STATED ASSEMBLY | November 8, 2025

Moderator Deborah Sadriwalla opened the Assembly with prayer at 9:36 am.  Our new commissioners were: Steve Anderson (First-Delray Beach), Jennifer Buce (First-Delray Beach), Jan Nolander (First-Fort Lauderdale), Tony Parkinson (First-Fort Lauderdale), Suzanne Walters (Peace Covenant PC), and Wynetka Reynolds (Peace Covenant).

GENERAL PRESBYTER AND STATED CLERK REPORT

• That during 2025, the Session Records Review of 2024 minutes and materials is being conducted by the following method: Send the Stated Clerk a digital copy of your minutes along with the completed Session Minute Review Checklist and the Session Minutes Review Form. Once your minutes have been reviewed you will receive an acknowledgement sheet that can be inserted into your Session Minute book.  The records review will be conducted by Presbytery representatives, so please remit your digitized records, and completed checklist and reviewer forms.  Scanned PDF copies of all documents are preferred (not photographed pages).
• Those churches having completed their 2025 records review of 2024 minutes are: All Nations PC, Central PC, First PC-Fort Lauderdale, First PC-Pompano Beach, First PC-Stuart, First PC-Tequesta, First Spanish PC, Gardens PC, Glades PC, Miami Shores PC, Myrtle Grove PC, New Covenant PC, Peace PC, Pinecrest PC, and Sunset PC.

SESSIONS ARE REMINDED THAT SUBMITTING RECORDS FOR REVIEW IS A CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENT.  ALL SESSIONS MUST COMPLETE THE 2025 RECORDS REVIEW.

• 2026 Presbytery Assembly Dates are February 14, May 16, August 22, and November 14.
• Not-Your-Average Boundaries Training is scheduled for Monday, November 17, 2025, at First-Pompano Beach, from 10:00 am-5:00 pm, led by LeaderWise. This training is for ministers – those who are not attending and are no longer compliant, will need to complete Safe Gatherings by this date. Please note: THIS IS A REQUIREMENT UNDER THE CONSTITUTION AND SHOULD NOT BE SEEN AS AN OPTIONAL EVENT.  Sessions, please encourage your minister to participate!
• The 2026 Presbytery Assembly on February 14 will take place at the Vibrancy Center, located at 3950 Coconut Creek Parkway, Coconut Creek, FL 33066.
• Minister members are reminded that they should complete the Call to Health as offered by the Board of Pensions in order to experience a reduced deductible in 2026. That due date is November 7, 2026.
• COM has acted as the Presbytery to establish a 2.5% COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) for minimum terms of call for 2026. The COM recommends that all calls and covenants receive the 2.5% adjustment.
• The 2026 Per Capita will be set at $28.81, with allocations to: Presbytery $25.55, Synod $2.00 (+ $.50), and General Assembly $11.26 (+$.42).

ADMINISTRATIVE COMMISSIONS

• Chair Dee Grachek shared that the AC for First Miami has been occupied most of the year with challenges with neighbors concerning the development. The Flagler Chapel has been redeveloped to service the community better and for future fellowship gatherings. Outreach to community, since the pandemic, is on a upswing.  Currently, the AC has been working on precise job descriptions for employees and volunteers.

• Chair Paul Bayerl shared that First PC-Lake Worth continues to maintain its food program, even having interactions with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement earlier this year. The church’s financials are low but stabilized under the AC’s watchful eye.  The future of this church is uncertain, but the AC is committed to walk alongside the members and to maintain a witness in their community.

VIBRANT TOGETHER: THE WISDOM OF THE FIG TREE (Including Worship)

GP/SC Daris Bultena shared from the Gospel of Luke 16: 6-9, the parable of the fig tree, and used a piece of sanctified art by Lisle Gwynn Garrity, call Where the Fruit Lies.  Group discussion questions were asked:

MINUTES
Parity Report
Session Minute Review Checklist
Session Minute Review Form

STATED ASSEMBLY | August 25, 2025

Moderator Deborah Sadriwalla opened the Assembly with prayer at 9:31 am.  Our new commissioners were:  Corby Bertolett (First PC, Fort Lauderdale), Mary Lersch (Peace PC), and Andrea Tomasini (First PC, Fort Lauderdale).  Our privileged guest was Kathy Broyard (Florida Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Network).

