Florida

Florida also hosts the following minor league baseball teams:. In Canada, the largest Presbyterian Church is the Presbyterian Church in Canada; in 1925, about seventy percent of which, merged with the Methodist Church, Canada, and the Congregational Union of Canada to form the United Church of Canada. As of 2004, Florida hosts the following major league teams for spring training:. Other Presbyterian bodies in the United States include the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC), the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC (http://www.epc.org)), the Reformed Presbyterian Church, the Bible Presbyterian Church (BPC), the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARP Synod), the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and the Reformed Presbyterian Church in the United States (RPCUS). Florida is an extremely popular location for Major League Baseball spring training, with teams informally organized into the "Grapefruit League". The largest Presbyterian denomination in the United States is the Presbyterian Church (USA) (PCUSA). [2] (http://www.sptimes.com/News/050801/State/Bush_s_trustees_mostl.shtml) In 2002, Democratic Senator Bob Graham started a ballot referendum designed to revert to the Board of Regents system. In North America, because of past doctrinal differences, Presbyterian churches often overlap, with congregations of many different Presbyterian groups in any one city.

This has not been without controversy. Even before the Presbyterians left Scotland there were divisions in the larger Presbyterian family. As is typical of executive-appointed government boards, the appointees so far have been overwhelmingly Republican. However, most Presbyterians generally exhibit their faith in action as well as words, including generosity, hospitality, and the constant pursuit of social justice and reform as well as proclaiming the gospel of Christ. Instead, each public university is now controlled by its own Board of Trustees who are directly appointed by the governor. References to the adoption of Calvin's theology of predestination and the typical member's predisposition to conduct themselves "decently and in order" have earned them the moniker of the "frozen chosen". In 2000, Governor Bush and the state legislature acted to abolish the Board of Regents that governed the State University System of Florida. Presbyterians place great importance upon education and continuous study of the scriptures, theological writings, and understanding and interpretation of church doctrine embodied in several statements of faith and catechisms formally adopted by various branches of the church.

Major testing organizations frequently discount the use of state average test score rankings, or any average of scaled scores, as a valid metric (see psychometrics for more details on scaled test scores). The Church of Scotland has now abolished the Synod. Governor Jeb Bush has been criticized by many Florida educators for a program that penalizes underperforming schools (as indicated by standardized tests, such as the FCAT) with fewer funding dollars. This congregation / presbytery / synod / general assembly schema is based on the historical structure of the larger Presbyterian churches, like the Church of Scotland; some of the smaller bodies, like the Presbyterian Church in America or the Presbyterian Church in Ireland skip one of the steps between congregation and General Assembly, and usually the step skipped is the Synod. It should be noted that many education surveys are not scientific, but do measure prestige. The Presbytery sends representatives to a broader regional assembly, generally known as the General Assembly, although an intermediate level of a synod sometimes exists. Florida public schools have consistently ranked in the bottom 25% of many national surveys and average test score rankings. These are composed of ministers and elders from each of the constituent congregations.

states. Above the Kirk Sessions exist Presbyteries, which have area responsibilities. Average teacher salaries rank near the middle of U.S. A congregation issues a call for the minister's service, but this call must be ratified by the Presbytery. Florida's public school revenue per student and spending per $1000 of personal income usually ranks in the bottom 25% of U.S. states. Ministers are called by individual congregations. See complete list of Florida places. Teaching elders (ministers) have responsibility for teaching, worship and performing sacraments.

Ranked by per capita income. Sometimes the practicalities of buildings and finance in the congregation are delegated to a distinct group (known variosly as a 'Board' or 'Deacons' Court'. The three largest Protestant denominations in Florida are: Baptist (22% of the total state population), Methodist (8%), Presbyterian (4%). Teaching and ruling elders, sitting as a 'Kirk Session', (commonly refered to as simply 'session') are responsible for the discipline, the nurture and the mission of the local congregation. Religiously, Florida is mostly Protestant, but with a growing Roman Catholic community due to Hispanic immigration. Presbyterian government is based on Elders. The five largest ancestries in the state are: African American (14.6%), German (11.8%), Irish (10.3%), English (9.2%), American (8%). While these conservative Presbyterians are not in the majority, their numbers are significant.

