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So, we ended January with a taste of winter. . . |
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. . . and here on February 3, it's already spring again with temperatures in the 70s! |
But, even iguanas falling out of trees and a night or two of freeze warnings can't come close to what much of the rest of the country is facing weatherwise as I type this today or has in the last couple of weeks. And, as we enjoy our taste of spring, please keep others facing ice, snow, sleet, and freezing temperatures in your prayers.
Lord, in your mercy . . .
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And, despite the gentle breeze wafting through my work-from-home office window today, I am also very mindful of the need for prayer in the midst of a very different storm that just seems to never quite go away. The news this week has also included reports of more than a dozen historically Black colleges and universities receiving bomb threats on the first day of Black History Month. Even though the FBI has reportedly already identified several suspects in this week's threats, a quick Internet news search will quickly remind you that this is not a new thing. This headline jumped off the screen at me in such a search: 'I'm just tired of being terrorized like my grandparents were.'
Lord, in your mercy . . .
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Finally, I invite you to join me in prayer for a peaceful resolution to the simmering tensions over Ukraine. Along with civilian war survivors, veterans of foreign wars from Europe in the first half of the 20th century though those who have fought in other places since then, view such events very differently from those who have never experienced armed conflict up close. I pray not only that leaders will find and show wisdom but also for those in uniform who will bear the brunt of their decisions on the front lines and civilians across the battlespace far beyond the "front" if efforts at peaceful resolution fail.
Lord, in your mercy . . .
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Now, on to the eNews . . .
Thank you for your patience with me as I've worked hard not to drop (too many) balls in this time of temporarily (and greatly) expanded responsibilities. One of those balls was a mid-January eNews --- I know how crushed you are about not getting one🙃--- but, part of dropping that ball means is there's a lot in this issue.
So, please take a moment to at least scroll briefly through to make sure you don't miss something that might really interest you. Along the way, you'll find information on several upcoming events, including
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An invitation to the ordination of Eileen M. Jewell to the ministry of the Word and Sacrament at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 20, at Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church.
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Heads-up to watch for more details on our March 17 Presbytery meeting at Cedarkirk
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Free lunch in Lakeland with the Presbyterian Association of Musicians
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This month's online Matthew 25 forum with the Presbyterian Mission Agency
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Annual Gathering of Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery of Tampa Bay
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Two seminars offered by the Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry Network
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Reminder to register the Association of Smaller Congregation's annual conference in March
- and a couple of other things, 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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Ordination of Eileen M. Jewell to the ministry of the Word and Sacrament |
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The Presbytery of Tampa Bay
Invites You To The Worship Service
Celebrating the Ordination of
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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
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PRESBYTERY STATED MEETING
MARCH 17, 9:00 A.M.
AT CEDARKIRK!!!
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MINISTERS AND SESSION CLERKS should watch their emails for more after the Coordinating Team meets on Feb 10, and there will be more for everyone else in an upcoming eNews. |
But, as this eNews goes out with six weeks to go to the meeting, here's what we can tell you about our current-but-still-evolving plans* for meeting ON-SITE at Cedarkirk:
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PRE-REGISTRATION will be required for all attending
- On-site check-in and morning coffee and refreshments will be open by 8:00 a.m.
- Our meeting will start promptly at 9:00 a.m.
- Our primary meeting and worship will be in and around the covered Pavilion
- We will include a mid-morning snack break
- We are still exploring options for lunch as we continue to develop the docket -- and get a better idea of how long the meeting should take.
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There may be options for tours of the site after the meeting or during lunch, and maybe even to engage in some camp crafts or other activities.
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THERE WILL BE CEDARKIRK COOKIES AVAILABLE 😋 both to enjoy on-site AND to take back (if they get that far) to your churches along with promotional materials about Cedarkirk and its many programs.
Because of the challenges of the outdoor setting, we don't expect to be able to offer a streaming option for observers.
- PLEASE NOTE: Our August meeting is planned for ONLINE-only participation.
WATCH FOR MORE DETAILS ON PRE-REGISTRATION AND THE REST IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS! If we haven't answered your question here, we probably don't know the answer yet, so please be patient. 😏
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*The asterisk about our plans leads to this disclaimer: Some, much, or none of what's listed above may change in light of external factors beyond our control. |
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There's still time to join us in honoring Patrice Hatley by dedicating a rocking chair at Cedarkirk |
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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!
