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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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It's March, and it's Lent, and . . .
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. . . as I type this much of the country is focused on results in one political party's "Super Tuesday" primaries or the continuing spread of coronavirus/COVID-19 -- or both!
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This is a challenging time of sometimes conflicting information, sometimes helpful information, and too often downright misleading information (especially on social media!) from all sorts of different directions in both politics and public health.
In addition to the stories below (and the links in them) about COVID-19 and life together in our churches from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) and the PC(USA) Office of Theology and Worship, along with the call to prayer from the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the PC(USA), save this link to the Centers for Disease Control's Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) page at
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
. And please,
please
,
please
double- and triple-check before you think about sharing anything your Facebook friend's cousin's neighbor's friend-who-works-in-a-hospital says about what to do about anything!
Before you get to the resources from PDA and other PC(USA) sources, you'll also find a link to download the summary from our last presbytery meeting
(including the necrology of ruling elders and ministers of Word and Sacrament connected to our presbytery who completed their baptisms in death in 2019) in the next block of the eNews.
In other news . . .
as you keep scrolling, you'll find upcoming events around the region on all sorts of topics that may be of interest to you or someone else you know. There's also a last-minute chance to sign up to ride the bus to the Association of Smaller Congregation's annual conference less than two weeks away --- and after all the other event announcements --- down at the end of this email you'll find that a couple of churches are looking for some new staff and links to learn more about the opening for a new Executive Director at Cedarkirk, too!
With all the news and concern around the world about so many things
, I was struck by the way the Office of Theology and Worship chose to end its
Pastoral Statement on the Coronavirus/COVID-19
(see link below):
Above all, let us remember and rejoice that “nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Brief Statement of Faith; Rom. 8:38–39).
Amen. So be it.
Blessings,
Bill
Rev. William A. Wildhack III
Stated Clerk and Manager of Communications
(813) 868-4800, opt. 2
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!
+ + +
P.S. A word about my email address
(because it happened again)
:
- My official email address is statedclerk@pbty.com and that's the best address to use (unless I've given you something else to use for a particular reason).
- Please don't just hit "reply" to the eNews to send me a note, but take a moment to start a new email. Email sent to an address some of you have seen that includes "ccsend" after "pbty" will NOT reach me. Constant Contact adds the address with "ccsend" in it to help verify the eNews in a way that helps it get through spam filters --- but email sent to that address does NOT reach me. Please be sure you're sending email to statedclerk@pbty.com. Thank you!
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Download the summary of our February Presbytery meeting here
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. . or click on the image of the Docket (which isn't included in that form in the summary but looked better here than the summary did! 😉).
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Coronavirus/COVID-19 information for planning and prayer
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Before we woke up to news in Tampa Bay on Monday of confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Hillsborough and nearby Manatee counties,
late last week Presbytery Coach and Coordinator Patrice Hatley wrote to pastors, clerks of session, and session moderators inviting them to review the information below from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) and offering some practical suggestions and offers of assistance.
Patrice's letter started with this . . .
- I write to encourage all of you to take strong leadership in preparation of all our ministries to address the potential for spreading coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) into our communities of service. This can be a Kairos moment for us as Christians, during the holy season of Lent, an opportunity to model Christ-like behavior, and impact lives in significant ways. A time to release what holds us back. Be the church God desires us to be. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers.
. . . and ended with this:
- I hope you all will pay close attention to this and do the work of preparing now rather than later. This can have larger impact than even threats of hurricane damage. This is not a time to panic, but a time to prepare and to reach out to the most vulnerable. The need is pretty urgent. Lord, have mercy. Stay safe and well and keep in touch! And wash your hands. Often.
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Presbyterian Disaster Assistance releases pandemic preparedness guide
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From Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA):
As the media generates interest in the current outbreak of Coronavirus, presbyteries and congregations have an opportunity for a ‘teachable moment’
about how to prepare for and respond to widespread contagious diseases. As you begin to plan, two items to address are what can/should be done NOW, and what may be necessary LATER.
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Presbyterian Disaster Assistance releases pandemic...
By Mari Graham Evans| Presbyterian News Service LOUISVILLE - In light of the global outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, more commonly known as the coronavirus, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) has released a " Preparedness for Pandemics " guide ...
Read more
www.presbyterianmission.org
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PC(USA) Office of Theology and Worship issues Pastoral Statement on Coronavirus/COVID-19
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Coronavirus: Faith not fear | Presbyterian Mission Agency
by Tammy Warren | Presbyterian News Service LOUISVILLE - Many people worldwide have questions about Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), first detected in China and now in more than 60 locations internationally, including the United States.
