CONSENT MOTION. BUSINESS MEETING Page 1 of 21

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1 Page 1 of 21 CONSENT MOTION The Consent Motion consists of action not considered to be controversial, nor likely to require explanation or discussion. They will be voted on as one motion made by the Stated Clerk. Members and Commissioners may request the removal of any item from the Consent Motion by contacting the Stated Clerk prior to the meeting or so requesting when the Motion is made. Removed items will be considered at the time the reporting agency presents motions or immediately prior to New Business. Recommendations of the Leadership Council: 1. THAT RE-Michelle Johnson of New Covenant, and Rev. Jack Noble be elected to the Committee on Nominations, and that Jack serves as the committee chair. Recommendations of the Committee on Ministry (COM): 2. THAT Rev. Dr. Sam Rutland (HR) be transferred to the Presbytery of Central Florida, pending their action. 3. THAT the moderator appointed the following persons to the Administrative Commission for Trinity: Rev. Ray Anglin (HR); Rev. Pat Ashley (HR); Elder Linette Rogers (Myrtle Grove); Elder Michelle Johnson (New Covenant); Elder Joy Carty (Ascension Peace). 4. That, if the way be clear, the following be appointed as commission of the Presbytery to Ordain Daniel Morales as Minister of Word and Sacrament on Feb. 11, 4PM at Riviera: Rev. Missy Shiverick, Rev. Kim Robles, Rev. Hose Manuel Capella-Pratts, Rev. Dr. Laurie Kraus, Rev. Dr. Daris Bultena, Dr Charles Hanneman (Riviera), Sandy Barrow (Riviera), Dr. Lillian Cooper (New Covenant), Drabina Washington (New Covenant) and Rev. Dr. Blake Spencer (Corresponding West Jersey Presbytery). Recommendations of the Financial Management Committee (FMC): 5. THAT the year-end financials be received. [Appendix pages 7-9] Recommendations of the Central Presbyterian Administrative Commission 6. THAT the Central Administration Commission be dismissed with our thanks. [Appendix page 10] End of Consent Motion

2 Page 2 of 21 MOTIONS Recommendations of the Committee on Ministry (COM): 7. THAT Rev. Dawn Bryan be received into membership of the Presbytery of Tropical Florida. [Appendix page 11] 8. THAT Rev. Fred Powell be received into membership of the Presbytery of Tropical Florida. [Appendix page 12] 9. THAT Rev. Dr. Brice Rogers be received into membership of the Presbytery of Tropical Florida. [Appendix page 13] 10. THAT Rev. Dr. Patrick Wrisley be received into membership of the Presbytery of Tropical Florida. [Appendix page 14] 11. THAT Daniel Morales, certified ready to receive a call, be approved for Ordination as Minister of Word and Sacrament. [Appendix page 15] 12. THAT Rev. Pedro Rivera be Honorably Retired. Recommendations of the Committee on Preparation on Ministry (CPM): 13. THAT Carlos Fernandez be accepted under its care as candidate. [Appendix page 16] 14. THAT Yosneis Fleitas be accepted under its care as candidate. [Appendix page 17] Recommendation of the Stated Clerk: 15. THAT we concur with the overture from the Presbytery of Central Florida, regarding the renunciation of jurisdiction. [Appendix page 18] End of Motions

3 Page 3 of 21 Report of the Stated Clerk: REPORTS During the November 4, 2017 Presbytery Meeting, the following churches had their 2016 records examined without exception: Lakeside Presbyterian Church and Goodwill Presbyterian Church. With the cancellation of the September presbytery meeting due to Hurricane Irma, there will be an additional meeting in order for the churches to have their 2016 records reviewed at the meeting. Almost half the churches are delinquent with their minute reviews. Please note, having your records reviewed is mandatory. The following churches have not had their records reviewed: All Nations, North Miami Ascension Peace, Lauderhill Calvary, Coconut Creek El Cordero, Miami Faith, Palm Springs First, Boynton Beach First, Hollywood First, Lake Worth First, Pompano Beach First, Tequesta First Miami, Miami First Spanish, Miami Glades, Boca Raton Hobe Sound Community, Hobe Sound Korean, Miami Korean, Palm Beach Myrtle Grove, Miami New Covenant, Miami Palms West, Royal Palm Beach Peace, Stuart Pinecrest, Miami Plantation, Plantation Sanctuary, Ft. Lauderdale Sunset, Ft. Lauderdale Report of the Leadership Council Acting as the Presbytery The 2018 Budget was approved. [2018 Budget] The Per Capita Apportionment was raised from $32.24 in 2017 to $34.23 in The Coral Gables Grants were approved. [2018 Grant Requests] Endorsed Moderator Vilmarie Cintrón-Olivieri to stand for GA Co-Moderator with Cindy Kohlmann in The upcoming Presbytery Assembly dates and locations are the following: o Saturday, February 3 rd First Presbyterian Church of Pompano Beach o Tuesday, May 3 rd Location: TBD o Saturday, August 25 th Lakeside Presbyterian Church o Tuesday, November 6 th First Presbyterian Church of Delray Beach Report of the Leadership Council: The position of Associate General Presbytery for Congregational Vibrancy was established with funding from Coral Gables. Along with the General Presbyter and the Human Resources Committee, the Leadership Council will advance the establishment of this position as the workplan for Ministry is completed for the Presbytery.

