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There's more in this eNews, including details on our upcoming Presbytery meeting at Cedarkirk, but first:
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An invitation to observe a Holy Lent |
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The forty days (not counting Sundays) of Lent leading up to Easter began yesterday on Ash Wednesday |
I started writing this on Ash Wednesday as ministers and members were preparing to observe the start of Lent either during the day or evening. And while war in Ukraine continued. Last night, I attended the Ash Wednesday evening service at First Presbyterian Church in St. Petersburg that turned out to be just the service I needed to attend for the start of Lent this year. (Thank you, FPC-SP!)
Our Book of Common Worship (BCW) begins its introduction to the season of Lent with these words:
“Lent” comes from an old English word for springtime, perhaps connected with the lengthening of days in this time of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. The season of Lent is a time for growth in faith — through prayer, spiritual discipline, and self-examination in preparation for the commemoration of the dying and rising of the Lord Jesus Christ [at Easter].
A few sentences later, the BCW compares Lent to other biblical events, as "a period of forty days—like the flood of Genesis, Moses’ sojourn at Sinai, Elijah’s journey to Mount Horeb, Jonah’s call of repentance to Nineveh, and Jesus’ time of testing in the wilderness."
Even as we go about our daily lives and continue to pray for peace in Ukraine, I hope that all of us can find time during our journey through Lent this year for prayer, spiritual discipline, and self-examination. It can be a powerful time of being reminded of things that really matter, things that are eternal, things that help keep us connected to the hope and promise of the resurrection even in the midst of other distractions and crises. Being reminded of those things can help us see many of our daily challenges differently.
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I invite you, therefore, in the name of Christ,
to observe a holy Lent
by self-examination and penitence,
by prayer and fasting,
by works of love,
and by meditating on God’s word.
BCW (2018), p. 250
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In the midst of all the other things going on all around many of us have the change to renew -- or make new -- connections with friends and colleagues from across the Presbytery at our meeting at Cedarkirk on Thursday, March 17, starting at 9:00 a.m. Check-in opens by 8:00 a.m.; preregistration is open now at this link, and the cookies and cinnamon rolls will be waiting for our arrival. After the meeting, we also have the chance to enjoy the camp a little more (though I don't think the pool will be open that day; sorry).
Scroll down for more details on the meeting and how to register to attend, and please don't miss these registration deadlines:
- March 7 for childcare during the meeting
- March 11 to be included in the lunch count
- March 14 to attend without planning to stay for lunch
Officially, the deadline for reports or requests to include things in the email with the Presbytery packet was today (3/3), but getting them to me no later than Monday (3/7) is okay this time. 😏
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As you scroll down, you'll find info on how you can support care for refugees from Ukraine, reminders and details about our upcoming meeting, and links all the way at the bottom to a podcast and an article with some thoughts for why so many pastors across all denominations in our country are joining the "Great Resignation" along with people in other professions. There's some food for thought there for pastors, elders, and members to chew on for a bit.
There's also a new job posting for a youth ministry intern and, as always, there's a little bit more --- including news about Mister Rogers Day, too!
Blessings,
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Rev. William A. Wildhack III
Stated Clerk and Temporary General Presbyter
(813) 868-4800, opt. 2 (landline; no text messages)
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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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PC(USA) support for Ukraine refugees |
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Click through the links below to read more on how Presbyterian World Mission and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance are supporting partners in Europe responding to the growing refugee and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. From the story at the first link:
"In the midst of the chaos, there are sibling churches and ecumenical partners who are already providing assistance with basic items for survival,” [Associate for Refugees & Asylum Susan] Krehbiel said. "Our first priority as PDA is to provide funding to these partners on the ground. While the scale of this crisis is new, receiving refugees from Ukraine and other countries in Central and Eastern Europe is not, which means we have trusted, established partners with the knowledge and expertise to carry out this important work.”
Lord, in your mercy . . .
hear our prayers.
