Steeple News / Upcoming Events
Life of the Church
Late-March 2023 thru July 2023
4/1/23 Jeannette Johnson & Travis Chapman
4/15/23 Claire Fyvolent & Scott Bean offsite
5/20/23 Wendy Kirkwood & Justin Hart offsite
7/15/23 Kathleen Sullivan & Mason Hook
BIRTHS:
3/23/23 William Martin Weisman, son of Gary Weisman & Sasha Lohn
4/6/23 Maxwell Towey Rhinehart, son of Andrew & Natalie Rhinehart
4/7/23 Graham David Hill, son of Dan & Lauren Hill
4/18/23 Sam Christopher Perez, son of Jorge & Sarah Perez
5/8/23 Oscar Lee Ferreiro, son of Zach & Katie Ferreiro
BAPTISMS:
3/26/23 Lucy Reeves Miller, daughter of Alex & Katie Reeves Miller
4/2/23 Grady Owen Holmes, son of John & Morgan Holmes
4/16/23 Margot Elizabeth McKay, daughter of John & Elizabeth Best McKay
4/23/23 Mary Claire Hudson, daughter of Tyler Hudson & Grace Northern
5/7/23 Levi Anthony Figler, son of Austin & Aubree Figler
6/11/23 Rex Wilson Little, son of Ryan & Emily Little
7/2/23 Charlotte Elizabeth Smedley, daughter of Robert & Allison Smedley
WE ARE GOING TO ISRAEL
Revs. Nicole Abdnour & John DeBevoise are leading a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, March 10th-20th, 2024, utilizing J2Adventures Tour Company. A few spots remain, and we’d love to have you! Email Beth DeBevoise at DeBevoisePR@gmail.com for more information.
7/9/23 Andrew Ancel Armstrong, son of Dave & Leah Armstrong
7/9/23 Thomas Hendry Armstrong, son of Dave & Leah Armstrong
DEATHS:
3/15/23 Margaret Hylton
3/23/23 Stephen Long
4/2/23 Tony More
4/11/23 Boyd Wynne
4/24/23 Bob Andrews
6/13/23 Georgia Simmons
6/30/23 Charles Pinckney
NEW MEMBERS:
4/30/23 Sara Kay Bonti
4/30/23 Michael & Charlotte Hovick
4/30/23 Mike & Kristin Kirkner
4/30/23 Daysia Klossner
4/30/23 Jack & Jessica Rybicki
4/30/23 Kylan & Natalia Shaw
5/26/23 Kathryn Bonti
5/26/23 Michael & Brooke Cardozo
5/26/23 Philip Fellows
5/26/23 Dan & Lauren Hill
5/26/23 Luke & Alicia Martin
5/26/23 Brian & Lori Osborne
6/25/23 Pamela Jackson-Haney
6/25/23 Jennifer Motsinger
6/25/23 Ryan & Rose Nitzsche
6/25/23 Michael Nursey
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Middle Schoolers set out to enjoy a week of service around the community during the Disciple Now week in June!
Together In Christ
As Fall approaches, some of us are coming back from vacation and looking forward to — hopefully — cooler weather, or perhaps the start of the new school year. Fall also gives us a chance to reflect on coming “Together In Christ” for ‘We, who are many, are one body in Christ.’
(Romans 12:5)
Our many PCPC activities that bring us joy are starting once again and are made possible through your gifts to last year’s 2023 Stewardship Season, your time, and your talents. New Fall Faith Formation classes, in person and virtual online worship services, Children and Youth programs kick-off, Wednesday Night Dinners return, concerts of beautiful music, volunteer opportunities that foster community continue, compassionate outreach programs for those in need, such as food for Beth-El and our Fall back-to-school backpacks and supplies collection for children in need and so much more.