As of 2003, the state had a population of 17,019,068. Because of this diversity of belief, more conservative Presbyterians are likely to attend the smaller denominations that have chosen to split from a larger body. Today most of the spam businesses appear to be operating out of South Florida. Those groups that adhere to the document most strictly are typified by baptism of the infant children of believers, the exclusive use of Psalms (modified for metrical singing), singing unaccompanied by instruments, a common communion cup, only men are eligible for ordination to any church office, and a fully Calvinist doctrine of salvation. Historically Florida has also been home to large telemarketing firms. These splits have been caused by disagreement concerning the degree to which those ordained to church office should be required to agree with the Calvinist Westminster Confession of Faith, which historically serves as the main constitutional document of Presbyterian churches. Spammers are not the first business men of questionable ethics to use Florida as a home base. Many of the branches of Presbyterianism are remnants of previous splits from larger groups.

In 2005 Spamhaus declared Florida the spam capital of the world [1]  (http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-sbspammain08may08,0,7702631.story?coll=sfla-home-headlines). Experts have estimated that Florida is an attractive place of business for Spammers due to the gorgeous weather, low key atmosphere, nearby Internet data centers and the state's reputation as "a good place to do dirty business". The origins of the Presbyterian churches were in Calvinism, which is no longer emphasized in some of the contemporary branches. Florida did not have any state minimum wage laws until November 2, 2004, when voters passed a Constitutional Amendment requiring inflationary increases to the minimum wage every six months. Presbyterians distinguish themselves from other denominations by both doctrine and institutional organization, or as they prefer to call it 'church order'. With the arrival of the space program at Kennedy Space Center in the 1960s, Florida has attracted a large number of aerospace and military industries to the state. Main article: Presbyterian church governance. Other major industries include citrus fruit and juice production, banking, and phosphate mining. Because of an emphasis on equal education for all people, Presbyterians have 'planted' and encouraged schools across the US as the country grew and the missionaries were sent out to the people.

The large Walt Disney World Resort with four theme parks and over twenty hotels plus countless water parks, shopping centres and other facilities, located in Lake Buena Vista drives the economy of that area, along with more recent entries into the theme park arena such as the Universal Orlando Resort. The great amount of sales tax revenue is what allows the state to be one of the few to not levy a personal income tax. The Presbyterian church in England and Wales is the United Reformed Church, whilst the tradition also influenced the Methodist church, established in 1736. Warm weather most of the year and hundreds of miles of beach provide a thriving vacation spot for travelers from around the world. All three, very diverse branches of Presbyterianism, as well as independents, and some Dutch, German, and French Reformed denominations, combined in America to form what would eventually become the Presbyterian Church USA (1705). Florida's economy is heavily based on tourism. Presbyterians, as well as Roman Catholics in Ulster and the rest of Ireland suffered under the discriminatory Penal Laws until they were revoked in the early 19th century. The per capita personal income was $30,098, ranking 26^th in the nation. The Presbytery of Ulster was formed separately from the established church, in 1642.

The gross state product of Florida in 2003 was $550 billion. In Ireland, Presbyterianism was established by Scottish immigrants and missionaries to Ulster. Many other smaller hurricanes have hit or brushed Florida, and many more hurricanes will hit in the future. The re-establishment of the monarchy in 1660 brought the re-establishment of episcopalian government in England (and in Scotland for a short time); but the Presbyterian church in England continued in non-conformity, outside of the established church. Among a long list of other infamous hurricane strikes were the Miami Hurricane of 1926, the Lake Okeechobee Hurricane of 1928, the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935, Hurricane Donna in 1960 and Hurricane Opal in 1995. In 1647, by an act of the Long Parliament under the control of Puritans, the Church of England embraced Presbyterianism . history, Hurricane Andrew, which cost twenty-five billion dollars when it struck on August 12, 1992. In Ireland the Presbyterian Church was formed from the Church of Scotland and later became The Presbyterian Church In Ireland.In England, Presbyterianism was established in secret in 1572, toward the end of the reign of Elizabeth I of England.

