service without having to look at another screen
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There's still time for participants to attend an online orientation for our meeting. This is particularly important for first-time participants and also for anyone who wants a little more practice at Zoom. There are two sessions planned for Friday, August 21, and two more on Monday, August 24. Click here for the schedule and to sign up.
Keep scrolling past the packet below for more on:
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The Leadership Forum with Elder Elona Street-Stewart, Co-moderator of the 224th General Assembly (2020), and Rev. Margaret Grun Kibben, former Chief of Chaplains of the Navy, 2:00-3:30 p.m., Thursday, August 27 (after the meeting)
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How you can participate in our offering before. during, and/or after worship next week for the Native American Church Property Fund,
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Updates from the Commission on Church Vitality and about our new COVID-19 webpage,
Blessings,
Bill
Rev. William A. Wildhack III
Stated Clerk and Manager of Communications
(813) 868-4800, opt. 2
P.S. for those who may be using Zoom for upcoming congregational meetings:
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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 God’s love through mission and ministry. Thank you!
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Here's the packet for the Presbytery meeting |
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The full packet includes the welcome letter, the docket, and all reports and enclosures for the meeting. Few will want or need to print out the entire packet (it's 82 pages long this time, but all participants should have it available for viewing on their computer or another device throughout the meeting.
PASTORS/MODERATORS AND CLERKS OF SESSIONS: Please be sure to get this to your Ruling Elder Commissioners! Not all of them subscribe to the eNews! They'll get a link to it later as a double-check, but please help us get this to them sooner. Thank you!
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Not ready for the full packet but want a better idea of what's inside? Here are three key pieces |
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Welcome letter from Moderator Jonathan Owen and Stated Clerk Bill Wildhack |
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Want to look over the docket before downloading the whole packet? It's right here! |
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The worship bulletin is here as a standalone that you can print if off separately for use during worship. |
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Special Leadership Forum following the Presbytery meeting |
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Join us for a Leadership Forum with Elder Elona Street-Stewart, Co-moderator of the 224th General Assembly (2020), and Rev. Margaret Grun Kibben, former Chief of Chaplains of the Navy, 2:00-3:30 p.m., Thursday, August 27 |
Our morning guest speakers, Elder Elona Street-Stewart and Rev. Margaret Grun Kibben have agreed to come back in the afternoon following the meeting for a Leadership Forum You can read more about them in their bios excerpted here from the packet.
The Leadership Forum will be 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 27. This gathering is open to all leaders in the Presbytery of Tampa Bay, whether you attended the morning meeting or not.
Participation in the Leadership Forum requires a separate online registration. Please click here to register for this chance to learn more from these great leaders!
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Our offering on Thursday is designated for the Native American Church Property Fund |
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And you can contribute to that offering right now without waiting until Thursday! |
The Native American Church Property Fund was established by the Presbyterian Foundation in 2019 as directed by the 223rd General Assembly (2018). The fund was created as a response to overtures which lifted up the plight of 92 Native American congregations, many of which are on tribal lands. The 224th General Assembly (2020) further urged Presbyteries to contribute to this fund in order to support urgent and immediate repairs.
The Presbytery of Tampa Bay Coordinating Team agreed with a proposal from our General Assembly Commissioners and Young Adult Advisory Delegate that the offering received today be directed as a response to that call to action. Here’s how to contribute:
- Text-to-donate through FPC, Lakeland (before Monday 8/31/20) by texting natamchurchfund to 50155 (shortcode 50155 natamchurchfund)
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Click here to give online through FPC, Lakeland for this special offering. Scroll down at the link to select “Presbytery of Tampa Bay Special Offering for Stated Meeting on August 27
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Mail a check payable to Presbytery of Tampa Bay to the office at 455 Scotland St, Ste. 1, Dunedin, FL 34698. Be sure to write Aug 27 Presbytery Offering on the memo line and/or include a note telling us what the check is for so we’ll be sure to direct it properly.
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Becoming a Matthew 25 Presbytery |
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On June 11, as so much of the country was reeling from the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery (2/23), Breonna Taylor (3/13), George Floyd (5/25), and others . . . |
. . . and protests flowing from those deaths were continuing, the Commission on Ministry voted to "request and strongly encourage the Coordinating Team to ensure that the Presbytery of Tampa Bay address the subject of racism as soon as possible."
The Presbytery of Tampa Bay commits itself to being a Matthew 25 Presbytery, putting intentional effort into each of the three focuses of the Matthew 25 Invitation:
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Building congregational vitality by challenging congregations and their members to deepen and energize their faith and grow as joyful leaders and disciples actively engaged with their community, seeing new disciples engaged in ministry and longstanding believers develop in faith as the gospel of Jesus Christ is shared in word and deed.
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Dismantling structural racism by fearlessly applying our faith to advocate and break down the systems, practices and thinking that underlie discrimination, bias, prejudice and oppression of people of color.
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Eradicating systemic poverty by acting on our beliefs and working to change laws, policies, plans and structures in our society that perpetuate economic exploitation of people who are poor.