4 Page 4 of 21 The moderator appointed the following persons to the Administrative Commission for Trinity: Rev. Ray Anglin; Rev. Pat Ashley; Elder Linette Rogers (Myrtle Grove); Elder Michelle Johnson (New Covenant); Elder Joy Carty (Ascension Peace). Our Boundaries Overture has received concurrence from the Presbytery of Central Florida, and potentially from the Presbytery of Greater Atlantic. The Investment Policy was changed to allow International Equity up to 30% of the portfolio. Report of the Committee on Ministry (COM): Approved the Ministerial Ethics Guidelines for all pastors serving in churches of the Presbytery. [COM Ministerial Ethics] Approved the addition of the following individuals to the 2018 Pulpit Supply List: Rev. Dr. Myron Miller, and Carlos Fernandez (Candidate for ordination). Approved the dissolution language for Transitional/Temporary Pastors to be entered in to the COM Manual. Approved the Terms of Call for Rev. Dr. Ken White as Temporary Supply, at Ascension Peace Presbyterian Church. Approved the four month extension for Rev. Dr. Roger Verse as Temporary Pastor at Hobe Sound Community Presbyterian Church. Approved the six month Temporary Supply Covenant between Danny Morales, certified ready to receive a call, at New Covenant Presbyterian Church. Approved First Miami Presbyterian Church s extension of terms of session members and the pastor s Terms of Call until the end of February Approved Trinity Presbyterian Church s extension of terms of session members and pastor s Terms of Call until end of February Approved the six month extension for Rev. Angel Ortiz as Temporary Supply at El Cordero Presbyterian Church. Approved the Terms of Call for Rev. Fred Powell as Transitional Pastor at Community Church of Lauderdale by the Sea. Moderators of Churches without Installed Pastors: Region 1 Community, Hobe Sound Roger Verse (Temporary Supply) Faith, Palm Springs Bill Stepp (Temporary Supply) First, Boynton Beach Amalie Ash (Temporary Supply) First, Lake Worth Joan Abell (Temporary Supply) Goodwill, Ft. Pierce Dennis Bennett (Moderator) Grace, Lantana Willy Figueredo (Temporary Supply) Lakeside, West Palm Beach Jack Noble (Missional Pastor) Region 2 Ascension Peace, Lauderhill Leon Lovell-Martin (Moderator) Calvary, Coconut Creek Connie Bright (Temporary Supply) Community, Deerfield Beach James Legge (Missional Pastor) Community, LBTS Fred Powell (Transitional Pastor)

5 Page 5 of 21 First, Ft. Lauderdale Patrick Wrisley (To be Installed) Glades, Boca Raton Doug Hood (Moderator) Second, Ft. Lauderdale Jack Noble (Moderator) Sunset, Ft. Lauderdale Brice Rogers (To be Installed) Region 3 All Nations, No. Miami Beach Ed Hernandez (Temporary Supply) El Cordero, Miami Angel Ortiz (Temporary Supply) New Covenant, Miami Diane Shoaf (Moderator) Trinity, Key West Denise McLeod (Missional Pastor) Report of the Committee on Preparation on Ministry (CPM): Readers for the February 5-9 and May 7-11, 2018 Ordination Exams are: o o o Rev. Dr. Leon Lovell-Martin (Teaching Elder) Marianne Shine (Ruling Elder) Rev. Dr. Daris Bultena, Alternate (Teaching Elder) The CPM Annual Retreat is scheduled for August 18 th, at First Presbyterian Church of West Palm Beach, from 10:00 am-2:00 pm. Report of the Presbyterian Women (PW): [2017 PW Report] Directory of Committee Chairs: [2018 Committee Chair Directory] End of Reports