PCPC Compassionate Outreach: Two Updates on How You Are Loving Your Neighbor
FED
In Matthew 11:28, Jesus said “Come to me, all you with heavy burdens, and I will give you rest”. For many of us, summertime provides an opportunity for rest, for however long we may have. Unfortunately, for some of PCPC’s FED families, this season’s burdens have been overwhelming. One family with six children wasn’t able to find housing through Tampa Housing Authority before their lease expired, so they moved into a hotel while their new Section 8 house was being readied. PCPC, along with several ministry partners, stepped in to help keep them from becoming homeless and is providing access to furniture and other opportunities. Another woman who lost her job due to the pandemic fell behind on her rent and was thrown out onto the street, losing everything, including her sewing machine. Now she’s living with a family member while trying to recover. A third family with two young children in a nice apartment was flooded out by an upstairs neighbor’s plumbing problem. Much of their furniture and clothing was ruined and they’re now staying with a family member while waiting for repairs.
“Together In Christ” God calls on us to be generous, and our Stewardship is an important part of the communal life of our church. As we come “Together In Christ” this Fall and into our routines we continue to say thanks for making God’s work possible.
- Pastor John
Upcoming New Member Session
August 6th, 10-11am – Sept. 10th, 10-11am Oct. 22nd, 10-11am – Nov. 26th, 10-11am
PCPC’s New Member Class is for anyone who has an interest in learning more about Palma Ceia Presbyterian, its ministries, and membership. Some people who attend this new members class have a desire to become members of PCPC, and decide to join at the end of the class. Others attend the class simply as part of their exploration toward learning more about the ministries that PCPC has to offer individuals and families.
All are welcome in the Hospitality Room next to the chapel, and we look forward to seeing you. Email susanfrost@palmaceia.org if you have any questions or to let us know you plan to attend.
For all of us, these events would be very difficult to deal with. For these families and children, recovery can take years, and is impossible without guidance and outside help. Your continued financial support of the FED Ministry provides a hand up when the unexpected occurs for these families. Thank you so much for your faithfulness and generosity!
Earth Care
You may recall the recent “Save the Date - 11/5/2023” for PCPC’s all-electronics donation drive in support of Hillsborough Education Foundation (HEF). Since November, 2020, we’ve been collecting used computer equipment, both working and not, for refurbishment and gifting to needy students in Tampa. So far, you’ve donated over 200 items and counting! HEF distributes working computers to public school students and also gets credit for recycled equipment towards refurbished computers. In celebration of the third anniversary of supporting HEF and local students, and in keeping with PCPC’s Earth Care commitments, we’re planning an ALL ELECTRONICS drive on the time change Sunday, November 5th. Any electronic item will be accepted, working or not. (Please, no CRT monitors or tube TVs.)
In the meantime, computers are still being accepted in the church office! As always, please remove passwords and personal data prior to donating.
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Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds - Romans 12:2
Florida Wind Band Concert: Chamber Works: The Light Fantastic
Sunday, August 13th at 6:00 pm
Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church
Sanctuary
While the Florida Wind Band typically plays music written for a large concert ensemble, for this concert we are exploring music that was composed for a smaller, more intimate ensemble. We’ll feature a brass septet on “Theme and Variations on A Mighty Fortress is Our God,” a woodwind octet on “Seascapes,” and a 17-piece wind ensemble on “The Light Fantastic.” We hope you’ll join us in the Sanctuary of Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church August 13th at 6:00 pm for what promises to be a virtuosic and delightful performance.
Kirking of the Tartans Sunday September 24th at 8:30 and 11
This year PCPC will celebrate for the 40th time the “Kirking” Service on the last Sunday of September. The Kirking of the Tartans Service will be held September 24th at the 8:30 & 11am Traditional worship services. The St. Andrew’s Society of Tampa will have a single piper at 8:30 and the full St. Andrews Society Pipe & Drum Band at 11:00.
Legend has it that the Highlanders came up with a plan to hide a piece of tartan in their clothing during church. During the service, at a set time, they would hold the tartan and bless it. When the Scots were forced to fight for the British Army, legend has it that the women would take a piece of their tartan to their church, or kirk, to be blessed and pray for the protection of the clan. And thus, the Kirkin’ O’ the Tartan celebration was created.
