|
|
|
District Newsletter
|
February 2012
|
|
|
|
Dear Michelle,
I wanted to take this issue of the District Newsletter to remind you of the upcoming events happening in our District. I expect that you all will be looking at ways to learn and expand your ministry...
February 1:
District Clergy Meeting
First UMC, Port St. Lucie
9:30 a.m. - Gathering and Registration
10:00 a.m. - meeting begins
Lunch provided for a nominal fee of $5.
Jorge Acevedo will be providing information concerning General Conference, election of the new Bishop, the Bishop's Call to Action, and the Missional Vital Signs and why we are expected to set goals for the coming four years. He will also share about his ministry as the Pastor at Grace Church, a multiple-site ministry.
February 4:
District Leadership Training
"Inspiring and Empowering Intentional Disciples"
Trinity UMC, 9625 N. Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens
8:15 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
(You may select classes and register online at the Conference Website)
February 8:
Mission Centered Ministry
A One-Day Seminar by Dr. Doug Anderson
First UMC, 1750 20th St., Vero Beach
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
(To register and for more information: congregationalexcellence.com
$59 per person - Partial scholarships available at District Office
ENERGETIC, EFFECTIVE and FUN!
March 3
District Leadership Training
"Inspiring and Empowering Intentional Disciples"
Grace UMC, 65 Needle Blvd, Merritt Island
8:15 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
(You may select classes and register online at the Conference Website).
In Christian Love and Grace,
Gary |
|
|
Classes are similar at both locations . . . attend one event or both!
Schedule
8:15 - 9:00 Registration & Light Breakfast in Fellowship Hall
9:00 - 9:45 Praise & Worship in Fellowship Hall
10:00 - 11:15 Class Session 1
11:30 - 12:45 Class Session 2
12:45 - 1:45 Lunch in Fellowship Hall
1:45 - 3:00 Class Session 3
3:00 On the Road Again!
This FREE leadership training event will inspirce and equip laity, lay staff, and clergy. The program is provided by your Apportionments District Work Funds. The day includes a wide variety of classes, a light breakfast, lunch, and a wonderful time to grow and connect with other leaders in our district.
Registration:
Register [Here] for February 4 @ Trinity UMC, Palm Beach Gardens
Register [Here] for March 3 @ Grace UMC, Merritt Island
Click [Here] for the Bulletin Insert
|
Staying focused on the mission of
"Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world"
LEADER: Dr. Doug Anderson is executive director of the Bishop Rueben Job Center for Leadership Development at Dakota Wesleyan University. He has been a district superintendent and the pastor of several growing UMC churches of different sizes. He has led practical -- and popular -- church seminars for over 25 years. He is a member of the Academy for Spiritual Formation of the Upper Room. He is the co-author with Bishop Michael Coyner of the award winning book, The Race to Reach Out. Best of all: his seminars are energetic, effective, and fun.
|
|
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Suntree UMC, 7400 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne, FL 32940
This training provides an introduction to the unique and important role the faith community plays in disaster mitigation, preparation and response. You and your church will hear practical ideas on how to effectively respond to disaster in your community in cooperation with other churches, emergency management officials and the Disaster Recovery Ministry of the conference. You will understand the importance of communication and collaboration in meeting the needs of disaster survivors and the importance of being the church in the midst of crisis. There is no cost for this training; however, registration is required for planning purposes. Check in begins at 9:30 a.m. and lunch is provided.
For more information or to register, please visit www.flumc.org/DisasterRecovery and follow the links to Community Arise. Training provided by Disaster Recovery Ministry, a service of the Office of Ministry Protection. Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church. (800) 282-8011 Ext. 148.
|
|
Harris Chapel UMC, 2351 NW 26th Street, Oakland Park
Seminar Facilitator: Reverend Dr. Harold D. Lewis, Sr., Director of Black Church, Center for Congregational Excellence, Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. A full day of intensive, empowering and edifying knowledge. A practical and user friendly participant's workbook as a take home reference. The opportunity to dialogue face to face with other seminar participants, as well as the facilitator about questions pertaining to YOUR church or ministry. One (1) CEU credit and certificate.
|
 Smyrna Georgia: July 7-14, 2012
Florida Space Coast: July 21-28, 2012
Applications are available on their website.
For more news about Celebrate Jesus Missions, check out their newsletter [Click Here]
|
|
UM Volunteers in Mission Team Leader Training
 February 4, 2012 - First UMC of Lakeland
March 17, 2012 - First UMC of Port St. Lucie*
*Spanish translation provided
Are you interested in leading a mission team from your church? Do you want to lead a team to Haiti when long-term recovery efforts begin?
