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It's hard to believe that May is almost over |
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Or that COVID guidance is shifting, hurricane season is about to start, and summer learning opportunities are expanding! |
There seems to always be a lot going on, and this unsettled time since we first heard the word "COVID" in early 2020 has had a number of roller-coaster moments, and too many of them have been followed by an unexpected twist. Some of the twists have been encouraging, but others have been discouraging.
News of the CDC's changes in guidance for fully vaccinated people was welcomed with great joy by most. But even that great news is tempered by the lower-than-hoped-for vaccination rates nationwide (and especially worldwide). See below (close to the end after new info on new things) for some notes on things to think about as church leaders make decisions in response to last week's change in CDC recommendations about mask-wearing.
The rest of today's eNews includes
- a new PCUSA resource on "8 Habits of Evangelism" for the PC(USA)
- information on ways to follow-up on (or follow-through on) some of the things in the webinar with Tod Bolsinger that Patrice talked about at our presbytery meeting in April and several of us attended
- educational opportunities for members, elders, and ministers
- a big garage sale at Northwood Pres. in Clearwater
- and more!
And, down at the end, is another reminder about a sad but common email scam that spoofs the identity of religious leaders to try to get people discreetly to send money --- but only communicate by email and not to call. Be sure to take a look, and please follow that voice in your head that says "this just doesn't sound like" your pastor, your former pastor, your stated clerk(!!), etc.
Blessings,
Bill
Rev. William A. Wildhack III
Stated Clerk and Manager of Communications
(813) 868-4800, opt. 2
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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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New resource explores ‘8 Habits of Evangelism’ |
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The 8 habits resource, the first evangelism tool developed by the PC(USA) in more than a decade, is designed for use in community |
LOUISVILLE — The Rev. Dr. Ray Jones III has a vision for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
The director of Theology, Formation & Evangelism (TFE) sees Presbyterians using the new resource 8 Habits of Evangelism together as they begin to share with one another weekly — and even daily — about how the gospel is transforming their lives.
“I can hear them talking about some of the habits that are suggested,” he said, “talking with each other about what it’s been like to pray, or engage in fellowship with one another, in a certain way.”
While “8 Habits” will be helpful for people at personal level, Jones believes the first evangelism resource produced by the PC(USA) in more than a decade must be shared. As he and the Rev. Dr. Kathryn Threadgill, associate director for TFE, began praying about this new evangelism resource in November 2019, they had no idea that in just a few months a COVID-19 pandemic would expose devastating racial and economic inequalities in the U.S.
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Evangelism Ministry | Presbyterian Mission Agency
Evangelism is the proclamation and manifestation of good news. The following passage from the prophet Isaiah illuminates the expansive, wondrous nature of God's good news: "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who...
Read more
www.presbyterianmission.org
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So, you're thinking of retiring . . . |
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Pastors and church leaders of the Synod of South Atlantic pondering retirement can find some help at a webinar on Tuesday, June 15, 4:00-5:30p |
Has COVID jump-started your thinking about retiring? Or maybe it’s some other reason. This free webinar sponsored by the Synod of South Atlantic will provide a few discernment resources that can help PC(USA) pastors in the Synod as they begin considering retirement. Topics include:
- A Coach Can Help
- Your Presbytery Can Help, and
- The Board of Pensions Can Help
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Installation at St. Andrew, Sun City Center |
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Rev. Edwin Gonzalez-Gertz installed on Sunday, May 16, 2021 |
For the first time since the pandemic started, we held a fully on-site installation for a pastor!
Members of the commission and other participants included (from L to R): Presbytery Stated Clerk Bill Wildhack, Ruling Elder Carole Strum (St Andrew, Sun City Center), new Pastor Edwin Gonzalez-Gertz, Presbytery Moderator Bobby Musengwa (Maximo), Rev. Tamara Leonard Lara (Beth-El), Rev. James Friesen (Hyde Park), Rev. Loli Reiter (Seffner), Ruling Elder Stacey Quick (St Andrew, New Tampa), Presbytery Coach & Coordinator Patrice Hatley, Ruling Elder Rhonda Rhodes (Reconciler, Clearwater), and Rev. Susan Hill (Bloomingdale).
Welcome, Edwin!
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Ordination and Installation service offering supports inquirers and candidates in our Presbytery
The offering collected at all ordination and installation services of ministers of Word and Sacrament in the Presbytery of Tampa Bay helps fund scholarships administered by the Commission on Preparation for Ministry. These gifts help our inquirers and candidates with seminary tuition and associated educational expenses (books, paper, etc.), as well as living expenses during seminary.
Please be sure to select "PTB Candidate/Inquirer Seminary Scholarship Fund" in the donation box and include a note on the memo line that says "Welcome, Edwin!"