GENERAL PRESBYTER AND STATED CLERK REPORT

• That during 2025, the Session Records Review of 2024 minutes and materials is being conducted by the following method: Send the Stated Clerk a digital copy of your minutes along with the completed Session Minute Review Checklist and the Session Minutes Review Form. Once your minutes have been reviewed you will receive an acknowledgement sheet that can be inserted into your Session Minute book.  The records review will be conducted by Presbytery representatives, so please remit your digitized records, and completed checklist and reviewer forms.  Scanned PDF copies of all documents are preferred (not photographed pages).
• Those churches having completed their 2025 records review of 2024 minutes are: All Nations, Central PC, First PC-Fort Lauderdale, First PC-Stuart, First Spanish PC, First PC-Tequesta, Gardens PC, and Miami Shores PC.

SESSIONS ARE REMINDED THAT SUBMITTING RECORDS FOR REVIEW IS A CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENT.  ALL SESSIONS MUST COMPLETE THE 2025 RECORDS REVIEW.

• The remaining 2025 Presbytery Assembly date is November 8, and it will be in-person only. It is anticipated that the November Assembly will take place at the Vibrancy Center in Coconut Creek.  Following that Assembly the Leadership Council will evaluate the format for Presbytery Assemblies in 2026. 
• Received the resignation of Rev. Angel Ortiz from CPM and COM due to personal health reasons.
• An in-person boundaries training for ministers will be conducted later this fall. Any ministers who are due for boundaries training prior to the event, shall be held in abeyance due to their intention to attend the in-person event. 
• The Vibrancy Center is “coming along.” By the second week of August, finish work will begin on the office portion of the building and it is hoped that soon that portion of the space will have functioning air conditioning.  The events center area (the former sanctuary) is waiting on windows and extensive progress has been made on electrical work. 

LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

• Elder Debi Davis invited Kathy Broyard of Florida Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Network (FLAPDAN) to give an update on the ministry of disaster assistance. She shared a video on celebrating their 20^th anniversary.
• As a special recognition, Elder Debi invited the members of Living Faith Church to be recognized, as the newest congregation of our Presbytery.  Living Faith Church, is a union congregation between the Presbytery of Tropical Florida of Presbyterian Church (USA), and the Florida Bahamas Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.  A beautiful service of chartering and celebration was conducted during the worship time. 

COMMITTEE ON PREPARATION FOR MINISTRY

• CPM Chair, Rev. Dr. David Massey, invited Mr. Nathanael Hood, and later, Mr. Michael Mahan to examined and recommended to be Certified Ready to Receive a Call.  Ms. Chandler Gelb was also examined and recommended to be enrolled as Candidate.

COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY

• Committee Member, Rev. Dr. Greg Rapier, recommended that Rev. Dr. David Massey and later, Rev. Eliane Menezes be granted the status of Retired with the Presbytery of Tropical Florida; a liturgy of thanksgiving was given for both. 
• Mr. Michael Mahan’s ordination was approved for October 12, 2025, at Plantation PC, where he will serve as Transitional Pastor.
• The merging of the congregations of First Presbyterian Church of Stuart and First Presbyterian Church of Port St. Lucie was approved, that the first worship service of the merged congregation shall take place on September 21, 2025.

VIBRANT TOGETHER: SPIRITUAL IDENTITY

GP/SC Daris Bultena continued with Missional Identity of the Vibrant Together 2.0 Ministry Plan.  It recognizes mission as based oriented to the community in which the congregation is placed.  A missional community understands itself as joining God in the mission God is doing. Based on Luke 13:10-17, the following concepts and questions were asked of individual and of congregations:

 

WORSHIP

• Moderator Deborah Sadriwalla and GPSC Daris Bultena led worship that included the reception of Living Faith Church, of Traditions, Port St. Lucie as a Union Congregation with the Florida-Bahamas Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.  The service was highlighted with the Signing of the Constituting Petition that chartered the church with the Presbyterian Church (USA).  The offering was designated to the PC(USA) Pentecost Special Offering. 