Read more
www.presbyterianmission.org
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A Call to Prayer from the Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
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A Call to Prayer from the Stated Clerk of the...
As the novel coronavirus has captured the headlines in recent weeks, misinformation, conspiracy theories, and fear of the unknown have raised anxiety and caused widespread apprehension. Financial markets have wobbled and people of Asian descent...
Read more
www.pcusa.org
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The 224th General Assembly (2020) will be convening June 20-27 in Baltimore
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Now that we have formally be commissioned our commissioners and young adult advisory delegate . . .
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We invite you again to join in prayer for them, their counterparts from other presbyteries, and the mission advisory delegates and ecumenical advisory delegates who will join them from around the world. Our commissioners and young adult advisory delegate (and their alternates) are:
Ministers of Word and Sacrament:
Laurie Palmer (St. Andrew, New Tampa)
Andy Walton (Trinity, Clearwater)
Alternate:
Neddy Astudillo (GreenFaith)
Ruling Elders:
Kitty Rawson (Lakeview, St. Petersburg)
Sally Speer (Palma Ceia, Tampa)
Alternate:
Marsha Rydberg (Palma Ceia, Tampa)
Young Adult Advisory Delegate:
Hadley Owen (First, Winter Haven)
Alternate:
Hannah Rose Wanless (First, St. Petersburg)
You can join in prayer with others across the PC(USA) by visiting
ga-pcusa.org/180-days-of-prayer/. The first prayer was added there on December 23, 2019 --- 180 days before the meeting convenes. At the bottom of that page, you can sign up for a daily email with the prayer for that day.
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Have an idea for the
bi-weekly
eNews or an announcement of an event at your church? Send it to
statedclerk@pbty.com
with "eNews" in the subject line.
Deadline
for submitting something to the bi-weekly eNews is
as early as possible
😉
but no later than Friday
the week before it comes out. The next regular issue is scheduled for
TUESDAY
, March 17
, so please get things to me by Friday, March 13 Thanks!
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"Church on the Corner" survey from PC(USA): World Mission
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Last week many congregations began receiving invitations from PC(USA) Research Services to participate in a short new “Church on the Corner” survey about their mission involvement and mission interests. Summaries of responses will go to Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) World Mission and other PC(USA) ministries and will help these ministries tailor their programs for these congregations.
The email invitations went to a mix of church email addresses, clerk of session email addresses, and pastor email addresses---but not to the presbytery staff.😉
The survey takes about six minutes to complete. If you got one of those emails, please take the survey. If you're on staff or a congregational leader in one of our congregations and didn't get one of those emails,
please click here to take the survey.
Perry Chang, Research Analyst at Research Services writes: "The participation of every congregation in the survey is critical for strengthening mission partnership among congregations, presbyteries, and PC(USA) national ministries."
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Upcoming events you -- or someone you know -- might find interesting
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Last Concert in the Series, Sunday, March 8
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Con Brio String Trio & Piano at Peace Memorial in Clearwater
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WHEN: SUNDAY, MARCH 8 at 3 PM
(Note: this is the first day of Daylight Savings)
WHAT: HONORING LUDWIG
To honor the 250th anniversary of the birth of composing titan, Ludwig Van Beethoven, we will hear his inspiring String Trio in C Minor. The program will also include the lovely Piano Quartet No.1 by Gabriel Faure. The rich acoustics of the Peace sanctuary are perfectly suited to enhance the sound of this ensemble.
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Remember: your phone or browser may not automatically show you the whole newsletter.
As you scroll down, watch for something near the end -- just after it seems the eNews ends awkwardly -- that looks like:
[Message clipped]
View entire message
If you see that, please click through the link to see the rest of the eNews!
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"A Faithful Census" Webinar, Monday, March 9
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The Office of Public Witness invites you to join them for a dynamic discussion about the
United States Census.
- Learn about why the census matters for Christians and how you can get involved.
- Discover the impact that under-counting has on vulnerable communities.
- Understand the PC(USA)'s stance and policies about census engagement
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Join colleagues for a Lunch and Learn opportunity 11a-2p on Tuesday, March 10, at Cedarkirk to learn more about Pastors for Florida Children.
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Pastors for Florida Children embraces the concept that public education is a human right, a constitutional guarantee, and a central part of God’s plan for human flourishing. When this sacred trust and provision of God’s common good comes under attack by privatization, we respond with prayer, service, and advocacy. We work for a day when all pastors, faith leaders and people of faith and goodwill support free and fairly funded public schools for all of God’s children.
