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. . . and there's more to it than "giving up" something for Lent! |
The Directory for Worship, part of the Constitution of the PC(USA), says "At the heart of the Christian year is the mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection, with the seasons of Lent and Easter encompassing Ash Wednesday, the Great Three Days—Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil—the Resurrection and Ascension of the Lord, and the Day of Pentecost." (W-1.0202)
In a year that has demanded that we give up so many of the activities we so enjoy and find new ways to connect, maybe we need to look at Lent in a new way, too. This introduction to the season of Lent in our Book of Common Worship (2018) sounds a little different to me this year when social distancing and other public health recommendations make gathering on Ash Wednesday for the imposition of ashes on foreheads and in-person lenten studies:
- “Lent” comes from an old English word for springtime, perhaps connected with the lengthening of days in this time of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. The season of Lent is a time for growth in faith—through prayer, spiritual discipline, and self-examination in preparation for the commemoration of the dying and rising of the Lord Jesus Christ. In ancient Christian practice, Lent was a time of preparation for the celebration of Baptism at Easter. In many churches, it remains a time to equip and nurture candidates for Baptism or confirmation, and for the whole community of faith to reflect deeply on the theme of baptismal discipleship. Reconciliation is a key theme in the season of Lent—reconciliation with God and with one another through the grace of Jesus Christ.
So, how will you be doing "Lent" this year? Rather than a stereotypical, self-imposed fast (like "I'm giving up ice cream for Lent"), what sort of intentional "prayer, spiritual discipline, and self-examination" might you choose to take on? If you're willing, send me a note at info+lent@pbty.com to share ideas.
Now, on to other items . . .
THANK YOU to Clerks of Sessions (and those who help them!) at the 20 churches that have completed all or most of the annual statistical report online! Those of you still working on this know how to reach me if you have questions or concerns about getting it done by Friday, Feb. 12 (the week before Ash Wednesday). THANK YOU!
2021 PRESBYTERY MEETING DATES
You might have noticed a "P.S." in the last eNews about a special meeting of the presbytery expected to be called for January 29. While we didn't end up calling it this soon, that special meeting is likely to be held in late February in order to address a few business items that shouldn't wait until April 29. As always, minister members and clerks of sessions will be notified at least 10 days in advance of any special meeting with all the necessary details.
For our three regularly scheduled meetings this year (yep, not four as in the last few years) we will continue to proceed with caution during the pandemic and are likely to continue using Zoom video conferencing for much or all of 2021. The locations are for where we'll meet if it turns out we can gather for in-person meetings are:
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Thursday, April 29: Cedarkirk Camp & Conference Center, Lithia
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Saturday, August 14: Trinity Pres. Church of Seven Springs, New Port Richey
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Thursday, Dec 2: Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church, Tampa (if in person, the meeting will be late afternoon, early evening)
OTHER NEWS
As you scroll down in this issue of the eNews, among other things you'll find notes about the Souper Bowl of Caring, things happening at Cedarkirk, several online learning opportunities for ministers and other church leaders, an article with suggestions of how to approach decisions about in-person gatherings as vaccination rates progress, and finally an important warning about ransomware attacks; they're not just targeting big companies any longer.
Blessings,
Bill
Rev. William A. Wildhack III
Stated Clerk and Manager of Communications
(813) 868-4800, opt. 2
P.P.S. for Clerks of Sessions: Are you a newly elected clerk of session? Are you a continuing clerk? Did you get the email I sent to you earlier this week? Click here to sign up for a time to drop in online to meet with me and perhaps some other clerks next week -- and see the email I sent earlier this week for Zoom info (or contact me for more details).
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My work---and this newsletter---is supported by per capita funds from congregations in the Presbytery of Tampa Bay, which also help unite all Presbyterians in sharing God’s love through mission and ministry. Thank you!
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Rev. Dr. James David Bigley
1932 - 2021
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We reported last time that Jim Bigley had died on January 9, but had very little additional details to pass along. His full obituary is online now at this link from the Sharon Herald newspaper near his hometown in northwestern Pennsylvania where his remains will be interred later this year.
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Rev. Donald Raymond Repsher
1929 - 2020
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We also recently learned of the death of Rev. Donald Raymond Repsher on December 8, 2020, in Riverview. His obituary in The Morning Call, local Lehigh Valley (Pennsylvania) news where he spent much of his life before moving to Riverview, tells more of his life's story:
In letting us know of Don's death, the clerk of session and First, Brandon, wrote: "I can only smile when I think of Don; he loved to talk and had so many stories to share. When we would visit, it was hard to get a word in; he was always appreciative of visitors. His life was well-lived and his love of life was quite evident."
