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Register NOW for Super Saturday for Discipleship!

News Flash!

Resourceful Ideas

Serving Together in Mission

We are the Presbyterian Church U.S.A.

Super Saturday for Discipleship August 21-22- Register NOW!

Discounted Registration ENDS August 7.

Plan to join us at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, 705 Michigan Blvd, Dunedin, Florida for this annual learning and fellowship event!

Be sure to get your preferred classes by sending your registration information to the Presbytery, postmarked no later than August 7.  After that date the price increases and workshops fill up.

Formerly Super Saturday for Christian Education, this annual training event is for Educators, Pastors, Elders, Teachers, Youth Leaders - anyone involved in the Educational Ministry of their church.  Our event begins on Friday with a lunch gathering of Church professionals (educators, pastors, youth leaders) with our Keynote speaker, Anne Wilson.  On Saturday all will gather for worship, keynote, workshops and wonderful fellowship.  Registration brochures have been emailed to all churches and are also available in hard copy from the Presbytery office. You can download and print a brochure here.  You will also need the registration form. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .   Workshop offerings include training for teachers, curriculum options, Q & A about youth ministry and culture;  young adult ministry, mission with children and much, much more!

We will welcome Anne Wilson who has been a member of the staff at Northwoods Presbyterian Church in Houston, TX since May of 2000.  As Director of Ministries to Children and their Families she has responsibility for the overall educational ministry for infants through fifth grade.  Under Anne’s leadership, rotating workshops have been successfully implemented for the elementary church school program.  Celebrating family milestone events is something the whole congregation enjoys.

During our Super Saturday event, Anne will help us understand why and how to include all generations learning and growing together in faith.  Helping families understand their primary role as faith educators is a key emphasis as well.  Come be inspired, gain great new ideas and refresh yourself with the people of God!

Care and educational activities for children entering first through fifth grade will be available only for pre-registered children.  Care for preschool (or children older than 10) must be arranged by calling the Presbytery, 813-868-4800 by August 7. Please understand for safety and security we cannot take walk in registration for children.

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News Flash!

$9.00 in '09

Prayers and Celebrations

Presbyterian Women Helpshops

Cedarkirk Happenings

Minister Deadline for General Assembly

Save the Dates!

$9.00 in '09
As many of you may (or may not) know, the Presbytery of Tampa Bay has had to drastically cut its budget for 2009. In addition to the elimination of both associate executive presbyter positions and the reduction of the Resource Center Director to half time, two of the hardest hit missions of the presbytery have been Cedarkirk and Beth-El. At the May 28 Presbytery meeting a motion was made and passed to conduct a special campaign to, hopefully and prayerfully, fund the $77,000 that was cut from these two combined missions.

Questions we've heard from members in the presbytery:

Why didn't all of us know about this - after all, we're ALL members of the presbytery?
We apologize that the communication loop may not have been complete. To that end, we're asking all churches to forward this to all members. And members are welcome to forward this to friends who may no longer be living in the Presbytery of Tampa Bay but who have a long-standing interest in our missions.

What can we do - individually and collectively?
Your Stewardship Committee is asking every member and friend of member congregations to give $9.00 in 2009 to make up for this cut.

Doesn't our church already give to Cedarkirk and Beth-El?
This would be NEW money to replace the money previously budgeted for 2009. If your church already gives to Cedarkirk or Beth-El in addition to your mission and per capita pledges, this campaign is requesting $9.00 from every member beyond those gifts.

What is going to happen if we don't do this?
As with other cuts at the presbytery level, there will have to be staff cuts, and programs, which many of us may have taken for granted, will have to be cut, also.

I'm not familiar with some of the work of Beth-El. What does that mission do?
The following true story highlights why this is such a vital mission of the presbytery:
Pastor Ramiro first met Juan and Maria after he received a call from the country jail for family counseling. He was somewhat surprised when he found that Maria was the one in jail for battery. After a period of beginning to know the family, Pastor Ramiro invited the couple to come to the Sunday services. They both began to attend, and Maria began to be involved in the worshipping community. Shortly thereafter she was teaching Sunday School. As they both matured in their faith under Pastor Ramiro's guidance, they both became leaders in the worshipping community. Now Maria is considered to be a lay pastor and has received training through the Presbytery. All by God's amazing grace.