CT noted that we've been doing pretty well on the first of those three focus areas as a Presbytery, and that several of our churches and ministries --- and many individual members --- have done a lot in the other two, but we can all do better with intentional attention to the second and third areas..
Did you know that, among others, PTB Vice Moderator Bobby Musengwa and Associate Presbyter Libby Shannon were commissioners to the 222nd General Assembly (2016) that approved "Matthew 25 in the PC(USA): A bold vision and invitation"?
FYI: The Presbyterian News Service reported last week that "565 churches, groups and worshiping communities have accepted the [Matthew 25] invitation, which was [first] extended April 1, 2019. In addition, 42 mid councils — representing 6,070 congregations — have agreed to take on one or more of the invitation’s three focus areas."
Please note that the Commission on Church Vitality is making grants available for congregations to purchase start-up resources as they consider becoming Matthew 25 congregations. Reach out to CCV Chair Andy Walton at andy.trinityclearwater@gmail.com or Assoc. Presbyter Libby Shannon at libby@pbty.com for more info.
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Update from Commission on Church Vitality |
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CCV has been busy supporting ministries across the Presbytery |
In the earliest days of the pandemic the Commission on Church Vitality made the decision to generously and freely support the ministries and missions of the Presbytery of Tampa Bay as the world stopped and turned in a different direction through pre-approved grants.
Since early April these Covid Relief Grants have supported 40 different congregations and ministries of the Presbytery. Congregations have supported their pastors and other staff; they have not fallen behind on their expenses; expanded their food pantries; increased their support of outreach to homeless folks; upgraded their technology to better enable virtual community; purchased supplies for sanitizing the church; supported a tutoring program geared toward refugee children; and shown the love of God across Tampa Bay.
The CCV has been honored to walk alongside ministries and congregations from every corner of the Presbytery and to that end has extended this season of Covid relief grants till the end of September and increased the amount each ministry is eligible to receive up to $30,000 in monthly increments of up to $5,000 --- and must be reapplied for monthly.
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We have a new webpage with links to COVID-19 resources we've mentioned here |
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Ministry Connections Consultant John Reiter went back over issues of the eNews since mid-March and put together a webpage to help our congregations and ministries find in one place many of the things we've mentioned here and on our Facebook page.
We also post updates from time to time on our Facebook page -- and you don't even need a Facebook account to view it (though Facebook will nag you to create one, it's not necessary to see our posts).
When your church or ministry changes --- or If it has already changed --- your in-person and online worship and other plans, please send a note to info@pbty.com so we can update our list of online worship opportunities on the Presbytery's webpage and on Facebook.
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5pm update on Thursday, 8/20, from the National Hurricane Center suggests we pay attention |
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As I type this, Tropical Depression 13 has officially formed . . . |
This graphic is from the 5pm update on Thursday, 8/20. The key messages say that the track and forecast " are more uncertain than usual" but that we could be affected early next week.
Kathy Broyard, FLAPDAN Executive Director & Emergency Management Specialist wrote recently to be sure we all knew that the seasonal forecast from CSU has increased and now calls for an extremely active 2020 Atlantic hurricane season: 24 named storms (that includes the 9 that have already come and gone), 12 hurricanes (including 2 that have already formed) & 5 major (Cat 3+) hurricanes.
Look for more in a future eNews and on our Facebook about signing up for FLAPDAN's new **Commuter** Volunteer Team program in this time of pandemic. PDA does not expect to be able to field traveling national response teams and will be looking for more local support for immediate response and recovery.
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Hurricane Preparedness During a Pandemic |
From the link: Preparing for a hurricane can be a stressful time in any year. But add to that the pandemic environment we are currently in and stress can go through the roof! As we try to keep our roofs intact (both literally and figuratively) let’s look at some of the ways the pandemic will make this hurricane season more challenging and what we can do now to prepare.
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Your browser may not automatically show you the whole newsletter.
If the eNews seems to end abruptly, look for something like this right below that:
[Message clipped] View entire message
If you see that in a browser, please scroll back to the top and click on "Click here view this email as a Webpage."
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In other news from the PC(USA) |
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Bearing witness: Presbyterians to host Week of Action |
With the recent action by the 224th General Assembly (2020) described above in mind, the Presbyterian Mission Agency (PMA), the Office of General Assembly (OGA) and the Administrative Services Group (ASG) are working together to host a Week of Action with the following background and purpose published on the web earlier this month
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“To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.” — Proverbs 21:3
“God sends the Church to work for justice in the world: exercising its power for the common good; dealing honestly in personal and public spheres; seeking dignity and freedom for all people…” — Book of Order, W-5.0304
It is abundantly clear through the gospel narrative and the greater witness of the Bible, that God has called us, as people of faith, to seek justice for those most marginalized in our world. As a Matthew 25 denomination, it is the vision of our church to eradicate white supremacy and dismantle institutionalized racism. Furthermore, in an effort to do the “hands & feet” work the Lord ordains, we must act and bear witness to the gospel in these crucial times.
