Presbytery of Tampa Bay

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October is Presbytery Meeting and Mission Super Saturday!

News Flash!

Resourceful Ideas

Serving Together in Mission

We are the Presbyterian Church U.S.A.

October is a Busy Month!  Presbytery meets October 1 and Super Saturday for Mission is October 10.

Super Saturday for Mission

The Fall Stated Meeting of Presbytery is Thursday October 1. Registration and fellowship begin at 8:30 a.m.

First Presbyterian Church

206 Washington Avenue

Inverness, Florida

Child care is available by calling the church office, 352-637-0770 by Friday September 25.  Your attendance at meetings of Presbytery is expected.  If you need to be excused, please call 813-868-4800 and speak with This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Lunch tickets will be sold during registration and checks are payable to First Presbyterian Church.  Please contact the church for an exact amount.

We look forward to a special day! During worship we will be celebrating John Calvin's Quincentennial.  This will be an inspiring time to celebrate our heritage and thank God for our Reformed witness.  Stan Ott will be our Keynote speaker following worship.

E. Stanley Ott is Founder and President of the Vital Churches Institute (VC).

As President, Stan's passion is the transformation of the mainline church. Stan teaches the principles of congregational vitality, transformation, missional endeavor, and leadership. His impact reaches thousands of folks throughout US and abroad through the Acts 16:5 Initiative, his published writing and his teaching engagements.

As pastor, Stan has over thirty years of first-hand knowledge of the hard work and challenges that lead to the blessings of being a transformational congregation that moves to new vitality.

Stan's Publications include:
·    "Twelve Dynamic Shifts for Transforming Your Church" (Eerdmans)
·    "Transform Your Church with Ministry Teams" (Eerdmans)
·    "The Vibrant Church: A People Building Plan for Congregational Health" (Regal)
·    "The Joy of Discipling: Friend with Friend and Heart with Heart" (Zondervan)
·    Vision for a Vital Church (Vital Churches Institute)
·    Small Group Life (Vital Churches Institute)
Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Learn more about his ministry at www.vitalchurchesinstitute.com.  

"Me?  The Missionary?"  Super Saturday for Mission is October 10 at Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church in Tampa.

Palma Ceia is located at 3501 San Jose, Tampa, Florida,  813-253-6047.

Plan to gather with other missionaries to celebrate our commission to spread the gospel.  Our morning will begin with registration at 8:00 a.m.  Worship and morning keynote/panel discussion will be led by local missionaries.  We'll have morning workshops followed by lunch.  Our afternoon keynote speaker will be Doug Baker, missionary to Ireland, followed by more great workshops and a time for network gatherings.

Doug Baker has been under appointment as a PC(USA) mission worker since 1979 and Elaine Baker since 1985. Though their roles have changed over the years of their ministry in Northern Ireland, their ministry has always served the cause of peacemaking and reconciliation.

In 2005 Doug was asked to serve as regional liaison for Ireland and the United Kingdom. In this role, he facilitates Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) support for programs, relationships, and activities involving partner denominations and agencies. This includes facilitating exchanges with work and study visits involving PC(USA)-related groups.

Doug continues in the role of site coordinator for the PC(USA)'s Young Adult Volunteer program in Northern Ireland. Read more about Doug and his ministry here.

Do you wonder how you can do mission work, when you can't leave the country?  Then come and learn how we are all called by God to mission work!  Registration will be posted very soon on the presbytery's website.  You can contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

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News Flash!

Educator Extravaganza!

Office Hours Have Changed

Prayers and Celebrations

Presbyterian Women Helpshops

Call for Nominations for General Assembly

Save the Dates!

Educator Extravaganza is POSTPONED due to a conflict with a number of educators we were hoping to invite!  Plans are underway for an October event, so stay tuned!

Transfiguration Faith Community invites you to Theology on Tap.  Make plans now to participate in the inaugural Theology on Tap-St. Petersburg on Monday night, September 14. We will be meeting at The Independent at 29 – 3rd Street N. downtown St. Pete. Check out the venue at Yelp by clicking on http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-independent-st-petersburg For more information about Theology on Tap, or to RSVP, call Doug McMahon at 727-366-6164 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Transfiguration is our new emergent church centered in St. Petersburg and focusing on worshiping God through outreach and service to the poor and vulnerable.  Follow Doug's blog (Journeyman Preacher) and learn more.

