Pastor Tiffania Renewal Leave
June 22 - August 2
The United Methodist Book of Discipline says in ¶351.1:
“Throughout their careers, clergy shall engage in continuing education for ministry, professional development, and spiritual formation and growth...”
¶351.3 continues:
“A clergy member may request a formational and spiritual growth leave of up to six months while continuing to hold an appointment in the local church. Such leaves are available to clergy members who have held full-time appointments for at least six years.”
These leaves are often called “Renewal Leaves” to reflect their purpose to give pastors time to renew their spiritual lives. Pastor Tiffania has served for 8 years of full-time ministry, so she is overdue for Renewal Leave. The Staff-Parish Relations Committee and the Leadership Team unanimously approved her plan to take a 6-week Renewal Leave this summer.
However, Renewal Leave is not vacation! The Leadership Team will contact Pastor Tiffania in case of a death, funeral, emergency, etc. If you need to get in touch with her during this time, email info@stjamestampa.org to get in touch with staff and leadership.
We will have guest preachers each Sunday while Pastor Tiffania is away.
Their names and ministries they represent are below. Check back for more information on our guest preachers throughout the summer!
“Throughout their careers, clergy shall engage in continuing education for ministry, professional development, and spiritual formation and growth...”
¶351.3 continues:
“A clergy member may request a formational and spiritual growth leave of up to six months while continuing to hold an appointment in the local church. Such leaves are available to clergy members who have held full-time appointments for at least six years.”
These leaves are often called “Renewal Leaves” to reflect their purpose to give pastors time to renew their spiritual lives. Pastor Tiffania has served for 8 years of full-time ministry, so she is overdue for Renewal Leave. The Staff-Parish Relations Committee and the Leadership Team unanimously approved her plan to take a 6-week Renewal Leave this summer.
However, Renewal Leave is not vacation! The Leadership Team will contact Pastor Tiffania in case of a death, funeral, emergency, etc. If you need to get in touch with her during this time, email info@stjamestampa.org to get in touch with staff and leadership.
We will have guest preachers each Sunday while Pastor Tiffania is away.
Their names and ministries they represent are below. Check back for more information on our guest preachers throughout the summer!
June 28: Sam Martinez, Chair of CUBA Ministry
Christians United By Amor (CUBA) Ministry, formerly Methodists United In Prayer, exists to see Jesus Christ’s glory displayed through the power of prayer and relationship between Christians in Cuba, Angola, and the United States. Initiated in 1997, our work is accomplished through Sister Church relationships formed between churches of multiple denominations in the US and the Methodist Church in Cuba. We send mission teams, support pastors, partner with churches, and build bonds of Christian fellowship. St James has a sister church in Guantanamo, Cuba.
Sam Martinez has had the honor for the last 2 years to be the chairperson of CUBA Ministry, and for the last 7 years he has been the Guantanamo district coordinator. His missionary background began in the 1990’s with Youth With A Mission, leading evangelism teams throughout South America, Asia, and the South Caucasus areas. He also leads an investment advisory firm and M&A consulting firm. Sam is a husband to his wonderful wife for 26 years and father to 2 incredible young men.
We will collect a special offering during worship to benefit our Sister Church.
Christians United By Amor (CUBA) Ministry, formerly Methodists United In Prayer, exists to see Jesus Christ’s glory displayed through the power of prayer and relationship between Christians in Cuba, Angola, and the United States. Initiated in 1997, our work is accomplished through Sister Church relationships formed between churches of multiple denominations in the US and the Methodist Church in Cuba. We send mission teams, support pastors, partner with churches, and build bonds of Christian fellowship. St James has a sister church in Guantanamo, Cuba.
Sam Martinez has had the honor for the last 2 years to be the chairperson of CUBA Ministry, and for the last 7 years he has been the Guantanamo district coordinator. His missionary background began in the 1990’s with Youth With A Mission, leading evangelism teams throughout South America, Asia, and the South Caucasus areas. He also leads an investment advisory firm and M&A consulting firm. Sam is a husband to his wonderful wife for 26 years and father to 2 incredible young men.
We will collect a special offering during worship to benefit our Sister Church.
July 5: Rev. Emily Hotho, Gulf Central District Superintendent
Rev. Emily Hotho is the Gulf Central District Superintendent and has served in this role for the last 5 years, overseeing 80 churches in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Polk, and Pasco counties. She has previously served as the pastor of Skycrest UMC in Clearwater, associate pastor of Christ UMC in Fort Lauderdale, and the associate director of the Center for Clergy Excellence. Emily has an M.Div. from Duke University and undergraduate degrees in Religious Studies and Music from Southern Methodist University. She is married to Mat and has three sons: Liam (17), Evan (15) and Jackson (8).
