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District Newsletter
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October 2011
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Clergy Gatherings
North: Suntree UMC, Melbourne (Viera): 10/18, 2:00 to 4:00
Central: Christ by the Sea UMC, Vero Beach: 10/19, 1:00-3:00
South: UMC of the Palm Beaches, WPB: 10/20, 9:00-11:00
Part time/Make-up: St. John UMC, Ft. Pierce: 10/22, 10:00-noon
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Dear Michelle Colan,
It has been a joy traveling the district - I feel like Wesley on this horse. I'm impressed with the ministry our churches are doing - big and small.
In Eugene Peterson's book, A Memoir, The Pastor, he describes his father's butcher shop where he grew up:
"Hackers" was my father's contemptuous label for butchers who
ignorantly imposed their wills on the meat. They didn't take into
account the subtle differences between port and beef. They used
knives and cleavers inappropriately and didn't keep them sharp.
They were bullies forcing their wills on slabs of bacon and hindquarters of beef. The results were unattractive and uneconomical. They commonly left a mess behind that the rest of us had to clean up.
Not so much by words but by example, I internalized a respect for
the material at hand. The material can be pork loin, or a mahogany plank, or a lump of clay, or the will of God, or a soul, but when the work is done well, there is a kind of submission of will to the conditions at hand, a cultivation of what I would later learn to call humility. It is a noticeable feature in all skilled workers - woodworkers, potters, poets, pray-ers, and pastors. I learned it in the butcher shop." (p. 36-37)
I spent a day in the Glades with David Broadbent at Canal Point, Doug Swan at Community, Belle Glade and Patti Aupperlee at First, Pahokee who are serving those churches and what I observed where three pastors embracing Peterson's image of respect for the material at hand.
The poverty and unemployment is as high as anywhere I've seen or heard about in Florida, if not the country. Instead of whining about their conditions (which are tough and I'd probably be whining) they are meeting together, talking about ministry opportunities.
What a joy it is for me to see such commitment to Christ and His people.
My hope is when we meet as clergy in district gatherings, we can be encouraged by each other which is what our connection is basically about - isn't it?
I hope you can be at one of the clergy gatherings (listed in column) so you can be a blessing to a fellow pastor who is seeking to do it well with what is at hand for them. Paul says in Galatians, 'Carry each other's burdens, and in this way will fulfill the law of Christ'.
I look forward to learning from you and sharing your burden.
In Christ's Love and Grace, Gary Gary Spencer, District Superintendent Atlantic Central District |
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Come on out and be Blessed!
Guest churches, guest choirs, nightly refreshments. Led by Rev. Harold D. Lewis Sr., Director of Black Congregational Development, Florida Annual Conference. [click here] for a flyer.
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A Communications Conference in Preaching, Evangelism, Worship & Social Media
Training in worship, communication, evangelism, preaching, & social networking! Several themes, topics, and opportunities at the same time! National speakers and outstanding resources in church communications, evangelism and preaching. Scholarships available. For details, [Click Here].
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Boot Camp for Prayer Warriors
October 29, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Lakewood Park UMC, Fort Pierce
5405 Turnpike Feeder Road, Fort Pierce, FL 34951
Led by Rev. Harold Lewis, Director of Black New Church Development and Rev. Jacquie Leveron, Pastor, Lakewood Park UMC. Call 772-465-1187 for more information. [click here] for flyer.
TO REGISTER: www.flumc.org; click on Districts; select Atlantic Central; click on event.
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The Hannah Project
The Center for Clergy Excellence
The Hannah Project is our yearly award presented at Annual Conference that recognizes churches who are creating a culture of call. As you're planning worship and ministries this year, we hope you'll keep in mind the six objectives of the Hannah Project. Then, submit a form by April 1, 2012, so that we can recognize your church with an award at Annual Conference, and hopefully inspire more and more churches to lift up God's call to ministry for all people to hear. The instructions and form are available on our website [click here]. |
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Hospitality Volunteers Needed
The General Conference of The United Methodist Church meets every four years and is a world-wide gathering of Methodists. The decisions made during the General Conference affect the social policies of the church and how we govern ourselves. The Book of Discipline is amended at the General Conference, and the most recent General Conference was in 2008 in Ft. Worth, Texas. For more information regarding General Conference, [Click Here].