Note New Office Hours for the Presbytery. In order to reduce costs, we have moved to a four day work week.  The office is open Monday to Thursday, 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.  Our total work/open hours remain the same.  We are closed on Fridays.  The Resource Center is open from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday to Thursday also.  This change should help lower utility bills as well as save money for our staff who have one less day of commuting.

Eckerd College is hosting the Author of Calvin for Armchair Theologians On Thursday September 24 Dr. Chris Elwood, Reformation scholar, author, Professor of Historical Theology, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, will present:

"Between Earth and Heaven: John Calvin and the Formation of Reformed Spirituality"

7:30PM  Wireman Chapel Eckerd College

Chris Elwood earned an A.B. from Davidson College and his M.Div. and Th.D. from The Divinity School, Harvard University, and subsequently taught at both schools. The child of a diplomat, he grew up globally and spent two years as headmaster of the Shiveye Secondary School in western Kenya.  A former local church pastor ordained in the PC(USA), Dr. Elwood is author of The Body Broken: The Calvinist Doctrine of the Eucharist and the Symbolization of Power in Sixteenth-Century France and Calvin for Armchair Theologians.

Each week your Presbytery Staff prays for our churches, their staff, our General Assembly, for those celebrating birthdays in the coming week, and anyone who has asked for prayer. Each month we will share with you the churches we are praying for and invite you to join this ministry of prayer for each other.  During August our churches were:

Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church - Tampa
First Presbyterian Church  - Tampa
First Hispanic Church - Tampa
Forest Hills Presbyterian Church -Tampa
Hyde Park Presbyterian Church - Tampa
John Calvin Presbyterian Church - Tampa
Korean Presbyterian Church - Tampa
Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church - Tampa

Are you interested in saving on energy bills? Come to John Calvin Presbyterian Church on Saturday September 19 at 6:00 p.m. and learn how!  Warren Clark from Faith's United for Community Action will present an hour long workshop on how churches and individuals can reduce their carbon footprint and save money on energy bills.  John Calvin Presbyterian Church is located 6501 N. Nebraska Avenue, Tampa, 33604.  Call 813-236-0941 for more information.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN HELPSHOPS - A Journey of Faith - Register NOW!

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

Registration of $7.00, which includes lunch, can be made through your moderator or sent to Sharon Paup, 5562 W Hunter's Ridge Cir, Lecanto, FL 34461.

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

Are You Called? Do you have a heart for YOUTH MINISTRY?  If so, Trinity Presbyterian Church, Clearwater, FL, is looking for a part-time director of youth (20-25 hours/week), to begin as early as September 1, 2009.  We currently have a small youth group but have the potential to have many more youth participating with just a little encouragement and communication.  Does this sound like a match to your gifts?  If so, contact Sue Moore (727-433-1911), chair of the Christian Education Ministry, or forward a resume to her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Fall Events at Cedarkirk

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

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

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

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

For registration information on any of these events, please contact Karin Dale at Cedarkirk - 813-685-4224 or by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Nominations Sought for Minister General Assembly Commissioners - Deadline is October 5.
Nominations for minister commissioners to GA must submit the required information by the deadline.   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 have been 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).

The following is a list of the information needed by Oct. 5 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).

If you have questions, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it at the Presbytery Office.

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. September 14 is 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 .

Save The Dates!

Coming to Cedarkirk:

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

ACS Technologies Training will be held at the Kelly Road Mission Center October 12-16.  You can choose the day/topic that is best for you.  This 5 day event (register at  http://www.acstechnologies.com/training/article128301.htm ) is essential for those who use ACS software to manage financial and membership information.  Best of all it's right here.

End-of-Year Financial Training will be October 21 at the Presbytery Office.  An all day event for Treasurers, Church Administrators and Bookkeepers.

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!

Free Lunch! Wednesday November 11, 10:00 a.m.-12;00 p.m. at the Kelly Road Mission Center for all treasurers, business managers/administrators, bookkeepers, pastors, Christian educators – any who have a need to know or are charged to administer the Board of Pensions benefits program at your church. 

Clark Simmons, Regional Representative for the PC(USA) Board of Pensions, will speak from 10 a.m. to Noon on November 11, 2009, and host lunch at no charge immediately following the seminar.

If you are a member of the Board of Pensions or are responsible for it in your church you need to attend! Did you know that plan members are responsible for making sure the Board gets correct information each year?  Plan to attend and learn more!  Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it at the Presbytery office for more information.

The Winter Stated Meeting of Presbytery will be at Northwood Presbyterian Church in Clearwater, Florida on Thursday December 3. 

