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All communications for the newsletter can be sent to our office admin via the contact us page.

The Presbytery of Tampa Bay office will be closed on January 19th, 2026, in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. All upcoming events and office closure dates can be found here on our website.

Each year, I focus on a “Star word; “a single, guiding word, used as a focus for spiritual practice and reflection, inspired by the star that led the Magi. My Star Word for 2026 is PURPOSE.

Purpose is rarely revealed all at once. God calls people before they understand the full shape of the journey. Abraham sets out without a map. Mary says yes without knowing the cost. The disciples follow before they comprehend where the road will lead. Perhaps purpose unfolds through trust and obedience, more than it does through certainty.

There are seasons when it may be more difficult to understand our purpose; times when it may seem hidden or less obvious, such as times of transition. Our faith tells us these seasons are not wasted. God is present and working, even when we may be uncertain of our direction. It is in the in-between spaces that we have an opportunity to embrace a renewed and fresh purpose.

These words of blessing, excerpted from Kate Bowler’s a blessing for living between, offer reassurance as we all are on a journey to re-discover our purpose:

Blessed are you who live here,

this space between simple categories and easy answers.

Blessed are you who build a home on uneasy ground,

who, despite your trying, your asking, your searching,

haven’t found the satisfying feeling of discovery.

May you be surprised by your capacity for ambiguity,

for you are someone who knows how to feel your way around in the dark and squint for the stars.

But for now, may you find comfort in the fact that you are not alone. 

We are all learning to live in the uncertainty in the unknowing.

So blessed are we who live here together.

Rev. Dr. Holly Dillon

General Presbyter

Ministers and Clerks of Session should be on the lookout for statistical reporting information coming from Stated Clerk Rev. Bill Wildhack. This communication will include important details and deadlines needed to complete the required annual reporting. Please review it carefully once received.

Important 2026 Per Capita Update

At the Special Called Meeting on December 11, the Presbytery approved the 2026 per capita rates as follows: $27.50 for the Presbytery of Tampa Bay, $11.26 for the General Assembly, and $2.00 for the Synod of South Atlantic. This brings the total per capita amount to $40.76. Click the link below for Remittance Forms and Mission Pledges.

The Presbytery of Tampa Bay has relocated its administrative office to Woodlawn Presbyterian Church, located at 2612 12th Street North, St. Petersburg, Florida 33704, and is no longer at First Presbyterian Church of Dunedin. Effective January 1, 2026, all correspondence should be mailed to P.O. Box 7458, St. Petersburg, Florida 33734. The Presbytery staff appreciates the cooperation, patience, and support of all involved during this transition.

Please note that your staff works remotely most of the time, so don't just drop by with out calling ahead to see if one of us is there.

Save the Dates!

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is pleased to join a collaboration of other disaster, crisis, and preparedness organizations in offering the Spring 2026 Disaster Emotional and Spiritual Care Academy.