Presbytery of Tampa Bay

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Shepherd's Sabbath

Resourceful Ideas

Around the Presbytery

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Shepherd's Sabbath - Refresh, Relax, Renew at Cedarkirk!

Plan to come to Cedarkirk for a time of renewal - FREE! Monday April 13- Wednesday April 15.  All church professionals and their families are invited to come enjoy a time of Sabbath in the beauty of God's Creation.  One day or all three -the length of time is up to you.  Cedarkirk will welcome you beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Monday and you can stay until 3 p.m. Wednesday.  Meals and housing are included in your FREE event.  Come hike, read, study, reflect, fellowship, rock on the porch - whatever you wish to do to reenergize!  Please call Karin at Cedarkirk - 813-685-4224, ext. 1, to reserve your spot.  Many thanks to Cedarkirk and the Professional Support Committee of the Presbytery for making this FREE event possible!

Pastoral Needs in a Difficult Economy: (Adapted from an article by the Rev. Neil MacQueen, Sunday Software, PCUSA Minister, used with permission)

Here's a starter list:
1. Sponsor financial planning and debt reduction seminars.
2. Seek out members facing difficult financial problems and care for them in personal ways.
3. Create networking opportunities for job-seekers and employers in your congregation and community.
4. Plan some extra potlucks and no-cost stress-relieving events for your members.
5. Include money and job concerns in your congregation's weekly prayers and in your daily life.

What else can you do to help?

Listen. Many people are embarrassed to be struggling, but are giving off clues. They need encouragement and help.
Prioritize. Rather than slash your budgets, look for waste and things that aren't working. Look for new lower-cost ways to do needed things.
Be Loyal. Don't stop spending money completely over the next few months. Many publishers, retailers, and service providers don't have a cushion and will need even modest support to stay afloat.
Do Unto Others. If someone owes you money, be patient and talk with them. If you can afford to help someone out, do so in faith that whatever you share will come back to you twelve-fold.
Learn. Use this recession as an opportunity to first teach yourself, then your family, your children and your friends the lessons these adverse days are teaching us."

Your Presbytery & Resource Center can help during these tough times.  Financial planning resources are available and we can also point you to good community resources as well.   As members seek spiritual guidance, we have help in that area also.  The greatest 'lesson' we can glean from this trying time is to truly work together.  We'll be in prayer for you and we ask for your prayers as well.  God is a God of abundance and will answer our need.  We are here to help in the coming months.

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Resourceful Ideas

Spring is here!  As we move toward celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord, remember your Resource Center is ready to help you as you think about summer and fall planning.  "New" curriculum from the PCUSA will be available soon (samples are ready now).  We Believe has been revised and improved (including a new Wee Believe for toddlers!).  Call or email if you have questions about curriculum needs for your church.

We are here for you! Use us! Ask us! Let us consult with you! Your Resource Center has many wonderful resources - books, video/dvd, curriculum, reference, Bible study and lots more. We also have people who can help you as you plan, teach, evaluate and dream. Leslee Kirkconnell is a Certified Christian Educator and is available to meet with your committee to help in planning, training, dreaming and more. You can also have your committee meet at the Presbytery office and see the many wonderful resources yourself. Both Leslee and Carol are available to help you in your search for resources. Call or email us and let us help you.

Volunteers are Always Welcome to help in the Resource Center.  We are blessed with a few folk who come to help, but we can always use more!  Do you have high school youth who need service hours for Bright Futures?  We are especially hoping for help during the summer for some projects in the Resource Center.  Other staff members also enjoy having willing hands to help with filing, copying and more.  Call us - we'll take one day or many-it's up to you!

New! New! New!

If you have enjoyed the Nooma series, you will like Liquid, a new DVD resource for youth and young adults.  Our first one is The Ten: 1-5.  Focusing on the 10 Commandments (part 2, The Ten: 6-10 will be released later this spring) this is a great resource for small groups who wish to build and maintain momentum while helping people really get into the Bible.  This study brings the 10 Commandments to life as we follow the lives of 5 individuals who are trying to live out one of the Commandments in their lives in Los Angeles.  God's Law is more than a list of restrictions....they're a road to a better life!  Also available:  Liquid:  Crossing - on the book of Joshua & Liquid:  Mirror Image, a study in Jesus' Parables.