Super Saturday for Leadership will be Saturday January 23, 2010, at First Presbyterian Church, Lakeland.

APCE (Association of Presbyterian Church Educators) annual meeting will be January 27-30, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee.  We have an offer of transportation by church bus for any from our Presbytery planning to go.  Hotel registration can be made on-line - www.apcenet.org.  Event registration will be available mid-September.

Souper Bowl '10 will be February 7, 2010.

Beth-El requests continued help to get students ready for school. Many school supplies were donated, but there are still items they need to help the children be ready for the academic year.  Specifically they need:  baby wipes, (large) hand sanitizer, tissues, erasers, dry erase markers, 1 gallon and 1 quart ziploc bags.

Resourceful Ideas

Educator Extravaganza! Thursday September 17 we invite all who are involved in education in the church - educators, youth leaders, teachers, to join us for a morning of fellowship and fun.  9:30 - 11:30 a.m. at the Kelly Road Mission Center.  We will have light refreshments, door prizes and more.  Bring a educator friend from a non-PCUSA church and get a chance to win a free year of membership!

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.

New! New! New!

The Most Important Space in the Church - The Nursery - is a new book available for check out.  Parents are extremely concerned about who will care for and where their child will be during church activities.  Having a safe and welcoming nursery is possible for every church.

Abusing Scripture by Manfred Brauch is a welcome addition also.  "When we misinterpret and misapply the Bible, the church and its witness can be damaged significantly.  Such abuse not only distorts the meaning of Scripture but also drains the vitality out of Christian presence in the world."

The Thoughtful Christian always has great new studies.  Pope Benedict XVI on the Economy takes a look at the Pope's encyclical on the economy, Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth).  New for Youth is Finding Meaning in our Worship Music.  Youth will analyze hymns and popular songs and write a hymn of their own as a way to explore music in the church.  Order The Racism Study Pack, which looks at biblical and historical realities of race and racism and where we must go.  www.thethoughtfulchristian.com

The Presbyterian Leader also continues to build a solid library of resources for educators, teachers, elders, pastors and more.  The current feature is The Protestant Wedding Sourcebook.  An excellent resource for those involved in planning weddings for members.  Studies/resources can be downloaded for a fee or you can subscribe and have access to all published materials for a year!  Visit www.thepresbyterianleader.com.

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.

Do you need help with teacher training?  Choosing curriculum?  Need ideas for adult classes?  We can help!  Leslee Kirkconnell is a Certified Christian Educator and able to help by leading workshops based on your need.  She can also come and consult with your Education Committee as you plan and dream and hope.  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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.  Remember our hours have changed.  We're here to serve you Monday-Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.  You can also call or email your questions/requests and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

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 Yearbook Orders Due!

Peacemaking Offering

Mission Celebration '09

Stories from Around the U.S.A.

Is God calling you to Mission Service?

Time to order 2010 Mission Yearbooks for Prayer and Study and the Children's Mission Yearbook. The cost is $7.00 each, payable in advance to the Presbytery of Tampa Bay.  Order forms are available here. Forms and payment are due to the Presbytery office by September 25 in order to ensure timely ordering/delivery from Louisville.  Questions?  Contact Mitch Webb at the Presbytery office or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it him.

October 4, 2009 is World Communion Sunday.  It is also the day the General Assembly has set aside for the Peacemaking Offering.  You should have received information about this offering. If you need additional packets, please contact the Presbytery office - 813-868-4800 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it us.

Don't Miss Super Saturday for Mission! Saturday October 10 at Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church in Tampa.  Come explore the theme, "Me?  A Missionary?"  See related article in this newsletter.  Registration information and brochures will be posted soon on the Presbytery's website.

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.

Ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things when God is invovled!  The July/August Presbyterians Today has wonderful stories of folks in our country making a difference.  One minister continues to lead worship in Mexico despite suffering from ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease).  Pennsylvania churches are making prayer shawls for families in Iraq.  Northern Michigan Presbyterians planted 12,000 trees for Earth Day.  God's Green Market is a cooperative ministry in Goshen, N.Y. where produce is offered at a 'free' farmer's market every Saturday.  Volunteers from several denominations tend the crops and work on Saturdays helping people in need.  Read more in Presbyterians Today.

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.

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We are the Presbyterian Church U.S.A.

Where's John Calvin?

