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Witnesses to the World

New and Exciting!

Resources for You

Mission Matters!

Positively Presbyterian

Two Ways to Be Witnesses to the World

Presbytery Accepting Applications For Commissioned Lay Pastor (CLP) Program and Workshop for Christian Unity.
After two years of prayer, planning, design and gathering resources, the Presbytery of Tampa Bay is ready to begin a program for training Commissioned Lay Pastors (CLP).   

A Commissioned Lay Pastor is an elder of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) who is granted a local commission by the presbytery to serve for a particular church for a specific amount of time.  Depending on the person and the church, the Committee on Ministry can give that person authority to “lead worship, preach the gospel, watch over the people and provide for their nurture and service.”  (Book of Order G-14.0560)

Applications for those who would like to be considered for the program should be e-mailed to Reg Dickey, Chair of the Commissioned Lay Pastor Oversight Team, or “Claypots”.  His e-mail address is: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  If you are interested in applying, you need several key pieces of information.  Click here for information on the overall program.  Click here for the list of recommended resources.  Click here for the covenant and application forms.   You can also access this at the presbytery website:  www.presbyteryoftampabay.com/community/bulletinboard.  

The Oversight Team is especially pleased with the person they have recruited to oversee the training.  His name is Charles Willard and he brings excellent credentials to the program.  An honorably retired Presbyterian pastor, he served as the Librarian at Harvard Divinity School and Princeton Theological Seminary, as well as a teaching assistant at Yale Divinity School.  He has also been a member of the accreditation team for the Association of Theological Schools.

As coordinator of the CLP program, he will be responsible for recruiting teachers, scheduling the classes and administering the program.

Witnesses to the World! This is the theme of the annual National Workshop on Christian Unity, April 19-22, 2010 here at the Tampa Hyatt Regency, building on the risen Christ’s charge to the apostles that they are “witnesses to these things.” (Luke 24.48). These three days of prayer, lectures, seminars and network-building is open to all who are ecumenically minded. Heading the program are Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori as preacher at the opening prayer service, Catholic Archbishop Wilton Gregory as keynoter, and Rev. Dr. Bruce Chilton as bible study leader. Chilton will explore the development of the Eucharist in the New Testament as the gathering point of the church’s unity. PCUSA Director of Theology and Worship, Rev. Dr. Joseph Small will lead a seminar on ecumenical issues concerning orders of ministry. There are eleven other seminars. The Rev. Dr. Gerry Tyer will preach at an ecumenical Eucharist on Tuesday evening at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. The Workshop is the only ecumenical training event officially recognized by the church bodies involved in the ecumenical movement. Presbyterians have historically played a major role in the NWCU. For information and to register, go to www.nwcu.org.

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New and Exciting

Special Invitations

Prayer List

Coming to Eckerd

Shepherd's Sabbath and more at Cedarkirk

Is Your Faith Sustainable?

Save the Dates!

You Are Invited! Sunday February 28, 4:00 p.m. please join the Presbytery along with the Session and congregation of First Presbyterian Church in Auburndale as they install their new pastor, Mark Scott.  The Rev. Scott was approved by the Committee on Ministry to be their Designated Pastor.  First Auburndale is located at 410 Pilaklakaha Avenue, Auburndale.  863-967-1010.

Visit Beth-El! Sunday March 14 from 2:00-4:30 p.m. in Wimauma.  If you have not had the opportunity to see how this important mission and ministry serves the people who come, you need to visit!  Beth El Farmworkers Ministry is located at 18240 Hwy 301 South in Wimauma.  Get directions here.  If you have questions, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Do You Use the Presbyterian Planning Calendar? Order through the Presbytery and save.  We can get them for $6.00 (plus a small shipping fee) each with an order of over 50.  If you would like to be included in our order, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by March 30.  Calendars will be delivered in May and will be distributed at the May Presbytery Meeting.   These calendars are essential for church staff and very nice for elders and deacons to have.  (In the event of sending in an order of fewer than 50, each calendar will be $8, plus a small shipping fee).