Listen For God's Leading - A Workbook for Corporate Spiritual Discernment.  New from Upper Room Books!  Spiritual discernment is important for churches as well as individuals.  This book is designed for church groups to engage in learning practical tools for discovering what God yearns for your (church) future.  Prayer and worship resources, meditations and more.

40 Days & 40 Bytes - making computers work for your congregation From churches that have 'the latest' in technology to those who still use a typewriter, all need this guide as they seek to know what they should have, rather than what someone wants to buy or donate.  Technology is here to stay and churches must stay current as we move toward a time when paper will be history!  Understanding what you need today will help you to get  equipment that won't be outdated tomorrow!

Trusted Voices -Spiritual Wisdom from Lost Generations of Women.  Too often in the not too distant past, women's voices were suppressed or ignored.  Here is a collection of spiritual insight and wisdom from 25 women in the Reformed Tradition.  Here is inspiration to help us understand who we are and who we might become.  Great reading for Lent!

Explore these and other resources on the web - www.presbyteryoftampabay.com.  You can click on Webrary on the right hand side.  Enjoy our new website look!

Did You Know? We have a Regional Resource Center and because your Presbytery Resource Center is a member, all churches with membership less than 100 can use the Regional Resource Center FREE.  The Regional Center has a wide variety of video materials for studies and more.  You can check out their on-line catalog - visit www.regionalresource.org.

And remember - you are the RIESEN we are here - Resourceful Ideas Enabling Service Education & Nurture! Contact Leslee Kirkconnell or Carol Walker at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 813-868-4800.

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News from Around The Presbytery:

Friday, March 27, at 7 PM, Good Samartian Church is sponsoring a free concert by a choir of teenage singers ("The Shepherd's Staff") from the Congregational Church of Needham, Mass.  Dessert will follow in Brockus Fellowship Hall.  Joy Brewer, their choir director, grew up in the First Presbyterian Church of Sarasota, where the group will be in concert on Sunday.

The youth are volunteering with children with Cerebral Palsy in Tampa that Friday morning and will be preparing a lunch at Pinellas Hope on Saturday.  We are hoping to have a "full house" to pay them back for their services to our area and give them a warm Florida welcome!

Andrew Black, Associate Director of Religious Life/Associate Chaplain at Eckerd College has been named Moderator of the General Assembly's Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy's study on HIV/AIDS.  The study is to recommend compassionate action and give prophetic witness about the issues surrounding people living with HIV and AIDS in the United States and around the world. It will report to the 219th General Assembly (2010).  Andrew is a graduate of the University of Louisville's Brandeis School of Law, the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary [www.lpts.edu] and Eckerd College. He also organized the Louisville HIV/AIDS campaign and has researched HIV/AIDS justice concerns in South Africa.

SENIOR ADULT SURVEY COMING TO A CHURCH NEAR YOU!

You may have heard of church ministries with names like: 55 Alive, AA (Actively Aging), Empty Nesters, Golden Agers, Hilltoppers, Jolly Seniors, Keen Agers, Prime Timers, Senior Saints, TNT (Tried-N-True), or Super Seniors. What all of these names have in common is that they describe ministries that are intentionally focused on adults in their golden years.

According to the Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry Network (POAMN), for every worshiper under the age of 25, there are more than six worshipers over the age of 65, who account for 35% of all Presbyterians.  Churches, which have traditionally focused on youth members, must now answer this question: "How do we better meet the needs of and utilize the skills and wisdom of our older persons?"

People 30 years old are different than people 60 years old; not only in the hair on their head, but the mind inside. Older adults think differently than younger adults, have different needs, and different goals. So a ministry to young and middle adults looks very different from a ministry to senior adults.

It is with all of this in mind that the Senior Adult Ministry Team began refocusing its purpose and direction.

