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Matthew 25 isn't a "program" . . . |
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. . . but a message from Jesus that transcends time. |
In a workshop earlier today, I heard several encouraging words from Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett, president & executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, and colleagues in other presbyteries about the words in Matthew 25.
One thing that stood out in those conversations is the reality that the three parables in Matthew 25 that gave rise to the original overture from Cascades Presbytery resulting in Matthew 25 in the PC(USA): A bold vision and invitation are a call to us from Jesus that both predate and will last long after our moment and age in human history. And, it is that scriptural grounding that led to both the 222nd and 223rd General Assemblies (2016 and 2018) calling on all of our churches and councils to act boldly and compassionately to serve people who are hungry, oppressed, imprisoned, or poor.
So, I invite you to consider clicking through to re-read and spend some time with the challenges in all of Matthew 25, and then scroll back up to the Matthew 25 box at the top of this newsletter and consider the continuing call to serve "the least of these" wherever we might meet them, what they look like, or where they're from. + + +
NOTE: Not long after I wrote the paragraphs above, I got a note with a link to a Presbyterian News Service story published yesterday asking, Where do ‘the least of these’ go unseen in the educational system? It's about an upcoming (Wednesday, October 20) online event that's an opportunity for attendees to connect with church leaders around the issue of education in the light of the denomination’s commitment to Matthew 25. Check it out!
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Meanwhile, it's been a busy week back at my desk after two weeks on the road, and my inbox had filled up with items waiting for me as stated clerk AND for me as the "eNews guy." Because of that, there's a lot here, so:
- instead of listing teasers for all of them here
- mostly, I'm going to let you scroll down and see what you find.
- BUT, please don't miss the Bazaar at Forest Hills this Saturday (Oct 16)
This issue --- as the last several issues have --- also includes a few updated or new job openings from churches and ministries all the way at the end.
Blessings,
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Rev. William A. Wildhack III
Stated Clerk and Manager of Communications
(813) 868-4800, opt. 2
P.P.S. Thanks for all the well wishes for the new chapters in the ministries of Rev. Jocelyn Wildhack at Ferncliff in Little Rock, Arkansas and Rev. Evan Wildhack at First UP Church in Corfu, NY!
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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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Are you interested in serving as a commissioner to the 225th General Assembly in 2022? |
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The Committee on Nominations and Representation would love to hear from potential Commissioners and Yount Adult Advisory Delegates! |
The 225th General Assembly will include onsite committee meetings in Louisville, KY, for 3-4 days between June 17 and July 2, and online plenary sessions from wherever you are on June 18 and July 5-9.
The Committee on Nominations and Representation has extended the application deadline to October 18; but don't let that stop you from asking about this. Commissioners will be elected at the December meeting of the Presbytery.
Click below to learn more about the 225th General Assembly as you consider applying!
Have questions about GA? Send a note to info@pbty.com and we'll connect you with someone who can help you out!
****If you know of a minister, ruling elder, or young adult you think should apply, please forward this info to them along with your encouragement!****
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225th General Assembly (2022)
Welcome to the 225th General Assembly (2022) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Read more
ga-pcusa.org
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Huston "Jack" Banton II
September 14, 1934 - March 14, 2021
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We notified you of Jack's death back in March, but the family was not able to gather or invite others to join them in remembering Jack at the time. Last week, we got this note from Ella:
A memorial service for Chaplain Jack Banton will be in Chapel in the Florida Presbyterian Homes on Friday, October 22 at 1 30 pm. Masks will be required. Enter at 901 S Lakeside Ave, Lakeland. Parking will be available across the street. Light refreshments after the service.
My family and I invite you who know Jack,
Ella Banton
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Betsy Keen
died January 15, 2021
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Nicole Scott, Office Administrator at First, Auburndale, send ut this note the other day:
We will have a Celebration of Life for our dear sister, Betsy Keen on Saturday, October 30 at 1 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Auburndale. Betsy, wife to the honorably retired Rev. Don Keen, passed away on January 15th. She is so missed. A reception will follow immediately after the service. We keep Don and their family in our prayers.