6 Page 6 of 21 INFORMATION Information of the Youth Task Force (YTF): Due to a scheduling mix up, we are cancelling February s Youth Camp Out at Grace Pres, Lantana. For some reason, Palm Beach County is taking Friday off instead of Monday for President s Day. YOUTH RETREAT SAVE THE DATE April at Lake Placid Camp & Conference Center o Planning is under way if you are interested in helping, call o Registration information will coming out soon stay tuned! ORLANDO TRIP SAVE THE DATE September 8-9 o We haven t decided on either Night of Joy (Disneyworld) or Rock the Universe (Universal Studios) if you have preference, let us know: sandra@tfpby.org End of Information

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10 Page 10 of 21 CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE COMMISSION May 2017-Present First and foremost the AC wants to commend and affirm the steps and actions CPC has taken in 2017 (detailed below) to move CPC forward in all aspects. The AC has been glad to have joined CPC in this journey. Improved financial condition Clarifying the monthly financial reports and educating the Session and the Congregation. Engaging the Session and Congregation in intra-cultural training. Active participation by Pastor Jonathan Swanson and Ruling Elder Doug Smith in various Stewardship education programs. Engaging the Session and Congregation in the Mission Study s focus groups. Paying a portion of the Per Capita to the Presbytery of Tropical Florida. The initiation of I am blessed to be part of CPC The Policy and Personnel Committee has taken the lead in identifying themes from the focus groups and recommending next steps in moving toward a long-range plan for the church. An officer retreat took place on January 27, 2018, to consider how to structure church leadership to address the identified issues. There have been several conversations regarding a stewardship/generosity plan based on recent presbytery training and the Kaleidoscope workshop. These conversations have included reviewing the stewardship history of the church and information about new paradigms being developed in the larger Church regarding stewardship and generosity. The session will be contacting the presbytery to develop a per capita payment plan for We encourage the session to sustain its momentum in developing long-range mission and stewardship/generosity plans, and we encourage the COM and the FRC to work closely with the church to this end. In light of the congregation s development in the last three years, the AC recommends its dismissal effective.

11 Page 11 of 21 STATEMENT OF FAITH Rev. Dawn Bryan I believe I am a child of God who loves me. I believe that my identity is rooted in God who exists eternally in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Three persons, the father, the son, and the Holy Spirit. The three persons of the Trinity are one in essence and equal in power and glory. The Bible is the complete word of God, the revelation of God to humanity and the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. I believe that God the Father orders and directs all things according to His own purpose and grace. He saves from sin all that come to Him in repentance and faith through Jesus Christ. I believe the Son became incarnate by being born of the Virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life and died on the cross for sinners, shedding His blood for the forgiveness of sin. On the third day He rose from the dead for our justification and adoption. I believe we are created in the image of God. Through disobedience we fell from our sinless state into a state of sin and spiritual death. The fall affected the entire human race and the entire created order. Salvation comes only through the grace of Jesus Christ and is a free gift received by faith, and not earned by work. By His Grace and power of the Holy Spirit, the sin corrupting our lives can be confronted and resisted. The Holy Spirit indwells believers, baptizes us into the body of Christ and seals us unto the day of redemption. Through regeneration, sanctification and glorification the Holy Spirit renews our nature and shows forth the fruit of the Spirit in the lives of the believers. I believe all who put their faith in Christ have become members of the church universal, the body of Christ, of which He is the head. As sign and seals of the covenant relationship between God and His people, we observe and celebrate the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper. I believe the community of Faith who profess Jesus as Saviour and Lord is bound together in love service to each other. I believe worship is central to our faith and that through worship God makes known His love, His claim upon our lives, and His, and His abiding presence. Christ confronts us in scripture, sacraments, preaching and teaching, so that we are moved by the Holy Spirit to respond in obedience to Him. All disciples are called, in dependence upon God's grace, to be honest and serve others. I believe that all those who follow Jesus Christ are called to serve Him and one another with their time, talents, and financial resources with eagerness and humility. We are called to share the love of Jesus Christ with our community and the world, thus cultivating a deeper experience of community as members of one body in Christ. At the end of the age the dead will be raised, the righteous shall enter in full possession of eternal bliss in the presence of God. (Matthew24:46)