Cedarkirk serves God's children of all ages throughout the year. What is the impact of Cedarkirk on the life of a camper? It was just a simple note on my address sheet at the end of the week. She didn't know it would change my life. She didn't know her words would be emblazoned on my heart and I would carry them with me into adulthood. She didn't know how much it meant. All it said was "you are never a burden" but words of grace from my camp counselor continue to be the primary reason why Cedarkirk holds a sacred place in my heart. When a sad middle school camper is assured of her place in the world and in this remarkable community of faith we are confident that all are welcome here, all are special here, all are changed here." Libby Shannon, former Cedarkirk camper and staff member

Can we arrange a visit from a representative of Cedarkirk or Beth-El?
Absolutely! Please contact John Reiter (813-685-4224 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or Dave Moore (813-633-1548 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ). They would be elated to talk with your congregation about the missions they represent.

How do I make a donation?
Please send your check to:
The Presbytery of Tampa Bay
4704 Kelly Road
Tampa, FL 33615-5019
Make checks payable to The Presbytery of Tampa Bay" and mark them "Cedarkirk and Beth-El Special Campaign".

Do I have to give exactly $9.00?
Members are welcome to give more or less than $9.00 as you are able to give. We know that all will be blessed in the giving and in the receiving.

Faith Presbyterian Church in Seminole
Lake Seminole Presbyterian Church
Grace Presbyterian Church - Spring Hill
St. Andrew Presbyterian - Sun City Center
Bayshore Presbyterian Church - Tampa
Bel-Mar Presbyterian Church - Tampa

Bad News Turns to Good News thanks to your faithfulness!

First, the Bad News:

As you may know, the May 28 meeting of the Presbytery of Tampa Bay received disappointing financial news. Many churches were behind in their mission benevolence giving and per capita payments. We learned presbytery was over $88,000 behind projected receipts for mission and per capita. If that trend continued, we would be in the red by $200,000 by the end of the year. Major cuts were made. Both Associate Executive positions were eliminated effective 12/15/09. Support to Cedarkirk Camp and Beth-El Farmworkers was reduced by one-half. Other budget cuts were made.

Now the Good News:

During June, we had an outpouring of generosity, commitment and compassion. It was a very good month! The revised budget is now on target with projected mission receipts. June per capita receipts still lagged $35,000 behind projections – but even that is a significant improvement over May. We were able to transfer $8,000 back to the reserve fund bringing that line item into balance. With additional generosity and on-going care expending funds, I expect the presbytery’s financial ship will right itself by the end of the year. Thank you to the thirty-one churches who contributed over $120,000 to Presbytery mission and per capita in June:

Brandon, First  ($1,833)
Bartow, First  ($74)
Clearwater, Trinity ($643)
Dade City, First  ($2,000)
Ft. Meade, First  ($100)
Haines City, First  ($1,600)
Hudson, St. Mark’s  ($667)
Lake Alfred, First  ($81)
Lakeland, North Lakeland ($545)
Lakeland, First  ($30,840)
Largo, Christ  ($500)
New Port Richey, Westminster ($604)
Pinellas Park, Korean ($3,400)
Plant City, First h ($326)
Safety Harbor, First  ($121)
Seffner, Presbyterian Church ($500)
Spring Hill, Grace  ($1,277)
St. Petersburg, Maximo ($670)
St. Petersburg, First  ($11,000)
St. Petersburg, Garden Crest ($4,000)
St. Petersburg, Westminster  ($6250)
Tampa, Forest Hills ($1,502)
Tampa, Bayshore ($3,125)
Tampa, Palma Ceia ($40,000)
Tampa, St. Andrew  ($1,021)
Tampa, St. John  ($83)
Tampa, Village ($1,000)
Tarpon Springs, Church on the Bayou ($675)
Temple Terrace ($607)
Winter Haven, Hope ($1,975)
Yankeetown, Parson’s Memorial ($170)
Zephyrhills, First ($3,000)

