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The Presbytery of Tampa Bay

July 2, 2025

Presbytery Meeting Summary

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The Presbytery had a busy day at its meeting on Zoom on Saturday, June 21


You can read a more detailed summary of the meeting at this link, but here are a few highlights:

  • Recognized the retirement of Rev. Douglas McMahon from Eckerd College
  • Heard from Jenny Barr, Reference and Outreach Archivist at the Presbyterian Historical Society, about services offered by PHS to congregations and presbyteries. (See more on that below.)
  • Approved a new handbook for the Commission on Preparation for Ministry's work with inquirers and candidates for ministry in the PC(USA)
  • Authorized an Administrative Commission (AC) to work with the Church on the Bayou, Tarpon Springs, as the session and congregation looks for its future beyond the loss of their buildings from Hurricane's Helene and Milton
  • Ratified an action taken by the Presbytery Disaster Assistance Team (PDAT) to apply for and receive a grant from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance to fund a part-time Disaster Recovery Coordinator for the presbytery AND to contract with Rev. John Scott of St. Andrew, New Tampa, to do that work


The Presbytery also took two actions resulting from General Presbyter Holly Dillon's recent announcement that she plans to retire at the end of March 2026.

  • The first will lead to calling a Transitional Presbyter to follow Holly's time with us, and directs the Committee on Nominations and Representation to "nominate a broadly representative Transitional Presbyter search committee of at least five members for election by the presbytery" to work with the Coordinating Team on a position description for approval by the presbytery and then to conduct the search.
  • The second directs the Coordinating Team to create a position description for, and contract with, a full- or part-time "Temporary Associate Presbyter" to start as soon as practical and overlap for up to a year with the Transitional Presbyter "to focus on the day-to-day mission and operation of the presbytery while the Transitional Presbyter focuses on transitional matters."


You'll be hearing more about both of those actions over the next several months.

Transitional Presbyter Search Committee

Do you or someone you know have an interest in the future ministry of the Presbytery of Tampa Bay? Have you or someone you know been a transitional pastor or served on a session or been a church member during a time of transition?


If you know of someone (maybe even yourself) who might be interested in serving on the search committee to find a transitional presbyter to help the Presbytery of Tampa Bay take a look around, back, and ahead toward future ministry in our region, please send the following to Stated Clerk Bill Wildhack at statedclerk@pbty.com to pass along to the Committee on Nominations and Representation:

  1. Name
  2. Church or ministry
  3. Minister, elder, or church member
  4. Email and phone contact info


Thank you!

Presbyterian Historical Society Logo

Collect. Preserve. Share. Transform.


Those who attended the presbytery meeting may remember Jenny Barr promising to send a packet of information about PHS and its services -- and now you can download that packet by clicking here. You can also learn even more about PHS by clicking on the "Read More" button below.

Presbyterian Historical Society

As the national archives of the PC(USA), the Presbyterian Historical Society leverages its collections and archival work to galvanize the transformative power of history in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and wider community, providing a broad range of services for Presbyterians, scholars, and the general public.

World Refugee Day – Resources to Share & Where Our Presbytery Worship Offering Is Going

World Refugee Day was observed on Friday, June 20, a time to recognize the courage and resilience of millions displaced around the world. As we move into July, we encourage you to continue the conversation in your congregations and communities.

Church World Service has created a helpful guide: How to Talk to Your Family About Refugees.



Additional worship, advocacy, and learning resources can be found at:

🔹 https://cwsconnect.org/world-refugee-day/

🔹 pcusa.org/refugee


The Coordinating Team has designated the offering collected during our June 21st online stated meeting to support the Tampa Interfaith Committee to Welcome Refugees, in partnership with the Tampa Bay Refugee Task Force. This summer’s efforts include the upcoming "8th Annual Interfaith Welcome for Refugees" in early August, as so many agencies and other groups have ceased or significantly reduced support for refugees relocated to our area by the United States government.


Click here to donate to the Presbytery Worship Offering or see mailing instructions below:


https://presbyteryoftampabay.com/give/


Mail a check payable to Presbytery of Tampa Bay to the office at 455 Scotland St, Ste. 1, Dunedin, FL 34698. Be sure to write “June 2025 Presbytery Worship Offering” on the memo line so we’ll be sure to direct it properly. 

Important Links and Information from Mid Council Ministries

Upcoming Reformed Theology Webinar for Ruling Elders and Deacons


Pondering God with Presbyterians: What Does It Mean to Say “Jesus Saves”?

July 17, 2025; 7 – 8:30 pm (EDT)

Registration Deadline July 9, 2025


Led by Martha Moore-Keish, the J.B. Green Professor of Theology at Columbia Theological Seminary


Hosted by PC(USA) Leader Formation: Investing in Ruling Elders and Deacons



Spanish and Korean interpretation available (based on registration)

Recording will be available in English following the event (advance registration not necessary)

Opportunities and Information


A message from the Office of Christian Formation

Small Church Community Circles. Connect with faith leaders in small church settings.


Learn about new resources. Pastors, CRE, educators, volunteers all welcome. 


Register once for all the dates. Attend all or any of these! A variety of days and times to capture a variety of schedules. Tuesday, August 19, 2025 — 3 pm Eastern; Wednesday, October 8, 2025 — 11 am Eastern; Thursday, December 4, 2025 — 1 pm Eastern.


Planning ahead for Fall Christian Formation? Perhaps a fall kickoff, back to school blessing, teacher commissioning, or giving out bibles? Check out all the resources. The PC(USA) Planning calendar designates the week of September 7th for Christian Formation emphasis but we know some churches start back in August with fall programming.

The Commission on Church Vitality

Honduras Conversation - Watch it below!

Second Quarter Per Capita Summary Letters Are on the Way!

Q2 per capita summary letters are being mailed this week to all churches that contributed any amount between April 1 and June 30, 2025. Each church will receive one physical copy, labeled for the Treasurer, Clerk of Session, and Pastor—to help ensure it gets into the right hands.


If you have any questions or need an updated remittance form, feel free to contact the Presbytery office at office@pbty.com or call our office at 813-868-4800 Ex. 0.

Ministry Opportunities

First Presbyterian Church of Auburndale

410 Pilaklakaha Ave, Auburndale, FL 33823


NEW! Part-Time Office Administrator


For additional information please contact the church office of The First

Presbyterian Church by email at Office@firstpresaub.com or call

(863)-967-1010

Trinity Presbyterian Church Clearwater

Church Sexton

2001 Rainbow Drive, Clearwater, FL 33765


Trinity Presbyterian Church - Clearwater is seeking a part-time sexton to work five hours a day, Monday through Friday. between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The sexton may set his/her own hours of 5 hours per day Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The ideal candidate will possess a basic working knowledge of plumbing and electricity. Position reports to the Director of Administration and the Chair of the Property Team. Compensation: $15/hour. Extra hours for activities beyond work hours (i.e., weddings, funerals, outside groups) will be compensated according to Trinity Presbyterian Church's facility use policies. The sexton may set their own hours of 5 hours per day Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.


Apply Here or send your resume to trinityclearwater@gmail.com

The PC(USA) Website has been reborn!

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Read more about the new website at this link.

PC(USA)

General Assembly of the PC(USA)

Synod of South Atlantic

Presbytery of Tampa Bay

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