UMVIM Team Leader Training prepares volunteers to lead Volunteer in Mission teams to projects in the United States and around the world. You will learn the "ins and outs" of organizing a mission trip from recruiting the team, to picking the location, getting support, staying safe, planning the work and much, much more. You'll also enjoy a wonderful time of fellowship with other "mission-minded" folks.
Not sure if you're ready to lead a team? Come and learn what it takes - you'll be well informed and a better team member!
Cost is $40 per person. Starts at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 4:00 p.m. Participants receive a Team Leader Manual and lunch is included. Please register online at: www.flumc.org/UMVIM
For more information, please contact Pam Garrison (800) 282-8011 x 148 or by email pgarrison@flumc.org.
|
|
Dare 2 G.R.O.W. - a student leadership training event
February 17-19, 2012
Warren Willis United Methodist Camp, Fruitland Park, FL
Students are called to be leaders in their homes, their churches, their schools, and their communities. But since every situation is different, that is not an easy job! Enter, the Student Leadership Training event! This weekend is for leadership teams and their adults to come together and learn with other students what it means to be GROWing in God and how they can be effective leaders, no matter what their context.
This is the 4th year that this event has been in existence. Since 2007, the Conference Connection on Youth Ministry (a conference level leadership team made up of students) has been producing leadership training events where students can gather and learn, experience and grow.
Why should you bring your students? Because together we can accomplish more than we can apart. And, really, where else can you get an all inclusive weekend event for just about $80/person? Our pricing will be gradually stepped up though! Don't miss out, secure your spot today! [click here] for details.
|
|
|
Building the Beloved Community
Mandatory Inclusivity Training for all Full Time Clergy
A letter of invitation was mailed from the Bishop's office with details regarding the mandated inclusivity training that all full-time clergy will need to attend in 2012. Some details related to cost and the exact locations of these training events are still being finalized at the conference office. However, we wanted to let you know the dates and regions that are being targeted for this training so you can get one of the training sessions on your calendar now. You will be able to use CE or RA funds for the cost and it will count for your continuing education requirements for 2012. Also, Conference CE funds may also be available depending on whether or not you have used those funds recently.
Having personally experienced this training already, I (Gary) can wholeheartedly say it was well worth the investment of time and energy. I learned a great deal about my own experiences and the experiences of others and how those experiences shape our interactions with one another. You will learn and grow in positive ways from this experience.
Here are the dates and regions that are set at this point:
February 27-29: Gainesville Hotel & Conference Center [Click Here] for details and to register .
7417 West Newberry Road, Gainesville, Florida 32605, (352) 332-7500
September 27-29 (Fort Lauderdale/Pompano area)
October 8-10 (Daytona area)
October 15-17 (Tampa/Brandon area)
Every full-time clergy must attend one of these events, so please put one of these session dates on your calendar now and protect it.
|
|
Beyond 50 Ministries Task Team
Invites You to Tapestry IV - 21st CENTURY CHALLENGES for BOOMERS AND BEYOND
March 2 & 3, 2012, at First UMC of Clermont
Whether "Boomers" (47-65) or "Beyond" (66++), Tapestry IV has something for all: for those in ministry with these age groups, for individuals desiring to enrich their own knowledge and understanding, or for those who want to return to their congregations as resource persons. The Friday presentation will focus on retirement planning. On Saturday, the issues covered will be caregiving (which knows no age limit), legal hurdles, and a moderated panel addressing adult children returning home/grandparents raising grandchildren.
Pre-register for Tapestry IV at www.flumc.org by clicking on Ministries and then Beyond 50 Ministries. Select Tapestry IV where the brochure and registration information can be found.
|
|
12th Annual 5-Day Academy for Spiritual Formation
Sunday, March 11 - Friday, March 16, 2012
Life Enrichment Center in Fruitland Park, Florida
Featured presenters are Rev. Dr. Roberta Bondi and Rev. Dr. William Thiele
 | |
Rev. Dr. Roberta Bondi
|
The Academy for Spiritual Formation is...
