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Adding a special meeting to the schedule . . . |
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. . . also threw the eNews schedule off again! |
Having to get the meeting packet put together and out the door, and then run the "back-office" details of a larger Zoom meeting in the same week as meetings of the full Commission on Ministry and the Coordinating Team pushed this follow-up eNews into this week.
- You'll find the summary of our special presbytery meeting in the next block below this intro.
And now it's time for the 225th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to get underway. This summer's assembly will be the first of its kind, with committee work being done on-site in Louisville, the main plenaries of the full assembly being conducted only online, and the initial plenary being a hybrid with a physical quorum in Louisville and the remaining commissioners participating online.
It all starts this Saturday, June 18, with commissioners from five (of about 17) assembly committees providing the on-site physical quorum in Louisville for the opening plenary and election of new co-moderators on Saturday. For the next two weeks, the assembly's other committees will be rotating through Louisville in groups of four meeting for three days each, and the full assembly meets online starting on Tuesday, July 5, and wrapping up on Saturday, July 9.
As I said when I wrote to you on May 26: please pray for the ruling elder commissioners (REC) and teaching elder commissioners (TEC) from the Presbytery of Tampa Bay and around the church, along with Young Adult, Theological Student, and Ecumenical Advisory delegates from all over as they gather on-site and online for this first-ever hybrid General Assembly.
Your Presbytery of Tampa Bay commissioners and their committee assignments are (with links to previews of their committees' work):
As these commissioners and their counterparts from other presbyteries, meet over the next several weeks, please remember this foundation of our polity for decisions made by any council of the church: "Presbyters are not simply to reflect the will of the people, but rather to seek together to find and represent the will of Christ." (F-3.0204*). I've seen commissioners change their minds on something as they did that work, surprising themselves as much as anyone else.
And, as you scroll down (and please do!), look for the meeting summary, links to updates from the General Assembly, new resources for ruling elders (and deacons!), an invitation from Pinellas County Emergency Management, a "save the date" note from the Commission on Ministry, and some food for thought from a general presbyter (and co-moderator of the 222nd General Assembly (2016)) about clinging to the idea of "God with us."
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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JUNE 9 SPECIAL PRESBYTERY MEETING |
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The Presbytery of Tampa Bay met via Zoom at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 9, 2022, and approved the following actions: |
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Approved Candidate Zacharias Grant for ordination to serve in a validated ministry with Bethlehem Inclusive New Worshiping Community.
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Approved the Plan for Union of Grace Presbyterian Church, Spring Hill, and St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church, Hudson, to form Grace St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church
- Elected elders and ministers to fill various vacancies
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Authorized an administrative commission with the authority to assume original jurisdiction of a session no longer able to gather a quorum.
If you'd like to watch any part of the meeting, the video of the meeting will be available at this link for a little while longer: https://youtu.be/JHG1rCCoTnQ
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Ordination scheduled for July 17, 3:00 p.m. |
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Zacharias Grant is being ordained to ministry of Word and Sacrament |
The Presbytery approved Zach's ordination last week, and the service has been scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 17, at Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church.
Zach will now add sacramental ministry to his work with the Bethlehem Inclusive New Worshiping Community that meets at both Palma Ceia and St. John Presbyterian churches in Tampa. Many of you met Zach at the stated meeting at Cedarkirk in March, and others met him online at our special meeting last week.
Invitations will be mailed to all our churches shortly.
Congratulations, Zach!
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225th General Assembly
of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
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Click on the link below to find info on the GA225 website, how to subscribe to a daily digest, where to follow GA225 news, view committee meetings and plenary sessions, and more.
All of the committee meetings and plenary sessions of the full Assembly will be available online.
New this year:
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“GA News Live,” a new feature for this Assembly, will broadcast mornings at 10 a.m. Eastern Time on the Spirit of GA Facebook page. The first three days of guests beginning June 17 include the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, as well as GA224 and GA225 co-moderators.
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Assembly news in ways you can use it
The hybrid in-person and online format of the 225th General Assembly makes it easier than ever for Presbyterians to access committees and plenaries, which will be livestreamed via the GA225 website.
Read more
pcusa.org
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Two things to keep in mind as you follow the Assembly or see news stories about it, especially in non-church media that doesn't always grasp the nuances of our polity:
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Each General Assembly speaks for itself to the church, not for the church to the world, and its policies and other statements reflect, like so much in Presbyterian churches, the votes of a majority of those present and voting after an opportunity for prayer, discussion, and discernment. While such statements may be prophetic or worded strongly, it is often said --- consistent with our historic principles of church order --- that no social witness policy may purport to bind the conscience of individual members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
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Some of a general assembly's decisions, however, result in proposed amendments to the Constitution of the PC(USA). If approved by a majority of the presbyteries, those amendments go into effect a year after the assembly adjourns. Some of those amendments (especially ones with words like "shall" and "is to be" or "are to be") mandate certain things for sessions, presbyteries, synods, or the assembly itself.