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It's time for a HOMETOWN
Souper Bowl of Caring
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Now a nationwide organization and effort, the Souper Bowl of Caring was started in 1990 by the youth group at Spring Valley Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC, and included 22 area churches the first year. In 2020, over 5,000 groups collected over $10.6 million in dollars and food donations for hunger-relief charities across the country. Over $163 million has been collected since Souper Bowl of Caring began in 1990.
As Tampa Bay hosts that other Super Bowl this year, churches and ministries in the Presbytery of Tampa Bay have an exciting opportunity to make an impact on hunger in our area -- since 100% of donations are made by the churches that collect these gifts to food banks and hunger ministries and services they choose to support. That could be your own congregation's food pantry, a larger effort like the Community Food Pantry at Village Presbyterian Church in Tampa, or the Food Pantry at the Beth-El Farmworker Ministry in Wimauma.
Click on the link below to learn more about how your church or ministry can sign up to be a part of this annual effort to help feed anyone who's hungry!
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Souper Bowl of Caring
Join Souper Bowl of Caring to help tackle the need for over 14 billion meals in 2021! This year your donation soup pot may be virtual, but the need is GREAT!
Read more
tacklehunger.org
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Two Lent and Easter Resources |
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Lenten Devotional 2021 | Presbyterians Today |...
A Lenten Journey to Peace and Wholeness To Ash Wednesday and Week 1 ▶ Download Devotional Introduction Lent is a time of spiritual renewal. It is a season of preparation during the 40 days and six Sundays before Easter. Lent is a time when we...
Read more
www.presbyterianmission.org
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Easter-In-A-Basket
Check out Easter-in-a-Basket! The Ferncliff Easter-in-a-Basket will provide a week-long experience from Palm Sunday through Holy Week to Easter, diving into the stories that prepare us for Easter. Easter-in-a-Basket will hold 8 mini lessons, one...
Read more
ferncliff.org
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Matt Shick officially became Executive Director on December 1, 2020
Congratulations to Matt Shick!
From the announcement we received from the Cedarkirk Board:
What people think camp directors do:
- ❑ Cook s’mores
- ❑ Play guitar
- ❑ Tie knots
- ❑ Paddle canoes
What camp directors actually do:
- ❑ Run a multi-faced outdoor ministry program with both churches and outside groups
- ❑ Maintain a budget and focus fundraising efforts for both the general fund and capital campaign efforts to ensure that Cedarkirk is a place for all
- ❑ Supervise and mentor staff - both full-time staff and summer camp staff
- ❑ They also cook s’mores, play guitar, tie knots, and paddle canoes and much more!
With all this in mind, Cedarkirk Camp and Conference center proudly announces its next Executive Director - Matthew Shick!
Matt stepped up and into the role of Interim Executive Director in November 2019. Little did we know what a challenging season this would be for camp and conference ministry - one that even the most seasoned Executive Director would have struggled to know what steps to take. But Matt was courageous and cautious in navigating our beloved Cedarkirk through a season of shut down - including virtual summer camp, staff transitions, and finding innovative new ways for camp to be camp. Cedarkirk Camp and Conference Center would not be in the place it is now if it was not for his leadership. How could we not act and seek to hire this amazing candidate right here on our own property? Matt is the person for this job. We believe Matt Shick is called to be the Executive Director for the next season of ministry at Cedarkirk Camp & Conference Center.
Time to Celebrate!
Please be sure to share words of welcome and blessing to Matt and his family as they make this important commitment to Cedarkirk. You can reach him by email - matt@cedarkirk.org or mail him a note or card addressed to: Matt Shick
Cedarkirk Camp and Conference Center
1920 Streetman Dr
Lithia, FL 33547
Also consider making a financial contribution to Cedarkirk or a commitment to the “Setting a Place for All” Capital Campaign to mark this significant occasion. Giving options can be found on the website at www.cedarkirk.org/support
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"Facelift for the 50th" Work Weekends
In anticipation of our fall 50th Anniversary celebrations, we want to do some sprucing up around camp. We hope to take advantage of this time when we have limited guests to invite our friends to help with some work around camp!