Thank you!
By the way, you can also learn more about the Presbyterian Foundation's Online Giving Program while you're visiting our new page!
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Leading the Church into the Post COVID World with Tod Bolsinger |
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ICYMI, you can watch a recording of the webinar Patrice spoke about during our meeting AND dig deeper with colleagues from across the Synod of South Atlantic (SC/GA/FL) |
To watch, click here AND enter this passcode: WL0ee&&d (NOTE: The link won't connect you to the video until after you enter the passcode.)
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Tempered Resilience Book Discussion |
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Tempered Resilience Book Discussion:
Join with a small group of others for eight sessions (via Zoom) to read Tod Bolsinger’s latest book, Tempered Resilience: How Leaders are Formed in the Crucible of Change. Using the book’s Tempered Resilience Study Guide, groups will review the readings together, be encouraged to reflect on individual leadership practices and beliefs, and focus on spiritual and leadership practices.
If you like to participate in the book discussion, contact the synod office: lisa@synodsa.org.
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Other online learning opportunities for church leaders and members |
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Leaders Lean Out
지도자들은 할 수 있는 것에만 집중한다
Líderes se apoyan
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The May issue of Regarding Ruling Elders has been posted online and is the fifth in a special formation series that will run throughout the year as a part of the Year of Leader Formation.
"Good leaders lean in on the things that are in their bucket. Good leaders lean out from the things that are in the other bucket—the things they cannot control. Here is the important idea: not everything goes in your bucket."
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This 12-part series focusing on PC(USA) leader formation is a part of the “Year of Leader Formation: Investing in Ruling Elders and Deacons.” Additional resources are available at www.pcusa.org/leader-formation/. Past issues of the articles are available in Equip, the church’s online training site. To sign up to receive news about the initiative and learn when new items become available, click here.
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2021 WORSHIP & MUSIC CONFERENCE | presbymusic
This intergenerational conference is for children, youth, adults, pastors, directors, organists, pianists, guitarists, percussionists, ringers, worship leaders, choir members, and anyone who loves the worship and music of the church.
Read more
www.presbymusic.org
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Hybrid Ministry in a Post-Pandemic Church - Faith+Lead
Whether you're high-tech, low-tech, or no-tech whatsoever, it's nearly impossible to miss the shift that's taking place in our culture. Curiosity is on the rise. Participation is sparking creativity and connection. May 27, June 3, and June 10.
Read more
faithlead.luthersem.edu
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From the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center |
For those who have already taken our Mediation Skills Training Institute (MSTI), we are pleased to offer a new one-day event: the MSTI Refresher Course! Sessions are available on Tuesday, May 11 and Saturday, June 12. The fee is $99, and the event runs from 9:00am to 4:00pm Central Time.
The full five-day version of MSTI is also available on May 3-7, June 21-25, August 2-6, October 11-15, and November 15-19, 2021. The session in August will include the option for in-person attendance in the Chicago area.
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NOTE: The Presbytery of Tampa Bay and some of our churches have hosted Lombard training in our area several times over the years. LMPC is recognized by mid-council leaders across the PC(USA) as one of the best resources for the ministry of reconciliation in the country. Read more about who they are and what they do. |
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Young Children and Worship Materials - FREE! |
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St. Andrews, Dunedin, is giving away all curriculum materials for Young Children and Worship |
Materials for all 3 years of the program are available because the church is no longer using them.
In the Young Children and Worship book, Sonja Stewart and Jerome Berryman have taken the needs of children into account and devised an exciting method for introducing three- to seven-year-olds to the wonder of worship. Their approach, which integrates religious education and worship, has been presented at numerous workshops and training sessions. Based on the authors’ experiences, the methods described here will be invaluable to teachers helping children understand and appreciate worship.
Contents: 3-dimensional wooden Bible Story components from Worship Woodworks, and 2-dimensional Parable elements packed in several large boxes. Bamboo trays for each story, and towels (for children's personal space) may need to be replaced.
Contact: Carol White
727-946-8291
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NOTE: your email program may clip this email before the end. If it seems to end unexpectedly, look for "[Message clipped] View Entire Message" and click on it.
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Annual Music Ministry Garage Sale |
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The annual Music Ministry Garage Sale for Northwood Presbyterian Church will be held May 28 and 29 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. It is Huuuuge! We have everything – furniture, clothes, jewelry, electronics, tools, books, toys, household, linens, and holiday items. Over a hundred families donate. Don’t miss it – we look forward to seeing you there.
Northwood Presbyterian Church
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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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CARROLLWOOD
Village Presbyterian Church in Carrollwood is still seeking a part-time Office Assistant position.
The position will require 20 hours per week which will include facilitating online worship on Sunday
mornings from 9 a.m. to noon.