First Presbyterian Church of St. Petersburg is hosting a special one-day seminar by Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.  Sponsored by the Continuing Education Office of PTS, it will be held on Monday, March 8, at the church (701 Beach Drive NE) from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m..  “The Brain Technique for Preaching without Notes”  will be led by Dr. William Carl, President of the seminary and Professor of Homiletics. The cost is $30, with checks to be made to PTS. People wishing more information should call Dave Hosick, at 727-289-4691 or e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Northwood Presbyterian Church, 2875 State Road 580, Clearwater, FL (Phone: 727-796-8090) has an organist position available for two Sunday services, 8:15 AM and 11:00 AM in addition to a choir rehearsal on Wednesday evenings.  Contact Stephanie Carson, Director of Music, at the above phone number for more information. (The organ at NPC is an Allen Renaissance, III manual).  To see a full job description, click here. 

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 March we are praying for:

Garden Crest Presbyterian Church (St. Petersburg)
Lakeview Presbyterian Church (St. Petersburg)
Maximo Presbyterian Church (St. Petersburg)
Northeast Presbyterian Church (St. Petersburg)
Northwest Presbyterian Church (St. Petersburg)
Pasadena Presbyterian Church (St. Petersburg)
Trinity Presbyterian Church (St. Petersburg)
Vietnamese Church of Emanuel (St. Petersburg)
Westminster Presbyterian Church (St. Petersburg)
Woodlawn Presbyterian Church (St. Petersburg)

Eckerd College has some great events coming.  On Wednesday March 24 Kip Curtis, Environmental historian, organic gardener and Eckerd College Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies will present " 'Gardening' as Ritual for the Creation of Values."  7:30 p.m. in Fox Hall.

On April 8 the Florida Memorial University Ambassador Chorale, under the direction of Melvin White, Assistant Professor of Music at FMU, will perform as part of the Plight and Promise of Africa:  An Eckerd College Initiative event. 7:00 p.m. in Wireman Chapel.

Wednesday April 14 join Immaculee Ilibagiza, author of Left to Tell:  Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust, as she tells her harrowing story of survival and faith during the 1994 Rwandan genocide.  7:00 p.m. in the Campus Activities Center.  (Presented by the Florida Holocaust Museum in partnership with the Plight and Promise of Africa:  An Eckerd College Initiative.)

Events at Cedarkirk

Summer Camp 2010 Registration Is Now Available: Reserve your child’s spot for summer camp now!  Please check our website (www.cedarkirk.org) for additional information and to register online.

Summer Staff Positions Available: We are now accepting applications for various positions on our 2010 Summer Camp Staff.  Visit our website (www.cedarkirk.org) to apply today!

Shepherd's Sabbath, April 5-7.  Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it at Cedarkirk for registration information.  (this is a FREE event for pastors and educators who need to recharge).

Kairos Retreat (High School or Young Adult)            Open Dates
Kairos, or "special time with God", is a retreat focusing on traditional spiritual disciplines and developing ways to enhance one's devotional life.  This weekend is committed to exploring and expressing faith through art, lectio devina, play, guided meditation, silence, prayer, and song; just to name a few options.

These retreats are intentionally designed for small groups. It is for this reason we are keeping an open calendar for individual youth or young adult groups to book a private retreat. Come join us for the sole purpose of devoting time to God in a way that is counter to today's fast-paced, highly-stimulated culture.

Please call or e-mail to customize your event. Cost, lodging, and program will vary according to your needs.

Confirmation Retreats - a great way to build relationships and connect with other youth in confirmation.  March 5—7 or  March 12—14, 2010.  The registration information is now available.  Click here to download.

For the above listed events or any other questions, please don't hesitate to call 813.685.4224 or check our website at www.cedarkirk.org.

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 .

Presbyterian Women Spring Retreat with Peace River Presbytery will be April 26-28, 2010, at DaySpring Conference Center, Ellenton.  All women are invited.  Your church PW Moderator or contact person will have more information soon.