Growing into the person God intends you to be is a lifetime process, and the church's effectiveness in helping senior adults in the process critically depends on understanding the needs of this group.

We have developed a survey to benefit all of the churches within the Presbytery of Tampa Bay in understanding the needs of our local seniors. We will be sending out a survey packet to each church, and we sincerely hope that each church will participate.

Identifying the needs and desires of senior adults is the first step in actively ministering to this growing community within our congregations and neighborhoods.

We look forward to gathering your responses  Please contact me with any questions!
Miranda Morrisroe and the Senior Adult Ministry Team   ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 813-961-4115)

What Is God Calling You To Do? We Presbyterians are a committee people.  Your Presbytery functions because of the dedicated individuals who answer the call to serve Christ through one of our committees.  If you would like to get involved and serve Christ for the Presbytery, please contact Brian Mickle, Pastor at North Lakeland Presbyterian Church, 863-853-9541 or Mary McKey, Associate Executive for Nurture, 813-868-4800.  We currently have openings on several committees and would love to have you join us!

Update on our totals for Souper Bowl!  Our churches took in over $6000 in cash and over 4000 pounds (2 tons!) of canned goods. Souper Bowl makes an immediate impact on the community as all of the money raised benefits hunger programs. Nothing is spent on administrative or overhead costs. Food and money donated goes directly to the community agency of choice, so there is little gap between collection and the impact it has to help people.  It's not too early to begin thinking about next year's event.  For information on how to help, visit www.souperbowl.org to get involved!  Although started by youth, this project is one EVERY church can do!

Good Samaritan Church in Pinellas Park presents "The Shepherd's Staff"  Youth Choir of the Congregational Church of Needham, Massachusetts on Friday March 27, 7:00 p.m.  This group is traveling around Florida, serving others by day and giving concerts at night.  The community is invited - call 727-544-8558 for more information.

Spring Bash 2009 at Cedarkirk For information on all Cedarkirk programs, visit www.cedarkirk.com or call 813-685-4224.

Bring your 2nd through 5th grade Sunday school classes or other small groups for 24 hours of faith, fellowship and fun at Cedarkirk! You will enjoy a night in the Rustic Cabins and participate in all sorts of camp favorites: zip-lining, rock climbing, group games, and crafts. Your group will have the unique opportunity to experience God's wondrous creation in worship and at play. There are two weekends to chose from: May 1st-2nd or May 15th-16th. The cost for the Bash is $60 per person.

Cedarkirk is hiring! Counselors and more for the summer camp season are now needed at Cedarkirk. Summer experiences at Christian camps can be life changing for campers and staff. If you have college students and young adults who want to share time with children and youth growing in faith while having all the fun summer camp offers, have them contact Cedarkirk at 813-685-4224.

Summer Camp Registration is Open! Some camps fill quickly, so visit www.cedarkirk.com/summer to register and to see the full schedule. There are camps for all ages and abilities, including a family camp weekend for age 3 & up, a camp for youth focused on mission projects,  a music, arts & drama camp, and a special camp for developmentally challenged adults.  Not sure?  Make plans to attend Cedarkirk's Open House on Saturday May 9, 1:00 p.m.--5:00 p.m.  Enjoy camp activities, a hayride, make S'Mores or just relax.  A great way to see the beauty of God's creation at Cedarkirk!

Important Information for Church Financial People!

Note to Treasurers

Interpreting the Role of the Church Treasurer in Relationship to the Session

By Cheryl Valdebenito

During the Super Saturday for Leadership workshop "Understanding the Finance Office as Part of the Missional Church," we were discussing duties of the treasurer, which led to a participant's comment based on her reading of the Book of Order relative to:  "...a church treasurer cannot be on the session..." And the class discussion questioned further, "From a legal perspective, how does this then jibe with the corporate office of treasurer?  Can or should they be one in the same?"

Since none of us was knowledgeable on this subject, I sought help in determining how to correctly interpret G-10.0400 regarding the church treasurer serving on the session.   The question was posed to the Presbytery's general counsel and to the Executive Presbyter.  The summary below should be of interest to any church session and treasurer.

