We are grateful when our children remind us just how good we have it. Itisimpossibletomeasurejusthow muchhasbeengiventousinorderfor ourchildren’sministriestothrive throughPalmaCeia.
Much is required of us intheuseof ourtime,talents,andtreasuresaswe reflectuponscriptureandthesacrament ofBaptism.“
Being Called to the Waters isourtheme acrossFaithFormationthisyear.“This ismybeloved”arethewordsGod spokeatJesus’Baptismandarethe wordsspokenateverybaptism.Weare claimedandcalledbyGod.Weare drawntothewatersofbaptism.Weare gatheredatthefont,sealedbythe poweroftheHolySpirit, we promise to nurture and nourish each child together.
We invite you to continue to partner with us through prayer to become a more welcoming community andto nurturethefaithofchildrenthrough worship,education,serviceand fellowshipforthecomingyear.
Let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.
Revelation 22:17b
-AllisonKelly
"This church is so many things It's a church, it's a school, it's a playground, it's a camp, it's a restaurant, and it's a splashpad!"
- James Vincent, 6
IN THE PAST YEAR...
First Faith and Fellowship Hour had 200+ attendees
12 families packed Disaster Kit Cleaning Buckets
100+ in Nursery across the year, with numbers increasing!
200+ people at All-Church End-of-Summer Celebration
303 children attended summer ministries in total (VBS, Cedakirk, Wonder Wednesdays, and Splish Splash Sundays)
[20 children attended Cedarkirk for the first
time this summer]
[36 of those were from the community!}
24 packages of love were created for college students during spring break
20 Families created trees & Advent wreaths to deliver to seasoned seniors in the congregation 400 people attended Living Nativity
103 children 5th grade & under 18 youth (6th-12th) volunteers
42 adult volunteers
Children & Families Volunteer Opportunities
Godly Play Assistant needed for 35 minutes at the 8:30, 9, or 11am services
Faith & Fellowship Hour Assistant needed at 10am in the Chapel for younger or older elementary
Youth in grades 6-12 can volunteer for Faith & Fellowship or Godly Play and receive service hours
Connect or Volunteer with the Children’s Ministry: Allison Kelly: Allison@palmaceia.org KidsPCPC.com
Living Nativity at PCPC is Sunday, December 7. Children & Youth of all ages may want to be involved, as well as adult volunteers!
The Jolley Trolley for singing Christmas carols around the neighborhood will be at PCPC Wednesday, December 17. OnLaborDayWeekend,weheldaservice hourpackingHurricaneDisasterKits.
A PRAYER FOR STEWARDSHIP
GraciousGod,wethankyoufortheabundanceof yourblessings,especiallythegiftofourchurchandits missionintheworld.Helpustobefaithfulstewards ofallyouhaveentrustedtous–our time, talents, treasure and prayers –andtosharethemgenerouslywiththoseinneed. Mayourstewardshipbeatestamenttoyourloveand graceandmayitbringglorytoyourname.
Regular listeners in El Salvador, Singapore, & Australia: 13
Average Sunday Morning Class Attendance: 25
Average Wednesday Night Class Attendance: 12
Participants in the Koinonia Cohort: 15
FALL CLASSES
SUNDAYS
Wishful Thinking October 12-November 12
Care of Creation Class November 16-23
WEDNESDAYS
Tending the Wild Garden September 10 – November 12
November 19 & 26: No class
Symbols and Art in Advent December 3 & 10
Taught by Rev. John Reiter
Class Descriptions on palmaceia.org/adult-education
From everyone to whom much has been given...much will be required... Luke 12:48
YOUTH
Average Wednesday Youth Group Attendance: 70
Average Monday Night High School Bible Study: 10
Summer Trips
Disciple Now Service Week: 50 middle school students worked with mission organizations around the Tampa area
Blue Ridge High School Trip: 30 high school students learned about baptism and built relationships 31 middle school students & leaders went to Southwind Summer Camp in Ocklawaha, FL
Partnership shows up in the details: a choir anthem that lifts a weary heart, a meal for a homebound member, a mentor for a student
Your pledge funds these quiet mercies We are inviting the congregation to turn prayer into action today mail in your pledge form or pledge online at palmaceia.org/pledge
December 14 at 6:00pm in the Sanctuary ThisfestiveconcertofPCPC’sownTrinity HandbellChoirwillfeatureholiday favorites.ItwillserveastheVespersService December14,andwillbetakingup collectionsforKindnessMatters.(Blankets, flashlights,jeans&jackets,backpacks,etc.)