The PC(USA) staff expressed a deep yearning to be more engaged in responding to the murders of Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and countless others who died at the hands of the police and racism. From this need has come the “Bearing Witness” working group which has participation from the Presbyterian Mission Agency, Office of the General Assembly, Administrative Services Group and Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. From this group a number of strategies are being formulated to provide advocacy campaigns, education initiatives and opportunities to join with community efforts organized by the Movement for Black Lives, Louisville Showing Up for Racial Justice, the Bail Project and other grassroots groups.
As a centerpiece of this movement, we will host a Presbyterian Week of Action. This endeavor is structured to provide a public witness that facilitates education, visibility, and action that reinforces our PC(USA) statements and policy around the support of eradicating racism and acknowledging that God loves all Black lives. By joining together as national staff and the greater church, we hope to provide faithful leadership in the area of justice, love, and equality within our denomination and communities.
Read more about the Presbyterian Week of action by clicking here and on the link below to a recent Presbyterian News Service story about it.
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Bearing witness: Presbyterians to host Week of Action
by Darla Carter | Presbyterian News Service LOUISVILLE - As the country continues to reckon with its history of racism and oppression of Black and brown people and take steps toward healing, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is planning to host a...
Read more
www.presbyterianmission.org
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Latest newsletter: Your Worship Is Within God's People
You can feel it, when the Spirit moves. One morning I was lured into the food pantry by the familiar sound of an alabanza* my soul knows very well. "Milagroso, abres camino, cumples promesas, luz en tinieblas. Mi Dios asi eres tu." "Way maker,...
Read more
us11.campaign-archive.com
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Back-to-School: Preparing for the New Normal |
We do not know what the fall will look like for our children and youth. Whatever may come, whether it is distance learning or traditional classroom work, we want to prepare our children and youth for a successful academic year. You can make a difference by providing the tools and supplies they need to start their school year with optimism and hope!
To see the full School Supplies Needs List, just click here or on the image!
You can drop off school supplies --- or order from Amazon and have your donation delivered directly to Beth-El by clicking here!
From the Amazon link:
"Help Beth-El Farmworker Ministry collect school supplies! It's as simple as clicking and purchasing - AMAZON will ship your items directly to the mission (select Beth-El/Teresita in Wimauma). Consider the gift of at least one backpack (sturdy and good quality please) and a few school supplies to fill it. This is an easy way for the congregations of Peace River Presbytery to help support Beth-El... from a distance!"
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Online education opportunities |
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Lombard Mennonite Peace Center courses online |
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Registration is now open for both sessions of Mediation Skills Training Institute scheduled for this fall: October 5-9 and November 16-20, 2020.
This event is designed for clergy and other church leaders seeking to learn skills that will help them deal more effectively with interpersonal, congregational, and other forms of group conflict. Registrants will attend remotely, and will need a device with both a camera and microphone in order to participate fully.
In addition to this 5-day event, the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center is offering a variety of 90-minute webinars designed to help people cope with the unique challenges that arise from the current pandemic. Discounts of up to $200 are available! For more information, please consult this MSTI Brochure or this LMPC Events Calendar.
Learn more about the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center and all their programs on their website. Questions? Call the LMPC office at 630-627-0507, or email Admin@LMPeaceCenter.org.
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Two upcoming ONLINE Events hosted by Montreat |
August 28–30, 2020
What’s Essential: Discerning the Church’s Work Amid the Twin Pandemics of Structural Racism & COVID-19
Whether you are a church leader, church member, teacher, administrator, civil employee, non-profit professional, or frequent volunteer, this training will equip you to disrupt and dismantle systematic racism.
- Program in partnership with Crossroads Antiracism Organizing and Training
October 12–14, 2020
This three-day virtual event will be designed for church leaders and congregational members to reconsider what effective evangelism might look like in their particular neighborhoods and communities. We will intentionally seek the wisdom of 1,001 New Worshiping Communities as well as congregations working in the Vital Congregations initiative as we create an interactive platform for sharing the practices and lifestyles, individual and corporate, that allow people to effectively share the good news.
- Program in partnership with Theology, Formation & Evangelism ministries in the Presbyterian Mission Agency
Click on the topic titles for more information on each event and visit Montreat's full Program and Events Calendar for more in 2020 and 2021!
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Other events and resources |
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Stewardship Kaleidoscope - Real Tools for Real Ministry
Stewardship Kaleidoscope is an annual conference offering excellent plenary speakers, informative workshop leaders, provocative worship experiences, and incredible networking opportunities for all who are passionate about stewardship and...
Read more
stewardshipkaleidoscope.org
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Have you found, "liked," and "followed" the Presbytery of Tampa Bay on Facebook yet? We post informational, inspirational, and sometimes thought-provoking items there fairly often --- and offer a Small Church Network Facebook Group linked from that page. Click the button below to visit our Facebook page and be sure to click on "like" or "follow" to be notified of updates! |
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Remember, there's always something new to see on our Facebook page and more at the Presbytery of Tampa Bay website. Click the buttons below to start exploring! |
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Our next regular issue of the eNews should come out during the week after the Presbytery meeting , so please send input and ideas to me before by August 28, please!
Thanks for reading all the way to the end! -- Bill
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