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

STATED ASSEMBLY | February 15, 2025

Moderator Danny Morales opened the Assembly with prayer at 9:30 am.  Our new commissioners were:  Patti Fischer (Gardens PC), Stuart Lones Jr. (Pinecrest PC), Elaine Robinson (Central PC), and Phyllis Thomas (First, Fort Lauderdale). Our privileged guest present was: Clark Simmons (Board of Pensions).

Elder Deborah Sadriwalla (The Community Church, LTBS) was installed as the 2025 Moderator for the Presbytery of Tropical Florida, and recognition of Rev. Dr. Greg Rapier (First, Delray Beach) was given as the 2025 Vice-Moderator.  Moderator Sadriwalla thanked Rev. Morales for his leadership in 2024, and she recognized him as the 2025 Leadership Council Chair.  Tokens of gratitude were exchanged in the form of the PCUSA Moderators Cross and Vibrant Together Moderator Stole.

GENERAL PRESBYTER AND STATED CLERK REPORT

• The churches having completed their 2024 records review of 2023 minutes are: All Nations, Ascension Peace, Central, Community LBTS, First Delray Beach, First Lake Worth, First Pompano Beach, First Fort Lauderdale, First Tequesta, First West Palm Beach, Gardens, Glades, Korean Miami, Lakeside, Miami Shores, Myrtle Grove, New Covenant, Peace, Plantation, Riviera, Sanctuary, Sunrise, and Sunset.
• The churches that have yet to complete their 2024 records review of 2023 minutes are: Community Deerfield Beach, El Cordero, First Miami, First Boynton Beach, First Hollywood, First Port St. Lucie, First Stuart, Goodwill, Hobe Sound Community, Korean of the Palm Beaches, New Life, Palms West, Peace Covenant, Pinecrest, and Trinity.
• The Necrology Report is presented today in the packet. “Blessed are those who die in the Lord, they rest from their labors and their good works follow them.”
• Invited leaders of congregations to know their rights with regard to property, immigration issues, and ICE. Sessions are urged to review the materials attached to today’s packet and educate congregational leaders and employees with this information.  It is requested that if ICE  (United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement) enters or attempts to enter your church property, that this activity be reported to the Presbytery office.
• Clark Simmons was invited to update everyone on the latest from Board of Pensions.
• Invited any that might be interested: One hour after the conclusion of today’s assembly, tours of the Vibrancy Center at 3950 Coconut Creek Parkway, Coconut Creek, FL 33066, will be offered. A mid-process peak at the progress is offered as an opportunity to see the status of the event space and the office spaces.  It is expected that the renovations will be finished in April and that the May Presbytery Assembly will be in-person at the Vibrancy Center.

LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

Vice Moderator Greg Rapier, spoke on behalf of the Leadership Council to address the slanderous letters to the Presbytery, Development Corporation, Leadership Council, and GP/SC Daris Bultena in particular.  He stated that all financials and council business have been presented with transparency, offered the contact information for each Council member for accessibility, and invited any and all who have any issues to speak up without anonymity.  Nothing can be resolved in the dark.

COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY

Chair Dwayne Black Jr. presented Rev. Jacqueline Brovold of Pinecrest PC for retirement, followed by a small literary to bid her well.  She shared experience of her 40 years of ministry, which included being ordained by the Milwaukee Presbytery in 1984, and installed as pastor at Pinecrest PC, Miami, in 1996.

COMMITTEE ON PREPARATION FOR MINISTRY

Rev. Nic Merchant, member of CPM, presented Candidate Nathanael Hood as Certified Ready to Receive a Call.  Nathanael completed all the CPM requirements including a CPE at the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (NYC) in 2022, a chaplain internship at the Brooklyn Methodist Hospital (NYC) in 2023, and graduating from Princeton Theological Seminary in 2023.

VIBRANT TOGETHER: BUILDING IDENTITY

GP/SC Daris Bultena present Vibrant Together 2.0 as our new ministry plan.  Continuing on with the three pillars of Building Relationships, having Spiritual Depth, and is Missional; as well as the five elements of Clarity of Identity, Leadership Development, Reconciliation, Disciple Making and Vital Worship.  2025 will focus on Vibrant Identity using the pillar concepts of building, spiritual, and missional as it applies to Clarity of Identity.  In 2026, the focus will be on Vibrant Incubation, using the same pillar concepts, as they apply to Leadership Development and Reconciliation.  And again in 2027, using the pillar concepts as they apply to Disciple Making and Vital Worship.

MINUTES
Necrology Report
Your Rights with Ice
Sus Derechos con la Migra
Session Minute Review Checklist
Session Minute Review Form

STATED ASSEMBLY | November 9, 2024

GENERAL PRESBYTER AND STATED CLERK REPORT:

Those churches having completed their 2024 records review of 2023 minutes are: All Nations, Central, Community LBTS, First Lake Worth, First Pompano Beach, First Fort Lauderdale, Gardens, Glades, Korean Miami, Miami Shores, Myrtle Grove, New Covenant, Peace, Riviera, and Sunset.

SESSIONS ARE REMINDED THAT SUBMITTING RECORDS FOR REVIEW IS A CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENT.  ALL SESSIONS MUST COMPLETE THE 2024 RECORDS REVIEW.

Invited commissioners and congregations to reserve the dates for the 2025 Presbytery Assemblies: February 15, May 17, August 23, and November 8.

Administrative Commissions for First Miami and Faith / First Lake Worth / Grace submitted reports.

The Presbytery voted and passed all of the GA226 Overtures.

COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY

Rev. Dr. Victoria Isaacs and Rev. Dr. Robert Ward became members of Tropical Florida.  Beginning in February 2025, they will be serving as Co-Pastors for a Designated Term of two years at Peace Covenant PC, Keywest.

Rev. Dr. Robert Norris is now retired with Tropical Florida.  He faithfully serves at the Royal Poinciana Chapel in Palm Beach.

MINUTES
Parity Report
Session Minute Review Checklist
Session Minute Review Form