 |
Wholeness for our Clergy, Congregations, and Communities | |
|
|
| Connecting Points | Outreach Newsletter
Mary 2010 |
|
|
 |
| Dear Michelle,
Scripture tells us that "the righteous walk in integrity" (Proverbs 20:7)
When I hear the word integrity, I think back to Jean Morton. She was the Christian Educator at Plantation UMC when I was in high school. She was a "southern lady" full of kindness and charm that grew out of her deep faith in Christ. She was a woman of prayer and had a tremendous knowledge of the Bible. She was also always serving those in need in the community.
My first steps in mission were tutoring a child to read at a nearby elementary school and serving refreshments at a program for teenage mothers. I had been pretty sheltered and it was hard to go to places where people seemed so different. Jean went along with us and encouraged us and just naturally made friends with everyone. With her graceful nature, it helped me see that across differences, we are all children of God.
Living with integrity for us as Christians means that our words and deeds match, that our beliefs and actions are consistent. It is a model the world needs to see....hopefully people see it in us.
Grace and peace,
Marilyn |
 |
|
Youth Needed for National Advisory Board 
The Souper Bowl of Caring is currently accepting applications for the 2010-2011 National Youth Advisory Board (NYAB).
NYAB is comprised of 12 rising sophomores, juniors and seniors from across the nation, selected through an application process. "Through the Souper Bowl of Caring NYAB, not only have I made great friendships, memories, and experiences, but I have also found a new passion in my life." - Ashley M, 11th Grader.
The deadline to receive applications for the 2010-2011 NYAB is Monday July 12, 2010.
What are the Responsibilities?
· Attend two mandatory in-person meetings organized by Souper Bowl of Caring
(September 24-26, 2010 and January 14-17, 2011).
· Act as a youth Ambassador, sharing Souper Bowl of Caring with others in your community
· Assist the Souper Bowl of Caring by offering ideas and suggestions on ways to grow and continue
to reach out to youth
· Serve as a youth spokesperson for media
· Represent the Souper Bowl of Caring in a positive manner at all times |
|
Council on Aging Event
2010 Florida Council on Aging Conference on August 16-18
Katherine Zimmerman, a member of First UMC, Orlando, has passed on this request for volunteers to assist at the 2010 Florida Council on Aging Conference on August 16th - 18th at the Caribe Royale in Orlando. This is the BIG statewide conference on aging issues and always proves to be a great event. They need volunteer help and the good news is that if you volunteer for one 3-hour shift, you can attend that day's seminars (minus lunch or intensives). If you volunteer to stuff bags on Sunday, you can attend Monday afternoon's sessions free (minus lunch and intensives again).
And, even better news ... self parking is FREE at the Caribe Royale. So, now [Click Here] to sign up for your shift! |
|
 For Seniors
In recognition of Older Americans Month, the National Council on Aging is inviting seniors nationwide to take advantage of free online screenings for benefits through their BenefitsCheckUp® service. The site checks a senior's eligibility for 2,000 federal, state, and local programs that can help pay for utilities, food, housing, and other basic needs. Link to website: www.benefitscheckup.org |
|
Disaster Response Ministries
|
|
United Methodist Volunteers in Mission
UMVIM/UMCOR-trained Early Response Teams (ERTs) are urgently needed in the Tennessee Conference in response to recent flooding. Please visit [this website] and indicate precise estimate of arrival, departure, team size, and contact information. Teams who previously provided information to the Tennessee Conference are requested to re-enter information into the form to save on data entry.
Most work is flood clean-out, and many churches are offering sleeping space and kitchens.
|
|
|
Disaster Preparedness
 Disaster Response Coordinator: Jeff Campbell
As so often happens, there are so many things to write about that I simply don't know where to start. When this occurs it gets the best of so many of us that we just don't do ANYTHING. Well, I want to remind you that hurricane season is approaching and you really should do SOMETHING. Is your emergency food pantry well stocked? If not then it's time to head to the store. Grocery stores will soon be putting out hurricane guides. While getting your supplies tart looking for those and take one home and go over it carefully. How about clothing? Instead of throwing away those old grungy duds, how about placing them in a garbage bag and store them where you can get to them once the storm has passed? Those clothes you wear while cleaning up debris can get mighty filthy in a hurry. And have you ever tried to get them thoroughly cleaned? [Continue Reading] |
|
Community Building Event: reBUILD HAITI
Response to Haiti Earthquake: June 13th from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Emmanuel Haitian Mission
 What can you and your Church do to help rebuild Haiti? Join us for an afternoon of worship, celebration and prayer at Emmanual Haitian Mission. Rev. Lynn Austin, a Board member for Grace Children's Hospital in Port Au Prince, will share the stories of the amazing medical services provided by the hospital and clinics and tell of the work that needs to be done to rebuild. There will be information on sending teams to work at the hospital and information on other projects being sponsored throughout the Conference.