A PRAYER FROM CHRISTIAN REFORMATION LEADER JOHN KNOX
John Knox, who was a great leader in the Christian faith, is credited with reforming the church in Scotland. The influence and gifts of his character and commitment to Christ are still powerfully felt in the Kirk in Scotland, the Presbyterian Church, and around the world. There are several institutions named after him in Tampa Bay! He was a person who seriously practiced prayer and a portion of one of his prayers went like this:
“Kirking of the Tartans” services, which are held in many churches in the USA, especially Presbyterian, all tend to trace themselves back to The Reverend Peter Marshall’s time as pastor of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C. in the 1950’s. And of course, as Peter Marshall was a Scot, he was his own liturgical resource.
THE HISTORY OF THE KIRKIN’ OF THE TARTAN
In 1746, after the Battle of Culloden, The English Parliament banned all things Scottish: wearing tartan plaid, speaking Gaelic, and Scottish music, pipes, and dancing. Crimes were punishable by death or exile.
“Give us Thy grace to live in that Christian charity which Thy Son, Our Lord Jesus, has so earnestly commanded to all the members of His body; so that other nations, provoked by our example, may set aside all ungodly war, contention, and strife, and study to live in tranquility and peace, as becometh the sheep of Thy pasture, and the people that daily look for our final deliverance, by the coming again of Our Lord Jesus. To whom, with Thee, and the Holy Spirit, be all Honor, Glory, and Praise, now and ever. Amen.”
Kirkin’ Brunch
The Saint Andrew’s Society invites you to join them for a ticketed brunch at Seasons 52 at 1:00 p.m., following the 11:00 a.m. service and playing of the pipes in the courtyard. To attend, go to www.standrewsoftampabay.org before Tuesday, September 19th, click the “Events” tab and the “Kirkin’” button, and order your meal in advance. Contact Lee Barks at 407-741-4023 with questions. Please join us!
Upcoming Events
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July 2nd Florida Wind Band Concert: “All Things America”
Presbyterian Women Kick-Off Luncheon
Thurs., Sept. 14 at 11am in Fellowship Hall
Presbyterian Women’s Kick-Off covered dish luncheon meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 14th at 11am. This fellowship event marks the official start of the 2023-2024 Bible Study Year. All women of the church are invited to learn about the various circles and the studies they will be pursuing during the year. Contact Jan Gorrie at 813-334-5288 or jan@ballardpartners.com if you have any questions.
Faith and Fiction
Faith and Fiction meets on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 7:30pm in a hybrid fashion — in person in Room EM 310 and on Zoom. The group reads a wide range of fiction and (occasionally) non-fiction books, looking for evidence of faith in the lives of the characters. We are always looking for new folks to join us.
Here are the upcoming bookS:
August 15: Horse by Geraldine Brooks
September 19: Sara and Eleanor: The Story of Sara Delano Roosevelt and Her Daughter-in-Law, Eleanor Roosevelt by Jan Pottker
October 17: Clementine by Sonia Purnell
Adult Faith Formation Class:
Christ and Culture
Sunday Mornings, August 27th-September 24th
10-10:50am in EM307/308
Christ and Culture is the most significant work of H. Richard Niebuhr who taught Christian Ethics at Yale Divinity School for thirty years. Niebhuhr describes six basic ways that followers of Jesus can interact with their surrounding culture. This 5-week class will explore these six options and how they might guide us today.
NEW! Wednesday Evening Offerings!
Spirituality in the Poetry of Robert Burns
Wednesday evenings, August 30th - September 13th
Taught by Paul Clark
Questions Jesus Asked
Wednesday evenings, September 20th - October 25th
Taught by John Reiter
Jesus was fond of asking questions, many of which cut right to the heart of what it means to be human. Why are you terrified? What do you live for? Who do you say that I am? In Questions Jesus Asked, author Magrey DeVega explores six of the most provocative questions Jesus posed to others. This Wednesday evening class will explore these questions and how we might answer them for ourselves.