Our speaker for the event is the
Rev. Rachel Shapard, Associate Coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Florida, shes' the co-founder of Pastors for Florida Children. She will provide information and concrete action steps on how best to support public education in all our communities.
Please let us know you're coming by
clicking here to fill out the online form
or sending an email to
office@pbty.com
with your name, congregation or organization, email address, phone number, and whether you have any dietary restrictions so we can work with you and Cedarkirk to try to accommodate them..
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The Bus is going back to St. Simons Island!
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March 13-15, 2020: SMALL TENTS, BIG MISSION
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Did you know around half the congregations in the Presbytery of Tampa Bay are smaller congregations? Did you know that smaller congregations are engaged in creative and exciting ministry in a myriad of ways? Do you want to learn about how you can help your church engage with these opportunities?
Then the Association of Smaller Congregations Retreat is just the weekend for you!
Join with your friends and colleagues at Epworth-by-the-Sea, March 13-15 for a weekend filled with learning opportunities, times of fellowship, and moments to breathe deep. The Presbytery of Tampa Bay, through the Commission on Church Vitality, is sponsoring a bus to take care of your transportation needs.
Click here to let us know
if you want to ride the bus or want more info on that.
In the meantime, please check out the conference website at
www.presbyasc.org for more information on registering for the event.
If you're planning to attend, you MUST also register for the event on the Association of Smaller Congregations' website whether you plan to ride the bus or not.
This opportunity is open to everyone; we strongly encourage both congregational leaders and ministers to attend.
IMPORTANT: registering for the
bus
and registering for the
conference
are two separate registrations --- signing up for one does not automatically sign you up for the other.
If you have already signed up online to ride our bus, please do NOT sign up online again
. If you need to change any of your information, please look for the confirmation email sent to you automatically (moments after you registered) from Google Forms with the subject "Presbytery of Tampa Bay Bus to St. Simons!" (you might have to check your junk or spam folder).
Click on the "Edit Response" button in that email to update your info. If you can't find the email or make that link it work, please call Ann Marie (813) 868-4800 or email her at office@pbty.com to let us know what needs to be changed.
Thank you!
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Florida Fanfare Brass at First, Dunedin, on Sunday, March 29
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The program features music that you’ll recognize from Broadway, movies, and TV in the final concert for this winter’s season. Hear songs from “West Side Story” and pictures starring Judy Garland as well as by great composers like Jerome Kern and George Gershwin.
Click here or on the image of the flyer for more information.
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Palma Ceia hosts Dr. Miroslav Wolf on Sunday, March 29
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11:00 a.m. Sermon & 6:00 p.m. Lecture
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Dr. Miroslav Volf will be the inaugural Wallof Speaker at Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church. Dr. Volf will give a lecture at 6pm as well as preach that morning in the 11am worship service.
Dr. Miroslav Volf is the Henry B. Wright Professor of Systematic Theology at Yale Divinity School and director of the Yale Center for Faith and Culture.
The Wallof Speaker Series was founded to honor the memory and legacy of Bill Wallof, Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church's Dean of the Chapel.
Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church
813-253-6047
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Caregiving with Faith Conference, March 31
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Free, one-day conference in Lakeland on Tuesday, March 31
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Sandie McRory, Older (50+) Adult Ministry Coordinator, at
First Presbyterian Church Lakeland
wrote to let us know about this event in which Share the Care, Inc., Catholic Charities of Central Florida, and local senior and caregiver advocates have partnered to educate faith communities on ways to minister to family caregivers in your congregation.
Who should attend?
- Clergy of faith communities interested in starting caregiver support programs
- Staff and volunteers from faith communities interested in starting caregiver support programs
- Laypeople of faith communities interested in starting caregiver support programs
- Family caregivers who would like caregiver programs in their faith community
- Open to all Faiths
Time: 10:00 am-2:30 pm
Cost: Free but pre-registration is required
-- Complete the form included with
the flyer or call Share the Care at 407-423-5311 to register.
If you have any questions
, call the organizers at 407-423-5311
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March Newsletter from Presbyterian Women
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Glad Tidings, the monthly newsletter for Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery of Tampa Bay is here!
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Click here or on the image for more. Inside, you'll find a picture of just some of the women who attended the local Annual Gathering held in February at Peace Memorial, thoughts on early planning for the 2021 Churchwide Gathering in St. Louis, and this unexpected Q&A:
Did you know the Synod of South Atlantic is the top synod for total giving to Presbyterian Women and the Birthday Offering? Nice job, Synod PW!