Special Appeal for Cedarkirk Camp and Beth-El Farmworker Ministries:

As I hope you know, presbytery voted in May to seek to restore the reductions made to Cedarkirk and Beth-El by conducting a campaign to raise $77,000 (see the full article in this newsletter).  Thank you to the following who contributed $13,060 to the Special Appeal in June:

Anonymous
Gail and Bob Michael
Katherine Piersall
Northwest Presbyterian Church, St. Petersburg
Russell Hacket
Thomas Hochadel
William Heilman

A Good News Story from Presbytery:

Recently one of the pastors involved in The REACH Initiative told me how important the presbytery is to his church. He said that without the presbytery’s leadership in launching this evangelism program, without the consultants and trainers sponsored the presbytery, without the pastor cluster group and peer support, his church would still be stuck in decline and heading for death. But the presbytery-sponsored REACH Initiative has helped turned the church around. The attitude of lay leaders is positive again, and there is enthusiasm to reach new people for Christ. Another pastor in The REACH Initiative indicated his church has a renewed passion to serve the needs of their local community. Good things are happening to extend the Kingdom of God because faithful folks like you support the regional mission of the Presbytery of Tampa Bay.

God loves a faithful steward!

God has blessed the Presbytery of Tampa with the people, resources and generosity we need to fulfill our mission of serving congregations and creating partnerships for mission projects beyond what a single congregation can do alone. If you are led by God to contribute above and beyond your tithe in support of your home church in order to support the regional mission of the presbytery, please send your check to the Presbytery of Tampa Bay, 4704 Kelly Road, Tampa, Florida 33615.

God bless!

Gerry Tyer
Executive Presbyter and Stated Clerk
Presbytery of Tampa Bay

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN HELPSHOPS - A Journey of Faith

All Presbyterian women or any woman in a leadership posiiton will find these Helpshops useful.  There are sessions for Moderators, Vice Moderators, Circle Leaders, Secretaries, Treasurers, Historians, Parliamentarians, Mission/Outreach and more.  In addition to the sessions, there will be an overview of the 2009-2010 Horizons Bible Study, Joshua.  Come enjoy special music, learn of upcoming events and share good fellowhip over lunch with other Presbyterian Women.

There are two dates and two locations for you to choose:

Thursday September 10, First Presbyterian Church, Zephyrhills, Florida

Saturday September 12, First Presbyterian Church, St. Petersburg

Phone 352-746-6305 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The Rev. Susan Meier Is New Interim General Presbyter For Maumee Valley Presbytery
Susan Meier, former Associate Executive for the Presbytery of Tampa Bay, has been selected to become the Interim General Presbyter for Maumee Valley Presbytery beginning September 1st.  Susan faithfully served our presbytery for eleven years as the Associate for Mission. 

Susan has roots in Ohio, having graduated from the College of Wooster, in Wooster, Ohio and served as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Wooster.  She and her daughter Rebecca will be moving to Findlay, Ohio in August.

She will be leaving with the prayers and best wishes of the Presbytery of Tampa Bay.  If you would like to send Susan your own note of congratulations, her Tampa address is: 9264 Lake Chase Island Way, Tampa, Fl 33626

New Fall Events at Cedarkirk
This summer has been an exciting and meaningful one filled with lots of activities and programs, but the fun does not stop in August.  The Cedarkirk staff has prepared a full fall schedule of events with a wide variety of programs for all ages.  Our post-summer events kick off with the annual Labor Day Family Retreat from September 4th-6th.  On the same weekend, we will have our first Cedarkirk Homecoming on September 5th.  The day will be filled with activities and times for celebrating Cedarkirk’s history, hearing what is new out at camp, meeting new friends, as well as catching up with old friends.  Also, new this fall is The Gathering, which will take place in October for smaller youth groups, a Senior Adult Retreat in October, and the Kairos Retreats which are spiritual discipline retreats for older youth.  More information about all of these new events and our classics can be found on the website: www.cedarkirk.com.  We look forward to seeing you this fall!