Trinity Clearwater invites all to The Barbary Coast Dixieland Jazz Show Band on Sunday March 7 at 3:00 p.m.  This band has been elected to the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame and is highly regarded throughout the midwest.  Come enjoy six talented musicians who play 18 instruments.  Tickets are $10 and can by purchased at the door or by calling the church office 727-446-6210.

World Day of Prayer is March 5.  How will you mark that occasion? For information, go to www.wdpusa.org.

Save the Date – A Sustainable Faith Conference April 22nd-24th
In April, Missio Dei Community along with Albright United Methodist Church will host “A Sustainable Faith: Justice in the Real World”. Speakers include Shane Claiborne, Danielle Shroyer and many others. Reserve your tickets now for $50 ($80 at door and limited to 200 people). This will include 2 days of speakers and workshops. April 22nd will be an optional field trip to Immokalee with Shane Claiborne to meet with farmworkers and hear their stories. This trip is an additional $95 to cover your transportation and food. Whatever is left over will be donated to the Coalition of Immokalee workers who work to ensure fair working conditions and pay for those who help to populate our plates with food.  Rev. Doug McMahon is the co-pastor of the new church development, the Missio Dei Community, located near downtown St. Petersburg. If you would like more information about the conference or the new church development, please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it l or call Doug at 727-366-6164.

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. March 8 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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Save The Dates!

Trinity and Lakeview Presbyterian Churches in St. Petersburg are planning a Church Growth, Leadership Development and Church Transformation Workshop for March 19-21.  We look forward to welcoming the Rev. Dr. Lonnie Oliver, Pastor New Life Presbyterian Church in College Park, GA.  Dr. Oliver is also consultant to the Racial Ethnic & Women's Ministries Division of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A.  This event will be FREE, registration information will be available soon.  Questions can be answered by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

2010 Arts and Playwright Festival is coming to Trinity Presbyterian Church in Clearwater on April 17, 7:00 p.m.  If you are a musician, artist, writer, performer, etc and wish to participate, please contact Dr. Johnny Ray Jones at the church, 727-446-6210.  Performance opportunities are available as well as being able to sell your creations.

National Day of Prayer is May 6.

Coming to Cedarkirk:

Spring Bashes - April 16-17 and 23-24. Designed for 1st through 5th grade Sunday school classes to get a taste of Cedarkirk, this spring event is nothing but fun and joy.  In a short 24 hour period, kids will glide on zip lines, challenge themselves on the climbing wall, celebrate during worship, and play in the river.  Campers stay with leaders in rustic cabins after a late evening campfire including singing, storytelling, and s’mores.

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

Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 813-685-4224 for more information.

Resources for You!

Your Resource Center is looking for Very Special People.  If you have interest/skills in Library/Media Centers, we invite you to consider volunteering at the Resource Center.  Hours/days are negotiable, but comfort with computers and some understanding of how libraries function are important.  Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

Invite your Resource Center Director to visit your congregation.  Have Leslee do a Minute for Mission in worship, or visit with your Session to promote the Resource Center, or come to your Christian Education committee meeting.  Having a Mission Fair?  Include your Resource Center and we'll bring a display.  Need a Wednesday night program?  Your Resource Center Director can bring fun and fellowship or do a Bible study for your group.  Call or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it !

It's that time of year! Time to renew your annual membership in the Resource Center.  We're holding our fees to current levels.  Bonus - if you bring a non-Presbyterian educator to the center and she or he decides to become a member, you will save 10%!  If you haven't sent in your renewal, please do so by January 30.  Reminders will be emailed out closer to the end of the month.  Thank you for all your wonderful support of your Resource Center!

Do You Have a License to Do That? Churches must have licensing to show videos, use certain music,, podcast worship services and more.  OneLicense.net can help with meeting that important legal requirement (Do you know the cost for using materials without a license?  It could be hundreds of thousands of dollars!!!)  Another website that can help get you legal:  Motion Picture Licensing Corporation.  If you need a license for your music use go to http://www.ccli.com/.  Anything that you use that is not in the hymnal in your pew must be licensed.

New!  New!  New!