Hurricanes Charley (August 13), Frances (September 4-5), Ivan (September 16), and Jeanne (September 25-26) cumulatively cost forty-two billion dollars to the state. Florida was also the site of the most costly single weather disaster in U.S. The existing Church of Scotland was thus reformed along Presbyterian lines. Florida saw a slew of destruction in 2004 when it was hit by a record four hurricanes. In Scotland, John Knox (1505-1572), who had studied under Calvin in Geneva, returned to Scotland and led the Parliament of Scotland to embrace the Reformation in 1560. Hurricanes pose a threat during the summer and fall. In England, Scotland and Ireland, the Reformed churches that adopted a presbyterian instead of episcopalian government, became known naturally enough, as the Presbyterian Church. Snow flurries fell on Miami Beach for the only time in history. These denominations derive their name from the Greek word presbyteros, which means "elder." Presbyterian church governance is common to the Protestant churches that were most closely modelled after the Reformation in Switzerland.

The most widespread snowfall in Florida history happened in February 1978 with snow falling over much of the state in different times of the month, extending as far south as Homestead. Besides national distinctions, Presbyterians also have divided from one another for doctrinal reasons, especially in the wake of the Enlightenment. The Great Blizzard of 1899, was also the only time the temperature has fallen below 0 degrees Fahrenheit, registering -2f in Tallahassee. There are many separate Presbyterian Churches in different nations around the world. During that time, the Tampa Bay area had "Gulf effect" snow, similar to Lake effect snowfall. Presbyterianism traces its institutional roots back to the Scottish Reformation, especially as led by John Knox. During the Great Blizzard of 1899, Florida experienced blizzard conditions for possibly the first time. Presbyterianism is a form of church government, practiced by many (although not all) of those Protestant churches (known as Reformed churches), which historically subscribed to the teachings of John Calvin.

Snow is a rare occurrence in Florida, although it usually snows somewhere in Florida almost every winter. John Witherspoon, only clergyman to sign the Declaration of Independence. Florida has more lightning strikes than any other state and also leads the nation in tornadoes per square mile(although the tornadoes in Florida do not get as large as those in the Midwest or Great Plains. Hail is not an uncommon occurrence in some of the more severe thunderstorms. The Rev. These thunderstorms which are caused by airflow from the Gulf of Mexico seemingly "pop up" in the early afternoon and can often bring heavy downpours, high winds and sometimes tornadoes. Woodrow Wilson, 28th President. Statewide, Florida has the highest average precipitation of any state, due in large part to afternoon thunderstorms which are common throughout most of the state from late spring until the early autumn. Christine Todd Whitman, former governor of New Jersey.

While Florida's nickname is the "Sunshine State", severe weather is a common occurrence in Florida. Vice-President under Hayes. The Gulf stream has a moderating effect on Florida climate and although it is common for much of Florida to see a high summer temperature over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, it is not common for the mercury to go above 100 degrees Fareinheit in Florida. Wheeler, U.S. The seasons in Florida often called "Hot and Hotter" are actually determined more by precipitation than by temperature with warm, relatively dry winters and autumns (the dry season) and hot, wet springs and especially the summers (the wet season). William A. Most of the state has a humid subtropical climate with the extreme tip of Florida and the Florida Keys bordering on a true tropical climate. Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield, Princeton Seminary professor.

The climate of Florida is tempered somewhat by its proximity to water. Roosevelt. At 345 feet (105 metres) above sea level, Britton Hill is the highest point in Florida (it's also the lowest state highpoint.). Vice-President under F.D. It is near the countries of the Caribbean, particularly the Bahamas, Cuba, and Haiti. Wallace, U.S. It is bordered on the north by the states of Georgia and Alabama and on the west, at the end of the panhandle, by Alabama. Henry A.

Florida consists of a panhandle extending along the northern Gulf of Mexico and a large peninsula with the Atlantic Ocean as its eastern border and the Gulf of Mexico as its western border. Mark Twain, American author. See: List of counties in Florida. Vice-President under Monroe. The state use tax is 6 percent on purchases made out of state and brought into Florida within 6 months of the purchase date. Tompkins, U.S. Local governments may levy a local option sales on top of that, so sales taxes vary by county between 6 and 7.5 percent. Daniel D.

The state sales tax rate is 6 percent. Norman Thomas runs for President as the Socialist Party candidate in 1928. Florida is one of the nine states which does not impose personal income tax (list of others). Jimmy Stewart, actor. See: List of Florida Governors. Fred Rogers, also known as the famous Mister Rogers, was an ordained Presbyterian Minister up until his death. Outside of liberal Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, the Florida Democratic Party tends to be socially conservative and heavily associated with the good ol' boy network. The Rev.