Executive Presbyter Gerry Tyer: In 1992 (see Minutes 21.234) the General Assembly adopted the following interpretation of the Advisory Committee on the Constitution:  "The question might properly be stated this way: In adopting the bylaws of the congregation that contain a provision that the church treasurer must be elected from the elders in active service, did the members of the congregation violate any provision of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)?  The advisory committee has found no provision that could have been violated by the adoption of the bylaws."

Since the Book of Order allows a congregation's bylaws to require the treasurer to be an active elder, there is certainly no prohibition in the Book of Order to electing an active elder as treasurer.  It is the choice of the congregation as stated in the bylaws.  G-10.0400 requires the session to supervisor the treasurer; however, if the treasurer is an active elder, the session would be supervising one of its own - in the same way that the session supervises the pastor, who is (of course) a member of the session.

Attorney Richard Stoffels: There is no legal impediment to the treasurer being an active member of the session.  State law permits the corporation to establish its own means of electing its officers, which typically would be elected by the board of directors or trustees, so it would not be uncommon that the session (who in a lot of churches are the trustees) elect the treasurer.  Further, it is not uncommon for an officer to also be a director or trustee of the corporation.

As to the second part of the question, when you ask whether the corporate treasurer should be the ecclesiastical treasurer, my answer is yes, they should be the same person.  The corporation has legal title to the assets.  And while it answers to the session, you have to remember that ecclesiastical officers have no actual authority under state law.  Having this office held by two separate individuals would make no sense, and I think that the phrasing of the BOO provision intimates that there would be one treasurer when it states that "if permitted by the state in which the church is located" referring to state corporate law.  Therefore, the corporate treasurer should be the same as the ecclesiastical treasurer.

Finance Question of the Month:

Forward your answers to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , who will summarize the responses and offer ideas that will be published in the next Presbytery Newsletter.

Should the position of Church Treasurer include among its duties all the data entry, check prep and signature, and all report preparation for the church's staff, committees and the Session?  Why, or why not? (Discuss)

Endowment Seminars Continue......

Presented by the Stewardship Committee of the Presbytery of Tampa Bay.

What are endowments? Why should our church set up endowments? What are the pitfalls to avoid? What can we learn from other churches? Find out the answers to these and other questions in these important and informative 90 minute seminars. Pastors, elders, trustees, members of finance committees and other interested persons should plan to attend one of these events.

So the committee can plan effectively, please call Sue Moore, Stewardship Committee Chairperson, 727-799-1250 a week ahead of the seminar you plan to attend. You are welcome to attend any of the following meetings:

Monday March 30 7:00 p.m. Faith Presbyterian Church, Seminole

Tuesday March 31 1:00 p.m. First Presbyterian Church, St. Petersburg

Tuesday April 21 10:00 a.m. St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, New Tampa

Saturday April 25 10:00 a.m. First Presbyterian Church, Brandon

Join Our Facebook Group! The Presbytery of Tampa Bay has a group on Facebook.  We're sharing ideas, discussing recent decisions by the presbytery and denomination and more.  Learn about and sign up for events coming in the life of the Presbytery.  If your church has a Facebook page (many do!) be sure to join our group as well and stay informed about happenings in the Presbytery.

Please let your members know of our newsletter! Anyone with access to email can sign up for our monthly e-news.  They just need to send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it requesting inclusion and we'll add them.  Please also keep us up to date on email addresses.  If you change yours, please let us know so we can change our list also.  For those who have members who do not have or want email access, we include a link for a printable pdf --please print and copy for your members to read.

Newsletters Please! Presbyterians are connectional people and your presbytery wants to know what great things are happening in your congregation! Please be sure to add us to your newsletter mailing list. Our surface mail address is 4704 Kelly Road, Tampa, FL 33615. Email newsletters to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We will include events of interest to all, if we get them well in advance. The newsletter deadline is the second Monday each month. April 13 will be our next deadline. Articles can be sent in word or email format. Clip art is also welcome, please contact us - we have a large library already and may have what you want!

