. . . after the movie Jaws hit theaters at the end of June that year. Then, three years later, Jaws 2 was advertised with this slogan: "Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water . . .." I never saw Jaws 2 (one was enough!), but its catchphrase has come to mind several times in the last couple of weeks, and it has nothing to do with red tide.

Friends, it seems to be time once more to consider, seriously and prayerfully, our mutual obligations in caring for all of our neighbors (see Luke 10:25-37) and the least of these among us (see Matthew 25:31-46) --- including the children in our communities (see Matthew 19:14).

Earlier this week, I saw that several parts of Florida were on the wrong end of the spectrum on a heatmap of rising COVID-19 infection rates, in the top five states nationwide in the rate of new cases per 100,000, and going back and forth for number 1 or 2 in highest raw number of cases. You may also have seen news of "breakthrough cases" of COVID-19 in fully vaccinated people, and may not have realized that the vaccines' high efficacy rates have to do with preventing serious illness or death, but do not fully prevent milder cases (which also raises questions of long-term COVID).

When I checked the latest available "COVID-19 Weekly Situation Report: State Overview" from the Florida Department of Health this morning (it's updated at this link at the end of each week), I found the trends all going the wrong way on the front page (as shown in the spot where you usually see my face in the eNews).

New case positivity rates in the counties that make up the Presbytery of Tampa Bay range from 9.2% in Pinellas to 19.7% in Levy, and vaccination rates similarly range from 59% in Pinellas to 40% in Levy (you can look up your county in Florida's weekly report).

Finally, this morning, I heard news of rising symptomatic cases of COVID-19 in children under 12 who cannot yet be vaccinated, often in correlation to areas with low vaccination rates and rising infection rates.

Since the beginning of this pandemic, the Coordinating Team and Presbytery staff have stressed the biblical value highlighted in 1 Corinthians 10:23-24, phrased in different ways in different translations, not to put our individual interests ahead of the good of others:

Ruling Elder Jonathan Owen, Coordinating Team Chair, Rev. Susan Hill, Chair of the Commission on Ministry, and Rev. Paul Suich, Chair of the Commission on Preparation for Ministry, are working with Joyce Lieberman, Synod Executive and Stated Clerk, Lieberman to review the current position description for Patrice’s work, will be meeting with Patrice to discuss what she's actually been doing, and drafting an updated position description for recommendation to the Presbytery.

Starting on Sunday, August 1, everyone is invited to attend “Creation Care Buffet: Come to the Table” which is the Presbyterians for Earth Care’s online national conference on Sundays, August 1, 8, and 15 this summer.

Worship and Bible study will be from 4:30 pm EDT – 6:00 p.m. EDT, followed by a dinner break, with workshops from 7:00 p.m. EDT to 8:30 p.m. EDT.

The cost is only $20 per Sunday or $50 for all 3 Sundays with scholarships available.  Details (conference schedule, workshops descriptions and leaders’ bios,) can be found by clicking here (or on the image of the flyer) and on the Presbyterians for Earth Care website (where you can register!) and Facebook page.

At some point we started calling it “the new normal”—as if a cute way of describing what we were experiencing would make the burden lighter. Maybe it did. But after more than a year of reinventing the wheel and never stopping to reflect on what it all means, we’re drowning. Our heads and hearts are full, but we may not be sure of what.

If you feel like you’ve been drinking from the proverbial fire hose, we get it. All you’ve done is learn new things. Now is the time to work through some of what you’ve already experienced—to integrate it into your personal and professional life.

We can help.