Tampa, once a hotbed of Democratic union support, is now about 50% both registered Republicans and Democrats making it, and surrounding areas, part of the important I-4 Corridor swing region. Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State (2005- ). In Miami, the liberal Democrats vie for control with wealthy Cuban conservative Republicans and their business allies. President. As such, and because of its high population and large number of electoral votes, Florida is considered by political analysts to be a key swing state in Presidential elections. Ronald Reagan, 40th U.S. The Presidential election in Florida in 2000 was extremely close. President (converted from Presbyterianism to Methodism).

Despite this demographic parity, Republicans control the governorship and most other statewide elected offices; both houses of the state legislature; 18 of the state's 25 seats in the House of Representatives; and one of the state's two senate seats. James Knox Polk, 11th U.S. Though Florida has traditionally been a Democratic state, in recent years explosive population growth has brought with it many Republicans, leaving the state approximately evenly split between the two parties. Norman Maclean, author and academic. Bush. Stonewall Jackson, General in the Confederate Army. W. President.

Bush and son of former President George H. Andrew Jackson, 7th U.S. The current governor is Republican Jeb Bush, brother of President George W. Charles Hodge, seminary professor. The Florida Legislature has a Senate of 40 members and a House of 120 members. Hodge, seminary professor. Today, Florida is the fourth most populous state in the Union. A.

After the fall of the Confederacy in 1865, Florida was readmitted into the Union on June 25, 1868. A. Florida joined the CSA on February 10, 1861. President. On March 3, 1845, Florida became the 27th state of the United States of America. Florida seceded from the Union on January 10, 1861 and was one of the founding members of the Confederate States of America (CSA, also known as the Confederacy). Benjamin Harrison, 23rd U.S. Spain finally ceded Florida to the United States with the Adams-Onís Treaty in 1819, in exchange for the US renouncing any claims on Texas. Katherine Harris, Florida Secretary of State during the 2000 election crisis and current congresswoman (R).

Control of parts of Florida passed among Spanish, British, and American control. John Glenn, Astronaut, United States Senator. The area of Florida diminished with the establishment of British colonies to the north and French colonies to the west. Mel Watt, Congressman from North Carolina and Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus. Over the following century, the Spanish and French both established settlements in Florida, with varying degrees of success. Jay Rockefeller, junior United States Senator from West Virginia. Archaelogical finds indicate that Florida had been inhabited for many thousands of years prior to any European settlements. Spaniards first arrived in 1513 and laid claim to a large, imprecisely defined area extending from about modern day Gainesville northward to the Carolinas, which they called La terra florida, "The flowery land". Lamar Alexander, junior United States Senator from Tennessee.

Main article: History of Florida. Bill Frist, current Senate Majority Leader. USS Florida was named in honor of this state. Eisenhower, 34th President. Postal abbreviation is FL. Dwight D. The U.S. Secretary of State in the Eisenhower Administration.

It was discovered by Spanish explorers during the Easter season, which is called Pascua Florida in Spanish. John Foster Dulles, U.S. "Florida" is a Spanish adjective which means "flowery". Brian DePalma, film director; raised as a Presbyterian. It is known as the Sunshine State. President. Florida is a southern state in the United States. Grover Cleveland, 22nd and 24th U.S.

Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin. Vice-President under Adams and Jackson. Petersburg. Calhoun, U.S. Tampa Bay Devil Rays in St. John C. Saint Louis Cardinals in Jupiter. Aaron Burr, co-founder of Princeton University.

Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton. The Rev. Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater. Vice-President under Jefferson. New York Yankees in Tampa. Aaron Burr, U.S. Lucie. Frederick Buechner, author of fantasy novels and non-fiction religious books.

New York Mets in Port St. President. Washington Nationals in Viera. James Buchanan, 15th U.S. Minnesota Twins in Fort Myers. Presidential nominee for the Democratic Party. Los Angeles Dodgers in Vero Beach. William Jennings Bryan of the famous Scopes "Monkey Trial" in Tennessee 1925 and three times U.S.

Houston Astros in Kissimmee. Vice-President under Buchanan. Florida Marlins in Jupiter. Breckinridge, U.S. Detroit Tigers in Lakeland. John C. Cleveland Indians in Winter Haven. Representative; conservative Republican from Texas.

Cincinnati Reds in Sarasota. Dick Armey, U.S. Boston Red Sox in Palms Park. Baltimore Orioles in Fort Lauderdale. Atlanta Braves at Walt Disney World.