Rev. Emily Hotho is the Gulf Central District Superintendent and has served in this role for the last 5 years, overseeing 80 churches in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Polk, and Pasco counties. She has previously served as the pastor of Skycrest UMC in Clearwater, associate pastor of Christ UMC in Fort Lauderdale, and the associate director of the Center for Clergy Excellence. Emily has an M.Div. from Duke University and undergraduate degrees in Religious Studies and Music from Southern Methodist University. She is married to Mat and has three sons: Liam (17), Evan (15) and Jackson (8).
July 12: Rev. Brian Carr, Residing Hope
Rev. Brian A. Carr is originally from the metropolis of Mullens, West Virginia where he grew up in a loving, faith-filled, often-laughing family. As a young man he served as a volunteer missionary in Mexico for three years and received his B.A. degree from Marshall University in Spanish. Meeting Lorena Rodriguez, the love of his life, while serving in Mexico was certainly the icing on the cake. They have three incredible daughters: Lidia, Maia and Sterling and two amazing sons-in-law, Jerome Trine and Brendan Russo! Brian has served much of his life in the service of Christ: three years as a missionary in Mexico, four years as a Youth Director at St. Luke’s UMC and twenty-four years in Ordained Ministry with the United Methodist Church after graduating from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. He has served as the Director of Church Relations at Residing Hope, formerly the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home, since July 5, 2022. We will collect a special offering during worship to support Residing Hope.
Rev. Brian A. Carr is originally from the metropolis of Mullens, West Virginia where he grew up in a loving, faith-filled, often-laughing family. As a young man he served as a volunteer missionary in Mexico for three years and received his B.A. degree from Marshall University in Spanish. Meeting Lorena Rodriguez, the love of his life, while serving in Mexico was certainly the icing on the cake. They have three incredible daughters: Lidia, Maia and Sterling and two amazing sons-in-law, Jerome Trine and Brendan Russo! Brian has served much of his life in the service of Christ: three years as a missionary in Mexico, four years as a Youth Director at St. Luke’s UMC and twenty-four years in Ordained Ministry with the United Methodist Church after graduating from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. He has served as the Director of Church Relations at Residing Hope, formerly the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home, since July 5, 2022. We will collect a special offering during worship to support Residing Hope.
July 19: Tajhinea Jones, St James UMC Coordinator of Family Ministries
Tajhinea Jones is the Family Ministries Coordinator here at St. James United Methodist Church. A passionate minister, worship leader, and author, she is devoted to helping children and families grow in faith, purpose, and identity in Christ. Tajhinea is also the founder of Devotion in Motion, a ministry that empowers believers through biblical teaching and spirit-led worship. She will be graduating with her Master of Dvinity degree from Grand Canyon University this fall. She's a proud wife, dog mom, and creative at heart committed to making Jesus known to every generation.
Tajhinea Jones is the Family Ministries Coordinator here at St. James United Methodist Church. A passionate minister, worship leader, and author, she is devoted to helping children and families grow in faith, purpose, and identity in Christ. Tajhinea is also the founder of Devotion in Motion, a ministry that empowers believers through biblical teaching and spirit-led worship. She will be graduating with her Master of Dvinity degree from Grand Canyon University this fall. She's a proud wife, dog mom, and creative at heart committed to making Jesus known to every generation.
July 26: Beth Potter, Zoe Empowers
Beth Potter has served the Conference and Gulf Central District in Congregation Vitality over the past 11 years. Working alongside many of our churches, she has applied her expertise in strategic planning and leadership to help congregations thrive and more fully live into their call to ministry and community engagement. Over the last three years, Beth has had the privilege of leading the District’s partnership with Zoe Empowers. Traveling to Rwanda three times, she comes to St. James UMC to passionately share the story of how our District supported 77 children experiencing extreme poverty to a life of personal and professional success. Beth’s enthusiasm for Zoe Empowers is truly contagious.
Beth Potter has served the Conference and Gulf Central District in Congregation Vitality over the past 11 years. Working alongside many of our churches, she has applied her expertise in strategic planning and leadership to help congregations thrive and more fully live into their call to ministry and community engagement. Over the last three years, Beth has had the privilege of leading the District’s partnership with Zoe Empowers. Traveling to Rwanda three times, she comes to St. James UMC to passionately share the story of how our District supported 77 children experiencing extreme poverty to a life of personal and professional success. Beth’s enthusiasm for Zoe Empowers is truly contagious.
August 2: Rev. Alex Shanks, FLUMC Assistant to the Bishop