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Events coming at Eckerd College:

Thursday March 26, 7:00 p.m. in Fox Hall - Tim Riley, NPR critic & rock author will present "Censorship:  A Multimedia Presentation."  Join the conversation about free speech, civil liberties and more that impact our First Amendment protections.

Monday March 30, 7:30 p.m. in Fox Hall - Dr. Gary Paul Nabhan will present "Protecting Sacred Lands & Species: Collaborative Conservations with a Spiritual Basis in the Middle East.' Dr. Nabhan is an Ethno-biologist, ecologist, and research scientist at the University of Arizona. He has won the John Burroughs Medal for nature writing and has received a Pew Fellowship and the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship.

Tuesday April 14, 6:00 p.m. in Galbraith Auditiorium David Raichlen (Assistant Professor of Anthropology, University of Arizona) will present "Are Two Legs Better than Four?  Comparative Biomechanics and the Evolution of Human Walking and Running."

For more information on these or other events at Eckerd, visit www.eckerd.edu/events for the most up to date listing of lectures, art, films, music and more.

Save The Dates!

Educators! Come for fellowship and sharing, Thursday March 26, 10:30 a.m.  We'll share information and experiences from APCE and make plans for a regular educator fellowship time.  Bring your lunch, drinks and dessert provided!

The spring Stated Meeting of Presbytery will be Thursday May 28 at First Presbyterian Church in Lakeland.

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Mission News and Opportunities

Container for Honduras! The International Mission Partnership Committee is planning to send a container to the Presbytery of Honduras in April. This is an easy way to help make a difference for our brothers and sisters working to improve life for people in Honduras. Items for the container must be received by April 15 and are to be delivered to Plantain Products Co., 5821 E. Causeway Blvd, Tampa, FL (between Hwy 41 and US 301 in the Clair Mel area of East Tampa) by April 15. Donations are accepted between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday. For a pdf list of needed items, click here.

Where Is Your Treasure? It is One Great Hour of Sharing season, with the offering traditionally gathered on Easter Sunday.  Our gifts to OGHS are distributed to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, the Self-Development of People and more.  What we give does make a difference!  There are a number of ways to involve your congregation in meaningful ways to understand the offering and raise funds.  The Presbytery has information, and every church should have received a promotional packet.  For more stories & information, visit www.pcusa.org/oghs

Give Your Vacation Bible School a Mission Focus! Supplementary kits from the Presbyterian Outreach Foundation and the Society of St. Andrew are available from the Resource Center.  These kits are designed to supplement your VBS for a specific mission for your participants.  This year's supplement from the Outreach Foundation will focus on helping orphans in North Korea through the Lighthouse Foundation, a ministry begun by PC(USA) missionaries.  The Society of St. Andrew is focused on hunger issues.  Children from preschool through 5th grade will learn more about reaching out in God's love through mission projects during VBS.  For more information call the Resource Center or visit www.endhunger.org (St. Andrew) or www.theoutreachfoundation.org.

Justice, Peace and Human Rights by Jim Clinefelter, Justice & Peacemaking Committee

Everyone believes in justice; we all long for peace and want to protect human rights. However, we find it hard to put these core values into effective action. We can't keep track of where justice is not being done; we get overwhelmed with the difficulties of peacemaking, and often are unaware when human rights are being trampled on. Moreover, it is easy to feel that there is nothing one person can do.

Your Justice and Peacemaking Committee seeks to provide resources and links to help you unite your voice and actions with others. This month we suggest three groups with which you can affiliate to keep you informed and linked with others in common efforts to protect and improve human rights.  We encourage you to visit their websites and read more about their important work.

The first is The Southern Poverty Law Center. It fights hate, teaches tolerance, and seeks justice. The SPLC has identified 926 hate groups operating in the United States. It frequently files legal cases against the leaders of such groups and has won numerous court judgments that have put hate groups out of business. While SPLC is concerned primarily with racial hate groups, it also deals with neo-Nazi and anti-gay hate groups. It provides quarterly Intelligence Reports to its members to keep them abreast of current developments and how they can respond to them. In addition, the SPLC publishes a Teaching Tolerance curriculum for use in public schools. Teachers may obtain the curriculum without cost so they can teach children understanding and respect for others. The SPLC was founded by Morris Dees, who is also the chief trial counsel for the organization. You can contact the SPLC at www.splcenter.org.

