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Two Three things:
An Installation and CDC Update
**AND A SCAM ALERT**
Rev. Edwin Gonzalez-Gertz will be installed as pastor at St. Andrew in Sun City Center -- and the CDC has updated its guidance since I last wrote to you

1. See below for the invitation to attend (onsite or online) the installation of St. Andrew, Sun City Center's new pastor, Rev. Edwin Gonzalez-Gertz. (Sorry for the late notice, but the installation commission was just approved at this week's Commission on Ministry meeting.)

2. Scroll a little further for links to the CDC's updated guidance released Thursday afternoon for fully vaccinated people. The links are the same ones that I included when I wrote to you on May 6, but the content has changed significantly. Pastors/moderators and ruling elders serving on the session at any of our churches should review the official information carefully and not rely only on headlines or other news coverage when making decisions.

3. And, just as I was about to hit send on this, I learned that someone had spoofed my email address and is trying to make some of you think I need your help "discreetly" and can't be reached by phone. I did NOT just send an email to anyone from "statedclerk.pbty[at]gmail.com" because that is and never has been my email address (I added the "[at]" to make sure no one could click on that bogus address).
  • Your presbytery staff's official email addresses all end with @pbty.com, so be sure to look for that on anything from us.
  • FWIW, no one on the staff ever has or ever will send anyone an email that includes anything like: "Good morning [your name]! Do you have a moment I have a request I need you to handle discreetly. I am in a meeting with no calls so just reply to my email." Never have. Never will. Please do not fall for it.
  • Read more from the Federal Trade Commission about this sad scam by clicking here.

Blessings,

Bill

Rev. William A. Wildhack III
Stated Clerk and Manager of Communications
(813) 868-4800, opt. 2

P.S. Did you miss our last issue of the eNews (with the Presbytery meeting summary? Check it out here!

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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!
Installation of Rev. Edwin Gonzalez-Gertz
The Presbytery of Tampa Bay
Invites You To The 
Service of Installation of

The Reverend Edwin Gonzalez-Gertz

as Pastor of 

St. Andrew Presbyterian Church

on Sunday, May 16th
Year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Twenty-One
At Three o’clock in the Afternoon.

Please check the most recent social distancing & safety rules on the church’s homepage at https://andy.church before coming or watch the live stream of the service on that page.
 
CDC COVID-19 UPDATES
We have consistently encouraged all churches --- and the ministers and ruling elders who seek to serve them faithfully --- to follow federal, state, and local public health guidance on best practices for the safest gatherings.

This week, that guidance is very different for many of us (and more consistent) than it was just a few days ago.

However, even in the midst of the euphoria that many of us who are vaccinated feel, it is important to remember that not everyone has been vaccinated, nor do the youngest among us have an opportunity to be vaccinated yet. While children 12-15 are now permitted to receive the Pfizer vaccine, access to that for them is still evolving, and no one under 12 is currently eligible to be vaccinated at all.

As your church's leaders evaluate possible changes in expectations or requirements for masking and social distancing when gathering, please remember always to include consideration of "the least of these among you" and not to inadvertently exclude them. (See Matthew 25:40, 45)

The links below are repeated from our last eNews, but (as of this writing) were last updated on May 13, one week after the updates we quoted from in the May 6 eNews.

If you are eligible and haven’t been vaccinated yet, please find a vaccine.
When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated

Fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.

Read more
www.cdc.gov
COVID-19 and Your Health

Choosing Safer Activities If you are fully vaccinated, you can resume activities that you did before the pandemic. Fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal,...

Read more
www.cdc.gov
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