Labor Day Family Retreat A weekend of camp designed just for families. September 4th-6th.      
Cedarkirk Homecoming Our first homecoming event celebrating Cedarkirk history, with time to catch up with old friends, reminisce about great memories, and hear what is new out at camp.  September 5th      

Falltastic One of our most popular events for elementary children.    October 9th - 10th      

The Gathering A youth retreat for smaller sized church youth groups.    October 2nd - 4th      

Kairos Retreat A new program open to youth groups that will explore different spiritual disciplines in small group settings.    Open throughout the Fall      

Senior Adult Retreat Our annual event for older adults.    October 27th -29th      

Christmas Retreat Our annual Christmas event for children and youth.  December 18th-20th      
The Inn Door A holiday retreat for homeless women and families.    TBA      

Christmas International House A hospitality and peacemaking retreat for international college students.    TBA

Oct. 5 is the deadline for General Assembly Minister Commissioner nominations.
Oct. 5 is the deadline to submit information on a minister to be considered as a commissioner to the 219th General Assembly in 2010.  Under a new policy approved by the Presbytery of Tampa Bay, ministers may put forward their own name for consideration, or others may suggest them.

Information on elder commissioners is handled through a separate process, involving churches on a presbytery rotation list.  They will be sent their information by e-mail and the postal service.  (Our presbytery is allowed three elder commissioners and three minister commissioners, with three alternates for each slot.)

The following is a list of the information needed by that date and the requirements for serving:
1)    Provide in advance completed biographical/faith statement forms which will be used by the Nominating Committee to assist the Presbytery in knowing more about each nominee.  (The forms are available through the presbytery office.)
2)    Be available to attend pre-assembly (or synod) training events and able to read required preparatory materials before the meetings begin.
3)    Be available to attend all scheduled meetings of the General Assembly or Synod for which he or she is a commissioner.
4)    Be able to answer in the affirmative all of the questions for commissioning to the meetings.
5)    Provide a written report to the presbytery about their work as commissioners after the meetings have concluded.  Commissioners will be expected to provide their reports by the next stated meeting of the Presbytery after the GA or Synod has met.
6)    Commissioners to General Assembly must also agree to serve on the Presbytery Bills and Overtures Committee from the time they are commissioned until the commissioning for the second General Assembly after the one they attended (In other words, about four years of service on the Bills and Overtures Committee).

Hootenanny  for the Hungry - August 8th at 7p.m. - Village Presbyterian Church in Tampa

Presenting Dan Johnson & the Heartland Singers

Join us on Saturday, August 8th and go back that time when Peter Paul and Mary sang about Little Jackie Paper who loved that rascal Puff and brought him strings and sealing wax and other fancy stuff….

This is a benefit Concert by Dan Johnson & the Heartland Singers to support the VPC Community Food Pantry.  There will be a multitude of singers and musicians sharing their gifts and talents.

Admission is free. If you would like to support the Community Food Pantry a recommended donation of $10.00 per person and/or a donation of nonperishable food to the pantry is appreciated.  However, everyone is welcome regardless.

Our first purpose is to gather in joy and to celebrate our joy at being able to touch the lives of neighbors in need.  We would love to fill the sanctuary with a mob of folks singing along!

Village Presbyterian Church is located at 13115 South Village Drive (Carrollwood Village area) in Tampa.  813-961-4115 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Please let your members know of the Presbytery's 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 your email address.  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 them 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. August 10 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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It's not too late! We have ONE 2009-2010 Presbyterian Planning Calendar available for sale - $8.00, first come first served.  Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Free Black Choir Robes from First Presbyterian Church in Tampa.  19 total, various sizes.  Contact Bill Luthe at 727-781-3366 or 727-916-1466 for more information.