How is God calling you? |
|
Other Ministry Opportunities
| |
Backpacks for Schoolchildren and Youth
 Somebody Cares Tampa Bay provides high quality backpacks and school supplies at very low cost. The backpacks that were used by the Conference Outreach Ministries for the last six years were purchased through this organization. The cost for early bird orders before May 29th is a suggested $6.00 donation for backpacks only, a suggested $8.50 donation for filled backpacks (containing items such as pencils, paper, ruler, glue stick or tape, erasers, crayons or colored pencils, two-pocket folders and pen). Backpacks can be ordered until June 27th at slightly higher rates and pick up time and date are by appointment between July 13th and August 14th. [Click Here] for the order form and contact information. |
|
|
Creative Ministry with the Homeless and Youth
Submitted by Britt Gilmore, Associate Pastor, First UMC of Orlando
IDignity is a non-profit organization based in Orlando that provides identification documents to the poor. It began in 2008, when five churches in downtown Orlando, including First United Methodist Church of Orlando, realized the significant obstacles that many homeless people have in acquiring an ID card. As you might imagine, many essential tasks in our society are impossible without an ID card - such as applying for a job or finding a place to stay. Members from these congregations researched this problem and began coordinating a monthly event in Orlando which brings together the government agencies responsible for identification, legal expertise to help those with difficult cases, and many volunteers who help with this process.
In the past year, IDignity has also spread to Sanford and Deland, and helps at local Project Homeless Connect events. They are always open to new partners or volunteers. If you are interested in learning more, you will find a lot of information at www.idignity.org. The executive director of IDignity is Michael Dippy, a member at First United Methodist Church of Orlando, and you can reach him at Michael@idignity.org.
|
|
 Justice For Our NeighborsClinic Has New Home - Aloma UMC, Orlando
JFON will be moving its Orlando area immigration clinic to Aloma UMC. A training for new volunteers will be held on Sunday, June 6th from 3:00 - 5:30 pm and the first clinic will be held on June 8. Aloma UMC is starting a new multi-cultural Alpha class and has a conversational English program, so this is a great partnership for the ministries.
Volunteers roles needed include help with hospitality, child care, intake interviews and translation. JFON is also seeking an office volunteer to assist with recording all the cases in the data base and other assistance to the attorney.
For more information or to volunteer, please contact Marilyn Beecher 407-896-2230 x105 mbeecher@flumc.org. |
|
|
Peace with Justice Sunday May 30, 2010
Funding Comes to Our District
 Around the world people struggle with violence, injustice, pain and suffering. Our financial gifts on Peace with Justice Sunday on May 30, 2010, or any other date you choose, give the United Methodist Church a voice in advocating for those who struggle. Please do all you can to help your United Methodist Church work for peace with justice in Christ's name. For a helpful powerpoint, [Click Here]. Money given to special offerings often comes back to our District and Conference. Justice For Our Neighbors recently received a $5,000 grant. JFON is working to educate Haitians and help them sign up for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) after the earthquake. This is an emergency response when people in the US cannot return home because of war or major disaster. The Department of Homeland Security made the ruling and JFON has been able to assist clients who qualify. It is just one way Peace With Justice Funds work to serve those in need in the name of Christ. For free resources, call 888-346-3862. For further information and to donate online [Click Here]. |
|
|
Celebrate Jesus Mission
St. Petersburg ~ July 17-24, 2010
If you have not been on mission in a while, we encourage you to consider Celebrate Jesus. This year's mission takes us back to the St. Petersburg area where Celebrate Jesus had one of its first missions in the year 2000. We have five Hispanic communities joining us this year. Consider coming on mission again this summer. Applications are available at www.cjmission.org. |
|
Do You Have A Passion for Prison Ministry?
Nearly 100,000 men and women are incarcerated and in the custody of the Florida Department of Corrections; 80% of them are reported by the Department to have alcohol and drug abuse problems.
In an effort to minister to this growing segment of society, a task force is being developed to coordinate the efforts of churches throughout the conference as they minister to the prison population. If you or your church are presently involved or want to get involved in prison ministry, please tell us the details. Send information to Bob Crowley, EC District Prison Ministry Chair, at rcrowley6@cfl.rr.com; and Tammy Fisher, Florida Conference staff, at tfisher@flumc.org. |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
District
Outreach Calendar |
May 30: Peace with Justice Sunday
Jun 9: 2nd Annual Celebrate Jesus Golf Classic, Lakeland, 8a
Jun 13: ReBuild Haiti Gathering, Emmanuel Haitian UMC, 2-5p
Aug 21: Child & Youth Protection Training, Tomoka UMC, Ormond Beach, 9a-12p
2011
Jan 29: EC District Leadership Training Event, Community UMC, Casselberry, 8:30-12:45a
| SAVE THE DATE! January 29th, 2011
2011 East Central District Lay and Clergy Leadership Annual Training Event
8:30 - 12:45 am at Community UMC, Casselberry |
|
|
|