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It's time for the One Great Hour of Sharing
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For over 70 years, One Great Hour of Sharing has provided Presbyterians a way to share God’s love with our neighbors in need around the world.
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Received during the season of Lent (that's February 26-April 12 this year)
,
One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS)
is the single, largest way that Presbyterians come together every year to build God’s household and welcome our neighbors-in need around the world by providing relief from natural disasters, food for the hungry, and support for the poor and oppressed. Each gift to OGHS helps to improve the lives of people in challenging situations through three impactful programs:
PRESBYTERIAN DISASTER ASSISTANCE
- Works alongside communities as they recover and find hope after the devastation of natural or human-caused disasters
PRESBYTERIAN HUNGER PROGRAM
- Takes action to alleviate hunger and the systemic causes of poverty so all may be fed
SELF-DEVELOPMENT OF PEOPLE
- Invests in communities responding to their experiences of racism, oppression, poverty and injustice and educates Presbyterians about the impact of these societal ills
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If it's time for One Great Hour of Sharing . . .
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. . . it might also be time for Eco-Palms!
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While many of our congregations have plenty of access to palm fronds for Palm Sunday, some may not---and some may need more than they can gather by hand!
By choosing Eco-Palms for Palm Sunday you can promote environmental and social justice through your congregations palm purchasing decisions!
Back in 2007 the PC(USA) teamed up with Lutheran World Relief, Catholic Relief Services and the University of Minnesota to offer congregations the option of purchasing responsibly harvested Eco-Palm branches for Palm Sunday. The palms come from communities in Mexico and Guatemala where workers are paid fairly and engage in sustainable harvesting in order to protect the local ecosystem.
In 2019, 1097 PC(USA) congregations joined a total of 4,785 congregations in ordering Eco-Palms! Across the United States, 959,840 sustainable palms provided through this project were waved on Palm Sunday. Working together, we do make a difference!
Deadline for orders is March 13, 2020.
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Updates from our covenant partners
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ICYMI: Beth-El Report to the Presbytery
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Click here or on the image to read new Executive Director Teresita Matos-Post's report to the Presbytery meeting in February.
For those who might not know, you'll find here some of Beth-El's history, the start of this new year of transition as former Executive Director Kathy Dain has departed for ministry in Scotland and Teresita has begun her ministry at Beth-El, and reminders of ways you can help.
As Teresita says at the end of her report:
At Beth-El our doors are open to you! Bring your mission team, youth group, or life group for a tour or day of service at the mission. Please visit our website to get acquainted with our ministry at www.bethel.org. And do not forget to like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, and Twitter! We look forward to meeting you soon.
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Cedarkirk exists to provide faith-building experiences that are transformative and community-focused. We provide a place apart where all of God's children can nurture their spirits in a natural environment focused on relationship formation in a beautiful, natural setting.To see a complete list of our programs,click
here
.
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Cedarkirk is seeking its next Executive Director!
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Who We’re Looking For:
Our next Executive Director is a person who has the savvy to navigate two particular worlds – the one of camp ministry and the one of business matters. How comfortable are you moving from the campfire circle to a boardroom table? We envision a person can both spend the day with campers and counselors (leading songs and hip pocket games, tying on a carabiner, offering a blessing for a meal, mentoring a young adult) AND then attend a worship with a local congregation on a Sunday morning at which you are called upon to offer a clear and concise minute for mission and then take a potential donor out to lunch and ask for a gift to the annual fund. Above all, this person is a collaborator – one that knows how to ask for help when needed and can work with the talents of others that have been called to this ministry.
If this sounds like a good fit for you---
OR for someone you know---take a look at the materials below to find out more about the position and how to apply!
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We encourage you to make use of the following Summer Camp articles and advertising blips in your monthly newsletters and weekly worship bulletins.
Copy and Paste - it's that easy!
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BULLETIN BLIP
Do you love learning about the amazing animals that inhabit our world? At Cedarkirk’s Amazing Animals camp you’ll learn awesome facts about local creatures through a variety of creative activities. You will also get to spend a day at Zoo Tampa seeing some animals up close! We can’t wait to see you this summer! For more information and online registration, visit
www.cedarkirk.org
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NEWSLETTER ARTICLE
SUMMER CAMP CHANGES LIVES!
Are you looking for a summer program for your child that will provide him or her with opportunities for spiritual, physical, and social growth?
Cedarkirk offers small-group, residential camp programs that allow children and youth to explore, learn, and just be themselves. Besides being fun, summer camps help kids: improve confidence and self-esteem; learn new skills; improve critical thinking and decision-making abilities; experience the wonder of the natural world; learn to live and work as part of a community; and connect with God in a place where earnest discussions and honest dialogue allow them to make their faith their own. Send your camper to Cedarkirk this summer to discover how a single summer can last a lifetime!