Talking With Children About Tragedy is a free resource from Leader Resources.  If you have had questions from your children, children you may be teaching or parents about how to talk appropriately with children about the crisis in Haiti (or any tragedy), you need this resource!  Get it on your computer here. 

 Another resource for families helping children cope with loss is Heartfelt Newsletter, produced by the LOGOS Ministry.  Click here to read.  You can subscribe to their e-news.  Each edition is packed with great information for families and those who are involved in ministering to families with children. 

 Coming this Fall! Being Reformed - Faith Seeking Understanding is a new adult study that will help your members understand what it means to be 'Reformed' while growing in faith.  Designed as short term (6-7 weeks) electives, these are written by noted scholars with Teacher's Guides written by Christian Educators.  Upcoming topics include Worship as Evangelism, John Calvin, Islam and Christianity, Discipleship:  The Way of Jesus, Theology for Presbyterians and more.  The Resource Center will have review copies when they become available. 

The Thoughtful Christian always has great new studies.  www.thethoughtfulchristian.com. January 20 marked the one-year anniversary of the monumental inauguration of the United States’ first black president. Shortly, President Obama will celebrate his second President’s Day as president. To help you celebrate this President’s Day (February 15) and Washington’s birthday (February 22), we’ve put together this one-session adult study about George Washington, his faith life, and religion’s relationship with political offices, titled “Meet George Washington.”

This week's new youth study is titled "The Dating Game: How to Survive the Roller Coaster." Building on the concept of the “greatest commandment,” this study explores the importance of balancing friends, family, and God in dating relationships to decrease the ups and downs of the roller coaster.

Studies are available individually or through an annual subscription.  Visit The Thoughtful Christian website to see the many wonderful studies they offer.

Have you checked out The Presbyterian Leader? Similar to the Thoughtful Christian, it is an online resource for pastors, elders, deacons, educators, musicians, worship leaders and other congregational leaders.  This week they're launching three new materials. In a new Leading Voices essay—free to all visitors at their site—Eugenia Gamble explores the often unpredictable, yet always memorable, ways in which all of us are called into relationship with Christ. In our new Leader Reader newsletter—free to subscribers and additional leaders in their congregation—Thomas G. Long helps us discover how we embody our faith.

We are also excited to present a new Doctrine and Beliefs study, “The Sacrament of Baptism,” by David Gambrell. In this one-session study, Gambrell describes what the Bible says about baptism and the history of baptism in the Christian tradition. Additionally, we learn how Presbyterians celebrate baptism and get answers to common questions about the sacrament of baptism—Can a person who is not baptized be saved? Can anyone be baptized?  Go to 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 will lead workshops based on your need.  She can also consult with your Education (or Stewardship or Worship or....) 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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Mission Matters!

Help Feed the Hungry

Souper Bowl Recap

52 Sundays of Mission Interpretation

Do you Know Your Special Offerings?

The Society of St. Andrew is always looking for volunteers to help with their gleaning programs.  Coming on March 6 will be a HUGE effort in Tampa to glean citrus.  They are seeking 1,000 volunteers!  If you or your group are looking for a good mission project that is local and has major impact, join them.  RSVP to glean:  please contact Program Coordinator Becky Brown at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 407.650.1956. 
Kindly provide your cell phone number/email address, even if they are already on file.  This helps streamline things for our small staff!  Thank you!

The Souper Bowl was Sunday February 7. If you collected canned goods and/or cash, please send your total to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  We'd like to publish what the total impact is of our churches.  We won't specify, but use totals of cash and pounds of canned goods.  Also tell us where you are sending your offering.  It will quickly become clear that every church makes a difference and all together we do great things, thanks be to God!  (Don't forget to report your totals to the Souper Bowl organizers - www.souperbowl.org.  What we know so far: $5990.86 in cash, and approxiamately 470 pounds of food.  Area agencies that will benefit:  St. Petersburg Free Clinic, the Society of St. Andrew, Meals on Wheels, ECHO, Brandon Outreach, I Am Hope Cafe, Helping Hands Food Bank, Talbot House Ministry, Operation Attack, Soup Kitchen/Bag Lunch Ministry, Mission on Central Avenue, RCS, Pinellas County Coaliiton for the Homeless, Covenant Christian Food Panty, and......... 