Youth at PCPC
The Youth have been busy this summer with, so far: Disciple Now week for middle schoolers, where they do service around the Tampa Bay community, the Blue Ridge retreat for high schoolers, and a mission trip to Spokane, WA.
Here are some upcoming dates to be aware of:
Youth Group Kick-Off is August 16th!!! 6-7:30 pm for Middle Schoolers, and 7:30-8:45 pm for High Schoolers
High School Bible Study resumes August 21st, 7:30-8:30 pm in the Youth Great Room
Formation X resumes August 27th, 10-10:45 am in Eastminster 206 (The Couch Room)
For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them. - Matthew 18:20
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Reforming Over the Summer to Continue to Empower Children
By Meg Pabst, Palma Ceia Presbyterian Preschool Director
“Reformed and always reforming” is a phrase that is often heard in the sanctuaries and hallways of Presbyterian congregations — it’s also the phrase that kept coming to the forefront of my mind as our preschool’s assistant director, Talena Jurado, and I engaged in a continuing education conference that was sponsored by the North American Reggio Emilia Alliance (if you aren’t sure why this matters, I hope you’ll take a look at our website, www.pcpcpreschool.org, to learn a bit about the Reggio Emilia approach to learning and its place at PCPC Preschool). Often I am asked about what it is that the preschool administration and I do during the summer months. To put it simply, we reform. We walk our classrooms over and over again, determining what worked for our students and teachers and what didn’t. We tackle the organization of physical spaces. We brainstorm new approaches. We say, “Thank you! Blessings
This year’s VBS was Ready, Set, Move: Follow Jesus Here, There, and Everywhere! After experimenting with VBS in the evening last year, this year we moved back to the morning schedule with 130 registered children ranging from age three months to rising 6th grade, plus 30 youth helpers and 45 adult volunteers.
We explored:
• Doing what Jesus says
• Believing who Jesus is
• Loving who Jesus loves
• Sharing what Jesus shares
• Going where Jesus leads
We moved through different areas of fun and fast recreation, arts and crafts where we made wind chimes, rocks, bracelets, and picture frames, and tie-dyed our own t-shirts. We all enjoyed Kona Ice to cool us off during a very hot week. Super snacks kept us fueled up for our next moves. Catchy songs and
on your journey,” to the staff members and families who aren’t returning for the upcoming school year while saying, “Welcome! We’re so glad you’re going to be part of our community,” to our new staff members and families.
Our time at the NAREA conference reminded me of the value that reformation has — the way that asking hard questions and making changes can breathe life into spaces that have been dormant and can refine what is already good into something more. The conference also reminded me just how wildly capable children are when they are given the space and trust to explore, question, discover, and engage with their surroundings.
I am so eager for the year to come and covet your prayers as we continue to work to empower the children of our church and community at PCPC Preschool.
dance moves helped us remember the words and messages long after VBS ended. We enjoyed acting out stories with sand and rock, God forgiving Peter, celebrating Pentecost, and Paul’s transformation.
You can see the end-of-week music celebration video on the PCPC Children’s Ministry Vimeo Page. A big thank you to the multitude of group leaders and room leaders who worked so hard to make it happen. We especially thank our Directors Mary Taggart, Alexa Parker, and Carrie Fowler. We hope to see everyone back for next year on the mornings of June 3-7, 2024 with a theme reveal in January.
-Allison Kelly, Director of Children & Families
allison@palmaceia.org
& Anna Shuford, Assistant Program Director for Children anna@palmaceia.org
Children & Families 6
A VBS RECAP!
Preschool Director Meg Pabst and Assistant Director Talena Jurado at a continuing education conference sponsored by the North American Reggio Emilia Alliance
So he brought his people out with joy, his chosen ones with singing. - Psalm 105:43
Godly Play Orientation
Sunday, August 20th during all services
All children entering Pre-K3-1st grade and a parent or grandparent are invited to attend “Introduction to the Light” Godly Play orientation to learn the rhythm of Godly Play and how it might connect to what you can do at home with your child. This will be led by Sandy Phillips, Godly Play Coordinator. All new children to Godly Play, if their parents attend with them, will receive a milestone and a light.