12 Page 12 of 21 STATEMENT OF FAITH Rev. Fred Powell I believe in God, known through scriptures; who whispered over the dark waters primal; who danced in the light with God s new creation; who blessed the dust of the earth to create us in God s living image so that we might better honor our Creator. I believe in God, the Ancient of Days; the wealth and power of the poor and oppressed, and the solace of exiles, who will make glad the new and heavenly Jerusalem. I believe in God; the Living Grace who is mysteriously and wondrously one with the person of Jesus the Christ as no one was before or since yet who is distinct and separate, fully human and fully divine. I believe in God, the Redeemer, whose redemptive grace is reenacted for us in baptismal waters and holy Eucharist in Christ s name; who ransomed us, God s beloved family, from sin and death at the price of the most precious life ever to take breath. I believe in God; the Paraclete, who ran beside the Apostles, calling to them; encouraging them in their striving towards faith; who still calls to us: Remember whose you are!. I believe in God, the Flame of Love; the Presence that summoned the Church into being at Pentecost and who continues to refine our hearts and minds, constantly rekindling the church to dare new things and to worship, serve and care in fresh and marvelous ways. I believe in the Holy Spirit, who strengthens me: who knows me better than I know myself; who sings with me in my joys, who cradles me in the dark night of sorrow, who demands integrity and justice, mercy and wisdom. I Believe in the Triune God, who strengthens US, God s own community, present at all times and in every place yet called to particular time and place for celebration and service, so that over the waters of the sea, and throughout God s creation under heaven, and in all things, God s name may be praised.

13 Page 13 of 21 STATEMENT OF FAITH Rev. Dr. Brice Rogers Faith is both a creed and a journey. I was baptized and raised in a Presbyterian church in Florida, lived among Christians in Mexico, Egypt, and Korea, and now am returning to ministry in the U.S. This journey has shaped, refined, and confirmed my faith in the triune God, my concept of scripture, my understanding of ecclesiology and my view of the sacraments. I believe in God the Father, creator and sustainer of all that exists. God gives life to all, designs us uniquely and loves us deeply. Nothing we do can build us up in the eyes of God, for God knows every aspect of who we are. We were created for the purpose of knowing God and enjoying God forever, but our sin has marred us in such a way that only through the atoning work of Jesus Christ can we return to full relationship. I believe in Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God. Eternally a person of the triune God, by the plan and foreknowledge of God he came to the earth to live among us, teach us to love and live whole lives in relationship to God, and ultimately to sacrifice himself on the cross to become our redeemer. He triumphed over sin and death through his resurrection, and all who place our trust in him can never be separated from the love of God. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the third person of the trinity, Lord and Giver of Life. The Spirit lives within all who have received Christ, but also blows throughout all creation, bringing life, freedom and justice according to the will of the triune God. The Spirit illumines our hearts with the knowledge of God, guides, encourages and never forsakes us. I believe that the triune God is present with us as we celebrate the sacraments: the Lord s Supper and Baptism. Through the sacraments the signs of bread, wine and water are mediated by the Holy Spirit to convey God s grace and the presence of Jesus Christ to all who participate in faith. In Baptism we are raised to new life in Christ, our sins washed away. I believe in the Old and New Testament scriptures as the unique and authoritative witness to Jesus Christ and the final rule of faith and life for all believers. The Bible witnesses to God s love and plan for all of humanity, and is a source of guidance and personal inspiration for my own life. I believe in the Church universal, the visible body of Christ and the invisible cloud of witnesses who have gone before us. In and through the Church we encourage, console and sustain one another. The Church as body of Christ engages in God s mission to the world in ways that include evangelism and social action. We are to love the world just as Christ has loved us. I have experienced the true universality of this Church. I have learned from Christians in Mexico, Egypt and Korea far more than I have taught or preached. Their faith has surprised, inspired and sustained me in difficult times. Through my ministry I hope to reflect the depth and richness of their faith and witness to the triune God.