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PC(USA) seeking support for humanitarian response to Ukraine
by Rich Copley | Presbyterian News Service LEXINGTON, Kentucky - The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) launched an appeal Tuesday for funds to help support the Church's humanitarian response to the war started last week when Russia attacked Ukraine.
Read more
www.presbyterianmission.org
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Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
We are grateful for the outpouring of prayers and calls from congregations and individuals asking how they can help. As the violence continues, the number of people being displaced internally and fleeing to neighboring countries increases by the day.
Read more
pda.pcusa.org
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PRESBYTERY STATED MEETING
MARCH 17, 9:00 A.M.
AT CEDARKIRK
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Meet our Guest Preacher: Rev. Stephen P. McCutchan |
An honorably retired member of Salem Presbytery, Steve now lives in St. Petersburg and regularly attends Maximo Presbyterian Church. Since retiring in 2006 after thirty-eight years in pastoral ministry, Steve McCutchan has some ideas on caring for church leaders and the impact that can have on church health. In 2020, he published the last book in his nine-volume series called Healthy Clergy Make Healthy Congregations.
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Meeting details and registration links |
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REGISTER NOW to attend our meeting at Cedarkirk on March 17 (ministers can or request an excused absence at the same link) |
As Cedarkirk continues its celebration of "5One-derful years" (see more below), we have a chance to spend a morning enjoying fellowship, worship, and Cedarkirk cookies, take care of some business along the way, and explore the camp a bit when we're done!
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Feel free to break out an old (or new) Cedarkirk shirt to wear!
- On-site check-in and morning coffee and refreshments will be open by 8:00 a.m.
- Our meeting will start at 9:00 a.m.
- Our primary meeting, worship, and fellowship will be in and around the covered Pavilion.
- We will include a brief break immediately after worship and probably a longer one later.
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The meeting should be over in time for lunch -- and you're invited to stay (at no cost to you). If you'd like to have lunch, explore the camp, and enjoy a mini "Shepherd's Sabbath" experience, please register no later than Friday, March 11, to be included in the lunch count.
- There may be options for tours of the site after the meeting or during lunch, and maybe even a chance to engage in some camp crafts or other activities.
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THERE WILL BE CEDARKIRK COOKIES (and other goodies) available 😋 both to enjoy on-site AND to take back to your churches (if they get that far) along with promotional materials about Cedarkirk and its programs.
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Because of challenges in the outdoor setting, we will not be livestreaming or recording the meeting.
The Presbytery meeting will honor any COVID-19 protocols practiced by Cedarkirk for on-site gatherings. From Matt Shick, Executive Director, Cedarkirk Camp & Conference Center:
- "We are requesting that people wear masks inside buildings as well as to meals. For those who would like to eat outside, we’ll have some outdoor seating available as well. We do not require masking outdoors but recommend it for those who are in close proximity with others."
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Register here to attend as a ruling elder commissioner selected by your session, a minister member (or request an excused absence), a corresponding member, or in another category.
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The deadline for registration to attend and be included in the lunch count is Friday, March 11 (so we can give Cedarkirk a good count).
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The deadline for registration without being included in the lunch count is Monday, March 14.
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If you desire childcare at the meeting, please register no later than Monday, March 7.
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Our worship offering will support Cedarkirk |
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Joining recognition of Cedarkirk's 50th Anniversary and Coach and Coordinator Patrice Hatley's retirement, the Coordinating Team has approved dedicating our worship offering at the March 17, 2020, Presbytery meeting to Cedarkirk's Capital Campaign. |
In December, we invited people to contribute to Cedarkirk Camp and Conference Center’s Capital Campaign to dedicate a rocking chair at the camp in Patrice’s honor. In February, we realized that meeting at Cedarkirk provided a great opportunity to reach the goal of dedicating a chair and adding a bit more to making Cedarkirk's next phase a reality
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!