You and your family are invited to join us from January 29-30 or February 26-27. Cedarkirk will provide breakfast and lunch on Saturday, as well as lodging on Friday night - you provide the labor! A slate of projects spanning a variety of skill levels will ensure that everyone will have a way to participate.
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FREE Stewardship Education |
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Join us March 2 for a Day of Interactive Stewardship Education |
From the Foundation:
We are excited to offer a Day of Learning that will include three workshops with stewardship and church leaders in a casual, virtual setting. There will be time for questions and answers and an opportunity to see colleagues from across the country.
11:30 am EST - Church Mission and Sustainability with Stephen Keizer and Rev. Gail Monsma
Ensuring the long-term viability of your church mission in the face of evolving cultural pressures means it is important for churches to develop creative and comprehensive stewardship programs.
This workshop will provide ideas for creating a culture of generosity through a comprehensive stewardship program. We will talk about how people give, donor motivation, how to craft your mission story, leadership’s role in stewardship, provide giving tools as well as discuss how planned giving fits into stewardship.
2:00 pm EST - Virtual Campaigns and Online Giving with Rev. Ellie Johns-Kelley and Karl Mattison
2020 forced everything into a distanced and virtual environment. Stewardship included. There are some blessings in disguise. Join us to call out some of the most important lessons learned for conducting efficient and effective stewardship campaigns. In this seminar, we will share the top 5 features that we can leverage from a virtual stewardship campaign and how we can effectively use these tools going forward. The pandemic has been a miserable experience, but let’s grasp and grow from lessons learned.
5:30 pm EST - Practical Tips for Church Budgeting with Olanda Carr and Rev. Dr. Jonah So
In this workshop, we will cover the basic items to consider when creating a church budget. An overview of the various types of church budgets – zero-based, program, line-item, and narrative – will be provided. Additional time will be allocated to the narrative budgeting process, including beginning steps and resources.
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Association of Smaller Congregations Conference is online this year |
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REGISTRATION IS FREE THROUGH JAN 31 |
The Association of Smaller Congregations (ASC) will be hosting its annual conference online on March 19-20, 2021.
The keynote speaker will be Rev. MaryAnn McKibben Dana, writer, free-range pastor, speaker, and coach. Her most recent book, God, Improv, and the Art of Living, blends Scripture, psychology, theology, and pop culture in a wise, funny, down-to-earth guide to improv as a practice for life.
Conference registration is free if registering by January 31 and $80 after that date.
To learn more about the Association of Smaller Congregations, click here. |
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Year of Leader Formation: Investing in Ruling Elders and Deacons |
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As Christians, we are in a continuous process of growth in relationship with God, each other, and self. This is also true of those who have been called to serve in the ordered ministries of the church as ruling elders and deacons. Throughout 2021, resources specifically geared toward this ecclesial growth will be provided. Visit the Year of Leader Formation page and sign up to receive periodic updates of events and resources.
Read more about this in the story from The Presbyterian Outlook at the link below and by visiting the Ruling Elders webpage on the PC(USA) website.
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OGA to provide new training and investment in ruling...
(OGA) The roles of deacons and ruling elders have long been an important part in the ministry of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) The parts they play in the life of the church may vary among congregations, but their significance cannot be overlooked.
Read more
pres-outlook.org
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Other Educational Opportunities |
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From the email announcing this opportunity:
At some point, most of us have made plans based on a forecast. Whether it was an outdoor wedding, a sporting event, or a child’s birthday party, the chance of bad weather was probably one of our biggest considerations. It’s never been easier—thanks to the phones in our pockets—to know how likely rain is a week from now and to plan accordingly.
If only the rest of life, especially the figurative storms that come our way, was just as predictable. But that’s not the way reality works, is it?
A lot of us spent last year in what felt like a cycle of frustration and heartache. From a pandemic that seems to keep getting worse to electoral chaos unlike anything we’ve ever witnessed, each month has felt like another wave crashing against the shore of our lives.
Because of that, we have an upcoming course you’re not going to want to miss. It’s called Staying Grounded in the Storm, and it’s designed to help you build resilience, hope, and even gratitude in the midst of difficulty. We think you’re going to love it!