14 Page 14 of 21 STATEMENT OF FAITH Rev. Dr. Patrick H. Wrisley I believe in One God, classically known at Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This Triune God created from out of chaos and blessed all that God made good. In their attempts to know the mind of God, our first parents fell from God s perfect created order and lived outside God s perfect created order and lived outside of God s intimate community. Their disobedience expressed in pride resulted in a broken relationship with God and this broken relationship is called sin. I believe sin has four aspects. It describes both a person s state of being and a transgression of the Law as well as manifesting itself individually and corporately. God condescended Himself and became a mortal in the Palestinian Jewish man, Jesus. Jesus lived a sinless life, was born into and lived as a member of a family, lived and learned what it is to live in a spiritual community, knew the joys and sorrows of love and friendship, experienced the meaningfulness of vocation, felt betrayal from those he trusted the most, and was falsely accused of crimes he did not commit and died on a cross. I believe we are an Easter People celebrating the reality that death does not have the last word; indeed, all who profess in the name of Jesus Christ are made whole and live eternally with him and the saints of God, the Church Triumphant. Furthermore, eternal life is a present reality that longs with all creation to its complete fulfillment at the fullness of God s time. I believe the Holy Spirit equips the individual believer in the community of the Church to actively demonstrate the power of God and the volitional, dynamic ethic of love into the world by serving the least of these both in our community and around the world. Wherever brokenness lifts its head, the Church is called to respond. I believe the Church is present whenever the Word is faithfully expounded from the Word of God written, the Holy Scriptures, when the Word is faithfully heard and acted upon by those in the congregation, and when the Sacraments of the Lord s Supper and Baptism are administered according to Scripture, the Confessions, and our Book of Order.

15 Page 15 of 21 STATEMENT OF FAITH Daniel Morales I believe in the almighty God, creator and giver of life, sustainer and redeemer. Out of the darkness and chaos that roamed the earth, God brought about order and declared it good. From God s breath, life came into existence and through God s grace and mercy we receive unconditional love, sealed by a covenant; a promise to live in relationship with and through us. I believe in Jesus Christ as the embodiment of God s self in the world, fully human and fully divine. Through Jesus, we are reconciled to God. Jesus Christ came to redeem humanity and complete the work of salvation in a way humans could not do for themselves. At the old rugged cross in Calvary, Jesus suffered the deepest of human pains and died. He rose again on the third day conquering evil and death that through Him we might have life everlasting. From the dawn of creation, the Spirit hovered over the face of the earth and through it, God breathed life into the created order. With that same breath, God breathes new life into our souls allowing the Holy Spirit to be our comforter and companion, a manifestation of God s everlasting presence in our midst. The Holy Spirit empowers and renews our faith and awakens our desire for a closer relationship with God while sustaining our hope for Christ s return when God s covenant will be fulfilled. We are God s people, salt for the earth, light for the earth, chosen by God to bring both flavor and light to a world in disarray. As a community of faith rich in diversity, the Church is to be the image and light of Christ to a world that is imperfect, yet eternally loved. In all times and in all places the Church called upon to lift up its prophetic voice to stand up against injustice, speak out for the voiceless, free the oppressed, seek righteousness and love one another as God has loved us. The Church is called upon to be a living witness of God s grace, extend hospitality, offering hope and love to all of God s children. Across the globe believers continue to gather for worship in a joyful celebration of God s love. At worship, we come to the waters of baptism as a sign of God s covenant reclaiming our lives, because God loved us first. At the font, through the holy waters of baptism we profess our dying and rising with Christ as we abandon our old selves and are welcomed into the life of the Church universal. At the table we gather as children of God and eat of the Holy Feast, in memory of Christ s selfless love for us. At this table there is a place for you, for me, for all of us. It is at this table where Christ calls us into a deeper relationship with God and the community of faith surrounding us. Christ s table calls us to an intentional practice of inclusive hospitality as a living proclamation that Christ died for the redemption of all humanity. The Holy Scriptures bear witness to the divine work of God through Jesus Christ. It is a testament to God s presence, transforming actions, and redemptive work with God s people across the ages. Through the voices and narratives of the people of Israel, the Prophets, and the Wisdom literature, the life narratives of Jesus Christ and the teaching of the apostles, the Bible is the ongoing story of God s engagement with the world past and present.

