Dear Michelle,
 How can you make God laugh?
It is simple - tell God your plans.
It seems that every Christian can tell a story that begins, "I never thought I would be doing this!" Especially in mission and outreach ministry, there are so many people who unexpectedly ended up on a roof repairing storm damage, sitting on a tiny elementary school chair tutoring a child, having dinner conversation with a homeless person, or laughing with an immigrant as both try to communicate beyond language.
When I first came to the District, we asked congregations "what has had the greatest impact in helping people grow in their faith". The answers talked about putting faith into action, getting people outside their comfort zone in hands on mission, learning about the community and the world, and seeing missions as relationships and not just projects.
Perhaps God will lead you and your congregation to places of service where you did not plan to go this year. God may still have a few surprises in store for all of us... we know if God is leading, there will be blessings all around.
Marilyn |
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Cold Night Shelters For Homeless
When the temperature drops below 40 degrees, several churches in our District open their facilities to provide hot meals and a warm space to sleep for homeless men, women and children.
 To help or to be a partner in future cold weather, contact these groups:
Halifax Urban Ministries - shelters at First UMC Bunnell, First UMC Port Orange, Pierson UMC, Pine Ridge Fellowship UMC and Trinity UMC Seville. They especially need help with transporting people from the HUM center in Daytona to Pierson or Orange City. Vans and busses work best. Call 386-252-0156.
First UMC Kissimmee - They need blankets and soup that can be frozen. Call 407-847-3700. |
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15th Annual Area Citrus Drives
Greater Orlando Area -- January 23, 2010 from 8 am to 2 pm
Volusia and Flagler Counties -- February 20, 2010 from 8 am to 2 pm
 Help feed Central Florida's Hungry with the Citrus grown in your backyards! The citrus collected during the drive will be distributed to homeless shelters and food banks throughout the area.
There are four ways to participate:
- Pick the Fruit and bring it to a local drop site;
- Volunteer to pick someone else's fruit trees;
- Donate your citrus for someone else to pick;
- Sponsor a box of citrus for $10
Greater Orlando Drop Sites:
Lake Mary - Grace UMC, 499 N. Country Club Blvd., 32746
Orlando - College Park Presbyterian, 118 East Par St., 32804
Orlando - St. Luke's UMC, 4851 Apopka Vineland Road, 32819
Oviedo - First UMC, 263 King Street, 32765
Zellwood - Zellwood UMC, 5538 Jones Ave., 32798
Volusia and Flagler County Drop Site:
First UMC, 115 East Howry Avenue, DeLand 32724
For Bulletin Inserts and further information: [click here] or call 407-650-1956. |
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Volunteer Disaster Chaplain Training Course
Orlando, Florida - March 2-3, 2010
Co-sponsored by the Florida Crisis Consortium, FIND and the Four Winds Foundation, this training is open to faith leaders of all faiths. Florida participants who complete this certification can volunteer with the Florida Crisis Consortium or through FIND partners across the state. NDIN can also assist unaffiliated volunteers in finding disaster spiritual care volunteer opportunities in local communities across the United States. Emergency managers and disaster mental health professionals may take this course to develop their knowledge of spiritual care best practices. Download Flyer [Click Here].
This two-day training prepares faith leaders or institutional chaplains to volunteer as disaster chaplains in mass care settings or to serve as disaster chaplains within their house of worship, religious community or professional institution. Each registrant must be endorsed for this training and/or currently serve as a professional chaplain and/or credentialed religious leader. Emergency managers and disaster mental health professionals may register using their agency affiliation.
Registration Information: March 2-3, 2010 from 8:15 AM - 5:00 PM
Seventh Day Adventist Florida Conference Center
655 Wymore Road, Winter Park Florida
Attendance is limited to 35 participants · Register by February 15
Tuition is $195 - Paid in Advance
(Continental breakfast, lunch and training materials included). This course is compliant with NIMS (National Incident Management Systems) and incorporates FEMA Incident Command System (IS 100) training. It also complies with the National VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) Points of Consensus for Disaster Spiritual Care. |
 Salty Service Training
First UMC | 115 E. Howry Ave. | Deland, FL 32724
Mark your calendar for a great day of learning and training. The keynote speaker will be Rev. Paul Chilcote who will speak on "Salty Service in a Wesleyan Style." Workshops will include looking at mission needs in your own community and connections to missions around the world. |
Recovery Ministry Training February 22-23 - sponsored by Leadership Network
Riverside, CA
The ministry of recovery is about redeeming lives. As ministers and recovery leaders, you work every day to help set people free from the power of addictions, the pain of abuse, and the effects of wounds and losses. You will experience inspiration, opportunities to learn and connections for ministry. Conference tracks include "Starting and Sustaining a Recovery Ministry". $179 per team. [click here] for details. |
Show Up 2 Speak Out - Florida Advocacy Days
April 11-13 - Tallahassee, FL
The Florida Conference established children as its social witness priority during a 2007 Conference Table. An opportunity to put Christ's hands and feet into action on behalf of children awaits you at the 2010 Florida Advocacy Days (FAD) at Children's Week, April 11-13, at the state capitol in Tallahassee.
FAD is for anyone willing to "Show Up 2 Speak Out" for children. Participants will help create change through visits to their state legislators; be transformed through prayer and worship services; network with other Christians who have a heart for children and their families in poverty; and receive vital knowledge through educational opportunities.
Registration information will be available soon. Bulletin inserts and other resources to help promote Advocacy Days are available. For updated information, [click here]. |