The Florida Conference will host the 2012 General Conference, which will be held at the Tampa Convention Center. The 11-day event is slated for April 24 through May 4, 2012. Nine Hundred eighty-eight delegates from all over the world will be in Tampa representing their conferences. In addition to delegates, there will be 5,000 to 6,000 observers and guests attending the General Conference. As the host conference, our role is to prepare for all the people arriving and to provide volunteer greeters during the General Conference. For more information about volunteer opportunities [Click Here].
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 Friday, November 4 to Sunday, November 6, 2011Florida UM Life Enrichment Center, Fruitland Park, FL Spiritually-guided, uplifting worship services led by Juddy Karei, Asbury Seminary student from Kenya who will educate and inspire you. Special sessions designed for mates who are young or new to ministry, those who are suffering from "moves anxiety," dealing with child-rearing issues, major life changes, or simply in need . . . Interesting discussion sessions led by mates who have been in ministry for 10+ years. Fun and engaging breakout sessions designed to suit most everyone's taste! Can't join us for the whole weekend, but still want to come? Sign up for the one-day retreat! Partial scholarships will be available for first-time attendees and mates with financial needs. WATCH FOR YOUR BROCHURE IN THE MAIL OR REGISTER [Click Here]. For more information, send us an email at FLUMC-mates@cfl.rr.com or send us a message on our Facebook page under "Florida Conference UM Ministers' Mates". |
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Clergy Kids RetreatFriday, January 20 through Sunday, January 22, 2012Warren Willis United Methodist Camp, Fruitland Park, FL If you have children (ages birth through high school seniors), we hope you'll save the dates for the Clergy Kids Retreat! This event is hosted by the Warren Willis Camp and the Center for Clergy Excellence. It gives children of clergy a chance to receive ministry in a setting other than their parents' congregation, and build relationships with other clergy kids in a fun environment. Parents of children 3rd grade and younger will attend with their children, making it an opportunity for young clergy and spouses to connect and build a supportive community. If you have questions, contact Joel Pancoast, Program Manager at Warren Willis United Methodist Camp, at joel.pancoast@warrenwilliscamp.org.
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Monday, February 6, 2012 - North East District @ Trinity UMC, Gainesville
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 - South Central District @ Lake Magdalene UMC, Tampa
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 - Atlantic Central District @ First UMC, Vero Beach
Thursday, February 9, 2012 - South East District @ Hollywood Hills UMC, Hollywood
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.
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 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]
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District Calendar
October
Oct 8: District United Methodist Women Annual Meeting
Oct 9: CROS Walk
Oct 18: Atlantic Central District Clergy Gathering North
Oct 19: Atlantic Central District Clergy Gathering Central
Oct 20: Atlantic Central District Clergy Gathering South
Oct 22: Atlantic Central District Clergy Gathering PT/Makeup
Oct 28: Early Response Team Training October 2011
Oct 29: Boot Camp for Prayer Warriors
Oct 31: Clergy Assessment Process and Continuing Education forms due
November
Nov 1: Hispanic - BASIC Training "Boot Camp" for Church Planters
Nov 4: 2011 Minister's Mates Retreat
Nov 11: Veterans Day Holiday, District office closed
Nov 21: dCOM meets at 8:30a, First UMC, Port St. Lucie
Nov 22: NCD meets at 4:00 p.m, TBD
Nov 24-25: Thanksgiving Holiday, District office closed
Nov 29: New Church Leadership Institute 2011
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Save
the
Date! |
Inspiring and Empowering Intentional Disciples
February 4, 2012
Trinity UMC, Palm Beach Gardens
March 3, 2012
Grace UMC, Merritt Island
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2012 District Leadership Training Event
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