The Human Right Campaign is an on-line effort to alert members to pending legislation in the Congress related to human rights. Their emails explain the issues and what is at stake on a variety of human rights issues. The HRC encourages participants to contact their legislators about such bills. They provide on-line connections to assist users in reaching their senator or congressperson. You can receive their emails by contacting www.hrc.org/contactus.asp.

Amnesty International is, as its name implies, concerned with respecting and protecting internationally recognized human rights. AI sees its mission as conducting research and generating action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated. This sometimes puts AI at odds with national governments when abuses occur, but AI also seeks to work with national governments to maintain and strengthen human rights. You may contact Amnesty International through www.amnestyusa.org.

Your Presbytery Office sells Equal Exchange Coffee, tea, chocolate and more, along with merchandise from SERVV.  Our purpose is to raise awareness of fair trade issues and how congregations can make a real difference in the lives of people around the world.  Purchasing fair trade items guarantees a certain level of income to the farmers and artisans from whom we purchase.  For instance, when we buy coffee or other items from Equal Exchange, the farmers who grew the coffee beans (all shade grown) receive a minimum per pound price, no matter what the world coffee market does.  There are no middle 'men' or steps in fair trade.  Farmers are part of cooperatives that deal directly with Equal Exchange, thus ensuring more money going to the hard working individuals who produced the product.  We invite you to sample what we sell, see the items from SERVV and learn more about how easy it is for congregations to participate in fair trade projects!

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....Around the Presbyterian Church U.S.A......

To Those with Great Interest in the new Form of Government,

The new Form of Government Task Force covets your comments and suggestions regarding our work. We understand that sessions, presbyteries, and synods are faced with many issues to deal with over the next few months. But between now and June 30, 2009 is your chance to substantively impact and affect what the Task Force presents for approval by the 219th General Assembly in 2010. Please review our drafts (posted at www.pcusa.org/formofgovernment/ and tell us what you think. We will listen!

New is an updated side-by-side comparison to assist you in analyzing our work.

Current Form of Government to Proposed Form of Government:

http://www.pcusa.org/formofgovernment/pdfs/current_fog_to_proposed_fog_feb2009.pdf

Proposed Form of Government to Current Form of Government:

http://www.pcusa.org/formofgovernment/pdfs/proposed_fog_to_current_fog_feb_2009.pdf

If the presence of a Task Force member would be helpful in reviewing our work, we will make every effort to have someone from the new Form of Government Task Force there. Contact Joanne Green ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 1-888-728-7228, x. 5808) with your request and she will coordinate with the Task Force.

Many thanks for your prayerful and thoughtful consideration of what we have proposed.

The Rev. Daniel Williams and Elder Cynthia Bolbach  --  Co-Moderators, New Form of Government Task Force

Join us at the Big Tent! June 11-13, 2009 •Atlanta, Georgia

Big Tent is a first-of-its-kind event scheduled for June 11-13, 2009, in Atlanta under the theme, " ... and the word became flesh."

There will be some common meals and worship services, a shared exhibit hall, some common workshop sessions and a Saturday evening celebration event.

Ten Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) ministries and groups will hold their conferences in conjunction with the Big Tent event: the Healthy Ministry Conference, the Presbyterian Communicators' Network Conference, the National Multicultural Church Conference, the Stewardship and Investment Conference, the Evangelism and Church Growth Conference, the National Elders Conference, the Peacemaking Conference, the PHEWA Social Justice Biennial Conference, the Racial Ethnic Convocation and the New Immigrants Ministries Convocation.

Registration is open -visit www.pcusa.org/bigtent. 1-888-728-7228 x 2417.

