The congregation based its departure on recommendations by a congregational task force created to investigate the PCUSA’s theological drift, said Jay Hill, an elder and the pastor’s husband.

There was no worship Sunday in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church in Safety Harbor, Fla., but services went on as planned.

At a neighborhood library, 98 percent of Safety Harbor’s recorded membership gathered for what was described as an “awesome” worship experience. In the weeks prior to moving its services and office to a new location, the congregation had voted unanimously to leave the Presbyterian Church (USA) and form a new corporation called Safety Harbor Covenant Church. In the face of presbytery action to dissolve her call, Safety Harbor’s pastor, the Rev. Joan Hill, resigned and renounced denominational jurisdiction on Friday.

Presbytery of Tampa Bay Stated Clerk Gerry Tyer would not comment, but the presbytery’s March 16 special-called meeting notice is a good clue to its reaction.

According to the Tampa Bay Web site, the presbytery will consider proposals to:
· form an administrative commission to take over Safety Harbor’s session;
· dissolve the pastoral relationship between Hill and Safety Harbor; and
· inform Joan Hill that the presbytery “disapproves of her work in regard to leading members … to leave the PCUSA, and that she is prohibited from engaging in such work.” If she persists in such work or fails to inform the congregation of the meeting, it will be a presumption of renunciation of jurisdiction.

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