Having trouble reading on a mobile device? Try turning off "dark mode" or viewing as a Webpage.
|
|
Looking out my window yesterday . . . |
|
. . . it was sunny and almost 80; this morning, it was gray and not quite 70. |
Once upon a time, I really enjoyed roller coasters. If I ever get back to a theme park, I'll probably ride them again and enjoy them again.
But, even diehard roller coaster aficionados probably join me in not enjoying at all the roller coaster of the last two years in so many aspects of our lives together and apart --- or socially distanced.
While it may be easy to blame COVID for ( fill in the blank ), it can also be easy to dismiss the impact that external stresses like COVID, politics, injustice, and other things have had on our life together (on-site or online) as siblings in Christ and leaders and members of a community of faith.
A continuing theme I've heard in conversations with ministers and elders across the presbytery has been that the last two years have presented some of the most stressful times and challenges they've ever faced as leaders in the church --- just as it has in all other areas of life for them and the congregations and communities in which they serve. All of us have had our moments of taking out misplaced anger and frustration on others ("all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" -- Rom. 3:23), but it seems church leaders -- ministers and elders together -- have borne an extra burden.
As we started planning our March17 presbytery meeting at Cedarkirk Camp & Conference Center, that idea was echoed in conversations within the Commission on Ministry, the Coordinating Team, and others, and going to Cedarkirk presents a great opportunity to offer some care and encouragement to church leaders.
Cedarkirk's mission is summed up in this motto: "A Place Apart to Build Up the Body of Christ in Love," and, as it says on their "About Us" page:
To that end, we strive to serve others by providing:
- a place of spiritual nurture and growth for children, youth, and adults
- a place where the love of Christ can be experienced through Christian community
- a place of hospitality, where all are welcomed in the name of Christ
- a place apart from the distractions of every day life
- a place where God’s creation is honored
Our hope is that through gathering outdoors (with a roof!) at Cedarkirk for fellowship, worship, some business, and Cedarkirk snacks, too, that our ministers, ruling elder commissioners, and representatives from some covenant partners can enjoy a taste of Cedarkirk while getting at least a morning away from Zoom screens and work-from-home --- and maybe stick around for a little while after the meeting for lunch (on us!) and some re-creation, fellowship (or time alone), and a glimpse of what Cedarkirk offers during The Shepherds' Sabbath for church professionals and their families.
+ + +
You can read more about the details of the meeting and register for it below.
Whether you'll be attending our meeting or not, everyone is welcome to consider joining Cedarkirk for its Anniversary Celebration Weekend at the end of March and also to explore other opportunities and programs on their website.
+ + +
Please take a moment to scroll briefly through to make sure you don't miss something that might interest you. Along the way, you'll find information or reminders on several upcoming events, including
-
A reminder that you're invited to the ordination of Eileen M. Jewell to the ministry of the Word and Sacrament this Sunday, February 20, at 6:00 p.m. at Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church.
-
More details on our March 17 Presbytery meeting at Cedarkirk, including an introduction to our guest preacher, Rev. Steve McCutchan.
-
Reminders about the upcoming Annual Gathering of Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery of Tampa Bay and seminars offered by the Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry Network
- and a couple of other things, too.
Blessings,
|
Rev. William A. Wildhack III
Stated Clerk and Temporary General Presbyter
(813) 868-4800, opt. 2 (landline; no text messages)
|
|
+ + +
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!
|
|
Ordination of Eileen M. Jewell to the ministry of the Word and Sacrament |
|
|
|
The Presbytery of Tampa Bay
Invites You To The Worship Service
Celebrating the Ordination of
|
Eileen Mary Jewell
Chaplain/Tampa General Hospital, Tampa
on Sunday, February 20th
Year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Twenty-Two
At 6 o’clock in the evening.
Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church
3501 West San Jose Street
Tampa, FL 33629
813-253-6047
A reception follows the worship service.
Minister Members of the Presbytery especially encouraged to worship and welcome your
colleague in mission and ministry
|
|
PRESBYTERY STATED MEETING
MARCH 17, 9:00 A.M.
AT CEDARKIRK!!!
|
|
We're going to camp! REGISTER NOW to attend our meeting at Cedarkirk! |
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!
- 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.
-
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.
-
THERE WILL BE CEDARKIRK COOKIES 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.
-
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."
+ + +
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.
-
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)
-
The deadline for registration without being included in the lunch count is Monday, March 14.
-
If you desire childcare at the meeting, please register no later than Monday, March 7.
|
|
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.
|
|
There's still time to join us in honoring Patrice Hatley by dedicating a rocking chair at Cedarkirk |
|
The group of ministers and elders celebrating Patrice at our December meeting asks that you consider a donation in her honor to Cedarkirk's Capital Campaign |
In celebrating Patrice’s ministry with us as our Coach & Coordinator for the last seven years and her retirement, 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.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!
|
|
Cedarkirk's 50th Anniversary Celebration has been expanded to include it's 51st |
|
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!
|
|
Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery of Tampa Bay invite you to their Annual Gathering on Saturday, Feb 26 |
|
|
|
Join PW at Presbyterian Church of Bloomingdale for fellowship, meaningful worship, local mission presentations, and connecting with sisters from other churches. |
A great day is planned for all.
Presentations from our local missions: Cedarkirk, Beth El,
and Thornwell’s Building Families will be a highlight.
Cost is $12 per person. This is our Annual Gathering and we would love to have each women’s group represented whether you call yourselves “Presbyterian Women” or something else.
The deadline to return Registration forms was February 11, 2022. Click on the link to Glad Tidings below for contact info for questions.
|
|
Two Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry Network Events in February |
|
New Small Group Opportunity: "CULTIVATING YOUR OWN OLDER ADULT MINISTRY" |
POAMN invites you to consider joining an online, coach-facilitated cohort focused on strengthening, nurturing, and supporting leaders of older adult ministries. The study group will consist of 5 to 8 people and will meet for six 90-minute sessions. Group members will select their own area of focus and develop individualized goals designed to cultivate their older adult ministry. The coach will guide and facilitate each session, foster a positive environment for exchanges and conversation, and provide feedback for individual projects. Participants are expected to be active partners in learning: supporting, guiding, and resourcing the group.
Dates: Six 90 minute weekly sessions beginning February 24. Orientation February 21
Coach: Sarah Erickson, POAMN Certification Program Coordinator
Day and Meeting Time: Consecutive Thursday Afternoons, February 24 – March 31 from 3:30 – 5:00 PM, Eastern Time
|
|
POAMN and Adult Lutherans Organized for Action (ALOA) invite you to a one-day "Empowering Elders" event on Saturday, February 26
Hosted at Christ our Redeemer Lutheran in Temple Terrace from 9:30-3:30, this event features Roland Martinson, Emeritus Dean of Luther Seminary, and Pat Baker, President of POAMN.
|
|
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! |
|
- 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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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!
|
|
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! |
|
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! |
|
The next regular issue of the eNews should come out the first week of March. Thanks for reading all the way to the end! -- Bill |
|
|
|
|
|
|