Church address is 410 Pilaklakaha Avenue, Auburndale FL. Phone 863-967-1010
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REvangelism: 8 Habits of Evangelism |
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Online Conference, November 1-3 |
The REvangelism Conference is designed to take you on a deeper journey into faith: into the lives of others, into justice, hope, and the wonder of God. Together we will practice habits of Evangelism that will engage us in the gospel of good news — God’s justice and reconciliation for the world.
At REvangelism you will interact with the wise, diverse voices in the church who contributed to the 8-Habits of Evangelism resource. As you work through each habit together, you will experience the goodness and richness of Christ’s body and the Holy Spirit transforming you, and the world around you.
For more information and registration, visit REvangelism | Montreat Conference Center. Montreat is hosting the program in partnership with Theology, Formation & Evangelism ministries in the Presbyterian Mission Agency |
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UPDATED Resources for the Year of Leader Formation |
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The October issue of Regarding Ruling Elders has been posted online and is the tenth in a special formation series that will run throughout 2021,
the Year of Leader Formation.
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Coming Alive in Christ: Training for PC(USA) Ruling Elders and Deacons based on the Constitutional Questions |
W-4.0404 of the Book of Order provides us with the constitutional questions asked of leaders within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) when they are ordained, installed, and commissioned. Coming Alive in Christ: Training for PC(USA) Ruling Elders and Deacons based on the Constitutional Questions provides a study of these beliefs that are central to our lives of faith and in our community with each other.
The free resource is provided through Equip, the church's online training site. In addition to the questions for reflection/discussion for self-study within the resource material, Leader Guides for group study are available as well.
Click here for a description of the course. To access the course, click on the "Continue" button at the bottom of the description and choose the "Log in as a guest" button on the login screen --- or create a personal account if you'd prefer!
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Served or serving in Christian Education or Christian Formation? |
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The Office of the General Assembly (OGA) wants to hear from all who are currently serving, have served, or have retired from service in the field of Christian education or Christian formation. The OGA has partnered with Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Research Services to create a brief questionnaire to gather this information. The questionnaire should take about five minutes to complete. |
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Brief questionnaire seeks information from church...
“We hope to learn more about our colleagues who serve the church in ministries of Christian education and formation,” says Martha Miller, the OGA’s Manager for Ministry Education and Support.
Read more
www.presbyterianmission.org
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Forest Hills Holiday Bazaar, Saturday, Oct. 16 |
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Sorry for the late notice; got word of this AFTER the last eNews, but just in case you see this before it's over on the 16th . . . |
Three volunteer groups from the Forest Hills Presbyterian Church have come together to create unique home decorating items for the 22nd annual Holiday Bazaar from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“We have three groups – crafters, furniture refinishers and a garden group – that work for months creating the items,” said Jennifer Gregory, the church’s craft coordinator. “There is a lot of cooperation between the groups with items created by one group, painted by another and plants grown by the third.”
Funds raised through the bazaar are returned to the community with grants to local non-profit organizations, said Pastor Claudia Henderson. “We also present to some local groups for their mission work in other countries,” Henderson said.
Need a Christmas tree? They also lots of them – artificial ones -- in their winter-themed “Tree Lot,” as part of the church’s annual Holiday Bazaar. The “Tree Lot,” with a winter theme, also will offer burlap bags of firewood from two large oak trees that fell, and volunteers cut into usable pieces, said Jennifer Gregory, the church’s craft coordinator who oversees months of preparations for the event.
“Throughout the year we have received an unusually large number of artificial Christmas tree donations, all sizes and all in great condition,” Gregory said. “They will be set up in an area that will resemble a Christmas tree lot.”
The trees (about 20) will sell for $30 or less, she said, with firewood $7 a bag.
NOTE: Florida Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Network (FAPDAN) is one of the many organizations that benefit from this annual event.
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Upcoming Church Anniversary Celebrations |
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St. Andrew, Sun City Center celebrates 50 years on October 24 |
Edwin Gonzalez-Gertz sent along an invitation to the October Celebration. As you can see on the flyer, the celebration includes:
- Church service at 10:30
- Outdoor concert at 11:30
- Grilled Picnic Luncheon
For more info, contact the church office at (813) 634-1252 or visit their website at Andy.Church.
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First Presbyterian Church of Dunedin celebrates it's Sesquicentenial |
From the church:
This year is the 150th anniversary of First Presbyterian Church of Dunedin, and we want everyone to commemorate this marvelous achievement, which would never have been possible without God’s help many years ago. As we have done in the past, we trust in God’s goodness to lead us forward for many years to come.