Do You Know Your Special Offerings? The PC(USA) has four special offerings that churches are invited to participate in to support the mission activities of the church.  Right now it's One Great Hour of Sharing season.  This is actually an ecumenical offering-many denominations participate, but each uses the funds for their projects.  Our OGHS monies support Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (32%)(over $200,000 was recently used for Haiti relief, with more to come), Presbyterian Hunger Program (36%), and Self-Development of People (32%).  Traditionally the One Great Hour of Sharing offering is collected during Lent, particularly Palm Sunday. 

The Pentecost Offering grew out of the Witness Offering a number of years ago.   The Pentecost offering is a way to support children and youth at risk, Young Adults in Mission and more.  Congregations who collect this offering keep 40% for ministry with children and youth and risk.  50% is used by General Assembly ministries with youth and young adults and 10% for child advocacy at the national level.   

The Peacemaking Offering is received on World Communion Sunday (this year Oct. 3).  25% stays in the congregation for peacemaking efforts; the Presbytery uses 25% and 50% goes for Peacemaking ministries of the General Assembly Mission Council. 

December is when the Christmas Joy offering is collected.  Half goes to support the Assistance programs of the Board of Pensions and the other half assists our Racial-Ethnic Schools with their programs.  Here is an excerpt from a thank-you from Clovis, Calif. —"On behalf of my mother, I would like to thank you and the Board of Pensions for the very generous Christmas gift of $250. It is greatly appreciated. She continues to be at the health care center in Duarte, CA and is 104 years old. Though memory, hearing, and sight are not as they were, she remains in remarkably good health considering her age. She continues to be able to quote scripture and is in very good spirits."  Our gifts do make a difference!  If you need promotional material or help ordering resources for these offerings, contact the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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Positively Presbyterian!

News from the Outlook

Need Stewardship Ideas?  Want to go to Switzerland?  St. Simon's Island?  Pittsburgh?

Columbia Seminary, Montreat and More

Research Services You Can Use

News from the Presbyterian Outlook: Same Gender Marriage Committee concludes inconclusively. The General Assembly Special Committee on Civil Union and Christian Marriage has approved its final report - ending its journey with civility and mutual respect, but, lacking unanimity, and has left the door open for a possible minority report.

The committee did not recommend any change in the constitutional prohibition of same-gender weddings.  Nevertheless, it did propose some steps that could gradually lead in that direction, prompting three members of the committee to vote their disapproval of the final report.  
You can read a report of the committee's work. 
http://www.pres-outlook.org/component/content/article/44-breaking-news/9603-breaking-news-same-gender-marriage-committee-concludes-inconclusively.html 

"Fresh Ideas for Holy Week Worship Services" A Webinar Featuring David Gambrell, General Assembly Council Associate for Worship on March 2, 2010 at 2:00 PM est / 11:00 AM pst.  The Outlook is circulating his Lenten hymns. Now tap David's treasure-trove of liturgies, theological insights, and preaching ideas to enhance and enliven your congregation's worship this Holy Week.

Invite worshipers to join Jesus' procession into Jerusalem.  Welcome them into the upper room. Walk with them through Gethsemane and Golgotha. Quicken them by the empty tomb. In the process, make Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday days they will remember.  David will teach for about 45 minutes and questions will be allowed the last 15 minutes.

Just $29.95. You'll need access to the Internet and a phone.
Click here to register or call 800/446-6008.

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

Stewardship Kaleidoscope - Funding Mission Today and Tomorrow will be March 15-17 in Indianapolis, Indiana.  This is the Presbyterian Stewardship Conference with enlightening keynote presentations, 28 workshops, inspiring worship and more.  Registration fee is discounted until March 1.  Visit their website to learn more or to register.