WORSHIP-UpcomingDates PCPC Stewardship Season 2026
Sunday, October 5
World Communion Sunday
Sunday, October 12
Pregnancy Loss Vespers Service at 6pm
Sunday, October 19
Blessing of the Animals
Sunday, October 26
Reformation Sunday 3 Grade Bible Sunday rd
Sunday, November 2
All Saints Sunday Communion Sunday
Sunday, November 9
Stewardship Sunday
Sunday, November 16
Kirking of the Tartans Confirmation Service at 6:30pm
Sunday, November 23
Christ the King Sunday
Sunday, November 30
1 Sunday of Advent st
Friday, December 5
Presbyterian Women and any other volunteers decorate the Sanctuary at 9am
Sunday, December 7
2 Sunday of Advent nd Communion Sunday Living Nativity (evening)
Sunday, December 14
3 Sunday of Advent rd Handbell Concert at 6pm benefiting Kindness Matters
Wednesday, December 17 “Jolley Trolley”
Sunday, December 21
4 Sunday of Advent th Longest Night Vespers Service
Looking Ahead
Looking Ahead Together: November Conversations to Prepare for the Next Century
The 100-year anniversary of Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church is fast approaching. Throughout 2026, we will be celebrating PCPC’s centennial It is an opportunity to remember the past, give thanks for the present, and prepare for the future. You’ll hear much more soon from our Centennial Committee about the meaningful ways we plan to honor this milestone.
As we look ahead, our focus extends beyond celebration. We are discerning how best to sustain the ministry, mission, and campus of PCPC for the next 100 years. The physical needs of our facilities have been underscored in recent years by signs of wear and tear brought on by storms, age, and use You may have seen some of the visible signs: condensation in the gym, wobbly fans and flickering lights in the breezeway, or the portico now being reconstructed with new columns
This is not only about maintenance. It’s about building strength for future generations. We are envisioning how to continue offering excellence in worship, outreach, education, music, and hospitality long into the future We believe music glorifies God, and it is our goal to continue excellence in music in both the Traditional and Contemporary Services. Through the Palma Ceia Presbyterian Preschool, we support the community with a continuing core mission to special needs. Faith Formation for children and adults is at the root of PCPC’s history, and we intend to carry this into the future.
This moment standing at the threshold of a second century offers us the chance to recommit ourselves to being a thriving, welcoming church for decades to come.
Looking Ahead
Join a November Holy Conversation
To begin this next chapter together, we invite you to attend one of our November Holy Conversations at PCPC. These gatherings will include:
Updates on the work of the Ezra Committee (Visioning and planning team; see below )
A look at possible future improvements
Time to hear from our pastors
A chance to ask questions and share your hopes
You may choose from four different times:
Sunday, November 2 at 10:00 am
Wednesday, November 5 at 6:00 pm
Sunday, November 9 at 10:00 am
Wednesday, November 12 at 6:00 pm
We hope you will attend one of these sessions to become well-informed and to help shape what lies ahead. These conversations will prepare us for a congregational meeting and vote, planned for January 11, 2026, when we hope to officially launch the next phase of our journey together.
Your Leadership Teams
Two committees have been faithfully meeting for over a year to help guide this process:
Campaign Steering Committee
This team is responsible for the overall structure and execution of the campaign, including reviewing funding priorities and submitting them to the Session Members:
John DeBevoise (Chair), Beth DeBevoise, Nelson Guagliardo, Peter Kirkwood, Erin Lagor, Erica Maxwell, Doug McCree, Julianne McKeel, Mike Poland, Courtney Rice, Susan Stern
Ezra Committee
The Ezra Committee is focused on visioning and planning, developing renovation and programming priorities aligned with PCPC’s mission. They coordinate with the Finance and Buildings & Grounds Committees to ensure thoughtful budgeting and implementation. Members:
Nelson Guagliardo (Chair), Erin Lagor, Julianne McKe
David Pead, Mike Poland, Susan Stern, Joseph Tagga
Carol Wells, John Wells, Dan Woodward
We are excited to walk this path with you, honoring ou past, celebrating our present, and stepping boldly into the next century of life together at Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church