Where's John Calvin? We will observe the 500th anniversary of his birth this year with several events! A special time is planned for our fall Presbytery meeting that will be at First Presbyterian Church in Inverness October 1. In celebration of Calvin's birthday, Witherspoon Press and the Theology Worship and Education ministry of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) produced an awesome DVD on the life and legacy of John Calvin. http://www.pcusa.org/theologyandworship/calvin.htm

Consider joining the Celebration - with the World Alliance of Reformed Churches in Geneva, Switzerland May 29-June 3, 2009. Enjoy fellowship with our Reformed partners, hear how Calvin's legacy is still relevant and important and celebrate in the birthplace of Calvinism. Contact Kathy Reeves at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 1-888-728-7228 ext. 5402.

Can't Get to Geneva?  Come To Montreat instead! Calvin Jubilee will be July 8-11 and will involve a wonderful array of scholars and preachers.  Sponsored by the Office of Theology & Worship, Montreat & Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, participants will enjoy a festive occasion with Christians from several denominations.  Top Calvin scholars, inspiring worship, panel discussions, a birthday celebration and more!  Montreat is handling lodging & meals - 1-800-572-2257 x 339 and for registration contact Nicole Gerkins at 1-888-728-7228 x 5029 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Please join us for the 2009 Princeton Forum on Youth Ministry, April 27-30, 2009, in Princeton, New Jersey. Register now while space is available.

Come to the forum if you...

• Need insights on leading in a complex church
• Want to explore relational youth ministry
• Long for opportunities to refresh your own spirit
• Would like to engage scripture and learn how to share it with young people
• Are looking for opportunities to connect with other youth leaders

Choose interactive courses that explore topics such as

• Adolescent sexuality
• Missional church
• Youth violence
• Social technology
• Student leadership
• Boys and friendship
• Spirituality

Presbyterian Women Churchwide Gathering will be July 11-15 in Louisville, Kentucky. The Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women gives you the opportunity to

* nurture your faith in community with women from around the world;
* learn about mission opportunities and justice and peace issues;
* develop leadership skills;
* participate in workshops;
* hear from Bible study leaders and plenary speakers;
* meet new friends, including Global Partners from around the world, and women from your area at the synod lunches;
* and much more!

Go to the Great Room to see exhibits about justice and peace issues and mission opportunities. Shop for fair trade gifts in the Global Marketplace. Visit the Horizons space to learn more about your favorite magazine and Bible study. Buy PW and PC(USA) resources. Enjoy crafts and snacks. The Great Room will be a terrific place to wonder and wander!

Workshops in English, Spanish and Korean as well as tours will address mission, leadership, personal spiritual growth and much more. Learn from plenary speakers and Bible study leaders who will explore the theme, "God Will Work Wonders Among You," and Joshua 3:5.

More than 3,000 women (and children, youth and a few men!) will participate in the Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women, which is being held in partnership with the National Presbyterian Association of Clergywomen. On-line registration is open - visit www.pcusa.org/pw.

All of us need time away to relax, refresh, learn, worship and recreate. Here are opportunities available for Clergy, educators and more:

National Pastors Sabbath will be April 17-20 at Sawgrass Resort, Ponte Vedra, FL. www.pcusa.org/pastorsabbath. Walter Bruggeman is the keynote, and will be joined by J. Herbert Nelson & Frances Taylor Gench.

Montreat Conference Center has wonderful opportunities year 'round.  Spring Spiritual Formation Retreat, April  16-19;  Arts & Sabbath April 19-23; Associate Pastor Conference April  20-23; Annual Recreation Workshop, May 4-9;  Proclaiming the Text June 1-5;  Christian Education June 1-5;  Youth Conferences begin June 7;  Worship & Music June 21 & June 28 and more.  Visit www.montreat.org for information or to register.  Early registration is discounted on many conferences!

ARMSS (Association of Retired Ministers, Their Spouses or Survivors) convention (in conjunction with Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network) will be September 29-October 2 in Tucson, Arizona.  Joy for the Journey:  Equipping the Saints.  For information contact Ginny Nyhuis, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 615-426-1545.

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