Faith and Fellowship Teacher & Substitutes Orientation
August 20th at 10am in WM 202/204 Email Allison Kelly at allison@palmaceia.org for more information!
Weekly Faith & Fellowship Hour Resumes
Sunday, August 27th at 10-10:50am
Faith & Fellowship Hour provides the opportunity for children & families of every age to learn and grow together in Christ. Sundays from 10-10:50am children will learn with a team of caring and faithful adults and youth. Each week we will explore Bible stories through science experiments, art, video storytelling, and active games designed to help children learn and grow together in Christ. We will follow the lectionary passages linked to that day’s worship services. All ages gather in the Chapel starting at 10am with gathering music, a Bible reading, and split into our age group gatherings in their designated locations.
Pre-K3 & Pre-K4 - Eastminster 102
Kindergarten and 1st Grade - Westminster 207
2nd and 3rd Grade - Westminster 210
4th and 5th Grade - Westminster 206
Welcome to Worship for 2nd Graders
Sunday, September 17, 24, and October 1 (with students participating in worship Oct. 1) 12:15-2:00 pm
Justice Seekers for 4th & 5th Graders
Resumes August 27th - Meet at Hyppo in Hyde Park 4-5:15pm
Justice Seekers is an experience just for 4th and 5th graders to deepen their faith by exploring topics around the theme of Rooted and Grounded in Love. It’s a space where this age group can covenant together in sharing the highs and lows of their life as they form strong bonds of friendship. Facilitated by Anna Shuford and Allison Kelly, we meet most Sundays on the PCPC campus unless stated otherwise.
Music & Movement
Wednesdays 5-5:30pm
For ages 0-3 years, with a parent/caretaker present Resumes August 16th!
Room CH 101 (The Godly Play Room in the nursery wing)
Music and Movement is a class offered for children, birth through 3 years old. This time together includes songs, rhythmic rhymes, movement, and instrument play. Activities are informal, non-performance-oriented experiences, appropriate for children and easy for parents and caregivers, regardless of their own musical ability. Class is held from 5-5:30 pm every night Wednesday Night Dinners are held. Anna Shuford typically leads this time. Email: anna@palmaceia.org
Second graders transition out of Godly Play and are welcomed into full worship participation with the community of believers. Second graders and a parent/ guardian are invited to this special 3-week opportunity, led by Anna Shuford, Allison Kelly and other special guests. We will investigate and explore the who, where, and whys of worship within the Presbyterian tradition in addition to Tasting the Bread when learning about the Sacrament of Communion. Children will help lead the communion liturgy on World Communion Sunday, October 1st.
Save the Date: Parent’s Night Out 5:30 - 8:30 pm November 10th!
All children ages nursery-5th and friends welcome. The evening will include dinner, games, and a movie, with nursery provided.
Play Group on the Playground
Assorted Tuesday & Thursdays 4-5:30pm
Safe for all ages! Throughout the year, the Children & Families Ministry opens up the playground for children of any ages, along with parents/caretakers, to enjoy safe outdoor play and fellowship. We also have an indoor play space available when weather requires it. To receive reminders when future playgroups are happening, contact Anna Shuford at anna@palmaceia.org.
Play Group Dates 2023
Tuesday, September 5
Thursday, September 21
Tuesday, October 3
Thursday, October 19
Tuesday, November 7
Thursday, November 16
Tuesday, December 5
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3501 San Jose • Tampa, FL 33629
Phone: (813) 253-6047
Fax: (813) 254-5274
www.palmaceia.org
Follow us on:
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www.facebook.com/PalmaCeiaPresbyterianChurch
Twitter @palmaceiapres
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Website www.palmaceia.org
Isaiah 51:4
NON-PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 104 TAMPA, FLORIDA ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
MusiCamp Production at PCPC June 4, 2023: Go, Go Jonah!
Cedarkirk Day Camp at PCPC!
Listen to
me, my people, and give heed to me, my nation; for a teaching will go out from me, and my justice for a light to the peoples.