- A time to fill the deep spiritual hunger that characterizes many lives
- An opportunity for intentional spiritual growth in a disciplined, accepting community
- A place where community silence enhances personal prayer and reflection
- A time of spiritual renewal and discovery through academic presentation, personal reflections, and communal sharing
- A sharing of spiritual growth in covenant groups
- A time for healing to continue
- For both clergy and laity
Registration will be Sunday, March 11, 2012 from 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM;
 | |
Rev. Dr. William Thiel
|
Orientation & Dinner will begin at 5:30 PM; The week will conclude on Friday, March 16, 2012 following the Eucharist at Noon, with lunch. For complete information about this event [Click Here] for the brochure. Visit the website: www.fl5dayacademy.org.
|
 A gathering to encourage ministry for and with young adults and to inspire the next generation to reclaim their place in the church
The event will be held at Riverside Park UMC in Jacksonville, Florida. Registration is open now. We have an amazing line-up of faculty and worship leaders, such as Bishop Will WIllimon of the North Alabama Conference, Pastor Candace Lewis, Dr. Sandra Richter and more. These amazing men and women will be coming to share with us for the weekend, and there will also be times to connect with them one-on-one.
We are calling church leaders and young adults from all over Florida to connect at Reclaim 2012. This year's gathering will have special sessions for those interested in reaching out to the next generation.
Please continue to check in at www.reclaimgathering.com for updates and information regarding Reclaim, registration, blogs from leaders across Florida and encouragement to do ministry for and with young adults! If you have any questions please feel free to email us at reclaim@campustocity.org.
|
|
"Living by Faith" - Sponsored by the Florida Conference United Methodist Men
Life Enrichment Center, Fruitland Park, Florida
|
|
Hospitality Volunteers Needed
The Florida Conference will be hosting General Conference 2012 at the Tampa Convention Center, April 24 thru May 4. This conference brings together delegates from around the world who determine current and future policies of the United Methodist Church.
Under the leadership of Rev. Jim Harnish, the Florida Hospitality Team has been working to provide "a warm welcome" for the arrival of up to 5,000 delegates, visitors and guests. "We ask for everyone's support to meet the large need for volunteers to host this event".
This is a great opportunity to get your church members, ministry groups and committees involved. More information is available in the new resource "Toolkit" and Volunteer Recruitment DVD. The Toolkit CD and the DVD may be downloaded and are also available by calling 1.800.282.8011 x 197 or by emailing gcquestions@flumc.org.
[Click here] for information and resources related to General Conference 2012.
|
|
United Methodist Garner Highest Favorability Score
December 8, 2011 | Nashville, Tenn.
About 62% of adult Americans have a favorable impression of United Methodists. That's according to a new survey from LifeWay Research that looks at perceptions of faith groups among adults in the U.S. United Methodists had the highest percentage of favorable impressions among the faith groups included in the survey - Roman Catholics, Southern Baptists, United Methodists, Mormons and Muslims - with 15% of respondents reporting very favorable impressions and 47% reporting somewhat favorable. United Methodists also had the lowest percentage of unfavorable impressions: [Read more].
|
|
Save the Date! Real Ideas Conference
March 1 & 2, 2012 at Van Dyke Church
Near Tampa, FL
Do you want your church to:
- Grow more disciples for Jesus Christ?
- See worship attendance increase?
- Have more energy and vitality?
- Have more Missional impact in your community?
- See increased financial giving?
I highly recommend this conference for you, your staff and volunteers. I know Matt and Jorge who are helping many grow their church! They want to share what they have found helpful in their local contexts. More information will be coming soon! Check out www.realideasconference.com for more information.
Gary
|
|
|
|
District Calendar
February
Feb 1: District Clergy Meeting, First UMC, Port St. Lucie, 9:30a
Feb 4: District Training Event: Trinity UMC, Palm Beach Gardens, 8:15a
Feb 8: Mission Centered Ministry Workshops - First UMC, Vero Beach
Feb 10: Large Church Ministry Workshop, South Street Ministry, Orlando 9:00a-1:00p
Feb 10: Year End Statistical Reports Due
Feb 13: dCOM, First UMC, Port St. Lucie, 8:30a
Feb 17-19: Dare to Grow, Warren Willis Camp, Fruitland Park
Feb 18: Community Arise Training, Suntree UMC, Melbourne, 9:30a
Feb 20: President's Day Holiday - District Office Closed
Feb 21: District Committee on Leadership (Nominations), District Office, 4:30p
March
Mar 1-2: Real Ideas Conference, Van Dyke UMC
Mar 2-3: Beyond 50 Ministries-Tapestry IV, First UMC, Clermont
Mar 3: District Training Event, Grace UMC, Merritt Island, 8:15a
Mar 8: District Leadership Council: Lakewood Park, UMC, 10:00a
Mar 11-16: 5-Day Academy for Spiritual Formation, LEC, Fruitland Park
Mar 23-24: RECLAIM 2012, Riverside Park UMC, Jacksonville
Mar 27: NCD, Location TBD, 4:00p
April
Apr 23-May 4: UMC General Conference, Tampa Convention Center
|
|
|