The Office Assistant will support the ministries and membership of the church with excellent written and
oral communication skills. A working knowledge of iMovie (video production), PowerPoint, Microsoft
Word, Excel, Publisher, and internet and website skills are required. A working knowledge of IT systems
is preferred. Applicant must have a high school diploma or equivalent and a minimum of two years
related experience.
VPC requests 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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Questions about COVID, re-entry, vaccinations, and churches |
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From a colleague in another presbytery |
In an earlier eNews, we introduced you to Ruling Elder Lisa Allgood. As her bio says, "Lisa spent 36 years as an executive in the pharmaceutical industry. She left her third retirement to serve the Presbytery of Cincinnati as Executive Presbyter." She is a trained immunocytochemist and is still in touch with many colleagues in the field (you can read her brief bio at Lisa Allgood - Presbytery of Cincinnati).
Last week, Lisa sent an update to leaders in her presbytery a few hours before the CDC changes were announced, and later shared it with her counterparts in a Google group for presbytery leaders with an updated intro at the top. With her permission, below are some excerpts from her note; the only edits I've made delete language that became outdated just a few hours after she sent it.
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So – what to do at church?
First, understand the virus is NOT gone – we will be dealing with this for some time to come, and epidemiologists have declared this to be an endemic virus – it will circulate in humans probably forever in some way. Hopefully more and more people will get vaccinated, but the hoped-for “herd immunity” will not be attained as long as we have adult vaccination rates of 30-40%. And we proved at the beginning of the pandemic that large crowds of people un-masked can become super-spreader events even if only one person is shedding virus.
* * *
So Sessions . . . you are at liberty to remove masking requirements. You are at liberty to continue to require masks or outdoor worship and/or distancing. Personally, I would still recommend to keep singing and choirs very limited and masked, and I would still recommend distancing. It would be very hard to only permit vaccinated people to attend indoor worship. It’s up to you to decide whether you do Fellowship/coffee hours, but again – that’s a higher risk activity.
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Yes, the world is opening back up. But I ask you to prayerfully consider all we’ve learned and experienced over the past 15 months, consider some of the statistics I’ve shared on the high degree of significant permanent damage this virus does to all organs of the body, and consider what it will take to take care of each other. Go slowly – be safe. We need you.
Blessings always!
Lisa Allgood
Executive Presbyter
Presbytery of Cincinnati
lisa@cpresby.org
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Meanwhile, back in the Presbytery of Tampa Bay . . .
We'd love to hear about what your church is doing on this side of the CDC's latest guidance. Aside from curiosity, we often get asked what other churches are doing -- and we can't answer that if you don't tell us.
Earlier this week, in responding to that question from a member of one of our church's COVID task force, and with Lisa Allgood's comments in mind, I found myself writing this:
Ultimately, each session gets to set its own conditions, and the session's duty "not simply to reflect the will of the people but to seek together to find and represent the will of Christ" may lead to a decision to be more or less restrictive than the CDC or political leadership.
One of the discussions that I fear too many members and church boards across the country have overlooked or avoided in their joy at being able to be unmasked if fully vaccinated is that immunocompromised members may still be at more risk even if vaccinated, relatively few children 12-18 have been vaccinated, and children under 12 cannot currently get vaccinated. Seeking the good of others ahead of ourselves and caring for the "least of these" among us call us to a higher level of discourse and discernment than an opinion poll.
Blessings,
Bill Wildhack
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A final word about email scams |
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Sadly, it's time for another scam alert 😣 |
Last week, just as the mini-eNews was about to go out, I learned that someone had spoofed my email address and was trying to make some of you think I needed your help "discreetly" and couldn't be reached by phone.
In case you missed it, I did NOT send an email to anyone from "statedclerk.pbty[at]gmail.com" -- partly because that is not and never has been my email address (I added the "[at]" to make sure no one could click on that bogus address), but mostly because I would never do that.
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Your presbytery staff's official email addresses all end with @pbty.com, so be sure to look for that on anything from us.
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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.
FWIW, your pastor, your former pastor, your clerk of session, or anyone else in church leadership won't ever send you an email like that. If any of us ever need your help, you will have no doubt about who you're communicating with.
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Worshipers targeted by gift card scam
We're seeing a new spin on gift card scams. This time, scammers are pretending to be a pastor, rabbi, priest, imam, or bishop. They're asking worshipers for gift card contributions for a worthy cause. Appeals are often made by email, but we've...
Read more
www.consumer.ftc.gov
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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? We post informational, inspirational, and sometimes thought-provoking items there --- and offer a Small Church Network Facebook Group linked from that page. 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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Our next regular issue of the eNews will come out the week after Memorial Day. Please be sure to send me info before then!
Thanks for reading all the way to the end! -- Bill
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