Please mark your calendars for our celebration events on October 31, November 7, and November 14.
Click here (or on the flyer) for more of the details for the events on those date and how to sign-up.
First Presbyterian Church of Dunedin
455 Scotland Street
Dunedin, Fl 34698
727-733-2318
www.fpcdunedin.org
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PEACE MEMORIAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, CLEARWATER |
PIPE ORGAN CONCERT
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24 at 3 PM
Join us for a special recital presented by Peace Memorial’s fine Music Director/Organist Timothy Belk. Featured works include selections by Be´dard, Franck, Guilmant, Vierne and more and you will learn about a new project to support the upkeep of Peace’s magnificent Cassavant pipe organ. Seating is first come, first served. No tickets needed but an offering will be taken ($5-$10 minimum suggested). Doors open no earlier than 2:30. Please avoid congregating at entries.
Peace Memorial Presbyterian Church (the pink church downtown) 110 S. Ft. Harrison Ave., Clearwater (corner of Pierce and Ft. Harrison).
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, ST. PETERSBURG |
AFTER SILENCE
Saturday, October 30, 2021 at 7:00 PM
Our headliner performance of this year’s concert series features London-based international choral sensations VOCES8 singing “After Silence.” The choral works in this program are exalted, vital, and are distinguishable by their inexhaustible capacity to express the inexpressible. This is a non-ticketed event, meaning that seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors will open at 6:00 PM. A free-will offering will be taken for First Presbyterian Church Concert Series. This fund allows us to offer events like this one in the future.
First Presbyterian Church, 701 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-2618
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Treasures on the Bayou -- at The Church on the Bayou in Tarpon Springs, Nov. 6 |
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Bake Sale, Hand-crafted Quilts, Arts, Books, Collectibles, and more! |
Come in and see what kind of treasures you may find at The Church on the Bayou (PCUSA)’s annual Treasures on the Bayou sale.
The sale will be held on Saturday, November 6, 2021, from 8am-3pm at 409 Whitcomb Blvd., Tarpon Springs.
Churhc on the Bayou has large, easily accessible parking and handicap accessible. For more information please contact 727-937-3795.
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If the eNews seems to end all of a sudden in the middle of something, look for "[Message clipped] View entire message" just below where it ends on your screen -- and click on that link (not the sample in this block) for the rest of the news!
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We're happy to share openings among our member churches and ministries (and occasionally beyond). Send information about openings to info@pbty.com with "eNews - employment opportunity" in the subject line --- and be sure to let us know if/when you fill the position! |
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Village Presbyterian Church in Tampa, Florida is seeking a new Pastor to lead the church and its congregation in fulfilling its mission to Continue Christ's Work in the World.
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Trinity Clearwater Presbyterian in Clearwater, Florida, is seeking a Co-Pastor to serve with our current Pastor to provide leadership together in all areas of the church, with an emphasis on worship, missional and strategic planning, discipleship and faith formation, church administration, and overall staff supervision.
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TAMPA
Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church is looking for:
- Program Administrative Assistant
- Young Children and Families Coordinator
- Nursery Teacher
- Assistant Program Director with Children's Ministry
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CLEARWATER
Thornwell is seeking a Family Specialist for its Building Families Program
(LCSW, LMHC, LMFT Preferred)
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PINELLAS PARK
Good Samaritan Church (UCC/PCUSA) seeks Music Director
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TAMPA
St. John Presbyterian Church seeks a new backup musician
From the church:
St. John Presbyterian Church in Tampa has filled the advertised position for an organist/pianist to play for our services. We could use a back-up person as our new hire is going to be absent on some agreed-upon dates.
Payment is $80 per service. Our church office telephone number is 813-872-0333.
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**UPDATED**
CLEARWATER
Northwood Presbyterian Church is looking for a Director of Children's Ministry
As this issue of the eNews was getting ready to launch a little after 3pm on Friday, Oct 15, Northwood listed the following open positions:
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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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Have you found, "liked," and "followed" the Presbytery of Tampa Bay on Facebook yet? 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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Our next regular issue of the eNews should come out the week of October 24. Send me ideas before then, please!
Thanks for reading all the way to the end! -- Bill
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