16 Page 16 of 21 STATEMENT OF FAITH Carlos Fernandez I believe in God. God is triune, a three-person God God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. God the Father is the creator and ruler of all things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, and God created all things good. God created humanity in God s own image and as God s creations we are fearfully and wonderfully made. 1 By our own will, we willfully sin and turn away from God s goodness. As individuals, we sin through selfish acts that hurt those around us. As a society and species, we sin through systems that perpetuate injustice, exploitation, and violence. Nonetheless, even as fallen creatures we still bear the image of God. I believe in God the Son. Through the Son, all things were made. The Son is the Word of God made a human being in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary who conceived him by the Holy Spirit. Jesus is fully human and fully divine. The existence of the Son is not limited to the life of Jesus Christ, a Jewish man from the First Century. In life, Jesus taught us to live according to God s law of love. His teachings and ministry provide a new, fuller, inclusive view of the law. Jesus life connects the life of God to our lives and his teachings and actions show the ways that God calls all people to act. Even as the life of Jesus transforms human life, his death transforms human death. Jesus s birth, life, and death repairs the separation with God created by our sinfulness. Three days after his execution on the cross by Pontus Pilate, Jesus rose from the dead. His resurrection shows the triumphant power of God over death. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the living presence of God. The Holy Spirit is known as the Spirit of Truth, Holy Wisdom, the Breath of God, the Shekinah, our Advocate, and our Counselor. The Holy Spirit is a divine gift that is actively at work in our lives, inspiring us to a life devoted to prayer, a life that seeks God s will. The Scriptures, the Hebrew and Christian Testaments, are inspired by the Holy Spirit and are the authoritative rule of faith and life for the Church. The Scriptures tell the unfolding story of God s faithfulness and relentless love towards all of humanity, and the redeeming and reconciling work of God shown in the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The goal of worship is to glorify God. In the waters of Baptism, God claims us as members of Christ s church and as children of God s covenant. In the Lord s Supper, Jesus Christ is present among the bread and the wine as we celebrate the transforming life and saving death of Jesus, who calls us into a deeper relationship with God and the faith community surrounding us. Jesus instituted the Christian Church to be his instrument in the world to fulfill God s will of gathering in of the nations and to be open to people of all ages, races, classes, social economic statuses, sexual orientations, genders, and sexes. It is also the duty of the Church to speak of the mighty acts of the living God, to hold and lead services of worship, to feed the hungry, to give drink to the thirsty, to clothe the naked, to visit the sick and those in prison, and to welcome the stranger. 2 1 Psalm 139:14. 2 Matthew 25:42-43

17 Page 17 of 21 STATEMENT OF FAITH Yosneis Fleitas God is Love, ἀγάπη (Agape: the perfect Love of God). In that Love all the things were made. I deeply believe that God is Love, beginning and ending, everlasting, wise, just and merciful. God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit, three manifestations of the same God but only one person or divine essence. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God, who has been with the Father forever. Jesus is God become human but still 100% human and 100% Holy (Saint, God), both natures together. He came to show to the humanity how close God is and how much important we are for Him, at the point that He gave us His unique Son, who lived and died for us on a cross. Jesus took our sins and payed the price with His life. In His death and resurrection, Christ opened God s Kingdom for us. Because of that we rejoice on the hope of eternal life. I believe that the Holy Spirit is the Παράκλητος (Parákletos: advocate, helper, Spirit of truth), that has been sent to us from the Father as a petition of the Son. I believe that the Holy Spirit is the vehicle through which the Father and the Son reaches us and interact with the whole creation. The Holy Spirit is our friend, our companion and is here to take us even closer to God and transform our lives into holy as our Father in Heaven is Holy. The Church is the body of Jesus Christ, is Universal and it is called to be holy. It is integrated by all those who recognize and proclaim their faith in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Church has the great Commission to preach the Gospel and make disciples. For that reason, the Church is called to cover the different areas of the Missio Dei: Κήρυγμα (Kerigma: proclaiming the Gospel to every creature through words and acts); κοινωνία (Koinonía: community of believers that love each other in a deeper way at the style of Jesus); διδασκαλία or Διδαχή (Didaskalia or Didajé: participating in the educative process where we learn together and teach other); λειτουργία (Leitourgía: gathering in the worship to our God, performing different arts or gifts); διακονια (Diakonía: by serving and attending to the needs of the others as a signal of joy and gratitude to our God who takes care of ours) and the οικονομία (Oikonomía: stewards of the creation). I believe that The Bible, (Old Testament and New Testament) is the Word of God, spoken and revealed through his people throughout the years. God reveals himself in different ways, shapes and languages. I believe that the Word of God, written and preached is also a vehicle of His Grace for the growth and development of our faith as individuals and as community. For that reason, it is a central element in every worship or celebration. I believe and proclaim that the Sacraments are instruments of the Grace of God (Baptism and Eucharist) in which we renew and affirm our commitment of faith and unity with one another and of all with God. The sacraments remain as a seal of God s promises and as a visual mark of the Christian Church here on earth. Everybody is welcome to participate but God is the one who chooses and transform our lives. I believe and proclaim that the Faith is a gift form God that allows us to respond to God s call. God reaches us first through his Holy Spirit and plants that faith in our hearts. For that reason, we are able to respond to God s call to serve and minister others. It is through that faith that we receive and recognize all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and is also because of that faith that we accept and believe those things that we can t see with our eyes or understand with our human and limited mind. I believe and proclaim that the sovereign Grace of God is after and before, below and above. God reigns and nothing is over His/Her Grace, nothing or no one can escape from His Grace. All the things were made, transformed and renewed by that Grace. All we do as human beings is at the light of God s Grace and guidance. Once that Grace of God touches us, there is nothing that we can do, there is no place where we can run or hide, for God always will reaches us and bring us to his presence. We thank you heavenly Father/Mother for calling us to be part of your Church and Ministry. Glory be to God!