Save The Dates!

Coming to Cedarkirk:

Challenge to Change - The perfect mission trip program for youth groups.  -  Year-round

The Fall Stated Meeting of Presbytery will be Thursday October 1 at First Presbyterian Church in Inverness.

Mission Super Saturday will be Saturday October 10 at Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church in Tampa.

Middle School Retreat is November 6-8 at Cedarkirk.  We are excited to welcome the Rev. Jim Hatch (Pastor at FPC Bartow) as our keynote speaker!

Resourceful Ideas

New! New! New!

iBelieve has a new edition in the Resource Center.  Working for God continues the series that features 40 Daily Reading for the Purposeful Presbyterian.  Is your work your career?  Your profession? Or simply your job?  We all work, yet we all have a holy vocation to glorify God through our work.

If you enjoy studying the psalms, consider reading J. Clinton McCann's new book, Great Psalms of the Bible. Looking at well known and loved as well as lesser known, the author helps us to understand their original meaning in context and helps us consider how they impact us today.

Spiritual Disciplines can and should be life-long habits.  Your Resource Center has been gifted with Living Well:  Christian Practices for Everyday Life, a new publication that can be used by individuals, couples, families or groups. There is a companion children's workbook as well, thus enabling parents to help children begin forming the habit of daily spiritual practice at a young age.

The Presbyterian Leader.com has new studies available.  Developing Leadership in Your Congregation by the Rev. Joan Gray helps us understand that Spiritual leaders can flourish only when these nurturing practices and the attitudes that support them work their way into the fabric of a congregation’s life. This study will highlight some of the most important practices and provide ideas about how to help officers succeed and grow within a congregation.  Be sure to visit the website - www.thepresbyterianleader.com for information on how to order their studies or download their free newsletter with great tips for all leaders.  You can also subscribe to download all their studies for a reasonable price.  This is a great resource for training and nurturing leaders in your congregation!

The Thoughtful Christian has released new studies - Christians and Patriotism examines the various elements of patriotism, including its noble and potentially dangerous aspects. It then addresses the question, what is Christian patriotism? Perhaps there is a way to be both Christian and patriotic. Also for adults is Health Care Reform:  The Moment is Now. As the newest round of debate concerning health-care reform in the United States continues, this study provides a clear outline of three of the most prominent proposals for reform of the nation’s health systems and the justice issues they raise.   New for Thoughtful Youth is Wonderfully Made:  Building Body Image in Youth. Looking at the media and the Bible, this youth study explores teen self-image, body perceptions, and what beauty truly is.  The Thoughtful Christian has also reduced their subscription rates! Want to know more?  Visit www.thethoughtfulchristian.com.  You can preview many studies in the Resource Center, but we cannot lend them out due to copyright issues. 

@this point - the free online journal from Columbia Theological Seminary has published its spring edition - Mammon in the Maelstrom.  This edition reflects on our current economic crisis and how Christians should respond, knowing that while our lives may not be going the way we envisioned, we can stand firm in the knowledge that God has not abandoned us either!  Read the articles here.  You can also sign up for e-delivery to your inbox.

Please pardon our disarray! We're in process of re-organizing our Manuals into categories.  So if you come in and see empty shelves that once were full, never fear!  We've moved all into specific piles awaiting recataloging.  We can find what you need.

Explore these and other resources on the web - www.presbyteryoftampabay.com.  You can click on Webrary (Webrary is our on-line, searchable catalog!) on the right hand side.  Enjoy our new website look!

There's always more to our story than we can include here.  Come visit the Resource Center and let us help you with your ministry.