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Confirmation Retreat - 7:00pm March 13 - 7:00pm March 15
Help your confirmation students put the pieces together. Come see why so many join us for our annual Confirmation Retreats. For 20 years, Cedarkirk has been combining confirmation study with community building through engaging group study, fun,...
Read more
cedarkirk.org
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The Shepherd's Sabbath
A Free Retreat of Respite and Renewal for Church Professionals & Their Families Are you seeking rest and renewal after Lent and Easter? Cedarkirk Camp and Conference Center will open its doors to all church professionals (and their families)...
Read more
cedarkirk.org
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Cedarkirk Capital Campaign Continues
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Capital Campaign
Cedarkirk's Capital Campaign Setting a place for all. Sharing meals is a fundamental means of caring for and including one another in fellowship and in the formation of community. The table is often at the heart of our giving thanks and is a...
Read more
cedarkirk.org
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Info from other organizations
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Regional Conference coming to Montreat
April 30-May 1, 2020 At Montreat Conference Center A regional, day and a half conference sponsored by POAMN (Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network) Stronger Together: Faith in Action Across Generations An Older Adult Ministry Regional...
Read more
poamn.org
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Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network also has a newsletter . . .
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Our nation has many strong points but it also has several weaknesses. Sometimes these lead to people being marginalized. God is with us always. This is easy to know when life is good, but not so easy to recognize when challenges beset us. As Children of God our proper response is to reach out to others when life comes down on them hard. At times, each of us feels utterly powerless to be of any help. However, even in those situations, simply being with someone and listening to them is a blessing to both of us.
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Imagine! God’s Earth and People Restored
PCUSA Office of Public Witness invites you to join them for Compassion, Peace & Justice Training Day on April 24 . . .
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. . . and stay for Ecumenical Advocacy Days April 24-27. On April 24, 2020, join together with Presbyterians from across the nation in Washington, D.C. to learn how Presbyterians and partners are answering this call and working for the restoration of God’s creation and people. You can learn more about both events by visiting the Presbyterian Mission Agency's
Advocacy Training Weekend web page by clicking here..
Deadline Extended for Young Adult and Student Scholarship Applications to February 22!
The deadline for the young adult (age 18-35) and student scholarship application has been extended to 11:59 PM on Saturday, February 22. If you are a young adult or student interested in applying, please do so soon! Or if you know of a young adult or student who may be interested, let them know about this scholarship opportunity.
You can find the short application here.
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The Fellowship Community
The Fellowship Community Board is excited to announce the 2020 National Gathering at Blacknall Memorial Presbyterian Church in Durham, NC, April 28-30, 2020
Read more
www.fellowship.community
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Stewardship Kaleidoscope 2020
We have over 40 amazing workshops planned for 2020 with learning content that covers stewardship, legacy, community building and more!
Read more
stewardshipkaleidoscope.org
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Colloquy for Clergy | The Center for Lifelong Learning | ...
Upcoming Colloquy for Clergy Events 2020-’21 Colloquy for Women of Color September 14-16, 2020 and January 25-27, 2021. Colloquy for Mid-Career Clergy September 9-11, 2020 and January 4-6, 2021.
Read more
www.ctsnet.edu
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The eNews welcomes employment opportunity notices from our member churches and partner organizations. For more information about any of the items below, please contact the church or organization directly rather than the Presbytery office.
A request: If you've filled a position you posted here -- or if you know it's been filled -- please send an email to
statedclerk@pbty.com
so we can remove the post! Thank you!
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The Presbyterian Church of Seffner is seeking a part-time youth leader to walk with our youth during this part of their faith journey.
+ + +
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First Presbyterian Church of St. Petersburg has several openings, including
(as of this writing):
- Associate Pastor (full-time)
- General Office Admin (full-time)
- Receptionist/General Office Admin (part-time)
- Childcare Workers (part-time)
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Hey, Bill! When and where are the rest of the Presbytery meetings this year?
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I'm glad you asked!
😉
Three out of four of our meetings each year are on a Thursday, so don't miss that the May meeting is on Saturday instead. Here are the dates and places (with links to maps) for the rest of the year:
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Remember, there's always a lot of content on the Presbytery of Tampa Bay website, with info about all the presbytery commissions and committees, resources for clerks of session, news and announcements, and more. Click the button below to start exploring!
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And visit us on Facebook, too!
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Thanks for reading all the way to the end! -- Bill
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