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Board of Pensions Webinar |
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Tax Tips: 2021 Tax Update and Federal Tax Return
Thursday, February 11, 2021, 2:30-3:30 p.m. ET
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This tax tips webinar will help you understand the following topics:
For all taxpayers:
- the 2020 Cares Act and impact on tax filing
- updates to Form 1040
- key credits and deductions
- tax-saving strategies for the coming year
- how to determine if you should prepare your own tax return or hire a tax professional
For clergy:
- W-2 accuracy
- clergy 1040 tax preparation narrative
- housing allowance
- business expenses
- SECA tax
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IMPORTANT REMINDER FOR CHURCHES REMITTING DUES TO THE BOARD OF PENSIONS:
Beginning with the March 1 invoice, the Board of Pensions will no longer send paper invoices in the mail to employers and individuals. Invoices will be available through BoardLink only. This change helps the Board reduce the need for onsite staff while continuing to provide timely and efficient service in a way we can all be proud of during these very challenging times.
If you have questions or need help, call the Board at 800-773-7752 (800-PRESPLAN).
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Save the Date:
Tod Bolsinger - Tuesday, April 27, 2021
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Leading the Church into the Post COVID |
The Synod of South Atlantic invites pastors and church leaders to save the date for an upcoming Church Leaders’ Forum with Tod Bolsinger on Tuesday, April 27, 2021, 3:00 - 4:30 pm EDT via ZOOM.
Dr. Bolsinger is Senior Fellow at the De Pree Center and Associate Professor of Leadership Formation at Fuller Theological Seminary and author of Canoeing the Mountains and Tempered Resilience.
The Synod also plans to offer the opportunity for participants to join a facilitated cohort group following the Forum.
More details to follow.
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Save the Date
Virtual Advocacy Training - April 2021
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We'll share more info when we get it, but here's a heads up! |
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Some food for thought on COVID-19, vaccination, and regathering |
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As ruling elders and ministers of Word and Sacrament continue to strive "not simply to reflect the will of the people, but rather to seek together to find and represent the will of Christ" (F-3.0204) as they serve together on church sessions and in other councils of the church, we will continue to try to provide information for leaders and church members to consider as they seek the will of Christ for their congregations. |
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Where Two or More Are Vaccinated: Advice for Churches in ...
After 10 months of limited in-person gatherings or online programming, church congregants-like the rest of society-feel pandemic fatigue. We are hopeful that the availability of COVID-19 vaccines will allow our society and churches to return to...
Read more
www.christianitytoday.com
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Finally, a cybersecurity warning from a colleague -- and CISA |
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Ransomware attacks can strike your church or ministry |
Earlier this week, a Clerk of Session in one of our congregations wrote:
We hit a major roadblock a week ago today, when [redacted] arrived in the church office to find our church computer had been hacked, with ALL church files locked and encrypted, by ransomware, seeking ransom in BitCoin. Thankfully, [redacted] had files backed up on her own personal drive that she keeps with her. Fortunately, we have a couple of expert computer geeks in the church, one who cleaned the hard drive and the other reloaded all operating systems. Now, [redacted] is busy reloading the data she had saved on her personal drive into the church computer.
Every church and ministry using a computer (and your home computer, too) is vulnerable to a cyberattack, and ransomware attacks like this are not just limited to big companies. At least one presbytery has been a victim, too. On January 21, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) "announced the Reduce the Risk of Ransomware Campaign . . ., a focused, coordinated and sustained effort to encourage public and private sector organizations to implement best practices, tools and resources that can help them mitigate this cybersecurity risk and threat."
Read more about how to reduce your risk at the link below --- and please don't count on an employee or volunteer to provide an external backup for your church or ministry on their own.
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Ransomware | CISA
Ransomware is a type of malicious software, or malware, designed to deny access to a computer system or data until a ransom is paid. Ransomware typically spreads through phishing emails or by a victim unknowingly visiting an infected website.
Read more
www.cisa.gov
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Remember, there's always something new to see on our Facebook page and more at the Presbytery of Tampa Bay website. Click the buttons below to start exploring! |
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Have you found, "liked," and "followed" the Presbytery of Tampa Bay on Facebook yet? We post informational, inspirational, and sometimes thought-provoking items there fairly often --- and offer a Small Church Network Facebook Group linked from that page. Click the button below to visit our Facebook page and be sure to click on "like" or "follow" to be notified of updates! |
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Our next regular issue of the eNews will come out during the second week of February. Please send input and ideas to me before that!
Thanks for reading all the way to the end! -- Bill
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