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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Serving Together in Mission

Mission Continues in Honduras

Mission Celebration '09

It's More Than Coffee

Women Doctors in Mission

Mission Trips Continue to Honduras - Despite civil unrest, several churches in our Presbytery have made or will make their trips to Honduras this summer.  Some groups are smaller, as couples decided only one should go, but the witness to the work of Jesus Christ continues, praise God!  A recent blog entry from the Rev. Norm Hatter (St. Andrews Dunedin) outlined how they helped families by pouring concrete flooring in several homes, laid hands in prayer on a young man suffering disease and taught nutrition, first-aid, cpr and more to young mothers.  Please pray for all our mission teams, whether visiting Honduras or Nashville or even downtown Tampa.  We're grateful for the call to service, even in a time of uncertainty.  Our Honduras Mission Network (PCUSA) reports our missionaries, Tim and Gloria Wheeler are fine.  You can read a good news article here http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/28/AR2009062800635.html?wprss=rss_world/centralamerica

Are you passionate about mission?  Come join other passionate Presbyterians and celebrate what God is doing in the world.  Renew old friendships and form new ones that will strengthen you on your mission journey.  Experience a diverse church that stands united in our commitment to Christ's mission.  At Mission Celebration '09 you can connect with mission personnel, trip leaders, global partners and other Presbyterians involved in missions.  Come learn how to be more effective.  Be sent forth to embrace your unique calling to mission service and support.  October 22-24, 2009 in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Register online and get more information at www.pcusa.org/missioncelebration.

Yes we have coffee! But Fair Trade is about so much more!.  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!  And we are willing to come make presentations to your Mission Committees, sessions - anyone who wants to learn more about how to make a positive impact purchasing items we use every day.  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call us 813-868-4800.

The Presbyterian Peacemaking Program calls for prayer in three specific areas:  for Ambassador Susan Rice in her work as the U. S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations;  for the people of Gaza as they seek to live under a restrictive blockade.  Pray in particular for a just peace for all Israelis and Palestinians.  Also continue to pray for the people of the Sudan as they struggle to survive as aid agencies are forced out of the country.  Pray for a just peace for all in that struggling nation.  Read Peace Notes from the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program here.

Presbyterians have a proud heritage of Foreign Mission Work.  Did you know from 1890-1940 about one third of medical doctors appointed to mission work were women?  The Church appealed to women and helped pay medical school costs and then provided opportunities for foreign mission service especially tailored for them.  Many started medical mission hospitals that continue to this day in many countries, including India and China.  Foreign mission opportunities for female physicians waned in the mid-twentieth century as new avenues opened up in the United States.   Let us always remember and praise God for our pioneering sisters in Christ who served Christ faithfully in spite of many difficulties.

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We are the Presbyterian Church U.S.A.

Where's John Calvin?

AllWomen in the Church

Continuing Education Opportunities

Special Invitation from our Lutheran Brothers and Sisters - REACH

Where's John Calvin? We will observe the 500th anniversary of his birth this year with several events. A special time is being planned for our fall Presbytery meeting to be held at First Presbyterian Church in Inverness October 1. In celebration of Calvin's birthday, Visit http://www.pcusa.org/calvinjubilee/celebrate.htm for ideas, links, resources and more.  You can receive a daily meditation with Calvin, browse the bookstore for resources to help understand and interpret Reformed Theology, find a celebration near you and much more.  Here are some myths about John Calvin:

His name was John Calvin

The doctor of Geneva was never called John. He was born Jean Cauvin, a Frenchman from Noyon. He was classically educated and wrote in the learned language of the day, Latin. The practice of the time was to use a Latinate form for the author’s name, so his Latin works were attributed to Johannes Calvinus. When these Latin works were then translated into English, the Latin name was Anglicized, leaving us with John Calvin.  Read more myths here.

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

ARMSS (Association of Retired Ministers, Their Spouses or Survivors) joint conference with Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network will be September 29-October 1 in Tucson, Arizona.  There's still time to sign up!  (discounted fees end August 28).  Contact Ginny Nyhuis at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Hotel reservations must be made directly by calling the Marriott University Park Hotel at 520-792-4100 - be sure to mention code ARMC for the special discount rate of $99 for this conference.