18 Page 18 of 21 PRESBYTERY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA Overture Overture On amending G regarding renunciation of jurisdiction: The Presbytery of Central Florida overtures the 223 rd General Assembly (2018) to direct the Stated Clerk to send the following proposed amendment to the presbyteries for their affirmative or negative vote: Shall G be amended by striking the fourth paragraph and adding two new paragraphs Text to be stricken: Whenever a former teaching elder has renounced jurisdiction in the midst of a disciplinary proceeding as the accused, that former teaching elder shall not be permitted to perform any work, paid or volunteer, in any congregation or entity under the jurisdiction of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) unless and until the person rejoins the church, comes forward and resubmits to the disciplinary process. New text to be added: No congregation or entity under the jurisdiction of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) shall be permitted to employ, for pay or as a volunteer, a former minister of the Word and Sacrament (teaching elder) who has renounced jurisdiction in the midst of a disciplinary proceeding as the accused. Any former minister of the Word and Sacrament (teaching elder) who has renounced jurisdiction and later wants to be restored to office can be restored only through application to the presbytery in which he or she renounced jurisdiction for restoration to office in which case the provisions of D d and D shall apply. Rationale The amendments to G while intended to protect the church and its entities from ministers who have left the church without submitting to the constitutional process for establishing guilt or innocence and providing for repentance when repentance is needed have instead created a situation in which the administration of justice as defined by the amendment is impossible to carry out. By definition of the section itself, a person who has renounced jurisdiction no longer holds membership in the Presbyterian Church (USA). The preamble to the Rules of Discipline defines the limits of church discipline as follows: Church Discipline The purpose of discipline is to honor God by making clear the significance of membership in the body of Christ; to preserve the purity of the church by nourishing the individual within the life of the believing community; to achieve justice and compassion for all participants involved; to correct or restrain wrongdoing in order to bring members to repentance and restoration; to uphold the dignity of those who have been harmed by disciplinary offenses; to restore the unity of the church by removing the causes of discord and division; and to secure the just, speedy, and economical determination of proceedings. (D ) Since church discipline exists for the welfare of the believing community and applies to members of that community, a former minister of the Word and Sacrament (teaching elder) who has renounced jurisdiction is no longer a member, by action of the presbytery which removes his or her name from its rolls. In any complaint, the Rules of Discipline would apply to the congregation or other entity which employed that former minister. Should a former minister of the Word and Sacrament who has renounced jurisdiction wish to be restored to the ordered ministry of minister of the Word and Sacrament (teaching elder), the process for restoration is spelled out in the Rules of Disciple D

19 Page 19 of 21 PRESBYTERY OF TROPICAL FLORIDA Vibrancy Principles In 2016 Presbytery of Tropical Florida identified the vision and mission of the Presbytery to empower congregations to be vibrant Christ-Centered communities. During 2017 the Presbytery has been engaged in conversation as a way of discovering and dreaming about what it means to be vibrant Christ-Centered communities. Using principles of Appreciative Inquiry, the Presbytery has engaged in a series of conversation about the Great Ends of the Church. These conversations have generated a list of 32 Principles for Vibrancy. Prioritizing these principles will take place by means of a dotting process wherein we will attempt to rank the importance of these principles using green dots to indicate highest priority; yellow for very important priority; and red for important priority. By this process the presbytery members will identify the highest valued principles and use those principles to ultimately determine the direction and work of the Presbytery. Following the determination of the top Principles for Vibrancy, the presbytery s Leadership Council will extend our sense of what is possible for the Presbytery of Tropical Florida by using these declared principles as a springboard. The value of the process and the authority to do such imaginative envisioning comes because a large portion of the presbytery has had a say in the identification, valuing, and assessing of these principles. The Leadership Council will engage with one another to create, out of the Principles of Vibrancy, a proposal for a design that will enable the Presbytery s fulfilment of the principles it has identified. The Presbytery will be asked to then take what has been envisioned and make it tangible (design a work plan). That work-plan will then align all resources, staff, and priorities for the Presbytery. Vibrant Congregations + Vibrant Leaders + Vibrant Witness = How will you vote for the Principles of Vibrancy? HIGHEST PRIORITY VERY IMPORTANT PRIORITY IMPORTANT PRIORITY