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re:RE -- Regarding Ruling Elders: A Monthly Series for Serving Faithfully |
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The June issue of Regarding Ruling Elders has been posted online |
The May article is based on question (e): "Will you be governed by our church’s polity, and will you abide by its discipline? Will you be a friend among your colleagues in ministry, working with them, subject to the ordering of God’s Word and Spirit?".
If you'd like to subscribe to monthly "Regarding Ruling Elders" emails from PC(USA) Ruling Elder Ministries, you can do so by clicking here.
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Coming Alive in Christ: Training for PC(USA) Ruling Elders and Deacons based on the Constitutional Questions |
The Office of the General Assembly recently produced a new multi-session resource for ruling elders and deacons in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Based on the theological principles of the constitutional questions asked and answered in ordination, leader guides include a monthly format to last throughout the year or a three-session retreat.
You can access the resource (and prior issues of "re: Ruling Elders" in English, Korean, and Spanish by clicking here and then on the links you'll find on that page.
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Pinellas County Emergency Management – Pledge to Plan Hurricane Preparedness Webinar for Faith-Based Organizations |
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I got info below from Pinellas County Emergency Management while I was working on this eNews. Later, Kathy Broyard, Executive Director of FLAPDAN, also forwarded it to me asking me to send it to the churches in Pinellas County (so I added the FLAPDAN banner to better draw your attention! 😏)
If you have similar information from your county emergency management office, please share it with us so we can share it with other churches! Thank you!
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Pinellas County Emergency Management
Pledge to Plan Hurricane Preparedness Webinar for Faith-Based Organizations
June 22, 2022 | 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
What is your role as a faith-based leader in Pinellas County when it comes to hurricane season preparedness? What resources are available to best prepare your congregation and facilities for a potential hurricane?
Pinellas County Emergency Management and affiliated community partners will discuss preparation practices to keep you, your members, and the community families safe during hurricane season. Learn how to best prepare your congregation and facilities, as well as how to get involved, attend training and partner with Pinellas County Emergency Management to serve in disasters.
Pastor Richard Way, with Heritage Baptist Church in Houma, LA, will share real-life testimony about his experience from Hurricane Ida, the lessons learned and recommended best practices for the faith community before, during and after the storm.
Registration is required to attend the event, and the webinar will be recorded and made available online for those who are unable to attend at the scheduled time.
Register in advance for this webinar:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Your Partners in Emergency Management
Pinellas County Emergency Management
Main Line: 727-464-5550
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SAVE THE DATE: REGIONAL MINISTERS LUNCHES |
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Commission on Ministry leadership invites ministers to lunch |
We're still working on the details but wanted to ask minister members in active ministries to join colleagues in their regions for lunch later this summer.
You've all been through a lot in your ministries in the last couple of years, and we want to facilitate some re-connecting.
More to come!
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Because it's been a while since the eNews went out, some of the information below may be outdated and other listings have been removed. If yours is outdated or needs to run again, please send a note to info@pbty.com with all the information and we'll try to get it into an upcoming issue! |
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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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The position will become available in July and will require 20 hours per week which will include facilitating online worship on Sunday mornings from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
The Office Assistant will support the ministries and membership of the church with excellent written and oral communication skills. A working knowledge of Power Point, Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher and internet and website skills including the ability to maintain church website and social media platforms are required. Applicant must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
We request that candidates submit a letter of application and current resume that includes three references via e-mail to VPCapplications@gmail.com.
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Trinity Presbyterian Church of Seven Springs in New Port Richey is looking for a Youth Ministry Intern to begin as soon as possible and 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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Food for Thought --- Grabbing onto the incarnational theology of Jesus |
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Presbytery leader and former GA Co-Moderator the Rev. Dr. Jan Edmiston tells Everyday God-talk she clings to ‘God being with us’ |
Rev. Dr. Jan Edmiston is the General Presbyter for the Presbytery of Charlotte. Along with having served as Co-Moderator of the 222nd General Assembly (2016), she is a thoughtful writer and speaker on issues of life and faith both big and small.
As you can read at the link below --- and hear for yourself in a video at the link --- she tells the interviewer that she "believes there’s a need for an authentic spiritual community where people can be themselves, unafraid to share their hot messes or their failures — a place where people will not be banished from the community" and that "Everybody needs that safety net of a church community that loves you no matter what.”
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Grabbing onto the incarnational theology of Jesus
by Paul Seebeck | Presbyterian News Service LOUISVILLE - In the latest Everyday God-talk from the Office of Theology and Worship, the Rev. Dr. Jan Edmiston tells host So Jung Kim that incarnational theology assures us that Jesus is with us.
Read more
www.presbyterianmission.org
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Remember, there's always something to see on our Facebook page and 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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With General Assembly kicking off this weekend, "regular" may be too strong a word for the next issue of the eNews. We'll see, but I'm guessing it will be after the committees finish their work but possibly while the full assembly is meeting.
Send me your ideas or announcements sooner rather than later, please. And, as always, thanks for reading all the way to the end! -- Bill
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