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2022 Cedarkirk Calendar of Events |
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The 2022 Calendar is here! |
In case you didn't know it, Cedarkirk is a year-round camp and conference center and ministry of the Presbytery of Tampa Bay and Peace River Presbytery to our south. It includes 170 acres of woodlands, wetlands, and uplands along the Alafia River in Lithia, FL (near Brandon).
Cedarkirk is dedicated to providing a place for individuals and groups to have the opportunity for spiritual renewal and growth in a natural environment.
Click here or on the image of the calendar for more and visit Cedarkirk's website and click the "Our Programs" tab for information, details, and registration for all Cedarkirk events. They update those pages continually as they roll out registration and track the status of COVID in our region.
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Lunch with PAM in Lakeland on February 15 |
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RSVP by Feb 10 to join the Presbyterian Association of Musicians for lunch |
PAM Executive Director Kelly Abraham will share about PAM and lunch will be served. All are welcome to this free event!
Please note, Covid protocols of host site will be followed. Guests will receive an email in the days prior to the event outlining specific Covid protocols
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The next monthly "Being Matthew 25" live stream event is on February 17 at 1:00 p.m. |
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Click through below to read more about this new monthly series, view January's recording, and plan to join them on February 17 at 1:00 p.m.
Being Matthew 25 is an interactive online event that makes space for stories, reflections and conversations about what it means to live out the Matthew 25 vision. The livestream will be available for viewing on the PC(USA) Facebook page or PC(USA) YouTube Channel during the event and after.
More than just talking heads, Being Matthew 25 includes video storytelling, song, poetry, art, guest interviews, case studies, testimonials and Q&A sessions that invite the Church to consider how to be a relevant presence in the world and to more fully live into Matthew 25.
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Being Matthew 25 in word and deed | Presbyterian Mission ...
by Melody K. Smith | Presbyterian News Service LOUISVILLE - Being Matthew 25, a new Presbyterian Mission Agency (PMA) monthly livestream series, begins at 1 p.m. Eastern Time on Jan. 20. Being Matthew 25 is an interactive online event that makes...
Read more
www.presbyterianmission.org
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Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery of Tampa Bay invite you to their Annual Gathering on Saturday, Feb 26 |
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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.
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Two Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry Network Events in February |
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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
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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.
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Association of Smaller Congregations Conference, March 18-20 |
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Building Bridges for Smaller Congregations: Offering Help, Hope, and Healing |
The Association of Smaller Congregations invites you to join them and re-energize with worship and prayer at its 35th Annual Conference and Retreat.
This year's keynote speaker is Rev. Dr. Jonathan C. Augustine—a pastor and professor, as well as an author and advocate. He is part of a group of national social justice leaders who speak for the equality of all human beings while advocating for policies of diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
Workshop presenters include Beth Lindsay Templeton, “Uncharted Journey;” Steve Adkins; Rev. Maeba Jonas; and Liz Perraud, “Intergenerational Ministry Pathways.”
Click here or on the flyer below for more information and to register.
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The Association of Smaller Congregations (ASC) was organized in 1987 to serve congregations in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina having fewer than 200 members. The group seeks in their conferences to lift up these smaller congregations, offering tools and support, promoting their unique strengths and needs, and providing opportunities for fellowship, education, creative thinking and sharing. For more information and registration find them online and join the conversation on Facebook.
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More photography from Paul Means |
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In last April's presbytery meeting worship service, hosted in part from Cedarkirk, we introduced you to some photographs celebrating God's glory in creation. As Rev. Dr. Paul Means, associate pastor at Northwood in Clearwater spoke, photographs of his filled our screens. Later in the summer, we shared a link to a new website showing many, many more of his photographs.
Today, we're happy to share a link to a new book he's put together in collaboration with two good friends. Paul writes that this brief paragraph helps convey what the book is about:
As Christians, we believe that every vibrant sunrise, every glistening rainbow, every soaring eagle is created by God. As Psalm 19 tells us, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the works of his hands.” We are photographers who love to capture images of inspiring sunsets, majestic mountains and untamed wildlife. But no matter how well our pictures turn out, God is the artist. The goal of this book is to encourage others on a similar journey of experiencing the joy, beauty and glory of God in creation. This is a book that can stay on your coffee table – but will inspire you to get off the couch.
Thank you, Paul, for sharing your gifts!
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Home
This book inspires readers to celebrate God's creation by picking up a camera. It's a book of stunning nature photographs and a how-to guide for beginning photographers. But the book's larger purpose is to help readers appreciate and experience...
Read more
photographinggodsbeauty.com
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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 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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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! |
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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 next regular issue of the eNews should come out the week of the 14th. Thanks for reading all the way to the end! -- Bill |
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