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Cedarkirk's 50th Anniversary Celebration has been expanded to include its 51st |
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After postponing the 50th Anniversary Celebration in 2021, Cedarkirk is happy to announce they have rescheduled for 2022! Join them the weekend of March 25-27 to honor 51 years of outdoor ministry. Click here to find out more!
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Ordination of Eileen M. Jewell to the ministry of the Word and Sacrament |
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The Presbytery of Tampa Bay ordained and welcomed Rev. Eileen M. Jewell to the ministry of the Word and Sacrament in an evening service at Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church on Sunday, February 20, 2022.
Joining Rev. Jewell (center, in the white stole) in leading the service were the following members and guests of the ordination commission (L-R): Rev. Kitti Ginn, Rev. Amy Santamaria, Elder Hank Belusa, Rev. Deb Belusa, Rev. John DeBevoise, Rev. Larry Rush, Elder Charlene Tobie, Presbytery Moderator Elder Paula Salter, Elder Bruce Derenthal, and Elder Richard Jewell.
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March 20 is Mister Rogers Day 2022 |
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March 20, 2022, would have been the 94th birthday of Rev. Fred Rogers, known to so many as "Mister Rogers" -- which makes Mister Rogers Day this year a Sunday.
Resources linked from the story below "include an intergenerational worship service that can also be used with the outreach guide for Neighboring Sunday, a day that can be observed any Sunday a church chooses."
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Save the date (March 20) and find resources for Mister...
by Rich Copley | Presbyterian News Service LEXINGTON, Kentucky - The inaugural Mister Rogers Day was a beautiful day in the neighborhoods of many Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations.
Read more
www.presbyterianmission.org
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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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**NEW**
Trinity Presbyterian Church of Seven Springs in New Port Richey is looking for a Youth Ministry Intern to begin in May or June of 2022 and to commit to one year with the option to reapply for a second year. This is a paid position - 15 to 20 hours per week / $200 per week.
This internship is for someone who desires to explore a possible calling to youth ministry and to strengthen ministry skills. The intern will be working closely with the Director of Family Ministry, Tracey Hollins. Tracey can be reached at (727) 810-1036.
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- The Executive Assistant is to provide day-to-day advice and consultation to church Co-Pastors in regard to church operations and management. The position will require creative thinking and innovative initiative to assist in fully achieving the church’s vision and goals. Trinity Clearwater is a progressive congregation located in Clearwater, Florida, in a culturally diverse neighborhood and is actively involved in service missions at the local and world level.
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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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St. John Presbyterian Church located at 4120 N. MacDill Avenue, Tampa 33607, seeks to fill a temporary position for an organist/musician through mid-April. Their present musician is on an extended leave of absence.
Payment is $80 per service. The church office telephone number is 813-872-0333 and email address is stjohnpctampa@gmail.com. Thank you!
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Food for thought and reflection |
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In an interesting crossover between evangelical and progressive sources, the hosts of "The Better Samaritan," a podcast from the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College, recently interviewed the author of an article that ran in Sojourners magazine last November.
The author is Melissa Florer-Bixler, pastor of Raleigh Mennonite Church and chair of L'Arche North Carolina, an inclusive community in formation where adults with and without intellectual disabilities share life and friendships.
You can read the article and listen to the interview at the links below.
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Why Pastors Are Joining the Great Resignation
My friend clams up each time I mention pastoral ministry. In the three years since she left her job as a pastor for work in higher ed, she hasn't talked about the entrenched sexism and racism that eventually caused her to leave ministry. It's too ...
Read more
sojo.net
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A Pastor and a Psychologist Unpack Why Pastors Are...
They're being forced to moderate skirmishes without an answer, rather than minister, according to one Mennonite leader.
Read more
www.christianitytoday.com
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Remember, there's always something 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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The Presbytery meeting packet will be in a special eNews next week. The next regular issue of the eNews will come out after the Presbytery meeting.
Thanks for reading all the way to the end! -- Bill
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