20 Page 20 of Principles of Vibrancy of the Presbytery of Tropical Florida (in alphabetical order) Christ-Centered community builds relationships. It understands relationships as the key to church growth and the avenue for listening to the need in the community. Christ-Centered community creates better lives, better homes, and better neighborhoods. Christ-Centered community can describe its worship life as being joyous, respectful, the aroma of Christ, glorifying to God, and connectional. Christ-Centered community engages a discipleship that takes us beyond our comfort zones in a way that our hearts are open to the Holy Spirit and each other. Christ-Centered community focuses on the neighbor and neighborhood out of a conviction to build community among strangers. Christ-Centered community generates new disciples. This is manifest in deep spirituality, active evangelism, and frequent adult baptisms. Christ-Centered community has a witness that is loving, welcoming, diverse. Christ-Centered community has spiritual depth reflected by congregational commitment to scriptural study, building of relationships beyond the membership of the church, generous giving, active prayer life, and deepening of the interior spiritual life of its members. Christ-Centered community is bold about a responsibility to physically provide shelter, food, and goods. Christ-Centered community is bold with change, accountable, confessional, makes no excuses for mistakes, and keeps striving forward. Christ-Centered community is characterized by a clearly articulated vision, intentionality, multi-generational membership, and reconciliation. Christ-Centered community is committed to being connected together in the Spirit. Christ-Centered community is connectional, visible, serves without expectation of return, and befriends the friendless. Christ-Centered community is lived in truth fellowship (koininia) where life is shared in breaking bread together, in sharing hard times and joy with one another, and in welcoming others to join the fellowship. Christ-Centered community is missional. It recognizes mission as being oriented to the community in which the congregation is placed. A missional community understands itself as joining God in the mission God is doing. Christ-Centered community is prophetic. It works for justice in the world; it does not shy away from the difficult issues; it boldly proclaims the mandate of the Gospel.

21 Page 21 of 21 Christ-Centered community is rooted and grounded by claiming and acknowledging the very presence of God in the here and now. Christ-Centered community leaders are continually being transformed by the love of Christ through the active engagement of scripture, community, and steadfast worship. Christ-Centered community leaders are resilient, reconciling, and always being reformed by Christ. Christ-Centered community leaders have a quality of relationship that is authentic in its regard for being able to disagree yet maintain the bonds of community. Such authenticity is demonstrated through active communication and dialogue that holds the other as an essential part of the Body of Christ. Christ-Centered community leaders hold both order and chaos in tension, and such leaders know that both are required within the church. Christ-Centered community leaders live out their Christian vocation through commitments, practices, and meaningmaking experiences that value relationships over money and value community over accomplishments. Christ-Centered community leaders love in a way that transcends boundaries and builds bridges with those who otherwise would be overlooked. Christ-Centered community leaders understand and use Holy Scripture, live the resurrected life, and have the perspective that Christ is seen by others through watching how leaders live and serve. Christ-Centered community leaders value dissension, are open to change, do not leave, and hold to the belief there is room enough for all. Christ-Centered community mission is manifest in mission that is mission with over mission for. Christ-Centered community prays and provides. Such community challenges and equips disciples for prayer and ministries of providing what is needed to be a neighbor. Christ-Centered community risks itself for the sake of the community in which it is placed. Such risk is spiritual, physical, and not put off by the fear of losing its own life. Christ-Centered community sees mission in terms of justice and reconciliation. Christ-Centered community strives for justice, responds in compassion, and speaks truth to power. Christ-Centered community worships joyfully by being participatory, steeped in the Reformed Tradition, relevant. Christ-Centered community worship will allow, embrace, and welcome varying degrees and differences in styles of worship.