Princeton Forum on Youth Ministry is November 3-5, 2009 at Kanuga Conference Center, in Hendersonville, North Carolina.  Explore hope.  Engage scripture.  Refresh your spirit.  Connect with other youth leaders.  Sharpen your skills for ministry.  Enjoy presentations by Rodger Nishioka and Kenda Creasy Dean.  Details can be found at www.ptsem.edu/iym.

Columbia Theological Seminary Center for Lifelong Learning:

Aug. 3-5 - Joshua! A Journey of Faith (Presbyterian Women’s Bible Study Training) – this is the ONLY time the PW Bible Study will be offered on campus this summer, so register soon to reserve your spot!  Features Join Mary Mikhael, President of the Near East School of Theology in Beirut, Lebanon, to explore the challenging, sometimes heartrending book of Joshua.

Aug. 3-6 - Spreading the Seeds of Love: Korean Worship & Music Conference – The 12th annual conference features Paul Junggap Huh, assistant professor of worship/director of Korean American Ministries at CTS; Sun Min Lee, assistant professor of choral conducting at Westminster Choir College, and Don Saliers, the former William R. Cannon Distinguished Professor of Theology and Worship/Director of the Master of Sacred Music Program at the Candler School of Theology, Emory University.

Aug. 9-14 - Teaching Spiritual Formation in the Congregation featuring Jane Vennard, leader.

Aug. 21-22 - Youth Ministry Leadership Initiative Know Where to Turn When the Youth Turn to You led by Skip Johnson, UMC pastor, former youth leader, and CTS adjunct professor of pastoral theology and care and director.

Aug. 29 - Ecology, the New Creation and the Church’s Witness sponsored by the Center for Lifelong Learning and Earth Covenant Ministries of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta.

Sept. 22-24 - Strengthening Rural Ministry Conference 2009 Rural Ministry Today: Retooling the Toolbox designed for those engaged in rural/small church ministry – keynotes, worship and workshops with your context in mind.

Montreat's Wee Kirk Conference will be October 19-21.  Those who lead small Presbyterian congregations, whether ordained or serving as a CLP or a leader in the congregation will find inspiration, information, motivation, encouragement, rest and refreshment. Rates are kept low by love gifts from larger congregations, enabling even the smallest congregations to afford this event (churches with fewer than 126 members pay $75, between 127-200 members it's $90). Register online at www.pfrenewal.org.

A Special Invitation from our ELCA brothers and sisters! If you are a REACH Church, you need this!   The team at A Renewal Enterprise has been working with congregational and judicatory leaders across North America for the past 5 years. Our primary goal is to help people and the faith communities they care about be who they are and see what they have for the sake of doing what matters within the context of God’s loving mission in the world. We believe there is extraordinary power in this “clay jar” called the church! The practices and principles we teach as a part of our Renewable OrganizationTM system are designed to help leaders tap into that power and unleash it for good. That’s the theme of the one-day workshop called “Treasure in Clay Jars: The Renewable Organization for Faith-Based Groups” that we’ll be leading in Orlando on Tuesday, December 1,  2009. Up to three members of the synod staff are welcome to attend as our guests, at no charge. We are extending a similar invitation to judicatory leaders in other denominations. We would appreciate any help you can offer in getting the word out to pastors & congregational leaders in your synod...and also to your ecumenical friends and partners in Florida.

These are challenging times for many church leaders. But we also believe these times present opportunities for leaders who are open to doing and being church in a new way. We’ll keep sending information about the workshop your way but, in the meantime, please visit our website at http://www.arenewalenterprise.com to get to know a little more about what we’ve been up to lately. And feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions as we prepare to kick off this 2009 tour. Thank-you! And thanks for your partnership in the gospel.

Dave Daubert, Tana Kjos, Kelly Fryer
Managing Partners
A Renewal Enterprise, Inc.
312-698-8949
http://ARenewalEnterprise.com
“Growing Renewable Organizations for a Renewable World”

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