MINUTES
Parity Report
Session Minute Review Checklist
Session Minute Review Form

STATED ASSEMBLY | May 17, 2025

Moderator Deborah Sadriwalla opened the Assembly with prayer at 9:34 am. Our new commissioners were:  Biwaki Edmond (All Nations PC), Shiron Pezeshki (First PC, Fort Lauderdale), and Raquel Hernandez (Sunset PC). Our privileged guests present were: Rev. Dana Waters (Presbyterian Foundation) and Valerie Young (Synod of South Atlantic).

GENERAL PRESBYTER AND STATED CLERK REPORT

• That during 2025, the Session Records Review of 2024 minutes and materials is being conducted by the following method: Send the Stated Clerk a digital copy of your minutes along with the completed Session Minute Review Checklist [See Appendix, pp. 13-14] and the Session Minutes Review Form [See Appendix, pp. 15-17]. Once your minutes have been reviewed you will receive an acknowledgement sheet that can be inserted into your Session Minute book.  The records review will be conducted by Presbytery representatives, so please remit your digitized records, and completed checklist and reviewer forms.  Scanned PDF copies of all documents are preferred (not photographed pages).
• Those churches having completed their 2025 records review of 2024 minutes are: All Nations PC, Central PC, First PC-Fort Lauderdale, First PC-Stuart, First PC-Tequesta, First Spanish PC, and Miami Shores PC.

SESSIONS ARE REMINDED THAT SUBMITTING RECORDS FOR REVIEW IS A CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENT.
ALL SESSIONS MUST COMPLETE THE 2025 RECORDS REVIEW.

• Statistical Reporting is complete and YES, we did it again this year with 100% reporting for the 6^th year in a row!! Way to go session clerks!
• The 2025-2026 Parity Report is now being implemented for clerks to follow in sending Commissioners according to the appropriate allotment.
• The Grace Remedial Action against the Presbytery was dismissed by the Synod PJC. The action is now before the General Assembly PJC.  [Appendix, pp. 19-20]
• Presbytery Assembly Dates for the remainder of 2025 are August 23, and November 8. The August 23^rd assembly will be in-person only.  The Leadership Council will determine the format for the November 8^th Presbytery Assembly.
• Dana Waters, the Southeast Region representative of the Presbyterian Foundation, shared that he is Tropical Florida’s contact for the following items:
  • Stewardship education and resources for pastors and committees
  • Financial training and coaching
  • Planned giving resources for committees and workshops for your congregation
  • Online giving for your website
  • Investments tailored to your church’s needs and goals
• Valerie Young, the Executive Presbytery and Stated Clerk of the Synod of South Atlantic, shared the transitionary work of the Synod Assembly based on Embody, Cultivate, and Inspire concepts.

LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

Leadership Council Chair, Rev. Danny Morales (New Covenant PC), brought the motion for the Living Faith New Church Development, and invited GP/SC Daris Bultena to speak about this new venture.  Daris shared the history of this cooperative work with the Synod of Florida and the Bahamas of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.  Prime property was purchased in the community of Tradition, in Port St. Lucie, which has a growing projection of 30,000 new homes in that area.  Currently, the Rev. Dr. Roger Verse is serving as the Temporary Supply Pastor.  A Pastor Nomination Committee has begun a CLC search.

COMMITTEE ON PREPARATION FOR MINISTRY

CPM Chair, Rev. Dr. David Massey, invited Ms. Mona Petersen to be examined by the Presbytery, after completing the requirements to be enrolled a Certified Christian Educator.

VIBRANT TOGETHER: SPIRITUAL IDENTITY

GP/SC Daris Bultena continued with Spiritual Identity of the Vibrant Together 2.0 Ministry Plan.  Which emphasizes the deepening of the interior spiritual life of member through scriptural study, prayer, giving, and building of relationships.  It is formational – spiritual identity is formed, shaped, influenced, and determined by the coming together of those deep spiritual movements.  It is not the shallowness but the depth that determines the capacity of identity.  Based on Acts 11:1-8, the following questions were asked of individual and of congregations:

MINUTES
Parity Report
Session Minute Review Checklist
Session Minute Review Form