AllWomen in the Church

Congregational Leadership

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. The July/August edition of Presbyterians Today is entitled "The Real John Calvin" and has several articles of interest.  Sheldon W. Sorge writes, "It has been said, especially among the Reformers, that John Calvin is the theologian of the Holy Spirit.  For Calvin, the Spirit plays crucial roles both in God's self-disclosure to us, and in our response to God's gift of salvation through Christ.  Only through the intervention of the Spirit are we able to access the benefits Christ offers."   There is also an in-depth article on how Calvin was no angel, but did set the stage for revolutionary change.  You can read more here.    Did you know? When Calvin arrived in Geneva, open sewers caused unsanitary living conditions and illness, especially among the poor.  One of Calvin's proudest accomplishments was designing and overseeing installation of a piped sewer system for the city.  (from Presbyterians Today).

As you watch and discuss the debate over a national healthcare option, know that the PCUSA has guidance for us.  This is from the Presbyterian Witness in Washington Weekly - August 6, 2009.

General Assembly Guidance:

In 2002, the General Assembly approved "Advocacy on Behalf of the Uninsured," in which it:

·    Reaffirm[ed] the church's commitment to advocacy for a national medical plan.

·    Encourage[d] presbyteries, sessions, and the members of congregations to be advocates for universal health care and to support advocacy efforts in their local communities to bring public and private entities together in this effort.

·    Encourage[d] members of Congress to recognize the importance of universal health care - that is, equal, accessible, affordable, and high-quality health care for all persons residing in our nation.

In 2008, the 218th General Assembly:

·    Endorse[d] in principle the provision of single-payer universal health care reform in which health care services are privately provided and publicly financed.

·    Direct[ed] the General Assembly Council, through appropriate offices including the National Health Ministries, the Washington Office, and the Presbyterian Health, Education, and Welfare Association (PHEWA), to advocate for, educate about, and otherwise pursue the goal of obtaining legislation that enacts single-payer, universal national health insurance as the program that best responds to the moral imperative of the gospel; monitoring progress toward this goal and reporting back to the next two General Assemblies (2010 and 2012).

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

God's Whole Family Conference - September 4-6.  More Light Presbyterians, Nashville, Tennessee.  www.mlp.org.

East Coast Pastor's Conference - September 8-11.  Presbyterians for Renewal, North Myrtle Beach, S.C.  www.pfrenewal.org.

Special committee on Civil Unions and Christian Marriage - Contact Diane Minter, Louisville, KY.  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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:

Special Announcement from The Center for Lifelong Learning:
Group project applications are being accepted through September 28 for participation in Columbia Theological Seminary’s S3 (Sabbath, Study and Service) Project. S3 offers small, self-selected groups of clergy and other church professionals the opportunity to design and participate in learning projects that strengthen their practice of ministry. Groups will receive $500 per person to fund their self-directed group work. Participants must attend two retreats: February 2-4, 2010, at the beginning of their year-long project and another at the conclusion in February 2011. Applications are due not later than September 28, 2009. For additional information, please see the complete brochure and application.

September 17-20 Certificate in Spiritual Formation Worship and Spirituality In this      
seminar, we will explore how the embodied practices of word, sacraments, prayer, music, and movement shape our relationships with God, the world, and one another.

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. Come be renewed and refreshed as you retool!

October 9-11 YMLI (Youth Ministry Leadership Initiative) Beginning Retreat encourages participants to ask important questions about their particular call to youth ministry and youth ministry as a whole. Led by Rodger Nishioka and Neema Cyrus-Franklin.

October 1-4 Certificate in Spiritual Formation Immersion Experience: An Invitation to a Deeper Spiritual Life Participants will study the great spiritual traditions and classics including biblical, monastic and Reformed spiritualities, while doing personal reflection and journaling. This is the Introduction to the Certificate Program. Occasional students are welcome.

Save the Date: January 26-28 Emergence NOW (January Seminars 2010) featuring speakers and workshop leaders Bruce Reyes-Chow, Philip Clayton, Phyllis Tickle, Tony Jones; Barbara Brown Taylor will preach two services. Registration is open NOW! Limited housing is also available on campus – must register separately.

A complete listing of courses and events may be found at http://www.ctsnet.edu/LL/Events.aspx.       
For additional registration information, please contact the Lifelong Learning Registrar at 404.687.4587 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . (Please note NEW email address )

Montreat Conference Center has wonderful opportunities year 'round.  Visit www.montreat.org for information or to register.  Early registration is discounted on many conferences!  Arts and Sabbath is October 4-8 and Life Long Living is October 12-16.

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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