Ecumenical Advocacy Days - A Place to Call Home is scheduled for March 19-22 in Washington, D.C.  Learn more or register at www.advocacydays.org.  This workshop will shed light on issues surrounding immigrants, refugees and displaced persons and how we can lobby for positive change to benefit all.

Presbyterian Peace Fellowship is planning their first ever convocation for the Stony Point Center, Stony Point, NY, April 15-17, 2010.  Visit their website for networking and conference information - www.presbypeacefellowship.org.

Local Church History Seminar April 22-25, 2010 at Stony Point Center in New York.  Great for local church historians, Presbyterian Women and more who want to learn more about Presbyterian history, managing and preserving local congregation's history, oral history, disaster preparedness and more.  Visit www.history.pcusa.org/cong/lchs/index.html or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for details.

Unity & Reformed Heritage Seminar - Geneva, Switzerland April 5-12, 2010.  Continue your celebration of Calvin's Quincentennial.  Visit www.pcusa.org/dear/unity-seminar.htm for registration information.  This tour will feature visits to the Ecumenical Centre; worship at the Auditory, where John Calvin taught and John Knox preached, dialogue with leaders of the World Council of Churches and more.  Sponsored by the Office of the General Assembly and coordinated through the office of Ecumenical Relations.

The Association of Smaller Churches announces its annual conference, to be held at St. Simon's Island, GA, New Ways for New Days, May 3-5.  This 23rd annual event will help equip, educate and empower smaller churches for challenging new times.  You can download registration information here.

Tools For Congregations from Research Services of the General Assembly Council.  Churches can receive demographic information from Louisville to help in understanding your community.  This is a free service - go to www.pcusa.org/research/demographics.  It is based on census data, and thus will be updated once the current census is completed, but offers a way to begin understanding your community.  There are other tools available from Research Services.  Contact them at 1-888-728-7228 x2040 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  You can also visit www.pcusa.org/research.

Columbia Theological Seminary:

A complete listing of courses and events may be found at http://www.ctsnet.edu/LL/Events.aspx.

The May 2010 Thompson Scholars (May 25-28) will explore “Evangelism for the Rest of Us.” For many people the word “evangelism” makes us very uneasy.  But the communication of God’s good news is one of the primary callings of the Church.  Participants in the Thompson Scholar program will discuss the major contemporary issues in evangelism as these pertain to the local congregation, including the nature of the Gospel, the dynamics of conversion, the biblical theology of witness and the congregational practice of missio Dei.  

Leadership for the event is provided by Dr. Steve Hayner, President of Columbia and Professor of Evangelism and Church Growth, and the Rev. Sharol Hayner.  Sharol is a CTS alumna and serves on the staff of Peachtree Presbyterian Church, Atlanta. 

The event features small-group discussions, meals, evening sessions and visits to other ministry settings. All participants are expected to attend all sessions. Participation is limited to 15 individuals, who are selected after submitting an application via email to Sarah Erickson ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ). Applications will be reviewed as they are received and accepted until the event is full or until April 1.  
The program fee is $165 includes housing for three nights, double occupancy, at the Harrington Center on the seminary campus; all meals are included.  
For more information, please contact Sarah Erickson.
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Sprunt Lectures at Union Presbyterian Seminary (formerly Union/PSCE).  May 3-5, 2010.  Join Margaret Miles, Emerita Professor of Historical Theology, Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, CA as she explores the theme Revisioning Historical Theology.  Worship will be led by the Rev. Ed McLeod, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Raleigh, NC. www.union-psce.edu and click on 'Alumi & Friends.'

 Montreat Conference Center has wonderful opportunities year 'round.  Visit www.montreat.org for information or to register.  Early registration is discounted on many conferences. Coming soon - Solo Pastor to Multi-Staff Pastor Conference, Apirl 11-16;  Associate Pastors Conference, April 12-15;  Spring Spiritual Formation Retreat, April 15-18;  Arts and Sabbath:  The Montreat Artists Series, April 18-22;  Healthy Congregations Facilitator Training April 19-21.  Annual Recreation Workshop is May 3-8, and then the summer season begins!  Visit their website or call 1-800-572-2257 for more information on these or later conferences.

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